Wednesday, August 18, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 18/08/2010



Eurocom serves up GTX 480M SLI and HD 5870 CrossFireX options, seasons with Core i7-980X
It boggles the mind to think that one Fermi GPU could be fit inside a laptop, but two? Eurocom has just outed its 17.3-inch Panther 2.0 mobile gaming station -- which looks like a straight rebadge of the Clevo X7200 -- with the most overpowered set of component choices we've yet seen. You can go SLI with the GTX 480M or NVIDIA's more professionally minded Quadro 5000M, crank up CPU speed to 3.33GHz and beyond with the Core i7-980X from Intel (yes, the desktop variant), stash up to 24GB of onboard RAM, and jack in up to four storage drives, our preference being for the 2TB of SSD goodness option. Of course, if you prefer ATI's Evergreen side of the fence, dual Mobility Radeon HD 5870 GPUs are on tap as well. Sadly, we've no idea how much these spectacular specs will set you back, but launch is set for later this month and you can always call up and get yourself a quote; we're guessing it'll be in five figures.Continue reading Eurocom serves up GTX 480M SLI and HD 5870 CrossFireX options, seasons with Core i7-980X
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Nook for iPhone, iPad and PC see updates, slew of new features in tow
Barnes & Noble told us this update was in the pipeline when it introduced Nook for Android, and sure enough, said update is hitting the intertubes this fine morning. The iPhone and iPod touch version of the Nook app is said to be completely overhauled, while the iPad edition is the company's first to offer an in-app "rating" feature. In case you couldn't guess, the former also adds support for the iPhone 4's Retina Display, while also tossing in a slew of new customization options (themes, day / night content options, line spacing, font styles, preferred justification, previews, etc.). Finally, today also marks the reintroduction of the Nook for PC client, though it seems that most of the fanciful new features are reserved for the more portable versions. Hop on past the break for the full skinny, and tap that source link to get to downloadin'.Continue reading Nook for iPhone, iPad and PC see updates, slew of new features in tow
Nook for iPhone, iPad and PC see updates, slew of new features in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBarnes & Noble  | Email this | Comments
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AT&T likes Google & Verizon's wired-only net neutrality stance, Time Warner Cable doesn't
'Wireless is different' says AT&T, likes Google & Verizon's wired-only net neutrality stance
Network neutrality is the battle to keep companies from filtering your access to whatever you want on those great, united internets. But, as we explored in depth last week, Google and Verizon think they should only have to play nice when it comes to wired broadband -- that wireless should be exempt from neutrality-related FCC regulation. The FCC wasn't too pleased with that sentiment, but we found someone who is: AT&T VP Joan Marsh, who posted a lengthy statement entitled: "Wireless is Different." In it she continues the theme of explaining how meeting demand on a wireless network is much more difficult than on wired, even going so far as to place some of the blame on local communities:
We are constantly striving to increase the efficiency of our spectrum resources, but the amount of available spectrum in any given market is finite. And while we regularly split cell sectors and add additional cell towers, there are very real limits placed on cell site construction by zoning and local approval boards.
This is surely a real problem, but what we haven't heard yet is just how letting companies like Verizon and AT&T create premium tiers for wireless content will do anything other than allow them to make more money while still complaining about the same 'ol problems.

