Sunday, April 3, 2011

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 02/04/2011




Diamond-encrusted Lunatik iPod nano watch is as superfluous as it sounds
If you're the type of person who has 99 problems, a satisfactory wristwatch being one, feast your lustful eyes on this diamond-encrusted abomination. ZShock has managed to work its magic -- $18,000 worth, to be precise -- on a Lunatik iPod nano watch, with the end result being something that we'd hardly recommend being caught dead with. Of course, those who'd disagree vehemently are going to need a magic number in order to procure one, but those who are just curious can peek the source link below for a bit of wrist-on action. Temper that jealously, though.
Diamond-encrusted Lunatik iPod nano watch is as superfluous as it sounds originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 08:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Crunchgear | sourceBGR | Email this | Comments
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CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected
There are few things we enjoy more than seeing the glittery innards of a device splayed before us in the name of science -- especially when it happens to be the CDMA version of Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. The Verizon bound phone made a cameo at the FCC today where it was subjected to -- and passed -- the usual battery of SAR tests before getting dissected. What's intriguing about the pictures in the FCC report is that the CDMA model features the same combination SIM / microSD card slot as its GSM sibling. While some are theorizing that Verizon's gaming handset might support LTE, we think it's more likely that the Xperia Play uses a dual-mode CDMA / GSM radio and that the SIM slot will either remain empty and disabled in firmware or that the Xperia Play will be one of Verizon's global offerings. Take a look at the gallery below and judge for yourself.
Gallery: CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected
CDMA Xperia Play visits FCC, promptly gets dissected originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 07:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wireless Goodness | sourceFCC | Email this | Comments
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Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8660 destroys the competition in majestic benchmark run
Take the 1GHz Scorpion core residing in Qualcomm's current flagship Snapdragon, the MSM8x55, duplicate it, overclock the resulting pair by 50 percent, and give them improved graphics in the form of Adreno 220. What do you get? A barnburner by the unsexy name of MSM8x60. Yes, the 1.5GHz Mobile Development Platform Qualcomm loosed on the world at CES earlier this year has found itself prostrate on a test bench, where it has produced some of the finest graphical performance scores yet seen on a mobile device. The taxing OpenGL ES 2.0 test you see above shows the new Snapdragon doubling the frame rates churned out by Motorola's mighty Atrix 4G (which admittedly has to work harder thanks to its higher-res display) and completely embarrassing older generation hardware like the EVO 4G. That's a theme carried on throughout AnandTech's benchmarking, which you may explore in full at the source link. If you're wondering when this world-beating dual-core chip will be coming to market, the answer is that it's already inside HTC's imminently upcoming EVO 3D and Pyramid devices, albeit running at a tamer 1.2GHz. Exciting, eh? Continue reading Qualcomm's 1.5GHz dual-core MSM8660 destroys the competition in majestic benchmark run
Permalink | sourceAnandTech | Email this | Comments
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Hasbro's My3D to turn iPhones into glorified ViewMasters starting Sunday
It's about time the ViewMaster got an upgrade. What's that? It's not a ViewMaster? Well, you could have fooled us, but either way, the thing's finally going on sale exclusively at Target April 3rd, and everywhere else starting in June. As you might have already heard, Hasbro's intro into the crowded 3D arena, simply titled My3D, does take a card from the old ViewMaster deck, but instead of enlisting cardboard discs, this thing uses your iPhone or iPod touch to bring you 3D entertainment. If your kid's not already hooked on 3D, the $35 viewer could be a decent starter -- then again, for $35 you could take yourself out to a nice lunch, give the rug rat a cardboard box, and call it a day. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Hasbro's My3D to turn iPhones into glorified ViewMasters starting Sunday
Hasbro's My3D to turn iPhones into glorified ViewMasters starting Sunday originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 04:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceHasbro | Email this | Comments
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Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder
