Altec Lansing Octiv Duo (202) speaker dock review

If you frequent small house parties like us, chances are you would've witnessed the many occasions where guests take turns to hook up their iDevices to the speakers; if not, just picture yourself fighting your flatmates over your communal HiFi system -- Altec Lansing claims that on average there are 2.2 portable audio devices per household, and they're most likely iPods. Naturally, a dual-docking speaker -- which is nothing new -- would somewhat ease domestic tension and reduce interruption to the tunes, but think smarter: what if you could let music alternate between the devices, as well as having the ability to instantly change the amount of play time on both persons' music libraries? Better yet, what if the speaker doubles up as an alarm clock? These are pretty much what Altec's offering with its $99.95 Octiv Duo (or Octiv 202 outside the US), with a little help from its two free iOS apps: Music Mix and Alarm Rock. You know the drill -- read on to find out whether this new box would end your little social crisis once and for all.

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Altec Lansing Octiv Duo (202) speaker dock review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Nexus Two Smartphone From Samsung? Fuhgeddaboutit!

Samsung is reported to be working on the Google Nexus Two smartphone that will run Gingerbread, the latest version of the Android operating system. The buzz is that Samsung will unveil the phone at a press conference it called for Nov.8. However, Samsung's website indicates it will debut the Focus, a Windows Phone 7 handset, on that date.

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Philips Pronto lineup of universal remote controllers to be discontinued

If you're a home theater or home automation buff then you're certainly familiar with Philips' Pronto lineup of remote controls. Unfortunately, Philips has decided to discontinue its Pronto business after failing to find a buyer. Here's the official quote:

"In December 2009, Philips announced the intention to relocate some of its existing remote control activities in Leuven, Belgium to Asia. At the same time, the intention was communicated to investigate alternative strategic options for the Pronto business, as this activity no longer fits with the Philips strategy. Following thorough research, no suitable partner was found for the acquisition of these activities. As such, Philips confirms today that it will discontinue the Pronto product line and related activities."

Logitech, the playing field is all yours.

Philips Pronto lineup of universal remote controllers to be discontinued originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Entourage Pocket Edge 'dualbook' up for $399.99 Amazon pre-order

So, the dual-screen (9.7-inch E Ink and 10.1-inch LCD) Entourage Edge was too big for you, eh? That's understandable. But what about the Pocket Edge, the self-described "world's first mini dualbook" with a 6-inch E Ink panel and 7-inch resistive touchscreen LCD. It's an eBook reader and 7-inch tablet all in one and it's up for a $399.99 pre-order on Amazon right now. What could possibly go wrong?

Entourage Pocket Edge 'dualbook' up for $399.99 Amazon pre-order originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 06:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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$1.5 Billion Cruise Liner Slips Under Bridge with 20-inch Margin of Error [Close Call]

The Allure of the Sea, Royal Caribbean's $1.5 billion dollar "superliner," left for Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, making it under Denmark's Store Belt Bridge with 1.5 20 inches to spare. Not bad for a ship that's 3,000 236 feet high. More »

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Gizmodo's Essential iPhone Apps, October 2010 [IphoneApps]

There's an ocean of apps out there. Whether you just got your iPhone and are feeling adrift or you're a salty old dog seeing what you might've missed, here are 50 absolutely essential apps. More »

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The Linux credit card -- with Tux on the front and everything

Filed under: Fun, Open Source

I couldn't make this up if I tried: The Linux Foundation is offering a platinum rewards Visa credit card. There is no annual fee, a low introductory APR -- in fact, it's a normal credit card with Tux on the front.

Every purchase you make with the Linux credit card will kick back a percentage to the Linux Foundation. The Foundation also gets $50 for every activation! In the words of the Foundation, this card is for "those who want to support the Linux Foundation's activities while expressing their commitment to Linux. The Linux credit card is an easy way for anyone to contribute to the growth of Linux and identify themselves as supporters of the community by carrying Tux in their pocket."

Unfortunately it's for U.S citizens only, otherwise I'd sign up right now! If you're going to rack up credit, why not do it in a way that benefits the most important software movement of the last 20 years? Why don't more charities have credit cards...?

[via Hacker News]

The Linux credit card -- with Tux on the front and everything originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 06:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YouTube Meets Formspring With Video Q&A Site VYou

Founded by Steve Spurgat and Chuck Reina,�New York-based and newly launched�VYou is a combination of�Formspring, YouTube and Twitter ("Formspring + video + crack." is a popular description amongst its beta users). The core function of VYou is to enable a video conversation,�allowing you to send and receive messages with friends and experts at your own pace. You can also follow users and create, store and share pre-recorded video responses accordingly.

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Fox blackout on Cablevision ends after 14 day standoff, glaring contest continues on

Evidently missing the first two games of the World Series was about all Cablevision thought it subscribers could take, as news just hit the wire: the fourteen-day standoff is over and both tonight's game three of the World Series and tomorrow's Jets vs Packers game are available to subscribers. While these carriage disputes are pretty common, it is very rare for channels to be pulled and downright unheard of for a channel as popular as Fox. It came to this because Cablevision was very unhappy about News Corp's new terms and after many pleas to the FCC and politicians to intervene, an advertising campaign, and eventually an unaccepted offer to match the price that Time Warner Cable pays, a deal has finally been done. Not exactly all's well that ends well, though, as Cablevision released the following statement: "In the absence of any meaningful action from the FCC, Cablevision has agreed to pay Fox an unfair price for multiple channels of its programming including many in which our customers have little or no interest." Talk about sour grapes. Well at least we can hope that Cablevision's efforts paid off a little bit and your cable bill won't go up as much as it would've if the outage never occurred to begin with. We can hope.

Continue reading Fox blackout on Cablevision ends after 14 day standoff, glaring contest continues on

Fox blackout on Cablevision ends after 14 day standoff, glaring contest continues on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Oct 2010 20:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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