As far as big names go, Asetek is a fairly large name in the cooling solution industry. The company has loads of water and fan-based cooling solutions for pretty much anything within a PC, and their latest project is quite possibly the most interesting PC we've seen in some time. Origin's 'Big O' rivals that, but we digress. Asetek's cooling solution is really only half of the story with QUO's new MAXQ2 computer. It's a new tower that promises to offer something that no HP, Lenovo or Dell will ever offer: true
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Pentax Makes You The Designer On Optio RS1000 and Optio RZ10 Cameras
Custom cameras. You don't hear that very often. But Pentax is offering you that opportunity with their new Optio RS1000 and Optio RZ10. Both of these point and shoot cameras come with faceplates that can be swapped out for different moods and seasons, and the removable faceplate is to hold interchangeable skins of any personal design. Pentax calls the design possibilities for the RS1000 "infinite," noting that owners can use the included SkinIt gift card to design and order a free 3M skin. But the design aspect
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
We seem to be heading into an era where netbooks aren't being positioned as the bargain bin machines that they once were. We can't recall the last time we saw a $199 or $249 netbook arrive. The vast majority coming our way now are priced at around $399 at least, and Asus' Eee PC 1215N fits the mold here. With a $499 MSRP, this isn't the netbook to get if you're looking to pinch pennies, but it does offer the latest Intel Atom CPU, NVIDIA's next generation Ion GPU with Optimus graphics switching technology.
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SanDisk SSDs Scuttle into Lower-Cost Set-Top Boxes
In a joint announcement with middleware set-top box software company NDS MediaHighway, SanDisk today announced that its P4 solid state drives (SSDs) will be jammed into a new range of affordable set-top boxes with DVR-like functionality. "For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myserdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes
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Nokia Replaces CEO With Ex-Microsoft Executive
And just like that, it's done. Rumors were flaring over the past couple of months that Nokia's existing CEO was on the hot seat. We guess those rumors weren't wrong. It's being reported that a search for a new Nokia CEO had been ongoing since at least May, and it seems that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's replacement has now been found. The timing could not possibly be stranger. Nokia World, which is Nokia's annual gala to showcase new software and hardware, is scheduled to take place in London next week. Just days after
Read More ...
Field Test Mode Returns to iOS
Field test mode has returned to iOS 4.1. That means that those of you who want to see just how bad your iPhone is, in real terms (dBm), as opposed to signal bars, can. Assuming you have iOS 4.1, all you need to is type *3001#12345#* on your phone, then press dial. You'll see a negative number. The higher the absolute value of that number is, the worse the signal strength is. For example, a measurement of -110 dBm is worse than -85 dBm. To exit field test mode, you can simply hit the Home button. Field test
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Intel CEO Suggests Google TV Will Launch This Month
In a bid for attention (and money) from high tech couch potatoes, Google TV might be launching sooner than you think. According to comments made by Intel CEO Paul Otellini, Google TV devices will "start shipping this month," though it's not entirely clear if he meant consumers will actually be able to purchase these devices this month or if hardware vendors are starting to shuttle their devices to retail partners. Either way, Google TV is coming and things are starting to heat up in the living room. Apple recently
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T-Mobile Unveils The T-Mobile G2 With Google
T-Mobile announced the successor to its G1 smartphone, the new T-Mobile G2 with Google. The G2 will support T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ network, which T-Mobile is touting as offering 4G speeds. Designed by HTC, the G2 combines a large, 3.7-inch screen with a hinge design that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. The phone runs on Android 2.2 and an 800MHz Snapdragon MSM7230 mobile processor. The phone will have a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and the ability to record HD video (720p). For storage, the G2 comes
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Google Provides Instant Search Results
Have you noticed something different about Google recently? Yesterday, Google started rolling out a major overhaul to its familiar homepage. Now, you'll see instant search results that are generated with each key that you type. These results will be shown in addition to the search suggestions that were previously available. The new feature is known as Google Instant. It's based on the idea that people type more slowly than they read. Because you'll be able to scan for results while you type, Google hopes you'll
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Pentax Crashes DSLR Party with Colorful K-r Camera
