There's been hints of it coming as early as February, but we now have a smoking gun at the FCC: the Galaxy S III is coming to T-Mobile. A Samsung SGH-T999 has popped up at the agency sporting newly added 1,700MHz AWS support that's the telltale sign of a T-Mobile device, along with the T999 name itself (the T989 is the network's Galaxy S II). It also totes 850MHz and 1,900MHz WCDMA bands being used for HSPA+ data rather than just voice, a clue that the phone is ready for refarmed GSM spectrum. Just in case there was any remaining doubt, we've further spotted a related T999V entry at the Bluetooth SIG with a rather familiar-looking image as well as a Samsung-hosted T999 user agent profile on the web that matches what we know about the Android 4.0 hardware. We have yet to get a look at whether or not the T-Mobile version is any different on the outside, but with the FCC's help, there's not much left to know before the expected summer US launch.

Samsung Galaxy S III for T-Mobile hits FCC, brings future-proofed HSPA+ for good measure originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 20:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's safe to say that anticipation is high for the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which will become available in the first week of June. While we're still curious to see if Microsoft can better integrate the desktop and Metro environments of its latest operating system, the company has now revealed a significant change to the desktop portion of Windows 8 -- a completely restyled visual appearance. As you might remember from the Consumer Preview, window borders and widgets featured a simplified and subdued look in comparison to the glass-like materials of Aero, which Microsoft now calls "dated and cheesy." With the latest refresh, however, the company has pushed its modernistic philosophy even further to reveal a spartan (yet functional) interface that draws less attention to the chrome elements and allows the user to focus more on content.

Microsoft's latest reveal was made as part of a larger, retrospective look at its development of Windows and the evolution of the operating system. At every step, the company states that its emphasis has been on the overall "learnability" of the environment. As such, Microsoft claims that it's making great strides to ensure that consumers may quickly get up to speed with the latest OS, and hints that it has a number of reveals yet to be seen. In its very next breath, however, it also emphasized people's ability to adapt and move forward, which suggests the number of changes might not be as concilatory as some might've hoped. Regardless, we'll know for sure what Microsoft has in store in just a few weeks.

Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's an expansion of mobile competition in the US that comes out of left field, even for us: GameStop as a cellular provider. GameStop Mobile, as it's called, is that rare bird of an AT&T-based MVNO that relies on a bring-your-own-device strategy. As long as your hardware works on AT&T's 850MHz and 1,900MHz bands and isn't locked to another carrier, you can bring any GSM- and HSPA-based phone (or data-only device) and use it contract-free: rates start at anything from a strictly pay-as-you-go $5 through to a $55 monthly plan with unlimited voice and text, if just an anemic 500MB of data. Tablet owners and other data-only fans can pay the same $55 for 1GB per month -- a bit stiff considering that those on AT&T proper can get 5GB of data for slightly less. No doubt this is to take advantage of iPad and iPhone trade-ins, PlayStation Vitas and the overall rise of unlocked devices. We're just wondering whether GameStop will catch a few customers subscribing as they pick up their Diablo III pre-orders or else face the uncertain future that befalls many MVNOs.

GameStop Mobile launches as AT&T virtual carrier, gives us rare bring-your-own GSM in US originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Man, what a show we've got for you this month. For starters, we popped by the Smithsonian, to check out the museum's Art of the Video Game exhibit. And while the awesome Fifth Avenue Frogger game didn't actually make it into those hallowed halls, we did take a close up look at the hacked arcade cabinet for the show. Speaking of video games (which we seem to be doing a lot these days), we'll also pay a visit to the newly reborn Chinatown Fair and speak to the directors of Indie Game: The Movie. All of that, plus a performance by musician Alex Winston and the month's latest and greatest gadgets. Keep your browsers locked to this spot!

Continue reading The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET!