Meanwhile, a company that has virtually no skin in the wireless game, Time Warner Cable, isn't so keen on this stance regarding traditional, wired broadband. CEO Glenn Britt says his company would never throttle content in a way that would violate net neutrality, but still doesn't want more rules put in place that would prevent them from doing so. Funny how everyone likes net neutrality until it threatens to cramp their style, isn't it?
Permalink ars technica  |  sourceAT&T Public Policy Blog, Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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THQ's uDraw GameTablet is like a Wacom for Wii (video)
THQ's uDraw GameTablet is like a Wacom for Wii
Art games on consoles tend to be unpopular creations, Mario Paint about the only one to even approach retail success, but maybe all they needed was a proper input method. That's what THQ is hoping, at least, announcing the uDraw GameTablet for the Nintendo Wii. It's a chubby, pencil-like stylus tethered to a tablet that connects wirelessly to the console thanks to the Wiimote that slots right in. The tablet comes with a drawing game called uDraw Studio, while THQ is also working on an artsy platformer called Dood's Big Adventure and a digital version of Pictionary, which could be this thing's killer app. (You can catch a glimpse of them all in action in the video after the break.) The tablet will cost $69.99 when it ships by the end of the year, while games will be a rather more affordable $29.99. THQ also promises more games to come through 2011, but we're guessing their release is somewhat contingent on just how many little Picassos find these in their stockings this holiday season.Continue reading THQ's uDraw GameTablet is like a Wacom for Wii (video)
THQ's uDraw GameTablet is like a Wacom for Wii (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWorld of uDraw  | Email this | Comments
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7-inch iPad tattle churns through Taiwanese rumor mills
The 7-inch iPad rumors are suddenly hot and heavy. In the last few weeks, we've seen a series of reports claiming that Apple was working on a smaller iPad (or bigger iPod touch?) set for release between the end of 2010 or early 2011. A DigiTimes piece, sourcing its own "analyst," claimed that the device would be making a jump to the Cortex A9 processor core, 512MB of RAM like the iPhone 4, and a 1,024 x 768 pixel IPS panel -- the same resolution as the 9.7-inch iPad giving the new model a better pixel density. Now we've got Taiwan's Economic Daily News saying that Chi Mei will join LG in supplying the new 7-inch IPS panels with AUO joining Sintek to provide the digitizer. EDN also claims that either Compal or Pegatron may join Foxconn in the assembly. Remember, even with hints of a new iPad model in Apple's own code this is all just rumor for now. Besides, we're still waiting for those Xbox 360 Blu-ray drives that the Economic Daily News assured us were coming in Q3 of 2008.
7-inch iPad tattle churns through Taiwanese rumor mills originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PC World  |  sourceEconomic Daily News  | Email this | Comments
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Mirrorless camera shootout: DSLR alternatives get sized up and ISO-examined
It all started with Micro Four Thirds, but now just about everyone is jonesing to play along in the mirrorless camera game. The crew over at Serious Compacts managed to get ahold of quite a few contenders (Samsung's NX10, Sony's NEX5, Olympus' E-P2 and E-PL1, and Panasonic's GF1, GF2 and GH1), and rather than taking 'em apart one by one, they've decided to size 'em up in a fantastic size comparison piece. From lenses to bodies, all six cameras are shown from various angles, and even if you've convinced yourself to not be in the market for one of these bad boys, the eye candy alone is worth a peek. Furthermore, the group has been entered into a telling ISO comparison test, but if you came here looking for a spoiler, you'll be sorely disappointed. Tap those links below to get your study on, won'tcha?
Mirrorless camera shootout: DSLR alternatives get sized up and ISO-examined originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSerious Compacts 1, 2  | Email this | Comments
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160GB PS3 slim spotted on GameStop's website
One of the following just occurred today: either a GameStop employee just spilled the beans on an upcoming Sony announcement, or someone in the retailer's IT department has a cruel sense of humor. At any rate, IGN spotted a listing today (since removed) for a slim PlayStation 3 with 160GB of storage, purported to be shipping today for $299.99. That's unfortunately not the case, but while we'd wager a capacity increase is inevitable, it'd be infinitely more intriguing if that new hard drive came part and parcel with a pallette swap -- something in white, perhaps. Hey, we can dream. It might be worth noting that Sony's got a press conference lined up at GamesCom for mid-afternoon ET tomorrow; we'll keep our German-trained ear to the ground, just in case.

Update: Newegg is now showing the same deal as above, with a projected arrival date of August 19 [Thanks, Disaresta51].
160GB PS3 slim spotted on GameStop's website originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceIGN  | Email this | Comments
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Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type puts a touchscreen on your Series 40 featurephone
Nokia has just revealed its X3-02 handset, which does the unthinkable and marries a relatively standard 16-button keypad with a 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen. Now, we might have our reservations about Nokia's S40 OS being able to translate to a touch-friendly UI, but the beauty of this phone is that touch comes as essentially a free extra rather than the fundamental navigation paradigm. It's augmented with 3G, 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, and the whole thing is wrapped within a 9.6mm-thin brushed aluminum shell. All that, and the X3-02 will only cost €125 (before sales taxes and subsidies, as usual) when it launches later this quarter. See it on video after the break.

