Tuesday, April 26, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 26/04/2011





Samsung makes sure you know the Galaxy S II is really, really thin with silly new ad (video)
Samsung seems to be killing time until it finally ships the Galaxy S II by making promo videos for its dual-core superphone. The latest in a series of ads for the S II spends a few precious seconds reminding us just how excellently thin it is, and gives us a particular usage scenario where that slim profile truly becomes practical. We won't spoil that for you, though we should play spoiler in noting the barely readable small print above -- "Thickness of the device may differ by country or carrier." So remember, just because you and your pen pal from across the world are both buying a product with an excruciatingly specific title like Samsung Galaxy S II doesn't mean you'll both get the same thing. All that said, the 8.49mm-thick version of the device is ready to wow you on video just past the break. We've thrown a couple of Samsung's earlier commercials in there as well, just to complete the set.
Continue reading Samsung makes sure you know the Galaxy S II is really, really thin with silly new ad (video)
Permalink   |  sourceSamsungTomorrow (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video)
We've seen plenty of portable solar chargers in our time, but few have looked quite as versatile as B-Squares -- a new collection of 3D modular energy storage devices that can be arranged in various configurations, according to the kind of gadget you're looking to juice. Developed by MIT grads Jordan McRae and Shawn Frayne, each solar-powered B-Square features a sticky microsuction surface, along with magnetic and electric contacts at each corner, making it easy to connect and arrange them in different formations. Rotating a single square will change its electrical circuit, depending on its adjacent connection. Some B-Squares, for example, feature LED surfaces, allowing you to create solar-powered lanterns, while others have solar panels, or simply serve as rechargeable battery sources. There's even a square devoted to Arduino boards, along with another surface designed to dock and charge iPhones. McRae and Frayne have already put together a full "recipe book" of different configurations, though the DIY route seems a lot more enticing to us. Their B-Squares are set to leave the prototype phase on May 1st, at an as yet unspecified price. Check them out in video action after the break.



[Thanks, Ryan]
Continue reading B-Squares bring portable solar energy and Arduino compatibility to toy blocks (video)
Permalink   |  sourceB-Squares  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service
Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service
Need another sign that iTunes will soon be floating your library up to the cloud? Look no further than confirmation of Apple signing Warner Music, a deal that should see the label's music available in its upcoming streaming iTunes service. This is in addition to last week's confirmation that two major labels signed on, though its unclear whether Warner is part of the pair or is, indeed, a third. That might leave only one of the major labels left unsigned -- or maybe Apple's already locked down all four but doesn't want to kiss and tell. Yet.
Apple signs Warner Music to its cloud-based music service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 08:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceCNET  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


B&N Nook Color update released, brings Froyo, apps, and Flash, we go hands-on (video)
We've been waiting for this day: our little reader would finally become a big boy tablet -- without having to resort to any sort of hackery. We knew it was coming and, as of now, owners of the Barnes & Noble Nook Color should be receiving notices that their devices are ready to drop those training wheels and run some proper apps. Flash web browsing, downloads, games, e-mail, it's all here. Click on through for our impressions and a video of the update in action.

Gallery: Nook Color 1.2 update
Continue reading B&N Nook Color update released, brings Froyo, apps, and Flash, we go hands-on (video)
Permalink   |  sourceBarnes & Noble update  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


HP EliteBook 2560p laptop, 2760p convertible tablet surface in more leaked docs
We're not quite sure what it is with companies and their loose PDFs these days, but another pair of documents have now surfaced on HP's servers, which provide the complete specs and our first real look at the company's previously leaked EliteBook 2560p and 2760p. Perhaps most notably, we now for sure that the latter is indeed a convertible tablet as we had suspected, including a swiveling 12.1-inch matte display, along with your choice of Sandy Bridge Core i5 or i7 processors, up to a 320GB hard drive or 160GB SSD, a maximum 16GB of RAM, and the usual integrated Intel HD3000 graphics (no other option, unfortunately). The EliteBook 2560p, on the other hand, packs an ever so slightly larger 12.5-inch display, and some mostly similar specs across the board -- the biggest exception being up to a 750GB hard drive thanks to its 2.5-inch storage bay (versus 1.8-inch on the 2760p. Still no prices for either of them, although we've got to assume that HP will be making these completely official fairly soon.