The point-n-shoot category is filled with colorful cameras of all shapes and sizes, and some even sport cartoon characters on and around the body. Is this where the DSLR market is headed, too? We don't know, but one thing's for sure -- the era of black and silver only DSLR cameras has come to a close. That's because Pentax has decided to shake things up with a colorful new line of digital SLR bodies so that potential owners can "choose on that matches their personal style." The K-r, as Pentax is calling its
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Apple Relaxes App Store Rules, Opens Up Competition
No, today isn't April Fool's Day. But it sure feels like it. Apple is notorious for taking a stand and sticking with it, regardless of criticism. They haven't backed down on their resistance to add Flash support, and they haven't backed down on their App Store regulations that prevents app makers from creating apps that "duplicate" functionality that came with the phone. This is the reason there's no "real" Gmail app for the iPhone, for example. But today, out of nowhere, Apple pulled a 180 that is a blessing
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Apple Ships iOS 4.1, Fixes FaceTime Flub
As promised, Apple has gone and released its iOS 4.1 software update, giving iPhone and iPod touch users plenty of reason to celebrate. And what about iPad owners? Let's not go there. For owners of the previously two mentioned products, however, iOS 4.1 shuffles a slew of updates and improvements into your device. Among the fixes, the several hundred megabyte download patches up a FaceTime flaw that could allow others to wreak havoc on FaceTime calls. "An issue in the handling of invalid certificates may allow
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
Is Intel's Pinetrail platform really all its cracked up to be? We recently took an in-depth look at the 1.8GHz processor / platform, but it's a different thing to take a look at the same thing in a shipping product that's available today to consumers. We have been longing for faster Atom processors, and particularly in recent months, we felt as if even the newer Atom chips weren't fast enough compared to their predecessors. That said, the new Atom D525 dual-core chip holds a bit more promise, at least on paper,
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Monitor Decision
I want to buy a new monitor and main use is movies and gamming. I am confused in this decision. The choices are,
1- Viewsonic VX2450wm-LED
2- Viewsonic V3D241wm-LED (it’s not released yet should I wait for it?)
3- Any IPS technology based monitor like Dell U2410 etc
Kindly explain the option for which you comment, Thx
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New rapid fire weapon being made available to minors!
New rapid fire weapon being made available to minors!
60 Rounds available to fire with each one of them.
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Asus Eee PC 1215N Netbook Review
We seem to be heading into an era where netbooks aren't being positioned as the bargain bin machines that they once were. We can't recall the last time we saw a $199 or $249 netbook arrive. The vast majority coming our way now are priced at around $399 at least, and Asus' Eee PC 1215N fits the mold here. With a $499 MSRP, this isn't the netbook to get if you're looking to pinch pennies, but it does offer the latest Intel Atom CPU, NVIDIA's next generation Ion GPU with Optimus graphics switching technology. That's solid power in a netbook...
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Apple Relaxes App Store Rules, Opens Up Competition
No, today isn't April Fool's Day. But it sure feels like it. Apple is notorious for taking a stand and sticking with it, regardless of criticism. They haven't backed down on their resistance to add Flash support, and they haven't backed down on their App Store regulations that prevents app makers from creating apps that "duplicate" functionality that came with the phone. This is the reason there's no "real" Gmail app for the iPhone, for example. But today, out of nowhere, Apple pulled a 180 that is a blessing for consumers everywhere.
The App Store has more apps than any other competing mobile app store, even Google's Android Market. But app developers have very strict rules to follow, and it's not exactly easy to get a "controversial" app into the market. It seems that Apple has finally come to the conclusion that they cannot keep this up as they have in the past, and today they have made a public statement on App Store review guidelines. And it's all for the better.
Rather than getting even more strict, Apple is relaxing policies that have frustrated developers and users alike for the past few years. Here's the quote that really says it all:
"We have listened to our developers and taken much of their feedback to heart. Based on their input, today we are making some important changes to our iOS Developer Program license in sections 3.3.1, 3.3.2 and 3.3.9 to relax some restrictions we put in place earlier this year. In particular, we are relaxing all restrictions on the development tools used to create iOS apps, as long as the resulting apps do not download any code. This should give developers the flexibility they want, while preserving the security we need.This means that third-party tools and ad services (like AdMob) are now allowed, which greatly opens up competition with Apple's own iAd. This may also open up the market for game ports as well as Adobe apps, though we aren't sure if this means that Flash is incoming. We certainly hope so though, and we would expect for Adobe (and others) to come forward with statements praising the move shortly. Thanks for listening, Apple!
