IT-Code-News: IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 03/08/2010

EU Wants All Phones To Use Same Charger...By Next Year
One charger to rule them all? That's the idea, at least. We have heard conversation back-and-forth over this matter for some time now, with certain entities feeling that a single charging standard for all mobile phones would benefit the consumer greatly. Of course, ideas such as these are always easier stated than accomplished, but there's nothing wrong with lofty goals. And as we have seen in the past, the European Commission usually gets what the European Commission wants. Case in point: these guys and girls
Read More ...

Stealth PC Introduces Tiny Core 2 Duo-Based LCP-100 Desktop
We hear about "world's best" in the PC category nearly every week. There's the smallest, quickest, thinnest, thickest, you get the idea. But now Stealth PC what they're calling the world's smallest rugged PC, and we are having a hard time arguing the claim. This pint-sized PC is barely larger than a standard ink pen in length, and at just 1.2lbs., you'd actually have more weight carrying around a MacBook Air. The new LPC-100 is the company's smallest to date, measuring 4.0" x 6.1" x 1.45". It's "about the size
Read More ...

Sprint's HTC EVO 4G To See Android 2.2 This Week
America's "first 4G phone" is about to become America's second official Froyo phone. According to a release published by Sprint, the HTC EVO 4G will be granted official access to Android 2.2 as early as tomorrow, which makes it the first carrier-locked phone in America to get the update that Google has had ready for a month now. We noted back in our Android 2.2 review that this version of Android was the best yet, adding support for Flash in the browser, a Mobile Hotspot option and faster all-around performance.
Read More ...

UAE, Saudi Arabia Look to Ban Some BlackBerry Services
Both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are set to ban some functions of BlackBerry devices used in their countries. At issue is the inability of both countries to easily monitor data traveling via various features on the phone. BlackBerry data, unlike that of most phones, is both encrypts its data and routes it through an overseas data center, in this case, RIM's network center in Canada. The UAE says that because of this, it will block emails, Internet access, and instant messaging to other Blackberry
Read More ...

Samsung Debuts 1080p HMX-E10 Pocket Camcorder
A couple of years ago, the "pocket camcorder" was the new big thing. It seemed like everyone was after a Flip Video camcorder, and Cisco even saw the demand as big enough to purchase Pure Digital Technologies. But now, that seems to be fading. Point and shoot camera sensors have advanced to the point where most can shoot 720p, and soon they'll be shooting 1080p. But that's not stopping Samsung from issuing a new device in the category, and it's definitely one of the nicest that we have seen. The new HMX-E10
Read More ...

LG Debuts Their Own Smartphone Application Store
It's just the thing to do these days, isn't it? If you have a phone, you best have an App Store. It worked for Apple, it worked for Google, and it just might work for LG. Maybe. It's safe to say that most app markets outside of the Apple App Store and Android Market are fairly dead to the outside world, though Palm's WebOS market showed signs of thriving before HP pulled the wind out of Palm's sails (but in turn, saved the company's life). Now, LG is looking to join those other companies, but they're taking
Read More ...

HomePlug AV2 Specifications Promises 5x Speed Increase
In general, we don't complain about upgrades or revisions. In almost every case, moving forward means bettering something for the consumer, and the HomePlug standard is one standard that we absolutely are thrilled to see moving forward. Version 1 never really caught on, largely due to high prices, lackluster reviews and a bunch of other options (Wi-Fi, for example) useful for transferring content. HomePlug has just revealed their AV2 specification, which promises to support "Gigabit-class Powerline Networking"
Read More ...

Signal Attenuation Videos Vanish from Apple's Site
You'll recall that after Apple's iPhone 4 press conference, in which they showed that other phones exhibit the same signal attenuation issues as the iPhone 4 (except that instead of a finger touch, it took a hard grip), Apple posted videos of the other phones on its site. Those videos have disappeared, now, at least from the U.S. site. As first noted by TechCrunch, if you go to Apple's U.S. website and look at the page set up for "Antennagate," you'll see the signal attenuation videos of rivals' phones are gone.
Read More ...

