Monday, April 4, 2011

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 03/04/2011




Osborne 1 celebrates its 30th birthday, and that of the portable computing revolution
On April 3rd, 1981 -- thirty years ago today -- Adam Osborne unveiled the Osborne 1 at the West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco. It had a 4 MHz Zilog Z80 CPU, two single-sided floppy drives, 64K of RAM, and a five-inch monochrome CRT display. Nothing particularly special there, even back in the day. No, what made the Osborne 1 extraordinary was the fact that the 24-pound plastic machine had a carrying handle on the back -- and at the bargain price of $1,795 with software included, it became one of the first mass-produced portable computers to succeed. Which, of course, spurred competitors to create an army of even more "luggable," loveable machines. Shortly after helping to change the course of history, Osborne and his computer fell into a spiral of pain, but the next time you admire the way your ultralight slides into a manila envelope, you'll know who to thank. Find a short but sweet chronicle of the Osborne 1 at our Technologizer link.
Permalink | sourceTechnologizer | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nyko Power Pack+ and Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS review
Nyko Power Pack+ and Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS review
When we reviewed the Nintendo 3DS (both times) there were some things we liked and others we didn't, but one thing stood out as a true flaw: the battery life. Three to four hours on a charge just doesn't cut it when portable game systems are traditionally known for shrugging off entire international flights. The 3DS would struggle with a puddle-jumper. Now, Nyko says it has a fix, and have released a battery backpack that promises twice the life of the stock console. Does it deliver? Not quite, but close.
Gallery: Nyko Charge Base and Power Pak+
Continue reading Nyko Power Pack+ and Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS review
Nyko Power Pack+ and Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS review originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Caption contest: this is why grocery stores shouldn't sell smartphones
"We call it a very nice phone and you can get it on a 12 month contract." Oh, really, Tesco? Nifty! So, how much is that bag of day-old doughnuts... with and without a contract?

Don: "Knowing my luck, if I buy this now they'll have an iPhone 4 with a Bold keyboard on sale next week."
Darren: "Do you guys sell a vegan model?"
Michael: "At Tesco, we've got raspberries, strawberries, and... ThunderBerries?"
Tim: "With Android, are you supposed to squeeze it or shake it to tell if it's ripe?"
Chris: "You can find it in the toothpaste aisle of your local grocery store."
Myriam: "Behold the Desire Torch, a new AndroBerry phone from HTRIM... now available in the cheese aisle."
Richard Lai: "By popular demand we have extended our Tesco Mobile Rewards offer to our shanzhai range."
Sean Hollister: "And Tesco embraced fragmentation, the only way it knew how."
Vlad: "Hey, if RIM's gonna use our apps on its tablet, then we're gonna use its buttons on our phones. Fair's fair."

[Thanks, Matt O.]
Caption contest: this is why grocery stores shouldn't sell smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Xperia X10 goes on sale for just a dollar on contract, Gingerbread-flavored future makes it appealing
Okay, so a couple of weeks back, we wouldn't have cared if Best Buy was willing to give us money to carry the Xperia X10, we still would have steered clear of its flawed UI and outdated software. But Sony Ericsson did a funny thing last Friday by promising to slap Gingerbread on this 4-inch sucker, which makes its current $1 contract price an eminently more intriguing proposition. We scouted out Best Buy's web outlet and couldn't find the X10 listed at all, so this could very well be a final stock clearance of the handset available on a store-by-store basis. If you're tempted to jump on what's looking like one of the cheapest Gingerbread devices for a while, you should be aware that the Android 2.3 update won't be dropping until the end of Q2 at the earliest, so there will be a modicum of patience required.

[Thanks, Adam]
Permalink | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
TiVo email database compromised by Epsilon security breach, spambots stir into action
If you're subscribed to any of TiVo's email-based communiqués, now would be a good time to make sure your spam filters are up to scratch. Epsilon, TiVo's email service provider, has reported the discovery of a security breach that has compromised the privacy of some customers' names and / or email addresses. A rigorous investigation has concluded that no other personal data was exposed, however it's not just TiVo that's affected -- other big names, such as JPMorgan Chase, Citi, US Bank, Kroger, and Walgreens have also seen their users' deets dished out to the unidentified intruder. As we say, no credit card numbers or any other truly sensitive data has escaped, so the only thing you really have to fear is fear itself... and an onslaught of spam.

