Sunday, September 19, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 18/09/2010



Franklin AnyBook brings timeshifting to the voice recorder world, thinks of the children
Hello there, Franklin -- sort of forgot you existed in the consumer electronics realm. Our bad. But being frank, we're pretty stoked about your newest educational tool, and we get the feeling that parents everywhere will be as well. The AnyBook digital pen is a voice recorder at heart, but it's actually far more unique underneath. Put simply (or as simply as possible), parents can record their own voices as they read aloud the favorite books of their offspring, placing a special sticker on each page as a marker and denoting page turns by pressing a button on the pen. Then, if the child(ren) wish to hear mum or dad read the text aloud in the future (say, while at daycare), they simply tap the pen to the aforementioned stickers and a familiar voice comes belting through. Think of it as comfort food for your tyke, but in aural form. The October-bound AnyBook will ship in two flavors: the DRP-3000 holds up to 15 hours of voice for $39.99, while the DRP-4000 holds 60 hours of soothing, loving words for $59.99. Touches your heart, doesn't it?
Continue reading Franklin AnyBook brings timeshifting to the voice recorder world, thinks of the children
Permalink I4U News  |  sourceFranklin  | Email this | Comments
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Memorex intros Mirror for Photos external HDD, dares you to skip a backup
Taking a note from Clickfree, are we Memorex? The company that continually attempts to blow everyone away is back with its latest gust, Mirror for Photos. It's an odd name for an external hard drive, particularly when you realize that it functions nothing like bona fide photo backup drives that are designed to tether to your DSLR. At any rate, this here drive ships with software (PC and Mac compatible, in case you're curious) that instructs the HDD to backup to a host machine as soon as it's plugged in. Sounds great in theory, but we've always found it superbly annoying to try and halt those automated processes when you're just trying to drag and drop a critical meeting file while darting out the door. The unit itself measures in at 3- x 5- x 0.5-inches and gets all the power it needs from a USB connection; it's on sale today at Toys R Us (yeah, seriously) for $79.99 (320GB) / $99.99 (500GB) / $119.99 (640GB).Continue reading Memorex intros Mirror for Photos external HDD, dares you to skip a backup
Memorex intros Mirror for Photos external HDD, dares you to skip a backup originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMemorex  | Email this | Comments
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Google Voice apps returning to iPhone app store
It's been a long time coming -- now native Google Voice apps have finally returned to the iTunes App Store. This, after a fourteen month hiatus in which we saw an FCC investigation into the matter that culminated in a loosening of App Store restrictions. So far, we're only seeing the $3 GV Connect app in the store with GV Mobile + coming sometime Saturday morning according to its developer, Sean Kovacs. No word on when the official Google Voice iPhone app will make its appearance, but surely it can't be long -- Phil must have had a chance to study the app he personally rejected didn't approve by now, right?
Google Voice apps returning to iPhone app store originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 06:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTechnologizer, Sean Kovacs (Twitter)  | Email this | Comments
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Mimoco bumps out yet another Hello Kitty flash drive to celebrate Sanrio's 50th anniversary
It's no secret that we're very fond of Hello Kitty gadgets -- just like pretty much everyone else on the planet. And Sanrio's lucrative partnership with Mimoco has spun the famous cat's rep into... more awesome flash drives. It seems like Sanrio is always celebrating some kind of birthday, and for the company's 50th anniversary they've busted out more than their fair share of gear. This time, it's a "classic" Hello Kitty flash drive that comes in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities. We're kind of in love with Kitty's elongated face on this model, so if you so choose, you can grab one of these up for a starting price of $34.95.
Permalink   |  sourceMimoco  | Email this | Comments
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TomTom Go Live 1000 plus future Magellan units hit FCC
Surprise surprise, the Webkit interface-packing TomTom Go Live 1000 just hit European shelves earlier this month and now it's popped up at the FCC complete with a user manual and a posse of mysterious brethren dubbed the GO 1000, GO 7100 and GO LIVE 9100. Clearly the lack of Live in two of the titles implies they won't feature TomTom's real-time traffic updates, but it's still unclear how any will compare to the Go Live 1000's 4.3-inch capacitive touch screen and 500MHz ARM11 processor hardware-- which we experienced mixed results using during our early hands on with a prototype. Two new Magellan models listed as the RoadMate 9020 and 9055 also have surfaced with very few details, however considering their high model numbers we're guessing they'll be top of the line devices. Looking at the ruler in the included 9055 photos does roughly hint it has a 5-inch screen though -- exciting, we know. There's also no mention in any of the documentation about new systems to prevent dumb couples from off-roading in the Oregon wilderness. So much for safety in new technology eh?
TomTom Go Live 1000 plus future Magellan units hit FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 01:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceFCC Go Live 1000, FCC Magellan 9020 / 9055  | Email this | Comments
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Ocosmos unveils crazy OCS-9 tablet with Oak Trail CPU, stylus stand and removable keyboard (update: close up pics!)
Before IDF 2010, you'd likely never heard of a South Korean electronics company called Ocosmos. Now, their crazy concepts are bursting out of the woodwork. This OCS-9 tablet above not only boasts an Oak Trail processor and 9-inch, 1024 x 768 capacitive touchscreen, but also a removable stylus that slots into a hole into the back to stand the tablet up in either portrait or landscape modes and -- get this -- a slide-out, removable touchscreen QWERTY keypad with two OMOS Keys on either side. There's a 3 megapixel webcam on the front and Windows 7 will reportedly run inside, and the whole thing slots into a TV dock with a host of video ports to let you watch video when sitting down. No word on battery life or performance quite yet, as the tablet's most definitely an early prototype, but the company's shooting for a working version by CES and a release in Q2 2011, for a $500 estimated price. Here's hoping these dreams come true, because as far as concepts go, we likey.

