Two days. That’s the amount of time remaining for you, dear Samsung Galaxy S II owner, before the long-awaited upgrade to Android 4.0 — the dessert known as Ice Cream Sandwich — becomes readily available for your device through Kies. Naturally, this is going to be adorned with Sammy’s TouchWiz UI, and it’s only going to be ready on the GT-I9100 (global version) for now. According to the notes, we can expect to see Face Unlock, Android Beam and data usage included, and multitasking and some apps will be improved. We’re sure this is just the tip of the feature iceberg, however. Curiously, the site specifies that because of “ICS OS feature,” Flash and Bluetooth 3.0 HS won’t be supported.

The update will come to individual carriers and their own GSII variants eventually, after a hefty amount of testing on their end, but at least this — combined with HTC’s rollout of Sense 3.6 to the Nordic countries today — means the ICS ball is officially rolling for custom skins. Let’s just hope it’s going down a steep hill. If you happen to be packing a GT-I9100, be sure to check the links below for the full set of instructions, and let us know what you find.

[Thanks, Argel and Roger]

Update: Samsung’s just tweeted that March 10th date is (sadly) wrong. It added that once the upgrade schedule is concrete, it’ll confirm through its dedicated Twitter account.

Samsung Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) to get ICS on March 10th (update: recalled) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-ics/

Two days. That’s the amount of time remaining for you, dear Samsung Galaxy S II owner, before the long-awaited upgrade to Android 4.0 — the dessert known as Ice Cream Sandwich — becomes readily available for your device through Kies. Naturally, this is going to be adorned with Sammy’s TouchWiz UI, and it’s only going to be ready on the GT-I9100 (global version) for now. According to the notes, we can expect to see Face Unlock, Android Beam and data usage included, and multitasking and some apps will be improved. We’re sure this is just the tip of the feature iceberg, however. Curiously, the site specifies that because of “ICS OS feature,” Flash and Bluetooth 3.0 HS won’t be supported.

The update will come to individual carriers and their own GSII variants eventually, after a hefty amount of testing on their end, but at least this — combined with HTC’s rollout of Sense 3.6 to the Nordic countries today — means the ICS ball is officially rolling for custom skins. Let’s just hope it’s going down a steep hill. If you happen to be packing a GT-I9100, be sure to check the links below for the full set of instructions, and let us know what you find.

[Thanks, Argel and Roger]

Samsung Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) to get ICS on March 10th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-ics/

Ok so, maybe Angelina couldn’t have created Skyrim all on her own, but the experimental AI from Michael Cook (a computer scientist at Imperial College London) is still quite impressive. The artificial dev is able program enemy behavior, layout levels, and distribute power ups with random attributes. While many elements of a game like Space Station Invaders (which you can play at the more coverage link) are designed by human hands, it’s Angelina’s ability to act as a composer building something fun from the various ingredients that’s so interesting. Before setting a level in stone she plays through the possible combinations, determining which will be most enjoyable for a human player. Hit up the source link for loads more info.

Angelina: the experimental AI that’s coming for our game dev jobs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/angelina-the-experimental-ai-thats-coming-for-our-game-dev-job/

Listening to music isn’t the best reason to take the plunge with the PS Vita. However, a new feature’s a new feature, and Sony’s very happy to tell you that its own subscription-based Music Unlimited service has arrived on UK devices, courtesy of its own dedicated app. Now you’ve had your fill of the games, Twitter and Facebook apps, it must be time to integrate with Sony’s verticals and hand over more cash. The Android app has also been updated to include offline playback to songs added to your playlists — like another certain streaming music service. You can grab the latest version at the source below.

Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/music-unlimited-app-arrives-on-playstation-vita-android-version/

Are you still out there rockin’ a Windows Mobile device? And, yes, notice we did not say “Windows Phone.” Well, we’ve got some bad news (besides the fact that your handset is seriously obsolete) — the Windows Marketplace for Mobile is getting ready to ride off into the sunset. In May of last year Microsoft stopped accepting new app submissions, now the store is being scheduled for complete shutdown on May 9th of 2012. After that day you might still be able to score some software straight from the devs or via third-party markets, but you’ll no longer be able browse or download from the official outlet. If you’re interested in a bit more info, we’ve embedded the entire notice after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Microsoft putting Windows Mobile 6.x market out to pasture

Microsoft putting Windows Mobile 6.x market out to pasture originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/microsoft-putting-windows-mobile-6-x-market-out-to-pasture/

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we’re using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

You know what we’re sick of talking about? (Okay, sick is a strong word, but you catch our drift.) Phones. Also, the iPad. Fortunately, this week’s IRL touches on neither of the above. Instead, our audio guy Joe takes a different tack and explains his choice of Nikkor lenses, while Andy and Billy get hands-on with a rugged hard drive and Chumby 8, respectively. Head on past the break to see how we rate this stuff after spending more than a little time with all of it.

