App lets you attach digital messages to real-world objects... for fun?

For those who don't know, Project Tango is a Google-built prototype smartphone jam packed with Kinect-like 3D sensors and components. One of Mountain View's software partners involved in the project, FlyBy Media, has built what it's calling the first consumer app capable of utilizing Tango's image recognition skills to... chat with friends. Dubbed FlyBy, the app allows users to share text and videos messages by attaching them to a real-world object; like a menu at your favorite restaurant or collectible from your honeymoon. Recipients are notified once they're in close proximity, then they need only to scan said object and voila, message received. While the concept isn't new -- or popular... yet -- the company believes that this time people will catch on. Just think of it as geocaching your conversations. That could be fun, right?

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Apple is reportedly launching iOS in the Car next week with Ferrari, Mercedes and Volvo

Apple's iOS in the Car has been a long time in coming -- we first heard about the automotive interface last June, and it still isn't ready despite the presence of relevant code in recent iOS 7 builds. The wait may soon be over, though, as the Financial Times hears that Apple will unveil formal car integration deals with Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo next week. There aren't more forthcoming details, although the rumored announcement implies that the automakers could name compatible models and possibly show the technology in action. We wouldn't refer to iOS in the Car as Apple's "first in-car operating system," like the FT does -- it's still dependent on an iPad or iPhone to work. Even so, any potential launch next week would represent a big step forward for 1 Infinite Loop's in-car efforts, which haven't advanced much since iPod Out.

[Image credit: Steve Troughton-Smith, YouTube]

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Google's 'show me the menu' search brings the most important restaurant info up first

No matter how good the food is, it seems like many restaurants hide the most important info (what's cooking, and how much does it cost?) under a slew of sub pages, outdated Flash interfaces or bizarre PDF scans of printed pages. Google Search users can now pull up those details even faster and in a standardized interface on the desktop or mobile devices, simply by starting their search with "show me the menu." Add in the name of the restaurant and the city it's located in, and you should see the menu right on Google's page complete with prices, where available. Search Engine Land points out that Allie Brown spotted the feature in testing a few weeks ago, although it's not entirely clear where Google is pulling its info from -- menu aggregators like AllMenus.com, HTML tags embedded in restaurant websites or maybe an extension of Zagat. Either way, it seems like a command worth filing away when Yelp, Foursquare and other local info services fall short.

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Daily Roundup: Ashton Kutcher designs smartphones, March Madness on WP8, and more!

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Ashton Kutcher and Lenovo designing smartphones

It looks like Ashton Kutcher and Lenovo are ready for round two. A marketing executive told Recode that the dynamic duo are working together again, this time on a line of special edition smartphones.

Fed Chairwomen says it can't regulate Bitcoin

Between recent issues at Mt. Gox and a request for banishment by a US senator, Bitcoin is awash in controversy. But according to Fed Chair Janet Yellen, the digital currency lies outside of the central banking system and can't be regulated by the Federal Reserve.

Apple TV buyers get iTunes credit

Apple rarely offers discounts on its products, but the company's new US promo gives Apple TV buyers $25 iTunes credit to jumpstart their media library. Hurry, though, because it ends March 5th.

March Madness Live app arrives on Windows Phone

The March Madness Live app has been on Android and iOS for ages, but now Windows Phone 8 users can join in the fun. The app itself is free, but certain games still require a cable subscription to view.

You also might like: Virgin Media pushes its fiber broadband top speed to 152Mbps Xbox One update preview adds new audio, Kinect options and a fix for UK TV FIFA 14 is now available for Windows Phone footie fans

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Samsung's Galaxy S5 is coming to Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile

Long gone are the days of prepaid carriers being stuck with low-end smartphones. Need proof? That's easy: Sprint has announced that both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile will carry Samsung's Galaxy S5 in the second quarter of the year, or sometime around the worldwide launch in April. Neither wireless brand is giving out prices at this stage, although it's safe to presume that the brand new, Spark-compatible flagship will carry a premium. Even so, its presence should be welcome to Boost and Virgin customers who've had to go without high-end Galaxies.

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FIFA 14 is now available for Windows Phone footie fans

Windows Phone owners no longer have to watch from the sidelines as their friends battle for supremacy in FIFA 14. EA has released a native version of the free-to-play soccer (aka football) title for Microsoft's platform with the same on-the-pitch action that you'd expect on Android and iOS, including options to buy both team points and special game modes like Manager or Kick Off. There's nothing specifically taking advantage of Windows Phone here, but Lumia owners wanting to dominate a virtual Premier League should be very happy.

