Sunday, September 26, 2010

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 25/09/2010



Yale introduces Zigbee and Z-Wave remote lockable deadbolts
Yale remote control deadbolts
No, these aren't the first deadbolts available that can be integrated with your security system or home automation, but unlike some others, they don't require a subscription either. Yale was demoing two models at the Control4's CEDIA booth including one with a capacity touch screens. Using either Zigbee or Z-Wave the locks can communicate with Control4 and thanks to the internal replaceable batteries can remotely lock and unlock your doors. In addition you can quickly see if you've secured your abode without the need to check it one last time before you go to bed. Both models will start shipping next spring with the touch screen version going for an extra benjamin over the $299 one with regular buttons.
Continue reading Yale introduces Zigbee and Z-Wave remote lockable deadbolts
Yale introduces Zigbee and Z-Wave remote lockable deadbolts originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 08:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple granted patent for handheld that recognizes your hands
You could probably fill a book with Apple patent applications that never amounted to anything, but here's one that's at least been granted -- a "handheld device" that uses capacitive sensors to recognize your identity just by the way you hold it, and subsequently personalize the device's buttons and settings to your hand based on your user profile. That's all that's actually been patented here, but the general idea is a little more grand -- you could theoretically grip a handheld with either hand, and it would automatically generate "button zones" under each finger using sensors (or disappearing buttons, perhaps) baked right into the chassis, making cries of "you're holding it wrong" hopefully fade into obscurity. Still, it's not the first time we've seen Cupertino reaching for digit recognition and we're sure it won't be the last, so we'll just file away our enthusiasm until or unless Jobs announces it on stage.
Apple granted patent for handheld that recognizes your hands originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 05:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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ElcomSoft turns your laptop into a one-touch WiFi cracking system
It's been a few years since we checked in with Elcomsoft's Wireless Security Auditor WiFi cracking software. As you'd expect, things have become easier, much easier. Elcomsoft now has an all-in-one solution that will locate wireless networks, intercept data packets, and crack WAP/WPA2 PSK passwords from any modern laptop with a discrete ATI AMD or NVIDIA graphics card. Here's the quote IT nerds will surely we love:
Today, ElcomSoft is integrating a wireless sniffer into Elcomsoft Wireless Security Auditor. The integrated sniffer turns Elcomsoft Wireless Security Auditor into a one-button, all-in-one solution ready to be used by corporate security officers without specific experience in information security.
Call us crazy, but if you're a C-level security officer with no specific information security experience then maybe you shouldn't be sniffing people's data packets. Then again, we're sure ElcomSoft will happily sell their $1,199 pro software or $399 standard edition to any hacker willing to pay, white hat or not.Continue reading ElcomSoft turns your laptop into a one-touch WiFi cracking system
ElcomSoft turns your laptop into a one-touch WiFi cracking system originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 03:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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How would you change Dell's Streak?
Oh, sure -- our international contemporaries have been toying with the Dell Streak for the better part of 2010, but Americans have just recently had their equal opportunity to indulge. It's a mini tablet, or a huge phone. Or both. And sometimes neither. But whatever the case may be on any given Sunday, the 5-inch Streak has caused more of a stir for the folks in Round Rock than any product since the Adamo. For those who eagerly pre-ordered and then not-so-eagerly paid the credit bill upon receipt, we're interested in knowing exactly how things are going so far. Are you still stoked about having a 5-inch phone? Would you have made it any larger / smaller? Changed the casing? Made it available on another carrier? Thrown in a slide-out QWERTY keyboard? Let us know in comments below, capiche?
How would you change Dell's Streak? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple, Adobe, Google, Intel Intuit and Pixar: now free to cold call each other's employees
Attaboy, DoJ! Out of (almost) nowhere, the United States Department of Justice announced today that it was requiring six well-known technology outfits to stop entering into "anticompetitive employee solicitation agreements," and we're guessing you will have heard just a few of these names: Adobe, Apple, Google, Intel, Intuit and Pixar. As the story goes, these six companies were all mixed up (but not all together, mind you) in agreements that forbid each other from cold calling employees from a rival firm in order to offer them a different job.