[Thanks, Devin]
Permalink | sourceEpsilon, TiVo | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony kills A33 DSLR production, auctions off unused birthday cake
If you didn't jump on an Alpha A33 when you had the chance, you'll probably be disappointed when your eyes glaze over the next few words -- Sony has discontinued production of the translucent mirror-packed shooter. On its site, the company has noted that production has halted in Japan, without specific reasoning as to why -- though some might say that overheating sensor was just too much to bear. It's not often that a seven month-old DSLR gets canned, but if Sony's got a refined sensor waiting in a doubly refined successor... well, that'll put a plug in the waterworks real quick.
Sony kills A33 DSLR production, auctions off unused birthday cake originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Foto Actualidad | sourceSony Japan | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Think City's EVs get priced... sort of
Think City's EVs get priced, sort of
Apparently a $34,000 price tag isn't exclusive enough for you to nab one of the first 100 Think City electric vehicles -- fancy that! The aforementioned sticker is meant only for normal retail versions of the green-machine, a version that just so happens to not truly exist in any meaningful form. To be one of those lucky 100 bringing home the first available Think City vehicles, you'll have to cough up a decidedly heftier chunk of change -- $41,695 to be exact. In addition to these inaugural models, Think City is adding another set of prices for lucky folks living in Indiana (the first state to acquire these cars), where the normal production electric eco-transports are apparently selling for just $30,050. 'Course, all this scrutiny over MSRPs is apt to be for naught when gas creeps up to six bucks a gallon, but hey, that would never happen in our lifetime. Right?
Think City's EVs get priced... sort of originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 02:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceAutoBlogGreen | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Android's in-app billing makes a dent: Dungeon Defenders free on Android Market
Dungeon Defenders: First Wave cost $3 when it first came out. This week, the iOS version will cost you ninety-nine cents. But if you want to play the Unreal Engine-powered tower defense game today, you can have it for free -- developer Trendy Entertainment is now leaning on Android's new in-app billing system to pay for the whole thing. We can't give Trendy all the credit, of course, as Glu Mobile's Gun Bros and Tapulous' Tap Tap Revenge 4 are doing the same thing, but to our knowledge both of them were free to play from day one. Free-to-play gaming has been a controversial proposition in the console and PC gaming space -- most publishers would just like to sell a game once, and call it a day. On phone, however, where apps are expected to be cheap, it could indeed make more sense to charge users for items and upgrades than to have users "buy" the game. Either way, we penny-pinchers are pleased as punch with the idea. PR after the break. Continue reading Android's in-app billing makes a dent: Dungeon Defenders free on Android Market
Android's in-app billing makes a dent: Dungeon Defenders free on Android Market originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq | | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Visualized: eBay's iPad 2 sales, thus far
Although eBay figures don't exactly correlate with Apple's sales numbers, it's interesting to note who's buying what, and where. Last year, for example, in the first two weeks after the Apple iPad hit shelves, 65 percent of all iPads sold on eBay went abroad. This year, in the same timeframe, the percentages have been flipped -- 65 percent of iPad 2s sold on eBay remained in America, or around 7,800 tablets. Perhaps we're just seeing higher demand or maybe people don't like waiting in line. Peep the source link to dive deeper into the comparison.
Visualized: eBay's iPad 2 sales, thus far originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceCNET | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
3DxWare 10 lets 3D mice work in 2D apps, leaves your standard mouse feeling a bit flat (video)
3DxWare 10 lets 3D mice work in 2D apps, leaves your standard mouse feeling a bit flat (video)
Your standard mouse may do it on the table, but 3D mice do it with extra dimension -- some of the time, anyway. Quit 3ds Max and suddenly you have one axis too many on your hands. After all, the vast majority of applications are 2D to match mice that may exist in a 3D reality but are limited to a decidedly dual-dimensional existence. No more. 3Dconnexion, makers of a couple different controllers with depth, has released 3DxWare, a Mac or Windows driver that enables exciting 3D mice to work with boring 2D apps. The first video after the break shows some one-handed zooming and browsing, while the second has you cutting and mixing in Final Cut Pro -- again with nary a keyboard or controller in sight. The software is free if you have a compatible mouse, but if not you'll be paying between $99 and $399 for a suitably compliant critter. Continue reading 3DxWare 10 lets 3D mice work in 2D apps, leaves your standard mouse feeling a bit flat (video)
Permalink | source3DConnexion | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a future
Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a futureThe future of the Zune as a standalone media player is still a little in doubt, but its future of being able to send crucially important e-mails and, in return, get a boatload of spam is now fully assured. A free e-mail app has been added to the Zune Marketplace supporting Gmail, Windows Live Mail, and of course good 'ol POP3 accounts. Unfortunately all we have to gaze upon is that tiny screenshot over on the right, but it certainly looks familiar enough to fit right into the Zune ecosphere without making any waves. Just make sure you don't go looking for your Steely Dan collection inside the unread folder.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Zune HD finally gets an e-mail application, still waiting on a future originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceenConnected | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Nike+ SportWatch GPS now on sale, $199 adds geek cred to your workout routine
Wrist-mounted iPod nano not quite the running companion of which you'd originally dreamed? This Nike+ SportsWatch GPS will be happy to take its place. We spotted the TomTom-branded fitness watch at CES this year, and now it's formally on sale -- though unfortunately for a price far steeper than those of its immediate ancestors. Of course, the $199 band isn't just a replacement for the Nike+ iPod system, it also uses that onboard GPS to keep track of where you run, much like the Nike+ GPS app but without the necessity for an iPhone 4 bouncing around your person. Did we mention it's also a watch?