Update: Nokia has informed us the X3-02 uses a resistive touchscreen, no real surprise given its price.
Gallery: Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type press pics
Continue reading Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type puts a touchscreen on your Series 40 featurephone
Nokia X3-02 Touch and Type puts a touchscreen on your Series 40 featurephone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony's Ultimate Weapon Gaming headsets are as macho as the name suggests
According to Sony, your Ultimate Weapon when it comes to schooling fools on the FPS battlefield is a 3D surround sound headset. Just like its newly minted DR-GA500 above, what a coincidence! Coming with a separate box to process your computer's audio into a 7.1-channel surround sound environment, this mic-equipped set of cans is targeted squarely at gamers looking to optimize every last inch of their fragging experience. There's also a GA-200 model that makes do without the extra audio processing. Both variants share the super special "triple enfolding" padding design, which is intended to make the headgear comfortable for prolonged use. Prices and retail dates aren't yet available, but just to underline that gaming connection one extra time, Sony will be bundling a free copy of the latest Medal of Honor with these 'phones starting in mid-October.Continue reading Sony's Ultimate Weapon Gaming headsets are as macho as the name suggests
Sony's Ultimate Weapon Gaming headsets are as macho as the name suggests originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ASUS downgrades Eee PC shipment forecast, blames iPad
Been waiting for evidence that the iPad will dent the netbook market? If you believe ASUS, that's already happened, with the Eee PC vendor reporting fewer sales in the second quarter relative to the first and downgrading expectations for the usual peak season of Q3. Apple's prodigious tablet is specifically named by ASUS CEO Jerry Shen as an invader that is "crowding out" netbook demand, though he remains firmly committed to the small and affordable laptop market. All the same, Shen does also point a finger to the horizon, where a trifecta of Eee Pads marches ever nearer with the intent to do battle with the iPad. So while netbooks aren't going away in a hurry, these latest numbers seem to suggest they're set to at least share the lower-end spotlight with touch-friendly slates, or rather Pads.
ASUS downgrades Eee PC shipment forecast, blames iPad originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments
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Qualcomm to ship 1.5GHz QSD8672 Snapdragon processor in Q4
66diggsdiggAnd you thought a dual-core 1.2GHz chip was quick. If all goes to plan (that's a big "if," by the way), Qualcomm will one-up its Computex standout before the end of this year, with vice president of product management Mark Frankel affirming that his company is on track to ship a 1.5GHz dual-core QSD8672 chip prior to the dawn of 2011. He's quoted as saying that the blazing new Snapdragon could find a home in smartphones, low-cost laptops and tablet PCs, and while we're led to believe that the vast majority of said products won't actually greet consumers until early next year, a few aggressive partners may get wares out "by Christmas." For those unfamiliar, the fancy new 8672 is based on an ARM design and will be crafted using a 45nm process technology, and the individual voltage scaling will enable each core to be clocked independently of the other in order to maximize battery life and performance. Naturally, 1080p video playback will be supported, as will DDR2, DDR3 and HDMI interfaces. Oh, and don't sweat it -- you've still got plenty of time to get on Santa's 'good' list.
Qualcomm to ship 1.5GHz QSD8672 Snapdragon processor in Q4 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Mobile Burn  |  sourceComputer World  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy S GPS-gate: two problems, not one (and what to do about it)
You may have noticed the update on our Epic 4G review from yesterday where we lauded the fact that Samsung seemed to have fixed the GPS problem plaguing every other Galaxy S flavor released thus far, but it turns out there are actually two distinct issues. One has a fix -- sort of -- while the other is hopefully what we're going to get next month. Here are the two failure modes, based on what we know so far:
  • "Use wireless networks" is now turned off by default, but even with it on, the phone may be slow or unable to determine even a rough location. Originally, we'd believed this was the only problem. Samsung tells us that it's a new Google mandate that Android devices be shipped with the "use wireless networks" option disabled, which means you're relying on traditional GPS alone to determine your location -- a lost cause indoors, in urban canyons, or under dense tree cover. Indeed, we discovered it was turned off on our Captivate, Vibrant, and Epic 4G after fresh hard resets, and there's no indication to the user that it's probably in their best interest to enable it; we're accustomed to being presented with the option during account setup on other Android devices, but it doesn't happen here. After enabling it from settings, we found that both the Captivate and Epic 4G were able to get our location with 1,000 to 1,500-meter accuracy practically immediately in Google Maps, though the Vibrant still never came through; it had the weakest signal of the three, which may have accounted for that (though it never dropped the signal altogether).
  • The regular GPS circuitry and software aren't doing their job. Cell tower triangulation and WiFi location database services like Skyhook only take you so far -- at the end of the day, you still need to tune in to the birds a few thousand miles up to figure out precisely where you are. All Galaxy S models seem to be having trouble turning GPS reception into coordinates, even when the phone is able to see four or more satellites in view (four is the minimum you normally need for a precise, three-dimensional lock). In some cases, resetting the phone apparently helps, but it ceases to work again after a day or two of use. To our knowledge, none of the homebrew fixes out there have been able to solve this part of the problem perfectly and permanently. The Captivate and Vibrant are both affected by this one; we're not sure on the Epic, but we're working to nail it down.
What this means for you: for now, simply make sure you have "Use wireless networks" checked in your Galaxy S's settings under the "Location & security" menu. It won't get you the most reliable, precise location you should be entitled to, but it's a start -- and next month's round of firmware updates should hopefully take us the rest of the way.

[Thanks, Carl]
Samsung Galaxy S GPS-gate: two problems, not one (and what to do about it) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 02:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launching on November 10 in Europe
While Microsoft's new controller-free Kinect for Xbox 360 will be hitting US shores on November 4th, we've just learned that it'll officially land in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa on November 10th. Sure, that's a bit of a wait, but take heart in knowing that Microsoft's targeting an October launch of its Xbox Live lovin' Windows Phone 7 handsets in Europe compared to a November release in the US. Otherwise, we're looking at the same 15 exclusive Kinect game titles already announced at E3.Continue reading Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launching on November 10 in Europe
Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 launching on November 10 in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BlackBerry Torch just $99.99 on contract, by way of Amazon's generous dealings
Amazon's been known to have some killer deals, and well, here's another. The new BlackBerry Torch, arguably RIM's best smartphone to date (for what that's worth), is just $99.99 on contract. That's just about half off its usual entry fee with a two-year contract, so if you're in the market to upgrade your current Bold for something with a little more slide, now's your chance!