In addition, for the first time we are publishing the App Store Review Guidelines to help developers understand how we review submitted apps. We hope it will make us more transparent and help our developers create even more successful apps for the App Store."
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SanDisk SSDs Scuttle into Lower-Cost Set-Top Boxes
In a joint announcement with middleware set-top box software company NDS MediaHighway, SanDisk today announced that its P4 solid state drives (SSDs) will be jammed into a new range of affordable set-top boxes with DVR-like functionality."For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myserdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes Video on Demand content beyond teh DVR to offer a high degree of DVR-like functionality on a new range of boxes."
A pair of SanDisk P4 SSDs. The ones used for set-top boxes will check in at 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities.
Claiming that SSDs are affordable might sound like a bunch of hogwash at first glance, but these aren't the higher capacity SSDs you'll find in desktops and notebooks, even as boot drives. Instead, these lower-cost set-top boxes will sport SanDisk SSDs in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities, which SanDisk claims are "substantially less expensive." That doesn't leave a whole lot of room for recording, but will allow users to pause live TV and download a limited amount of content.
NEW SET-TOP-BOXES WITH DVR-LIKE FEATURES ENABLED BY NDS SOFTWARE AND SANDISK SOLID STATE DRIVES
Pay-TV Operators Able to Offer a New Range of STBS and Deliver Fanless Designs That Are Quiet and Energy-Efficient
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, IBC, Stand 1.A71-September 9, 2010-SanDisk Corporation, the global leader in flash memory cards, and NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that NDS has successfully combined NDS MediaHighway® STB software and SanDisk® P4 solid state drives (SSD) to enable a new range of lower cost set-top box (STB) with DVR like functionality.
By provisioning a set-top box with a small amount of storage, operators can introduce new revenue generating features such as live-pause and video on demand (VOD) with the ability to enable home networking functionality and advanced advertising solutions, including ad substitution. The new solution also allows for the deployment of energy-efficient STBs with decreased power consumption, small form factors and virtually silent operation.
The SanDisk P4 SSD offers the robust performance needed for video consumption, and is substantially less expensive in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB¹ capacities than hard disk drives, which are often only available in higher capacities. NDS has already integrated SanDisk SSDs for use with progressive download and live-pause technologies, and the SanDisk P4 SSD has an industry standard SATA interface which enables straightforward design and integration for STB manufacturers.
"For the first time, SSDs are now a cost-effective alternative to hard drives in the STB market," said Doron Myersdorf, senior director, SSDs, SanDisk. "The successful integration of SanDisk P4 SSD with NDS STB software enables new business models in the STB market, and takes Video on Demand content beyond the DVR to offer a high degree of DVR-like functionality on a new range of boxes."
"This exciting development underscores how seamlessly the SanDisk SSDs work with NDS MediaHighway technology," said Jonathan Beavon, director, segment marketing, NDS. "This innovative solution offers operators a low power and reliable alternative to conventional hard disk drives, enabling a new market segment."
Demonstrations of the technologies that can be applied to SanDisk P4 SSD enabled set-top boxes will be displayed on the NDS stand at IBC (stand 1.A71).
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T-Mobile Unveils The T-Mobile G2 With Google
T-Mobile announced the successor to its G1 smartphone, the new T-Mobile G2 with Google. The G2 will support T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ network, which T-Mobile is touting as offering 4G speeds. Designed by HTC, the G2 combines a large, 3.7-inch screen with a hinge design that opens to reveal a QWERTY keyboard. The phone runs on Android 2.2 and an 800MHz Snapdragon MSM7230 mobile processor. The phone will have a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and the ability to record HD video (720p). For storage, the G2 comes with a 4GB internal memory and a pre-installed 8GB micro SD card with support for up to 32GB of external memory.The T-Mobile G2 is one of the first smartphones to work with the new Voice Actions feature of Google Search, which lets you control your phone with your voice. It is also the first smartphone to offer integrated access to Google Voice.