The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

At the end of last year, an Administrative Law Judge issued an initial ruling that Motorola's mobile devices infringe a bit of Microsoft's IP. Now, the Commission has affirmed that decision and issued an exclusion order to ban Moto's offending devices from importation into the US. In case you weren't aware, the four patent claims at issue generally cover technology for scheduling meetings over email using a mobile device. So, unless Motorola removes the feature, pays for a license or whips up a workaround Microsoft's patent in short order, its inbound RAZRs, Droid 4s, Bionics and other offending handsets will be stuck in customs alongside HTC's One X and EVO 4G LTE -- that is, unless Obama steps in to save the day during the prescribed presidential review period. Microsoft, naturally, is quite pleased with this development and has issued a statement:

Microsoft sued Motorola in the ITC only after Motorola chose to refuse Microsoft's efforts to renew a patent license for well over a year. We're pleased the full Commission agreed that Motorola has infringed Microsoft's intellectual property, and we hope that now Motorola will be willing to join the vast majority of Android device makers selling phones in the US by taking a license to our patents.

-- David Howard, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel Microsoft

We've reached out to Motorola for comment on the matter as well, so stay tuned to see what it has to say.

Update: Motorola has issued an understandably somber statement on the ruling:

Microsoft started its ITC investigation asserting 9 patents against Motorola Mobility. Although we are disappointed by the Commission's ruling that certain Motorola Mobility products violated one patent, we look forward to reading the full opinion to understand its reasoning. Motorola Mobility will not experience any impact in the near term, as the Commission's ruling is subject to a $0.33/per unit bond during the 60 day Presidential review period. We will explore all options including appeal.

ITC bans Motorola mobile devices for infringing Microsoft patent (updated: MMI responds) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sprint's had text-to-speech services on devices like the Samsung Epic 4G for quite some time, and now, looking to build up on that, the company's introducing its My Wireless STS feature. The new speech-to-speech service aims to help people with speech disabilities by giving them access to an operator-assisted line every day of the week and all year round. Folks wanting to use the My Wireless STS will have to dial *787 from their device, after which a Now Network rep will start a call and repeat every spoken word -- or ones that are unclear -- depending on users choice. Relay Director, Michael Ellis, says Sprint is "the first in the industry to bring this service to market," and that the project was developed closely with the help of speech disabled communities. If you're interested in learning more, there's a mighty presser waiting on you just past the break.

Continue reading Sprint introduces My Wireless STS service to assist folks with speech disabilities

Sprint introduces My Wireless STS service to assist folks with speech disabilities originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gogo has a virtual lock on in-flight WiFi for the US, but most of us forget that everything goes dark the moment you decide to cross the border. The company already has a deal with Inmarsat for Ka-band Internet connections, and now it's partnering up with AeroSat to bring Ku-band satellite access. The tie-in will let Gogo offer precious relief from tedium on international flights, whether it's a modest hop to the Great White North or an hours-long trip across the ocean. Gogo considers the deal an interim step until Inmarsat's technology is ready, making for much quicker availability than if it had just waited until it could use Ka-band: Ku-band satellite linkups should be on airliners as soon as the end of 2012, while Ka-band won't even show its face until at least late 2014. It's unknown what kind of premium we'll pay over the $13 maximum Gogo normally charges, but if AeroSat lets us squeak in a few more Twitter updates on our way home from Barcelona, it'll be worthwhile.

Continue reading Gogo and AeroSat get friendly on Ku-band, bring international in-flight WiFi closer

Gogo and AeroSat get friendly on Ku-band, bring international in-flight WiFi closer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you've been staring lustfully at an electric motorcycle but needed that little extra push to make the jump, Zero Motorcycles has a unique incentive in store: it'll pay for your first 25,000 miles on the road. Should you take the keys to any one of the company's two-wheelers between now and the end of May, you'll get a Visa gift card for the amount within a few weeks. Of course, the reason it can make such a seemingly generous offer is through the sheer efficiency of an electric engine: at a typical 10 cents for every kilowatt-hour, you're looking at just under $200 for what's likely several years of driving, even if you're particularly enthusiastic. Knowing that riding the same amount with a gas-powered bike practically requires taking out a small mortgage in the current economy, though, we'd say that Zero is just reminding us of an an advantage e-motorbikes already have.

Zero Motorcycles will pay for your first 25,000 e-motorbike miles, wants you to ride guilt-free originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If your cine-cave is already decked out with the Super Hi-Vision display, the Super Hi-Vision camera, and the Super Hi-Vision-supping antenna, we guess you just need the 120fps Super Hi-Vision projector to complete the set? Guess what? Working with JVC, NHK has developed just that. It might not be much to look at, but that hunk of tech up there comes with the extra frame rate that also makes it play fast nice with the sensor technology NHK was kind enough to develop first. The projector will be giving its first public demos on May 24th , and we hope that 7680 x 4320 resolution will make all those hi-res skate-slams come out a charm.