[Thanks, Kramer]
BlackBerry Torch just $99.99 on contract, by way of Amazon's generous dealings originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Fujifilm introduces Finepix Real 3D W3 camera, we go hands-on
When reviewers call your product "the worst ____ ever made," do you give up and move on? Or do you build a second model and try to prove them wrong? After introducing the world's first consumer stereoscopic 3D shooter to dismal reviews, FujiFilm chose door number two, replacing the camera with a thinner, lighter, and easier-to-use version that addresses a host of complaints and costs $100 less to boot. The FujiFilm FinePix Real 3D W3 adds a larger 3.5-inch, 16:9 LCD screen, a 720p video recording mode, and HDMI 1.4 out for dropping images and videos right into your 3D-ready TV. Oh, and it actually feels like a real camera this time, our favorite feature by far. We got some hands-on time with the new cross-eyed shooter, read on for more!
Gallery: Fujifilm's Real 3D W3 camera hands-on
Continue reading Fujifilm introduces Finepix Real 3D W3 camera, we go hands-on
Fujifilm introduces Finepix Real 3D W3 camera, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector cam arrives with USB projection and touchscreen telestrator capabilities; S5100 arrives in tow
Looks like those German Coolpix leaks were right on the money -- Nikon's just announced the Coolpix S1100pj and the S5100. The S1100pj is a seriously hot update to the original quirky and lovable Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector-cam: not only is it thinner and sleeker, but the projector is brighter at 14 lumens and can now beam images off a laptop over USB. The control scheme also looks to have been simplified, with a new three-inch 460,000-dot touchscreen taking over most duties and enabling a wild telestrator-style paint mode which lets you draw right on top of projected images in real-time. Camera-wise, it's an iterative bump over the previous model: 14 megapixel sensor with 720p movie mode and ISO 6400 sensitivity, 28-140mm 5x optical zoom with five-way stabilizer, and the ability to detect faces, smiles and blinks. Perhaps best of all, MSRP has dropped $100 to $349, which actually makes it a somewhat reasonable consideration if you're shopping higher-end cams. Yep, we definitely want to play with one -- it'll hit in a bunch of colors next month sometime.

The Coolpix S5100 is a bit less interesting, slotting in between the S6000 and S4000. Nothing too complicated here, just a 12.1 megapixel sensor with ISO 3200 sensitivity and a 720p movie mode, 5x optical zoom with four-way stabilization, and a nifty tripod-detection function that automatically tweaks shutter speed and exposure to produce blur-free images when the camera is handheld. It'll be $179 in a bunch of colors when it hits in October -- check a shot after the break, along with the full PR for both cams.

P.S.- That's both of the leaked Coolpix models -- we've got a feeling we'll be hearing about that D3100 DSLR rather soon as well.
Gallery: Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector cam arrives with USB projection and touchscreen telestrator capabilities
Continue reading Nikon Coolpix S1100pj projector cam arrives with USB projection and touchscreen telestrator capabilities; S5100 arrives in tow
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Xbox Live launch titles for Windows Phone 7 finally revealed, we've got the full preview
53diggsdiggWe've known that proper Xbox Live gaming (powered by XNA) was coming to Windows Phone 7 devices, but we'd yet to see any of that thumb-spraining goodness in action besides a brief demo and a few developer videos. Well, Microsoft has finally come clean with details about its launch strategy for the platform, and from where we sit, it's definitely looking pretty promising. First off, the company has announced a full list of launch titles for WP7 handsets, including some familiar names and franchises like Castlevania, Halo: Waypoint, Star Wars, Crackdown, and Guitar Hero, alongside a handful of newer properties like the ultra-cute ilomilo, produced in-house by Microsoft Game Studios. In total, the company will launch with over 60 game titles, with new offerings appearing every week in the Xbox Live Marketplace, just like its big brother console version. We've got all the details, a full list of the launch titles, and our hands-on preview after the break -- so read on to get the scoop!
Gallery: Xbox Live for Windows Phone 7 hands-on
Continue reading Xbox Live launch titles for Windows Phone 7 finally revealed, we've got the full preview
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Verizon FiOS Simulcrypt rollout will break most CableCARD tuners
ATI Digital Cable Tuner
There comes a time in any electronic gadget's life when it becomes useless and although it's inevitable, the length of the useful lifespan can vary greatly. In recent years firmware updates have really helped extend the life of devices, but when the manufacturer has no financial incentive to support older products, it can mean a premature end (at least from the customer's perspective). Well after three years that time has apparently come for FiOS TV subscribers who own ATI Digital Cable Tuners (and many other CableCARD devices). Now before you get too up in arms about this, it isn't really Verizon's fault, you see said company wants to be able to use Cisco and Motorola devices in the same area and this means it needs a tech called Simulcrypt. This is good for most customers as it will likely bring better prices and selection. And although this is a CableLabs certified technology, a firmware update is required to ensure the device handles the encryption properly. So while a company like Ceton or TiVo has already released updates for its devices, ATI and other TV manufactures have long since given up on the CableCARD market, and hence, supporting any legacy devices. The only good news is that you now have the perfect excuse to justify replacing your obsolete device. Don't like this option? Well you can get a FiOS DVR (with it's 2002 circa 160GB HDD) or just file a complaint to the FCC -- this won't do much, but might make you feel better.