[Thanks, Reznov]
HP EliteBook 2560p laptop, 2760p convertible tablet surface in more leaked docs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink HP Fansite  |  sourceHP PDF (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Panasonic's Gyutto e-bike has room for two, actually even three
Okay, so the pic only shows one child seat on this new power-assisted bike from Panasonic, but the designers reckon you can fit another one on the back. It's called the Gyutto and it packs some nifty technology to make it safe for a trio. For a start, to prevent the bike toppling when you park up, the kickstand activates a lock on the handle bar, making the front wheel rigid. And to keep you travelling in the right direction up a steep hill, the 8Ah lithium-ion battery delivers some high-torque power assist, good for 36km on a single charge -- better than some others. Talking about steep, the price will work out at around $1,780 (including the two child seats) when the bike is released in Japan on May 23rd. The same money will get you a Mini version with smaller (20-inch) wheels. It's a lot to spend on a couple of ungrateful rugrats, but at least you won't have to pump those pedals so hard.
Panasonic's Gyutto e-bike has room for two, actually even three originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTech-On!  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Acer said to be using LG Shuriken display in upcoming laptop -- less bezel, less thickness, more awesome
The zany guys and gals at DigiTimes have a saucy new rumor to start our week off with a bang. A newfangled LG display, dubbed Shuriken, is apparently being recruited in Acer's fight against irrelevance. The Taiwanese company will reputedly use it in an upcoming 14.1-inch laptop, but here's the kicker: the physical size of the laptop will be no bigger than that of a 13.3-inch model. That's because the Shuriken's panel will require less bezel (8mm instead of 12mm) and less thickness, slimming itself down to just 4mm. LG already has the 12.5-inch Xnote P210, which would seem to be employing similar technology, so it's not a stretch to believe the company's war on bezels has stepped up to the 14-inch size class. Acer is expected to launch this new laptop as early as next month, though the cost of the Shuriken displays is cited as the reason they haven't been taken up more widely yet, meaning the price of the eventual product will be almost as intriguing as its looks.
Permalink   |  sourceDigiTimes  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v available tomorrow for €590, starting with Portugal
Some lucky Aussies might have been able to pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v ahead of the rest of the world, but it turns out the Portuguese will actually be taking this Honeycomb tablet home first, starting tomorrow. Originally known as the Galaxy Tab 10.1 but quickly superseded by a slimmer, impending model, said transitional device is now listed on Vodafone Portugal's website with a more delightful €589.90 ($860, which is no doubt off-contract) tag to go with its HSPA+ radio, along with a big red "available from April 26th" stamp. We dug through Vodafone's other European sites and the only country that also mentions this Tegra 2 slate is the Netherlands, though it only indicates a "week 17" launch -- in other words, any time between now and May 1st. If you're in Europe and don't mind this slightly out-of-date whopper, be sure to check back as we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for more details.



[Thanks, Carlos O.]
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v available tomorrow for €590, starting with Portugal originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 05:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceVodafone Portugal, Vodafone Netherlands  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Nintendo sells 3.61 million 3DS handhelds, but sees 2010 net profit decline by 66 percent
It's a "good news, bad news" kind of a day in Super Mario land, as Nintendo's announcement of a Wii successor has been followed up with the delivery of the company's financial results for fiscal year 2010, which don't make for happy reading. Nintendo's net sales of $12.4 billion for the period ending on March 31st 2011 was 29 percent less than it tallied during the previous year, while its $825 million of net profit was also a staggering 66 percent lower than it earned last year. The 3DS has sold well so far, reaching 3.61 million transactions worldwide, but the Wii is down to 15 million global sales, which marks a 25 percent contraction from its FY2009 total of 20 million. So the impetus for a hardware refresh of the Wii is clearly there, now it's just a matter of waiting for E3 to find out exactly how Nintendo plans to go about it.
Permalink   |  sourceNintendo [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Painting with fire, thanks to a cybernetic glove (video)


Fire: the most primal element. "It's a living thing," Robert De Niro once said, "It breathes, it eats, and it hates. The only way to beat it is to think like it." Unless you're an artist - then you rig up a series of tubes, pump in some kerosene, and connect it to a Power Glove-like control device. Next thing you know, you're "fire painting," making that hateful beast dance and strut for your amusement. "Its burning can be handled by subtle movements of the sensory data glove for tactile formulation of the fiery image," the artist explains, "Thus, the image can be manipulated, yet it constantly escapes control." To know what it's like to summon flame with a flick of your wrist - while sporting a creepy smiley-face welding mask, no less - see the video above.
Painting with fire, thanks to a cybernetic glove (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 04:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Make  |  sourceSanela Jahic  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Nintendo confirms next Wii coming in 2012, will preview it at E3
Nintendo has just announced it plans to introduce a successor to its Wii console next year, a "playable model" of which will be shown off at the E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles coming up on June 7th. No details are available as to how the next Wii will improve on the first one, though we imagine Nintendo will be happy if it simply matches the success of its current-gen home entertainer -- the brief note publicizing the new roadmap also comes with a total of Wii sales accumulated between its launch in '06 and the end of last month: 86.01 million. That's said to be on a "consolidated shipment basis," so maybe Nintendo is mixing its definitions of sales and shipments the way Sony likes to, but it's a mighty big number either way. Bring on E3, we say!



