Saturday, April 23, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 23/04/2011





'3D Towers' double disk storage capacity, don't require glasses
Here's some exciting news for all you data storage enthusiasts and academics out there: researchers in France have found a way to double the storage capacity of magnetic disk drives by constructing "3D towers" of information. The team from SPINTEC created these pillars out of bit-patterned media -- separated magnetic nanodots, each of which carries one bit of data. By layering the dots in specific formations, the team created a "multilevel magnetic recording device" with an areal density of two bits per dot -- twice what it started with. According to researcher Jerome Moritz, these findings could provide IT companies with a new way to circumvent physical limitations to their data storage capacities, allowing them to build up and over the vaunted one Tbit per square inch barrier. The team's full findings were recently published in the American Institute of Physics' Journal of Applied Physics. You can read the full article at the source link or, if you're afraid of paywalls, just check out the PR below.
Continue reading '3D Towers' double disk storage capacity, don't require glasses
'3D Towers' double disk storage capacity, don't require glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TG Daily  |  sourceJournal of Applied Physics  | Email this | Comments

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Sony NEX-3 successor NEX-C3, Alpha A35 images leaked?
We were a bit unsettled when Sony suddenly discontinued the NEX-3 after just eight months on the street, but if these leaked images are in fact authentic, then we might just have a worthy successor on our hands. The NEX-C3 is rumored to include the same 16.2 megapixel image sensor used in the Sony Alpha A55 DSLR, as well as HD video capture (as expected) and the new flash seen in the image above. Leaked photos on Sony Alpha Rumors reveal an LCD with the same tilt capability we love on the NEX-3, as well as minor adjustments to the controls. The blog also got its hands on some leaked images of the Sony Alpha A35 DSLR (added after the break), but details on that camera are a bit spotty. Rumor has it Sony originally intended to announce both cameras earlier in the month, but plans were delayed in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in Japan. No word on cost or availability, but we'd expect to see pricing on the NEX-C3 in line with last year's model -- around $500, with lens.



[Thanks Andrea!]
Continue reading Sony NEX-3 successor NEX-C3, Alpha A35 images leaked?
Sony NEX-3 successor NEX-C3, Alpha A35 images leaked? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSony Alpha Rumors  | Email this | Comments

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NSA wants $896.5 million to build new supercomputing complex
The federal government may be cutting corners left and right, but that hasn't stopped the NSA from requesting nearly $900 million to help beef up its supercomputing capabilities. According to budget documents released by the Department of Defense yesterday, the NSA is looking to construct a massive new High Performance Computing Center in Maryland, designed to harness plenty of supercomputing muscle within an energy efficient framework. As with many other data centers, the NSA's $896.5 million complex would feature raised floors, chilled water systems and advanced alarm mechanisms, but it would also need about 60 megawatts of power -- the same amount that powers Microsoft's gargantuan, 700,000 square-foot data center in Chicago. According to the DoD, however, the NSA would use that juice judiciously, in the hopes of conserving enough water, energy and building materials to obtain LEED Silver certification. Another chunk of the funding, not surprisingly, would go toward fortifying the facility. The NSA is hoping to pour more than $35 million into building security and perimeter control, which would include a cargo inspection facility, advanced surveillance, and systems designed to detect any radiological, nuclear, or chemical threats. If all goes to plan, construction would wrap up by December 2015.

NSA wants $896.5 million to build new supercomputing complex originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceInformationWeek, Department of Defense [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft patent application shows custom Kinect gestures, roaming user profiles
Since Kinect entered the world, modders have been hacking it for everything from playing Tetris to controlling a web browser. And really, Microsoft never seemed to mind. In case it wasn't obvious how much the company wants you to help find new uses for the technology, the folks in Redmond have filed a patent application for custom profiles. We can see that having implications for gaming and even Windows shortcuts, but for now Microsoft expects it to improve Kinect's accuracy by learning how you move -- after all, no one jumps or points or apes Lady Gaga's dance moves in exactly the same fashion, right? In other cases, the system might note that you prefer to make an "X" sign instead of a checkmark when selecting an object onscreen. And those personalized settings can roam over a network, shadowing you as you switch devices. Personally, we're stoked about the idea of making our best Julian Assange dance a bona fide gesture, but we'll be happy enough if Kinect can make up for our natural ungainliness.
Continue reading Microsoft patent application shows custom Kinect gestures, roaming user profiles
Microsoft patent application shows custom Kinect gestures, roaming user profiles originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Being Manan  |  sourceUS Patent & Trademark Office  | Email this | Comments

