From 9to5toys.com:
PC Connection offers the Sony GoogleTV BluRay Player NSZ-GT1 for $199. 9to5 coupon code 9to5Blu10 drops it $20 to $179.99, the lowest price we’ve seen. Google just updated its TV line to 2.0 which has applications, an easier menu system, HBO co and more. It features support for the Android-based Google TV service, 1080p upscaling, 8GB of built-in storage, 802.11n wireless and Ethernet connectivity, four USB ports, HDMI output, and more.
Curious about some of the details in why Google switched to their new Roboto type face in Ice Cream Sandwich? Matias Duarte, Android director, took to Google+ this evening to explain it in great detail. Switching from Droid type face to Roboto type face was mainly due in part to the higher pixel density screens, Matias explained. As screens get bigger, and more pixel dense, certain font schemes can lose their luster.
The other big part of the new type face was also due in part to the design strides Google is trying to make with Ice Cream Sandwich. You’ll notice in screenshots that fonts are much more crisp and tie in better with the rest of the UI.
The Android team is devoting themselves to continue working on the font, and the overall UI. We can’t wait to check it when we get our hands on the Nexus Prime in a few weeks.
Google+ engineer Vermont Lasmarias revealed today that a new section displaying all of your recently played games has been added to the Google+ homepage. The new section can be found in the bottom left, and allows you to quickly launch into a game where you left off. Luckily, if you’re not a fan of the new games section, or just want to free up your side bar, you can get rid of the widget right from the homepage too.
What’s a tell-tale sign that the latest tech thing has become sticky? Badges, of course! Be it LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or the latest fad, people want the world to know they endorse a certain piece of technology so they put badges on blog posts and web pages.
Well, Google today made available Google+ badges for your own web site. If you’re all about driving engagement (especially true if you’re a business or a brand with a Google+ page), you may want to proudly feature these on your own web site.
The Google+ badge helps you grow your audience on Google+ and show more recommendations in Google search by letting people add you to their circles and +1 your page, all without leaving your site.
Your visitors will thank you. Not only will Google+ badges turn visitors into advocates of your brand, but will also make it easy for your audience to share and subscribe to your posts. In addition, you get more personal recommendations around the web by connecting +1’s for your website with +1’s on your Google+ page. Want your own Google+ badge? First set up a Google+ page and then customize your badge using this tool.
When we told you about the 1-inch x 1-inch Android-powered WIMM Module back in October, the company had plans on launching the device to developers within weeks. Now officially known as the WIMM One Module, WIMM Labs informed developers today the Developer Preview Kit is now available for $299. While it’s mostly pictured in wristwatch form, the company urges developers to come up with micro apps for unique implementations of the device.
“Throughout the day, Micro Apps help keep people focused on the task at hand. From a pedometer that encourages a healthier lifestyle to cross-training sports companions that push athletes past their performance goals. From coffee payments on the wrist to call alerts that keep eyes on the road. We’re also working with Micro Apps for presentation control, home security settings, instant messaging and pill reminders. Our vision extends far beyond a single purpose device.”
The Developer Preview Kit will include one WIMM One Module, a black wrist strap, and a charging kit (paddle charger, USB cable and power adapter). The device itself will offer a number of preloaded micro apps including weather, calendar, clock, alarm, and stopwatch. In addition to the preview kit, WIMM Labs’ commitment to devs includes access to an SDK, emulators, as well as new forums allowing registered developers to upload and share their ideas and apps. Head over to WIMM’s developer portal to learn more. Below is a video of an early Facebook micro app from a third-party developer running on the WIMM One.
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Microsoft’s relentless strategy calling for royalties upon Android device vendors over an alleged patent infringement is earning them millions of dollars, but also a few enemies along the way, from Google’s Eric Schmidt to Barnes & Noble (and quite possibly Amazon, set to launch its Kindle Fire tablet November 15). Bloomberg reports that Barnes & Noble is launching a pre-emptive strike by asking the United States regulators to probe Microsoft’s anti-Android strategy:
Microsoft is embarking on a campaign of asserting trivial and outmoded patents against manufacturers of Android devices,” Barnes & Noble said in an Oct. 17 letter to Gene Kimmelman, the Justice Department’s chief counsel for competition policy. “Microsoft is attempting to raise its rivals’ costs in order to drive out competition and to deter innovation in mobile devices.
Over half of all Android devices sold are now under Microsoft’s Android protection. Microsoft issued a statement saying it “would be pleased to extend a license to Barnes & Noble”, underscoring they make their patents available on “reasonable terms for other operating systems, like Android”.
Barnes & Noble on Monday unveiled its Android-powered tablet device named Nook Tablet and priced at $249. The product launch came in spite of a March patent dispute with Microsoft concerning Android’s handling of navigation and rendering of web site content. The Windows maker filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission in Washington, seeking to block imports of the Nook readers.