Update: Bloomberg has provided the first official hint about Nintendo's next console with a quote from company President Satoru Iwata. Nintendo will "propose a new approach to home video game consoles," though it won't be a simple move to 3D, as Iwata notes "it's difficult to make 3-D images a key feature, because 3-D televisions haven't obtained wide acceptance yet." Given that motion gaming is no longer new and 3D is off the table until 3DTVs go mainstream, we're now left facing only one potentiality -- Nintendo is planning on bringing genuine innovation to our living rooms. We suppose it also adds fuel to the rumor of a crazy next-gen controller to go with this next-gen console.
Continue reading Nintendo confirms next Wii coming in 2012, will preview it at E3
Nintendo confirms next Wii coming in 2012, will preview it at E3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink SlashGear  |  sourceNintendo [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Acer Iconia Tab A500 now on sale, $450 for aluminum-clad WiFi-only model
Yearning for some diversity in your hunt for a Honeycomb tablet? Acer's new Iconia Tab A500 doesn't really stray from the Tegra 2 norm when it comes to internal specs, but it does have that brushed aluminum back, a full-sized USB 2.0 port, and a sane $450 price point going for it. You'll get 16GB of storage and 802.11b/g/n WiFi connectivity for your money, though ASUS' similarly outfitted Eee Pad Transformer should also be prominent on your radar as it'll ask for an even humbler $399 when it makes its slightly delayed US launch tomorrow. Let's hope the arrival of these Taiwanese cousins nudges other Android tablets makers into engaging in a bit of price competition, eh?



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Acer Iconia Tab A500 now on sale, $450 for aluminum-clad WiFi-only model originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBest Buy  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


James Cameron picks up 50 RED EPIC-Ms, high-fives Peter Jackson
Looks like another director's been on a shopping spree lately, as RED's Jim Jannard's just announced that he sold another 50 EPIC-Ms to one generous customer. Who's this, you ask? Why, it's James Cameron of Avatar and Titanic fame, and he's probably just blown $2.9 million on his latest stash of cinematographic toys -- it's $58,000 a pop for these hand-machined professional cameras. Details are scarce at the moment, but any educated guess would point at the upcoming Avatar 2 due end of 2014, meaning our favorite blue aliens will be returning in a healthy 5K resolution. Keep an eye out for Jannard's official announcement later this week for the full lowdown.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
James Cameron picks up 50 RED EPIC-Ms, high-fives Peter Jackson originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceREDUSER  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Acer Aspire One Happy gets Easter egg colors, Atom N570 chip
Eager to pick up a new molded-plastic Acer One netbook, but wish it came in PAAS-approved Easter egg hues? Then your day has come, friend. Macles reports that Acer will refresh its Aspire One Happy line with a quartet of edible colors: Blueberry Shake, Banana Cream, Papaya Milk and Strawberry Yogurt. Those vibrant shells will have the innards of the still-unreleased Acer One D257, including a 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N570 dual-core processor, along with the usual 10.1-inch display, 2GB memory, 250GB hard drive, and a six-cell battery. And yes, there will be 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, and Windows 7 Starter. No word yet on availability and pricing, but it's probably smarter to wait rather than try to make your own with a dye tab and a sink full of vinegar.
Acer Aspire One Happy gets Easter egg colors, Atom N570 chip originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Macles  |  sourceNotebook Italia  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar panel roads, floating golf, and the 2,564.8 MPG race car
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.



Building technology got a tremendous boost this week as Inhabitat reported on a new type of graphene super paper that is 10 times stronger than steel and six times as light. We also took a look at several remarkable new infrastructure projects popping up around the world - from a self-sufficient floating golf course in the Maldives to London's gleaming new cable car system, to the Netherlands' plan to supercharge its roadways with solar panels.



Speaking of hot asphalt, this week the ultra-efficient Alerion race car blazed a trail at the Shell Eco-Marathon, clocking in an incredible 2,564.8 miles per gallon. Meanwhile, Fisker announced that its sexy electric Karma sedan will hit the road this summer, and we were surprised to hear that Marcelo da Luz was forced to pull his solar-powered X of 1 car across Ontario due to road regulations. The New York Auto Show also kicked off with a blast this week as Lexus unveiled its next-gen LF-Gh concept hybrid and Porsche rolled out a 911 GTR 3 in a Facebook colorway that got a lot of "likes".