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US Army developing Android-based smartphone framework and apps
The US Army is calling upon Android app developers to help make military life a little less stressful -- and, perhaps, a lot safer. Under a new Army framework known as the Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (CE), third-party developers will be able to create and submit tactical Android apps, using the military's CE Product Developer's Kit. The framework, originally prototyped by the folks over at MITRE, represents the latest phase in the Army's ongoing campaign to incorporate smartphone technology on the battlefield. Any app operating under the CE system will be interoperable across all command systems, and, as you'd expect, will be tightly secured. The kit won't be released to developers until July, but the Army has already begun tinkering with its baseline suite of Mission Command apps, which includes tools designed to facilitate mapping, blue force tracking, and Tactical Ground Reporting. On the hardware side of the equation, the Army is planning to deploy a new handheld known as the Joint Battle Command-Platform, or JBC-P. The two-pound JBC-P is essentially a military-friendly smartphone designed to run on a variety of existing radio networks, while supporting the full suite of forthcoming apps. The JBC-P will be tested this October, and will likely be issued on a wider basis in 2013.
US Army developing Android-based smartphone framework and apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Register  |  sourceDefense Aerospace  | Email this | Comments

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Logitech's Squeezebox Controller app makes the transition from Android to iOS
After launching the Squeezebox Controller app on Android last month, what could Logitech do next other than release a version for your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. The features and interface appear to be identical, letting users control any or all Squeezeboxes on the WiFi network complete with metadata and album art. iOS equipped owners of the 'boxes can get their AirPlay-free distributed audio lifestyle going by clicking the link below to download the free app (and see how it compares to the existing $9.99 third party iPeng remote app) from iTunes.
Logitech's Squeezebox Controller app makes the transition from Android to iOS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBlog.Logitech, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

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Husqvarna lawnmower remote for iOS: a lot less fun than we'd hoped
Sure, we've been living in a series of safe houses and seedy motels since 1968, but that doesn't mean that you can't have nice things. A two-car garage, white picket fence, and a healthy lawn: that's the American Dream, right there. But with all that middle class comfort comes responsibility -- and how are you going to find the time to keep the grass under control when you're working three jobs to keep up with the mortgage on your McMansion? Friends, that's where Husqvarna's My Automower app comes in. That's right: rather than sending SMS messages to your GPS-enabled Automower, all of its functions (starting, stopping, tracking the thing's progress via GPS) can now be handled from the safety of your iOS device. What it will not do, however, is transform your robot lawnmower into a semi-autonomous, blade-wielding backyard defender (hopefully the company addresses that in a software update). PR after the break.
Continue reading Husqvarna lawnmower remote for iOS: a lot less fun than we'd hoped
Husqvarna lawnmower remote for iOS: a lot less fun than we'd hoped originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceApp Store  | Email this | Comments

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T-Mobile willing to knock $100 off G-Slate, if you ask nicely
G-Slate Discount
Here's a little secret that T-Mobile didn't really intend for public consumption: if you give the company a ring you can nab an extra $100 off a G-Slate. The discount was emailed out to those who signed up for a special promotional offer T-Mo teased recently. Like most things, though, the internet got ahold of this juicy morsel and we're happy to tell you it's open to everyone. Just reference promo code GSLATE100 and you can pick up a shiny new Honeycomb tablet for $430 -- provided you have an existing voice plan or sign up for one, are willing to commit to a two-year data contract on top of that, and don't mind dealing with a mail-in rebate. If those caveats don't scare you off, go ahead and call. Just act quick, the offer ends April 27th. Check out the larger image after the break for full instructions.
Continue reading T-Mobile willing to knock $100 off G-Slate, if you ask nicely
T-Mobile willing to knock $100 off G-Slate, if you ask nicely originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTmoNews  | Email this | Comments

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DS Lite discontinued at GameStop
We caught wind of an internal GameStop memo this morning announcing the discontinuation of Nintendo's DS Lite. The memo (pictured above) asks employees to remove displays of Crimson, Black, and Metallic Rose models, once they've burned through their stock -- we've since confirmed the fact with an employee of the gaming chain. Not a huge shocker, of course, given the fact that the five-year-old system has since been eclipsed by 2009's DSi and, more recently, the company's glasses-free 3D portable, the 3DS. We have reached out to Nintendo for comment on the matter and will update this post with official word once received.



Update: We heard back from Nintendo, receiving the usual "Nintendo doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."
DS Lite discontinued at GameStop originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceGoNintendo  | Email this | Comments

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Walmart to Sell Samsung Infuse 4G in May for $178.88?
The Samsung Infuse 4G has yet to make its way to market, but when it does, you might be able to find it at Walmart. Rumor has it that the retail giant has been sending around circulars indicating that the Infuse and its 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display will hit shelves sometime next month. The notices also mention that the device will be sold for $178.88, which would likely be bundled with a two-year AT&T contract. There hasn't been any confirmation from Samsung, which unveiled the ultra-thin smartphone way back in January, but we'll let you know as soon as we get word.



