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Netflix coming to “select Android handsets” early 2011

If you’re an Android user that’s been a bit miffed by the lack of Netflix availability on the platform, then I have some good news for you: it should be coming in early 2011. However, I also have some bad news for you: it’s only coming to “select” handsets.
Select handsets? What’s the deal with that? Well, it seems that it’s Android’s lack of a strong, system-wide DRM/security system that’s been holding it back. Y’see, Netflix have to do a lot of hurdle jumping in order to appease the studios whose movies they distribute, and one of them is that the movies come laced with DRM.
So, without a standard DRM system on Android, what’s the solution? Only allow Netflix on devices where the manufacturers have worked closely with Netflix to enable a special DRM scheme on the handset.
Obviously, this isn’t ideal, and Netflix hope to eventually create a single, common DRM scheme that works on all Android handsets. In the mean-time, however, you’re just going to have to hope that your phone is supported.
There is no list of compatible phones or manufacturers just yet, but we’ll let you know when we hear something.

Dell Streak to get Froyo by month’s end

 
All you giant-handed Dell Streak owners rejoice! Dell have confirmed (via Facebook) that everyone’s favourite phone-that-thought-it-was-a-tablet will receive the update to (the soon to be deprecated) Froyo by the end of this month.
The update will roll out in the UK initially, with other regions (including the US) following shortly after.
Best of all, it will be delivered over-the-air, so all you have to do to upgrade is sit back and wait for the notification to appear on your device.
Dell have said that they hope to get the update out before the end of November, but there are different models requiring slightly different builds, so some people may not get the update before month’s end. If you haven’t got it by the end of this month, just hold tight, it’s coming, it’s coming, it’s coming.

PDP’s Tron Legacy Video Game Peripherals


I’ve already talked about the Epic Mickey video game peripherals from PDP (Performance Designed Products), and these particular accessories are based on a Disney movie franchise: Tron.
Oh, yes, that Tron Legacy is looking like it will be this holiday’s Avatar. It probably won’t make as much money, but just check out the trailer after the jump, and see how cool it is!
I got to a chance to try out two of these Tron controllers, and they are a better use of the Afterglow technology by the same company than the Afterglow actually was. The way the controllers look in the dark is nothing short of awesome. If you wave them around in the air, you can make some cool light patterns.
They way these controllers are designed, with the light stripes on them, it feels like you are in a Tron movie. Takes me back to 1982. All I can say is that this Tron Legacy had better be as good as the original Tron was. I realize this 28-year-old movie probably looks sick by today’s cinema standards, and I’m not certain you should wait so long until you make a sequel.
PDP has made three of these Tron Legacy controllers for the big three consoles: The PS3, the Xbox 360, and the Wiimote. All three of them are the same price at $49.99 and can be purchased at the PDP website

What Gadget Do You Most Want For Christmas???


We are currently completing our 2010 Christmas gift guides and there is some very cool stuff out there.
However we could do with a little help finishing them off so if you could please leave a comment telling us which gadget or gadgets you would most like Santa to deliver that would be great (if we can we’ll try to negotiate a discount for Santa too :) ).

Scosche announces new Samsung Galaxy Tab accessory line



Scosche Industries is not a name to be trifled with when it comes to award-winning mobile electronics and accessories, and the company has just managed to do itself proud yet again by announcing a spanking new range of accessories that are aimed to enhance the user experience of the new Samsung Galaxy Tab. Since the Galaxy Tab is available across a plethora of carriers (at varying prices, of course), it makes it all the more easy to sell even with a rather high price point as every carrier has its fair share of loyal customers. This new accessory lineup will boast a range of products that complement the Galaxy, enabling Scosche customers to protect, power, connect and mount the new Tab.




