Ireland completes spectrum auction after analog shutoff, LTE rollout pegged for mid-2013

The dust has settled after Ireland's recent spectrum auction, and wouldn't you know it, Vodafone, O2, Meteor and Three have picked up a combined 140MHz of paired spectrum across the 800, 900 and 1800MHz bands. According to the country's regulator, ComReg, the auction will effectively double the spectrum available in these bands and will allow for LTE deployment across Éire. For its part, O2 has committed to begin its 4G rollout in the first half of 2013. To ensure quick deployment, all license holders are required to make their new spectrum available to 70 percent of Ireland's population within three years. In all, the companies will pay €855 million ($1.09 billion) for spectrum rights until 2030, of which, €482 million is payable up front. Curiously enough, the country's 800MHz spectrum was freed up just last month after its analog shutoff. To find a complete breakdown of the situation, feel free to hit up the announcement from ComReg at the source link below.

[Source: Engadget]

Dropbox Chooser lets web apps attach files from the cloud

When Dropbox decided to get all close and cozy with Facebook Groups, that was just the beginning. With its new Chooser tool any developer can integrate Dropbox for quickly and easily sharing files stored in the cloud. Rather than upload or attach files from your desktop you can simply link files from your online folders. And, since the attachment is actually stored with Dropbox, rather than copied to a site's own servers, every time you update a document it's automatically updated for everyone else too. The first site to integrate the new tool is task management service Asana. Check out the source for more info from both companies.

[Source: Engadget]

PlayStation 3 global sales hit 70 million, over 15 million Move controllers sold

Sony has announced that it's now sold over 70 million PlayStation 3 consoles -- matching the number of Xboxes sold according to Microsoft's latest financial report. Direct from the Japanese console maker, it also revealed that more than 15 million PlayStation Move motion controllers have been sold since its launch over two years ago. Meanwhile, the slightly aging (but constantly tweaked) base console is now approaching its sixth birthday, but there's no word yet on its hardware successor, with Sony preferring to focus on new connectivity features between the PS3 and its handheld relative.

[Source: Engadget]

Google's Blogger app updated with iPad support, landscape composition mode, Google+ integration

Google's Blogger app has hit version 2.0, bringing a visual revamp and a handful of new features to its iOS and Android flavors, in addition to iPad support. Now, users can compose posts in landscape mode, share to Google+ and view scheduled post times. In addition to a grab bag of unspecified bug fixes, the update brings the app's total number of supported languages up to 30. Eager to start tapping out posts? Hit the source links below for the appropriate download.

[Source: Engadget]

Vodafone Red Hot launches today

Vodafone UK is today launching Vodafone Red Hot, its first plan designed to allow pay monthly customers to rent some of its hottest phones, changing them every year, without the need to make a large payment upfront. Building on the successful introduction of Vodafone Red, Vodafone Red Hot gives customers unlimited calls and texts, 2GB of internet and WiFi on a 12 month contract.

From £47 a month, Vodafone Red Hot is available on three handsets and includes insurance, a screen protector and a personalised phone case as standard.  At the end of 12 months customers can either choose to extend their contract, or swap the phone for a newer model.

The decision to offer customers the ability to rent a phone comes on the back of customer research that demonstrated that many people wanted to change their phones more regularly, but did not wish to make a large initial contribution at the start of their contract. Florie Brizel, Mobilologist and CEO of Los Angeles-based Brizel Media, explains further on our official blog, Vodafone Social http://blog.vodafone.co.uk/redhot/

Srini Gopalan, Consumer Director, Vodafone UK said “We’ve been working incredibly hard to simplify the price plans we offer to customers. Vodafone Red Hot marks another way for customers to stay one step ahead of their friends, having the latest technology in their hands.  Coupled with unlimited calls, texts and a massive amount of internet, we think there will be many customers who will see this as a great choice.”

Vodafone Red Hot plan offers unlimited calls to all UK mobiles – not just other Vodafone customers – and standard UK landlines, with no restrictions on how long a customer can talk or how many people they call. Vodafone Red Hot will be available through Vodafone’s retail stores across the UK.

• Rent a smartphone, with no upfront costs and change it every year
• Talk and text as much as you want and get loads of internet with Vodafone Red Hot
• Truly unlimited calls and texts available for the hottest handsets

For further information visit vodafone.co.uk/redhot

Dropcam's iOS app goes big, now optimized for iPad

After establishing itself in the Android ecosystem with a native app, modern-day nanny cam outfit Dropcam has decided to optimize its service on the iPad, too. Users of the iPad 2, new iPad or the iPad mini can now view up to four Dropcam devices simultaneously, snap still images and receive real-time motion and audio alerts via SMS. Subscribers also have access to a cloud-based DVR service, which allows them to view, store and manage their recorded videos. So, whether you're trying to catch your roommatestealing borrowing your clothes, or keep an eye on a mischievous pet, you can now grab a super-size update from the App Store.

