Facebook adds drag-and-drop photos, trials simplified Timeline and delivers new privacy controls

Anyone who's returned from an event with a virtual armful of photos may have been frustrated with Facebook's upload interface, which until now has involved a less-than-intuitive file browser. The company is quietly solving that problem: an update pushing out to individual users lets them drag-and-drop photos into a new post, like we've seen on other social networks, and to a newly streamlined Messages format that's rolling out at the same time. A much smaller circle is seeing a second update. Facebook has confirmed to ABC News that it's conducting limited trials of an updated Timeline that moves the news feed to a single column, replaces the thumbnail navigation with simpler-looking tabs and makes all profile page information available through scrolling. A spokesperson wouldn't say if or when the new Timeline would reach the wider public, but history points to "when" being more likely. They did however mention that the new privacy shortcuts, activity log and untagging tool would be going live for all users starting tonight, and we've already seen them pop up on some of our accounts.

[Source: Engadget]

Bloomberg: HTC will introduce 7-inch and 12-inch Windows RT tablets in 2013

Well, it looks like Microsoft has changed its tune about HTC's "experience" when it comes to churning out tablets. Today, Bloomberg reports that the Taiwan-based manufacturer will introduce 7-inch and 12-inch tablets that are based on Qualcomm chips with Windows RT. This news directly contradicts a previous report that suggested HTC would be excluded from the Windows tablet world. If the stars align, we can expect each of these devices to hit the market in Q3 of 2013, although pricing remains up in the air. Curiously, the 7-inch iteration is also said to make phone calls, which sounds eerily similar to the the Android-based Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. One thing you won't find, however, are Windows 8-based tablets from HTC, which the company is said to have abandoned due to high costs. Sources speculate that HTC's entry into the fray is based on Microsoft's desire for more manufacturers and greater diversity in the tablet lineup. No doubt that a miniature RT device will accomplish just that.

[Source: Engadget]

Hisense Pulse with Google TV priced at $100, now available from Amazon

It's been a while since we saw it at IFA, but it looks like the Hisense Pulse with Google TV is finally available for purchase a month after its promised release date. You can finally snag the Google TV set-top box from Amazon for $100 -- it misses that "under $99" mark mentioned in its initial announcement, but it's certainly close enough. The compact entertainment box supports 1080p output and has WiFi, HDMI, USB and Ethernet ports, letting you pump in content through a host of connections. Much like other Google TV products, the remote that ships with the device is double-sided -- there's a QWERTY keyboard on the bottom and more traditional controls (along with a trackpad) up top. We didn't think much of the touchpad's small size at the initial hands-on, so hopefully the manufacturer's solved that in the final product. Hisense is certainly cutting things close with this late-December release, but if you click "add to cart" now, it may just arrive in time to make its way underneath a tree.

[Source: Engadget]

Aptina intros 8MP sensors that bring 60FPS, pro-grade video to phones, action cameras

Smartphones and action cameras are no strangers to high-speed video: devices like the HTC One X make it a selling point. They've usually had to crop the frame from a much larger sensor, however, cutting into the final image quality and the field of view. Aptina's new AR0835 and AR0835HS sensors might be the ticket to no-compromise, fast footage. Both 8-megapixel, backside-lit CMOS imagers occupy as much of the sensor as they can when capturing widescreen video at 60 frames per second, oversampling HD video at 6 megapixels; the result is supposedly professional-level video sharpness and viewing angles without the professional-level pricing. Either sensor can also capture 6-megapixel stills mid-video, and they can combine pixels to record 720p video at an even brisker 120FPS. Aptina won't have the action camera-focused AR0835HS in production until first quarter of 2013, but it's already mass-producing the smartphone-oriented AR0835. As such, it shouldn't be long before there's brag-worthy, high-speed home movies sitting in our pockets.

[Source: Engadget]

Media Center Remote for Windows 8 controls 7MC PCs, Extenders via WiFi

Microsoft hasn't provided much in the way of Media Center enhancements as a part of its upgrade to Windows 8, but this app lets those PCs, tablets and everything in between control Windows 7 Media Center computers and extenders. Coming from the developer of the Kinect for Media Center app we saw earlier this year, Media Center Remote for Windows 8 is compatible with ARM / Windows RT devices and can control playback, as well as browse libraries of music, pictures and videos. It's all done in the Windows 8 UI style, of course, so how much you love the look will apply here. It's not free, with a pricetag of $4.99 (also requires the installation of a free command listener app on your Media Center PC) and at the moment will only control PCs running Windows 7, although a backend update that will enable support for WMC on Windows 8 is on the way.

[Source: Engadget]

Nintendo TVii app launches on Wii U in US and Canada on December 20

Nintendo of America announced this morning that its delayed Nintendo TVii service for the Wii U will launch on December 20. Nintendo TVii, first introduced back in September, intends to tie all of your currently balkanized media services on the Wii U -- various streaming services, your cable box, and your DVR -- into a single, cross-searchable application. At launch, the service will tie in Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant Video, but Netflix and TiVo are skipping the party until some time in "early 2013."

Nintendo TVii was given a December 8th launch date in Nintendo's home country of Japan, lining up with the launch of the company's new console; the TVii service notoriously missed the launch of the console everywhere else in the world, remaining absent ever after its various support services were added (Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, etc.) as individual apps. Like those apps, Nintendo TVii wasn't built by Nintendo itself, but in a partnership with i.TV. It's unclear what lead to the delay of the TVii service, but we're glad to see it arrive ahead of the various big present-giving days.