It's not that you need a hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder hanging around in your fifth pocket, but if you're looking to capture more of life's moments, why not? Scheduled for a proper introduction at NAB Show 2011, the Minicaster is capable of encoding and delivering a number of streams while also recording at the same time, and those settings can be tweaked directly on the unit itself. The company recommends using it with Wowza Media Server, and if you're looking to become the world's next Ustream star, investing in one of these may not be such a bad idea. Emphasis on may, given that the asking price is eluding us at the moment. Continue reading Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder
Minicaster: the pocket-sized hardware-based H.264 live streaming encoder originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 02:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceMinicaster | Email this | Comments
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World's first GLONASS-enabled smartphone ships in Russia, GPS ponders a recalculation
Well, would you look at that? The planet's first GLONASS phone is now available, but it looks as if you'll need to soar over to Russia in order to use it. Of course, if you've followed the GLONASS story at all you wouldn't find that shocking in the least, and if you choose to pick up the ZTE-built MTS GLONASS 945 on your next trip, you'll be treated to full-on GPS support back in the States. It's a Froyo-based device with a 3.2-inch capacitive touchpanel, 2 megapixel camera, 130MB of memory, Bluetooth / WiFi and a price tag of just under 11,000 Rubles. That's around $400 in real money, which you'll probably find suits you best in your wallet if you've already picked up the all-too-similar Vodafone 945. Here's hoping the world's second GLONASS phone is a bit more compelling in the design and feature standpoint, yeah?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Permalink Hi-Tech Mail | sourceQuintura, MTS | Email this | Comments
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How would you change HP's Fusion-powered Pavilion dm1z?
We know you -- you're that guy (or gal!) who simply can't resist dipping your toes into whatever's next, and in the case of AMD's Fusion, you almost certainly went out and grabbed up an HP Pavilion dm1z as soon as it hit the market. Nah, we aren't clairvoyant, just rational guessers. At any rate, now that you've had a solid two or three months with your Zacate-backed ultraportable, we're eager to know how you'd change things if given the golden key. Are you satisfied with the build quality? How's that heat? Feeling any jealousy for those who opted for Atom-based rigs? Are the keyboard and trackpad things you actually look forward to using? Go ahead and vent in comments below; it's Friday, it's your birthday, and HP's got an awfully thick coat of skin.
How would you change HP's Fusion-powered Pavilion dm1z? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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HTC confirms Flyer tablet will get Honeycomb... sometime
HTC hasn't said much on the subject of Honeycomb for its Flyer tablet since its big announcement back at Mobile World Congress, where it said it chose not to use the OS for the tablet because it didn't have enough time to customize it with its Sense UI. It's now finally chimed in on the matter again, however, and replied to a question on Twitter by saying that it "will be offering a Honeycomb upgrade when it's made available." Of course, that statement's noticeably lacking a specific date (or even a hint of one), and it may well be wise to not hold your breath for an upgrade anytime soon given Google's recent talk of a tighter grip on Honeycomb. Still, it looks like it's definitely still on the table as far as HTC is concerned.

[Thanks, Lewis]
HTC confirms Flyer tablet will get Honeycomb... sometime originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | source@HTC (Twitter) | Email this | Comments
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GameStop details plans for Impulse and Spawn Labs, says it's 'becoming a technology company'
Well, it looks like GameStop's plans following its acquisition of Impulse and Spawn Labs may be even grander than we had suspected. At an investor conference today, GameStop said flat out that it is "becoming a technology company," and that it does indeed plan to introduce a cloud-based gaming service similar to OnLive as a result of the Spawn Labs acquisition, while Impulse will be used to "compete fiercely" with Steam. But that's just the start of things. According to the Dallas Morning News, GameStop also plans to expand the gaming service to a variety of mobile devices, and it's apparently even entertaining the idea of a GameStop-branded tablet, saying that "if we feel like we could do a better job of making a tablet, we'll do that." Of course, some of that is still quite a ways off, but GameStop will be taking its first steps fairly soon -- it's already showed off a demo of how the service will be integrated into its website (see above, complete with a "try it now" option), and it plans to begin a public beta sometime this year before rolling out the full service early next year.