[Source: Engadget]

Spotify confirms web app in the works, currently in closed beta

There have been rumblings that Spotify would unveil a browser-based client. Well, the company has just confirmed to us that such a service is not only in the works, but is currently in beta testing. The trial version is being rolled out slowly to users over the coming weeks and months, though it may be sometime before the general public is granted access. The statement we received didn't specify an official launch date, the company simply said it "will have more information in Q1 of next year." We weren't able to squeeze too many details out of the spokesperson but, according to a report from The Verge, there is a basic set of features that mirrors what you see in the desktop app. That means a what's new section, simple search and Spotify Radio, though no support for apps at the moment. Now you'll just have to cross your fingers that you'll be one of the lucky few granted testing privileges sooner, rather than later.

[Source: Engadget]

Box for Android 2.0 brings file previews, offline folders and more

Cloud storage provider Box seems to be in overdrive lately, with a new Windows 8 app out and having announced improvements to its cloud platform and speedier uploads for businesses. Turning its attention now to Android users, Box has bumped up the app on Google's mobile OS to version 2.0, bringing in features like file previews for 75 different file types, offline folders that indicate when they're out of sync, and a feature-rich transfer manager. In addition, you can jump straight to the app when you tap on Box shared links, instead of having to fiddle around with the sign-in process on your mobile browser. The ability to add descriptions to files and folders should also come in handy for those with a meticulous streak. Convinced? The source link has the goods.

[Source: Engadget]

TomTom unveils location based services, portal to help put developers on the map

Thanks to a certain fruit company and its cartographic woes, many folks are aware that TomTom provides mapping services to third-parties. Now the navigation company is offering cloud-based services like map display, routing, traffic and geocoding to all, alongside a developer portal with the tools to program them. That'll pit it against rivals like Nokia and Google in providing location data for fleet management, traffic planning or geolocation analysis apps, for instance. Naturally, there's a fee to be paid for all those goodies, but to get you hooked, the company's offering a 90 day free evaluation of its SDK and API. Need directions to the PR? Take the first left, then head after the break.

[Source: Engadget]

LG Google TVs now have integrated OnLive cloud game streaming

LG Smart TV owners may've noticed a new application pop up today on their G2 series sets, as OnLive's cloud game streaming app is being delivered via an over-the-air update today (first announced at E3 back in June) -- it seems that LG Smart TVs are the first to get Google TV's latest update. Beyond just viewing games, the app allows for actually playing them employing OnLive's wireless controller (sold separately). Per normal OnLive service, you can demo various games before buying them, and purchases on one OnLive account transfer across its many platforms (PC, Mac, Android tablets, the Microconsole, and LG TVs). The OnLive app can be found in the "Premium Apps" area, and it'll be pre-installed on future LG sets.

Of course, it's a question of how long any of this will last, as OnLive's had a rough 2012 -- the company lost the vast majority of its staff and its former CEO back in August. It was subsequently spun off into a separate company to keep from defaulting on its many, many overdue loans.

[Source: Engadget]

iMacs delayed until 2013?

French language website MacBidouille claims to have some bad news from its retail sources. While they were expecting to see iMacs arrive Nov. 27 (we also heard a similar time frame—with availability beginning around Black Friday) for the 21.5-inchers and later in December for the 27-inchers, both may now miss the all-important holiday shopping season.

The source blames a welding process for the delays, which would push the iMacs into 2013. The new iMacs also have a redesigned display that features a new thinner lamination process.

We first noted the delays in new iMac production in October and questioned whether the devices would be announced at the iPad mini event. Interestingly, we also heard that Apple might introduce an updated Thunderbolt Display in the not-so distant future that may be tied to the launch of the 27-inch iMac. Stay tuned for more information on that soon.

[Source: 9to5Mac]

Apple Maps turn-by-turn voice navigation goes live in Australia

After first being promised in October, then being delayed into November, Apple has finally rolled out iOS 6 Map’s turn-by-turn voice navigation functionality to its users in Australia. Responding to a customer email in September regarding the feature’s availability in Australia, former Apple Senior Vice President of iOS Scott Forstall said that the data needed to be exceptional and qualified before the on switch was flicked.

[Source: 9to5Mac]