Tuesday, July 2, 2013

PSA: Download your Google Reader data by July 15th

PSA Download your Google Reader data by July 15th
Right on schedule, Google's popular Reader site has gone offline. Visitors are now greeted with an apology message of sorts, along with a warning that data will be permanently deleted after 12PM PST on July 15th. In the meantime, you can use Google Takeout to download a copy of your subscription info, including lists you follow, starred items and notes. In fact, now might be an excellent time to snag data from other sites -- you never know when Mountain View will opt to "sunset" your other beloved services, too.

Engadget Giveaway: win an HTC One Google Play edition, courtesy of dbrand!


Engadget Giveaway win an HTC One Google Play edition, courtesy of dbrand!
Ever since Google announced that it was joining forces with Samsung and HTC to push out a stock Android version of the two biggest flagships on the market, we knew that a giveaway of at least one of these devices would need to follow quickly. True to our intent, we've teamed up with dbrand, a company dedicated to making customized skins for the phone of your choice, to offer you the chance to win the Google Play edition of the HTC One! To enter, head to the widget below -- remember, leaving comments doesn't work anymore. While you're at it, feel free to enjoy dbrand's latest video showing off what it does best.

Netflix lands multi-year subscription exclusive for New Girl


Netflix lands multiyear streaming exclusive for New Girl
While Netflix has scored some coups in original content, it has arguably been slacking on deals for conventional TV shows -- Amazon has landed numerous exclusives on that front in recent months. Netflix may be making up for lost time, however, with a multi-year subscription exclusive in the US for Fox's New Girl. Effective immediately, customers can stream the Zooey Deschanel comedy's first season; further seasons will come online as they finish their initial TV runs. We doubt that New Girl by itself will lead to many converts from other services, but its presence on Netflix proves that Amazon can't let its guard down.

Monday, July 1, 2013

The Daily Roundup for 07.01.2013


DNP The Daily RoundUp
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Future soldier: Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku on building a Death Star and Silicon Valley brain drain

Morning light shines softly through a large glass window as a travel-weary Michio Kaku gamely musters a smile. Then the camera starts rolling. In an instant Kaku transforms from an exhausted traveler, to a newly rejuvenated physicist as he plays to his audience and waxes poetic about his favorite subject -- science. Read on for our full interview.

Firefox OS hands-on: Alcatel OneTouch Fire and ZTE Open (video)

We've crossed paths with Firefox OS before, but today marks the first time we've used handsets running the final build of Mozilla's mobile OS. The Alcatel OneTouch Fire and ZTE Open, shown at the link above, are the same phones we played with at MWC earlier this year -- in fact, the latter just launched in Spain on Telefónica for €69 ($90) unsubsidized including €30 ($39) of airtime for prepaid customers. Read on for our full impressions of both devices.

HP exec says company will re-enter smartphone market, is working on a device that offers a unique experience

HP and phones? It's not over, apparently. The company's Senior Director of Consumer PCs and Tablets for Asia-Pacific, Yam Su Yin, has told The Indian Express that HP isn't done with smartphones and is already working on a new device.
The Daily Roundup for 07012013

Ex-Xbox chief Don Mattrick lands at Zynga, officially (update: comments from Ballmer and Mattrick)

We just got the news that ex-head of Xbox, Don Mattrick, was out at Microsoft, and now we know where he's going: Zynga. AllThingsD reports that Mattrick is officially the new CEO of the casual social gaming firm.