Research In Motion (RIM) is currently trying to hammer out a deal with Hulu that would let BlackBerry PlayBook users gain paid access to the streaming service. Following the PlayBook’s launch last week, users were surprised to find that they could load and watch Hulu content on their tablet, but the excitement was short lived. Hulu blocked the BlackBerry browser within 48 hours, just has it has done with all tablets and smartphones. “We are in conversations with Hulu to bring the Hulu Plus subscription service to BlackBerry PlayBook users,” a RIM spokeswoman told The Wall Street Journal in an email. Hulu makes it a practice to block its online service from mobile devices in order to push its Hulu Plus service, which runs $7.99/month. Hulu Plus is currently available on Apple’s iPad and iPhone via an app.
Posts Tagged ‘maximum-tech’
RIM Negotiating Hulu Access for BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet
April 26th, 2011 
admin 
Posted in Tech News 
Tags: blackberry, browser-within, from-mobile, maximum-tech, online-service, playbook, slate, streaming, tablet 
Comments OffBarnes & Noble Adds Apps, Email, and Other Features to the Nook Color
April 26th, 2011 admin Many wondered if tablets and dedicated eBook readers could coexist, primarily because the former can do everything the latter can do, plus a whole lot more (except read comfortably in direct sunlight). But much lower prices and lighter devices have made sure that eBook readers remain relevant. On top of that, Barnes & Noble appears determined to blur the line between what constitutes a dedicated eReader and a full fledged tablet. Barnes & Noble today announced it added “significant new features and content” to its Nook Color device, which B&N pitches as “the reader’s tablet.” This $250 in-between now has full-featured, built in email, an enhanced Web experience, and a broad collection of popular apps courtesy of its v1.2 update, B&N says. “Nook Color offers the best reading experience of any device, and now delivers the most popular tablet features such as engaging apps so customers can play, learn and explore, free, built-in email, an Android operating system update for enhanced Web browsing and more interactive content,” said William Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble. “With our new Nook Apps program, we’ve partnered with the world’s best publishers and developers to offer popular brands like Angry Birds, Epicurious, Uno, Lonely Planet, Dr. Seuss, Little Critter and many more quality and entertaining applications. These and other enhancements, plus new ways for adults and children to experience exciting content, make Nook Color a great alternative to paying double the price – or more – for an expensive tablet. Our easy-to-use, full-featured Reader’s Tablet is available for only $249, and presents the best value of any tablet on the market.” B&N is correct in describing these additions as “significant.” The addition of Nook Apps allows the Nook Color to be taken a little more seriously as a “reader’s tablet,” with a selection of both free and paid apps, with half of the latter priced at $2.99 or less and the majority priced at $5.99 or less, B&N says. Email is another big addition. B&N says users can now organize multiple Web mail accounts in one inbox, adding that it works with the top Web mail services, including Yahoo, Gmail, AOL, and Hotmail. B&N will begin rolling out the over-the-air (OTA) update to customers via Wi-Fi over the coming weeks, or you can grab it immediately by heading to www.nookcolor.com/update .
Posted in Tech News Tags: aol, apps, Color, ebook reader, enhancements, maximum-tech, mobile, reader, Update., Yahoo Comments OffRumors Point to White iPhone Launch on April 27
April 26th, 2011 admin At this point, it almost seems silly to bother with releasing a white iPhone 4 device, a strangely elusive color for Apple that, for one reason or another, hasn’t yet made it to market. The earliest hint that Apple might be on the verge of releasing a white iPhone 4 was the release of a white iPad 2, seemingly suggesting that whatever issue Apple was having has now been sorted out. However, recent rumors suggest a release later this week. First there was the photo and information that was sent to Engadget last week. At the time, Engadget claimed it had seen retailers making space for the handset over the past few months. Following that, reports surfaced that U.K. wireless vendor Vodafone jumped the gun and accidentally sold a white iPhone 4. The latest bit of evidence to spring from the rumor mill is a leaked screenshot of a Best Buy inventory listing that shows the white iPhone 4 as having an in-stock date of April 27, 2011. The screenshot, which was sent to 9to5Mac.com , shows AT&T’s GSM model, though the site says its “connects at Verizon told us there is a CDMA version coming, too.” A white iPhone 4 will probably find an audience, though we can’t help but wonder if Apple would be better served by waiting until the iPhone 5 ships to offer another color. Image Credit: AppleInsider
Posted in Tech News Tags: apple, better-served, claimed-it-had, Color, from-the-rumor, iPhone, iphone 4, jumped-the-gun, maximum-tech, release-later, White, wireless-vendor, wonder-if-apple Comments OffRadio Shack Joins the iPad 2 Party