Some of its signature cases and screen protectors for the new Galaxy Tab will include a version of its popular folDIO case, coming in a new folio style, the foldIO gt1 will boast a foldable design with suede interior and three landscape viewing positions. You can choose from either black or white colors with leather and carbon fiber texture options for $44.99.
As for the gloSEE gt1, this flexible rubber case will enhance your grip while providing superior shock protection, with the snapSHIELD gt1 being a shatterproof polycarbonate case with low-profile design that will certainly be a favorite with those who tend to drop their gizmos by accident no matter how careful they have been. Sounds like some form of universal law, eh? Both models will come in Clear, Smoke, Purple, Pink and Blue colors, priced at $29.99 & $24.99 respectively.
When it comes to screen protectors, Scosche’s got you covered with their klearCOAT gt1, an ultra clear 3-pack of screen protectors for $19.99, while the satinShield gt1 is an anti-glare 2-pack of screen protectors that is priced at $19.99, with the privaSEE gt1 privacy screen protector going for $39.99.
Apart from those, Scosche certainly hasn’t forgotten about charging solutions for the Galaxy Tab, throwing dual USB chargers which will come in home, car and stand alone back-up battery designs for you to juice up not only your Galaxy Tab but another USB-powered device as well. The reVIVE II wall charger is priced at $29.99 and will come in black and white colors, while the car version which is black will cost you $5 less. Out later this November, you will obviously need to get a Galaxy Tab first before figuring out which accessory you would like to have.

'Zombie' virus attacks more than 1 million cell phones in China

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More than 1 million cell phones in China have been struck by the "Zombie" virus, according to Chinese state media, CCTV and Xinhua.

It's called the "Zombie" virus because it transmits from phone to phone, just as in the movies, zombie bites turn people into the living dead.

The virus binds with a security application, which then transmits the user's SIM card details to a central server controlled by a small group of hackers. The hackers then will send messages or make phone calls that contain virus-ridden links for games and software, said CCTV.

Receivers who follow the link will find their phones infected, too, while at the same time providing a "click through" for the link itself, which typically translates into a payment for a party publicizing the links. CCTV said that the blame is likely to lay with intermediary distributors instead of the actual game or software developers that show up in the ads.

Zhou Yonglin, an official with the National Computer Network Emergency Coordination Center, told CCTV that "in the first week of September, nearly 1 million cell phones in the country were infected with the virus."

And although telecom providers are said to have taken steps to reduce the number of infected messages, Zou Shihong, a telecom expert at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, told CCTV that an updated virus might start sending fewer messages, making it harder for cell users to notice any suspicious activity.

Chendu Qimiao, the company behind the original infected security application, told CCTV that is has nothing to do with the virus, adding that it's difficult for users to tell which applications are infected and which are safe.

Boxee Box now shipping, Netflix and Hulu Plus coming soon






Boxee has announced that its Boxee Box -- a set-top box for streaming video content built in collaboration with D-Link -- is now available in 33 countries.

While the device is launching with an impressive array of access to online sources and compatibility with numerous codecs, the company also promised that Netflix and Hulu Plus support would be coming in the near future.

The Boxee Box hardware is built on the same Atom-based platform as Google TV, and runs Boxee's eponymous media center software.

The device sells for $199, making it more expensive than Apple TV or Roku XD|S but still cheaper than Google TV options from Logitech or Sony.

Like Google TV, the Boxee Box can access a variety of online sources, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and VUDU. It can also access video content on network websites, including those sites specifically built for a TV interface.

The Boxee software uses an app plug-in architecture to add additional content, much like Roku's "channels" system. The device can also access content from a local network or storage device saved in almost any popular codec.

Two of the most popular subscription-based services, Netflix and Hulu Plus, will shortly be joining in the Boxee Box fun.

Boxee's Andrew Knippen said that Netflix support should be ready by the end of this year, taking away one advantage of the Apple TV and Roku players. Boxee is working to bring Hulu Plus to the device as well, though no specific timeframe has been given.

Boxee has had an off-again, on-again, off-again relationship with Hulu ever since the software first gained support for displaying Hulu content.

There is still some unofficial support for Hulu, and the Boxee Box includes a full WebKit-based browser for viewing standard Web content. But Hulu has worked to block software like Boxee from accessing its content due to demand from its content partners.

Hulu launched its Hulu Plus service earlier this year to free that content from the browser and bring it to HDTVs, set-top boxes, and mobile devices.

It has been expanding the service ever since, most recently to Sony Bravia HDTVs and is coming soon to Roku. Hulu Plus will, for the first time, give Boxee officially sanctioned support for Hulu content.

Google recently made an attempt to shore up support for its Google TV platform, which has found itself in a struggle as major networks have moved to block Google TV devices from accessing their Web-based content.

As yet, networks haven't attempted to do so with Boxee. But the Boxee Box is just now beginning to make its way into consumers' AV cabinets, so it could become an issue later.


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