Monday, August 16, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 16/08/2010



WiMAX 2 standard, and its theoretical 1Gbps downloads, to be finalized soon
WiMAX 2 standard, and its theoretical 1Gbps downloads, soon getting finalizedWhile WiMAX isn't exactly streaming through the air everywhere at this point, domestically it has a solid head-start on LTE. Despite that, with many major players (like Verizon and AT&T) already choosing the latter of those two, WiMAX has a tough fight ahead of it for 4G supremacy. Maybe its successor will charm the competition, WiMAX 2 -- the artist formerly known as 802.16m. That standard will boast theoretical speeds of 1Gbps for downloads, though users are rather more likely to see something in the 100Mbps range (still a huge jump over what gets an Evo 4G user excited today). When can we expect all this bandwidth? The standard is due to be finalized in November, then hardware is expected to be ratified through 2011 before getting bolted to towers in 2012 where it will, thankfully, be fully compatible with O.G. WiMAX devices. Something good to look forward to, or too little too late to hold off the LTE hoards?
WiMAX 2 standard, and its theoretical 1Gbps downloads, to be finalized soon originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung Galaxy Tablet coming soon to Vodafone UK?
You know the old 'smoke and fire' adage by now, and while the alarms aren't sounding just yet, we get the feeling that they will be shortly. We've heard Samsung itself confirm that an Android-based tablet would be departing its labs sometime this year, and since then, we've also heard an IFA debut tossed around. Given that said show is but a few weeks out, it's halfway logical to think that Sammy would be notifying some of its launch partners of its intentions. We can't be certain that things are locked in just yet, but a 'Samsung Galaxy Tablet' has recently surfaced within Vodafone UK's systems (as shown above). There's no price or release date accompanying the mention, but it may signal that a 3G-enabled version could be coming to Britons following a proper unveiling in Berlin next month. We'll keep digging for more, and you can bet we'll be on the ground in Deutschland for a hands-on should the opportunity arise.

[Thanks, Anonymous]
Samsung Galaxy Tablet coming soon to Vodafone UK? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 06:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Lumigon T1 gets Froyo and a major facelift, makes glamorous appearance on Facebook
Looks like there are at least two things that the Danes can get right: butter cookies, and hyping it up for a delayed Android handset. According to Lumigon's Facebook page, what we're looking at here is the first official rendering of the T1's redesign -- quite a radical change here, especially with the new navigation pad and the now externally-accessible microSD slot. Apart from an earlier statement confirming Froyo for said device, this picture alone is literally all we're being teased with right now, so feel free to "like" the Danish company's Facebook page for some more forthcoming gadget porn.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Lumigon T1 gets Froyo and a major facelift, makes glamorous appearance on Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLumigon (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments
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Droid Incredible getting a spoonful of Froyo on August 18th?
The Droid's slated for a second helping of Froyo, the Droid 2 came with one, the Droid X will see Android 2.2 by early September -- when's Droid number four getting its due? According to Mashable's anonymous sources, August 18th will be the day Verizon begins the Droid Incredible's OTA rollout -- which lines up pretty well with what we heard a couple weeks back, not to mention the fact that HTC just released the handset's Android 2.2 source code. As always, dates slip and Verizon often dishes out small batches at a time, but now you've got a ballpark estimate to assuage your troubled mind. And hey, you can always go shoot something in 720p if you get tired of waiting.
Droid Incredible getting a spoonful of Froyo on August 18th? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMashable  | Email this | Comments
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App review: The Incident
Like its contemporary, Canabalt, The Incident is a game that knows exactly what it is -- and is not -- and plays to those strengths to a T. The basic premise of this iPhone title is simple enough, and in that simplicity (as with many great games) lies its power. You are Frank Solway, a lone man involved in a day that has gone completely out of whack -- namely, objects have begun falling from the sky, and you need to get out of the way. That's it. That's the whole game. You dash and jump while all manner of items come hurtling towards you from above; Mini Coopers, Ikea bookshelves, bikes, fences, arcade cabinets... really just about anything you can think of. Your goal is to avoid what's coming next (teased by a flashing white strip along the top of the screen), grab the variety of power-ups that happen by, and keep getting as high as you can to reach checkpoints. It's amazingly fun, and the charm of the game is doubled by developer Big Bucket's use of retro, 8-bit graphics along with a pitch-perfect chiptune soundtrack. The effect is terrific, blending the best of what we love from our NES years with the kind of gaming that's perfectly suited to a mobile device. We can't overstate how polished The Incident seems -- the developers have made all the right decisions, and the result is a game you pick up quickly, but can't put back down. If you've got $1.99 to spare, why are you still reading this?Continue reading App review: The Incident
App review: The Incident originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBig Bucket Software  | Email this | Comments
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Entelligence: Conspiracy theory, part one
Entelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.