According to the DoJ, those arrangements acted as a "significant form of competition to attract highly skilled employees," and it has now filed a civil antitrust complaint today along with a proposed settlement that, "if approved by the court, would resolve the lawsuit." We're also told that some of the agreements were put into place as early as 2005, and they were "formed and actively managed by senior executives of these companies." Yikes. Hit the source link for the full report, and feel free to call back that "Unknown" caller that keeps hitting you up on your Adobe line -- it's probably Pixar with a seven-figure offer.
Permalink CNET  |  sourceUS Department of Justice  | Email this | Comments
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HP Slate prototype gets yet another guided tour, this time with HDMI-equipped dock (video)
Remember that HP Slate prototype video we happened upon just yesterday? The owner, who goes by the name x313xkillax on YouTube, is back with over eight more minutes of footage, including the packaging. According to the back of the box of this self-proclaimed business model, here's the official specs we're looking at: a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 with GMA500 and Broadcom Crystal HD Enhanced Video accelerator, 8.9-inch WSVGA screen, 2GB DDR2 RAM, about 60GB storage capacity, Windows 7 Home Premium, 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, SD card reader, and a 2-Cell 30WHr Lithium-ion Polymer battery. There are two cameras here, one in front and one in rear.

As shown via MS Paint, the screen can detect at least four fingers at a time. The browser is a bit laggy but does do pinch-to-zoom -- again, he calls it a prototype, so it may be better in the final production model. Also in the packaging? A handy dock for keeping your Slate comfy and upright -- it's even got kickstand, two USBs, and HDMI out. But hey, we're wasting your time, and you're the kind of person who wants to see this enterprise-bound tablet in action. Don't let us get in your way, it's just after the break.

[Thanks, Kim L]Continue reading HP Slate prototype gets yet another guided tour, this time with HDMI-equipped dock (video)
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Android-based AlessiTab home tablet gets November release, higher price
Eager to get your hands on that Stefana Giovannoni-designed AlessiTab home tablet first announced back in April? Then it looks like you'll have to wait a bit longer, and shell out a bit more cash than first expected. According to Design Boom, the device is now set to roll out in Italy sometime in November (instead of this month), and it will run €399, or about $535 (a full hundred euros than previously expected). Otherwise, the Android 2.1-based tablet looks to be the same as we've seen before, including a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen, a DVB-T digital TV tuner, built-in WiFi, and a webcam for video calls. Notably absent, however, is access to the Android Market, but Alessi promises it'll provide a selection of its own apps specifically designed for the home environment.
Android-based AlessiTab home tablet gets November release, higher price originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceDesign Boom  | Email this | Comments
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Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit makes emergency landing
It's getting awful close now, eh? Merely hours after hearing that Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kits were splashing down in select Verizon Wireless locations, in flies a foursome of images proving as much. Of course, we still can't promise you that these fellows will be available for the taking a moment before the 30th of September, but if you know someone at Big Red, at least there's a chance he / she may be able to get you a sneak peek starting now. Or, you know, you could just peek the gallery below.

[Thanks, Anonymous]
Gallery: Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit
Droid 2 R2-D2 edition launch kit makes emergency landing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sony holding Google TV event on October 12
We'd definitely been hearing that Google TV would be hitting sometime in the next month or so, and here we go: Sony's sending out invites for an October 12 event in New York. We already know we'll be getting both Bravia Internet TVs and Blu-ray players with Google TV integration, so we're not banking on any earth-shattering surprises, but you know we'll be there with bells on, IR blasters set to stun.
Sony holding Google TV event on October 12 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Engadget explains net neutrality -- and our full interview with Professor Tim Wu!