Finally, we looked at several futuristic example of wearable technology this week including a pair of RoboCop-like glasses that are capable of scanning 400 faces per second at public events. We also brought you a brilliant LED backpack that lets cyclists send signals to drivers, a pollution-detecting t-shirt, and a clock that tells time by knitting a new scarf every year.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.



Last week's Switched On discussed some of the challenges the Flip camcorder faced trying to grow in the marketplace, an effort abruptly scuttled by an indifferent Cisco. But while Kodak, Sony and others are now poised to fill the Flip void, no competitor exactly matched Flip's combination of simplicity and sharing. With point and shoot cameras, camcorders, traditional MP3 players and standalone GPS units in decline, the jury remains out on how long portable electronics can fight the smartphone, but Flip's success taught the industry some valuable lessons that may have relevance going forward.
Continue reading Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side
Switched On: A legacy from the Flip side originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Olympus still loving E-series DSLRs, but teases new Micro Four Thirds lenses to confuse you
The Micro Four Thirds form factor may be a compelling choice for those seeking portability with affordable prices and notable quality, but there's no doubt that many folks are still loyal to the conventional DSLRs. If you're one such Olympus fan who's concerned about the fate of the larger E-series lineup, fret not: Akira Watanabe, head of product development, reassured PCPOP that the E-series models are here to stay because of their unique features, though his team's still pondering over the idea of replacing the budget triple-digit line (like the E-620) with the PEN series, as suggested by his colleague previously. But shifting the focus back to PEN, Watanabe teased that his crew's developing some MFT lenses to boost the portfolio, though little is revealed other than that these will cater users who have specific photographic needs. Very intriguing indeed -- maybe some fisheye and tilt-shift love?
Permalink Electronista  |  sourcePCPOP  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


T-Mobile G2x getting Gingerbread 'sooner than you'd expect,' may not be a quad-band handset
We found the T-Mobile G2x to be a gem of a phone, blessed with both a speedy dual-core chip and a near-complete lack of bloatware to keep you from enjoying its raw muscle, but it's hard to deny it would be better still with some crumbly Gingerbread toppings. If you feel the same way, then join us in celebration of some joyous news -- T-Mobile tweets that Android 2.3 is coming to the G2x "soon." The carrier's official Twitter feed adds that Gingerbread was already being tested on the device even before launch, but unfortunately doesn't dish on a potentially more somber situation -- we're hearing (and have found in testing) that the G2x may not actually be a quad-band HSPA+ handset, and we're having trouble getting an unlocked version to connect to AT&T's 3G network. We're currently awaiting comment, and will let you know what we hear.
Permalink TmoNews  |  sourceTMobile (Twitter, 1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet leaks out with Honeycomb, IPS screen, optional stylus and keyboard folio?
Remember the ultra-thin Lenovo ThinkPad X1 we detailed just a few hours ago? The document that dished those secrets also mentioned an "X Slate," which made us wonder if Lenovo's LePad was finally hitting the states... but This is my next seems to have stumbled across a grander piece of technology than that oft-delayed slate. According to a presumably leaked company presentation, Lenovo's planning to release an Android 3.0 tablet this July with a giant raft of specs -- a 10.1-inch 1280 x 800 IPS capacitive multitouch panel, a Tegra 2 processor, up to 64GB of storage, front and rear cameras, a full-size USB 2.0 port, mini-HDMI out, a genuine SD card reader and up to 8 hours of purported battery life in a package about 14mm thick and weighing 1.6 pounds.