The T-Mobile G2 with Google will be available in the U.S. later this month. Current T-Mobile customers will have the first opportunity to preorder the phone. T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ network is currently available in more than 55 major metropolitan areas across the country.
Introducing the T-Mobile G2 with Google — the First Smartphone Delivering 4G Speeds on T-Mobile’s Super-Fast HSPA+ Network
T-Mobile, Google and HTC re-team to deliver the groundbreaking successor to the T-Mobile G1; Exclusive preorder for current T-Mobile customers begins later this month
Bellevue, Wash. — Sep. 8, 2010 T-Mobile USA, Inc. today unveiled the T-Mobile® G2™ with Google™, delivering downloads at 4G speeds, a blazing fast web browsing experience and tight integration with Google services. The G2 breaks new ground as the first smartphone specifically designed for T-Mobile’s new HSPA+ network, which covers 100 million Americans in more than 55 major metropolitan areas across the country. The G2 is an ultra-powerful smartphone designed by HTC and is the highly anticipated successor to the T-Mobile G1, the world’s first Android™-powered mobile phone, pairing a large 3.7-inch screen with a unique hinge design that opens to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Current T-Mobile customers will get exclusive access to preorder the G2 starting later this month.
“T-Mobile ignited the spark that set the Android world ablaze two years ago with the launch of the world’s first Android-powered mobile phone, the T-Mobile G1, which remains an important milestone for both T-Mobile and the Android operating system,†said Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer, T-Mobile USA. “Now, with the launch of the T-Mobile G2, we are re-teaming with our partners at Google and HTC to provide T-Mobile customers with another first — the first Android smartphone designed to deliver 4G speeds on our new network.â€
“One of the advantages of an open platform is the opportunity for developers to create rich mobile experiences and seamlessly get those experiences into the hands of consumers,†said Andy Rubin, vice president, engineering, Google. “From new services, such as Voice Actions, to mobile applications, developer-led Android innovation is flourishing. On Android Market alone, the number of applications available to consumers has grown from just 50 applications two years ago to more than 80,000 applications today.â€
“Two years ago, HTC and T-Mobile worked together to deliver the world’s first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. From that start, Android has grown to be the leading smartphone platform in the U.S., and one of the most popular globally,†said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “With today’s announcement of the G2, HTC and T-Mobile are once again bringing a breakthrough Android product to market.â€
The T-Mobile G2 delivers a powerful mobile data experience that is tightly integrated with Google Voiceâ„¢, as well as packed with Google applications such as Voice Actionsâ„¢ from Google, Google Gogglesâ„¢ and more. It is one of the first smartphones in the industry to offer the new Voice Actions feature of Google Searchâ„¢, which allows you to control your phone with your voice for calling contacts and businesses, sending messages, browsing the Web, listening to music and completing common tasks. It is also the first smartphone to offer integrated access to Google Voiceâ„¢, allowing customers to create a new account using their current mobile number right from the home screen. Google Voice then automatically transcribes voicemails to text so customers can read them like an e-mail or text message from their phone or online. Additional pre-loaded Google services include Google Search, Gmailâ„¢, Google Mapsâ„¢ with Places and Navigation, YouTubeâ„¢, Google Talkâ„¢ and Google Earthâ„¢, among others.
Adding fuel to the G2’s speed is its Snapdragon™ MSM7230 mobile processor which combines Qualcomm’s new HSPA+ capabilities and second generation applications processor. The Snapdragon MSM7230 offers an 800 MHz CPU and is optimized to deliver exceptional performance, long battery life and leading edge multimedia and web browsing — with download speeds faster than other solutions currently in the market.
The G2 delivers advanced smartphone features including an HD video camera for recording crystal-clear, high-definition (720p) videos that can be automatically uploaded to your Photobucket account and a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus. The G2 also offers smartphone essentials such as easy access to personal and work e-mail, including support for Microsoft® Exchange e-mail, contacts and calendar; social networking; and instant messaging. In addition, the G2 features a pre-installed 8GB microSD memory card with support for up to 32 GB, as well as a music player.
