Wednesday, July 14, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 14/07/2010



Drumssette DIY drum machine was once a four track, perfect for your Big Audio Dynamite cover band
This is probably the most charming instrument that we've seen in a long time. It looks great, it's analog, and it's useful despite certain limitations (and, as any musician will tell you, sometimes you need limitations to get the creative juices flowing). Designed and built by Mike Walters (aka Mystery Circuits), the Drumssette is a drum machine derived from an old Tascam four track cassette recorder. It features sampled Roland TR-808 drum hits, a sixteen step sequencer, analog echo and digital delay, clock output for controlling the rhythmic phrasing of an external instrument (allowing it to act like an arpeggiator, except that it controls the phrasing of the note, but not the pitch) and more. It's pretty wild! This guy goes into extreme geeky detail as to the inner workings of this device, which you can see at the Source link if you're so inclined. If not, make sure you check out select videos of the thing in action after the break.
Continue reading Drumssette DIY drum machine was once a four track, perfect for your Big Audio Dynamite cover band
Permalink   |  sourceMystery Circuits  | Email this | Comments
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Toshiba's Canvio for Mac external HDD family makes OS X backup a cinch
Not taking another chance on that Time Capsule, even after it's repaired? Can't say we blame you, and neither will Toshiba. Following up on the debut of the Canvio hard drive line in March, Tosh has just outed a Canvio for Mac family that's aimed at making OS X backups a lesson in simplicity. Available now in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB sizes, the new trio ships with pre-loaded Mac-customized backup software, and they'll be doused in either Radiant Silver or Infinite White. Internally, there's a shock sensor for keeping things safe from minor bumps and bruises, and as you'd expect, USB 2.0 provides all of the power and connectivity you need. Check 'em right now for $99.99, $119.99 and $139.99 in order of mention.Continue reading Toshiba's Canvio for Mac external HDD family makes OS X backup a cinch
Toshiba's Canvio for Mac external HDD family makes OS X backup a cinch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceToshiba  | Email this | Comments
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iPhone 4 carrier unlock teased, not released just yet
While we wait for a full, no-strings-attached jailbreak for the iPhone 4, let's turn our attention to the other important matter of unlocking, shall we? iPhone Dev Team member planetbeing is teasing the world with a picture of an unlocked AT&T iPhone 4 being used way up north on Canada's Bell -- and while we don't have a timeline for a release just yet, this should be particularly exciting news for Canadians who don't have much interest in waiting any longer for their version of the phone to officially arrive. We'll update you just as soon as it's available.

[Thanks, Brad]
iPhone 4 carrier unlock teased, not released just yet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Redmond Pie  |  source@planetbeing (via Twitter)  | Email this | Comments
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Tokyo University's Grape-DR supercomputer is a tangled green powerhouse
Tokyo University's Grape-DR supercomputer is a green powerhouse
We live in an ecologically minded era, where Ford spends more time talking up the new Mustang's mpg rating than its 0 - 60 times. Appropriate, then, that supercomputers are now being rated not on ultimate speed but on speed relative to power consumption. Top of the Green500 supercomputer list is the Grape-DR, a Japanese cluster at the University of Tokyo powered by a combination of 128 Intel Core i7-920 processors and four bespoke accelerator chips. That combination enables the system to manage 815.43 megaflops per watt, a good bit higher than the 773.38 rating an IBM-based machine in Germany managed. That's quite a bit lower than the team hopes to achieve, indicating they can boost that rating by 50 percent by the end of the year. Hopefully by then they invest in some cable management. Two of our staff network engineers passed out after just glancing at the picture above. The third... well, he didn't fare so well.
Tokyo University's Grape-DR supercomputer is a tangled green powerhouse originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTech-On!  | Email this | Comments
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Sprint's Hesse: there's 'logic' to a T-Mobile merger -- if they both move to LTE
Sprint's riffed about the possibility of migrating to LTE in the past -- as has its 4G partner, Clearwire -- so it's no big surprise to hear CEO Dan Hesse tell the Financial Times today that he's still open to the idea down the road, possibly side-by-side with the company's existing WiMAX deployment thanks to its deep spectrum holdings. What's far more interesting, though, is his concession that there's "logic" to exploring a merger with T-Mobile USA in the event that they both move to LTE for their next-gen networks. For its part, T-Mobile hasn't announced its 4G plans yet, but it's an open secret than Deutsche Telekom has explored the idea of selling off its US outpost in the past. Combined, it seems that Sprint and T-Mobile -- neither of whom have the firepower to compete with giants AT&T or Verizon on every level -- would create a strong third-place carrier capable of nipping at their heels. FT says that the idea of a Sprint deal was rejected back in 2008 on grounds that the two have incompatible networks, so who knows... if that restriction were removed, there might yet be love in the air.