EU Wants All Phones To Use Same Charger...By Next Year

One charger to rule them all? That's the idea, at least. We have heard conversation back-and-forth over this matter for some time now, with certain entities feeling that a single charging standard for all mobile phones would benefit the consumer greatly. Of course, ideas such as these are always easier stated than accomplished, but there's nothing wrong with lofty goals.

And as we have seen in the past, the European Commission usually gets what the European Commission wants. Case in point: these guys and girls felt that Microsoft had a leg-up on the competition in the Browser space, so they required all copies of Windows to include a Browser selection window. And so it was.

Now, the European Commission wants the vast majority of phones sold in their region to use the same universal charger. As early as next year. That's right, next year! The European Commission clearly doesn't have time to waste with spokesman Dennis Abbott saying the following: "It is expected that consumers will be able to use the same, one-size-fits-all charger ... from the beginning of 2011."

According to the entity, having a charger that is universal in design will "make life much simpler for EU consumers," and should produce "very significant environmental benefits by reducing the number of unnecessary chargers and introducing higher energy efficiency standards." Wilder still, it's said that the proposal is even being backed by a number of high-ranking phone makers, including Apple, Nokia, Motorola, RIM, Samsung and LG. Would Apple really support a charging port that's not their Dock Connector? We're doubtful, but we'll see.

Buying a New Gaming PC UK

I'm looking for a Gaming PC (from the UK) to last me the next few years. I have a £3500ish budget, thought about building it myself but I would prefer pre-built with a warranty for 2-3 years. Any suggestions? I've looked @ www.Alienware.co.uk and www.uber-ware.co.uk so far. Quite like the Godlike. Thoughts?

Sprint's HTC EVO 4G To See Android 2.2 This Week

America's "first 4G phone" is about to become America's second official Froyo phone. According to a release published by Sprint, the HTC EVO 4G will be granted official access to Android 2.2 as early as tomorrow, which makes it the first carrier-locked phone in America to get the update that Google has had ready for a month now.

We noted back in our Android 2.2 review that this version of Android was the best yet, adding support for Flash in the browser, a Mobile Hotspot option and faster all-around performance. But as now, the only phone that has been given an official download is the Nexus One, which only a handful of consumers have compared to those "other" Android smartphones such as the DROID, DROID Incredible, EVO 4G, etc.

But the floodgates are about to open. Starting as early as tomorrow, some EVO 4G owners should see a pop-up notifying them that their Android 2.2 update is ready for download, which will definitely give this particular phone a big leg-up over the rival DROID X for the time being. Sprint also says that this update will bring voice dialing over Bluetooth, application storage on external memory, and improved browser performance. The rollout will be phased, so if you don't see a notification right away, expect one sometime in August. Good luck being patient!

Sprint is the first wireless carrier to bring Android 2.2 to customers using the award-winning HTC EVOâ„¢ 4G beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3

Android 2.2 offers HTC EVO 4G feature enhancements including BluetoothÂ® voice dialing, built-in Flash, the ability to store apps to the memory card and much, much more

The award-winning HTC EVO 4G just got that much better. We are excited to announce that beginning the week of Aug. 1; Sprint will begin rolling out the Android 2.2 upgrade to its HTC EVO 4G customers.

Sprint will be the first wireless carrier to bring1 the latest version of Android to its customers. The Android 2.2 software release provides a significant number of feature enhancements, including:
â€¢ Voice Dialing Over Bluetooth.
â€¢ Application Storage on External Memory, giving users more storage room for all their apps.
â€¢ Camera 4-way rotation allows the camera icons to rotate with the camera.
â€¢ Improved Browser Performance including a faster JavaScript engine and Flash 10x Support improving the user's ability to view videos and available content associated with web pages.