Update: Now with close-up pics of that removable keypad, stylus stand and more, plus a few shots of another potential look for the OCS-1. These folks never stop prototyping! By the by, we're told the OCS-9 tablet has pretty much the same hardware inside, including GMA 600 graphics and 802.11 b/g WiFi.
Gallery: Ocosmos OCS-9 tablet, eyes on
Gallery: Ocosmos OCS-9, close-ups
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How would you change Pixel Qi's 3Qi display?
Yeah, Pixel Qi's 3Qi display is a wee bit more niche than your average superphone, but we just know a handful of you DIYers out there took the plunge on this one. Mary Lou Jepsen's pride and joy went on sale back in July, offering crafty modders the chance to swap their lackluster netbook panel for an E Ink slayer. We were personally thrilled with the results, but we still saw a few things that could've been ironed out given the time, money and technical insight. If you've also taken the leap, we're oh-so-curious to know how you would redesign the dual-mode 3Qi. Make it sharper? A higher resolution? A different size? Something else entirely? No walls allowed here -- get creative down in comments below.
How would you change Pixel Qi's 3Qi display? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks?
Apple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks?Apple has been doing what it can to bring publications of a more periodical nature to the iPad and other iDevices, but hasn't exactly offered a stunning portfolio of papers and such. That's set to change according to a Bloomberg report citing the ever popular people "familiar with the matter," indicating that Apple is currently building partnerships with various parties to develop pricing strategies to bring that content to consumers. This will supposedly be presented through a new storefront especially dedicated to periodical content, which could be launching as soon as a few months from now -- though there is also speculation that Apple will sit on it until the launch of a next-gen iPad. There are a number of roadblocks, including an apparent resistance from Apple to release the specific sales metrics that publishers want to tailor their content. Oh, and there's the traditional 30 percent cut of revenue rubbing some the wrong way. Will Apple succeed in bringing all these pubs together? It's certainly succeeded at herding the music industry...
Apple developing iNewsstand to support iBooks? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Daring Fireball  |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments
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The Engadget Podcast, live at 8:30PM EST!
In a fitting end to a wild week, we're running a bit late on the podcast. Wait, did we say late? We mean right on time, just like usual! Check out the stream and the chat below the fold.

