OUYA's next update adds external storage (in beta), video support for game pages

That little Android gaming box, the OUYA, might've only cost you $100, but that doesn't mean it's not getting treated to some post-launch updating like all your other game consoles. The next update brings the long-promised external storage functionality, albeit in closed beta form (sign up right here). That expands the console's puny 8GB of internal storage to, well, whatever you'd like. With games mostly coming in well below even 100MB though, you're probably not getting too close to the limit just yet (we aren't, anyway). Beyond the storage beta, OUYA game pages are now able to embed video as well as screenshots. That means users have yet one more way to find out what a game plays like before jumping in -- something we'd suggest as many users as possible take advantage of before spending too much time playing less-than-delightful Android ports. The update, dubbed "Ogopogo," launches today; head below the break for the full list of additions, changes, and fixes. Full Release notes (10/08/2013): External Storage will enter Closed Beta next week! Interested in participating? Apply here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jIMULlQuv4BZ1MjWNdZ4mX_R2fyeL3VaMRqGHWMfm34/viewform Added the ability to display video (for game trailers and footage) in the game details page. Developers can now upload videos to Vimeo and submit a link to show that video on their game's page. If a video exists, it will display in the first screenshot slot. Added the ability to download a game without entering its game details page. Just press the U button while highlighting a game's tile to download. Fixed HDMI wakeup issue. If your TV was mysteriously waking up your OUYA, it should no longer do that after this update. Added "forgot password" option to the existing user sign-in screen. Now you'll actually know where to go, if you can't remember your password. We've changed "Download" to "Free Download" to make it clear that everything is free to try. Not everyone knew that they wouldn't be charged for a download, so now it's crystal clear. It's free to try ALL THE THINGS. Enlarging a screenshot (or video) now goes full screen (instead of just bigger). We now highlight the search substring when doing a search so it's much more clear why you are getting each result. We've also moved game titles that start with your search to the top of the list. It's way better. Improved performance (speed and smoothness) in PLAY with lots of installed games. Added a pop up message upon starting the console to remind users how to connect a controller. Changed sorting of buried and installed tiles in DISCOVER. It used to be Uninstalled, followed by Installed and Buried (mixed together). Now it's Uninstalled, followed by Installed, followed by Buried. Devs: When uploading apks, it's now more clear that you can use your previously published apk if you just want to edit text or screenshots.... or VIDEO =) Devs: you can now hide or change the mouse cursor in your games and apps. For more info see the ODK Controllers document. Added Terms of Service to the console. Yup, it's annoying to click through, but it makes the legal types happier. Think of the lawyers. In case you missed it, multiple currency support is now turned on! If you want to switch your wallet currency, there's more info here:https://ouya.zendesk.com/entries/26777317-How-can-I-change-the-currency-of-my-OUYA-wallet- A bunch of other small bug fixes and optimizations.

Samsung's curved smartphone gets pictured in leak

If you think there's something wrong with the image above, you wouldn't be alone -- but it is, in fact, what it's supposed to look like. As you can tell, this may very well be the first Samsung device that takes advantage of the Korean manufacturer's flexible screen, as shown to us by notorious leakster @evleaks. If this is accurate, it's quite a bit different than the prototype we originally saw at CES this past January, which featured a flat display that drooped off on one side and was designed to show a ticker-like notification bar. The image above also shows what appears to be a Korean version of the rumored device, but we don't know for sure if it'll ever see the light of day in other countries. This also indicates that an upcoming launch may very well be close at hand. We'll update our post with more pictures if or when they come in. Update: Another pic of the SM-G910S (the curved phone's rumored model number) has been added after the break. @evleaks has also mentioned that this is indeed going to be a Korean device.

Apple's iPad event reportedly set for October 22nd

AllThingsD seems to have some pretty solid sources within Apple's walls, as it was spot-on last month when it predicted the date of the iPhone event. Now, the publication is reporting that October 22nd is a date for all of us to circle on our virtual calendars -- provided we're interested in new iPads, Mac Pros and / or the upcoming OS X Mavericks. We haven't heard any official news of what Apple has up its sleeves, but we're pretty confident that it'll be a full show.

Bike+ is a security alarm and fitness computer for bicycles.