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Apple's new US promo gives Apple TV buyers free $25 iTunes gift cards

Color us intrigued. Apple seldom offers discounts on any of its devices outside of Black Friday, and yet it just launched a short, US-only promotion (PDF) that gives Apple TV buyers free $25 iTunes gift cards to jumpstart their media libraries. There's no major strings attached -- you just have to buy the device between now and March 5th to get the bonus credit. It sounds like a solid deal, but you may not want to rush to the store right away. The promo comes hot on the heels of rumors of a next-generation Apple TV, which suggests that the crew in Cupertino may be clearing out inventory ahead of a new model. If you're not worried about owning the latest and greatest, though, it's a tempting offer.

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March Madness Live app dribbles its way to Windows Phone 8 this year

This year, Windows Phone 8 users can watch all 67 NCAA men's basketball games too, now that the March Madness Live app has arrived (there's also a new app for Windows 8, if the browser doesn't cut it). The streaming app was previously available on iOS and Android only, and long ago, it even cost $10 a pop to download. Now the app is free, but any game aired on TNT, TBS or TruTV still requires a cable TV subscription for viewing. There is a brief preview period before users need to log in, and anyone can stream games aired on CBS.

As a bonus for cable subscribers, each semifinal round will have three different feeds that viewers can choose from: the game coverage itself and team-specific presentations. Other than these new features, the apps also got a new interface that make them more suitable for phone and tablet screens. The March Madness Live apps aren't exactly available yet, but as the name implies, they're slated to hit the App Store, Google Play and Windows Marketplaces sometime this March.

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Sony to reportedly offload its old Tokyo HQ for some quick cash

It appears Sony isn't quite done selling off assets in a bid to reverse its financial losses. Just weeks after it sold its VAIO PC business, the company is reportedly in talks to offload another one of its properties: its former headquarters in central Tokyo. The deal could net Sony more than 15 billion yen ($146.5 million), adding to the $2.3 billion it recouped from the sale of its New York and Osaka buildings last year. Locals have blasted the potential move, however, arguing that the company's "birthplace," where founders Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka worked on the Walkman and Trinitron TV, should be exempt from its restructuring efforts. The proceeds could be used to cushion the $1.1 billion loss Sony expects to make in its current financial year, putting no pressure whatsoever on the new Xperia Z2 family to sell well when it hits stores in April.

[Image credit: Wikimedia]

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Virgin Media pushes its fiber broadband top speed to 152Mbps

If, like Aaron Paul, you've got a Need for Speed, then Virgin Media's latest news is probably up your alley. The company has announced that it's pushing its top fiber broadband speed up from a 120Mbps all the way up to 152Mbps over the next 12 months. At the same time, Virgin has also announced that it'll be reducing the amount of traffic management during peak times. That way, you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of that supercharged connection, even when everyone else is on their PS4 or bingeing on Netflix.

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Popular Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox files for bankruptcy protection

When the lights went out on Mt.Gox earlier this week, it wasn't entirely clear what was going on. Was the exchange about to be straightened out by another backer? What would happen to customers' coins? There were some big questions that needed answering. Today, according to the Wall Street Journal, we're at least enlightened to one of them, as its reporting Mt.Gox is filing for bankruptcy protection. What this means for your money still remains unclear, but for now at least, it's in the hands of official process.

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Xbox One update preview adds new audio, Kinect options and a fix for UK TV

Xbox One owners who received a special ticket in their inbox are already testing out next month's update, and they've already uncovered a slew of tweaks. Beyond the multiplayer / party system changes and Twitch streaming we'd heard about, fans with surround sound headphones have been pleasantly surprised by the arrival of Dolby Digital Audio. Another new audio choice is bitstream output, and our friends at The Digital Media Zone have already checked it out to confirm the expected lights are popping up on their surround sound receivers.

Forum posters on NeoGAF has put together a list of changes they've as well, and several media related ones stick out. First, the 50Hz compatibility problem that plagued some European TV viewers using the HDMI passthrough has been fixed. Other tweaks include a check box to disable Kinect hand gestures while watching a video (which would often accidentally recognize casual movements and put an icon on the screen), and the ability to change how much the volume changes when commanded by Kinect. Hit the thread for the full list, while everyone else waits until March 11th for the update to arrive.