Still trying to get up to speed on the whole net neutrality situation? Check out the intro above for a recap of the basics -- it ran during the last Engadget Show as part of our interview with Columbia law professor and noted net neutrality advocate Tim Wu. Then, head after the break for both cuts of the interview -- the edited piece that aired with the show and the uncut half-hour version. If you've got the time we highly recommend the full-flavor edition -- it's seriously interesting stuff, and Tim's not afraid to speak his mind on one of the most important tech issues of our time.Continue reading Engadget explains net neutrality -- and our full interview with Professor Tim Wu!
Engadget explains net neutrality -- and our full interview with Professor Tim Wu! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Sonos Wireless Dock hands-on
Sonos Wireless Dock
What you have pictured here is the latest Sonos music device. In person the Sonos Wireless Dock is exactly what you were thinking when you read the press release yesterday. The demo unit had a special Sonos branded half case that left the bottom unaltered, because like many other docks, the cases get in the way of proper docking. The dock does accept the standard iPod dock inserts, so maybe there's still hope that a case manufacturer will ship it with a special insert made with the intent to simplify the life of one who like to use both an iPod case, and a dock together.
Sonos Wireless Dock hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Amazon Kindle gets its first premium app: Scrabble
It's still a long way from a full-fledged app store, but the Amazon Kindle has just taken one step in that direction with its very first premium app: Electronic Arts' Scrabble. That's available right now for $4.99, and it'll work on both the second and third generation Kindle, and both Kindle DX models. It also looks like it's already off to a strong start in terms of sales -- it's currently sitting at number four on the Kindle bestseller list, right behind two Stieg Larsson novels and the latest Oprah book club pick.
Amazon Kindle gets its first premium app: Scrabble originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC CEO: 'initially, we don't have time' to put Sense on Windows Phone 7
We think there might be a miscommunication or a disagreement in semantics here, because HTC CEO Peter Chou has mentioned in an interview with FierceWireless that its ubiquitous Sense UX won't "initially" appear on its first crop of Windows Phone 7 devices, but that "over time [they] will innovate on top of that to provide some HTC experience." That seems like odd phrasing considering that we've already seen HTC devices in the wild running bits and pieces of Sense on WP7, so we tend to believe Chou might have a more thorough, comprehensive experience in mind -- something that Microsoft is pushing back on (for now, anyway) by demanding that UI innovation be sandboxed in some pretty significant ways.

In the same conversation, Chou mentioned that they'll be releasing an LTE phone in 2011, though he didn't give any details on design, platform, or carrier. MetroPCS, AT&T, and Verizon will all have fragments of their 4G networks live in 2011, and at least two of those three seem likely candidates to take delivery of some early LTE hardware from the big boys like HTC. For what it's worth, HTC already delivered the first WiMAX phone in the States -- the EVO 4G, of course -- so it comes as little surprise that they'd be looking to make a splash with LTE as well.
HTC CEO: 'initially, we don't have time' to put Sense on Windows Phone 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFierceWireless (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments
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Sony Ericsson says it has 'no plans' for any new Symbian products
Symbian has taken some pretty hard hits as of late, and it's just been dealt another big one -- Sony Ericsson has confirmed earlier talk that it is indeed abandoning the operating system. As Sony Ericsson spokesperson Aldo Liguori bluntly puts it, "we have no plans for the time being to develop any new products to the Symbian Foundation standard or operating system." That doesn't completely close the door on Symbian, of course, and Liguori also said that Sony Ericsson still remains a member of the Symbian Foundation. Those future meetings should certainly be interesting, no?
Sony Ericsson says it has 'no plans' for any new Symbian products originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BlackBerry 9670 series clamshell earns FCC love
At first, we thought we were looking at the back of yet another standard design Bold or Curve -- but check out that nice, fat hinge up top. Indeed, we have every reason to believe we're looking at the long-rumored BlackBerry 9670 clamshell here, and the test reports confirm the presence of 802.11b / g / n and dual-band CDMA in this particular version -- in other words, it'll almost certainly be coming to either Sprint or Verizon. Given what we've seen of this little monster so far, we're going to need to reserve judgment until we play with one; RIM's BlackBerry Developer Conference is next week, and we wouldn't be shocked if it showed up there. Here's hoping!
BlackBerry 9670 series clamshell earns FCC love originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3:30 ET!
We're kicking things off a little early today... and we've got a special guest. A very special guest.