"Sprint is thrilled with our customers' response to HTC EVO 4G and the innovative and exciting experience it offers," said Fared Adib, vice president â€“ Product Development for Sprint. "It is exciting for us to lead the industry in bringing the Android 2.2 update to these customers and improve on the amazing experience they receive with America's first 4G capable phone."

Easy Downloading
Sprint will begin sending update notifications to users in waves beginning Tuesday, Aug. 3 and the upgrade should be available for all HTC EVO 4G users by the middle of August.

The notification will let the users know that the update is available and it will provide the simple two-step over-the-air download process.

1. Users will receive a notification that Android 2.2 is available for download.
2. Once the user has downloaded the update, they will be prompted to install the update. The user will be notified that their device will be disabled during the installation process. The phone will be ready to use once the process completes.

For those who just can't wait to get Android 2.2, there will be an easy user initiated option to download the upgrade. Customers can access the software update through their HTC EVO 4G under the Settings Menu System Updates HTC Software Update. This will initiate the three-step process also.

Rave Reviews and Accolades for EVO
Check out what the top tech reviewers are saying about the device.
Walt Mossberg with the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) says:

"The HTC EVO 4G, when used on Sprint's 4G network, offers the highest consistent downstream data speeds I have ever seen on a cellular network. It also has a number of other strong features: a front-facing camera for video chatting, and the ability to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot (for an extra fee of $30 a month) that can simultaneously connect up to eight laptops or other devices to the Internet."

UAE, Saudi Arabia Look to Ban Some BlackBerry Services

Both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are set to ban some functions of BlackBerry devices used in their countries. At issue is the inability of both countries to easily monitor data traveling via various features on the phone.

BlackBerry data, unlike that of most phones, is both encrypts its data and routes it through an overseas data center, in this case, RIM's network center in Canada. The UAE says that because of this, it will block emails, Internet access, and instant messaging to other Blackberry handsets.

Negotiations with the UAE fell apart when the suggestion of a proxy server in the UAE was rejected by RIM. The UAE ban is set to begin in October. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has ordered telecommunications firms to block BlackBerry instant messaging services later this month.

In both cases, the nations said it was necessary for security and anti-terrorism purposes. Additionally, it was said that by failing to resolve the issues, RIM was in non-compliance with local laws.

Recently, India has made similar statements about BlackBerry services, and wants the same sort of proxy server setup that UAE had requested.

Samsung Debuts 1080p HMX-E10 Pocket Camcorder

A couple of years ago, the "pocket camcorder" was the new big thing. It seemed like everyone was after a Flip Video camcorder, and Cisco even saw the demand as big enough to purchase Pure Digital Technologies. But now, that seems to be fading. Point and shoot camera sensors have advanced to the point where most can shoot 720p, and soon they'll be shooting 1080p. But that's not stopping Samsung from issuing a new device in the category, and it's definitely one of the nicest that we have seen.

The new HMX-E10 is a pocket camcorder capable of shooting 1080p Full HD video, complete with a 270-degree swiveling lens, built-in USB port, onscreen â€œuploadâ€ button and a 1/3.2 inch CMOS sensor. There's also a 2.7" wide LCD screen on the rear, with the screen split into two sections when recording.Â The top displays the live view showing what is currently in the frame and the bottom displays a series of touch-screen controls, including record, stop and play.Â The little cam uses a microSD slot to hold your footage, and it will be available this September in irovy/black for $199.99.

Â Samsung Introduces Pocket-Sized, Full-HD Camcorder with Swiveling Lens

HMX-E10 Adds Style and Flexibility to Samsungâ€™s Growing Camcorder Family, Allowing Consumers to Picture Themselves in the Fun

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today added to its point-and-shoot camcorder lineup with the introduction of the innovative HMX-E10. Offering full-HD resolution, the Samsung HMX-E10 is highlighted by a versatile, 270-degree swiveling lens that enhances consumersâ€™ creativity and allows them to add their own unique views to their video by being able to record from just about any angle. The HMX-E10â€™s swiveling lens also brings a new sense of fun to recording video, and gives consumers the ability to step out from behind the camcorder and put themselves in the frame with their friends and family.