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Report: Less than one percent of mobile gamers responsible for half of all in-app purchases

With the runaway success of Candy Crush Saga, it's perfectly natural to wonder just how many people are dropping coin in freemium mobile games. One firm's answer, however, might surprise you. A very small number -- 0.15 percent, to be exact -- of total mobile payers contribute half of monthly in-game revenue, according to in-app marketing company Swrve. The outfit also says that over 60 percent of the money made within the first two weeks of a player's life is made on the first day. Meaning, if most people install a game and don't make any purchases almost immediately, they likely won't at all. The report comes from a limited sample, but designers hoping to build the next fragile confection-like phenomenon are probably studying it for secrets right now. We've embedded the provided infographic after the break should you want a peek at a whole lot of graphs for yourself.

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Google Barge bids farewell to San Francisco, to make Stockton its new California home

Still think of the Google Barge as a wacky idea from a company that makes more money than it knows what to do with? Well, Mountain View will soon prove that a floating building has its merits: for one, when the company gets in trouble with authorities, it can get the hell out of dodge... literally. According to CNET, the vessel is slated to set sail to Stockton, California, after it was discovered in early February that it didn't have a construction permit in San Francisco. The barge is still a work in progress (hence the need for the proper paperwork), but once it's done, it will showcase the company's more avant-garde creations like Glass, autonomous cars and other projects from Google X's lab.

Google's moving because the 35-day window it got from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission to secure a permit is almost up. Without the permit, Google's liable to be fined up to $30,000. Clearly, even though 30 grand is pocket change for the tech giant, it chose to pack its bags and finish construction in friendlier waters (read: outside BCDC's jurisdiction). A rep from the Treasure Island neighborhood (where the barge is currently moored) said the vessel could leave as soon as next week, and since Stockton's just on the other side of the bay from SF, it'll be there in no time. Fingers crossed that Google can now focus on finishing construction, because we can't wait to confirm if the barge's party deck exists.

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Hulu sells its Japan operations to a local broadcaster, licenses brand name and tech

Hulu jumped into overseas expansion of subscription video streaming services around the same time as its competitors Netflix and Amazon, but now it's taking a step back. New CEO Mike Hopkins announced one of his first big moves in a blog post, revealing that Hulu Japan has been sold to Nippon TV, one of the top TV networks in the country. In Japan the Hulu Plus-style approach has been the only one offered, with a pay subscription opening up access to a mix of local and imported-from-the-US programming, including HBO. According to Hopkins, not a lot should change for subscribers. While Nippon TV will take over day-to-day operations and expand the content available with some of its own stuff, Hulu is licensing its brand and technology to the company.

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Google Hangouts 2.0 for iOS gets iPad tweaks, 10-second video messages

Google Hangouts just jumped a full version number on Apple hardware -- the first major update since it added voice calls late last year -- and 2.0 has more than just a new iOS 7-ready look. The new app is "fully optimized" for iPads, with a "two-pane" conversation view. On all devices, it's ready for animated stickers -- look out Whatsapp and Facebook Messenger -- 10-second video messages for when your friends are offline, and can send a map of your current location with a few button presses. It's rolling out on the App Store now, assuming you prefer the matchup of Google services and Apple devices.

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Amazon is reportedly working on a music-streaming service

Amazon does much more than dominate the online-shopping space. With its Prime instant video service, complete with original series and exclusives, the company has taken on Netflix -- and it looks like challenging Spotify and other music services is Amazon's next step. According to sources who spoke with Re/code, the company is currently in talks with music labels to offer a subscription-style service. The news is hardly surprising, but it's unclear when exactly an Amazon music-streaming platform would arrive.

According to one "label source," the company's demand for deeper discounts is holding up its talks with labels. When the back-room negotiations come to a conclusion, though, the cost of buying those music rights will likely be worth it, especially considering hints that the annual Prime subscription could increase by up to $40. In theory, at least, customers would be more likely to shell out that fee if they received more bundled features like free music streaming. However, Re/code makes a good point in noting that many Prime subscribers aren't even aware that they have access to instant video, so perhaps a streaming service would help Amazon highlight the privileges of Prime membership -- if the music service is bundled with Prime at all, that is.

