For all of you still waiting for a little governmental assistance in buying that DTV converter box that you should’ve purchased months ago (we kid… a little), we’ve excellent news. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is overseeing the program, has announced that it has finally begun to ship $40 vouchers towards the purchase of these very boxes once more. The waitlist has grown some 4.1 million deep since the subsidy program ran dry back in January, but the agency is hoping to have that cleared within three weeks. Of course, you better not procrastinate on your second chance — who knows how quickly the $650 million it has left will last.

[Image courtesy of BreakItDownBlog]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

DTV coupons begin flowing once more, waitlist should vanish in 3 weeks originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 10:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Etta James had a moment at a Seattle concert last week where she trashed Beyonce for singing a rendition of “At Last” at President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Which is odd considering Beyonce recently played Etta in the film Cadillac… …read full story

President Barack Obama was supposed to be featured on the cover of Us Weekly with his family, but found his face covered by Jessica Simpson. In an interview with Matt Lauer, Obama jokes about the incident which proves the… …read full story

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/tech_news/Digital_TV_transition_delay_bill_fails_to_pass_in_House’; In an absolutely shocking move, the United States House of Representatives has failed to pass the digital TV transition delay bill that was all but certain to fly through just days ago. The bill needed two-thirds of the votes of the House under “special rules adopted for the vote,” and reportedly, the vote was just 258 to 168 in favor of changing the date. As it stands, an estimated 6.5 million Americans are not yet prepared for the switch — which is now back on track for February 17th — and the money well for government-issued vouchers has ran dry. Honestly, we’re elated to hear the news. The February date has been blasted from the rooftops for years now, and changing it this late in the game would wreak all kinds of havoc in the industry, not to mention instill even more confusion. Soon-to-be-vacated airwaves, we’re ready for you.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Digital TV transition delay bill fails to pass in House originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew it was bound to happen, and sure enough, it’s happening. For the millions of Americans still waiting for their $40 voucher before buying one of those newfangled DTV converter boxes, the US Senate has just given its stamp of approval on providing them a four month reprieve as it attempts to get its act together. Oddly, there’s no mention of Congress looking for new sources of funding, though we are told that consumers holding expired coupons can now request new ones. We suspect more details will flow out on all of this soon, but for now, you can bank on the digital TV transition — originally scheduled to go down on February 17th — now occurring on June 12th. Until it changes again, of course.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Senate okays digital TV transition delay to June 12th originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In theory, at least, we already knew that the Gigapan Imager was capable of some amazing things. This, friends, is proof. David Bergman strapped the device and his Canon G10 onto a rail at Barack Obama’s inauguration and snapped 220 images. After giving his MacBook Pro 6.5 hours to compile a two gigabyte image, he hosted it up on his website for people to zoom around on. We’ll caution you — you can easy kill a few hours checking out faces and such if you end up visiting the read link, but it’s totally worth it.

[Via Gadling]

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Gigapan Imager used to craft 1,474 megapixel image of Obama’s inauguration originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading NASA electric lunar rover struts its stuff for the President

Filed under: Transportation

NASA electric lunar rover struts its stuff for the President originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re actually having a hard time believing this ourselves, but word on the street has it that the Senate is “on the verge of passing a bill that would delay until June the date when TV stations must broadcast in all-digital format.” Without Congressional action, all TV stations will switch off their analog signals on February 17th — a date that has been blasted out to the general populace for years now. The issue is that millions of Americans are currently on a waiting list for one of those $40 vouchers, and evidently it’ll take a few more months to get additional funding and clear the backlog. It’s expected that the new switchover date will soon become June 12th, and you can find all the fine print just down there in the read link.

[Via TVWeek, thanks Vanbrothers]

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Digital TV transition postponement all but certain originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At Robert Gibbs’ first press conference as President Obama’s Press Secretary, the most important and heated debate of our time has been put to rest. According to Gibbs, Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry, though only a limited number of senior staff and personal contacts will have access to his email address, and the data on the handheld will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. There was no mention of the NSA or the Sectera Edge, though he does mention some enhanced security. In Gibbs’ words:

“The President has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends in a way that use will be limited and the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively and to do so in a way that’s protected.”

