Best Buy Connect no longer accepting new activations, service to end June 1st (update: confirmed)

Remember Best Buy Connect? If so, you'll soon have a few more megabytes of humanized DDR3 freed up, as it appears that the retail giant is ready to put the kibosh on its own branded mobile broadband service nearly two years after it was first unveiled. According to the internal memo shown in the above screenshot, new activations are no longer allowed effective immediately, and the service for legacy customers will be cut off on the first of June.

So why the change of heart? Apparently Connect is the victim of a reshuffling of priorities, and the company determined that it "can achieve greater growth by delivering mobile broadband support in ways other than an exclusive Best Buy-branded service." Of course, this is bound to upset more than a handful of folks who have been relying on Connect for their data needs, and the retailer isn't leaving them completely in the dark: to help smooth out the transition, all Early Termination Fees will be waived, and all customers will receive a $125 or $150 gift card via email to curb the cost of moving to a different carrier. WiMAX Connect users, additionally, will also be given the option to switch over to Clear service. We're still awaiting official confirmation from Best Buy -- as of this moment, the official website remains up and running as if it's none the wiser -- but we'll update as soon as we hear more.

Update: Best Buy has now officially confirmed to us that the service will indeed be shut off on June 1st.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Best Buy Connect no longer accepting new activations, service to end June 1st (update: confirmed) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic details radar-based technology that can detect collisions in low light

Collision detection for cars? Yeah, scientists are on that. But whenever we read about concepts like this, the accompanying literature is often curiously light on details pertaining to real-life driving conditions; it's often unclear how well the tech will fare if you dredge it up on a foggy day, or in the middle of torrential storm. But in that press release you seen down there, low visibility and poorly lit roads are all Panasonic wants to talk about. The company just unveiled its new crash-avoidance system, which, like other concepts we've seen, uses millimeter-wave radar technology to detect pedestrians and bicyclists. Since humans tend to reflect weaker radar signals than cars, Panasonic has designed a new pulse radar code sequence that allows pedestrians to leave a bigger footprint. It's so effective, the company claims, that it can detect bystanders up to 40 meters (131 feet) away, and will work at night and through rain, fog, snow and blinding sunlight. That all sounds promising, of course, but as with other concepts, it's not clear, when, exactly we'll see this system put to good use in the real world.

Continue reading Panasonic details radar-based technology that can detect collisions in low light

Panasonic details radar-based technology that can detect collisions in low light originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pegatron Corp. Signs Patent Agreement With Microsoft Over Android, Chrome OS Devices

Microsoft snagged another one. Pegatron is the latest company to sign a patent agreement with Microsoft concerning Android and Chrome devices. The exact terms of this agreement were not disclosed, but according to a press release issued this morning, Microsoft will receive royalties from Pegatron under this agreement. Microsoft's aggressive strategy to license its patents for Android devices is a loaded subject. On the surface it looks like extortion. Google thinks so. But Google is also the company that built the Android platform, seemingly ignoring key patents held by Microsoft. Sure, Microsoft is trailing far behind in the mobile races, but by licensing patents it holds to competitors, the company is just utilizing its assets to make a few bucks. That's not cheating. That's playing smart.

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iPhone Dock Stumbles Its Way Onto an Electric Kettle

Design concepts are exactly what they say they are, concepts. Still, you have to wonder if maybe adding an iPhone dock to every appliance concept is a bit overkill.

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PSA: Nintendo 3DS firmware update now live in North America

If your 3DS' home screen is looking a little too cluttered, then today's your lucky day. Nintendo is rolling out the firmware update that adds folders to your folder (You've gotta fold the console closed, geddit?). The only other change evident so far is a redesigned eShop interface that makes better use of the screen's real estate, but pssh, who cares? It's all about the folders for us.

PSA: Nintendo 3DS firmware update now live in North America originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyonce Named People's Most Beautiful Woman

'I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt because I've given birth,' she says in World's Most Beautiful issue.
By Jocelyn Vena

Beyoncé on the cover of <i>People</i>
Photo: People

Beyoncé truly is the Queen B. She has been voted People's World's Most Beautiful Woman in the magazine's latest issue, which celebrates all things beautiful. And these days she says the thing that makes her feel most beautiful is her baby girl, Blue Ivy.

"I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt because I've given birth," Beyoncé told the magazine. "I have never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth."

Beyoncé continues to gush about her baby girl, saying, "She's just the cutest thing," adding that she makes up songs to sing just to Blue Ivy. When asked which of her parents the baby resembles more, B responded, "She looks like Blue. She's her own person."

While Beyoncé is focused on her "love" of changing diapers these days, she is prepping to get back to work. But she seems to feel her greatest achievement is baby Blue. "The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy," she explained. "The word 'love' means something completely different now."

Beyoncé is slated to perform in Atlantic City over Memorial Day weekend and is rumored to be working on new music for a follow-up to 2011's 4.

This is the ninth time the pop singer has made the issue, which hits newsstands Friday. The list also includes Angelina Jolie; Jennifer Lawrence; Adele; newly pregnant Megan Fox; "Snow White and the Huntsman" villain Charlize Theron; the Snow White of "Mirror Mirror," Lily Collins; "Mad Men" vixen Christina Hendricks; Michelle Williams and Kate Middleton.

Guys who made the cut in the Most Beautiful issue include the Sexiest Man Alive himself, Bradley Cooper, David Beckham, Blake Shelton and Ashton Kutcher. In 2011, "American Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez was crowned People's Most Beautiful Woman.

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PHOTOS: Michelle Williams & Jason Segel Step Out!

The brand-new lovebirds enjoy a dinner date in N.Y.C.! Check out more pics of Hollywood's tightest twosomes

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