P.S. And don't forget that Ustream has Android and iPhone clients as well, if you're out and about and you can't join in on the Flash-based fun below.

Update: And we're done! Don't worry if you missed it, the regular podcast post will be up tomorrow.
The Engadget Podcast, live at 8:30PM EST! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Kinect sales will 'Blow away' those of the iPad -- at least that's what Microsoft's Kudo Tsunoda thinks
Kinect sales will 'Blow away' those of the iPad -- at least that's what Microsoft's Kudo Tsunoda thinks
Microsoft Game Studios manager Kudo Tsunoda is usually known for his controversial choice of eyeware, but now it's what he's saying rather than wearing that is mixing things up. Kudo is so confident of his baby, the Kinect, that he thinks it will be the hot property this holiday season. He said this in an interview with Gamasutra:
The preorders have been really strong. As far as what we're looking at for Holiday, this is going to be stuff that'll blow away any of the sales you've seen with iPad... The Xbox 360 is already selling better than the Wii and Sony right now. Kinect's really just going to boost that to a whole new level.
For what it's worth we haven't been blown away by any of the launch titles for the thing, so we're not quite so confident of its impending breakout success. However, the Wii has certainly shown that people are willing to make frivolous gaming hardware purchases even when the software isn't there to back it up. We'll soon see if that mentality extends to pricey accessories, too.
Permalink TG Daily  |  sourceGamasutra  | Email this | Comments
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CTL 2goPad SL10 Windows 7 tablet available to pre-order for $499
That's right, folks: you've been looking around, dying for a Windows 7 slate to throw down your money on... so here you go. The CTL 2goPad SL10 (which we first spotted at Computex) features a capacitive touchscreen, an Intel Atom N450 CPU, a 250GB hard drive, and 2GB of RAM. Of course the tablet also fully supports both HTML 5 and Flash, and has a 1.3 megapixel webcam to boot. The 2goPad SL10 is available to pre-order now at $499, and orders are expected to begin shipping on October 15th.
CTL 2goPad SL10 Windows 7 tablet available to pre-order for $499 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  source2go PC  | Email this | Comments
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Parallels' Windows virtualization goes mobile with iOS app
There's already a number of options available to virtually run Windows applications on your iPhone or iPad (even ESPN is doing it), but users of the recently released Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac now have what looks to be a particularly seamless option at their disposal. That comes in the form of Parallels Mobile, which will work on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and will let you access any virtual Windows machine running on a Mac that's using Parallels Desktop 6. Head on past the break to check it out in action, and go grab the app in the App Store right now -- it's free, but you'll have to shell out $80 for its desktop counterpart.

[Thanks, Xon]Continue reading Parallels' Windows virtualization goes mobile with iOS app
Parallels' Windows virtualization goes mobile with iOS app originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceiTunes Preview  | Email this | Comments
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iPad has halved laptop sales, claims Best Buy CEO (update: he meant netbooks)
Well, the iPad is about one half of a laptop -- both in its form and functionality -- so it makes perfect sense that it'd chop laptop sales by 50 percent. We might be pulling your leg, but Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn isn't. The dude in charge of the yellow label empire has told the Wall Street Journal that his company's internal estimates indicate the iPad has eaten up as much as half of laptop PC market demand. In response to this perceived trend toward more portable gadgets, Brian's outfit is rearranging its inventory to include more e-readers, tablets and smartphones for this holiday season, while slimming down its selection of desktops and HDTVs. Moreover, new demo zones will be set up in-store to allow people to experience the wonders of Microsoft's Kinect and Sony's Move motion-controlled gaming solutions. So it looks like the future's coming, whether we like it or not.

