Sanyo expands Eneloop battery offerings with Pro for more power, Plus for less heat

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/sanyo-expands-eneloop-battery-offerings-with-pro-for-more-power/

If you love Sanyo's ever-so-practical Eneloop rechargeable batteries, you'll be smitten with its two latest AA additions. First into the battery compartment is the 2400mAh Eneloop Pro; it's loaded with twenty-five percent more juice than the standard model, and is a perfect match for your power-draining Nikon Speedlight -- not quite as formidable as the 2,500mAh XX series, though. Moving onto the next slot is the Eneloop Plus, which adds a positive temperature coefficient thermistor -- a resistor that prevents the batts from reaching skin-scorching heat levels in kids' toys. Blazing Hello Kitty anyone? Both will come in packs of two or four, and also as bundles with a charger. Residents of Japan will be able to pick up the batteries at varying points this year, but aside from the ¥1,260 (about $15) Pro two-pack, pricing remains open. If your heart's beating like the pink bunny's drum, check out the source link below for the details and some fancy infographics.

Sanyo expands Eneloop battery offerings with Pro for more power, Plus for less heat originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You Can Now Keep Two Google Voice Numbers, for a Price [Google Voice]

Source: http://lifehacker.com/5810249/you-can-now-keep-two-google-voice-numbers-for-a-price

Plenty of people have been porting phone numbers to Google Voice lately, but part of that process has always been saying farewell to your old Voice number, and sending it back to Google for recycling. That process allowed 90 days more use of the old number so you could get everyone to use the new one, but now you can extend that period to the realm of forever by just paying $20 to make the old number permanent. Your caller ID will show your new number whether you ported it to Google or just had it changed from an old one, but friends and family who refuse to update their address books will still be able to reach you at the old number indefinitely.

Make your secondary Google Voice number permanent | Google Voice Blog

T-mobile, WildTangent to bring 25-cent game rentals to Android devices, harken back to arcade days

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/t-mobile-wildtangent-to-bring-25-cent-game-rentals-to-android-d/

Test driving an app isn't entirely unheard of -- Apple introduced its lackluster "Try Before You Buy" system last summer and the Android Market's got a 15-minute return policy. Now T-Mobile's teamed up with mobile gaming outfit WildTangent to bring a novel approach to looking under the hood of gaming apps: rentals. The partnership promises to bring 25 cent game rentals to your phone or tablet (considering your a T-Mo faithful rocking an Android device), giving you the opportunity to see what a particular game is working with before you commit. The new service also lets users play games for free with advertisements, and applies the cost of rentals to future purchases -- rent-to-own style. So it won't bring the same juvenile thrills as the arcade, but it will let you get your game on at 25 cents a pop. No word yet on when the service will go into affect, so don't go breaking that piggy bank quite yet.

T-mobile, WildTangent to bring 25-cent game rentals to Android devices, harken back to arcade days originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ricoh unveils waterproof, dirt-resistant PX camera for outdoorsy photographers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/ricoh-unveils-waterproof-dirt-resistant-px-camera-for-outdoorsy/

Just a few months after releasing its outdoorsy, G700 point and shoot, Ricoh has taken the wraps off yet another rugged digital camera -- the waterproof, shockproof and dust-resistant PX. This small warrior packs a 16-megapixel CCD sensor along with a 5x optical wide zoom lens and is capable of booting up in just 1.4 seconds. The device also supports subject-tracking and face-priority auto-focus features, in addition to a host of shooting modes, including toy camera, soft-focus and high-contrast black and white, among others. Most alluring, however, is its resilience. According to Ricoh, the PX can survive drops from an altitude of up to five feet, remains waterproof at depths of about ten feet, and is impermeable to dust, sand and dirt. There's also a 2.7-inch, scratch-resistant LCD on its backside, meaning you won't have to worry about casually tossing it in your backpack as you make your way along the trail. More flamboyant hikers, meanwhile, can add their own personal touch to the PX by wrapping it in a protective silicon sleeve, available in five, vibrant colors. If you're interested, you can grab a PX of your own when it hits stores later this month, for $300 AUD (about $317). You can check out some sample images from Digital Photography Review by hitting the link below, or flip through some pics of the PX in the gallery below. There's also a full PR waiting for you, after the break.