[Thanks, John]
Walmart to Sell Samsung Infuse 4G in May for $178.88? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroidCentral  | Email this | Comments

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Self-healing polymer serves up quick fixes under UV rays (video)
As many self-healing polymers as we've seen roll across our screens, we never really tire of them -- chalk it up to our unending quest for perfection, but we like our gadgets devoid of nicks and scratches. Lucky for us, a team of scientists that shares our need for clean has produced a material that fixes its imperfections in a mere 60 seconds when exposed to UV light. The typically rigid material basically melts down when exposed to rays of a specific wavelength, allowing it to fill in any nicks or dings. When the light is lifted, the polymer goes back to its original form, and voila -- the surface is like new. Its creators say the material could be used on everything from cars to dining room tables, but we've already come up with laundry list of devices that could do with a truly scratch resistant surface. Video of the stuff in action after the break.
Continue reading Self-healing polymer serves up quick fixes under UV rays (video)
Self-healing polymer serves up quick fixes under UV rays (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink ars technica  |  sourceNature  | Email this | Comments

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AMD collects half a billion in Q1 profit, Fusion APUs now account for half of its laptop shipments
AMD's net income for the past quarter was $510 million, generated from $1.61 billion in total revenues. That should make happy reading for a company that's been raising similar gross revenues previously but finding itself losing cash -- though the more intriguing figures are a little deeper in its latest disclosure. CFO and interim CEO Thomas Seifert has noted that AMD "tripled" its Fusion APU shipments relative to last quarter -- meaning that at least 3.9 million units have made their way out to OEM partners in Q1 -- which now account for "roughly half" of the company's notebook shipments. In less upbeat news, average selling prices in both the microprocessor and graphics divisions were down sequentially, with AMD having to react to pressure from its traditional foes Intel and NVIDIA. You might surmise that with the mainstream Llano APU out and shipping to computer makers, AMD might have a happier second quarter, but the company's guidance is for revenues to be flat or slightly down. A final note of pride is reserved for the Radeon HD 6490M and HD 6750M GPUs, which figured prominently in Apple's latest MacBook Pro refresh and mark a bit of a coup for AMD, who's now responsible for all of Apple's discrete graphics across the MacBook Pro and iMac computing lines. Click the links below for even more intel on Advanced Micro Devices.
Continue reading AMD collects half a billion in Q1 profit, Fusion APUs now account for half of its laptop shipments
Permalink   |  sourceAMD, Earnings call transcript (Seeking Alpha)  | Email this | Comments

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Next generation Wii controller to feature 6.2-inch display, turn living room into giant DS?
E3 is getting close, just two months away now. As such the next-gen Wii console rumors have heated to a boil. One of the most interesting bits of tattle originates from Kotaku. The gaming site's sources claim (with impressive specificity) that the new 8-button controller features a screen pushing a whopping 6.2 inches, two analog sticks, and a camera. The new Wii console (sometimes called the Wii 2, Wii HD, or simply "Project Cafe") is said to support the new controller in addition to Wii Remote-style controllers for backward compatibility with existing Wii games -- at the moment, however, it's not clear if that implies support for existing Wiimotes. But why the giant display? Here's Kotaku's take:
The 6.2-inch screen will receive data wirelessly from the Nintendo console and presents an array of options, from putting the player's inventory or map on the controller screen, to allowing players to combine it with the controller's camera to snap photos that could be imported into a game or even turning it into some sort of glorified viewfinder (we're unclear about whether the camera on the controller points at the player or can be outward-facing; we've heard both - maybe it swivels?).
In other words, you can think of the new contoller-plus-console combination as a modern Dreamcast system or "glorified mega-DS," as Kotaku puts it, where the TV is the top screen and the handheld controller is the lower touchscreen. If true then we'll likely hear the official first word at E3 which kicks off on June 7th.



