American Airlines notifies customers of scam that started in November, Belarus will fine citizens for browsing the internet on sites based outside the country starting next week, and Microsoft is just giddy about IE6 dying. More »

iPad: CloudOn brings a fully-loaded version of Microsoft Office to the iPad, so you can edit documents on-the-go using all of Office's features, and store your documents right in your Dropbox. More »

While it's hardly pulling the curtain back on its entire CES 2012 slate of products, Samsung's earliest preview for your AV pleasure is an updated range of HTIB systems and sound bars, as well as two new Audio Docks that support Apple devices as well as its own Galaxy S phones and players. The DA-E750 Audio Dock (pictured above) is the first to include Samsung's "hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology" which it claims raises the bar for mainstream audio products, by delivering the clear sound output of digital combined with the natural sound of a vacuum tube in its preamp. Both docks will play from and charge both Samsung and Apple hardware, as well as stream music wirelessly via AllShare or AirPlay, although the DA-E670 lacks that high end vacuum tube tech.

For your entire home theater needs, the new HT-E6730W 7.1 Blu-ray 3D HTIB features the same vacuum tube tech as the DA-E750, while the HT-E5500W boasts an iPod dock and 3D sound effects.Finally the HW-E550 Surround Sound Bar also produces 3D sound with vertically mounted speakers and comes with its own wirelessly connected subwoofer. One other new feature this year is the "Disc to Digital" integration in the HT-E5500W's Blu-ray player which will give users access to streaming copies of eligible discs just by registering into the player. It sounds like it's powered by Ultraviolet, although we'd expect to hear more about that closer to the show. Check after the break for press releases, and the gallery for a few pics of all this hardware -- if you know anything about Samsung, you know the onslaught has only just begun.

Continue reading Samsung unveils new HTIB systems plus audio docks with Galaxy S and iPhone support

Samsung unveils new HTIB systems plus audio docks with Galaxy S and iPhone support originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mac OS X Lion has a new feature that lets you add a custom message to your login screen. It's easy to set up, and a good way to provide contact information in the event you lose your computer. More »

At this week's North American International Auto Show, Craftsman unveiled its 2012 CTX tractor line to the car-loving masses, and let's just get this out there -- this is not your father's lawnmower. Propelled by a 30-horsepower Briggs & Stratton motor, this grass-assassin can hit forward speeds of 8MPH and, for those Jason Statham-style chase scenes, 3MPH in reverse. The tractor is equipped with automatic traction control, an electronic fuel management system that removes the need for a carburetor, electronic cutting height adjustment and a 54-inch mowing plain with "quick deck removal." Couple that with cruise control, digital instruments, a cup holder and 12-volt power adapter (have to have some suds and songs while you mow, right?) and you have yourself quite the package. The CTX will be available this February at Sears stores nationwide and will be priced between $3000 and $6500.

Continue reading Craftsman aims to pimp your lawnmower with digital dash, traction control and more

Craftsman aims to pimp your lawnmower with digital dash, traction control and more originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily App Deals post is a round-up of the best app discounts of the day, as well as some notable mentions for ones that are on sale. More »

If you want to be a better home bartender, or you just want to learn how to make some great drinks to impress friends when you're at their place, your smartphone can help you mix up something tasty, or learn the right proportions to pour to make a simple drink. Earlier in the week, we asked you which apps you fire up when you approach the bar, and then we took at look at the top five drink recipe apps. Now we're back to crown the winner. More »

After leveraging its DVR patent portfolio into a $500 million settlement with Dish Network and Echostar TiVo has made it rain again, cutting a mutual patent licensing deal with AT&T that settles their litigation and will result in at least $215 million heading its way through 2018. Additional license fees are possible based on AT&T's U-verse DVR subscriber base, so besides the $51 million up front and recurring payments after that, there could be even more money at stake. Despite intervention on its behalf by Microsoft, AT&T apparently decided caving was the best option. Next we'll see what happens next in a similar battle with Verizon and whether TiVo decides to continue developing its products or just sit back and let the licensing money roll in. CEO Tom Rogers said in a statement (included after the break) that it provides TiVo rights to "innovate TiVo products and services under license from AT&T", although if it were us we'd make the call after taking a Scrooge McDuck-style dive into a pool filled with Dish and AT&T's money.

Continue reading TiVo, AT&T patent settlement will send at least $215 million TiVo's way through 2018

TiVo, AT&T patent settlement will send at least $215 million TiVo's way through 2018 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WowWee, the company best known for its endless supply of adorable robot toys, is kicking off 2012 with something a little more virtual than visceral. AppGear combines actual physical toys with iOS and Android apps, like the launch title Foam Fighters. Each collectible, action figure or playset is paired with its own free, downloadable app that offers an augmented reality game or virtual way to interact with the toys. The line will be launching in "early" 2012, for between $9.99 and $19.99 depending on the particular toy. Six products will be available at launch, including Alien Jailbreak, Zombie Burbs, and Elite Commander which you can check out in the videos below alongside some incredibly vague PR. And we'll be gunning for WowWee booth when we land in Vegas to get some hands-on time with this lineup of AR-toys.

Continue reading WowWee's AppGear turns toys into smartphone 'appcessories' (video)

WowWee's AppGear turns toys into smartphone 'appcessories' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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