What's more, it will reportedly have an optional dual-digitizer with "true pen support" and an optional keyboard case, possibly aping ASUS's recent Slate and Transformer tablet input mechanisms by allowing for both simultaneously. There's also apparently plenty of software support for the business-minded, including IT integration as well as anti-theft and remote wipe options, and all this will apparently start at the competitive price of $499 -- assuming these documents are legitimate and still valid. You see, they look a little preliminary for a slate supposedly sampling in just a couple of months, and there are contradictions here and there, such as the mention of a 1080p display in one slide, and some watermarks from 2009 in others. Still, Lenovo, if you're indeed producing a tablet today, we're liking its proposed specs -- don't suppose we can get a Tegra T25 chip while you're at it? Find a few extra renders and plenty of slides at our source link.
Permalink   |  sourceThis is my next.  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Startup's headset will bathe your brain in ultrasound, might help fight cancer, too
The scientific community has spent a decade exploring ultrasound as a means of breaking through the blood-brain barrier -- a layer of tightly-packed cells that surround the brain's blood vessels, making it difficult for doctors to deliver chemotherapy and other treatments to cancer patients. Thus far, though, most ultrasound-based techniques have relied upon complex and often costly equipment, including MRI machines and infusion pumps. But researchers at a startup called Perfusion Technology think they may have come up with a less invasive, more cost-effective alternative -- a new headset designed to deliver low-intensity ultrasound therapy to the entire brain over the course of extended treatment periods. This approach differs markedly from most other methods, which typically target smaller areas of the brain with high-intensity ultrasound doses. As with most other potential breakthroughs, however, Perfusion's technique still needs to undergo some major testing. The company has already conducted several tests on animals, but the last time a similar method was tried on humans, many subjects ended up suffering from excessive bleeding. And that doesn't sound good at all.
Permalink   |  sourceTechnologyReview  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Lenovo ThinkPad X1 confirmed, faster-charging integrated battery detailed
Yesterday's speculation has turned into today's fact. The ultraslim Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is most definitely real, coming soon, and just so happens to be packing some fancy new battery technology as well. This intel comes straight from Lenovo's own servers, where a highly informative PDF (intended for reseller partners, but accessible to all) dishes the dirt on the upcoming laptop. The X1's "slice" battery won't be user-replaceable, but what you lose in flexibility will be made up for in sheer performance gains, as Lenovo is touting it'll last three times as long as a normal battery and will recharge 2.5 times faster than previous ThinkPad cells. That's thanks to some fanciness named RapidCharge that will revitalize the X1 to 80 percent within 30 minutes. The presentation slides show the X1 right alongside Lenovo's latest Edge models, the E420s and E220s, as part of "a new generation of ThinkPads," and given that both of those are now shipping, the ultraslim, but still unannounced, X1 can't be far behind. Finally, just for some added intrigue, we've also spotted mention of an "X Slate" within the document -- any ideas as to what that might look like?



[Thanks, Alexandr]
Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad X1 confirmed, faster-charging integrated battery detailed
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 confirmed, faster-charging integrated battery detailed originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLenovo [PDF]  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


RIM wants Hulu Plus on the Blackberry PlayBook, 'conversations' continue
RIM wants Hulu Plus on the just-released Blackberry PlayBook. It also wants everyone to know it wants Hulu Plus on the Blackberry PlayBook, after the streaming video service unceremoniously blocked access to its videos just days after the tablet's launch. Now, both PC Mag and The Wall Street Journal are reporting the same terse email statement from RIM: "We are in conversations with Hulu to bring the Hulu Plus subscription service to BlackBerry PlayBook users." No word on the content of those conversations or a timeline for resolution, so for now PlayBook users will need to find another way to satisfy their yearning for Seinfeld reruns.
RIM wants Hulu Plus on the Blackberry PlayBook, 'conversations' continue originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePCMag, The Wall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


HTC Sensation procures online real estate, launches sign-up page
The G2X may be getting all the attention as the current flagship for T-Mobile, but HTC is bound and determined to make sure it doesn't stay that way for long. Curious souls may be happy to learn that a sign-up page has been set up for the HTC Sensation to update fans on news and announcements. This is a good sign that nary a precious moment of time is being wasted; after all, we've got a full six weeks before the heavily-rumored June 8 launch, and there's an abundance of opportunities for the two companies to get the word out like crazy between now and then. Who can blame them for taking advantage of one of the summer's hottest devices? Interested folks should head to the source link below to sign up.
Filed under:
HTC Sensation procures online real estate, launches sign-up page originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Community  |  sourceHTC  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Amsterdam orders 125 public EV charging stations, hastens the death of internal combustion
Amsterdam is known for its affinity for two-wheeled transportation, but the cycling-crazed city is also making a serious commitment to EVs for those Dutch who prefer driving. As a part of a plan introduced two years ago to eliminate internal combustion from its streets by 2040, the Netherlands' capital is looking to add to its existing 100 EV charging stations. The City Council has charged Dutch power company Essent with the installation of an additional 125 public plug-in points this year, with the possibility of adding 625 more. These new chargers may make it easier to juice up your electric car, but given the current price of EVs, we aren't sure how many Amsterdam residents will trade in their Kalkhoffs for Fiat 500s and Smart ForTwos. PR's after the break.
Continue reading Amsterdam orders 125 public EV charging stations, hastens the death of internal combustion
Permalink Autoblog Green  |  sourceRWE  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


New radio wave technique could detect alien planets, receive interstellar tunes
Any experienced planet hunter will tell you: finding exoplanets is the real challenge, where hardened professionals go to test their mettle. These tricky bodies stymie conventional methods - like seeing a planet pass in front of its parent star - because exoplanets often have decades-long orbits, meaning you could spend a lot of lonely nights fruitlessly searching the skies. So scientists at the University of Leicester in England developed a new approach: looking for radio waves emitted when ultraviolet flares light up the atmospheres of planets like Saturn and Jupiter. The flares - auroras - even if invisible to ordinary telescopes, are detectable by radio telescopes like the European Low Frequency Array (or LOFAR, pictured above). The scientists hope those methods will help them discover planetary systems up to 150 light-years away, perhaps even some that can sustain life. And, of course, keep them one step ahead of Richard Branson.