Additional features of the G2 include the following:
- Dedicated Quick Keys for one-touch access to your favorite Google shortcuts and applications
- Adobe FlashPlayer enabled Web browsing experience
- Pinch and zoom functionality for Web browsing and photo gallery
- 4GB internal memory with pre-installed 8GB micro SD card, with support for up to 32 GB of external memory
- Built-in 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo headset and Bluetooth support
- Swype® text input for fast, accurate communication
The T-Mobile G2 with Google will be available in the U.S. exclusively from T-Mobile, and current T-Mobile customers will have the opportunity to preorder the G2 in limited quantities later this month. Additional availability details will be shared in the coming weeks. Visit http://g2.t-mobile.com to register for updates.
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Nokia Replaces CEO With Ex-Microsoft Executive
And just like that, it's done. Rumors were flaring over the past couple of months that Nokia's existing CEO was on the hot seat. We guess those rumors weren't wrong. It's being reported that a search for a new Nokia CEO had been ongoing since at least May, and it seems that Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo's replacement has now been found. The timing could not possibly be stranger. Nokia World, which is Nokia's annual gala to showcase new software and hardware, is scheduled to take place in London next week. Just days after that, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo is scheduled to depart (September 20th).
Going out...
So, who will replace him? A Canadian from Microsoft, yet the headquarters and corporate culture will remain in Finland. Stephen Elop will become President and CEO shortly, where he will leave his post as head of Microsoft's Business Division. Before joining Microsoft, Elop held senior executive positions in a number of US-based public companies, including Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems Inc. and Macromedia Inc. He holds a degree in computer engineering and management from McMaster University, and it's pretty clear that decision makers spent a lot of time hand-picking this guy. Here's the quote from Jorma Ollila, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors, that really sums it up:
"The time is right to accelerate the company's renewal; to bring in new executive leadership with different skills and strengths in order to drive company success. The Nokia Board believes that Stephen has the right industry experience and leadership skills to realize the full potential of Nokia. His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders."
The reason for the change is obvious: Nokia is losing ground. They're still the world's largest handset maker in terms of worldwide market share overall, but their stake in the smartphone arena is tiny. They have no phones that come close to rivaling those from HTC and Apple (let alone Samsung and LG), and their primary phone OS isn't nearly as robust as iOS or Android. It was time for a change, but Elop has a ton of work to do if he really plans to turn things around this late in the game. Apple and Google have had years to cement their positions, and Microsoft is about to relaunch a new mobile OS of their own. Is there still time for a fourth major player to rise up? Only time will tell, but the new regime gets going in mere days. Q4 should be mighty interesting to watch.
Coming in...
Nokia appoints Stephen Elop to President and CEO as of September 21, 2010
September 10, 2010
Espoo, Finland -Nokia's Board of Directors has appointed Stephen Elop President and Chief Executive Officer of Nokia as of September 21. Elop currently heads Microsoft's Business Division. Before joining Microsoft, Elop held senior executive positions in a number of US-based public companies, including Juniper Networks, Adobe Systems Inc. and Macromedia Inc. He holds a degree in computer engineering and management from McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, which is his home country.
"The time is right to accelerate the company's renewal; to bring in new executive leadership with different skills and strengths in order to drive company success. The Nokia Board believes that Stephen has the right industry experience and leadership skills to realize the full potential of Nokia. His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders," said Jorma Ollila, Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors.
Elop commented on his new Nokia position: "I am extremely excited to become part of a team dedicated to strengthening Nokia's position as the undisputed leader of the mobile communications industry, with a relentless focus on meeting the needs and expectations of customers. Nokia has a unique global position as well as a great brand upon which we can build. The company has deeply talented and dedicated people, and I am confident that together we can continue to deliver innovative products that meet the needs of consumers. The Nokia slogan clearly states our key mission: Connecting People, which will acquire new dimensions as we build our portfolio of products, solutions and services."
Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo will leave his current position as President and CEO of Nokia on September 20, 2010 and his position on the Nokia Board of Directors with immediate effect. He will continue to chair the Board of Nokia Siemens Networks in a non-executive capacity.
"The whole Board of Directors joins me in thanking Olli-Pekka for his thirty years at Nokia, during which he has been deeply involved in developing the company and its operations. His dedication and contribution throughout the years has been exceptional. The Board wishes him every success in his future pursuits," says Jorma Ollila.