Gallery: ricoh px

Continue reading Ricoh unveils waterproof, dirt-resistant PX camera for outdoorsy photographers

Ricoh unveils waterproof, dirt-resistant PX camera for outdoorsy photographers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 07:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple gives in to publishers, changes policy on in-app subscription prices

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/apple-gives-in-to-publishers-changes-policy-on-in-app-subscript/

It looks like Apple has decided to make some pretty major changes to its App Store Review Guidelines -- and, in particular, to its controversial in-app subscription policy. Under the new guidelines, publishers will be able to offer subscriptions to content outside of the App Store, as long as their apps don't include a "buy" button that directs users away from Apple's marketplace. Under the previous version of the policy, which was set to go into effect at the end of this month, app owners offering subscriptions outside of App Store were required to sell equivalent, in-app services at the "same price or less than it is offered outside the app," while giving a 30 percent cut to Cupertino. Now, however, they can price these in-app subscriptions as they see fit, or circumvent the system altogether, by exclusively selling them outside of their apps. Apple will still receive 30 percent of the revenue generated from in-app subscriptions, but won't get any money from purchases made outside of its domain. Theoretically, then, publishers would be able to offer in-app subscriptions at higher prices, in order to offset Apple's share. This is how the new rules are worded:

11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, such as a "buy" button that goes to a web site to purchase a digital book, will be rejected

11.14 Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content. Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app.

It's important to note, though, that Apple hasn't made any changes to its policy on sharing user information. Publishers had been lobbying to gain access to subscribers' credit card data and other personal information, which they see as critical to applying a TV Everywhere model to online publishing. With today's concessions, though, these demands may become less insistent.

Apple gives in to publishers, changes policy on in-app subscription prices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Software Designs Buildings to Move Through [Video]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5810073/massmotion-simulates-major-emergencies-for-better-building-design

A powerful new tool for both Architects and City Planners is now available. MassMotion is crowd control software with the ability to predict the movements of tens of thousands of unique individuals in a fully 3-D environment.

It's been used on projects like the San Francisco Transbay Terminal and the Toronto Union Station to simulate crowd movement, identify bottlenecks and replicate potential emergency scenarios. The system first imports a 3D model of the building and then simulates how people would move through it using "thoroughly tested academic research." It can then analyze how quickly it took everybody to move through and identify problem areas. This allows building designers to run numerous event simulations and tweak the design of the building as needed.

A copy of MassMotion does cost $20,000 but it runs on a desktop computer and certainly beats yelling "fire" in a crowded theater to see what happens. [via FastCompany]

Samsung Spinpoint M8 puts 1TB drives on a diet, just in time for bathing suit season

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-spinpoint-m8-puts-1tb-drives-on-a-diet-just-in-time-for/

The trouble with high capacity hard drives is that they're about the size and weight of a brick, and just as bad for throwing in glass houses or ultrathin laptops. Samsung is slimming up the beastliest of disks though, with the just announced Spinpoint M8. Inside this 1TB drive are a pair of 500GB storage platters, instead of the three 334MB ones found in most storage solutions of this size. By using AFT, Advanced format technology, Sammy was able to up the storage density and trim its latest Spinpoint to a svelte 9.5mm thick (your average 1TB drive is 12.5mm). As an added bonus, the increased density also boosts performance and power efficiency since the drives heads need to move less. If you want to slap one in your notebook you can pick one up for $129, and we're sure a few of these will find a home those skinny "ultrabooks" that Intel has been talking up. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading Samsung Spinpoint M8 puts 1TB drives on a diet, just in time for bathing suit season

Samsung Spinpoint M8 puts 1TB drives on a diet, just in time for bathing suit season originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 22:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Netflix.com's new look is focused on streaming, cribs UI elements from connected TV apps

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/netflix-coms-new-look-is-focused-on-streaming-cribs-ui-element/

Do not be alarmed, your Netflix.com experience has been updated today "with a new look and feel to make it easier for you to find something to watch instantly." While the header introduced late last year remains and sticks on screen as you scroll vertically, box art of queued movies fills the screen horizontally. The redesign takes significant cues from the HTML5 UIs recently rolled out to most streaming devices, but it's not clear if this related to some of the queue shuffling we've been seeing recently. Responses on the Netflix blog have been mostly negative, although just like Facebook and Twitter revamps some complaints about any change are normal.

That said, we're not fans either because it still requires an additional click to find out if a movie is in HD or has subtitles, a misdirected click starts playing the wrong movie too easily and selecting "your queue" still takes us to our discs first instead of Watch Instantly. If the new front page isn't working there's always alternatives in Netflix queue managers like InstantWatcher.com and FeedFliks, or any number of mobile apps. Let us know if you'll be riding with the redesign or hitting the back button in the comments here.