â€œSamsung is focused on introducing features to its camcorders which address unmet needs and take the video recording experience to new levels for consumersâ€

Samsung has also strived to simplify the way consumers share content with others through the HMX-E10, with the innovative built-in USB port function. The USB feature enables users to connect the camcorder directly to any computer without added attachments like a USB cable, allowing consumers to share important moments wherever they are. The USB connection can also be used to charge the battery.

â€œSamsung is focused on introducing features to its camcorders which address unmet needs and take the video recording experience to new levels for consumers,â€ said Sangjin Park, President of the Digital Imaging Business, Samsung Electronics. â€œThe HMX-E10 offers the image quality, ultra-compact design and built-in USB technology that consumers expect from this class of camcorder, but goes a step beyond, offering features such as a swiveling lens, versatile LCD screen and a range of smart filters, which give users the ability to do more and express their creativity.â€

Easy Connectivity and Sharing:
Samsung designed the HMX-E10 to help simplify the way consumers share their content with others. The camcorder features a built-in USB connection that gives users the ability to connect the camcorder to any computer without having to worry about always carrying around a separate USB cable. In addition, the HMX-E10 is also loaded with Samsungâ€™s play-edit-sharing program, called intelli-studio. This intuitive program gives users the ability to edit and play their video from any computer without having to install supporting software. This is extremely useful when traveling or when consumers are away from the own personal computers.

An interactive and onscreen â€œuploadâ€ button on the HMX-E10 also makes uploading footage to the Web effortless. When connected to a computer with an internet connection, the one-touch â€œuploadâ€ button links directly to a specified content sharing Web site, such as YouTubeâ„¢, and reduces the number of steps needed to successfully upload and share video.

High-Performance Sensor and Versatile Display:
At the heart of the HMX-E10 is a large, high-performance 1/3.2 inch CMOS sensor that captures impressive 1920x1080 full HD resolution video (30p / H.264) as well as eight mega-pixel digital still images. On the back of the camcorder is a versatile, 2.7-inch wide, touch-screen LCD that is set vertically. When recording video, the HMX-E10â€™s LCD screen is divided into two sections; the top displays the live view showing what is currently in the frame and the bottom displays a series of touch-screen controls, including record, stop and play. Consumers can even rotate the swivel lens to utilize this screen to put themselves in the frame, allowing them to step out from behind the camcorder and become part of the action. When reviewing footage, consumers hold the HMX-E10 horizontally, so that they can leverage the entire display to view their video in widescreen.

Creative Controls:
The HMX-E10 is packed with a full range of fun controls which encourage consumers to get creative with their videos. Consumers can take advantage of several Smart Filters which adjust the HMX-E10 to produce unique lens and color effects. The camcorderâ€™s lens effects include miniature, which produces the tilt and lens shift effect, and vignetting, which produces the lomo effect. Color effects include defog, which mimics the use of a CPL filter, and sketch, which gives video a pencil drawing feel.Â

LG Debuts Their Own Smartphone Application Store

It's just the thing to do these days, isn't it? If you have a phone, you best have an App Store. It worked for Apple, it worked for Google, and it just might work for LG. Maybe. It's safe to say that most app markets outside of the Apple App Store and Android Market are fairly dead to the outside world, though Palm's WebOS market showed signs of thriving before HP pulled the wind out of Palm's sails (but in turn, saved the company's life). Now, LG is looking to join those other companies, but they're taking a slightly different approach for good reason.