Finally, a clear indication that for the first time in the 21st century, the President of the United States will act like it’s the 21st century. You can watch it all go down in the video after the break — just crank it to about 45:30. Now, on to this economic stuff we keep hearing about…

[Thanks, Vipul]

Continue reading Confirmed: Obama gets his BlackBerry, no Sectera Edge in sight

Filed under: Cellphones

Confirmed: Obama gets his BlackBerry, no Sectera Edge in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Obama_s_new_phone_isn_t_a_BlackBerry_might_not_be_a_phone’; This morning we’ve been barraged with tips alerting us to the news that President Obama has won his struggle to keep his (apparently deeply loved) BlackBerry — a device which has historically been verboten in the White House due to security concerns. Unfortunately for the mainstream media outlets, a little conflation here and a little lack of fact-checking there does not a BlackBerry make. Just about everyone — straight up to CNN and the AP — are sourcing a post by Marc Ambinder in the Atlantic stating that Obama is “going to get his blackberry [sic],” though the actual news may be far different. Ambinder seems to be conflating two stories which he doesn’t source at all, one saying that the NSA will jack-up Obama’s BlackBerry with some kind of “super-encryption package,” and the other stating that the President will get a Sectera Edge — an NSA approved (but not issued) device we reported he might be getting last week. Here’s the news in the exact (confusing) wording Ambinder uses:

On Monday, a government agency that the Obama administration — but that is probably the National Security Agency — added to a standard blackberry a super-encryption package…. and Obama WILL be able to use it … still for routine and personal messages.

With few exceptions, government Blackberries aren’t designed for encryption that protects messages above the “SECRET” status, so it’s not clear whether Obama is getting something new and special. The exception: the Sectera Edge from General Dynamics, which allows for TOP SECRET voice conversations.

The problem is that Ambinder (and the mainstream media) doesn’t seem to know the difference between some NSA smartphone and an actual RIM BlackBerry… and there’s a big difference. Of course, we won’t tell MSM (or even solo bloggers) how to do their job, but we think there’s some serious air-clearing called for here. We have yet to hear official word on what, if any, device Obama will be using in the White House, and recombining two separate pieces of information that may not be related (or fully understood) seems lazy at best, and dangerous at worst.

Read - Obama Will Get His Blackberry
Read - Obama ‘to get spy-proof smartphone’
Read - No decision on whether Obama will keep BlackBerry
Read - Obama thinks he can keep his BlackBerry

Filed under: Cellphones

Dear Mainstream Media: Obama’s new phone isn’t a BlackBerry, might not be a phone, and he might not be getting it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/politics/Obama_sported_bulletproof_suit_for_inaugural_proceedings’; Apparently, the Photosynth glitching and iPhone-like GPS blip on CNN weren’t the only high tech actions in play at President Obama’s inauguration yesterday. According to one of our favorite daily reads, Officer.com, the Prez was wearing “bullet-resistant clothing,” which experts (and sci-fi fanatics) are taking to mean a bullet-proof suit. The folks over at Slate speculate that he might have been adorned in an outfit manufactured by MIguel Caballero, a Colombian company that specializes in bullet-resistant gear like leather jackets, windbreakers, and yes… ruffled tuxedo shirts. We’d like to imagine that stuffed into the pocket of that handsome outfit he was sporting was a Kevlar handkerchief — but listen up Obama: Sasha and Malia are not going to be down with that bulletproof backpack.

Update: VBS.tv went down to Colombia and actually tested out Caballero’s wares — check out a video after the break.

[Via Wired]

Continue reading Obama sported bulletproof suit for inaugural proceedings?

Filed under: Wearables

Obama sported bulletproof suit for inaugural proceedings? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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President Barack Hussein Obama was officially sworn in just moments ago to a mammoth crowd in Washington, D.C. Whether you voted for him, or not. Believe in his message of change, or remain apprehensive. A monumental moment in America’s history happened today that will be one for the history books.

Now, about my 401k….

Dedicated to the GDAB and my brother Josh for serving his country.

During the 2008 Election, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt were good little gold-diggers and shilled for Sarah Palin. Well, here’s pics of Chins and Douchebeard giving President-elect Obama the love, in case any Republicans out there actually liked them based on their political views. I’m not trying to perpetuate any stereotypes with the following suggestion, but now would be a good time to load your guns. That said, anyone else surprised they’re not holding 40s?

Well, wouldn’t you know it. It seems like West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller has the same idea as the Home Theater Specialists of America (HTSA), as he introduced legislation on Thursday that would effectively postpone the digital TV transition from its current date of February 17th to June 12th. On top of that, John Podesta — the co-chairman of Barack Obama’s transition team — has issued a letter to Congress signifying that the president-elect supports the aforementioned proposal. The delay would supposedly give the government more time to find funding for the now 2 million-deep voucher waiting list, and we’re told that House lawmakers are “considering similar legislation and may schedule a vote as soon as next week.” Here’s a thought — why aren’t we spending our time getting the money now and keeping the confusion to a minimum?