[Image credit: LOFAR / ASTRON]
New radio wave technique could detect alien planets, receive interstellar tunes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 02:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceSpace  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


How would you change Lenovo's ThinkPad X120e?
It's one of the first Fusion-based laptops out of the gate -- certainly one of the first with a semi-business-oriented shell -- and we found it to be one of the best modern ThinkPads we'd seen when reviewing it a few months back. Naturally, the quantity of machines shipping with the E-350 APU is swelling, but the X120e still touts one of the most unique feature sets available. For those who picked one up (for business or pleasure... we're hardly picky), we'd love to know how you'd tweak things. Are you satisfied with the build quality? The value? Would you encourage Lenovo to tweak a design that has remained largely constant for the better part of the last millennium? Would you have swapped out the APU for something a bit less integrated? Toss your thoughts in comments below; you never know if you'll be the dude / dudette that pushes the ThinkPad into its next evolution.
How would you change Lenovo's ThinkPad X120e? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Visualized: a Foxconn worker walks into an Apple store...
... and thinks, "I should ask for another raise."
Visualized: a Foxconn worker walks into an Apple store... originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 21:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Dell's 10-inch Android and Windows tablets get names, specs, release dates
leaked Dell tablets
Well, well, what have we here? A pair of 10-inch Dell tablets, one running Windows 7 on those fancy new Oak Trail chips from Intel and the other pushing Android 3.0 with a Tegra T25. We already saw these devices leaked in February, but now we have some specs and release dates. The Wintel powered Latitude ST boasts a resolution of 1366 x 768, 2GB of RAM, up to a 128GB SSD, GPS, an accelerometer, both front- and rear-facing cameras, an 8-hour removable battery, and "1080p video output," which we assume means HDMI-out. The Android-flavored Streak Pro opts for a 1200 x 800 panel, but keeps the pair of cameras (and two mics) for video chats, while adding an unspecified mobile broadband radio and slathering Dell's Stage UI on top of Honeycomb (whether or not that's a good thing is purely a matter of taste). Pricing is still up in the air, but the leaked roadmap indicates the Streak Pro will land in June, followed by the Latitude XT3 convertible tablet in July, and the Latitude ST in October.
Dell's 10-inch Android and Windows tablets get names, specs, release dates originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink NetbookNews  |  sourceAndroidCentral  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


HTC Flyer up for preorder for $499 at Best Buy on April 24th
Europeans have been able to preorder the HTC Flyer for months, and now curious Yanks are about to get their chance, too. The tablet will be available for preorder on April 24th (that's this Sunday) for $499 with Best Buy as the exclusive seller. Though our friends across the pond have been able to snag 3G versions, the one about to come stateside just has WiFi. The Flyer, as you'll remember, is the phone maker's first tablet, and has a 7-inch (1024 x 600) display, aluminum body, 1.5GHz Qualcomm chip, and a version of the company's Sense UI that was tweaked with slates in mind. Alas, It'll ship with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), but HTC is promising an eventual upgrade to 3.0 (Honeycomb) and all of the bigger-screen goodies that come with it.
Continue reading HTC Flyer up for preorder for $499 at Best Buy on April 24th
HTC Flyer up for preorder for $499 at Best Buy on April 24th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Droid-Life  |  sourceBest Buy  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


PSA: T-Mobile G2x and LG Optimus 2X include two-button screencap function (video)
Taking screenshots on Android has always been an ordeal akin to an emergency visit to the dentist -- you know you have to do it but you just don't want to. The convoluted process involves either installing the Android SDK on a computer, enabling USB debugging on the target device, and running ddms, or rooting the specimen and firing up one of the many existing (and potentially shady) screenshot apps. In contrast, taking screenshots on other platforms is often simply a matter of pressing the right key combination in the right order, like holding the sleep / wake button and then clicking the home button in iOS 4. Well it looks like the folks at LG have decided to grace both the T-Mobile G2x and its Optimus 2X sibling with a rather simple yet nifty bit of code that lets you take screenshots by simultaneously pressing both the power / lock and home buttons... Huzzah! Now let's just hope Google borrows this idea and makes it a standard feature in all future Android versions. Take a look at our demo video after the break.