Sprint's Hesse: there's 'logic' to a T-Mobile merger -- if they both move to LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GSMA Mobile Business Briefing  |  sourceFinancial Times  | Email this | Comments
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Universal USB controlled 'Power USB' strip turns on when your PC says it can
Needlessly annoyed by how much energy is being wasted in your home thanks to vampire draw? Regrettably, it looks as if you'll have to just tough it out for the remainder of summer (or winter, depending on hemisphere), as the device you're peering at above won't be on sale until August. The USB controlled "Power USB" power strip is a rather unique device, housing a grand total of four universal power sockets (hello, travelers!) and a single USB port; as you may expect, the USB port links the strip to your computer, giving it the power to turn a given socket on or off. Two of the plugs are actually on at all times (a good thing -- trust us), while the other two can be turned on automatically when triggered by a software program or a print job, for example. There's no mention of a price just yet, but even more alarming is the omission of a 12 socket version for the hardcore users among us.
Universal USB controlled 'Power USB' strip turns on when your PC says it can originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wired  |  sourcePower USB  | Email this | Comments
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mSpot brings movie rentals to the iPad, works just fine over 3G
mSpot brings movie rentals to the iPad, works just fine over 3G
If you find yourself a little unimpressed with Netflix's Instant selection and you're needing to rent something a bit newer right now, the new iPad-optimized version of the mSpot movie streaming app should fit all up in your niche. For between $2.99 and $3.99 you can rent and watch a movie streaming right to your little slab of delight over either 3G or WiFi, though we're told those who do it via 802.11 can expect higher quality. You can also rent movies on your home computer, pause them there, and then resume playback on your iPad right where you left off. Handy when it's time to run to the train and you just can't wait to see whether George Clooney's Up in the Air character manages to find room for true companionship in his backpack.
mSpot brings movie rentals to the iPad, works just fine over 3G originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Zatz Not Funny!  |  sourcemobiputing  | Email this | Comments
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iPhone 4 plus Brailliant-32 display enables even blind men to experience the magic (video)
iPhone 4 plus Brailliant-32 display enable even blind men to experience the magic (video)
The evolution of phones away from physical buttons toward touchscreens is great if you're into clean, aesthetic design. But, if you're suffering from limited vision, there are some obvious issues. Thankfully the iPhone 4 at least has support for Braille displays like those Brailliant, as kindly demonstrated by acoustic guitar virtuoso and software guru Victor Tasaran. Using the six buttons on his Brailliant-32 he's able to navigate across icons, then feel the text beneath each one -- or wait for the hurried text-to-speech to read back to him. It's an encouraging solution for smartphone accessibility, but does have a rather negative impact on portability -- and, we're sad to say, on cost as well. His 32-character unit will set you back just under $4k, which is many times the cost of the phone itself. But, at least when it's used like in the video below, sitting on the table, he won't have to worry about signal issues.Continue reading iPhone 4 plus Brailliant-32 display enables even blind men to experience the magic (video)
Permalink textually.org  |  sourceVictorTsaran.net  | Email this | Comments
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Nemoptic's Active Matrix Binem displays look perfect for your low-power Game Boy (video)
Nemoptic's Active Matrix Binem display is perfect for your low-power Game Boy (video)
While the grocery stores in our hood are apparently a little too low-tech for the stuff, Nemoptic has made quite a name for itself in produce circles with its tiny, cheap e-paper price tags, able to reflect the continually rising costs of Cap'n Crunch. Now the company is branching out with rather more high-tech but still tiny displays called Binem Active Matrix E-paper, which show a variety of interesting tricks in a series of videos from June that Technology Review is just now bringing to light. The two-inch, 170dpi screens can manage a 30ms refresh rate -- just fast enough to handle video -- and can do partial refreshing, changing only portions of the display. Perhaps most interestingly the screens can be backlit, meaning they use a rather different construction than traditional E-Ink, but exactly how they work has yet to be disclosed. Check out the thrilling demonstration after the break and see if you can solve the mystery.Continue reading Nemoptic's Active Matrix Binem displays look perfect for your low-power Game Boy (video)
Permalink   |  sourceTechnology Review  | Email this | Comments
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Windows Phone Live to offer remote wipe, location, and sync for your Windows Phone 7 device
See, Android owners don't ever lose their phones, so that's why they don't need this capability... right? Right? Hot on the heels of yesterday's news that RIM would be delivering a comprehensive remote wipe solution to BlackBerrys this year, Andy Lees is mentioning at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference today that an all-new Windows Phone Live website will figure prominently into the Windows Phone 7 equation when devices launch toward the end of 2010. It looks like the site is divided into two, arguably equally important parts: a sync function, which lets you transfer photos directly from your phone (a la Kin Studio, perhaps?), move OneNote content, synchronize contacts, and so on, and a suite of tools for dealing with a lost or stolen device -- you'll be able to remotely wipe it, locate it, lock it, or just make it ring until you drive the thief out of his gourd.