Continue reading NHK and JVC develop 120fps Super Hi-Vision projector

NHK and JVC develop 120fps Super Hi-Vision projector originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Making his first appearance on the Engadget Mobile Podcast since Episode 86, Chris Ziegler has returned to dive into the week's wireless news. Joining him will be the wacky duo of Myriam Joire and Brad Molen, so head past the break and hop into our chat at 5PM ET, won't you?

Continue reading Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET with special guest Chris Ziegler!

Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET with special guest Chris Ziegler! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fun fact: Sean Penn, the man who played stoner Jeff Spicoli in 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High, doesn't abide slackers. We know this because the very outspoken activist ripped into the media -- and mankind at large -- at a May 17 press conference to promote a Hiati fundraiser he's throwing at the Cannes Film Festival. Penn's gripe? No one is doing their part to help the small Caribbean republic, which has recently been devestated by earthquakes, flooding and cholera.

"The reason we have Haiti fatigue is because there was never a commitment in the first place," Penn, 51, said, according to The Wrap. "It's not only celebrities who went for a day. It's the whole f***ing world. It's all of you."

Penn also called on President Barack Obama to meet with newly elected Haitian president Michel Joseph Martelly so that they might formulate a plan for the country's future. "It is time for our formidable and elegant president to stand side by side with the new president of Haiti," he said.

Director Paul Haggis and supermodel Petra Nemcova, who also work with charities for Haiti, were onhand for the press conference as well. And Haggis went so far as to call Penn "an honest-to-God hero."

Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Smith, Gerard Butler and David Schwimmer are among the guests expected to attend the May 18 fundraiser. No word yet on how they feel about being called slackers.

When Charlize Theron adopted her son Jackson in March, she was fulfilling a life-long dream.

"My mother found [a letter I wrote]. It said, 'Would you please take me to orphanage, so that I can go and adopt a baby?'" the 36-year-old Snow White & the Huntsman and Prometheus star tells Australia's Madison magazine. "I always knew I would adopt. Always."

She just didn't know she'd do it alone. Theron split with Stuart Townsend, her boyfriend of nearly a decade, back on 2010 -- and she's been single ever since. But with a significant other or without one, Charlize felt it was time to start a family.

"You know, I don't think any mother aims to be a single mom," she says. "I didn't wish for that, but it happened."

That echoes what she told Vogue last month.

"I've always been very honest in saying I wanted a family. I've always known I wanted a family," she said. "I don't think my mom could wait anymore!"

Theron has never been shy about the fact that she doesn't place too high a value on marriage. She echoes those sentiments in the Madison interview, saying that the idea of marriage "has never been that important to me."

"I don't know why exactly. Some might say it's because my parents didn't have a good marriage, but I don't think so," she says. "I treat my relationships like marriages. The ceremony isn't that important to me."

Also in the interview, Theron reveals that she likes actors who are honest and enjoy living their life -- much like her Snow White and the Huntsman costar Kristen Stewart -- and is substantially less fond of those who take themselves too seriously.

"I hate actors who come and quote Nietzsche. I don't like pretentious s***. I like being around people who like to live life and understand the value of it. I need to be around people who understand we're not curing cancer here," the Monster Oscar winner says. "I like professional actors who show up, do the job and are not a pain in the ass to either myself or the crew.

"I don't believe in this idea that if you're f***ed up... that's the only way to do good work. It's bulls***," she continues. "A professional actor does their homework beforehand and they do their job. Then when it's all said and done, they have a beer with the crew. That's what a professional actor does."

Well said! We love Theron's blunt commentary on her own life and those around her. And if you aren't a fan? She'd just say too bad! After all, Theron is the first to say that she's in her "bitchy period."

Kim Kardashian gets cheeky in the U.K.! Plus, see more of your favorite celebs on the scene!

Achtung, baby! Bono will become the wealthiest musician on the planet today, and it's all thanks to... Facebook? That's right. With Facebook's initial public offering (IPO) at 11:00 Friday morning, the U2 frontman has likely already made billions. (What'd you do before lunch?)