Permalink | sourceDallas Morning News (1), (2) | Email this | Comments
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Amazon said to be considering NFC-based mobile payment service
As you may be aware, Amazon does actually already make it easier for you to shop at places other than Amazon.com with its Amazon Payments service, and it now looks like it might even be thinking about expanding things to brick and mortar stores as well. More specifically, Bloomberg is reporting that Amazon is exploring a mobile payment service based on NFC technology, which would let you pay for items and receive things like loyalty points using nothing other than an NFC-equipped cellphone. Not surprisingly, Amazon is also said to be considering some other features that would send folks back to Amazon.com -- Bloomberg gives the example of someone shopping for jeans in a retail store who can't find the right size, and says that they could simply scan the jean's tag to order a pair online. Details are otherwise a bit light, and the service is apparently still not quite a sure thing, although a person familiar with the matter says Amazon will decide whether to go forward with it or not "in the next three to five months."
Amazon said to be considering NFC-based mobile payment service originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceBloomberg | Email this | Comments
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Apple patent application reveals plans for external battery pack, spells further trouble for HyperMac
Way back in September of last year, Apple filed a patent-infringement suit against HyperMac, the folks behind these external batteries. At the time, it looked like Apple was protecting its patented MagSafe power connector, but a newly released USPTO application for a "Power Adapter with Internal Battery" might reveal a more accurate view of the company's litigious motivations. From the look of things, the outfit intends to make its mark on juicing solutions with what is basically a wall charger packing an internal battery. According to the patent filing, the contraption would include a processor for parceling energy to the host device as well as the adapter, and could also incorporate a supplemental energy source like a solar cell. Among other things, it would also communicate with the device being charged to allow users to monitor the juice stored in the extra battery. If the thing does end up making it to market, it looks like HyperMac could have a whole lot more trouble on its hands than a little patent-infringement suit.
Permalink AppleInsider | sourceUSPTO | Email this | Comments
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Caption Contest: Russian prez is impressed by iPad 2
In non-Soviet Russia... presidents tend to receive some pretty swanky high-tech gifts. Dmitry Medvedev, leader of the good people of Russia and one of the few men to successfully rock denims with a suit jacket, has been bestowed with a fresh new iPad 2 and his facial expression seems to suggest he was immediately irradiated with blasts of magic, fairy dust, and the smiles of innocent children from across the world. We just hope he hasn't seen the crummy camera yet, he is something of a tablet photography connoisseur.

Darren: "Why, lookie there! I can see Alaska from my iPad 2!"
Joe: "I can't believe I'm playing chess with Gary Kasparov!"
Jose: "I wonder if Barack also likes to play Risk on his iPad."
Josh F.: "See? The cat is talking but he's saying 'has' instead of 'have!'"
Don: "Kickin' in the front seat, sittin' in the back seat, gotta make my mind up, which seat can I take?"
Tim: "Look, it already has Words with Comrades installed!"
Vlad: "And this has push notifications for when Mr. Putin has instructions for me, yes?"
Richard Lawler: "10,000 apps and it's still cheaper than buying the New Jersey Nets."
Myriam: "And so if I tap here, it opens the door to the shark tank... and over here are the laser controls. Cool, eh?"
Richard Lai: "Hullo Anna!"
Caption Contest: Russian prez is impressed by iPad 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink @dryab (Twitpic) | sourcenewsru | Email this | Comments
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Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport review
Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport review
Gadgets come in all shapes and sizes, but it's safe to say this is a big'un. Sure, it isn't exactly portable in the traditional sense, and no 24 month contract is going to make it fit into our budget, but that doesn't mean it can't have a place in your life. It's the Roadster Sport, the latest addition to the Tesla family and released to the world last summer. Version 2.5 is the fastest yet on the road, leaping from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds yet still getting a rated 245 miles of range.