On a related note, Lees is also announcing that we'll be seeing the first volley of Windows Phone 7 devices in five languages -- English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish -- and that Windows Phone Marketplace (the Windows Phone 7 version of it, presumably) will be available in 17 countries out of the gate. That's not what we'd call global domination, of course, but you've got to start somewhere.
Permalink   |  sourceWindows Phone Blog  | Email this | Comments
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MIT's piezoelectric fibers can act as speaker or microphone, don't mind auto-tune
Piezoelectric materials work quite simply, in theory -- motion in, electricity out, or vice versa -- and since that's just how speakers and microphones transmit their sound, it's not much of a stretch to imagine someone would figure out audio on a micron scale. That someone is MIT's Yoel Fink, who's reportedly engineered a marvelous process for producing fibers that can detect and emit sound. Following up their famous work on flexible cameras, Fink's team discovered they could keep piezoelectric strands rigid enough to produce audible vibrations by inserting graphite, AKA pencil lead. Better yet, the lab process can apparently make the threads on a fairly large scale, "yielding tens of metres of piezoelectric fibre" at a single draw. The potential for fabric made from such fibers is fantastic, of course -- especially combined with this particular scientist's previous research into camera cloth.
MIT's piezoelectric fibers can act as speaker or microphone, don't mind auto-tune originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMIT News, Nature Materials  | Email this | Comments
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Swiftpoint's tiny mouse finally up for pre-order, shipping in August
It's been a long couple of years since we last heard from Swiftpoint, but the company is back with a (tiny) bang and introducing its eponymous ultraportable mouse. Touting a pen-like grip, tilt-scrolling, and a 30 to 40 percent better efficiency than your touchpad, this little thumb accessory wants to be seen as the solver of an eternal problem -- namely, getting all the utility of a desktop rodent without having to deal with its full size. Whether it lives up to that lofty goal will require some fingers-on time to determine, but the Swiftpoint does a very credible job on the battery front: it can turn a 30-second charge into an hour's use and can last 3 to 4 weeks on a fully juiced cell. It all sounds quite appealing, but be prepared for some sticker shock as the pre-order price is £67 ($103) in the UK... and that's with a 10 percent early bird discount included. We might just wait till these hit the sales before grabbing one.

[Thanks, Patrick]Continue reading Swiftpoint's tiny mouse finally up for pre-order, shipping in August
Swiftpoint's tiny mouse finally up for pre-order, shipping in August originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFuture Mouse  | Email this | Comments
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Hackers start hacking the Pandigital Novel e-reader
The Pandigital Novel e-reader may have had its share of problems since its launch just a month ago, but it's starting to look like a slightly more attractive option for those willing to hack the device. As detailed by Nate of The Digital Reader blog, the procedure for installing a new home screen and additional apps is fairly straight forward, and doesn't involve actually rooting the device (although others are working on doing that as well). Of course, it's not quite a seamless experience as an Android tablet (there's apparently some stability issues), but it doesn't look too shabby for a $179 device. Head on past the break for a video of the hack, and hit up the link below for the necessary details to do it yourself.Continue reading Hackers start hacking the Pandigital Novel e-reader
Hackers start hacking the Pandigital Novel e-reader originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceThe Digital Reader  | Email this | Comments
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Revenge of the quadrocopters: now they move in packs (video)
In case you didn't find the original quadrocopter chilling enough, the GRASP Lab out of the University of Pennsylvania has gone and added a bit of cooperative logic to the recipe so that now multiple little drones can work together. Also upgraded with a "claw-like" gripper that allows it to pick up and transport objects, the newer quadrocopter can team up on its prey payload with its buddies, all while maintaining its exquisite balance and agility. Skip past the break to see it on video.Continue reading Revenge of the quadrocopters: now they move in packs (video)
Revenge of the quadrocopters: now they move in packs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTheDmel (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
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Gartner: Symbian is 're-arranging the deck chairs,' losing buoyancy fast
We all know that Symbian is still holding the fort as the globe's most widely used mobile OS, but anyone interested in criticizing it nowadays will have to get into a queue. Nick Jones from Gartner is latest to launch a broadside against the apparently complacent market leader, opining that its user experience has been surpassed by iOS and Android, and arguing that future iterations do not promise enough innovation to make the platform stand out. He underpins these observations with his firm's latest estimates, which indicate Symbian's decline in share is accelerating, before positing the idea that the Foundation sets aside some talent for skunkworks projects in order to give itself fallback options should Symbian^4 not be blindingly marvelous. Nick might be going a little overboard with the bleakness of his outlook, but there's no questioning his "Android iceberg" analogy -- if Symbian doesn't find the right course soon, Google might well end up collecting a big chunk of its exasperated users.