Hint: his name rhymes with "Pilay Natel."

Give up? The answer's after the break.Continue reading The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3:30 ET!
The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 3:30 ET! originally appeared on Engadget Mobile on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Confirmed: EVO 4G update removes framerate cap
You hoped, you opined, you might have even prayed -- and as it turns out, you win. As many of you have suspected, the latest firmware update to Sprint / HTC's EVO 4G does, in fact, let us break past the former 30 frames per second barrier. You know, the one HTC said couldn't be crossed with software updates alone. At least, it did for our handheld, as you can see above. Good news for everyone bothered by this (now seemingly) artificial limit -- now back to your regularly-scheduled WiMAX enjoyment.
Confirmed: EVO 4G update removes framerate cap originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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CEO Jeff Zucker leaving NBC following Comcast merger, exit stage left
Comcast's acquisition of NBC isn't quite in the bank just yet, but that doesn't mean the upcoming change isn't already dealing an impact. Current CEO and President Jeff Zucker announced today he plans to leave the company sometime following the takeover -- but also noting his final day might not be for another six months from now. "Comcast will be a great new steward, just as GE has been, and they deserve the chance to implement their own vision," he said. We wonder what exactly that new vision might be and how it pertains to the shift in online offerings -- for his part, Zucker's made a few headlines over the years that seem to suggest hesitation / aversion to the current digital transition. No successor has been named, but again, that could very well be half a year away -- as they say, stay tuned.

Update: And now it gets juicy. The New York Times is reporting that Zucker's departure wasn't exactly his call. Interesting, indeed.
CEO Jeff Zucker leaving NBC following Comcast merger, exit stage left originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 actually doesn't support tethering
We're not exactly sure how this message got so confused, but Microsoft's come out today to let us know that Windows Phone 7 officially doesn't support tethering at all, despite earlier comments by Brandon Watson that it'd be a network operator call on whether to enable it. If we had to guess, this is probably a feature that was "on the bubble" as Microsoft moved toward RTM, and it simply didn't make the cut for version 1.0 -- we'd definitely expect to see it in a future release, though there's no guidance from Microsoft at the moment on whether (or when) that'll happen.
Microsoft: Windows Phone 7 actually doesn't support tethering originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Boxee Box on display at FCC, inside and out
We've already seen its remote go through the FCC, and now we've got the whole D-Link-produced Boxee Box kit and caboodle receiving the same treatment. There's an assortment of pictures both of its shiny exterior and circuit-laden interior (surprise, surprise, no Tegra 2 in sight). Additionally, we've got the full manual at our disposal. That one's fairly straightforward, no surprises that we can see. All the same, check it out in the gallery below.
Gallery: Boxee Box at FCC: external and internal photos
Gallery: Boxee Box at FCC: user manual
Boxee Box on display at FCC, inside and out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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AT&T-branded Motorola Flipout released... on eBay
You might not be able to score a Flipout in AT&T stores just yet -- in fact, AT&T still hasn't fessed up to the fact that it's coming -- but if you've got $388 and a can-do attitude, you can still grab one. The swiveling Android set in full AT&T livery and packaging has shown up on eBay for $388.88... which, ironically, is probably less than you'll pay off contract once it officially launches. There appear to be a few available at that price, so let us know if you pull the trigger.