Update: It did seem weird to us that the mighty laptop would be that vulnerable to the iPad, and sure enough, our queries with Best Buy were met by the following response:
"The paraphrase that was used in the WSJ wasn't really an accurate reflection of what Brian said to the reporter.

What Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn said was that we had no firm numbers, but that we speculated there was some replacement of netbooks by iPads going on. We did not provide specifics because we do not presently have the hard numbers on which to base those specifics."
So, Brian was not only talking about netbooks, but his words were exaggerated too. Phew, and we were just about to start selling our shares in Dell and HP. You can find his full clarification on this issue after the break.Continue reading iPad has halved laptop sales, claims Best Buy CEO (update: he meant netbooks)
iPad has halved laptop sales, claims Best Buy CEO (update: he meant netbooks) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Digital Trends  |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments
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Sky 3D enlists Stephen Fry to explain the technology ahead of its October 1 launch (video)
With the official launch of Sky 3D to UK home viewers just days away, the broadcaster's bringing in the big guns. Sure, we've tried explaining the latest in 3D technology ourselves, but it requires a special touch to claim to have invented 3D and still come off as infallibly polite at the same time. For that, you need a professional, and who better than Stephen Fry? If you weren't first in line at the shoppes to buy a 3DTV this video probably won't turn you into a believer right away -- checking in to your local pub for a pint and a Premier League game is a more effective route -- but it's an entertaining preview all the same. The video is embedded after the break and in case this alarm clock showing up on the site, twice, wasn't enough of a clue, we'll feature nearly anything with Stephen Fry involved, especially when he kicks it off by saying "Hello, Engadget."Continue reading Sky 3D enlists Stephen Fry to explain the technology ahead of its October 1 launch (video)
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Nokia's Plug and Touch turns your HDTV into a giant N8 (video)
What do you get when you combine the N8's HDMI output, its 12 megapixel camera, and your trusty old TV set? As Anssi Vanjoki might say, you get a big new smartphone. Nokia's research labs have thrown up a neat little "prototype" app called Plug and Touch, which enhances the N8's already famed HDTV friendliness with the ability to recognize touch input. This is done by positioning your aluminum-clad Nokia about five feet away from the display and letting its camera pick up your hand's gestures and touches, essentially resulting in a massively enlarged Symbian^3 handset device. Naturally, it's not terribly precise at this stage and there are no plans for an actual release, but it sure is a tantalizing glimpse of what may be coming down the pipe. Video after the break.Continue reading Nokia's Plug and Touch turns your HDTV into a giant N8 (video)
Nokia's Plug and Touch turns your HDTV into a giant N8 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget German, Electronista  |  sourceMyNokiaBlog, CesarDergarabedian (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments
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Samsung's DI07 update for Epic 4G adds Media Hub, but does it fix other issues?
The Samsung Epic 4G has a new software update available that takes the device from version DG27 (spotted in the build number and baseband version) to DI07. Since it launched on Sprint at the end of last month, users have complained about various issues from inaccurate GPS results (despite functional results in our testing with apps like Google Maps and Foursquare, obtaining a precise location from satellites only is still iffy at best and too often requires a reboot), 3G upload speeds that appear to be capped at 150kbps, poor signal reception and more and are likely waiting to see if those have been addressed. So far, the update details (included after the break) indicate that isn't the case. Getting the update is a matter of luck for now with the servers initially in push mode but when it hits users should have access to the just-launched Media Hub app as well as optimizations for battery power in hotspot mode, performance tweaks and several fixes including one for recognizing 32 GB micro SD cards. Our Epic 4G isn't rocking any new patches no matter how many times we hit Update Android; if you get the update, let us know if you notice any other changes.