[Thanks, Scott!]
Verizon FiOS Simulcrypt rollout will break most CableCARD tuners originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceThe Green Button, DSL Reports  | Email this | Comments
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HTC Desire HD surfaces on Amazon UK, gets pulled in record time
And this, folks, pretty much seals the deal. If HTC bothers to not ship the Desire HD, it'll come as quite the surprise. You know -- given that we've seen leaked specifications, an image from Mr. Blurrycam and even a behind-the-scenes video of it. Now, however, we've got a product listing on Amazon's UK branch to focus on, which prices the handset at £415 ($650). The only other detail gleaned from the page is the "Ace" codename, but given that the whole thing has since been yanked, it's impossible to know what else was hidden in the code. Still, we highly doubt HTC would bother passing on phone information to Amazon with no intention of ever officially introducing it, you know? Yeah, you know.
HTC Desire HD surfaces on Amazon UK, gets pulled in record time originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electric Pig  |  sourceAmazon UK  | Email this | Comments
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Adobe AIR 2.5 coming to Android in Q4 2010, but only to capable phones
When will Strong Bad and company become native Android applications? Anytime after Q4 2010 -- that's when Adobe says it wants to have Adobe AIR for Android runtimes publicly available in the Android Market, along with an initial batch of apps, and fairly exciting potential for more. The Android release will be part of AIR 2.5 and grant would-be developers access to your smartphone's camera, microphone, accelerometer and GPS as well as providing hardware GPU acceleration and multitouch input, which could make for some exciting PopCap games completely serious and not at all game related utilities down the road. Don't necessarily expect them to work on every Android phone, however, as there are some prerequisites for AIR, namely an ARMv7 processor or better with a vector co-processor, OpenGL ES 2.0 and Froyo, but Adobe says if your device handles Flash 10.1, it'll probably run AIR.

On a related note, if you weren't yet sold on Google TV, a breath of fresh AIR might help -- Adobe told us it's presently pondering the correct time to add the cross-platform runtimes on Google's video streaming boxes as well.
Adobe AIR 2.5 coming to Android in Q4 2010, but only to capable phones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 19:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Robot sells ice cream, we love him for it
Now, two of our favorite things in the world just so happen to be ice cream and robots. So combining the two could only lead to awesome things, right? Well, that's Yaskawa-kun is: a robot that vends ice cream. And yes, it's super fantastic. Currently working a Tokyo Summerland, Yaskawa-kun has a touchscreen ordering panel, and you can even watch him make your treat for you. While the video below is pretty impressive, this is one thing we just need to see for ourselves.Continue reading Robot sells ice cream, we love him for it
Robot sells ice cream, we love him for it originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceRobonoble  | Email this | Comments
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Sprint Pre Plus hack detailed in step-by-step guide
WebOS device hacking has reach some considerable heights recently with a mod to bring WiFi to a Sprint Palm Pixi, but it looks like even that's now been topped by this hack that finally brings the Pre Plus to Sprint. As you can probably guess, that involves a Sprint Palm Pre, a Pre Plus (from either AT&T or Verizon), a slew of software tweaking, and plenty of tricky hardware modding to get the Sprint Pre coms board into the Pre Plus. Will it actually work? We can't say we've gone so far as to try the mod ourselves, but PreCentral forum member livinofframen says his modded phone behaves perfectly, right down to the stock Sprint applications. Hit up the link below for the complete details to try it yourself -- at your own risk, of course.

[Thanks, Ken M.]
Sprint Pre Plus hack detailed in step-by-step guide originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePreCentral Forums  | Email this | Comments
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Flobi robot head realistic enough to convey emotions, not realistic enough to give children nightmares (hopefully)

We've seen our fair share of robots meant to convey emotions, and they somehow never fail to creep us out on some level. At least Flobi, the handiwork of engineers at Bielefeld University in Germany, eschews "realism" for cartoon cuteness. But don't let it fool you, this is a complicated device: about the size of a human head, it features a number of actuators, microscopes, gyroscopes, and cameras, and has the ability to exhibit a wide range of facial expressions by moving its eyes, eyebrows and mouth. The thing can even blush via its cheek-mounted LEDs, and it can either take on the appearance of a male or female with swappable hair and facial features. And the cartoonish quality of the visage is deliberate. According to a paper submitted by the group to the ICRA 2010 conference, the head is "far enough from realistic not to trigger unwanted reactions, but close enough that we can take advantage of familiarity with human faces." Works for us! Video after the break.