Update: IGN has its own set of "sources" confirming many of these details. Could this be a Nintendo rumor that pans out, for once? We should know in just over a month.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceKotaku  | Email this | Comments

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Fujitsu LifeBook S761/C and P771/C replace optical drives with pico projectors, past with future
Optical disc drives may be passé nowadays, but the enclosures usually reserved for them in laptops need not go to waste. Fujitsu has just rolled out its latest line of portables and a pair of them pack a pretty awesome new extra: an integrated pico projector. The 13.3-inch LifeBook S761/C and 12.1-inch P771/C both fill their ODD slots with a small visualizer, and while the specs of its actual output aren't clear, the two machines have been fully specced and priced. The S761/C can offer you a Core i5-2520M CPU, a (presumably upgradeable) 1GB of RAM, 160GB of storage, and a 1366 x 768 resolution for a price of ¥219,450 ($2,675). Moving down in size class but up in price, the P771/C matches those specs, but for a squarer 1280 x 800 resolution, and asks for ¥255,150 ($3,110). Both will be available in Japan in mid-May, which is also when Fujitsu will release its LifeBook E741/C, whose claim to fame is the ability to authenticate users by reading the veins in their palms. Sexy!
Permalink PC Watch  |  sourceFujitsu Japan  | Email this | Comments

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SA Photonics high-res digital night vision system makes you look like Hello Kitty's cyborg cousin
Given, it might make you look like the love child of Robocop and a cartoon kitten, but SA Photonics' High Resolution Night Vision System (HRNVS) could mean smoother night flights for the US military. The light weight head mounted display couples high resolution imagery and an impressive 82.5 degree field of vision -- previous devices offered a range of only 40 degrees. What's more, it provides clearer peripheral vision, virtually non-existent halo effects, digital image enhancement, and night vision recording. The headset was designed in collaboration with the US Army and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which means these robo Sanrio helmets might actually get some play. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading SA Photonics high-res digital night vision system makes you look like Hello Kitty's cyborg cousin
Permalink   |  sourceSA Photonics  | Email this | Comments

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AT&T's MiFi 2372 gets DLNA update, streams media even without 3G connectivity
Novatel 2372 MiFi owners could always stream tunes from the web, but now they can do it from microSD -- after downloading Maintenance Release 1.0, that is, which finally brings DLNA server functionality. DLNA support means your mobile hotspot can share music, video and other content to devices over the network from an inserted flash card, even when the router can't serve up 3G -- especially useful on AT&T devices, which, you know, tend to suffer from occasional network congestion and data caps. The update also includes a new Customer Care Widget and a more intuitive MiFi OS web interface, so even average consumers might be able to configure one of these without consulting tech support. Sounds like a win for everybody.
AT&T's MiFi 2372 gets DLNA update, streams media even without 3G connectivity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 02:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAT&T  | Email this | Comments

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HTC Thunderbolt drops to $130 for new Verizon customers at Amazon over the weekend
If the Droid Charge has you thinking that Verizon LTE phones have to cost an arm, a leg, and an extra $100, you'll want to take a look at this. Amazon Wireless is chopping the Thunderbolt, Verizon's original 4G bad boy, down to the extremely palatable price of $130 on contract, valid for new Verizon subscribers who buy the phone between now and midnight Pacific Time on Monday. The 4.3-inch, Android 2.2 smartphone from HTC impressed us greatly with the 4G speeds it was able to pull down in our review, and while those might not remain quite so spectacular once that network starts loading up more customers, a price like the present one makes it an excellent proposition in the short term. The source link is where you'll find it.
HTC Thunderbolt drops to $130 for new Verizon customers at Amazon over the weekend originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAmazon Wireless  | Email this | Comments

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Google I/O attendees asked to give their old Android phones to charity
Steve Jobs might not think much of Google's old "don't be evil" mantra, but it's hard to fault a company for using its products' popularity for the common good. In what seems to be a spiritual successor to last year's Chrome for a Cause drive, Google is asking I/O 2011 attendees for their unwanted, unlocked Android smartphones in a campaign dubbed "Android for Good." Donated devices collected at the event will be put to use at charities in developing nations -- for instance, your old phone could save elephants from poachers, or help remote villages get healthcare. We aren't saying hording your old G1 is evil per se, but what good is it doing in your junk drawer?
Google I/O attendees asked to give their old Android phones to charity originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 01:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGoogle Code blog  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft patents apps that let you buy things, Ballmer to go on licensing spree?
Many of us use apps to buy stuff these days, whether its grabbing the latest e-book from Amazon, or a Groupon for a day of pampering at the local spa. Seems obvious now, but it wasn't (at least according to the USPTO) in 2004, when Microsoft filed a patent application for the idea -- and that application was recently granted. The patent claims a way to make purchases through an network-connected portal with a "streamlined interface" (to "streamline" the process of parting you from your money, no doubt). The portal maintains a list of selling sites and exchanges info as needed to let buyers pick up what the seller's putting down. Now, we aren't intimately familiar with the ways shopping apps work, but the patent language appears broad enough to cover apps that make internet purchases without using a full-on web browser -- though only a federal court can say for sure. The only other question is, what are Ballmer and his boys going to do with these newly granted IP powers?
Microsoft patents apps that let you buy things, Ballmer to go on licensing spree? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink eBook Newser  |  sourceUSPTO  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung strikes back at Apple with ten patent infringement claims
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone: in the latest chapter of the Apple-Samsung dispute over their smartphones' resemblance, the latter company has just retaliated by filing lawsuits against Apple in three countries. Sammy's load of ammo includes five patent infringements in South Korea, two in Japan, and three in Germany, though we've yet to hear more details about these claims. Now we just sit back and enjoy the show -- popcorn, anyone?