[Thanks, redman12]
Continue reading PSA: T-Mobile G2x and LG Optimus 2X include two-button screencap function (video)
PSA: T-Mobile G2x and LG Optimus 2X include two-button screencap function (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 15:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TmoNews  |  sourceIntoMobile  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Norio Ohga, former Sony chairman and multimedia pioneer, dies at 81
There's more sad news out of Japan this morning, we're afraid -- Sony is reporting that former chairman Norio Ohga passed away in Tokyo yesterday from multiple organ failure. He was 81. You may not personally remember a Sony under his reign -- Ohga directly helmed the company from 1982 to 1995 after decades of service in product planning -- but Norio Ohga was arguably the man responsible for turning Sony from a high-profile analog electronics manufacturer into a digital multimedia conglomerate. He helmed the deals that formed Sony Music, paved the way for Sony Pictures and established the very same Sony Computer Entertainment that would birth the PlayStation, and it was he who pushed the optical compact disc standard that all but replaced the magnetic cassettes and diskettes that held portable media. Without him, DVDs and Blu-rays might have fallen by the wayside, and that's another thought that brings tears to our eyes. You'll find Ohga's official obituary after the break.
Continue reading Norio Ohga, former Sony chairman and multimedia pioneer, dies at 81
Norio Ohga, former Sony chairman and multimedia pioneer, dies at 81 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Associated Press  |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Lenovo ThinkPad X1 shows up online, looks freakishly thin
ThinkPad aficionados mourning the loss of the X300 series of ultraportable laptops might have something mighty fine to look forward to in the near future. A ThinkPad X1 has shown up at Swiss e-tailer Tell IT systems and other online locations, replete with a 2.5GHz Core i5-2520M CPU, a 160GB SSD, a 13.3-inch Gorilla Glass screen, and as you can see above, a profile thin enough to rival the likes of the Samsung Series 9 and Apple MacBook Air. The X1 is said to be 21.5mm thick, so it doesn't quite match those crazy cats, but -- provided we're not looking at an extremely elaborate hoax here -- it'll still be the thinnest ThinkPad by far when it launches. One 8GB stick of RAM, an SDXC card reader, and a 1366 x 768 resolution fill out the list of salient specs, while a price of 2,585 CHF ($2,920) sits alongside a promised delivery date of May 20th on Tell IT's website. You'll find a couple more images of Lenovo's purported new bread slicer after the break.



[Thanks, Ivan]
Continue reading Lenovo ThinkPad X1 shows up online, looks freakishly thin
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 shows up online, looks freakishly thin originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 11:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Thinkpads forum, Notebook Review forum  |  sourceTell IT systems, ThinkPad Center, 51nb  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


PlayStation Network outage caused by 'external intrusion,' continues for third day
It started on a quiet Wednesday night, with PlayStation gamers finding their Network unresponsive to their login attempts, and now continues well into its third day. Sony has now finally shed some light on the problems it's been having with PSN and, to nobody's surprise, the culprit for its troubles has been identified as "an external intrusion." The current downtime for PSN is the second of its kind this month, with the Anonymous group of online crusaders claiming responsibility for the first. Sony now intends to keep both PSN and its Qriocity music streaming service offline until it can pinpoint the vulnerability that has been exploited and put a stop to it. Skip past the break for the company's full statement.



Update: The PlayStation Blog has added an update to its US portal this evening that suggests the service disruption may continue for a good while longer -- according to Sony's Patrick Seybold, the company is "rebuilding our system to further strengthen our network infrastructure," and working non-stop to do so.



[Thanks, Christian and Joe]
Continue reading PlayStation Network outage caused by 'external intrusion,' continues for third day
PlayStation Network outage caused by 'external intrusion,' continues for third day originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 10:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePlayStation Blog  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Couple in Atlanta finally gets a LiFe, courtesy of Wheego
Wheego has, at long last, let its first $32,995, 100-mile range LiFe electric two-seater loose on the public, and added another cute little electric car to the US EV collective. By either stroke-of-luck or sheer coincidence (no way is it intentional), the first of the breed was delivered today, otherwise known as Earth Day, to a couple of lucky owners in the ATL. Good to see Dixieland drivers (who often prefer something with a lift kit and Super Swampers to fuel-efficient subcompacts) bringing cleaner motoring to the derrrty South.
Couple in Atlanta finally gets a LiFe, courtesy of Wheego originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWheego  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video)
As diligent as we are about keeping you abreast of absolutely every awesome new gadget that hits the market, every once in a while even we miss a real gem. Case in point: Arcade Forge's SLG 3000 scanline generator, which gives your seemingly flawless HD display a throwback makeover. As the name suggests, the rather diminutive board acts as a middle man between your VGA compatible device and your TV, bringing back the sweet imperfections that marked early console gaming. The thing enlists a series of DIP switches and a potentiometer for setting scanlines and resolution to your specifications. You can land one of your own at the source link for €50. In the meantime, though, we suggest you check out the video after the break to see why we couldn't bear to let this one get away -- even if it is a few months old.
Continue reading SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video)
SLG 3000 scanline generator brings grimy gaming to modern displays (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Retro Thing  |  sourceArcade Forge  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