Rather than butting heads with Apple or Android in the North American market, LG has just made official their "Application Store," which is available in Beta for 23 countries that include the UK, Italy, Spain and other nations in Europe. Of course, the U.S. is out of that group, but again, the U.S. already has a number of market leaders that LG probably has no interest in battling. The company wants to serve some 33 countries before it's all said and done, and while only a few thousand apps are available to download today, the selection isn't that bad. The SIMS 3 and Asphalt 4 aren't games to sneeze at, and the interesting part is that LG still plans to enable access to the Android Market even on LG Android phones. Probably due to just how limited the Android Market is when surfing overseas.

So, how long before Motorola, Kyocera and Sharp do likewise?

With a new application store, LG opens up to both feature phone and smartphone users

SINGAPORE, July 6, 2010 â€“ LG Electronics (LG) today announced the opening of an all-new LG Application Store, with more than twice as many apps targeting users of both feature phones and smartphones in 33 countries.

Having comprehensively updated its Application Store, LG is now ready to offer customers a wide range of fun and useful apps including exciting games like The SIMS 3, Asphalt 4 and popular applications from SPB Series, for its mid- to high-end feature phones and smartphones. Android applications will be also available at LGâ€™s store later this year.

â€œToday, more and more people want mobile devices that make their lives easier and more exciting through the right combination of applications. To meet this growing demand, weâ€™ve put a great deal of effort into strengthening our application offerings for all types of phone owners,â€ said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. â€œBy studying customer insights and collaborating with top-level companies, LG is working to produce some of the best applications on the market, and a truly singular mobile experience for our customers.â€

Following the revamp, the LG Application Store will offer more than 3,000 applications from its cleanly designed, easy-to-use new site. Approximately half of the applications will be devoted to feature phones, a significant number in a market that has, to date, been overwhelmingly focused on smartphones.

According to research by Strategy Analytics, a market research company, over 90 percent of feature phone owners in the US and UK are interested in downloading and installing applications such as SNS (Social Networking Service), IM (Instant Messenger), VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), and navigation and mapping.[1] Having taken the lead in mid- and high-end feature phones that are adopting many of the trappings of smartphones, LG, through its new, improved Application Store, is offering consumers more ways than ever to use their feature phones in creative and dynamic ways.

Along with a range of applications for Windows OS phones that are already on sale, the new LG Application Store will also extend its line-up of applications for Android-powered smartphones at the end of this year. With demand for Android-powered phones set to surge worldwide, the LG Application Store is well placed to enhance consumerâ€™s mobile experience, offering greater value and genuine benefits to owners of LGâ€™s Android smartphones.

The all new LG Application Store opens today in 23 markets. LG aims to increase the number of applications in the LG Application Store to 4,000 by the end of this year and to expand the service to 33 countries including the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain and Iran. To experience the new LG Singapore Application Store, visit http://www.sg.lgapplication.com.

Stealth PC Introduces Tiny Core 2 Duo-Based LCP-100 Desktop

We hear about "world's best" in the PC category nearly every week. There's the smallest, quickest, thinnest, thickest, you get the idea. But now Stealth PC what they're calling the world's smallest rugged PC, and we are having a hard time arguing the claim. This pint-sized PC is barely larger than a standard ink pen in length, and at just 1.2lbs., you'd actually have more weight carrying around a MacBook Air.

The new LPC-100 is the company's smallest to date, measuring 4.0" x 6.1" x 1.45". It's "about the size of a paperback novel," and has an integrated Core 2 Duo processor as well. The LPC-100 is available with a standard Intel Dual Core Celeron T3100 (1.9GHz) or optional Intel Core 2 Duo processors P8400 (2.26Ghz) or T9400 (2.53Ghz), and there's integrated Intel graphics for handling standard 2D desktop duties. There's also 4GB of DDR3 memory a 2.5" hard drive slot, Ethernet, three USB ports, DVI output, audio in/out and loads more ports -- all the more impressive given the size. This little guy starts at $995, though, so you should probably be ready to pay a steep premium for the size.