[Thanks, Jake L.]



Update: Reuters has shed some light on the actual patents Samsung is alleging are being infringed. The news organization reports they relate to "power reduction during data transmission, 3G technology for reducing errors during data transmission, and wireless data communication technology."
Samsung strikes back at Apple with ten patent infringement claims originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSamsung  | Email this | Comments

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Google ordered to pay $5 million in Linux patent infringement suit (updated)
An East Texas jury recently awarded a relatively small computer firm patent troll a pretty hefty settlement (in you and me dollars) in a patent infringement suit that named Google, Yahoo, Amazon, AOL, and Myspace as defendants. The jury awarded Bedrock Computer Technologies LLC $5 million for a patent concerning the Linux kernel found in the software behind Google's servers. The patent in question is described as a "method and apparatus for information storage and retrieval using a hashing technique with external chaining and on-the-fly removal of expired data." It appears Google is the first of the defendants to face a judgement, but we have a feeling this decision might have set a precedent. Of course, no infringement suit would be complete without a healthy helping of appeals -- and considering the decision came from a district court, we can almost guarantee this case is no exception. You didn't expect the big guys to stay down for the count, did you?



Update: As it turns out, the plaintiff in question here, Bedrock Computer Technologies, is actually owned by David Garrod, a lawyer and patent reform activist. Ars Technica profiled Garrod following the initial suit, pointing to the clear contradiction between his trolling and reform efforts. What's more, Bedrock sued Google and the rest of the defendants in June 2009. Just six months later, Bedrock was back in the courtroom, but this time it was on the receiving end. Red Hat, the company supplying the OS behind Google's search engine services, was suing Bedrock for patent invalidity.
Google ordered to pay $5 million in Linux patent infringement suit (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 22:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFoss Patents  | Email this | Comments

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AT&T tells FCC just how important T-Mobile is, in 381-page redacted document
AT&T has many strategies for trying to convince the US government to let it buy T-Mobile, but the one it emphasized was this -- it would attempt to make remaining carriers Verizon, Sprint and even a handful of rural entities look like "intense competition." Well, it seems that tack hasn't quite had the impact that the board of directors was hoping for, because it just delivered a gigantic new document to the FCC, which portrays itself as the victim of its own success. AT&T says it had to deliver 8,000 times percent more mobile data in 2010 than it did three years prior -- over 10 petabytes per month these days -- and foresees that it will deliver that same amount of data "in just the first five to seven weeks of 2015."



Meanwhile, T-Mobile is the knight in shining magenta armor to save AT&T from those "severe capacity constraints," but since AT&T can't let regulators think that T-Mobile's departure from the arena will result in less competition, Ma Bell simultaneously bashes its prospective conquest for having a "diminished market role" in the telecom industry and "no clear path to deploy LTE" -- even as it says that acquiring T-Mobile would result in the means to spread speedy Long Term Evolution across 97.3 percent of the general population. In case you're keeping track, that's up from the 95 percent the company last prognosticated. The seeming contradictions here are certainly amusing, but we have to admit the promised giant LTE network tempts us quite a bit. But is it worth building a GSM monopoly to do it? Envision the repercussions for yourself -- both good and ill -- by studying the following links.



Update: Fixed a few math errors -- AT&T processed over 10 petabytes per month (not year) in 2010, and that was 8,000 percent (not times) the amount of mobile data it carried in 2007. For comparison's sake, the entirety of YouTube was said to have streamed 31 petabytes per month in 2008, and Hulu did 17 petabytes per month over the same time period, according to a Cisco study.
Continue reading AT&T tells FCC just how important T-Mobile is, in 381-page redacted document
AT&T tells FCC just how important T-Mobile is, in 381-page redacted document originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAcquisition of T-Mobile USA by AT&T (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