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Obama’s administration supports June DTV transition postponement originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Digital Cameras

President Obama’s official portrait: the first ever taken with a digital camera originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next week’s US presidential inauguration of Barack Obama will have one sour note for the Illinois senator. Sure, he’s gonna be the leader of the free world, but the notorious BlackBerry addict will have to give up his smartphone — and frankly, if given the choice, we’d probably choose cellphone over country. There is hope, however, as CNET outlines two Windows Mobile devices that met the NSA’s seal of approval for governmental use back in 2007: General Dynamics’ Sectera Edge and L-3 Communications’ Guardian. Unfortunately, both options look about as dated as the Treo 650, with exceptionally large antennas to boot. Hey NSA, any chance we can get something a bit sexier on the approval list?

Filed under: Cellphones

NSA-approved smartphones leaves Obama with some ugly choices originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Friendly tipster and man about town Ben spotted this Obama-branded MP4 player (”with built-in speaker!”) in Washington D.C. recently.

Paul: “Yes we can buy cheap Chinese iPod knockoffs!”
Chris: “Introducing the iPod hussein.”
Tim: “Sadly the John McCain gramophone was deemed too risky for today’s economic conditions.”
Laura: “There’s not a Zune America and an iPod America. There’s a United States of generic Obama MP4 player America.”
Nilay: “They would give it an African name, DIGITAL MP4 PLAYER, believing that in a tolerant America a terrible interface and weird format support are no barrier to success.”
Joe: The Audacity of KIRF
Richard: “Whew, for a second people thought he was using a Zune again”
Josh: “On Obama’s Digital MP4 Player, it’s not shuffle. It’s change.”
Ross: “Next on the O’Reilly Factor: is president-elect Barack Obama funneling funds through a Shenzhen, China-based shell company?”
Sean: “Who is that black bald guy anyway?”*

*Sean is Canadian, we can’t take responsibility for him or his silly little country.

Filed under: Portable Audio

Caption Contest: unofficial Obama MP4 player is officially awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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- Barack Obama hit the beach in Hawaii with his family for the holidays. Anyone else concerned that the paparazzi were able to get a shot of him? Jesus, after the Bush/shoe incident, remind me never to run for president. Because I’d win! [Celebuzz]

- Kendra Wilkinson has become “more conservative” and doesn’t “flash anymore” since getting engaged. Wait. Then why am I even writing about her? Quick, what’s Screech up to? [People]

- Russell Crowe is trying to get Gladiator director Ridley Scott fired from their latest movie Nottingham because he wants the actor to lose weight and show up for work on time. Here’s a compromise: Shut down the omelet bar promptly before shooting. He’ll either be on time - or thinner. [Page Six]

- Holly Madison plans on proposing to Criss Angel who says “what Holly and I have is really something that money can’t buy. She is enough for me.” Read: I’m not paying for the ring unless it’s from Hot Topic. [Us Magazine]

Folks, I don’t know why someone took pictures of Amber Lee Ettinger aka “Obama Girl” putting a puppy in the President-elect’s face yesterday. I don’t know why she’s dressed like a superhero/stripper. Frankly, I don’t even know what day it is. (March?) But what I do know, is this is a woman who loves America - and will be shot on sight by the Secret Service per Michelle Obama’s orders. Ain’t no Oval Office hoochy-coochy in her White House. Uh uh, girl.

NOTE: For those of you thinking, “Hey, that’s not fair and balanced. Where’s a post about McCain Girl?” Way ahead of you: here she is from a few weeks ago. Sort of puts the whole election in perspective, doesn’t it?

P. Diddy celebrated his 39th birthday and Barack Obama’s presidential victory at Mansion night club in New York Tuesday night. Diddy apparently had a diva moment when he saw the decor and started flipping out on the decorator. Thank God, Jay Z showed up with a pony and chilled everybody out. Okay, that didn’t happen. It was a jet made of diamonds. Page Six reports:

“He was given a budget of $7,000 and 12 hours to create an all-white décor, including 1,000 white roses, blow-ups of Diddy and Barack Obama, and $2,000 of white fabric,” our spy said. “Diddy declared it dreadful and went into a major hissy fit, screaming, ‘Show me the receipts!’ and ‘Get the money back!’ to his assistant. Then he began ripping the fabric off the walls saying he hated it. He berated the poor young decorator to the point that the guy gave back $2,000 of the money he had spent.”

Hey, you know what’s a good thing to do after ripping up all the roses and taffeta at your birthday party? Get a Pap smear.