Stealth.Com Introduces a New Ultra Compact Mini PC.
Small Enough to Fit in Your Hand Yet Outperforms Most Desktop and Mobile Computers Available Today

Toronto ~ July 2010 - Stealth.com Inc. (Stealth Computer) a leading ISO 9001 manufacturer of industrial rugged computers and peripherals has released a new form factor of mini pc, the model LPC-100 their smallest to date.

The new Stealth ultra small form factor PC offers tremendous processing power in a tiny package that measures only 4.0" x 6.1" x 1.45" (102mm x 155mm x 37mm) or about the size of a paperback novel. The machine weighs in at a mere 1.2lbs or .62kg. The Stealth ultra small PC outperforms most other small sized PC systems due to the integration of the latest IntelÂ® Coreâ„¢ 2 Duo mobile processors. The LPC-100 is available with a standard Intel Dual Core Celeron T3100 (1.9GHz) or optional Intel Core 2 Duo processors P8400 (2.26Ghz) or T9400 (2.53Ghz). Stealth's space saving computer utilizes the Intel Mobile GM45 Express Chipset featuring Intel's graphic media accelerator with superior 3D graphics performance.

"The Stealth Model: LPC-100 offers more processing power per square inch than any of the small form factor computers we have built to date. This full featured machine utilizes the latest Intel core 2 duo mobile processor technology outperforming most of today's desktop and mobile PCs and it does so in a fraction of the space." stated Ed Boutilier, CEO of Stealth.com Inc.

The LPC-100 mini PC features a multitude of I/O connectivity built directly into its impressively small design such as; Gigabit LAN, 3-USB, 2-Serial, 1-DVI-I Video, Audio In/Out and 2-PS/2 ports. The LPC-100 supports up to 4GB of DDR3 memory and has a built-in 2.5" mobile hard drive with up to 500GB's of storage space for archived data. For applications that require extra high shock, vibration and wide temperature ranges an optional SSD (Solid State Hard Drive) is available. Systems are compatible with Microsoft Windows 7/XP, Linux etc and can be custom configured to meet the exact needs of the OEM or end user. Stealth's LittlePC products serve a demanding market where powerful solutions are being deployed in space-challenged applications around the world. Embedded Control, Digital Signs, Kiosks, Mobile Navigation, Thin-Clients, POS & Human/Machine Interface are just a few of the applications that are ideal for Stealth's industry trusted products.

About Stealth
Founded in 1990 Stealth.Com, is a leading manufacturer of specialized Computers and Peripherals. The company is ISO 9001 registered and continually develops innovative products designed to meet the exact needs of their clients. For two decades Stealth has provided thousands of proven reliable product solutions that have assisted clients with a myriad of applications. Our impressive customer base includes a wide range of customers from single man operations to Fortune 500 companies, Military installations and Governments worldwide. www.stealth.com
Â

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RIM's Own "BlackPad" Tablet To Rival iPad In November?

Before, this was all just a far-fetched rumor. Now, the whispers are nearly impossible to shun. RIM, which is known globally for their BlackBerry series of business smartphones, may be getting ready to expand their operations in a big, big way. RIM has really never stepped out from their smartphone ways, with the touchscreen-based Storm and Storm2 being the most unconventional devices the Canadian company has ever produced.

But with Apple producing the iPad and Microsoft announcing that they would pushing tablet PCs hard just as soon as they are ready, RIM is reportedly gearing up to join the masses with a slate of their own. It's not exactly expected; a year ago, who would have ever thought that RIM would be producing their own tablet? But in recent days, the company has not only acquired the domain name rights for www.blackpad.com, but Bloomberg is reporting that a BlackBerry tablet is definitely coming in November based on two trusted sources.

The so-called "BlackPad" will share a similar form factor as the iPad, and it'll cost nearly as much too. It's unclear whether BlackBerry OS 6.0 will be the operating system of choice, but we can't imagine RIM building their own tablet only to load it with Windows 7 or Android. So, we'll soon have a BlackBerry tablet, a load of Windows tablets, a bunch of Android tablets, and an iPad to choose from? If only that WebOS-powered Slate would ship, we'd be in tablet-selection-heaven.

