The Daily Roundup for 01.23.2013

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.

Apple announces Q1 2013 earnings

Record $54.5 billion in revenue, 47.8 Million iPhones and 22.9 Million iPads sold...

Report: Next PlayStation features AMD GPU

Chalk up another potential win for AMD. The latest report on the next PlayStation console...

Pebble smartwatches begin shipping

Pebble has just informed backers that the very first orders will begin shipping today...

Intel will discontinue desktop motherboards

The decline in desktop PC sales is beginning to ripple throughout the industry...

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Microsoft posts Windows Phone 8 SDK, kicks off a new era for apps

Microsoft posts Windows Phone 8 SDK, lets developers get cracking at last

The word "finally" is often abused (including by us), but here it's deserved: after months of knowing about Windows Phone 8 with little to do but wait or support rival platforms, developers can finally download version 8.0 of the Windows Phone SDK. The kit lets teams get cracking on apps that take advantage of the Windows 8-related code base in Windows Phone 8 and all the hooks that go with the new OS, such as the broader hardware support, ties to the lock screen and Wallet. You'd better be an early adopter on the desktop if you're eager to start programming for the equally new mobile platform, though -- the SDK won't run on anything less than a 64-bit copy of Windows 8. We're still anticipating a much improved ecosystem now that Windows Phone app writers can do more than twiddle their thumbs.

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Microsoft posts Windows Phone 8 SDK, kicks off a new era for apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train

Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train

It's no secret that Facebook saw FarmVille for iOS as writing on the wall: it had to either tap into mobile app revenue or risk losing income (and marketing-savvy developers) whenever someone left the web. Following a beta this summer, the company's solution to its dilemma is now open to everyone. All developers on the social network can build ads that link from Facebook's Android and iOS apps to either Google Play or the App Store -- offering both an easy plug for their native apps and that all-important ad revenue for Facebook. The system currently takes a shotgun approach and may pitch social networkers for apps they already have or don't want, but it should be refined in the next few months to where some curious purchasers won't even have to leave Facebook to load that hot new title. Hopefully the increased recognition for mobile developers is worth sullying our once pristine news feeds.

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Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops

Kinect for Windows SDK update arrives with accelerometer and infrared input, spreads its wings to China

Microsoft had hinted that there were big things in store for its update to the Kinect for Windows SDK on October 8th. It wasn't bluffing; developers can now tap a much wider range of input than the usual frantic arm-waving. Gadgets that move the Kinect itself can use the accelerometer to register every tilt and jolt, while low-light fans can access the raw infrared sensor stream. The Redmond crew will even even let coders go beyond the usual boundaries, giving them access to depth information beyond 13 feet, fine-tuning the camera settings and tracking skeletal data from multiple sensors inside of one app. Just where we use the SDK has been expanded as well -- in addition to promised Chinese support, Kinect input is an option for Windows 8 desktop apps. Programmers who find regular hand control just too limiting can hit the source for the download link and check Microsoft's blog for grittier detail.

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Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas

Jolla logo

Jolla had already mentioned that it would show its MeeGo-derived Sailfish OS in November, but the startup now has exact dates to mark on the calendar. Come November 21st and 22nd, we'll get a peek at Jolla's take on the open platform's interface, apps and SDK at the Slush conference in Helsinki. There won't be much hardware to see, however. Jolla plans to provide the first phone details and launch window before Christmas, which doesn't give much if any time for initial partners like D.Phone to get moving. We'd expect a more formal launch in the new year.

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Jolla confirms first Sailfish OS demo on November 21st, device details by Christmas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Akimbo Kinect hack offers precise control with minimal effort (video)

Akimbo Kinect hack offers precise control with minimal effort (video)

We've seen Microsoft's Kinect used in countless ways, but 3Gear Systems means to better these predecessors with the beta release of its SDK, which turns all the subtleties of hand movement into actions. In addition to using two Kinect cameras for accuracy, the software compares hand poses against a pre-rendered database so gesture commands are executed with little lag. It offers complete control of a virtual 3D environment from the comfort of your natural desk position, so you won't have to worry about flail fatigue after long stints. A free public beta is available now until November 30th, at which point bigger companies will require a license, while individuals and small enterprises will continue to get complimentary access. We know what you're thinking -- it's just another Kinect hack -- but we suggest you reserve judgment til you've seen the demo below, showing examples of how the API could be used for CAD, medical, and of course, gaming applications.

Continue reading Akimbo Kinect hack offers precise control with minimal effort (video)

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Akimbo Kinect hack offers precise control with minimal effort (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Windows Phone 8 SDK gets leaked and peeked (video)

Microsoft announces Windows Phone 8 SDK preview program, Windows Phone Store to replace Marketplace

While Microsoft's freshest Mobile OS is still a few weeks away from its big debut, versions of its SDK have begun to crop up online. The peeps over at WPCentral have snagged build 9900 of the software and are offering up a video tour of the reasonably-finished setup. It's not clear if this is a fully-loaded edition or if we're going to see a few more surprises if / when it launches next month, but if you'd care to see for yourself, check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Windows Phone 8 SDK gets leaked and peeked (video)

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Windows Phone 8 SDK gets leaked and peeked (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceWPCentral  | Email this | Comments

Sharp and Fujitsu join PlayStation Certified program, PS Mobile SDK available this November

Move over HTC -- both Sharp and Fujitsu are joining Sony's PlayStation Certified program, allowing games in the PlayStation Mobile marketplace to be purchased and played on various portable devices from the two hardware manufacturers. In Fujitsu's case, its ARROW series of smartphones and tablets will carry the PlayStation Mobile titles, while Sharp isn't getting specific just yet.

Beyond the partnership announcement, Sony's PlayStation Mobile SDK comes out of beta this November and becomes available for any developer. Licences cost $100/year, and the SDK becomes available on a region-by-region basis starting with Japan, the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, allowing for cross platform development on PlayStation Certified devices and the Vita.

Update: The PlayStation Mobile store will launch on October 3rd in nine countries, including Japan, the US, Canada and the UK, carrying 30 titles on the opening day, with more coming as they roll off the production line.

Continue reading Sharp and Fujitsu join PlayStation Certified program, PS Mobile SDK available this November

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Sharp and Fujitsu join PlayStation Certified program, PS Mobile SDK available this November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 01:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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