Continue reading IRL: Chumby 8, LaCie Rugged Triple USB 3.0 and a duo of Nikkor lenses

IRL: Chumby 8, LaCie Rugged Triple USB 3.0 and a duo of Nikkor lenses originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/irl-chumby-8-lacie-rugged-nikkor-lenses/

Can’t get enough of the FCC approval gossip? For some reason, neither can we. In the middle of what seems like a flood of new devices trying to get prepped for their inevitable US debut, the HTC PJ53100 appears to stand out above many of the rest. Why? It’s boasting LTE band 13, which is Verizon’s piece of 700MHz real estate. And while it doesn’t come right out and proudly proclaim exactly what it is, we’re rather certain this is the HTC Droid Incredible HD — also known as the Fireball. Any other details? Nothing worth writing home about, sadly, but we have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more of this smartphone pretty darn soon.

HTC Droid Incredible 4G parties down with FCC, ready for Verizon? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/htc-droid-incredible-4g-fcc-verizon/

Apple was dealt a setback today in its efforts to prevent Kodak from selling up to $2.6 billion worth of digital imaging patents, with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper ruling that it would be an “inappropriate way forward” to allow Apple to pursue patent litigation against the bankrupt company. For its part, Apple had argued that one of those patents — concerning the ability to preview digital photos on an LCD screen — was “misappropriated” from its own technology, and that Kodak therefore shouldn’t be allowed to sell it off as part of the planned sale (something Kodak obviously disputes). On that point, the judge did agree that the matter should be resolved soon, just not in the manner Apple had been proceed, adding that he “would request that the parties report to me on their efforts to come up with a procedure that truly works.”

Judge says Apple can’t pursue patent infringement case against Kodak originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/judge-says-apple-cant-pursue-patent-infringement-case-against-k/

That’s right, folks, HTC is finally rolling out Sense 3.6 — Ice Cream Sandwich for HTC’s “legacy devices” — in a limited campaign. Who are the lucky folks to be among the first to enjoy the upgrade? Owners of the Sensation and Sensation XE in the Nordic countries, it turns out. We first heard about the rollout on XDA, but have now received the official confirmation directly from HTC headquarters; according to the Taiwanese manufacturer, “broader availability will come later this month.” That definitely lines up with what the company’s told us before, but we’re glad to see it reaching out to users earlier — even if it’s in limited quantities. We hope the rollout goes smoothly and prompts HTC to begin pushing it out to the rest of the world. Fingers crossed.

Note: As always, if you meet the criteria listed above and haven’t seen the update arrive yet, don’t panic — these things take time to get to everyone.

HTC rolls out Sense 3.6 to the Nordics, Sensation users get first crack at ICS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/htc-ics-sense-nordic/

To its credit, ATT’s version of the Samsung Galaxy S II HD LTE — known as the Skyrocket HD — has managed to elude its fair share of Mr. Blurrycams and other leaks for a full two months since it was originally announced at the carrier’s Developer Summit. Now the device, listed as the SGH-I757, has stepped one foot closer to the daylight, thanks to the FCC looking it up and down and nodding in approval. We still don’t have a date or price, but at least we have a solid indication that Ma Bell hasn’t simply forgotten about the smartphone or tossed it to the wayside. Sadly, we couldn’t eke many new details out of the massive stack of paperwork — just the usuals, like LTE 700 / 1700 support with WCDMA 850 / 1900 radios — but we found one interesting bit. The model supports two battery covers: one with an NFC antenna, and one without. Knowing ATT’s reluctance to flip the NFC switch on other devices, we won’t be surprised if the latter option is included with the final production units — or will it just be built into the battery like its predecessors? As always, time will tell.

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket HD for ATT gets the FCC nod

Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket HD for ATT gets the FCC nod originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-skyrocket-hd-fcc/