Bike thieves are a resourceful lot. No matter what form of lock is used, given the time and the inclination, such n'ere-do-wells will snatch up your two-wheeled transportation. Wi-MM, a start-up based in Santa Clara, CA, aims to make it harder for them to steal your cycle with its new product Bike+, a combination alarm system and cycling computer. The device itself is what you see in the photo above that can be mounted with some specialty hardware (to make removal difficult) on the down tube of any bicycle. Inside, there's a Verizon-compatible 3G radio, GPS, Bluetooth, altimeter, accelerometer, a 1,300 mAh rechargeable battery and enough flash memory to hold all your data from a year's worth of rides. All told, Bike+ weighs about seven ounces (so it won't add too much heft), and is slated to be available before the end of the year for "under $200" according to company president Kevin Fahrner. The accelerometer and 3G connection are key to the real novelty of Bike+, because they allow the system to sense when your bike is being moved stolen, then both sounds an alarm locally and notifies you of the theft via text message. From there, should you be unable to apprehend the thief in the act, you'll be able to track where your bike's been taken thanks to a real-time relay of the GPS coordinates to your phone via companion app. To make sure that the location tracking was as accurate as possible, Bike+ uses robust GPS and 3G modules located at opposite ends within the device, and the system went through extensive interference testing at the newly reopened Verizon Innovation Center in San Francisco. The app also allows you to set the system's sensitivity so you won't be bombarded with false alarms. Of course, Bike+ is only one part of the security equation -- you still gotta use an old-fashioned bike lock to keep your bike secure. Bike+ also can duplicate the functionality of most cycling computers -- it tracks your ride stats and routes in real time, and Bluetooth allows you to access the info immediately should you choose to mount your phone on your handlebars. But, because of its cellular modem, the system is also ideal for bike sharing companies to be able to manage and track their fleets from afar as well. To that end, the company has constructed two separate back-end systems: one optimized for consumers, and one for fleet management. And, the system won't only be sold as an add-on to existing bikes, as Fahrner tells us that he's been in talks with Trek and other manufacturers to build it into their frames (likely adding a couple hundred bucks to the cost of said frame).

New York City, meet your new official taxi: the Nissan NV200

Back in May, Nissan unveiled its NV200 van as New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow" in a joint press conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Today, NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) made the pact official, signing regulations that will replace the city's iconic line of Crown Victorias (and myriad other cabs) with the NV200 beginning in October 2013. As Nissan puts it, today's signing, "officially makes the NV200 the taxicab of New York City." The NV200 van beat out competition from the likes of Ford to take New York City's coveted "Taxi of Tomorrow" award months ago. When Engadget EIC (and gearhead) Tim Stevens explored the NV200 at the New York Auto Show, he called it "a huge advance" over existing taxi stock. And hey, with all those amenities, we can't disagree. Most exciting for commuters: Nissan's NV200 taxi features separate climate controls for passengers, as well as USB slots for mobile charging. "Taxi of Tomorrow" indeed!

LG confirms production of 'bendable and unbreakable' smartphone displays

It's been a long time coming, but LG's foray into elastic smartphone displays is finally going mainstream. The company has confirmed that it will begin mass-producing a new lightweight 6-inch panel that, it claims, is the world's first flexible OLED panel for smartphones. The display is built from plastic substrates that give it bendable properties, allowing it to be fixed inside devices with curved (but likely rigid) designs. Reports suggest LG could include its first flexible screen inside the G Flex, a new 6-inch smartphone set to be announced next month, but the company points to new products with "enhanced performance and differentiated designs" coming next year. Something tells us LG may move quickly to announce its first such product, with Samsung strongly tipped to unveil its own exotically-shaped smartphone next month. It's probable that both devices will be artistically bent to achieve their form, so we'll probably have to wait a little longer for something that actually bends into our jean pockets. Show full PR text LG Display Mass-Produces World's First Flexible OLED Panel for Smartphones LG Display, the world's leading innovator of display technologies, today announced that it will start mass-production of the world's first flexible OLED panel for smartphones. This state-of-the-art panel represents another milestone following the company's commercial rollout of the world's first 55-inch OLED TV display earlier this year. "LG Display is launching a new era of flexible displays for smartphones with its industry-leading technology," said Dr. Sang Deog Yeo, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of LG Display. "The flexible display market is expected to grow quickly as this technology is expected to expand further into diverse applications including automotive displays, tablets and wearable devices. Our goal is to take an early lead in the flexible display market by introducing new products with enhanced performance and differentiated designs next year." LG Display's flexible OLED panel is built on plastic substrates instead of glass. By applying film-type encapsulation technology and attaching the protection film to the back of the panel, LG Display made the panel bendable and unbreakable. The new display is vertically concave from top to bottom with a radius of 700mm, opening up a world of design innovations in the smartphone market. And only 0.44mm thin, LG Display's flexible OLED panel is the world's slimmest among existing mobile device panels. What's more, it is also the world's lightest, weighing a mere 7.2g even with a 6-inch screen, the largest among current smartphone OLED displays. In March 2012 LG Display developed the world's first 6-inch Electronic Paper Display (EPD) based on e-ink which utilizes a plastic backplane. Having previously showcased the world's first curved 55-inch OLED TV panel at CES 2013, today's announcement highlights the company's leading position in advanced flexible display technologies. According to research firm IHS Display Bank, the global flexible display industry will see dramatic growth and become a USD 1.5 billion market by 2016, exceeding USD 10 billion by 2019. LG Display plans to advance flexible display technologies and bring innovation to consumers' daily lives with the introduction of rollable and foldable displays in various sizes.

Google search starts listing TV episodes and air dates in results

Think of this as IMDb baked into your Google search. Today, everyone's favorite Search giant from Mountain View announced that users seeking information about their favorite shows, or those just curious about specific series, will now find detailed episode listings within their results. The added information pings up the full season's worth of episodes along with their respective air dates. And clicking on any of those entries will pull up relevant search results -- handy, say, if you're looking for a spoiler-laden recap. That's about as deep as this addition gets, but you won't find us complaining.