[Thanks, Simon]
Continue reading Flobi robot head realistic enough to convey emotions, not realistic enough to give children nightmares (hopefully)
Permalink IEEE Spectrum  |  sourceApplied Informatics  | Email this | Comments
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Pre Plus out of stock online at Verizon and AT&T -- so what does it mean?
We can all agree that some fresh product is desperately overdue out of Sunnyvale, so the eternal optimists in us want to believe that the departure of the Pre Plus from Verizon's and AT&T's warehouses right now means that we can expect new goodies soon. Of course, it's entirely possible that the two carriers just happened to run out of phones at the same time and that fresh batches are on their way, so it's too early to say these phones are out for the count; then again, when you consider that Sprint somehow still sells the Centro, anything's possible. For what it's worth, both carriers' stores are still stocking the phones, so if you absolutely must have a Pre Plus right now, you're in luck -- you're just going to have to put on something besides your underwear and leave the house to get it. Sorry!
Pre Plus out of stock online at Verizon and AT&T -- so what does it mean? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PreCentral  |  sourceVerizon, AT&T  | Email this | Comments
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The Engadget Show returns next Friday, August 27th with Samsung CSO Omar Khan, Rock Band 3, and much more!
Because August is just that awesome, the Engadget Show is back in a big way next Friday, August 27th at 8pm! You've read it right, we're talking about double Engadget Show! Thrill as Josh sits down with Samsung Chief Strategy Officer Omar Khan to chat up the company's recent Android sprint, chill as Engadget investigative correspondent Rick Karr scales a skyscraper to check up on an AT&T team tasked with improving New York's data infrastructure, groove as the Show welcomes Harmonix's Rock Band 3 team for an exclusive live demo, bask in the infinite wisdom of the round table with Josh, Paul, and a special guest, and rock out to mind numbing chiptunes music in an encore performance from Zen Albatross with visuals from invaderbacca! As usual, we'll be doing tons of giveaways at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream at right here on Engadget.

The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's all the info you need:
  • There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
  • The event is all ages
  • Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 5:30PM on Friday, doors will open for seating at 7:30PM, and the show begins at 8PM
  • You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
  • Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full
  • The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break)
  • The show length is around an hour
If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Subscribe to the Show:

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[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. Continue reading The Engadget Show returns next Friday, August 27th with Samsung CSO Omar Khan, Rock Band 3, and much more!
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HTC Droid Incredible finally returns to stock, not a moment too soon
If the rumors of an August 18th Android 2.2 update prove true, we'd say Verizon Wireless couldn't have picked a better time to get HTC's Droid Incredible back in stock. 'Course, we suspect you'll think differently if you've been waiting for your backorder to clear over the past few weeks, but we digress. As of this moment in time, the handset -- which has been tough to get thanks to AMOLED shortages -- is in stock and shipping as early as today, with an unchanged $199.99-on-contract price tag. Better hurry if you're looking to buy -- who knows when those panels will hit yet another production snag.
HTC Droid Incredible finally returns to stock, not a moment too soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Brighthand  |  sourceVerizon Wireless  | Email this | Comments
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Flash Player 10.1 goes final for Nexus One handsets, available to download now
Google just confirmed it at an Android / Flash event in San Francisco, and sure enough, our trusty Nexus One just found, downloaded and installed the final (read: non-beta) version of Adobe's Flash Player 10.1. It weighs in at just under 5MB, and it's looking as sweet as ever so far. Nexus One owners can hit up the Android Market to get their download on, and we'd highly encourage you to bookmark a few dozen Flash sites just to rub in the faces of your dearest iDevice-owning friends. Just sayin'.
Flash Player 10.1 goes final for Nexus One handsets, available to download now originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GPUs democratize brute force password hacking
It seems that the availability of increasingly powerful GPUs, when combined with brute-force password cracking tools, is making it increasingly easy to crack passwords -- even if they're extremely well thought out, with symbols and quirky capitalization and all that. How short is too short? According to computer scientists at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, "a seven-character password is hopelessly inadequate, and as GPU power continues to go up every year, the threat will increase." A better alternative, he suggested, would be a 12-character combination of upper and lower case letters, symbols and digits. Of course, processors are only getting more powerful and hardware less expensive -- soon even seven-plus character passwords may become the digital equivalent of unlocked doors. And if that weren't bad enough, a recent study by an Internet security company called BitDefender has determined that some 250,000 user names, email addresses, and passwords used for social networking sites are freely available online -- and seventy-five percent of these folks use the same password for their email and social networking. So, when dreaming up fancy new twelve character passwords, make sure you're creating unique passwords for all your various accounts. It would be a shame if your Starsky & Hutch FanFicForum account left you vulnerable to identity theft.
GPUs democratize brute force password hacking originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Register  |  sourceBBC News, Security Week  | Email this | Comments
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Man attempts to turn MacBook Air into keyboard PC
The attempted revival of keyboard PCs may not have exactly caught on in a big way, but it looks like modder Bart Reardon is certainly a fan -- so much so that he ripped apart a perfectly functional MacBook Air in an attempt to make his own. While he's not quite finished yet, he has managed to get all the main components to fit under an Apple keyboard and Magic Trackpad, and he's apparently almost ready to replace all the tape holding it together with something more permanent. Hit up the source link below for a look at the complete build process.
Man attempts to turn MacBook Air into keyboard PC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacStories, Engadget Spanish  |  sourceMacBook Air Project  | Email this | Comments
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Modu W (a.k.a. T-Phone) scores FCC approval
Modu's tiny, Android-based T-Phone still hasn't made much of a public showing outside of a rare in the wild appearance last month, but it has now finally turned up at the FCC, which hopefully means its getting closer to a release. Judging from the manual that the FCC has kindly provided, it looks like the phone is now called the Modu W, but complete specs are otherwise still a bit hard to come by. It is presumably still hanging onto its title of the world's lightest touchscreen phone, however, and there's still a curious lack of any mention of 3G capabilities -- previous reports have suggested data use would be WiFi-only. Here's hoping that's not the case, but it looks like we're going to have to wait for Modu to get official with this thing to know for sure.
Modu W (a.k.a. T-Phone) scores FCC approval originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments
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Toshiba's dual-screen Libretto W100 laptop on sale in America for $1,100
Terrific news, laptop shoppers. Toshiba's concept-turned-commercial Libretto W100 is now on sale in the US of A, but there's no telling how long it'll remain in stock. We heard from the get-go that this dual-screen wonder would only be a limited run, and just a week after going on sale in Japan, the W105-L251 is getting prepped right now for a shipping label with your address on it. $1,099.99 buys you a Pentium U5400 processor, Windows 7 Home Premium (32-bit), integrated Intel HD graphics, a memory card reader, 2GB of DDR3 memory, a 62GB solid state drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, an inbuilt webcam and an 8-cell battery. Oh, and twin 7-inch WSVGA LCD panels. Toshiba reckons that you'll get yours in "2 to 3 weeks" if you order direct, though Amazon has a pre-sale of its own going for those who like to press their luck.
Gallery: Toshiba Libretto W100 press photos
Continue reading Toshiba's dual-screen Libretto W100 laptop on sale in America for $1,100
Toshiba's dual-screen Libretto W100 laptop on sale in America for $1,100 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceToshiba, Amazon  | Email this | Comments
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Adobe's CEO: 'we've moved on' from Apple's argument, and Flash still rules
You can only humor someone for so long, and it seems as if Adobe is at its breaking point with Apple. Just three months after publishing a new ad campaign that sought to ease the tension between the two mega-corps, Adobe's CEO has been quoted as saying that his company has "moved on" from the whole ordeal. On one hand, we're glad to see Adobe focusing its resources on optimizing Flash for the myriad Android 2.2 devices that'll support its mobile player in the months to come, but on the other, it's a bit depressing to see Shantanu Narayen essentially give up hope that Jobs and Company will ever come to their senses. For example, have a listen at this, with "they" most certainly referring to Apple:
"They've chosen to keep their system closed and we'd rather work with partners who are interested in working with us. We believe in open systems. We believe in the power of the internet and in customers making choices and I think a lot of the controversy was about their decision at that point. They've made their choice. We've made ours and we've moved on."
Something tells us the FTC won't be so quick to follow suit. Oh, and if you're wondering how Adobe could just turn the other cheek here, the company's Anup Murarka just said at the Flash / Android event ongoing in San Francisco that Adobe has "relationships with 19 of the top 20 mobile manufacturers in the world." One is the loneliest number, or so we hear.
Adobe's CEO: 'we've moved on' from Apple's argument, and Flash still rules originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSlashgear  | Email this | Comments
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New iPhone, iPad model codes set up for iTunes activation bypass -- CDMA versions, maybe?
So BGR's got a tipster lined up with alleged details from within iOS 4 beta firmware that shows a section dedicated to bypassing the usual iTunes activation scheme for three new product codes: iPhone3,2, iPhone 3,3, and iProd 2,1. Actually, these product codes aren't "new," per se; we saw all three of them in the iPad's firmware back in April, but they've yet to make the giant leap to officialdom. What's different here, then? Well, apparently, this activation-bypass scheme has historically had a tendency to show up in Apple's beta firmware right around the time a new iPhone goes into testing -- ostensibly so that field engineers don't need to worry about that rigmarole to do their jobs -- which suggests that these new models are getting ready for action. BGR's source says these will be the CDMA iPhone and the next-gen iPad, though you can't tell that from the product codes alone, and that doesn't explain why we've actually got two new iPhones listed. For what it's worth, the current iPad -- iPad1,1 -- used to go by the moniker iProd1,1 in firmware, so it stands to reason that we really are looking at a new tablet here. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got some Verizon Wireless field tech van recon to do.
Permalink   |  sourceBGR  | Email this | Comments
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Motorola Droid Pro, Droid 2 World Edition, and MZ600 'tablet' leak for Verizon
Hey guess what, Verizon loves Android and Motorola, and the hit-making trio seem to be up to their old tricks with a bevy of new phones spotted by a Boy Genius Report tipster in Verizon Wireless' systems. The serial numbers and hints of product names help flesh out and clarify a rumor Boy Genius was peddling a week ago, with the super specced Droid Pro and what looks to be a secondary version of the Droid 2 "World Edition" apparently slated for those international-friendly GSM+CDMA chipsets (like Verizon's Storm before them), while a third MZ600 "tablet" device is also in the works. Before you get your hopes up, that's probably just VZ's lingo for the slate-style touchphone that was included in BG's earlier rumor, and not some sort of iPad-slaying Android monstrosity. Not that we'd mind being wrong on this front, and there's nothing here to contradict additional rumors we've heard of Android 3.0 tablets being aimed for Q4 on Verizon.
Motorola Droid Pro, Droid 2 World Edition, and MZ600 'tablet' leak for Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBoy Genius Report  | Email this | Comments
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Robotic yellow submarine finds massive river under the sea, tons of other trippy stuff
Researchers at the University of Leeds have employed a robotic yellow submarine to fund and begin documenting a massive river under the sea, known as a submarine channel -- the first ever directly observed. The river is so large that if it were on land, it would be the sixth largest river in the world. The torpedo-shaped autosub itself is a 23-foot long, unmanned craft which can be programmed to stay just safely above the channels where they'd encounter damage. It's equipped with an underwater speed camera which enable the team to observe in detail the flows within the channel. While little is known about what kind of lifeforms may lurk in these waters, the team's research puts science a little closer to understanding these unique rivers, and its full report will be published later this year in Geology.