Gartner: Symbian is 're-arranging the deck chairs,' losing buoyancy fast originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Boy Genius Report  |  sourceGartner  | Email this | Comments
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Nintendo unlikely to significantly alter 3DS design before release
In an interview from this year's E3 that's only just been published, Nintendo 3DS platform producer Hideo Konno says that the upcoming handheld is in its "final shape." Reggie Fils-Aime, the company's leading North American voice, has more recently told us that, au contraire, the E3 consoles are not the final design, though parsing the two into one coherent message would suggest that Nintendo's just leaving itself room to make small changes if the need arises. Konno's chat with Wired also touches on the 3DS' screen size, with him suggesting the glasses-free stereoscopic effect could be taken all the way to the size of a TV but requires the user to be in a very precise position, which is what makes it unfeasible. Teased about potentially making a 3DS XL, the veteran game guru says Nintendo's sticking with the current form factor for portability's sake, but he clearly isn't closing the door on the idea if and when 3DS sales begin to wane. There's a lot more here, including discussion of the new handheld's analog nub and MotionPlus-like gyro and accelerator combo, so why not show the source link some love?
Nintendo unlikely to significantly alter 3DS design before release originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 02:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWired  | Email this | Comments
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T-Mobile webConnect Rocket 2.0 leaks out, brings along Mac support and microSDHC slot
T-Mobile's webConnect Rocket has only been delivering "4G speeds" to users in search of mobile internet for a handful of months now, but already the company looks to have a successor on deck. If a pair of leaked slides are to be believed, the webConnect Rocket 2.0 is mildly overhauled version of the original USB WWAN modem, capable of delivering HSPA+ speeds on both PC and Mac platforms. There's also a nifty microSDHC slot for loading up to 16GB of storage, but outside of that, little else is known. We're still waiting patiently for a price and release date to come our way, but in the meantime, feel free to slam the brakes on that impending Rocket 1.0 purchase.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceTmoNews  | Email this | Comments
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Microsoft says 74 percent of work PCs still use Windows XP, extends downgrade rights until 2020
383diggsdiggThe latest Microsoft operating system may be selling seven copies a second, but it's no match for the behemoth Windows XP, still the most popular OS in the world despite recent nefarious attempts (we kid) to invoke spontaneous shutdowns, slow hard drives and trigger blue screens. In fact, a Microsoft exec admitted today that practically three-quarters of business computers still run the nine-year-old OS on hardware averaging 4.4 years old, and Computerworld's now reporting Microsoft will extend XP's lifespan through 2020 (you read that right) as a result. "Going forward, businesses can continue to purchase new PCs and utilize end user downgrade rights to Windows XP or Windows Vista until they are ready to use Windows 7," an official Windows blog post reads. We've heard the reluctance to upgrade is due to a reliance on older software and the cost of additional IT, but it probably doesn't hurt that Microsoft doggedly keeps distributing the OS despite the other choices on offer. Perhaps the futuristic Windows 8 will finally win the workplace over, but it seems Redmond's hedging its bets on this one. Look on the bright side: this way, when intelligent robots battle for control of the moon, at least the wrathful victors will still be vulnerable to the blue screen of doom.