Of course, we all know that rated range doesn't necessarily equate to real-world range, and real-world car performance doesn't always live up to what you read in the magazines, either. Indeed in our testing we weren't able to make it the full 245 miles that Tesla says you can in a roadster, nor did we come close to approaching this thing's 125mph top speed. But, after spending plenty of hours wedged inside the cockpit of this $128,500 sporty EV we did walk away mighty impressed, not only with how it drove but in how it sounded. Read on, and you might just be too.
Gallery: Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport
Continue reading Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport review
Tesla Roadster 2.5 Sport review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform
We wouldn't count on its retail business going away anytime soon, but it looks like GameStop is now also betting heavily on a digitally-distributed future. To that end, the company has just announced that it's acquiring both Spawn Labs and Steam-competitor Impulse, the latter of which it's buying out from parent company Stardock Systems. While Spawn Labs may not be the most familiar name, you might remember its HD-720 set-top box -- essentially a Slingbox for your game consoles -- which we first checked out way back in 2009 and finally started shipping in early 2010. It sounds like GameStop may have some even grander ambitions for the technology than that, however, as the company's press release says that it's now testing a "new consumer interface" that will give users "immediate access to a wide selection of high-definition video games on demand on any Internet-enabled device." As our pals at Joystiq note, that sounds an awful lot like OnLive-esque cloud-based gaming service, but GameStop unfortunately isn't offering many other hints at the moment.
Continue reading GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform
GameStop snaps up Spawn Labs, Impulse game distribution platform originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq | | Email this | Comments
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London scraps plans for cellular coverage on the tube, bums Huawei out
Technical complexity and financial naiveté have meant that London's ambitious plans to cover its underground train network with cellular signal by the 2012 Olympics are hitting the scrapheap. In spite of Huawei's most generous offer to provide £50 million ($81m) of equipment for the project for free, the London Mayor's wish that UK mobile operators be the ones to foot the installation bill -- without a penny coming out of public coffers -- has unsurprisingly found little favor. Compounded with the logistical hellride of trying to get everything up and running by next summer, that's now led to a mutual agreement among all parties concerned to abandon the project. Mind you, the plans to get WiFi up at 120 stations in time for the Olympics are still on track, so at least we'll be able to pull down some data before diving into those dark, damp tunnels.
London scraps plans for cellular coverage on the tube, bums Huawei out originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceGuardian | Email this | Comments
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Frys lists WiFi-only Galaxy Tab at $350, now accepting pre-orders
$399.99 for a WiFi-only Galaxy Tab not low enough to pique your interest? Then perhaps $349.99 will be a bit more to your liking. While there's still no indication of a release date, Frys.com is now accepting pre-orders for the device at that price, which is presumably not a mistake. Of course, the device itself is identical to the regular Galaxy Tab apart from that "wifi-only" bit, including the same 7-inch display, 16GB of storage, and Android 2.2 with Flash 10.1 support. Those willing to sign a contract will soon be able to get a 3G model for even less, however, with Sprint now set to offer the Tab for a mere $200 on a two-year contract.

[Thanks, Andy]
Frys lists WiFi-only Galaxy Tab at $350, now accepting pre-orders originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceFrys.com | Email this | Comments
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Spiral training Android application turns anyone into Peyton Manning... in theory (video)
Ah, ingenuity. We've seen Google's Android platform used for a host of unorthodox applications over the years, but Ben Kokes' concoction deserves a round of golf claps to call its own. The so-called Replay Football system employs a Bluetooth-enabled Nerf football with a 9-axis inertial sensing motion processing module (MPU-6000 by InvenSense), and when linked to a visualization / throw analysis application, you're able to analyze the rotation of a football in real-time as it's thrown. From there, the app breaks down the nuts and bolts of the toss, and while it's not able to blurt out pointers on correcting things just yet, we're seeing endless potential for the next revision. Don't believe us? There's a video just below that'll make a believer out of you, yet. Continue reading Spiral training Android application turns anyone into Peyton Manning... in theory (video)
Permalink | sourceYouTube (benkokes) | Email this | Comments
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April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition
Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools' Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new "features." We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break. Continue reading April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition
April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 07:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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