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Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle
Remember the Razer Hydra controller that let you materialize portals with a real electromagnetic orb? Those motion sensing sticks will be available for pre-order in May and will go on sale in June, two months after this week's release of Portal 2, the game it was first demoed with. However, Razer'll still charge you for a copy of the murderous robot game if you want the fancy gizmo, as it's pricing the bundle at $140 -- understandably more expensive that the "below $100" price that it was targeting for the controller alone. Two months is a pretty long time to wait to play the already-available title, and Razer isn't offering any info on a standalone version of the Sixense-based magnetic peripheral. On the upside, though, Joystiq got its hands on a list of compatible titles, which includes 122 games on top of the aforementioned sequel. That list and the official press release after the break.
Continue reading Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle
Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceRazer  | Email this | Comments

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Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video)
Sarcos
This is Sarcos, a highly-advanced robot capable of balancing on his own two legs. He's also connected to a motion-capture system that allows him to accurately mimic the actions of a human operator. For what grand purpose does his puppet master Benjamin Stephens use these impressive assets? Dancing, of course. Seriously people, they're going to remember this when the time comes for revolution. Video after the break.
Continue reading Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video)
Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CrunchGear  |  sourceCarnegie Mellon (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Sony Ericsson slaps Walkman logo on X8, renames it W8
Sony Ericsson W8
Take one Xperia X8, add a dash of color, paint a "W" on it and, voilà, you have the first Walkman phone running Android -- the W8. We're not seeing it on the US Sony Ericsson site yet, but a quick visit to the company's German page reveals the decidedly low-end specs: a 3-inch, 320 x 480 touchscreen, a 600MHz processor, 168MB of RAM and Android 2.1. The W8 may not recapture the luster the Walkman brand enjoyed in its TPS-L2 heyday, but at least it'll update your Twitter status. Gallery below.

Gallery: Sony Ericsson W8


[Thanks, Rich]
Sony Ericsson slaps Walkman logo on X8, renames it W8 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget German  |  sourceSony Ericsson  | Email this | Comments

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T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video


We'd love to head on down to Fukushima with a DSLR and some iodide pills, but that's obviously not going to happen. Sending in a flying robot seems to be the next best thing, though, and that's exactly what Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has done. T-Hawk, a US-made MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) commonly used to search for roadside bombs in Iraq, made its Japanese debut last week when it photographed the nuclear plant from above, providing a detailed look at the interior damage a month after iRobot's visit. Small enough to fit in a (rather large) backpack, officially the T-Hawk is named for the tarantula hawk wasp species, but could just as easily have been named for the T. Hawk Street Fighter character, who also swoops in to attack his opponents from above. As expected, things look pretty nasty at ground zero, so head past the break for a video of the damage.
Continue reading T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video
T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple Stores stocking Square credit card readers




Jack Dorsey's über-popular credit card readers got a big thumbs-up from Cupertino this week. Square's devices are hitting Apple's 235 US retail locations and Apple.com for $9.95 a pop -- plus the 2.75 percent that the startup takes off the backend each time you use the reader -- or you can always just sign up for a free one over on Square's site. The iPhone / iPad / iPod touch plug-in accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and yes, even American Express. The CEO of VeriFone will no doubt have plenty to say about the matter.



Update: It turns out you get a $10 redemption code in the box when you buy a Square reader at an Apple store, so it is still technically free (just not, you know, when you buy it).



[Thanks, Michael]
Apple Stores stocking Square credit card readers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink IntoMobile  |  sourceApple  | Email this | Comments

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Samson Meteor Mic review
Look at this guy! What a cutie! It's like Elvis' microphone cross-bred with some sort of weird alien USB bumblebee. Samson's Meteor Mic is unquestionably shiny, but its competition is an increasingly attractive bunch as well. Does Lil' Samson's beauty run only grill-deep? Read on to find out!

Gallery: Samson USB Meteor Mic review
Continue reading Samson Meteor Mic review
Samson Meteor Mic review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google (update)
It's the rumor that wouldn't die, and Reuters is now reporting that Apple is finally set to launch a cloud-based music service -- presumably putting its massive North Carolina data center to some real work at long last. Details are still fairly light beyond that, but Reuters says that Apple's service will actually launch ahead of Google's similar cloud-based option, which it reports is now "stalled," citing "several people familiar with both companies plans." According to Reuters, the service will let folks store their music (and only music, apparently) on Apple's servers and then access it on any device with an internet connection -- and a copy of iTunes, we presume.