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Rent a New York City apartment by the hour for... well, it's up to you

Sometimes, New York City can be unbearable. Sometimes, you just need a break. Breather wants to offer you that break, in a variety of "beautiful, practical spaces" that are available by the hour. Think of it like a rentable, temporary office. Sound good? Head right here to check it out!

...

Okay, are those folks gone? Now let's get down to what this is really about: rentable sex spaces. That's what we're talking about here, right? Gothamist arrived at the same conclusion as us, and asked Breather's City Manager Packy McCormick what gives. He claimed that, during a months-long beta period, there were no signs indicating Breather being used as such. "It just doesn't happen," he said. In fairness, the spaces aren't exactly strewn with mood lighting and waterbeds; they have standard office fare (WiFi, desks, power outlets -- unsexy stuff) and get cleaned after each use by Breather staff.

We got on the phone with CEO Julien Smith for more; he spoke with us from his mobile phone in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood -- no coincidence, as that's where Breather is headed in the "next couple of months." NYC service will also expand out from Manhattan into the outer boroughs in the same time frame, with plans for Boston and other major cities in the future.

Smith also offered details on how this potentially risky proposition works, and...it sounds surprisingly slick. Breather doesn't own all the apartments it rents, but through "all kinds of different options" (revenue sharing, for instance, or renting) it's cultivating a portfolio. Don't think of it like AirBnB by the hour, as the service intends to be something very different. Smith contextualized it in light of Starbucks, which offers a meeting space/office for the price of a coffee:

"Some places are worth spending time in more than others, especially for the price. Starbucks is always the lowest option. We have to offer a higher value than that."

At $25/hour and a free first hour, it does sound like a convenient option for, uh, whatever it is you're doing in there. But it's probably sex, right? Come on.

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ABC to stream the Oscars for the first time, but only for select viewers

ABC will be streaming its live coverage of the Oscars this weekend for the first time ever, but there are some important caveats. First, the awards show will only be viewable through Watch ABC on the web or through ABC's iOS and Android apps, both of which require a cable subscription for access. What's more, you'll need to live in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham or Fresno in order to stream the event, since Watch ABC isn't available nationwide. Even then, you'll need a Cablevision, Cox, Charter, Midcontinent, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber or AT&T U-Verse subscription if you wanna see whether Her takes home best picture.

If you don't meet the above criteria for streaming, "The Oscars Backstage" second screen experience will be available to all viewers regardless of their location or service provider. This will pull footage from multiple cameras positioned on the red carpet and in the backstage area. As you might expect, folks with full access can toggle back and forth between the extra content and the live show. Last but not least, Variety reports that highlight clips will be posted to Oscars.com five to 10 minutes after they air. The 86th Annual Academy Awards happens this Sunday, March 2nd at 8:30PM ET/5:30PM PT.

[Image credit: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images]

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Your smartphone's WiFi hotspot might double as a disaster rescue beacon

When disasters strike, communication services tend to go down; you can't simply call for help or share your location online. However, engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology have found a way to use a smartphone as a rescue beacon when there aren't any available networks. The researchers have written a victim app that inserts an SOS alert into the name of the phone's WiFi hotspot. Emergency crews just have to use a companion app to find you up to 330 feet away. It's a simple trick, to be sure. The big challenge is getting people to use the software in the first place -- the team would like its code built into your phone's interface, but they might have to find a way to distribute their apps in the field. If Fraunhofer's staff succeed in making the tools commonplace, though, you may soon find a ready-made distress signal in your pocket.

[Image credit: United Nations Photo, Flickr]

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Xiaomi shipped over 15 million MI2 series phones, lowers MI2s to $210 in China

While Xiaomi's been pushing its budget Redmi Android phone into Singapore recently, it's also managed to reach a new shipment record for its mid-tier MI2 series, which includes the MI2, MI2s and MI2a. According to the company's announcement, it has now shipped over 15 million of these devices, which is a notable jump from the 9.19 million figure announced at the MI3 launch back in September. To celebrate this occasion, Xiaomi has reduced the price of the 16GB, 8-megapixel MI2s in China from CN¥1,699 (about $280) to just CN¥1,299 (about $210). The 32GB version with a 13-megapixel camera remains at CN¥1,799 ($290), which is just less than the 16GB, CN¥1,999 ($330) MI3. All of these are still very attractive prices of their specs, of course.