We've all heard the great conspiracy theories of our time. President Kennedy was killed by more than one gunman. The moon landing was hoax, a drama secretly recorded on a stage set somewhere in Atlanta or Texas. More recently, the attacks on the World Trade Center were really perpetrated by the US, not Islamic terrorists. There are far more, I assure you. What's funny is that in in the last few years, our industry has spun off a number of conspiracy theories worthy of being made into a movie. Apple, Microsoft, RIM, HP, Palm -- you name it, and there's a story being told. Of course, with most of these stories it's never direct from the source. It's people, who know of people, who knew someone, who heard from a friend that... something happened. As with all good tales, there's always someone who will believe.

Oliver Stone, are you listening? Here are my five favorite tech conspiracies.Continue reading Entelligence: Conspiracy theory, part one
Entelligence: Conspiracy theory, part one originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Murdoch plans digital-only paid newspaper for tablets and phones
We can't honestly say whether The Wall Street Journal's laggy iPad rendition was a success at $17.29 per month, but either way Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is gearing up for another try at this whole digital news thing. The LA Times reports that Murdoch is planning an entirely new national publication for the iPad and other devices -- in other words, not just a print-to-digital conversion this time. "Unlike News Corp.'s business-centric Wall Street Journal, the new digital newspaper would target a more general readership, offering short, snappy stories that could be digested quickly," writes the Times, adding that sources say the digital paper could launch by the end of the year. Here's hoping it debuts alongside that Skiff Reader, eh?
Murdoch plans digital-only paid newspaper for tablets and phones originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLos Angeles Times  | Email this | Comments
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George Lucas officially announces Star Wars on Blu-ray in 2011
40diggsdiggAs rumored, all six Star Wars movies will be released together on Blu-ray in 2011 for the 35th anniversary of the release of A New Hope. George Lucas personally announced the set on stage at the Celebration V event, and showed off a deleted scene from Return of the Jedi that will be included (embedded after the break.) While the "highest picture and audio quality" and extensive special features are promised, what won't make it to Blu-ray are the original versions of the movies; Lucas told the New York Times that only the special editions will be included, since restoring the original versions in high enough quality would cost too much. No word on price, release date or any plans to release the films individually, but if you can stand living in a world where Greedo shot first then this will certainly be on next year's shopping list.

[Thanks, @thunsaker]Continue reading George Lucas officially announces Star Wars on Blu-ray in 2011
George Lucas officially announces Star Wars on Blu-ray in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 18:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TheForce.net  |  sourceStarWars.com  | Email this | Comments
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Leaked Intel roadmap details Sandy Bridge CPUs, expands SSD lineup?
If a set of supposedly leaked slides are legitimate (and they sure look convincing to us) then the shape of Intel's dirt-brown 2011 plans has finally been revealed. As you can see immediately above, Chipzilla's 25nm flash process is just about ready to double the size of the company's award-winning consumer SSDs, bring up to 400GB of "enterprise-grade" multi-level cell memory to the enterprise space, and create a series of netbook-sized mini-SATA drives with the remains of the 34nm silicon.