[Thanks, John S.]
Nike+ SportWatch GPS now on sale, $199 adds geek cred to your workout routine originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 17:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceNike | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
James Cameron ponders 48 or 60fps shooting of future Avatar films, because he's trendy like that
Oh, Jameson. You trendy, trendy trendsetter. After coercing the entire world of cinema to bow down and worship the art of 3D, it looks as if James Cameron will soon be spearheading the effort to back away from the tried-and-true 24fps shooting method in favor of far faster options. The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that Cameron copped to the idea of shooting Avatar 2 and 3 at higher frame rates, likely 48fps or 60fps. The reason? It'll provide an "added sense of reality," and it'll probably create a wave of new camcorders, software and plug-ins to handle the dirty work. Onward and upward, we suppose.
Permalink Kotaku | sourceThe Hollywood Reporter | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
SYNC's second version off to a buggy start, Ford fixes with Ctrl-Alt-Delete
With it being ordered in 80 percent of its 2011 models, SYNC's been a boon to Ford's bottom line, but it's not all peaches and cream for the Dearborn crew's connectivity platform. Our friends at Autoblog are reporting that the second generation of the infotainment software has a nasty little habit of restarting itself when something goes wrong with one of the applications. Doesn't sound like such a big deal, except these automatic reboots take several minutes (an eternity if you're relying on the GPS to get you around), and the system tends to misplace your indexed music and linked phone info while fixing itself. Apparently, the only other way to deal with such glitches is to take afflicted autos to a dealer for a full-on software reinstall or reinitialization -- why Ford and Microsoft went the Ctrl-Alt-Delete route instead of finding a more user-friendly solution, we'll probably never know. The Blue Oval boys claim that Autoblog's experience was atypical, but have nonetheless rolled out software updates to alleviate the problems. Hopefully, it's enough to stop SYNC systems from doing the Force Close dance.
SYNC's second version off to a buggy start, Ford fixes with Ctrl-Alt-Delete originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceAutoblog | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Sony CEO casually mentions he's supplying cameras to Apple
We were tempted to call it an April Fools' joke, but it seems the story's true: Sony CEO Sir Howard Stringer reportedly let slip that his company is producing cameras for the next batch of iPhones and iPads during a public interview with the Wall Street Journal. Traditionally, Apple's sourced its sensors from OmniVision, including the delightfully backside-illuminated 5 megapixel CMOS unit you'll find in the iPhone 4, but since Sony too has BSI tech and OmniVision has reportedly encountered delays, your next portable Apple product might house a Sony Exmor R sensor like the one we admired on the Xperia Arc. Mind you, that may not end up actually happening, because of the context in which Sir Howard revealed the news -- according to 9 to 5 Mac, he said that the factory producing sensors for Apple was affected by the Japanese tsunami. Oh well.
Sony CEO casually mentions he's supplying cameras to Apple originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 14:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista | source9 to 5 Mac, Wall Street Journal | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Gmail Motion April Fools' gag inevitably turned into reality using Kinect (video)
It had to happen. When Google showed off a new and revolutionary Gmail Motion control scheme yesterday, it failed to fool most people, but it didn't fail to catch the attention of some motion control geeks with Kinect cameras on hand. Yep, the FAAST crew that's already brought us a Kinect keyboard emulator for World of Warcraft has taken Google to task and actually cooked up the software to make Gmail Motion work. All your favorite gestures are here: opening an email as if it were an envelope, replying by throwing a thumb back and, of course, "licking the stamp" to send your response on its way. Marvelous stuff! Jump past the break to see it working, for real this time. Continue reading Gmail Motion April Fools' gag inevitably turned into reality using Kinect (video)
Gmail Motion April Fools' gag inevitably turned into reality using Kinect (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink @USC_ICT (Twitter) | sourceUSCICT (YouTube) | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Dell achieves AMD Fusion, announces Inspiron M102z notebook
Dell gets its Fusion on, announces M102z notbook
After so many ages of waiting the Fusion devices are upon us, and here's Dell's entry. It's the M102z, rocking an AMD E-350 processor at 1.6GHz and Radeon HD 6310 graphics, 4GB of RAM, and an 11.6-inch display managing 1366 x 768 -- not bad for a little guy priced at $699. If that's a little too rich there's a 1GHz model with half the memory and slightly lower spec graphics for $599. Or, if you really like watching commercials, step it up to the $759 model with a built-in TV tuner. All are said to be available now abroad and should be hitting these shores soon, so if you had your finger hovering over the "Buy Now" button on an HP dm1z you might just want to hold off for a little while.