FlyNano plane is super-light, pretty cheap, a little scary
Since the dawn of time, man has dreamed of soaring through the clouds, without invasive TSA security checks and having the guy next to him fall asleep on his shoulder, drooling. FlyNano debuted three new planes at last week's Aero 2011 show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, which it hopes will deliver that very dream. Thanks to a composite carbon fiber bodies and a sub-44 pound drive trains, each weighs less than 154 pounds, hitting the FAA definition for an ultralight vehicle and forgoing the need for a pilot's license. But, while the company is pitching these electric-powered propeller vehicles as flyable straight out of the box, the things are still subject to FAA regulations, so don't expect to go joyriding near a major airport anytime soon -- and then there's the "theoretical operational distance" of 40 miles to contend with. Pricing ranges from €25,000 to €27,000 ($36,380 to $39,290) and the company claims that they'll start shipping in three months, plenty of time to get your life insurance premiums paid up.



[Thanks, Jani]
Continue reading FlyNano plane is super-light, pretty cheap, a little scary
FlyNano plane is super-light, pretty cheap, a little scary originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink allGeek  |  sourceFlyNano  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


GigaPan Epic Pro robotic camera mount gets upgraded to firmware version 171
The GigaPan Epic Pro has been privy to the making of some pretty monumental and highly detailed panoramic images, and now the gigapixel gadget is getting an upgrade. The latest firmware update to the robotic camera mount brings even more exposures per position, a "dedicated mirror lock-up" for bulky lenses, and a time display that tells you how long it will take to work its panoramic magic. Among other things, the update also includes a set of new aspect ratios and the ability to take time lapse panoramas. If you're already packing a GigaPan Epic Pro, you can download the update at the source link below for free -- a brand new rig, on the other hand, will set you back a substantial $900. That ain't cheap, but there's a reason it's called the GigaPan Epic Pro. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading GigaPan Epic Pro robotic camera mount gets upgraded to firmware version 171
GigaPan Epic Pro robotic camera mount gets upgraded to firmware version 171 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGigaPan Systems  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Mitsubishi i MiEV priced to move, rolls out slowly across US
Mitsubishi i MiEV
Mitsubishi promised a fall 2011 launch for the i MiEV here in the US, and we're happy to report the company is right on schedule -- so long as you live in California, Oregon, Washington, or Hawaii. Those states will be the first to see the subcompact at the dealership this November. The all-electric car will make its debut in the northeastern US by March of next year, with the a nationwide rollout expected by December 2012. The basic ES model will start at $27,990, while the SE demands $29,990 for luxuries like a leather covered steering wheel and "upgrade[d] seating material." Both are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, which could push the price of entry down to just above $20,000 -- making the Mitsubishi i almost as easy on your wallet as it is on the Earth. PR after the break.
Continue reading Mitsubishi i MiEV priced to move, rolls out slowly across US
Mitsubishi i MiEV priced to move, rolls out slowly across US originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Ask Engadget: quickest booting / firing point-and-shoot camera?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Dan, who is totally over missing life's best moments due to sluggish startup speeds found on most point-and-shoot cameras. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"We need a digital camera that can be switched on and fire off that first shot fast. It's not a commonly tracked statistic on any review site, and nobody seems to have this information for every camera. We were hoping other readers could inform us as to what small digital cameras can fire off their first pics in under a second (ideally under half a second). It needs to be small, but mostly, just really quick in operation. Thanks!"
Fast? Camera? Got it. Got any recommendations? Shout 'em below... with haste!
Ask Engadget: quickest booting / firing point-and-shoot camera? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 23:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


SARbot searches for victims underwater in Japan (video)
Joining the extended family of robots assisting with the relief effort in Japan, the Texas-based Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue (CRASAR) has sent its SARbot to Rikuzentakata. Like some of the other bots, this guy can shoot video as it swims under houses and other crippled structures, but it also sports a "limb grasping mechanism," designed to retrieve drowning victims and assist in other search and rescue operations. As of yet the machine's searches have come up empty, but the bot has kept the camera rolling during it's underwater adventures, so head past the break to check out a clip of its footage.
Continue reading SARbot searches for victims underwater in Japan (video)
SARbot searches for victims underwater in Japan (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PhysOrg  |  sourceCRASAR  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...




Available Tags:Samsung , Galaxy , Apple , HP , tablet , Acer , LG , Galaxy Tab , Nintendo , Olympus , Lenovo , keyboard , Hulu , Blackberry , HTC , Android , Windows , Sony , gaming ,
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 9:30 AM
التسميات: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)