Colt

Desktop search declined for the first time in 2012, report says

Looks like those reports last year suggesting that desktop search is in decline were correct: Total searches dropped 3 percent in 2012, according to a new report from ComScore.

The main reason for the decline, according to the report, is that individuals are searching less: about 7 percent fewer searches per user. That's enough to cause the decline, even though the number of searchers is up 4 percent.

Of the major search engines, only Bing saw an increase in searches per user: 6 percent, ComScore said.

ComScore names two possible reasons for the decline: the move toward vertical search … Read more

Preparing a wireless network for the worst

NEW ORLEANS--Seven years after it last visited New Orleans and almost seven years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, CTIA has returned to The Crescent City. And as the 2012 Hurricane season approaches on June 1, Verizon Wireless uses the trade show to show how it is preparing for future disasters.

We've already seen a Verizon Super Switch that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane, but this time Big Red showed a cell on light truck, or COLT. Inside a seemingly normal truck is a fully contained cell site with power for up to three days.

Verizon can send … Read more

RIM puts resources behind single BlackBerry 10 device, report says

Research in Motion is reportedly putting its eggs into one BlackBerry 10 basket.

The beleaguered BlackBerry maker scrapping a few projects and focusing on a single BlackBerry 10 smartphone, codenamed London, according to a report from Boy Genius Report. The phone looks similar to the one that The Verge reported on in November.

A RIM representative wasn't immediately available to comment to CNET.

RIM needs to focus on getting its next-generation BlackBerry market in order to have a chance to compete against the next iPhone and the wave of Android smartphones constantly hitting the market. But executives warned that … Read more

New BlackBerry phones to support Android?

Hit by weakening sales, Research In Motion plans to add Android support to next year's lineup of new BlackBerry smartphones, Bloomberg reported yesterday.

Citing information from "three people familiar with the plan," Bloomberg said that the new Android-compatible phones will run the company's QNX software and debut in early 2012. A story earlier this month from the blog Boy Genius Report said that RIM will launch its first QNX-powered BlackBerry, code-named Colt, during the first quarter of 2012.

The move toward Android support is designed to enhance the appeal of BlackBerrys and shake up sales, which have taken a dive due to tight competition from the iPhone and Android devices.

A ComScore report from September of last year showed RIM with a leading 39 percent share of the U.S. smartphone market. A more recent ComScore report, released last month, found RIM now in third place behind Google and Apple with just 24 percent of the market.… Read more

QNX powers the BlackBerry Colt

Apple releases a tool to automatically create recovery disks for Mac OS X Lion, researchers at the Black Hat hackers conference say that you should change all of your passwords if your laptop gets stolen, and the BlackBerry Colt will be the first QNX-powered smartphone from Research in Motion in early 2012.

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

QNX-powered BlackBerry Colt in Q1 of 2012 Apple Lion Recovery Disk Assistant Barnes and Noble Nook e-book deal Skype 5.3 on Mac Lion and HD video Stolen laptop: change ALL of your passwords Man starts waiting in line for iPhone 5 … Read more

The 404 Podcast 514: Where Justin lost $1,000 in the big game

Wilson might be the only host on The 404 who watched the entire big game Sunday, so we don't spend too much time talking about the actual game and instead stick to the commercials. Ads this year included Google's first Super Bowl ad. Also, HomeAway revitalized the Griswold family from National Lampoon's "Vacation", and Motorola aired a commercial with Megan Fox selling something...we just don't remember what it is.

We also have a story about Comcast changing its name to Xfinity. Starting next week, its cable television, telephone, and Internet services will feature the rebranded name in 11 markets. In what seems like an effort to give a sharper edge to the brand name, the change is taking heavy fire from sites like The Consumerist, which claim that the new Xfinity name has an X-rated/pornographic/stupid/energy drink connotation.

Finally, we run down a list of the 10 most needlessly perverted mainstream games. Follow along as we chat about some of the most revealing games in console history with titles like Dead or Alive, The Sims, and Bayonetta leading the scandal. Oh my. Speaking of which, we hate to be the ones to report it, but Microsoft is no longer offering online support for original Xbox games like Halo 2 and Counterstrike. Bummer!

EPISODE 514 Subscribe in iTunes audio | Suscribe to iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Robocco BeerBot a steal at just $799

While Asahi's beer-pouring Robocco BeerBot debuted last year, it has been a difficult item to track down--especially in the States. Online retailer CScout has come to the rescue and is now selling "slightly used" Robocco BeerBots for $799 (plus $94 shipping). While it's a bargain compared to the $1,500 Beer-Launching Fridge, $900 is still a healthy chunk of change for an adorable can opener. To be fair, you'll also receive two custom glass mugs and a plastic floor protector (those Colt 45 tallboys might get messy).

I feel compelled to mention that this is … Read more