[Thanks, Jon]
AT&T-branded Motorola Flipout released... on eBay originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Archos 32 Internet Tablet review
With there now being five (oh yes, five!) Archos Android Internet Tablets on the market, it's understandably hard to keep 'em all straight, but in our minds the 32 is easy to separate from the rest - it, along with the 28, is more of an Android PMP than anything else. With 3.2 inches of resistive touchscreen, the 32 packs the specs of a typical media player: 8GB of storage, media player software with support for loads of audio and video formats, and a VGA camera. But unlike most, it runs Android 2.1 (2.2 will be a firmware update, we're told), which adds quite a bit more functionality in terms of applications and web browsing. And it's also got an accelerometer for playing games. At $150, it seems like a pretty good deal, especially when you consider that it's cheaper than an iPod Touch or even a Zune HD (depending on where you're shopping), but there are a few issues that may hold you back from forking over the cash. You'll want to check out our full review after the break to find out just what those are.
Gallery: Archos 32 review
Continue reading Archos 32 Internet Tablet review
Archos 32 Internet Tablet review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google's Schmidt says requiring stock Android would violate 'the principle of open source'
The suggestion has been made countless times that manufacturers who customize their devices' builds of Android (that is to say, nearly all of them) should have the decency to offer users the option of reverting to a completely clean, stock version of the platform if they so choose. The concept came up at a press lunch featuring Google CEO Eric Schmidt last week, and the dude responded with an interesting explanation for why they don't require that of their partners: "if we were to put those type of restrictions on an open source product, we'd be violating the principle of open source."

Of course, "the principle of open source" is open to wild differences in interpretation, the source of well over 20 years worth of intense debate in the developer community and the reason why countless types and versions of open source licenses exist (GPL, BSD, MIT, and so on). We'd also argue that the fact that Google is allegedly placing a range of arbitrary restrictions on certified devices (that is, those that feature the Market and other Google apps) gives them the platform they need to impose one more... but hey, Schmidt's an opinionated guy, and until Android stops growing by leaps and bounds, there's probably not a great capitalism-inspired argument that can be made here. Peep the video of the luncheon after the break.Continue reading Google's Schmidt says requiring stock Android would violate 'the principle of open source'
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Samsung NX100 preview
It's arguable, but we'd say that Samsung's NX100 is the news coming out of Photokina 2010. You could say that Panasonic's Lumix DMC-GH2 (and its 3D interchangeable lens), Fujifilm's not-yet-released FinePix X100 or Sigma's Foveon-packin' SD1 were of equal importance, but it's pretty clear who stands to lose (or gain) the most from their ginormous push in Cologne. You wouldn't know that Samsung even brought another product to the show if you casually glanced at its booth, and we were able to take the outfit's newest starlet out for a spin in order to gain a few impressions. Priced at just $599 (with a 20-50mm lens; the 20mm pancake lens bundle will run you $50 more), this October-bound camera is certainly positioned to rival the other major players in terms of MSRP. But does it actually live up to the hype? Join us after the break to find out.
Gallery: Samsung NX100 unboxing and hands-on
Continue reading Samsung NX100 preview
Samsung NX100 preview originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple iPad officially hits Target shelves October 3rd
Don't say we didn't warn you. The Apple iPad is pinching and zooming its way onto Target shelves starting October 3rd, in both WiFi / 3G and WiFi-only options. Those with a Target credit card can get a five percent discount when the rollout for that special begins October 17th. Is this what you've been waiting for? Probably not, but at least you know what to expect on your next expedition to the red-clad retailer.