Update: A few commenters have linked up the zip file for your manual upgrading pleasure. We were able to update using the process and haven't experienced any glitches or instantaneous combustion as a result, though we are feeling even more attractive and intelligent than usual. A demonstration video from AndroidCentral is embedded after the break if you're still curious.Continue reading Samsung's DI07 update for Epic 4G adds Media Hub, but does it fix other issues?
Samsung's DI07 update for Epic 4G adds Media Hub, but does it fix other issues? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSamsung  | Email this | Comments
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Mophie Juice Pack family portrait: Powerstation, Reserve, Boost, and Air for iPhone 4
Mophie's had quite a few product announcements recently, from an iPhone 4 case / battery pack to a credit card solution with intuit. Hot on the heels of this week's Juice Pack Powerstation unveil, the company stopped by to give us a glimpse of their revised lineup. In addition to all the aforementioned, we also got to check out the Reserve and Boost that formally debuted back in June. We didn't get enough time to really put 'em through their battery charging paces, but we did get pictures -- hey, you're welcome.
Gallery: Mophie Juice Pack family portrait: Powerstation, Reserve, and Boost
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BleckBarry raises the bar for KIRFs, casually crawls under it
BleckBarry! This is the handset that puts the "phone" in smartphone but, sadly, leaves out the "smart." Featuring a 2-inch display, Bluetooth, a whopping 506KB internal memory, FM and TV (with antenna!), and all the dual SIM action your heart can take, this $62 wonder does one thing well: it makes the BlockBerry look great in comparison.
BleckBarry raises the bar for KIRFs, casually crawls under it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CrackBerry  |  sourceDealExtreme  | Email this | Comments
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Skyhook: Google forced Motorola to drop our location service, delay the Droid X
We figured Skyhook's business interference and patent infringement lawsuits against Google would turn up some dirt, and we didn't have long to wait: the location-services company's complaint flatly alleges that Google's Andy Rubin ordered Motorola's Sanjay Jha to "stop ship" on the Droid X because it used Skyhook's XPS positioning system instead of Google Location Services, a tiff that ultimately delayed the phone's release while Moto reworked the software and dropped Skyhook entirely. Following that, Skyhook claims that Google then went after an unidentified "Company X" (likely Samsung) and forced it to drop XPS as well -- which would certainly explain why Samsung's Galaxy S phones have WiFi positioning turned off by default, unlike every other Android phone. Ouch.

If you're thinking that makes no sense because Android is "open," well, you might have another think coming -- Skyhook claims that Google's decisions to allow access to Android Market and its branded apps are an entirely subjective ruse based on something called the Compliance Definition Document, which can be "arbitrarily" interpreted any way Google wants with no recourse. Skyhook says that Google has now told Android OEMs that they're required to use Google Location Services, preventing Skyhook from fulfilling its contracts and costing the company millions in expected royalties.

Now, this is Skyhook's side of the story and we're sure Google will make a persuasive argument of its own, but let's just back up for a moment here and point out the obvious: Google's never, ever come out and clearly said what's required for devices to gain access to Android Market and the branded apps like Gmail -- even though we've been directly asking about those requirements since Android first launched. Remember when Andy Rubin told us that there would be full-fledged "Google Experience" phones with no carrier or handset manufacturer limitations? Or when we were told that phones with skins like HTC Sense or additional features like Exchange integration wouldn't have Google branding? And then all of that turned out to be a lie? Yes, Android might be "open" in the sense that the source code is available, but there's no doubt Google's wielded incredible power over the platform by restricting access to Market and its own apps -- power that hasn't been used to prevent carrier-mandated bloatware or poorly-done manufacturer skinning, but has instead apparently been used to block legitimate competitors like Skyhook from doing business. We're dying to hear Google's side of this story and fill in some of the gaps -- and you can bet we're digging as hard as we can for more info. Stay tuned, kids.
Skyhook: Google forced Motorola to drop our location service, delay the Droid X originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Daring Fireball  |  sourceSkyhook Complaint (PDF)  | Email this | Comments
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