Permalink   |  sourceElectronista, Computerworld  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung quietly expands its 3D Blu-ray player lineup with a few updated models
Don't be surprised to see a couple of new Samsung Blu-ray players on the shelf at local or online retailers while shopping, as it's rolling out new 3D capable models in the BD-C5900, BD-C6800 and BD-C7900. The $399 (MSRP) BD-C7900 updates the older BD-C6900 with two HDMI outs, useful for those with an older receiver that isn't HDMI 1.4 compatible, while the $279 BD-C6800 seems to have all the features of the BD-C6900 except for that porthole on top, and comes in at a lower price. Last up is the BD-C5900 with an MSRP of $229 which puts it within reach of two bills at retail, but means losing the 1GB of internal storage featured by the other two players. The product pages aren't all fully updated on Samsung's site yet, but the BD-C5900 has already arrived at Amazon and Best Buy and the others shouldn't be far behind. Of course, if 3D's not your thing, we'd still keep an eye out for their arrival -- a price break on the older 2D-only models that were released earlier this year shouldn't be too far behind.
Samsung quietly expands its 3D Blu-ray player lineup with a few updated models originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSamsung  | Email this | Comments
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Aava Mobile reveals Virta 2 smartphone development kit, we go hands-on
When we met with Finnish startup Aava Mobile today, they pulled out the same old prototype phone... then, to our great surprise, dropped a brand-new device right alongside to show us how their Moorestown-based ambitions have grown. This is the Virta 2 reference design, which will ship to developers soon, with the same basic hardware inside but a few important tweaks. First of all, you'll note that's MeeGo on this screen, not the droid we were looking for, but that's because the development kit can switch between operating systems by merely swapping out the microSD card.

Whereas the original prototype had a thin, flimsy shell, the Virta 2's gone downright rugged, ditching the iPhone chrome for a more durable gunmetal frame, and there's a full compliment of sensors (compass, accelerometer, ambient light and proximity) alongside quad-band radios, WiFi, Bluetooth and a pair of cameras for your video chat testing needs. At €1900 (roughly $2393) per unit, the dev handset isn't exactly cheap, but where else are you going to get an Atom Z600 to play around with? Devices ship late August or early September, and Aava expects the platform (but not this exact handset) to see commercial availability next year. Find preorders at our source link, if you've got the bankroll.
Gallery: Aava Mobile's Virta 2 hands-on and comparison shots
Aava Mobile reveals Virta 2 smartphone development kit, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAava Mobile  | Email this | Comments
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Apple deleting mentions of Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 piece on forums, can't delete your thoughts
...or can they? In case Apple has somehow managed to perfect the art of selective disremembrance across a wide population, here's a refresher: Consumer Reports has thrown down the gauntlet, stating that it "can't recommend" the iPhone 4 until the antenna issues are fixed, issues that its labs and ours have verified quite substantially. Apple apparently isn't happy about that, and has taken to deleting threads about the Consumer Reports article from its support forums. Now, Apple deleting threads from its support forums is nothing new; outside of "regular" moderation, the company routinely deletes discussion of hardware flaws that it's not ready to 'fess up to, or just generally negative lines of thought about its products. Good thing the internet's a big place, and if Apple's not going to admit the antenna issue, there are plenty of ways to gripe about it. Feel free to express yourself in the comments below, for instance!
Permalink   |  sourceTUAW  | Email this | Comments
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Lockheed Martin, Navy team up to deploy communications buoys for submarines
Lockheed Martin has announced that it's completed a critical design review for a system that enables submarine communication while below periscope depth. Part of the US Navy's Communications at Speed and Depth Program, buoys are launched by the sub, which can then connect nearby to military networks or satellites. The 40-inch long buoys can either be launched from the sub itself, shuttling data back and forth via miles-long cables, or dropped from aircraft. If the latter, communications is established using an acoustic messaging system similar to SONAR. Now that the review is complete, the team will begin producing hardware with an eye toward delivering engineering design models early next year. PR after the break.Continue reading Lockheed Martin, Navy team up to deploy communications buoys for submarines
Lockheed Martin, Navy team up to deploy communications buoys for submarines originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Britain's Ministry of Defence unveils unmanned Taranis combat aircraft
Well, it looks like Boeing's unmanned Phantom Ray stealth aircraft just got a bit of company courtesy of Britain's Ministry of Defence. It's now unveiled the BAE-built Taranis, which is not just an unmanned aircraft, but an unmanned combat aircraft that promises to be capable of penetrating enemy territory -- as opposed to something like a Predator drone that's only suitable for use if the airspace is under control. As you might expect, complete details on the aircraft are still being kept under wraps, but the MoD says there's "more than a million man hours" behind it, and that its first flight trials will begin early next year. And, no, "unmanned" doesn't mean autonomous -- the MoD is quick to point out that, "should such systems enter into service, they will at all times be under the control of highly trained military crews on the ground."