Update: Press release after the break.Continue reading Apple iPad officially hits Target shelves October 3rd
Apple iPad officially hits Target shelves October 3rd originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Clearwire starts selling roaming WiMAX Day Passes in US and Japan, unlimited data awaits
Got some Intel-powered WiMAX equipment, a Clear subscription, and a yearning to spend some time in Japan? Then we've got great news for you, sailor! Clearwire has just hooked up with UQ to provide Day Passes over in the land of earthquakes and sushi. These act as one-day roaming permits for your WiMAX needs, furnishing you with unlimited 4G access and costing a measly ¥600 ($7) a pop. So basically, it's the Clear Rover gone international. Clearwire's also talking business with other global partners and the ultimate idea seems to be for it to hook up with all the big WiMAX purveyors and set up an affordable 4G roaming network for its internationally minded customers. The full press release awaits after the break.
Continue reading Clearwire starts selling roaming WiMAX Day Passes in US and Japan, unlimited data awaits
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MacBook Air suffers another bout of 11.6-inch display rumors
You know a device is due for a refresh when the only thing left to write about it is rumormongering of a possible upgrade. Today it's the turn of Apple Insider, citing sources in Taiwan, to declare that an 11.6-inch LED-backlit display will be headlining a long overdue update to Apple's MacBook Air. We've heard this scuttlebutt before, and the idea that the Air would be shrunken in order to better differentiate it from the MacBook Pro line carries a lot of believability, but we're still a little jaded from previous misleading rumors on the same subject. At least this one comes with all the gravitas of DigiTimes, whose scribes suggest Quanta has an order to build up to half a million 11.6-inch "MacBooks" for Apple in 2010. All that said, we still wouldn't be surprised if Apple let another holiday period go by without updating its unhealthily thin 13.3-inch laptop.
MacBook Air suffers another bout of 11.6-inch display rumors originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceApple Insider, DigiTimes  | Email this | Comments
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Editorial: Nokia's not going to switch to Android or Windows Phone 7, so stop it already
I've had it. I can't take all this Nokia operating system speculation anymore. The final straw came with a VentureBeat piece citing a "trusted source" that claims "Nokia is now likely to use Windows Phone 7 as an additional platform for its phones." Enough already. Nokia has a strategy and hiring Stephen Elop away from Microsoft's Office team isn't going to change that no matter how much the US media (where Nokia has near zero presence) wishes it were true -- if anything, it's going to accelerate it.Continue reading Editorial: Nokia's not going to switch to Android or Windows Phone 7, so stop it already
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LG E900 stars in epic 20-minute hands-on video, referred to as Optimus 7
We knew Windows Phone 7 leaks would increase as we got closer to launch, but this is just ridiculous. LG's E900, or what we knew as the E900 until now, has been subjected to an exhaustingly detailed hands-on overview, courtesy of some intrepid Czech investigators. Alas, the video is voiced over in that language too, so good luck with your Eastern European phonetics. But hey, at least the visuals are universal. Oh, and before we forget, the MobilMania guys are calling this the LG Optimus 7, presumably that'll be the retail name for this handset. Follow the break to see it.