[Image credit: R. Flood, ]
Permalink Robots.net  |  sourceUniversity of Leeds  | Email this | Comments
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Verizon can almost serve GigE on existing FiOS platform, which means you'll soon be relocating
It's not like we're holding Verizon to its word or anything, but the company purportedly decided to shelve all future FiOS rollout plans back in March. Since then, however, Big Red has been talking up its fiber-based services, leaving us to wonder why it would put a stop to laying more of it. Whatever the case, the company is now gloating about hitting "near Gigabit-per-second" speeds on the existing FiOS GPON platform. For those who aren't as technically savvy, that means that FiOS can essentially saturate your Gigabit Ethernet jack, and if things got much faster, you'd need a port that's not even available on consumer machines to handle the extra data. The nitty-gritty details of the test are just past the break, but the long and short of it is this -- Verizon saw speeds of 925Mbps to a local server and over 800Mbps to a regional speed test server located some 400 miles away. Better still, this black magic was all done with very little magic at all, requiring just minor tweaks to the system in order to uncap all sorts of extra headroom. Meanwhile, your YouTube upload is being capped by Time Warner Cable at a speed too sluggish to mention. Awesome.Continue reading Verizon can almost serve GigE on existing FiOS platform, which means you'll soon be relocating
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Nokia N8 pre-orders go live in the US, $549 for 'end of September' delivery
Itching to get some hands-on time with Symbian^3? Or maybe it's the promise of a 12 megapixel camera that's drawing you? Whatever the case may be, you might be interested to know that Nokia's US outpost is now ready to take your name down for an N8 with availability expected at the "end of September 2010." In the past, Nokia has often bundled goodies like Bluetooth headsets for anyone willing to pre-order well ahead of time, but not so much this time around -- $549 will net you the phone, and that's it. Heck, they're not even throwing in free shipping. Maybe waiting for the actual release isn't that bad of an idea, eh?
Nokia N8 pre-orders go live in the US, $549 for 'end of September' delivery originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNokia USA  | Email this | Comments
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Techknott's Dreamcast Portable inspires musings on art, life, and Bomberman Online
A portable game console mod is like a still life: sure, it's been done before, but it's very satisfying when it's done well. Or, to take the analogy further: where a still life lets the artist arrange the design elements with in a composition any way he wants, the modder works with elements necessary for game play, but is free to arrange them in the manner of his choosing. Our man Techknott, who once thrilled us with his Wireless Visual Interface for the PS3, is back on the scene with the third iteration of his very own Dreamcast Portable -- and it just might be a work of art in its own right. This bad boy features: a PSone LCD display, both a built in VMU and a removable VMU slot, CD drive, SD card slot, A/V out, and original Dreamcast controls -- all in a custom CNC acrylic case. You want one, right? Peep the video after the break to see it in action. And be sure to check back next week, when we'll trace the origin of the Bomblympics back to the worship of Zeus in Ancient Greece.
Continue reading Techknott's Dreamcast Portable inspires musings on art, life, and Bomberman Online
Techknott's Dreamcast Portable inspires musings on art, life, and Bomberman Online originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Technabob  |  sourceBen Heck Forums  | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic intros 42- and 50-inch 3D Viera GT25 plasma sets, its first with 2D-to-3D conversion
If you thought you could crawl in a corner and wait for this 3D onslaught to pass, you may be camped out for some time to come. Panasonic is following up on its CES introductions with a new pair of 3D plasmas for the gaming set, the Viera 3D GT25 range. Said series is debuting with a pair to choose from, the 50-inch TC-P50GT25 and the 42-inch TC-P42G25. The latter is Panny's first-ever 42-inch Full HD 3D plasma, and as you'd expect, both of these guys will require active shutter glasses in order to operate. As for specs? You're looking at a 1080p panel, 600Hz sub-field drive, 24p playback and (a company first) 2D-to-3D conversion that may or may not be the answer to all of life's problems. Or maybe they'll just do what Sony and Samsung have already been doing. The duo should be on retail shelves by the end of this month, with the little guy going for $1,699.95 and the big(ger) guy for $2,099.95.Continue reading Panasonic intros 42- and 50-inch 3D Viera GT25 plasma sets, its first with 2D-to-3D conversion
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