On the processor front things are a little more iffy, but it seems safe to say that the naming scheme has changed, as the silicon wafers you'll slot into a Q67 Express motherboard will have an extra digit (and often a letter) affixed to the end. Instead of a Core i7-870, you'll see the likes of Core i7-2600, i7-2600S, i7-2600K and i5-2500T, with the K (as in the past) affording you an unlocked multiplier for overclocking and the S equaling reduced power consumption, or vastly reduced for the T models. German publication ComputerBase -- which found and subsequently pulled the slides -- somehow managed to dig up nearly full specs for desktop and laptop CPUs as well, and though we can't verify their legitimacy, you're welcome to marvel at the idea of a 3.5GHz processor running on just 35 watts by visiting the source link below.
Gallery: Intel's alleged leaked product roadmap for 2011

[Thanks, Aristo]
Leaked Intel roadmap details Sandy Bridge CPUs, expands SSD lineup? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceComputerBase (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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Premier Elections Solutions pays up in Ohio Diebold suit, offers more faulty voting machines for free
Man, this is rich. Some two years after being sued by Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, Premier Elections Solutions (formerly, and more infamously known as Diebold) has decided to settle up. Way back when, Brunner alleged that the outfit's touch-screen voting machines weren't acting as they should, and she pointed to an investigation that proved at least 11 counties were dropped in past elections when their memory cards were uploaded to servers. As of now, Premiere -- which is owned by Election Systems & Software -- has agreed to pony up just over $470,000 to the 47 counties that touched its e-voting hardware, but that's hardly the kicker. Counties are also eligible for up to $2.4 million in free Premiere software for two years, and the company's even throwing in up to 2,909 free voting machines along with a 50 percent coupon for maintenance fees. Right, because the Buckeye State is so anxious to start using the machines it found so faulty to begin with. Makes total sense.

Update: We've learned from someone inside of Ohio elections that 11 counties experienced a failed upload of results from a memory card during the unofficial canvas (election night), but those results were recovered during the official canvas several days later. The statewide results included all counties. And know you know.
Permalink ComputerWorld  |  sourceTrading Markets  | Email this | Comments
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Fable III's special edition Xbox 360 controller, morally ambiguous and gold
Because standard hues and anachronistic science fiction designs simply won't mesh, Microsoft will be releasing this kingly limited edition Fable III Xbox 360 controller designed after the in-game Crown of Albion. Street date is October 5th, three weeks before the game itself decides to rear its royal head, and comes with a token for downloading an exclusive in-game tattoo. Look for it priced at $59.99, or about 15 boxes of Lucky Charms depending on your grocery store preferences. Video showcase after the break.Continue reading Fable III's special edition Xbox 360 controller, morally ambiguous and gold
Fable III's special edition Xbox 360 controller, morally ambiguous and gold originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceKotaku  | Email this | Comments
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Prototype of robot that develops emotions on interacting with humans officially complete
The first prototype of a Nao robot that can develop emotions as it interacts with a human caregiver has been completed. A team across Europe was led by Dr. Lola Cañamero of the University of Herefordshire in the UK to develop the bot, which differs in several significant ways from those that came before it. These robots develop over time in much the way that a child does, learning to interact with and respond to the human beings around them. Modeled after human and chimpanzee childhood development paths, they are programmed to be highly adaptable to the people around them, and to become attached to whatever person is most suited to its needs and 'personality' profile. Over time, the more they interact, the more they learn and bond to the human being. These little ones, moreover, are capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, including anger, frustration, fear and happiness. The next steps are to research the bots' emotional and non-linguistic behavior, and to move toward combining linguistic and non-linguistic communication to become further attached and adapted to them. Yes, we want one.
Permalink   |  sourceUniversity of Herefordshire  | Email this | Comments
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Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering
34diggsdigg
Ever wonder why -- after years of secrecy -- camera-ready iPod cases began rolling out? The answer could possibly be Apple supply manager Paul Shin Devine, who was just fingered by the FBI and IRS as a fraudulent, money laundering mole. Devine was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving kickbacks from six accessory suppliers in exchange for confidential information, which apparently gave them an edge in negotiating Apple contracts. "The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments," reports the San Jose Mercury News, "and code words like 'sample' were used to refer to the payments so that Apple co-workers wouldn't become suspicious." Though we're not yet sure what specific confidential information might have been passed along and we doubt the indictment will say, a separate civil suit filed by Apple claims Devine accepted over $1 million in "payments, kickbacks and bribes" over the course of several years.
Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TUAW  |  sourceSan Jose Mercury News  | Email this | Comments
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