[Thanks, Rob]
Britain's Ministry of Defence unveils unmanned Taranis combat aircraft originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink BBC News  |  sourceMinistry of Defence, BAE  | Email this | Comments
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BlackBerry Protect protects (you guessed it) your BlackBerry
You might expect a product with as much enterprise street cred as BlackBerry to offer the best lineup of options for dealing with a lost or stolen phone, but not quite -- devices in a controlled BES environment can be wiped from afar, but for non-enterprise consumers, the options are a little more limited. That's where RIM's new BlackBerry Protect software comes into play, combining a host of services into one product; on top of being able to remotely message, lock, and wipe a misplaced phone, you can locate it on a map and take regularly-scheduled wireless backups that make replacing the handset (if it comes to that) as painless as possible. It's going into an invite-only beta period later this week, after which it'll move to a wider-scale public beta "later this year" at no charge. Considering that MobileMe's similarly-styled features do less than this for $100 annually, the word "free" has an especially sweet ring to it, doesn't it?
BlackBerry Protect protects (you guessed it) your BlackBerry originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmodo  |  sourceInside BlackBerry  | Email this | Comments
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Toshiba Portege R705 review
Stuck on the Toshiba Portege R705's magnesium alloy palmrest is a shiny sticker celebrating the company's 25 years of "laptop innovation." Now, we're the first to hate on the plethora of decals that festoon Windows laptops these days -- and this one also deserves to be peeled off and tossed into the garbage -- but the sticker actually happens to speaks volumes about why the $800 R705 is such a big deal. We promise to keep the history lesson short, but for years the Portege series has been Toshiba's top-of-the-line ultraportable brand, featuring the latest CPUs while usually setting the standard for portability, and always been attached to seriously hefty price tags. Take the Portege R500, which was the worlds lightest laptop in 2007, and cost two grand.

The Portege R705, which is exclusive to Best Buy for now, changes that formula. And in celebration of the big two-five, Toshiba's put out a 3.2-pound, Core i3-powered stunner that's less than half the price of past Porteges. Oh, and did we mention it has an on-board optical drive, 500GB of storage, Intel's wireless display technology and promises 8.5 hours of battery life? We won't beat around the bush -- it's impressive. But did Toshiba maintain the same Portege standards when creating the R705, or did it cut quality along with the dollar signs? That's been our main question, and we'll answer it and others after the break in our full review.
Gallery: Toshiba Portege R705 review
Continue reading Toshiba Portege R705 review
Toshiba Portege R705 review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBest Buy  | Email this | Comments
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SlingPlayer Mobile for Android review
The World Cup may have just ended, but whether you're into football or not, there must have been a point over the last five weeks where you or someone you know moaned about missing a live goal. This is where SlingBox comes in -- in case you didn't know already, it's a little networked box that piggybacks on your set-top box's AV and IR ports, thus stuffing your TV experience into your computer or cellphone via WiFi or even 3G. Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Symbian, BlackBerry and iOS have been mingling with the SlingPlayer Mobile app for some time now, and for the same $29.99 tag, Android users can now also join the party. But is the app worth the money? Does it get on with our green bot? Read on to find out.
Gallery: SlingPlayer Mobile for Android review
Continue reading SlingPlayer Mobile for Android review
SlingPlayer Mobile for Android review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft's Windows Phone Developer Tools package goes to beta
Early versions of the tools Windows Phone 7 developers will use to craft their wares have been floating around since Microsoft's MIX event in March, but it looks like things have finally gotten robust and feature-complete enough this week to bless the kit with a beta label. In fact, Microsoft is coming out and saying that this release "represents the near final version," which we take to mean you can develop with some confidence that your world won't be turned upside down when the time comes to prep your apps for shipping devices and firmwares. The actual API has been tweaked and Expression Blend is now fully integrated with the tools, though there are apparently still a few controls that aren't ready for primetime and will be added over the coming weeks. Oh, and if no emulator is enough to satisfy your intense cravings, you might be excited to learn that more developer devices are slated to ship next week -- so keep an eye on your mailbox and your porch if you signed up to get one.