March 30th, 2011 admin A few days ago we treated PC purists to a video of the iPad 2 being blasted to bits by a shotgun. On the flip side, if such harsh treatment of an iOS device made you lose your lunch and question what’s wrong with humanity, it’s your turn for a treat. While surfing seedier sides of the Web (like Apple sites), we discovered a leaked photo suggesting the iPad 2 is going on sale at Radio Shack starting today. MacRumors posted the photo , which shows an ad stating, “We are thrilled that iPad 2 will be available at 500 Radio Shack locations across the country starting March 29! Details have been sent to these stores.” It’s a ray of hope for anyone who’s been wanting to grab an iPad 2 but have had trouble finding one in stock. Apple’s second generation tablet sold out at most locations on the first day, and if you visit Apple’s Web store, the Cupertino outfit is quoting 3-4 weeks for new orders. MacRumors said it confirmed with several Radio Shack stores that they will be selling the iPad 2, a significant development for the electronics chain which never carried the iPad 1. Image Credit: Apple
Posted in Tech News Tags: cupertino, ipad, leaked-photo, maximum-tech, never-carried, news, radio shack, slate, tablet Comments OffNintendo 3DS Costs $103 to Build
March 30th, 2011 admin Never mind the headaches and reported Black Screen of Death syndrome affecting some 3DS consoles, for some, the real gripe against Nintendo’s latest handheld game player is the price. Without any extras, the 3DS runs $250, or $50 shy of a slim Xbox 360 console with a 250GB hard drive. Decide for yourself whether this comes as any consolation or more salt in the wound, but a recent breakdown of parts pegs the bill of materials (BOM) and manufacturing costs of the 3DS at $103 and a quarter. According to iSuppli , the 3DS carries a BOM of $100.71, which is a 33 percent increase over the DSi. Not surprisingly, the displays account for a third of the cost ($33.80), followed by mechanical/electromechanical parts ($20.81), processor ($10.02), memory ($8.36), and on down the list (view the itemized breakdown here .) Manufacturing adds another $2.54. One interesting thing to note is that the battery, at $3.50, is more than twice as expensive as that of the DSi and accounts for 3.5 percent of the BOM. “Because the 3DS has bigger, more sophisticated displays and a higher performance apps processor than the DSi — as well as new added features such as a gyroscope and accelerometer — it makes sense the battery would have higher capacity,” said Andrew Rassweiler, senior director, teardown services for IHS. Rassweiler also said that Nintendo appears to have taken a page from Apple in designing the battery and multi-faceted power management scheme. Image Credit: Nintendo
Posted in Tech News Tags: apps-processor, bom, console, down-the-list, headaches, latest-handheld, maximum-tech, nintendo, senior-director, videogames Comments OffAmazon Launches Cloud Player Music Streaming Service
March 30th, 2011 admin Amazon has taken a big step and beaten both Apple and Google to the punch with their new Cloud Player service . Users will be able up upload music to their free 5GB Cloud Drive, and stream it to most web browsers and Android devices. There is also a tie-in with music purchased from Amazon’s MP3 store, which can be loaded directly into the Cloud Drive. There are a few things of note here. The 5GB of free space for all users is enough for some people, but if you intend to upload all your MP3s, 5GB likely won’t cut it. Amazon will sell you additional storage for a reasonable price. Should you buy an album from them, you can get a free 1 year upgrade to 20GB of storage. It is also interesting that Amazon is opening this service up without licensing deals from the labels. They may not need them, but that wouldn’t stop the labels from making a stink over it.
Posted in Tech News Tags: amazon, apple, cloud-drive, cloud-player, cloud-storage, labels, luck-as-even, maximum-tech, mobile, music-purchased, news, safari Comments OffVerizon LTE Mobile Hotspot Goes on Sale for $100 with Contract
March 30th, 2011 admin Verizon’s 4G LTE network is probably the fastest mobile data you’re going to get these days, provided your area is covered. So the carrier’s first mobile hotspot is bound to turn some heads. The Samsung-made device has apparently gone on sale just a little early . It can be yours for a mere $100 and two years of your life. The SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot supports the speedy LTE network, as well as the older EV-DO Rev A 3G standard. The device puts out the data over a 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi signal for up to 5 devices. Sure, you could go with the new HTC Thunderbolt and get the same functionality in one device, but battery life is an issue there. Verizon is claiming 216 minutes of 4G data use on a charge for the mobile hotspot.
Posted in Tech News Tags: carrier, claiming-216, data, fastest, first-mobile, gone-on-sale, life, maximum-tech, mobile, mobile-hotspot, samsung-made, speedy, thunderbolt, verzion Comments Off