According to NME, the Irish rocker, 52, owns 2.3 percent of the shares of Facebook. That might not sound like a lot, but with Facebook's IPO rumored to be around $100 billion, that's a pretty decent chunk of change. In fact, it's estimated that Bono's stake in the social networking site could make him $1.5 billion.

For those of you keeping track at home, that would make Bono the richest musician in the world. Currently Paul McCartney has that honor, with a fortune of an estimated $1.05 billion. Who's having a "Beautiful Day" now, Paul?

Bono and his investment group, Elevation Partners, paid $90 million for the Facebook shares back in 2009. That was long before Facebook announced that they were planning to go public, and that's likely why they were so cheap (in retrospect). We're sure that Bono isn't sweating that cash now, as it's less than 9 percent of the amount of money he is expected to make from the IPO.

Keep in mind that Bono hasn't only been making money by playing the stock market. The rock star made an estimated $736 million over the past few years from his ticket and record sales. That puts his total gross worth at around $2.25 billion, which could feed a whole lot of children in Africa. And, knowing Bono, it likely will.

If there's one thing Grey's Anatomy does well, it's adrenaline-spiking disasters. Bombs. Floods. Crazed gunmen. And now a plane crash. Someone always sustains a fatal injury, enabling a loved one to make a heart-wrenching deathbed promise that of course arrives too late.

During the fiasco featured in Thursday night's finale, Mark (Eric Dane) got that  honor, as he saw Lexie (Chyler Leigh) through her final moments, which she spent half-crushed under a heap of smoldering metal.  

The scene was all the more distressing coming after this adorable one, two episodes ago, when the goofy-pretty Lexie declared her love for Mark. If only he'd reciprocated! Instead, Lexie had to hear the words she'd been longing for -- "We’re gonna have the best life, you and me. We’re gonna be so happy…Because we’re supposed to end up together. We’re meant to be" -- in the moments before her death. Oh, Mark. Your foibles with females are usually funny, but not this time. 

Warch the full episode here: 

 
So, not only did viewers have to say goodbye to a beloved character, but did they also have to say goodbye to Derek Shepherd's (Patrick Dempsey) career? We'll have to wait and see if his mangled hand will recover post-crash, but we're sure of one thing -- Cristina (Sandra Oh) will likely not find her shoe among the plane's debris. (Thank goodness for the few minutes of levity that scene provided!)

On Friday morning, the show's creator Shonda Rhimes posted a long Tweet about the finale, which also saw the exit of Kim Raver. Her character Teddy will be moving to a position at a military hospital.

"This finale was incredibly hard to write," she tweeted. "I did not enjoy it. It made me sick and it made me sad. We end the season not knowing ANYTHING about the future. Except for two things. We know we are definitely saying goodbye to two of my favorite people: Chyler Leigh (Lexie) and Kim Raver (Teddy)."

Rhimes continued, "I know this season’s finale had some surprises for viewers and the exit of Kim Raver was one of the big ones. But Kim’s series option was up and she was ready to give Teddy Altman a much-needed vacation. It’s been a pleasure working with someone as talented and funny and kind as Kim; everyone is going to miss her terribly. I like to imagine that Teddy is still out there in the Grey’s Anatomy universe, running Army Medical Command and building a new life."

Shonda went on to talk about the death of Lexie, and wrote: "I love Chyler and I love the character of Lexie Grey. She was an important member of my Grey's family. This was not an easy decision. But it was a decision that Chyler and I came to together. We had a lot of thoughtful discussion about it and ultimately we both decided this was the right time for her character's journey to end. As far as I'm concerned Chyler will always remain a part of the Shondaland family and I can't wait to work with her again in the future."

Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of the finale was its failure to resolve. Viewers got the jolt of the accident and the death, but they also got a cliffhanger: As the episode closed, the remaining docs were still wounded and lost in the woods. Will the remaining characters be rescued? Well, yes, but don't you want to tune in to see Cristina scream at her rescuers? Of course you do!

As the ninth season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians premieres on May 20, enjoy these adorable Twitpics of Kim and co.

You read their tabloid stories, you follow them on Twitter -- but when it comes to getting your fix of Kardashian drama, there's just no substitute for Keeping Up with the Kardashians. On Sunday, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kris, Kylie, Kendall -- and, because Kim is contractually obligated to only date people with "K" names (we kid!), Kanye -- return to E! for a seventh season, along with their less alliterative menfolk. Watch the preview below!
 