In accordance with the terms and conditions of his service contract, Kallasvuo is entitled to a severance payment consisting of 18 months gross base salary and target incentive which totals approximately 4.6 million euro. He will also receive as compensation the fair market value of the 100 000 restricted Nokia shares granted to him in 2007, which vest on October 1, 2010.
As of September 10, 2010, the Nokia Board will consist of the following members: Jorma Ollila (Chairman), Dame Marjorie Scardino (Vice Chairman), Lalita D. Gupte, Bengt Holmström, Dr. Henning Kagermann, Per Karlsson, Isabel Marey-Semper, Risto Siilasmaa, Keijo Suila.
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All-Electric Coda Sedan Hitting CA In 2010: $45K
With the classic automakers struggling to make ends meet in America, it's clear that the time has come for a new regime to usher in a new wave of automobiles. With companies such as Tesla and Lightning doing their best to produce affordable, reliable electric cards, neither has actually shown an ability to craft a vehicle that the layperson could afford. Coda Automotive, however, is hoping to add a real option at the lower-end in the electric car space.
Introduced this week, the simply named Coda -- a four door, five passenger sedan with an all-electric drive train -- has been pegged with a 2010 ship date in California. The car was originally designed by one Miles Rubin, and he's remaining an integral part of the launch. Unfortunately, it seems as if the Coda will be restricted for sale in CA for the near term, though if business hits big, we can't imagine the company not expanding its reach.
The electric family car includes enough battery power to travel between 90 and 120 miles on a full charge, and it can regain 40 miles of range with just two hours of charging. It supports energy from any 110 or 220V socket, and a full charge (from 0% to 100%) can be accomplished in as little as six hours. Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, Coda Automotive, had this to say: "The Coda sedan is an all-electric vehicle for everyone. It's a practical revolution for real drivers who need reliable transportation."
The cost of the car is expected to be around $45,000, but the actual cost of ownership will dip much lower after a $7,500 federal credit along with other incentives. Coda Automotive estimates that it will cost less than $3 (on average) to drive 100 miles, whereas a comparable gas-powered sedan would eat up around $17 in fuel costs to drive that same distance. Amenities are everywhere as well, with the factory list of equipment including navigation, Bluetooth, AM/FM/XM radio, USB connectivity and aluminum wheels. The car's even backed by a 3-year, 36,000 mile warranty. So, who's moving to California?
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Field Test Mode Returns to iOS
Field test mode has returned to iOS 4.1. That means that those of you who want to see just how bad your iPhone is, in real terms (dBm), as opposed to signal bars, can. Assuming you have iOS 4.1, all you need to is type *3001#12345#* on your phone, then press dial. You'll see a negative number. The higher the absolute value of that number is, the worse the signal strength is. For example, a measurement of -110 dBm is worse than -85 dBm.
To exit field test mode, you can simply hit the Home button.
Field test mode had earlier been removed from iOS 4. Anandtech found a way around that, but only with a jailbroken iPhone (by using a 3GS image), whne they conducted a series of test during the heart of the "death grip" controversy surrounding the iPhone 4.
Readers, do you see the signal strength drop (absolute value of the dBm reading rise) when you touch the appropriate death grip spot bridging the antennas on the lower LH side of the iPhone 4 (bare, of course, no case). How much of a drop do you see, if so?
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Google Provides Instant Search Results
Have you noticed something different about Google recently? Yesterday, Google started rolling out a major overhaul to its familiar homepage. Now, you'll see instant search results that are generated with each key that you type. These results will be shown in addition to the search suggestions that were previously available. The new feature is known as Google Instant. It's based on the idea that people type more slowly than they read. Because you'll be able to scan for results while you type, Google hopes you'll find the right content more quickly than before because you won't have to finish typing a search term or even press search to find the result you want.
126 million results, just .27 seconds...
Google says it will take a couple of days for Google Instant to be available to everyone on Google.com. The rollout began with users on Google domains in the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Russia. The feature is currently compatible with the following browsers: Chrome v5/6, Firefox v3, Safari v5 for Mac and Internet Explorer v8.