[Source: Engadget]

Google Play Books gets high quality read aloud, pinch zoom, recommendations

If you like having your classics read to you by your handheld device but don't care for the usual robot-stuck-in-a-well tones, Google Play Books has been updated with a more dulcet option. The "read aloud" function (which has been around for several versions, despite Google saying it's new) now has a high quality voice option, which only works if you're connected to the internet. We gave it a whirl ourselves, and it's now far more tolerable to listen to "Oliver Twist" or other flowing text books, thanks to a more natural sounding voice -- as heard in the audio file after the break. In addition, Google has added pinch or double-tap zoom options, text editing features for notes, personalized recommendations and "numerous bug fixes and performance enhancements." To give it a look (or listen) for yourself, check the source for more info.

[Source: Engadget]

Major UK networks confirm they'll carry BlackBerry 10 wares in early 2013

While our immediate attention is focused on the fast approaching tech-fest that is CES, let us not forget another important event taking place in January -- the eagerly awaited launch of BlackBerry 10. We don't know if its success will equal RIM's expectations, but just this morning all major UK carriers emailed us confirmation they'll be stocking BB10 handsets. Three and EE (Orange and T-Mobile included) announced availability next year, but nothing more specific; O2 told us BB10 gear will land on its network "in early 2013"; and retailer Phones4u, which covers all the carriers, specified a Q1 2013 window. Vodafone implied that it'll be offering handsets immediately after launch, but we've been in contact the network's PR folks just to confirm that's true and not confused wording. We'll update you with their response as soon as we hear back.

[Source: Engadget]

Next Wii U system update due late December, will improve software loading times

The Wii U launch didn't go quite as smoothly as consumers would've liked, with a major update to sit through right after unboxing, and support for various video streaming services absent on day one. Well, head honcho at Nintendo Satoru Iwata has taken to YouTube and announced from his cream studio that the next system update is due late December. It's primarily being pushed out to improve the frustratingly slow software loading times on the new console -- an issue we highlighted in our review. Iwata only makes a fleeting appearance at the beginning of the video before it moves on to talking up the latest Dragon Quest iteration, but if you've got a decent knowledge of Japanese, the embed awaits you below.

[Source: Engadget]

PlayMemories Studio update for PS3 brings 4K image support, cloud features and more

Sony has been continually pushing its PlayMemories brand of apps across its hardware offerings, and this latest update falls at the feet of PlayStation 3 owners. It's PlayMemories Studio in particular, and a forthcoming patch that adds new functionality. The meat of the update centers around PlayMemories Online integration for added cloud-based photo and video sharing options, with slide shows. Other revisions include support for "improved" resolution of exported videos (up to 1080p), faster thumbnail display, more choices of background music, improved editing features and -- of particular interest to early adopters -- support for 4K photos with Bravia TVs. The version 2.0 release is slated for release "soon" but in the meantime head to the Sony Japan source link for a little more info in the interim.

[Source: Engadget]

CloudOn outs v3.0: iPhone compatibility, optimization for 7-inch tablets and SkyDrive integration

Suffice it to say, CloudOn never quite stops polishing its iOS / Android productivity app, with the service often adding feature after feature and reaching more and more folks around the world -- with that in mind, today's update will be no exception. With the introduction of version 3.0, CloudOn's now bringing its handy Microsoft Office tools to the iPhone, marking this the first time the application will be available on any smartphone. In addition to making its debut on the smaller screen, CloudOn has also included optimization for 7-inch tablets like the ASUS-made Nexus 7 and the slightly larger iPad mini, while integration with Redmond's SkyDrive cloud and support for Mountain View's Jelly Bean OS can be found inside v3.0 as well. All in all, CloudOn's third major installment could very well be considered its most substantial yet -- and, according to CEO Millind Gadekar, there are no plans to slow down anytime soon, telling us that this is just another step toward the outfit's "mission of reinventing mobile productivity." Very well, then.

[Source: Engadget]

Instagram responds to user concerns, adjusts new Terms of Service to allay fears

Were you among the many put off or freaked out by Instagram's changes to its Terms of Service announced yesterday? You're not alone, as many informed the Facebook photo sharing platform that they weren't pleased by the new language -- they mistook it as a means for their photos to be monetized in unscrupulous ways. Good news is, Instagram heard these complaints and has responded, explaining the changes and pledging to nix parts that caused unnecessary confusion.

In a blog post today, co-founder Kevin Systrom made clear that the ToS tweaks were meant to inform Instagrammers that the company wants "to experiment with innovative advertising." What kind of advertising? Say a company wants more folks following its Instagram account. According to Systrom, the changes allow Instagram to see which of the people you follow also follow that business and can use that information to better promote said company.

Basically, the changes were made so Instagram can find ways to increase ad revenue without spoiling the UX with banner ads, but the service still retains the rights to use your information in ads -- and yes, even users under 18 are included. Additionally, Systrom made clear that users own their content and Instagram will not be selling user photos to advertisers. And, he has pledged that updated language to that effect is in the works. Still uneasy about using Instagram for your filtered photography needs? Head on over to the source for the full explanation straight from Systrom himself.

[Source: Engadget]