In response to this price drop, Meizu swiftly announced that its 16GB MX2 RE (refurbished edition) is now also priced at CN¥1,299, whereas the MX2 enhanced edition is now at CN¥1,599 ($260). It's unclear how long this bloody fight will last for, but here's hoping that these price drops will be applied outside China as well.

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Japanese cable provider launches on-demand gaming service, will stream Sonic and PES titles

Sony's PlayStation Now streaming game service is still months away from launch, but Japanese cable company KDDI is testing the idea with the app-based GameNow service, through cable. It's the same company responsible for LG's Smart TV game service, although judging from the title lineup, J:Com and JCN cable subscribers might not see games at the level of Devil May Cry 4 and Dead Rising 2, at least to start with. Temper that enthusiasm a little, and expect several puzzle games and sports titles, including PES, WRC3 and Sonic Adventure DX. KDDI's Smart TV Box launched in 2012, but its new gaming service will go live at the start of March. And hey, know where you could play Sonic over cable, just over 20 years ago? The Sega Channel, that's where.

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Game makers can now start their own Steam sales, to your wallet's chagrin

If you're like many of the PC gamers we know, you wait eagerly for Valve's Steam sales; they're chances to stock up on games that were previously unaffordable. Thanks to a new Steamworks update, you won't necessarily have to be so patient. Game makers can now start their own Steam sales, determining both the size of the discount and its duration. If they opt into one of Valve's week-long campaigns, they can still determine the pricing. The move doesn't address complaints that the game industry leans too heavily on price cuts for competition. However, it should prove a big boost for indie developers and players alike. Creators will have more opportunities to stand out in a crowded field, and customers may have more chances to splurge... even if their bank accounts suggest otherwise.

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Nintendo Wii and DS internet multiplayer services will shut down worldwide May 20th

Nintendo Japan is putting internet-connected services for some of its older consoles out to pasture, although it's unknown if these plans could impact the US (Update: They will).The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that served original Wii and DS units is scheduled to turn off internet multiplayer gaming and many other (but not all) services May 20th, while the free Video app that launched for the 3DS in 2011 will be unplugged at the end of March.

Services that will keep working on the DS after May include the DSi Shop, DS Browser, and DSi Browser, while the Wii keeps Netflix, Hulu, Wii Shop Channel, Internet Channel, Pay & Play and YouTube. Newer Nintendo Network games that arrived around the 3DS and local multiplayer will also keep on chugging. If you have a long-distance score to settle in Mario Kart DS or Wii Speak conversation pending, we'd suggest trading friend codes (remember those?) now, while you still can.

Update: Nintendo America has confirmed, the Wi-Fi Connection service shutdown May 20th is worldwide.

[任天堂HP]　「ニンテンドーDS」および「Wii」ソフトの「ニンテンドーWi-Fiコネクション」サービス終了のお知らせを掲載しました。http://t.co/b03E9YoMHF

- 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) February 27, 2014

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Apple explains how the iPhone's fingerprint sensor keeps your info secure

If you've ever wanted to know how the iPhone 5s' Touch ID fingerprint security works beyond a basic overview, you'll be glad to hear Apple has just delivered a motherlode of new details. An updated version of its iOS Security white paper (PDF) explains much of what happens to your finger data after you touch the sensor. In short, your information may be more hack-resistant than it seems at first glance. Each A7 chip has a unique secure space that neither the A7 nor Apple can read, and every authentication session is encrypted end-to-end. The company is also offering a deeper explanation of what it does with your fingerprint image, noting that the print only lasts in memory until it's turned into a decryption key. As we've known for a while, there are safeguards that wipe out that key after 48 hours of inactivity, a reboot or five failed login attempts. While the new insights will only have so much usefulness when developers can't use Touch ID for their own apps, they suggest that there's little to no chance of fingerprint theft or a large-scale data breach.

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Honeywell's evohome puts a smart heating system in every room, is now available in the UK

You don't need Google to tell you that fancy, net-connected and smartphone-controllable heating setups have caught on, blazing a trail for other home automation tech and the mysterious internet of things to follow. UK energy merchant British Gas launched its own wireless thermostat not too long ago, and now Honeywell's upping the stakes with its evohome multi-room system (a bigger, badder version of an old evohome product sold for "specialist installations."). In addition to the main controller that pairs with your boiler, you can also pimp your radiator valves with wireless nodes to create up to 12 different "smart zones" that can be managed independently.