Judging from this sneak peek, here are a few things we can look forward to in season 7:

Kourtney's baby announcement. Did you see Kris Jenner's face when Kourtney said "We're having a girl"? Kris hasn't been that happy since she signed that $40 million deal for the show's next three seasons. And speaking of Kris's face....

Kris' trout pout. Did she learn nothing from her husband's plastic surgery debacles? In the preview, we see the clan's mother and manager showing off a frighteningly oversized upper lip. An injection gone wrong, perhaps?

Kimye! Although Kim Kardashian has downplayed the amount of camera time her new boyfriend Kanye West will get on the show, he's front and center in the preview. Plus, RadarOnline reports that the couple has been getting "very touchy-feely" in front of the cameras -- and there's no way that that footage won't make it onto basic cable.

Flour bombing. Viewers will get a firsthand, behind-the-scenes look at the dramatic red carpet prank pulled on Kim by an animal rights activist in March.

Lots of cleavage. In the preview, the Kardashian sisters model lingerie and lounge around the Dominican Republic in bikinis. Business as usual!

On top of all that, we've got Lamar Odom fretting about his basketball career, Scott Disick storming out of a family vacation, little Mason Disick getting freaked out by his Aunt Kim's wig change, and the sisters pretending to drag their mother off for a "human sacrifice." Can you blame E! for wanting three more years of this? The new season kicks off on Sunday night at 9 p.m.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is mourning the death of his estranged wife Mary -- and opening up about the years-long battle with depression that likely drove the 52-year-old to take her own life.

Mary, who in addition to depression was facing a divorce and had recently grappled with drug and alcohol problems, was found dead Wednesday in the barn behind her Mount Kisco, N.Y., home, having committed suicide by hanging herself.

"A lot of times, I don't know how she made it through the day," Robert, 58, told The New York Times. "She was in a lot of agony for a lot of her life."

RFK Jr. added: "I don't think anybody who was around her didn't do everything that they could to try to help her."

The son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and his wife Ethel, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. filed for divorce from Mary (his second wife) in May 2010 after 16 years of marriage. They had four children.

Mary's family has released a statement taking issue with "certain news organizations" for depicting Mary in a way that is "wholly inconsistent with the sister we knew and life she, in fact, lived."

"We loved Mary and knew her to be an exceptional mother, sibling and friend to many," says the statement. "Countless people have described her as an extraordinary mother, selfless in her desire to help others, and one of the finest people in the world."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is reportedly dating Suburgatory and Curb Your Enthusiasm actress Cheryl Hines, recalled how he met Mary through his younger sister Kerry Kennedy, who met and bonded with Mary at boarding school in Vermont and later attended Brown University with her. The two were best friends.

"You know, you sometimes hear things like 'I've lost my right arm'?" Kerry Kennedy said Thursday. "I feel like I've lost half my body, half my soul."

For the first time in 13 years, late-night talk show hosts Conan O'Brien and David Letterman reunited on CBS' Late Show with Davis Letterman, and as anyone could guess, Jay Leno came up in conversation.

Leno's ears must've been burning Thursday night as both of his rivals chatted about him and the "felony" that occurred when he reclaimed The Tonight Show after handing it over to Conan in 2009.

Letterman and O'Brien traded jokes and impressions, but the ginger funnyman said it was all in good fun. 

"I feel terrific, I really do…I'm very lucky to get to go on television and to get to do my thing my way, and TBS lets me do whatever I want. They don't watch it, they don't care," O'Brien told Letterman. "Checks come in…and I have a great time. We took all of our people with us, so everybody is happy, so I'm thrilled. It worked out. I'm a lucky person."

Letterman, however, didn't shy away from throwing in a dig at Leno and admitting that he was actually amused that O'Brien and Leno had such a public falling out.

"If this is bringing you some measure of joy, then to hell with my career," O'Brien, 49, jokingly responded.

Then Letterman recalled that back in their stand-up days, Jay was the guy everyone wanted to be, but that in reality he thought him "a bit of a brat," a feeling that was vindicated when Leno and O'Brien had their Tonight Show war.

Letterman said he thought during the whole shake-up: "Oh yes, this is the Jay I know." Ouch!

Watch two clips from last night's show: 

Find out who was eliminated this week and who is heading to the finals!