[Thanks, Manu]
Continue reading LG E900 stars in epic 20-minute hands-on video, referred to as Optimus 7
LG E900 stars in epic 20-minute hands-on video, referred to as Optimus 7 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MobileTechWorld  |  sourceMobilMania.cz  | Email this | Comments
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Nintendo Wii Remote Plus with built-in 'Plus' tipped in FlingSmash bundle?
We've been expecting a Wiimote with built-in MotionPlus for a while now -- after all, Nyko already builds the Wand+ with those succulent MotionPlus gyros built-in. Still, Nintendo has seemed slow on the uptake, outside of a mysterious FCC berth in May, so we were surprised to see this upcoming first party, MotionPlus-required FlingSmash title arrive on a GameStop order page with "Wii Remote Plus inside!" emblazoned on the box. Interestingly, the product description still mentions attaching the MotionPlus "accessory" to your Wii Remote, but the Wiimote in the picture does look just slightly different than normal with a curved bit of text below the Wii logo, and when Eurogamer pinged Nintendo Europe about it, a spokesperson said the Wii Remote Plus "is real" but "We have nothing to announce on this at the moment." Hopefully this all clears up soon enough so that millions of Wii owners can have an excuse to buy a new game in the noble name of hardware procurement.
Nintendo Wii Remote Plus with built-in 'Plus' tipped in FlingSmash bundle? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear, Eurogamer  |  sourceGameStop  | Email this | Comments
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Huawei breaks DSL speed barrier with 700Mbps prototype
DSL cables might not really be the sexiest thing in networking anymore, but what they are is ubiquitous, so let's not begrudge Huawei its feat here. The Chinese telecoms facilitator has shown off a new prototype that can pump 700Mbps of data across a 400-meter expanse. This is done by bundling four twisted pairs of copper wire together and sprinkling in some fairy dust to make them communicate at 175Mbps each. The clever bit here is in how crosstalk and interference are minimized, and Huawei claims a 75 percent improvement in bandwidth as a result. An immediate opportunity for these new cables will be, ironically, with fiber rollouts, as they could serve as the last connection between fiber hubs and your home. Then again, with Google and Chattanooga already looking at 1Gbps lanes, maybe the day of the copper wire has already passed?Continue reading Huawei breaks DSL speed barrier with 700Mbps prototype
Huawei breaks DSL speed barrier with 700Mbps prototype originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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TomTom PRO 7100 and 9100 formally announced, destined for European trucking fleets
We're afraid we can't tell you any more about the consumer-facing TomTom Go 7100 and 9100 that surfaced in FCC filings last week, but if you're interested in Pro models that sport the same digits for your business fleet, TomTom's being slightly more accommodating. The Pro 7100 looks like it's going to replace the Go 7000 presently used in the company's business-to-business lineup at €329 (about $439), while the Pro 9100 adds an integrated modem and SIM card (letting you ditch the TomTom Link module typically required to monitor your fleet) for €399 ($532). Find both ready to guide trucks across forty-five European countries in the fourth quarter of the year. PR after the break.Continue reading TomTom PRO 7100 and 9100 formally announced, destined for European trucking fleets
TomTom PRO 7100 and 9100 formally announced, destined for European trucking fleets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Panasonic's hair-washing robot: rinse, kill, repeat
If Panasonic can build an exercise horse then surely a robot that washes your hair should come as no surprise. Imagine being lifted from your robotic bed by a plush care-assist robot and placed into a chair for an automatic shampoo and scalp massage. That is the future of care for the elderly and sick in Japan, or the rich and lazy everywhere else. Panasonic's hair-washing robot scans each human head three-dimensionally to apply just the right amount of pressure during the shampoo, massage, and rinse phases. It recognizes repeat customers and then applies that person's preferred massage course using its human-like sixteen "fingers." Each arm contains a trio of motors to power swing, press, and massage motions... or to snap your spinal column should you decide to sass.Continue reading Panasonic's hair-washing robot: rinse, kill, repeat
Panasonic's hair-washing robot: rinse, kill, repeat originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 07:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Videotron's 120Mbps broadband is Canada's fastest, now available in Quebec City
Fittingly called Ultimate Speed 120, Videotron's latest internet access service is raising Canadian heartbeats today. Starting out in Quebec City and eventually expanding to the whole province, this broadband package will give users access to a 120Mbps information superhighway, complete with 20Mbps upload lanes. There are monthly usage caps, of course, set at 170GB down and 30GB up, but you can break them so long as you're willing to pay the surcharge. The broadband itself costs 160 Canadian bucks a month, though you can cut that down to C$150 by bundling it with a TV or telephony service. That's not exactly a bad deal, but given the choice, we'd still rather go live in Chattanooga.