As you'd imagine, this means you can concoct some pretty elaborate schedules using the tablet-like touchscreen remote or via the Android and iOS apps. The system will also learn things about your crib, like how it long it takes to heat up and cool down, so you're only using energy when you need to. And, if you've left a window open, any nearby radiator module will know as much and shut itself off in protest of your wastefulness. Available in the UK from today, the basic Connected Pack (sans valve nodes) will set you back £249 without installation, which can't be any more complicated than rigging up a Sonos, can it?

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US Senator asks for a Bitcoin ban, but don't hold your breath

Many will tell you that Bitcoin stands on shaky legal ground. Senator Joe Manchin, however, believes it's outright dangerous -- to the point that he has sent a letter to regulators asking them to ban the digital currency. There's no regulation, he says, and Bitcoin's mix of anonymity and irreversibility is appealing to a shady crowd; the Senator believes that black markets and thieves operate with relative freedom. Manchin also points out that the digital cash is prone to both deflation and surprises that risk creating chaos, such as the recent shutdown of the Mt. Gox exchange.

Don't cash out any virtual savings just yet, though. The letter doesn't pay much attention to legitimate commercial uses or those countries where Bitcoin is legal. It also plays up the "disruptive" effect on the economy; as Business Insider notes, the currency's worldwide market cap has never ventured beyond a comparatively small $14.5 billion. Whether or not you believe the new currency is safe, we'd add that the letter doesn't automatically translate to new regulations. Even if officials agree to Manchin's request, it could still be a long while before any Bitcoin ban takes effect.

[Image credit: Third Way Think Tank, Flickr]

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Tesla's raising $1.6 billion to build its battery 'Gigafactory' and mass-market $35k car

If you've been dreaming of a Tesla but can't afford a Model S and its $70k+ sticker price (before tax credits), the company is announcing a major step towards building an electric vehicle in your price range. CEO Elon Musk has targeted 2017 for building a vehicle that costs half that, and has released details (PDF) of the "Gigafactory" he expects to have building batteries by then. The company predicts that by 2020, it will pump out more batteries alone than the world manufactured in 2013, keeping prices down while Tesla ramps up production on the unnamed "Gen III" vehicle.

To do that, it's raising $1.6 billion from a group of investors -- rumors suggest Model S battery provider Panasonic could be in for as much as $1 billion -- in a pair of bond offerings, with an option for an extra $240 million. The plant isn't built yet of course, but Tesla has pointed out four southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or Texas) as possible locations, ideal for its solar and wind renewable energy plans. The plant will lower costs by working on the raw materials, cells, modules and battery pack enclosures all in one place, employing as many as 6,500 people.

Check out some details about what the Gigafactory will look like: http://t.co/L90AIYv8R8 pic.twitter.com/i5mEwMjFKA

- Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) February 26, 2014

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Google's Project Ara modular smartphone gets a trio of dev conferences

Google's got plenty of moonshots brewing in its Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP), but one of the most intriguing is its modular smartphone design, called Project Ara. Because Ara's a platform designed to lets users swap out hardware (processors, cameras, or sensors) on the phone, it presents unique opportunities for developers to build different kinds of modules and the software needed to make them all work. That's why ATAP's going to be doing three developers' conferences this year, with the first one set to happen April 15-16 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

Folks that want to attend, but are outside striking distance of the Bay Area need not fret, however, as there will be a live webcast and interactive Q&A sessions of the conference, too. This initial event will focus on building the modules themselves, as Google will be making an alpha version of its Module Developers' Kit available at the beginning of April. We don't know what the other two conferences will be about (though software development for Ara seems a good bet), but more info and the conference agenda can be found at projectara.com in the coming weeks.

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Engadget Mobile Podcast 200 - MWC edition - 2.26.14

The Mobile Podcast turns 200 today and we're coming to you direct from the MWC showfloor in Barcelona, so please excuse all the background hustle and bustle. Brad Molen and crew are providing some fresh first-hand perspective about Samsung's new smartwatch line and the dimple-backed Galaxy S5 (complete with finger print scanner). Nokia also has a new lineup, this time Android-based, and Sony's offerings are delivering enhanced imaging and higher resolutions. We saved you a seat at the table -- right next to the silent superstar -- so please join us for this special MWC 2014 edition of the Engadget Mobile Podcast.