Update: Peter Kafka, over at All Things Digital, backs up Reuters' claim with some additional detail. Unlike Amazon's approach with Cloud Player, Apple is actively seeking to license the music for its streaming service before launching. According to Kafka's sources, Apple has already secured deals with two of the big four labels and plans to launch "pretty soon." The deal would allow Apple to store a single master copy of a track on its servers and then share that track with multiple users. As Kafka describes the service, "The idea is that Apple will let users store songs they've purchased from its iTunes store, as well as others songs stored on their hard drives, and listen to them on multiple devices."
Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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iriver Story HD e-reader hits the FCC, US retailers next?
We haven't heard much about iriver's Story HD e-reader since it quite literally landed in our laps at CES back in January, but it looks like it might now finally be nearing a US launch. The e-reader has just turned up at the FCC, where's it's been thoroughly tested and dissected (see the link below for some additional evidence). That's not always a sure sign that a US launch is imminent, but it does seem likely in this case -- especially considering that iriver has already lined up a number of US content partnerships for the device. As for the e-reader itself, it's similar in size to the Kindle and packs a 6-inch 1024 x 768 display, along with an 800MHz Coretx A8 processor, 2GB of internal memory, an SD card slot for expansion, and WiFi connectivity. In other words, it remains unchanged from CES, which means our preview is just as relevant as ever.
iriver Story HD e-reader hits the FCC, US retailers next? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Acer's Web Surf Station looks like a monitor, acts like an all-in-one
We'd say we're pretty well-covered when it comes to devices that turn on instantly to let you surf the web, scan your Facebook feed, and browse photos. But if you crave that immediacy and a larger, more comfortable viewing space, Acer's DX241H Web Station might be the product you're looking for. Available in wired and wireless models, this 24-inch monitor has a built-in browser, and can get online without being connected to a PC. While web surfing is clearly the marquee feature, you can also watch movies on its 1080p display by using Acer's clear.fi software to stream video and other media from other devices on the network. Spec-wise, it also boasts DLNA compatibility, VGA and HDMI output, USB ports, and a memory card slot. People in the UK too impatient to wait for an all-in-one to boot up can snag the Web Station for £299 ($495) in May.
Continue reading Acer's Web Surf Station looks like a monitor, acts like an all-in-one
Acer's Web Surf Station looks like a monitor, acts like an all-in-one originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Amazon updates Kindle app for Honeycomb, shows that tablets really do exist
If you've done any Kindling on your Xoom or your G-Slate or your Transformer or whatever little slice of Honeycomb you're calling home, chances are you've noticed the app isn't exactly optimized for the relatively big screen of your slate. Well, now it has been. As promised, Amazon has just pushed an update to the Kindle app that makes it decidedly more 3.0-friendly. Gone is the ugly list of books, replaced by a lovely grid of titles including cover art. Just tap to start reading. Text itself within the books is higher-res and page turning seems snappier too. Worth the download? For sure -- especially since it's still free.
Continue reading Amazon updates Kindle app for Honeycomb, shows that tablets really do exist
Amazon updates Kindle app for Honeycomb, shows that tablets really do exist originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

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PSP Go to America: I'm not dead (yet)
PSP Go
It looks like proclamations of the PSP Go's demise may have been a bit premature. While it does appear that Japan and Europe are giving up on the downloadable content-only device, Sony of America told our good friends at Joystiq that the UMD-less PSP is still a "go" in North America. Production and sales will continue, presumably until we can get our greasy paws on the NGP this holiday season.
PSP Go to America: I'm not dead (yet) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice
Back in 2007, we told you about Restoration Robotics, an upstart research team using robots to perform hair transplants -- a project whose details (you know, like how it works) were shrouded in secrecy. Four years later, the Artas System has won FDA approval for in-office procedures, with the inviting bot in the above photo harvesting individual hair follicles from the scalp. A few months after this robot operates on your cranium, hair will start growing back, a process that could take a year -- and makes for a more gradual transformation than slapping on a toupee. Still, you'll have to be a certain kind of man to take advantage of this technology -- for now at least, it's only been cleared for men with black or brown straight hair. Looks like the rest of you will have to find other, lower-tech ways to suffer for your beauty.
Continue reading Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice
Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Arbonata Light Table classes up LEDs and dining rooms
Arbonata Light Table
Here's a solution for adding a little techno-flare to your furniture that's a bit more subtle than cramming computer parts into a coffee table. The Arbonata Light Table, available from nKcharms at the source link, impregnates stylish slabs of wood with over 1,700 LEDs arranged in the shape of a tree. According to designer Dennis Vetu, it's some sort of metaphor for the circle of life -- as he explains on the Arbonata site, "tree becomes wood, becomes light." Artsy prattle aside, we couldn't imagine sitting down to a ramen dinner on a classier surface. If you're not partial to branches and leaves though, nKcharms will work with customers to create unique designs. We might just order one emblazoned with a glowing Engadget logo. Sadly, there's no price listed, but then again, if you have to ask.... Don't miss the gallery below.