Netflix.com's new look is focused on streaming, cribs UI elements from connected TV apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google doodle lets you play a recordable guitar ditty in honor of Les Paul

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/google-doodle-lets-you-play-a-recordable-guitar-ditty-in-honor-o/

Have you been to Google's home page recently? Do it, you've got less than 24 hours to check out its guitar-inspired doodle celebrating the birthday of Les Paul. The "Google" script is highly interactive thanks to a combination of JavaScript, HMTL5, CSS, and even Flash (providing the audio). Click the compose button at the base of the second "g" and begin recording your own 30 second tribute to one of music's most innovative pioneers using your keyboard to play specific notes or mouse for virtual strumming. Unfortunately, the recording and sharing aspect appears limited to US Googlers. Impressive stuff from a typically impressive company.

Google doodle lets you play a recordable guitar ditty in honor of Les Paul originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell Streak 10 Pro tablet to launch in China this summer, US may get it next year

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/dell-streak-10-pro-tablet-to-launch-in-china-this-summer-us-may/

John Thode, Dell's Vice President for mobile devices, has shared a Honeycomb-flavored snippet of his company's tablet roadmap with CNET. The 10-inch Android tablet that we saw at CES and suspected could be with us this month will indeed be making its debut in the summer, according to Thode, but its launch market will be China, not the US. He points to a number of "inhibitors and barriers to success" in Dell's homeland -- such as mobile carriers dictating pricing models that stifle the adoption of tablets and users being unaware of "what exactly Android is bringing" -- as the causes for Round Rock's atypical decision. The Streak 10 Pro, as it'll officially be known, comes with a Honeycomb-standard 1280 x 800 resolution screen, an edge-to-edge glass surface, two cameras (one of them reaching a 5 megapixel res), an SD card slot, a thickness of 12mm, and 1080p video playback capabilities courtesy of an unspecified NVIDIA Tegra dual-core processor. An additional dock will allow the 10 Pro to act as a USB host, while augmenting its connectivity with HDMI, Ethernet, and, obviously, a set of USB ports. The US may still get to enjoy this bounty of options, but we're told it won't happen until 2012. By which point we'll probably have a taste for fresher, icier versions of Android.

Update: Dell has confirmed all of the foregoing in a blog post.

Dell Streak 10 Pro tablet to launch in China this summer, US may get it next year originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Digital games distribution earned $3.8 billion in 2010, a quarter of entire video game market

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/09/digital-games-distribution-earned-3-8-billion-in-2010-a-quarte/

Alright, so technically all video games are digital, but what we're talking about here is the stuff that you don't buy on physical media -- downloadable games, add-on content, mobile apps, subscriptions, and gaming on social networks. That market has grown to account for 24 percent of all video game revenues in 2010, or $3.8 billion, according to the Entertainment Software Association. The ESA is the body running the currently ongoing E3 shindig, and its data comes from the NPD Group, which likes to keep a cold robotic finger on the gaming industry's pulse. Other findings in the latest ESA study include the average age of gamers (37!), the best-selling genres (action with 21.7 percent, followed by sports at 16.3 percent), and the highest-grossing games of 2010 (no prizes for guessing the warmongering winner of that one). Give the source link a bash to immerse yourself in even more gaming trivia from yesteryear.

Digital games distribution earned $3.8 billion in 2010, a quarter of entire video game market originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 03:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foursquare and Netflix Apps Are Storing Your Passwords Unencrypted [Security]

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5810066/foursquare-and-netflix-apps-are-storing-your-passwords-unencrypted

Storing passwords in plaintext is a bad idea. You'd think that the smarties at Netflix and Foursquare would know better. But the Wall Street Journal reports their Android versions—and other apps—do no such thing. Not good.

According to security firm viaForensics, the the Netflix, Foursquare, LinkedIn, and Square apps for Android are storing your passwords without a trace of encryption. Square's app on iOS is equally vulnerable, revealing transaction and digital signature histories to prying hacker fingers.

