Engadget's back to school guide 2011: gaming

Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we're getting our game on -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here!

Let's be honest, balancing coursework with recreation is just as important as maintaining a balanced food diet -- perhaps even more. After you spend countless hours hitting the books, cramming for tests, and writing papers, you're just going to need something to turn your brain to mush. Don't worry, we have just the thing: video games. It doesn't matter how many midterms you have, we're sure we can find something to help you slack off. Of course, it's not going to be easy; you'll have to wait until next semester (at least) to get your hands on the PlayStation Vita, but that doesn't mean that you don't have options now. Jump past the break -- we can probably help you find something to get you through mid-terms with your sanity intact. Don't want to shell out cash to have fun this semester? Enter our back to school sweepstakes! Simply leave a comment below for a chance to win, and drop by our giveaway page for more details.

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Engadget's back to school guide 2011: gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)

You heard right. Bloomberg is reporting that the United States government (!) just filed court papers in Washington, D.C. to block the much ballyhooed tie-up between AT&T and T-Mobile USA. Oddly enough, T-Mobile and AT&T promised this morning that a total of 5,000 jobs would be hand delivered to the US if the two telcos were allowed to become one, but it'll take a heck of a lot more convincing now. For what it's worth, this doesn't mean that the deal is or isn't happening -- it's just another step in the process -- but it most certainly doesn't bode well for proponents. Nor for AT&T's share price.

According to the report, the Justice Department feels that the deal would "substantially lessen competition" in the wireless space. In fact, it boldly stated the following: "AT&T's elimination of T-Mobile as an independent, low-priced rival would remove a significant competitive force from the market." If things end up falling apart, it's important to remember that AT&T would be forced to pay Deutsche Telekom $3 billion as a break-up fee, which ought to make Tiger Woods' misfortunes look like an outright bargain.

Update: Full press release is now embedded after the break, and meanwhile, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has issued the following public statement: "Although our process is not complete, the record before this agency also raises serious concerns about the impact of the proposed transaction on competition."

Update 2: Wayne Watts, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel, issued the following statement (seen after the break)...

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)

US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Offline Google Mail hands-on

One of the things that made Google apps the web-based productivity suite to beat was the ability to access your information offline using Gears. When that experiment was killed, many of us let loose a single tear as we contemplated returning to our desktop apps. Well, as promised, HTML5 is finally returning Gmail to its former offline glory. Docs and Calendar will follow in the coming days, but anyone can get access to their Gmail accounts offline now by installing the Offline Google Mail app for Chrome. Before we had even finished spreading the wonderful news we already had it installed and fired up. So, how's it work? Well, you'll just have to keep reading after the break to find out.

Gallery: Offline Google Mail hands-on

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Offline Google Mail hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultrasn0w 1.2.1 carrier unlock now available for jailbroken iPhones running iOS 4.3.1

Anyone who relies on a carrier unlock to use their iPhone on another GSM carrier, can now take the iOS 4.3.1 plunge thanks to ultrasn0w 1.2.1. The iPhone Dev-Team have worked their magic to make ultrasn0w functional once again for the iPhone 4 (GSM), 3GS and 3G, and to correct a signal bar issue for anyone maintaining an older baseband but not using an unlock.

It's important to note that this isn't a new carrier unlock, and still requires an older baseband. Therefore if you're intending to upgrade to iOS 4.3.1 make sure you use something like Pwnage Tool to maintain your existing baseband, and do not just upgrade using iTunes in the hope of using redsn0w to jailbreak, as that will result in ultrasn0w being locked out.

Once you've jailbroken your iPhone using Pwnage Tool, fire up Cydia and search for ultrasn0w to get your carrier unlock installed, then just reboot your phone. Voila! Carrier unlocked.

Ultrasn0w 1.2.1 carrier unlock now available for jailbroken iPhones running iOS 4.3.1 originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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August 29, 2011, Macintosh product updates

Macintosh product updates and announcements for August 29, 2011: Software Wivern Digital has released its first book soundtrack for the Addison’s Tales Digital Book Label. The Penelope digital EP is available on iTunes with the associated sheet music to follow soon. The four-track EP has both the sung and instrumental versions of the songs from Wivern’s upcoming Penelope approduction. Production on the soundtrack was carried out in Berlin with stringed accompaniments for the melodies being composed and performed by local musicians. VeprIT has released new versions of its flagship product: Photo Sense 1.5.2, and Photo Sense Lite 1.0.2. Photo Sense…

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Farewell, Internet

Well, here we are. More than four years after launching, Switched and DownloadSquad are unfortunately being closed. I've been thrilled to work at these two sites that have expanded tech coverage beyond the usual gadgets and social networks to cooking, culture, design, art and more. It's been humbling to work with these incredibly dedicated and talented teams of writers, and it would have been impossible to do it without them.

Going forward, you'll still be able to get the best tech news coverage from Engadget, HuffingtonPost Tech, Joystiq and TUAW. While we're still working out some of the details, Switched and DownloadSquad will continue to live on the Web and be fully accessible via search. Understandably, our Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr presences will quiet down, but you can still follow the Switched and DownloadSquad writers on their personal accounts. Thanks for reading.

Farewell, Internet originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(PR) Scythe Announces the Ninja 3 Silent Version CPU Cooler

Japanese cooling expert Scythe is hereby announcing a special edition of Ninja 3 CPU Cooler. Silent Version of Ninja 3 CPU Cooler is modified with the aim to create a specially silent operating CPU Cooler. While normal Ninja 3 version comes with a PWM controlled fan operating in a range from 470 to 1.900 rpm, new Ninja 3 Silent Version is equipped with a Slip Stream 120 mm fan (SY1225SL12L) which is spinning constantly at a fan speed of 800 rpm. Hence allows the CPU Cooler to operate at the impressively low noise level of only 10,70 dBA. At the same time the attached Slip Stream 120 mm fan is able to create an airflow of 40,17 CFM, respectively 68 m³/h.

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Add a Windows 8 user tile to your Windows 7 taskbar

Now that Windows 8 images have begun leaking out, it's only a matter of time until developers start releasing mods for Windows 7 which mimic upcoming features. Over at Into Windows, they've spotted one such mod already.

In the earliest Windows 8 images, we saw Windows Live integration on the taskbar. In the far right corner, there's a user tile displayed. If you'd like to do the same on Windows 7, download Taskbar User Tile from DeviantArt user AngelWZR.

Once installed, your current picture will appear on the taskbar. Click it, and a menu appears which allows you to log off, switch users, and access the control panel. Right now, the mod only works if your taskbar is displayed on the bottom of your Windows desktop.

Add a Windows 8 user tile to your Windows 7 taskbar originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What to make of the Sprint iPhone rumor

Now that we’re speeding closer to the launch of the new iPhone, the rumor mill is in high gear. It seems the rumors of the iPhone turning up on Sprint Network are continuing this week, and until now they were just that: rumors. We’ve heard tons of them that the iPhone was heading to Sprint network in the past, but there hasn’t really ever been anything as substantial as this latest iteration. According to sources ?familiar with the matter? who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, this year Apple will be launching their iPhone to the Sprint Network. Also, Sprint…

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