Gallery: Arbonata Light Table
Arbonata Light Table classes up LEDs and dining rooms originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gearlog  |  sourceArbonata  | Email this | Comments

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Sharp announces WiFi-enabled Freestyle Aquos portable TV for Japan
The phrase "portable TV" may conjure up images of a handheld device or luggable 5-inch CRT for most folks, but it looks like Sharp is intent on changing that perception. It's just announced its new Freestyle Aquos portable TV -- a 20-inch, WiFi-enabled LED set that comes paired with a wireless digital TV tuner so you can roam around your house with it. As you can see above, it also comes complete with a handle (which can be used to hang it on a wall), and a built-in kickstand for some tabletop or countertop viewing. It even packs DLNA support so you can access your media library although, contrary to its tablet-esque appearances, you can just reach out and touch it -- you'll have to do things the old fashioned way with a remote control. There's still no word on any plans for a North American release, but folks in Japan will be able to pick one up in their choice of black, white or pink in early June for ¥100,000 (or roughly $1,220). Head on past the break for a video.
Continue reading Sharp announces WiFi-enabled Freestyle Aquos portable TV for Japan
Sharp announces WiFi-enabled Freestyle Aquos portable TV for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Akihabara News  |  sourceSharp  | Email this | Comments

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Verizon CFO suggests next iPhone will be a 'global device'
We're guessing it wasn't on the company's agenda for its earnings call earlier today, but Verizon CFO Fran Shammo let slip one other interesting iPhone tidbit in addition to its news of 2.2 million iPhone 4 activations. Here's what he said:
The fluctuation, I believe, will come when a new device from Apple is launched, whenever that may be, and that we will be, on the first time, on equal footing with our competitors on a new phone hitting the market, which will also be a global device.
That pretty clearly suggests that the next iPhone -- supposedly coming in September -- will be a world phone, which just so happens to coincide with rumors to same effect we've heard as recently as this week. Of course, there's been talk of a dual-mode GSM / CDMA iPhone even before that, considering that the Qualcomm baseband chip used in the Verizon iPhone is technically capable of supporting both CDMA and GSM networks -- Apple simply chose not to or wasn't able to take advantage of that particular functionality at the time.
Verizon CFO suggests next iPhone will be a 'global device' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBarrons  | Email this | Comments

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Hulu blocked on the BlackBerry PlayBook, Android fans say, 'told you so'
In news that should surprise no one, Hulu has blocked videos from playing in the BlackBerry PlayBook's native browser, adding the tablet to a long blacklist of devices. But where there's a will, there's a way -- over at CrackBerry, one commenter reported success in emailing himself the embed code and then opening the link from his Gmail inbox. If that tedious workaround doesn't help, you're in for a lengthy, disgruntled wait for a change of tide-- right behind some very impatient Android users.
Hulu blocked on the BlackBerry PlayBook, Android fans say, 'told you so' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Motorola Xoom, Nexus S 4G hitting Sprint in early May?
Sprint service the only thing standing between you and a Motorola Xoom? Good news -- a tipster passed along an internal calendar showing an April 25th employee training date for the Honeycomb tablet, and while we're still taking it with a grain of salt, it seems like the real deal. If past products are any indication, it should hit Sprint stores a fortnight later, in early May, lining up nicely with those Xoom cases that were spotted a week back. The Nexus S 4G also looks to be slotted for employee training the same day, foreshadowing busy times ahead for the Now Network cashiers.



[Thanks, Anonymous]
Motorola Xoom, Nexus S 4G hitting Sprint in early May? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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PlayStation Network down for a long count, what's up Sony? (update: down for 24+ hours!)
We've been hit by a big batch of dismayed tips from PlayStation gamers this morning, who are finding themselves unable to log in to the PlayStation Network (again). Sony's response has been to acknowledge there's a problem in the vaguest of terms -- "We're aware certain functions of PlayStation Network are down" -- and to promise an update on the situation as soon as it's available. Alas, that statement was issued over nine hours ago and there's still no word of either a rectification or an explanation for the outage. The error code provided by the console is, as you can see above, somewhat uninformative as well. So come on, Sony, what is going on with your Network?



Update: PSN is acknowledging on its EU blog that the network outage may be a result of "the possibility of targeted behaviour by an outside party." Still no ETA for when services will be restored.



Update 2: PSN is now reporting that the network may be offline for "a full day or two."



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Permalink   |  sourcePlayStation Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Available Tags:Sony , Microsoft , Kinect , smartphone , Android , iOS , Samsung , 4G , AMD , Fusion , Fujitsu , HTC , Thunderbolt , Amazon , Google , Apple , Linux , motion , Portal , Sony Ericsson , Kindle , Sharp , TV , CFO , iPhone , Hulu , BlackBerry , Motorola ,
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