Any responses, fellas? Foursquare, LinkedIn, and Netflix have all released mea clupas, saying they're "working on" fixes for the unencrypted vitals. Square, on the other hand, blames global credit card standards for the data their app holds. Keep that in mind next time you swipe your card through someone's phone. [WSJ]

Samsung Galaxy S II said to be Verizon-bound in July (update: just a miscommunication)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-said-to-be-verizon-bound-in-july/

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so when it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S II, our tiny American hearts are getting rather sick of all the love we've been experiencing lately. Computerworld's latest rumor may be just what we need to stay sane for another month, though; it cites an unnamed Verizon spokesperson who mentioned this Fascinate follow-up, which will likely be known as the Function, will be coming in for a soft landing sometime in July, though no specifics were offered. The Galaxy S II is already being sold in Europe and Asia and blends a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, Gingerbread, dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, and many more top-of-the-line specs into one sleek and gorgeous package. If the July window is accurate, it means Verizon could be one of the first US carriers out of the gate with the phone. This is great news for the carrier that was, of the four national powers, dead last in getting its model of the Galaxy S to market. We're anxiously awaiting word from a Verizon spokesperson for additional comment and will keep you posted -- if our heart hasn't popped out of our chest by then.

Update: We just received word from a Verizon spokesperson that the reference to a July release was just a miscommunication and was actually in reference to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Yeah, we're bummed out, too.

Samsung Galaxy S II said to be Verizon-bound in July (update: just a miscommunication) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Real Racing 2 HD beats Wii U to the wireless, dual-screen gaming punch

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/real-racing-2-hd-beats-wii-u-to-the-wireless-dual-screen-gaming/

Hey, guess what? That Real Racing 2 HD update that combined your iPad and TV for dual-screen gaming action will soon be able to ditch the wires and use AirPlay to beam every turn and crash to your flatscreen. You'll need an Apple TV or other Mac device hooked up to your set, and the feature won't be unlocked until iOS 5 hits, but it should satisfy your curiosity for what playing a Wii U might be like until the new Nintendo console lands next year. If you're set hardware-wise and your interest is piqued, you can download the game for $12.99 from the app store -- now you've just gotta hold tight for that OS update in the fall.

Real Racing 2 HD beats Wii U to the wireless, dual-screen gaming punch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DarbeeVision teams with Sunflex to launder your HDMI video, give your picture added depth and clarity

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/darbeevision-teams-with-sunflex-to-launder-your-hdmi-video-give/

DarbeeVision's Visual Presence technology has been sprucing up moving pictures for ages, but until now, its greater visual depth and detail could only be added in post-processing. However, there's a new version that works by scanning 165 million pixels per second and applies its visual voodoo in real-time. It's a firmware solution that can be put into any device with a processor and a screen, and the company is currently in talks with TV manufacturers to get its tech baked in. Darbee has also partnered up with Sunflex to construct a Snakebyte-branded module that does the Darbee deed externally as an HDMI pass-through. In its current form, the system's not ready for prime time, as it's comprised of three circuit boards screwed together in an unwieldy package. When it hits the market later this year, the company claims it'll be in a plastic case the size of a remote control.

We got to see the system in person at E3 2011 and found the results to be a mixed bag. Much like Belkin's RazorVision we saw years ago, Visual Presence promises to make your picture more lifelike and detailed. In the demo we saw, graphical meadows benefitted from the enhancement -- we could see individual blades of grass waving to and fro with much more clarity. However, castle walls and textured garments looked like someone cranked up the contrast to 11, which created too much visual noise for our liking. The good news is, the effect is adjustable, so you can dial in the level of detail to suit the situation and your individual taste. Sound good? Well, the device should ship by October and retail for around $150.

Gallery: DarbeeVision HDMI picture enhancement module

DarbeeVision teams with Sunflex to launder your HDMI video, give your picture added depth and clarity originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kinect integration in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, hands-off (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/kinect-integration-in-ghost-recon-future-soldier-hands-off-vi/

Microsoft's E3 keynote may have exploded with deeper Kinect support, but nothing caught our eyes quite as sharply as Ghost Recon: Future Soldier's rifle-exploding Gunsmith demo. A Ubisoft representative showed us how it's done: separating your arms separates your deadly firearm into a gorgeous display of floating screws, components, and accessories, which can be effortlessly modified, swapped, and replaced with gesture and voice commands. Too picky to decide for yourself? Then don't: just tell Gunsmith what you're looking for. For instance, saying "Optimize for range" produces a weapon any sniper should be proud of -- even better, we found that commanding Gunsmith to "optimize for awesome" birthed a rifle (pictured above) sporting an underbarrel shotgun attachment. A gun attached to a gun? Yeah, that works. Weapons can be tested in Gunsmith's gesture-controlled firing range, an engaging shooting mode exclusive to the Gunsmith weapon editor and not usable in regular gameplay. Head past the break for a hands-on (figuratively speaking) video.