Microsoft's Windows Phone Developer Tools package goes to beta originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Skype says Fring violated its Terms of Use, 'damaging our brand and reputation' in the process
It looks like Fring's recent decision to block Skype access to its iPhone 4 video app was the final straw for Skype, who charges that VoIP network was in breach of the Terms of Use and EULA for the Skype API. "Over time," writes General Counsel Robert Miller, "Fring's mis-use of our software was increasingly damaging our brand and reputation with our customers." Although they've "been talking with Fring for some time to try to resolve this amicably," Friday's action is being called "disappointing [for] our customers, who have high expectations of the Skype experience." He goes on to say that "Skype will rigorously protect our brand and reputation, and those developers that do not comply with our terms will be subject to legal enforcement." Meaning, presumably, that in the case of more Fring shenanigans there will be some sort of red-hot legal action. For its part, Fring CEO Avi Shechter had this to say: "We are disappointed that Skype, who once championed the cause of openness, is now attempting to muzzle competition, even to the detriment of its own users." Which is all well and good, but we can hardly see how Skype is the problem here when you were the ones who locked out its users in the first place.
Permalink Phone Scoop  |  sourceFring, Skype  | Email this | Comments
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Breaking: Fake white iPhone 4 is not delayed
If the KIRF arrives before the KIRFed, then it's debatable who's KIRFing who, right? Either way, we ordered two.
Breaking: Fake white iPhone 4 is not delayed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMIC Gadget  | Email this | Comments
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Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?
Oh sure, you love gadgets -- but do you have the chops to write about them? We'd love to know if you think you do, because we're looking to actually pay people to do this stuff. Professional writing experience isn't necessary (though it doesn't hurt), but what we really care about is that you can write skillfully about gadgets with wit, concision, and authority. And being obsessed with Engadget is good, too. We're looking for an editor in the San Francisco area.

Want to apply? Read on.
Continue reading Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget?
Do you live in San Francisco? Do you want to write for Engadget? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Senators grill FCC Chairman over 'modest' National Broadband Plan goals
Bringing broadband to everybody is certainly an admirable goal, but at least some US Senators are apparently starting to question if the new National Broadband Plan is ambitious enough. In written questions submitted to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recently, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) pointed out that other nations already have 100Mbps fiber-based services and are beginning to roll out 1Gbps residential services, which would only be required for a "single anchor institution in each community by 2020" under the National Broadband Plan" -- something Inouye says "appears to suggest that the US should accept a 10- to 12-year lag behind the leading nations." That's a sentiment echoed by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), who asked Genachowski why the plan settled for the minimum download speed of 4Mbps by 2020, and added that "it seems a bit modest for a goal." For his part, Genachowski insists that the 4Mbps targets are "aggressive," and he notes that the plan recommends reevaluating that target every year, so it's possible it could increase over time. Hit up the PDF link below for the complete Q&A.
Senators grill FCC Chairman over 'modest' National Broadband Plan goals originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceArs Technica, FCC (PDF)  | Email this | Comments
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HP's McKinney hints that a flexible display Palm device could happen
Speaking at MobileBeat in San Francisco today, HP's Phil McKinney chatted up the company's flexible display tech, which uses rugged Mylar-infused sheets similar to those found in solar panels and can display video while still being bistable the same way E Ink is -- in other words, it'll hold an image without power. Thankfully, this seems to be more than a pipe dream sitting in a lab somewhere, because McKinney went on to say that "these are the kinds of display technologies that will change what we think of in form factors, both in products from Palm with flexible displays, and with HP." In other words, it's entirely within the realm of reason to imagine a bendy webOS device that gingerly sips battery juice -- or stops sipping it altogether -- while you're reading the morning news. We wouldn't expect it any time soon, of course, but it's encouraging to hear a conservative industry behemoth like HP start to talk like this. In the meantime, can we just get a new Pre, guys?
Gallery: HP's flexible display at MobileBeat 2010
HP's McKinney hints that a flexible display Palm device could happen originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we
84diggsdigg Although there's never been any question that there's something going on with the iPhone 4's fancy new antenna system, we really haven't seen any rigorous testing confirming that the issue is real, severe, and affects every phone. That just changed: Consumer Reports tested three iPhone 4s and several other AT&T phones in their RF isolation chamber that simulates varying levels of signal from every carrier, and found that the iPhone 4 was the only handset to suffer signal-loss issues. What's more, CR directly says that its findings call Apple's explanation of a miscalculated signal meter into question since the tests "indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect." CR found that simply putting duct tape over the bottom-left corner is enough to alleviate the issue -- we're guessing that's Jony Ive's worst nightmare -- and says that while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera" of any phone it's tested, it simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem. Ouch.