Free StarCraft II (and other Blizzard-related) Scams
If you every played Runes of Magic, you may be seeing this scam hit your maibox. The message starts out like this:

Hello, thank you for shopping at the Blizzard Store!

StarCraft II®: Wings of Liberty™: 2587240677139058654766988

To use this key to activate the game, simply follow these instructions:

Create a Battle.net account (or if you already have one, log in) at [link omitted].
...

No, someone didn't send you a gift. These are scammers trying to steal your Battle.net account. The URL I omitted above points to an address that would make the uninitiated think it was a blizzard site, but actually points to:

Domain Name: CODEREDEMPTION.NET
   Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
   Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
   Name Server: NS3.DNS-CHINA.COM
   Name Server: NS4.DNS-CHINA.COM
   Status: clientTransferProhibited
   Updated Date: 01-aug-2010
   Creation Date: 01-aug-2010
   Expiration Date: 01-aug-2011

Chinese scammers.
I've been seeing a lot of scams like this in recent weeks - most others targetting WoW players, all coming in to an e-mail address that I *only* used when creating my Runes of Magic account.
Since I own my own domain, I create a separate e-mail forwarder for every site I register with (i.e., I have over 200 e-mail addresses. ). This makes it very clear to me when there is a leak of their database and I can just shut down the one forwarder and update that one account.
So, if you get anything supposedly from Blizzard check the URL twice and don't login to any of the links with your actual Battlenet info.

Got A Sony VAIO Laptop Or Computer? Read This!
I was reading some recent issues of Consumer Reports Magazine and I ran across some articles concerning Sony VAIO laptops. Over 200,000 Sony VAIO laptops of the VPCF11 and VPCCW2 series which were purchased from Best Buy, Costco, Fry's, Amazon.com, Sony Style stores, and other stores nationwide are prone to overheating (causing damage to the device and posing a burn hazard). These machines cost between $800 and $1500 and shipped between January and April 2010. If you have one of these ticking timebombs go HERE and be sure to update your laptop's BIOS firmware.

A few months ago Sony also announced a recall on VAIO computer AC adapters. Approximately 69,000 VGP-AC19V17 adapters may have failing insulation inside and might just deliver to you the shock of your life! These were made from September 2005 through October 2009 and were also sold with docking stations and all-in-one computers. Go HERE if you have one of these gems!

HomePlug AV2 Specifications Promises 5x Speed Increase

In general, we don't complain about upgrades or revisions. In almost every case, moving forward means bettering something for the consumer, and the HomePlug standard is one standard that we absolutely are thrilled to see moving forward. Version 1 never really caught on, largely due to high prices, lackluster reviews and a bunch of other options (Wi-Fi, for example) useful for transferring content.

HomePlug has just revealed their AV2 specification, which promises to support "Gigabit-class Powerline Networking" while greatly boosting the speed at which transmissions take place. The HomePlug Powerline Alliance seems rather proud about the new spec, which will be fully interoperable with current HomePlug AV and future HomePlug Green PHY and IEEE 1901 products.

The key spec updates are listed below, but the big one is here: it's expected to deliver a 5x increase in performance over current HomePlug AV solutions at the application layer to offer significant improvements in whole home coverage to guarantee reliable delivery of throughput intensive applications such as multiple streams of 1080p HD video (and emerging 3D and 4K HD) broadband Internet, Internet gaming and security camera video over existing electrical wiring.

We won't see the spec fully finalized until Q1 2011, with devices to pop up shortly thereafter, but at least we know things are well on their way.

