YouTube flips the switch on its new conversation-style comment system powered by Google+

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/06/youtube-comments-google-plus/

Back in September, YouTube revealed its plan to overhaul comments on the video site with the helping hand of Google+. Now, that new system has gone live. Conversation-style commenting that ranks based on a number of key factors (like people you know), allows private notations solely for those in your Circles and serves up easy moderation in order to quell the naysayers like word filters and auto-approval. The new Google+-powered system should be popping up on YouTube channels that you frequent soon as the global roll out has already begun.

Filed under: Internet, Google

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: YouTube

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Verizon's LTE network won't support Nexus 7 (2013) until after KitKat upgrade

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/06/nexus-7-verizon-lte-android-kitkat/

Nexus 7 owners, you'll unfortunately have to wait for Android KitKat before you can connect to Verizon's LTE network. In September, the carrier revealed that the pint-sized slate would have to go through a month-long certification process before it can connect to the internet via LTE. Now, Big Red claims the fault lies with Android Jelly Bean, and that Google and Asus (the device's manufacturer) have advised the carrier to suspend the certification process until KitKat arrives. According to Mountain View, its newest mobile OS is coming in the next few weeks -- for now, (disappointed) Nexus 7 users can head past the break for Verizon's full statement.

Filed under: Tablets, ASUS, Google, Verizon

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Source: Android Police

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Amazon Kindle HDX 8.9 review: a high-end tablet at a mid-range price

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/07/amazon-kindle-hdx-8-9-review/

It's worth noting just how far Amazon has come since the early days of the Fire line. With the first generation, it was tough to see the tablet as anything more than a content-delivery device designed to keep users locked into the Kindle ecosystem. It was an uninspired bit of hardware that seemingly arrived off the same factory line as the BlackBerry PlayBook. Granted, Amazon's new HDX tablets still aren't the sexiest devices around, but the company's taken great pains to ensure they're some of the best. That means a stellar screen, some zippy internals and a slimmed-down body. Starting at $379 for the 8.9-inch model, the price has come along for the ride as well. It's hardly expensive, but we've long since stopped using the word "budget" to describe it.

Still, Amazon's managed to keep pricing down thanks to its content-centric business model, which assumes you'll continue buying stuff long after you open the box. This comes with some drawbacks, of course -- namely, an ecosystem that's far more closed-off than regular Android would be. But as long as you're stuck with Fire OS, the company's going to do what it can to provide the best experience possible with the addition of some compelling features. Does all that add up to a truly competitive device? Or has Amazon strayed too far from its budget roots?%Gallery-slideshow104327%

Filed under: Tablets, Amazon

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Google Text-to-Speech hits the Play Store, brings charming British accent with it

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/07/google-text-to-speech-app-play/

Google is continuing its trend of pushing Android's built-in apps directly to the Play Store with Text-to-Voice. The application isn't very flashy on its own, but when coupled with Google Books it can read you a bedtime story or even integrate with Google Translate for aural pronunciation examples. Mountain View also added Korean language support, which could be useful if you ever want to ask a question while touring Samsung HQ. However, to use the app you have to be running Ice Cream Sandwich at the minimum -- you're still out there, right?

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google

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Via: Phone Arena

Source: Google Play

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Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite review: What does it take to make an $800 version of a $1,400 Ultrabook?

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/06/samsung-ativ-book-9-lite-review/

It is what it sounds like. The Samsung ATIV Book 9 Lite, announced at the same time as the ATIV Book 9 Plus, is a mid-range version of the company's flagship laptop. Priced at nearly half the price ($800 vs. $1,400), it's made of plastic instead of aluminum, with an AMD chip instead of the usual Intel Haswell processor. But it has generally the same look, and is nearly as thin and light as the real thing. In fact, it stands as one of the most lightweight machines you can get for this price, even if it doesn't qualify as a bona fide Ultrabook. So is it worth getting this and saving yourself six hundred bucks? And how big a deal is the difference in specs?%Gallery-slideshow103483%

Filed under: Laptops, Samsung

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