Google's Reigning Queen of Search Product and User Experience, Marrisa Mayer
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Pentax Crashes DSLR Party with Colorful K-r Camera
The point-n-shoot category is filled with colorful cameras of all shapes and sizes, and some even sport cartoon characters on and around the body. Is this where the DSLR market is headed, too? We don't know, but one thing's for sure -- the era of black and silver only DSLR cameras has come to a close. That's because Pentax has decided to shake things up with a colorful new line of digital SLR bodies so that potential owners can "choose on that matches their personal style."The K-r, as Pentax is calling its newest DSLR, comes in red (as shown) or classic white, and who knows, maybe more colors will follow. Despite the toyish exterior, however, the K-r is every bit a bona fide DSLR with the specs and price tag to match.
Kicking things off is a 3-inch LCD screen with 921,000 dots of resolution. The K-r boasts a 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor, 1/6000 second shutter speed, the ability to shoot widescreen 720p HD videos at 25 FPS, built-in shake reduction no matter which lens you use, a dust removal mechanism, and more.
Pricing starts at $800 for the body alone or $850 with an 18-55 kit lens thrown in, which we reckon ranks as the most expensive red-colored digital camera ever made.
PENTAX Announces K-r Digital SLR and New 35mm Lens
Latest PENTAX Offers Color Choices to Reflect Owner’s Personal StyleGOLDEN, Colo.--PENTAX Imaging Systems Division has announced a new digital SLR line with color accents that allow owners to choose one that matches their personal style. The colorful PENTAX K-r DSLR camera offers advanced features at an attractive price.The compact, lightweight PENTAX K-r is easy to use with Auto Picture, Scene, and Custom Image Processing modes that take the guesswork out of shooting stunning images while still offering a high degree of manual and priority control. The K-r offers a variety of new and improved features including a fast framerate, high ISO sensitivity, responsive autofocus, an improved 12.4 megapixel low-noise sensor and widescreen HD video capture that take it a step above an entry-level DSLR camera.Key features of the PENTAX K-r that are new or have been improved upon from the most recent entry to mid-level PENTAX DSLR models include:
- Three stylish color choices include traditional black, the new classic white, and PENTAX red reflect any owner’s personal style.
- Large 3-inch LCD with 921,000 dots of resolution.
- Faster high-speed 6 FPS framerate that captures 25 images in a single sequence.
- A maximum 1/6000 second shutter speed.
- Viewfinder focus point indicator.
- Improved in-camera HDR image capture including a Night Scene HDR mode.
- High sensitivity 100-25600 ISO range with improved noise performance from the new 12.4 megapixel CMOS sensor.
- Versatile dual-power-source design, which offers the choice of either a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or four AA-size battery power (using optional AA Battery Holder D-BH109).
- Infrared data transfer compatible with the IrSimple™ high-speed infrared data transmission system for wireless data transfer to the web or other IrSimple-compatible devices (includes a match-game between two PENTAX K-r’s).
Other important features of the new K-r models include:
- Widescreen 720p HD video at 25 FPS.
- PENTAX-original Shake Reduction mechanism for sharp, blur-free images that works with every PENTAX lens ever made.
- Dust Removal mechanism, to shake dust off the CMOS image sensor.
- Highly responsive and accurate 11-point SAFOX IX autofocus system with dedicated AF assist lamp.
- Wide range of in-camera image processing and special effects filters.
With a highly portable, compact and lightweight body in a choice of colors, the K-r holds appeal for busy parents, family memory-keepers, travelers and anyone who reflects personal style in all their pursuits including their journey into photography or videography as a skill or hobby. The PENTAX K-r digital SLR will ship in October 2010 as follows:
K-r Body Kit $799.95 USD
 K-r Lens Kit w 18-55 $849.95 USD
 K-r Double Lens Kit w 18-55, 50-200 $899.95 USD
 K-r Double Lens Kit w 18-55, 55-300 $999.95 USD PENTAX also announced the smc PENTAX DA 35mm F2.4 AL standard lens designed exclusively for use with PENTAX digital SLR cameras. This new lens is versatile enough to be used with a wide range of subjects and applications for high-resolution images with edge-to-edge sharpness. It is a perfect choice for digital SLR beginners to familiarize themselves with the basics of using interchangeable lenses.The PENTAX DA 35mm F2.4 AL lens also will ship in October for $219.95 USD.
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