Of course, we couldn't sit around waiting for someone else to test the iPhone 4 in a more controlled way, so we actually asked our good friend Erica Sadun from TUAW to write us a bespoke signal strength app for iOS 4. Obviously we couldn't submit it to the App Store, but we've been running it on all of our phones here at Engadget and we can independently confirm Consumer Reports' finding that there's a serious signal attenuation issue with the iPhone 4's antenna -- every phone we've tested displays dropped signal when held with the bottom left corner covered. Now, what we don't know is whether that signal attenuation consistently affects call quality and data rates, which we suspect is more directly related to the network in the area; some of our iPhone 4s drop calls and experience low data rates with alarming frequency, while others -- like our review unit -- have almost never dropped a call and have had no data problems. However, now that we've confirmed and clarified that the antenna issue affects every iPhone 4, we can take on the next step, which is sorting out exactly when and where the issue is most severe. Either that, or Apple can do something to actually fix the issue -- we'll just have to wait and see. For now, check our app in action after the break.

Update: To clarify, "here at Engadget" is a virtual location -- our iPhone 4s are actually located across the country in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and we saw the app respond that way regardless of location. Dropped calls and other effects weren't as consistent, however, and we're still testing to sort out when the effects of the antenna issue are the most severe.Continue reading Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we
Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Next Apple TV to offer 99 cent streaming episode rentals?
We've already had some indication that the next Apple TV might boast a low, low $99 price tag, and it looks like Apple might be working to make TV shows cheaper as well. According NewTeeVee, Apple is now trying to convince networks to let it offer rentals of episodes of TV shows for 99 cents. Like movie rentals, you would have 30 days to watch an episode after you purchase it, but the shows would reportedly be streaming-only, and not actually downloaded to the Apple TV, which would certainly line up with the cloud storage model we've heard about. Not many more details than that, unfortunately, nor is there any word that the rentals would extend beyond the Apple TV.
Next Apple TV to offer 99 cent streaming episode rentals? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Ars Technica  |  sourceNewTeeVee  | Email this | Comments
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EVO 4G shortages may hurt 4G adoption, Sprint gives customers in seven new cities the chance to be disappointed
It looks like Sprint's head start in the 4G service race may not be quite as big as the carrier would like. According to the Wall Street Journal, HTC EVO 4G handset shortages are mitigating whatever advantage the company should have, being first out of the gate with the technology. "The early move to 4G has benefited Sprint from a marketing perspective, but it hasn't really proven out in a major way in subscriber growth," said Dan Hays, an analyst for PRTM. Good news, perhaps, for both AT&T and Verizon, who looks to take its first, tentative steps into some markets later this year. In other news, Sprint has announced a handful of 4G rollouts, including such far-flung locales as Rochester and Syracuse, New York; Merced and Visalia, California; Eugene, Oregon; Tri-Cities and Yakima, Washington. Hopefully HTC can start providing the necessary handsets! PR after the break.

[Thanks, Vaha]
Continue reading EVO 4G shortages may hurt 4G adoption, Sprint gives customers in seven new cities the chance to be disappointed
Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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DIY Internet Chess Table makes online matches suddenly awesome (video)
Computerized chess has been around for at least a few centuries now (okay, so maybe "score" is more accurate), but if you thought an IBM supercomputer dominating one of the planet's brightest humans was gnarly, have a gander at this. One determined modder has whipped up what may very well be the most impressive way to engage in online chess ever, as the DIY Internet Chess Table turns an on-screen opponent into an on-table opponent. Put simply (or as simply as possible), the multitouch table uses a projector to beam a chessboard onto an opaque surface, and moves are captured via webcam and sent back to an internet server. The human's moves are recognized and countered, and then that same human is told where to move the computer's piece via on-screen arrows. Trust us -- it's worth your while to hop on past the break and mash play for a video demonstration.

Update: To clarify, the table syncs up to play matches over freechess.org, but as far as your Feng Shui is concerned, it's still a single player in your room.Continue reading DIY Internet Chess Table makes online matches suddenly awesome (video)
DIY Internet Chess Table makes online matches suddenly awesome (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Slashdot  |  sourcePCB-Dev  | Email this | Comments
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