Hosts: Brad Molen

Guest: James Trew, Chris Velazco, Steve Dent, Joseph Volpe

Producer: Jon Turi

Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

Hear the podcast:

02:38 - Hands-on with Nokia's X family of Android smartphones
23:07 - Sony claims the Xperia Z2 Tablet is the world's thinnest and lightest waterproof slate
34:23 - Samsung Galaxy S5 preview: simpler in some ways, more 'glam' in others
02:38 - Meet Samsung's new smartwatch family: the Gear 2, Neo and Fit

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Contact this podcast:
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@phonewisdom, @engadgetmobile, @itstrew, @jrvolpe, @chrisvelazco, @stevetdent

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Google denies making a bid for WhatsApp

Rumors that Google engaged in a bidding war with Facebook over WhatsApp are false -- at least, if you ask Google's Sundar Pichai. The Senior VP tells The Telegraph that his company "never made an offer" to buy the messaging giant, and that any claims to the contrary are "simply untrue." We're inclined to believe him, although the denial suggests that Facebook may have paid $19 billion so that it wouldn't have to compete with Google (or anyone else) on yet another important acquisition.

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Titanfall collector's edition is titan-sized, sadly doesn't include jump jets

For half the price of an Xbox One, you can have your very own titan mech! Well, a 18-inch "Atlas Titan statue," care of the folks behind Titanfall. And yes, that means it doesn't move. And no, there aren't any jump jets in the massive box which holds the aforementioned statue, your copy of Titanfall, a big fancy art book and a poster. Dammit!

Again, to be clear, that's $250. Take a look at a video from Respawn Entertainment tearing apart the "very limited" edition of Titanfall just below; it's available on March 11th in North America, March 13th in Europe.

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Kazam wants you to come for the hardware, stay for the service

Kazam has a battle on its hands. The company may have been launched by former HTC execs, but it can only trade on that association for so long. That's something the firm is directly addressing here at MWC, it seems, with the launch of two new octacore handsets -- the Tornado 2 5.0, and Tornado 5.5. Two phones that it hopes will have mass appeal. We got to look at a pre-release version of the former, which uses MediaTek's MT6592 (clocked at 1.7GHz) that launched late last year. The Tornado 2 5.0 will also come with a 5-inch, 720p IPS display, sport an SD card slot (to augment the 8GB onboard), have dual SIM capabilities, and an 8-megapixel camera. When it launches in Europe later this year, it'll do so somewhere in the £250 region (depending on markets).

The device itself is unassuming in its design. The all-black body and minimal design are simplistic. While not at all unattractive, it's not a handset you will be able to pick out at a distance. The version we got to spend some time with didn't have final software, so we're unable to comment on its performance, but that's something we hope to be able to report on in more detail sooner rather than later. That's also why you'll see capacitive buttons, and on screen ones in the gallery below. Kazam hands-on See all photos

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More important than the phone itself, is that we got to learn a bit more about the mysterious Kazam. The company informed us it's not just trying to make reasonably priced phones, the plan is broader than that. While the phones it makes will likely continue to be affordable, Kazam is also putting an emphasis on high-quality after sales customer support, such as offering a free cracked screen replacement scheme and remote assistance with your device. Will that be enough to pull it out from the shadows of its origins? Well, ironically, it's already receiving the sincerest form of flattery from HTC, which is a promising start.

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Smartwatches don't have to be ugly and this concept is proof

It's safe to say that in 2014, we're not short of smartwatches. But how many do you actually want to wear? That's a question that manufacturers are finally starting to ask themselves. It's also a question that Creoir -- who designs products for brands like Nokia and Jolla -- is trying to answer with its Ibis concept (shown above). Unlike most smartwatches, the Ibis was designed as a watch first. The elegant, metal design resembles a timepiece you would expect to see in a jewelry store. The "smart" part was conceived with the intention of supporting, not overwhelming the device's primary function. Essentially, the clock part is a regular watch face, while a small display sits beneath, ready to serve up notifications, calendar entries or let you answer and reject calls.

While the hardware we saw was a prototype, we were also shown the user interface on a separate demonstration device. The UI has been skinned to complement the watch's design language, and runs on a pruned back version of Android. A working device would also include WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, an accelerometer and USB connectivity. While the Ibis is very much a concept for now, Creoir has built products -- including smartwatches -- for a number of household names, including other watch-makers such as Suunto. So, while it might not be finding its way to your wrist any time soon, there's a very good chance a version, or "inspired-by" design will at some point. Creoir Ibis smartwatch See all photos

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