Continue reading Kinect integration in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, hands-off (video)

Kinect integration in Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, hands-off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 07:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IBM puts Watson's brains in Nintendo Wii U

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/ibm-puts-watsons-brains-in-nintendo-wii-u/

Nintendo's new console, the Wii U, was finally unveiled to the world today at E3 2011, and we got a glimpse of its graphical prowess at the company's keynote. Details were scarce about the IBM silicon Nintendo's new HD powerhouse was packing, but we did some digging to get a little more info. IBM tells us that within the Wii U there's a 45nm custom chip with "a lot" of embedded DRAM (shown above). It's a silicon on insulator design and packs the same processor technology found in Watson, the supercomputer that bested a couple of meatbags on Jeopardy awhile back. Unfortunately, IBM wouldn't give us the chip's clock speeds, but if it's good enough to smoke Ken Jennings on national TV, we imagine it'll do alright against its competition from Sony and Microsoft.

[Thanks, Sonny]

Continue reading IBM puts Watson's brains in Nintendo Wii U

IBM puts Watson's brains in Nintendo Wii U originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/07/acer-unveils-two-new-aspire-ethos-laptops-for-multimedia-enthusi/

It's been more than a year since Acer first launched its Aspire Ethos line of laptops -- a family that got a bit bigger today, with the announcement of the 8951G and 5951G. These rambunctious little extroverts are powered by the latest generation of Intel's Core i processors, offering Turbo Boost speeds of up to 3.4GHz. Big bro 8951G boasts a 18.4-inch display that transmits images in Full HD, 1920 x 1080 resolution and 220-nit brightness, while spunky little 5951G struts around with a 15.6-inch HD 1366 x 768 screen of its own. They also support NVIDIA GeForce GT500 and DirectX 11 graphics and sport Dolby-approved surround sound, aluminum-magnesium alloy shells, glossy matte finishes and back-lit chiclet keyboards. Acer plans to unleash the pair sometime in mid-June, though they won't come for cheap, with prices starting at £1,000 (about $1,643). Aspiring owners can find more information in the full PR, after the break.

Continue reading Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters

Acer unveils two new Aspire Ethos laptops for multimedia enthusiasts, street fighters originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 cameras, new macro lens

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/sony-announces-nex-c3-and-alpha-a35-cameras-new-macro-lens/

We've been (impatiently) waiting for Sony to update its NEX line of digital cameras since the NEX-3 was discontinued earlier this year, and it looks like a worthy successor has finally been named. Announced today, the NEX-C3 appears identical to the model leaked in April, and uses the same format APS-C image sensor as its predecessor, bumping resolution to 16.2 megapixels in a camera body smaller than the NEX-5. Sony says the new entry-level cam is designed to fill the gap between point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and is the smallest body to pack an APS-C sensor, offering DSLR-level image quality -- the same 16.2 MP chip is also included in its new full-size Alpha A35, which replaces the A33. Both cameras can shoot at up to 5.5 fps (the A35 adds a 7 fps mode at 8.4 megapixels), and include 3-inch LCDs, with the NEX keeping its hallmark tilt display, and the A35 adding Sony's Translucent Mirror live-view mode, and an electronic viewfinder. We have plenty more to share, including a new lens and flash, along with pricing and availability for all, so jump past the break for the juicy details.

Gallery: Sony NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 Gallery

Continue reading Sony announces NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 cameras, new macro lens

Sony announces NEX-C3 and Alpha A35 cameras, new macro lens originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung shows affection to CyanogenMod, gives its devs a free Galaxy S II

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/samsung-shows-affection-to-cyanogenmod-gives-its-devs-a-free-ga/

Let's see if we're grokking this: Samsung is not only telling the dev community it's okay to place custom ROMs on its flagship device, it's actually encouraging the practice by handing out free phones? Atinm, the developer responsible for prepping CyanogenMod on the Captivate and Vibrant, took to Twitter to praise the manufacturer for sending him a free Galaxy S II. From the looks of it, Samsung sent the phone to a select number of devs intent on building an official release of CM7 for the GSII. Unlocking bootloaders has already become the new fancy with manufacturers like HTC, Motorola, and Sony Ericsson jumping on the bandwagon, but this is the first time we've heard of a company doling out free devices to the custom ROM community. Does this mean that, instead of enforcing TouchWiz with an iron fist, Samsung is looking at how this practice could actually benefit consumers? We doubt this will be the case for all of the company's future Android phones, but wouldn't you love to live in a world where it was?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung shows affection to CyanogenMod, gives its devs a free Galaxy S II originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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