Verge

• Android
• Tech Industry
• Verge
• FAA
• Electronics

Europeans get to use in-flight gadgets too, as EASA mirrors FAA ruling (Update: 3G & 4G too)

Ben Lovejoy Nov 14 2013 - 4:34 am PT

0 Comments

Following the FAA ruling permitting the use of portable electronic devices during all phases of flight, the European Aviation Safety Authority has announced that it too will be issuing the same guidance by the end of the month.

This will allow passengers on European airlines to use tablets, smartphones and ebook readers from gate to gate, provided that they are placed in Airplane mode at the gate.

American airlines wasted no time in implementing the FAA guidance, so here’s hoping for similar speed for those of us on the other side of the pond.

Update: The EC has now also approved both 3G and 4G network use on board aircraft. This would allow airlines to install mini base stations in their aircraft, with signals relayed via their own on-board radio equipment. I’m desperately hoping airlines won’t allow voice calls …

Via The Verge

• Android
• Google
• Nexus
• United States
• France

Carphone Warehouse’s inventory system lists ‘LG Nexus 4’, possible Oct. 29 unveiling (Photo)

Élyse Betters Oct 10 2012 - 11:34 am PT

0 Comments

The Verge just posted a tipster-sent picture of LG’s widely speculated Nexus smartphone entered in the inventory system for mobile device retailer Carphone Warehouse.

The Android-equipped handset, listed as the “LG Nexus 4,” apparently comes in both black and white color options. In a separate report, The Verge also claimed, upon citing renowned French newspaper Le Figaro, the LG Nexus 4 will unveil Oct. 29 and land in France by December.

Rumors on the device previously pegged a mid-November launch for the United States, while leaked photos and specs have painted a pretty picture as to what the Optimus G-derived smartphone might feature and look like.

Get the full report at The Verge (1, 2).

Expand
Expanding
Close

• Android
• iOS
• Microsoft
• iPad
• App Store

Report: Office 2013 for Android to release ‘sometime after’ March 2013 (Update)

Élyse Betters Oct 10 2012 - 7:49 am PT

0 Comments

A Microsoft executive just revealed native Android and iOS versions of Office 2013 would launch next year.

Microsoft Product Manager Peter Bobek spoke at a media event in the Czech Republic this morning and subsequently confirmed with local website IHNED that a consumer version of the native apps will release around March 2013.

The Verge later read a press release from Microsoft’s Czech Republic office, although it did not provide a copy for publishing, and verified the news. The release allegedly further noted a business variation would go public in December 2013, as well.

Microsoft has widely been rumored to launch an iPad app for its Office suite for quite some time, especially after The Daily published a supposed image of the app running on an iPad earlier this year. Office 2013 for Android will presumably allow users to read and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents on both tablets and smartphones.

Get the full report at The Verge.

UPDATE 1: IHNED contacted 9to5Google to provide a correction of its original report: “The timeline for Office for iOS and Android is not [a] March release, but release sometime after March.”

UPDATE 2: According to Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Corporate Communications Frank X. Shaw:

[tweet https://twitter.com/fxshaw/status/256089501049450496]

Expand
Expanding
Close

• Android
• games
• Personal computer
• Verge
• OnLive

OnLive closing? Company says ‘of course not’

Jordan Kahn Aug 17 2012 - 12:40 pm PT

0 Comments

Update: While OnLive provided the same statement (below) to Kotaku as they did to Joystiq, a new report from Kotaku, citing a source inside OnLive, claimed the company is about to file for bankruptcy and layoff most of its employees:

The source says that everyone at the company knew things were tight. This morning, an all-hands meeting was called at 10 a.m. this morning where CEO Steve Perlman said that OnLive would be filing for ABC bankruptcy in the state of California—a status that affords them a level of protection from creditors. Perlman also said that the company as it stands now would cease to exist and that no one would be employed by OnLive. A subset of employees would be brought on to the company created from the remains of OnLive.

[tweet https://twitter.com/onlive/status/236537627526979584]

OnLive’s Director of Corporate Communications Brian Jaquet has shot down rumors that the game streaming service is closing its doors after several media outlets reported the story earlier today. A report from The Verge, citing video game developer Brian Fargo and emails from former OnLive staff members, claimed the game-streaming service would shut its doors and lay off staff immediately. Emails obtained by The Verge’s sister site, Polygon, claimed a new company would be formed. However, current OnLive employees would be let go for the time being:

“I wanted to send a note that by the end of the day today, OnLive as an entity will no longer exist,” reads an email forwarded to Polygon. “Unfortunately, my job and everyone else’s was included. A new company will be formed and the management of the company will be in contact with you about the current initiatives in place, including the titles that will remain on the service.”

Speaking with Joystiq, Jaquet confirmed OnLive is not shutting down:

“We don’t respond to rumors, but of course not… The exciting news is that the first VIZIO Co-Stars (Google TV stream players) with the OnLive app built-in have just arrived in customer homes,” he continued, “and our second of three ‘Indie Giveaway Weekends’ is going on now. OnLive users can get a free copy of the award-winning games Space Pirates and Zombies and SpaceChem.” So it sounds like OnLive is still open for business.

When asked about possible layoffs, Jaquet confirmed: “The OnLive service is not shutting down.”

Related articles

• Space Pirates and Zombies for PC or Mac for free for OnLive members, more