[Thanks, Gary]Continue reading Videotron's 120Mbps broadband is Canada's fastest, now available in Quebec City
Videotron's 120Mbps broadband is Canada's fastest, now available in Quebec City originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 07:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Robots 'to beat world's best' human footballers by 2050 and other things said when high
We're as hopeful about the future as anyone. Sure, we fear robots, but we're bound to have at least a few years of peaceful co-existence before they grow weary of our human insolence and irrational buffoonery. Claude Sammut, professor of computer science at New South Wales University in Australia (and RoboCup regular), believes that robots will surpass the abilities of professional human footballers (aka, soccer players) by 2050. For this to happen, he says that the field will require "major advances in perception, decision making, learning, and co-operative behaviours." Of course, looking at the current field of RoboCup contestants or even around the house at the TV (largely unchanged since 1930), telephone (patented in 1876), and iPod (now 9 years old), it's hard to imagine technology advancing that fast. That is, until the rate of technological change accelerates so fast that we achieve singularity sometime in 2030 or 2050, depending upon who you ask.
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Netflix, NBC Universal content deal brings Battlestar Galactica, SNL and more to Watch Instantly
Just in case a throwaway mention of a streaming-only subscription for US customers wasn't enough, an agreement adding plenty of recognizable content from NBC to its Watch Instantly service might help Netflix distract from a recent string of PR gaffes. Starting next week, cable shows from the media giant's stable like Psych, Battlestar Galactica and others, episodes from the most recent seasons of NBC shows including The Office and 30 Rock will be available. Not good enough? Why not throw in every season of Friday Night Lights and Saturday Night Live, with new eps of SNL added the day after they air for the next three years. Seems like a win/win to us, with many hours of new content for Netflix while NBC cashes a fat check for old seasons of Monk and Law & Order:SVU -- as much as we love Tony Shalhoub as a neurotic private investigator, those DVD boxed sets just weren't moving like they used to. The only question left is whether HD streaming for any of these is on deck, until we hear back just check out the full press release after the break.Continue reading Netflix, NBC Universal content deal brings Battlestar Galactica, SNL and more to Watch Instantly
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Verizon CEO confirms plans for tiered data pricing
We told you so. The Wall Street Journal has updated its recent article detailing disclosures from Verizon Wireless chief Ivan Seidenberg, and the latest news is as bad as it is predictable: VZW plans to consign unlimited data plans to the annals of history over the next four to six months, to be replaced by tiered, consumption-based pricing. Seidenberg says Verizon's prices will surely differ from what AT&T recently introduced, noting that his company values data differently to the competition -- though he wouldn't say whether that means costs will be higher or lower. Either way, Droidsters, enjoy your last few months in the unlimited sun.

[Thanks, Tyler]
Verizon CEO confirms plans for tiered data pricing originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 05:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Final Fantasy XIV PC controller debuts in dazzling white
Been itching to wrap your mitts around the latest Final Fantasy chapter? Well, we trust you've already obtained the FF XIV-endorsed WiFi router from Planex, so why not complete the set with the official PC controller from Sunflex? Coming in a snowy white enclosure, it doesn't stray far from the Dual Shock recipe that most PC gamepad makers like to cook from, although it does offer curiously elongated hand grips. Are Final Fantasy players generally larger than the average gamer or is this just a more ergonomic design for those 20-hour grinding sessions in the world that Square Enix built?
Final Fantasy XIV PC controller debuts in dazzling white originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Samsung SGH-i916 spotted cuddling up to an iPhone 4 in the wilds of Canada
Unless our eyes deceive us most cruelly, the Samsung phone we see above looks identical to the i917 Windows Phone 7 handset we've been seeing all over the place. Curious then that it bears the title of SGH-i916. We can only surmise that there's some minuscule difference between the two phones, with this i916 seemingly set to ride Rogers airwaves up in Canada -- purportedly with none of Samsung's own branding anywhere on its shell. Another common feature it seems to share with the i917 is an AMOLED screen, judging by the deeper than deep black color it's capable of pushing out. See a much larger picture of the i916 after the break, and if you want an even better idea of how a 4-inch Samsung handset compares to the iPhone 4, visit our screen comparison test starring the Galaxy S.Continue reading Samsung SGH-i916 spotted cuddling up to an iPhone 4 in the wilds of Canada
Samsung SGH-i916 spotted cuddling up to an iPhone 4 in the wilds of Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 04:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Qualcomm's Peanut challenges ZigBee, Bluetooth for control of your personal area network next year
Perhaps dissatisfied with the glacial pace of Wibree, Qualcomm's working on an ultra-low-power, short-range wireless transfer tech of its own -- it's called Peanut, and executives claim it only needs "fractions of a milliwatt of power" to push data at several megabits per second. Computerworld got the scoop on the new low-power radio at EmTech@MIT 2010, and reports that Qualcomm's had these goobers in the oven since 2006 and is looking to trump the likes of ZigBee and Bluetooth by this time next year. Assuming, of course, the Peanut standard doesn't require a molasses-like committee of its own to attain formal approval.
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مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 7:30 PM
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1 comment:

Sana Khan said...

Hi its really very nice blog,very useful information..Mobiles

September 26, 2010 at 8:06 PM

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