"Powerline networking between modems and set-top boxes is being used today by many broadband service providers to reduce capital expenses and support costs associated with delivering new triple play and IPTV services,â€ said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "More than 50 operator/service providers have deployed HomePlug AV powerline networking solutions as a means to expand services. These providersÂ require a migration path to a much higher performance powerline technology to meet future bandwidth demands while maintainingÂ interoperability with theirÂ current HomePlug AV installations and future IEEE1901 products."

Major powerline enhancements the TWG selected for inclusion in the developing HomePlug AV2 specification include:
Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â MIMO (Multiple-Inputs Multiple-Outputs) offers significant increases in link throughput and range without requiring additional spectrum or transmit power. MIMO allows the data signal to propagate from multiple outputs to multiple inputs implementing advanced transmission coding schemes which will increase capacity and enable more reliable and expanded home coverage. This is similar to the 802.11n and 802.16e which use MIMO solutions with wireless products to extend performance.
Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â Increased MAC (Medium Access Control) efficiencies that lower overhead and expand throughput
Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â Increased operating spectrum: the specification will expand operations into an additional spectrum, up to an order of magnitude beyond current powerline technology. This increased bandwidth will further improve performance.
Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â Extending coverage via repeating and routing technology in networks of three or more nodes

Signal Attenuation Videos Vanish from Apple's Site

You'll recall that after Apple's iPhone 4 press conference, in which they showed that other phones exhibit the same signal attenuation issues as the iPhone 4 (except that instead of a finger touch, it took a hard grip), Apple posted videos of the other phones on its site. Those videos have disappeared, now, at least from the U.S. site.

As first noted by TechCrunch, if you go to Apple's U.S. website and look at the page set up for "Antennagate," you'll see the signal attenuation videos of rivals' phones are gone. The same is true of Apple's Asian site. However, if you go to the Canadian site, at least at the time of this writing, the videos are still there.

If the videos were gone from all the sites, one might assume it was because of some pressure exerted by other manufacturers. Perhaps that legal pressure only works in the U.S. and Asia. Or perhaps the Canadian webmaster is just a little slow.

At any rate, the videos can still be found on Apple's YouTube channel. Even there, however, they are no longer featured. You have to dig for them.

Verizon's LTE Roadmap Leaked?

Verizon's LTE rollout seems to be proceeding faster than expected, based on leaked roadmap documents. LTE will be the basis of Verizon's 4G network, and will compete with Sprint, which has had 4G all to itself (via WiMax) until now.

Sprint, however, hasn't been able to take advantage of its lead in 4G, as its only 4G handset, the Evo 4G, has been back-ordered for much of its life.

According to the report, Verizon hopes to cover a large amount of the U.S. population with LTE by the end of 2010, around 120 million. Note that the number is pure population coverage, and not subscriber coverage. Those covered will include areas such as Atlanta, GA and Athens, GA, as well as Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth and Weatherford, TX.

Meanwhile, in 2011, Verizon hopes to cover all universities and colleges, certainly a tall order. Cities in Alabama and Louisiana will go live, as well as new markets.

In 2012, Verizon hopes to cover major highways and interstates. All cities within an approximate radius of 30 miles from the interstate / highway system will receive 4G.

By 2013, Verizon's entire 3G network as it exists today is expected to be completely covered by LTE service.

Of course, as Sprint can readily tell Verizon, none of this matters without devices to access the 4G network. Those will first appear in November, with data cards showing up. Handsets will begin to appear (or at least, be announced) in January of 2011 (and if the forecasts of a Verizon iPhone are true, one must wonder if that will be one of them).

With all the talk of capped data plans coming to Verizon, that question has to be asked. Reportedly, 3G will continue to be unlimited. 3G/4G will be combined on one plan, with 3G unlimited, and 4G capped. It's unclear as yet what the caps will be, but the source seemed to indicate that 5GB might be a good guess.

Naturally, this is all rumor until Verizon issues a press release. For now, the most interesting confirmed report from Verizon is the Droid will be getting Froyo next week.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

IT News HeadLines (HotHardware) 03/08/2010

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