[Thanks, kamarul]
Dell achieves AMD Fusion, announces Inspiron M102z notebook originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceNotebook Hunter | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Cablevision Optimum for iPad app now available, streams hundreds of TV channels plus VOD
The new Cablevision iPad app is out, taking on broadcasters (Fox, Discovery, Viacom) attacking Time Warner's live TV streaming TWCable TV app by offering subscribers the same channels as their iO TV package and video on demand. The Optimum for iPad app also includes the ability to set up DVR recordings, delete recorded shows and browse TV listings, although it doesn't act as a direct remote for the cable box. The last time Fox and Cablevision squared off subscribers couldn't watch their shows on Hulu or two games of the World Series which, along with a long battle over network DVRs, suggests the cable company is prepared to dig its heels in deep on this issue. Multichannel News points out subscribers need at least one cable box to make use of the new app and the TOS states it can only be used within the customer's residence. Subscribers suitably equipped can grab the app at the iTunes link below, check out pics in the gallery or a video demo by a user embedded after the break.

Update: Now we have the press release and fact sheet from Cablevision (included after the break) so here it is by the numbers: 300 channels, can be registered on up to three iPads per account and used on any two simultaneously. Remote control functions are scheduled for the summer, and the company states that since it is delivering channels over the digital cable network and not the internet (no 'net service required) it believes this use is covered by existing carriage agreements.

[Thanks, johnnydop, jcdesimp & Michael]
Gallery: Optimum for iPad app
Continue reading Cablevision Optimum for iPad app now available, streams hundreds of TV channels plus VOD
Permalink | sourceiTunes, YouTube | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
HP's Zeen tablet gets Android 2.2 Froyo update, finally (video)
If you decided to throw good judgement out the window and buy an HP Photosmart eStation just for the tablet, let us start by saying we told you so. Now that we have that squared away, it looks like there could be hope for HP's Android-powered slate yet -- reports are starting to roll in of a long awaited Android 2.2 update for the Zeen. For months, owners of the tablet have filled HP customer service forums with complaints about the promised, but never delivered update, but as you can see from the video below, Zeen owners can now download a beta version of Froyo complete with Flash-compatibility, and from what we've heard, it's a huge improvement. If you must see it for yourself, check out the video after the break, but let us issue yet another warning: the audio in this video will creep you out.

[Thanks, Zac] Continue reading HP's Zeen tablet gets Android 2.2 Froyo update, finally (video)
HP's Zeen tablet gets Android 2.2 Froyo update, finally (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceGoogle Mobile | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
Japanese spacecraft's 'black box' recorder survives flaming fall to earth
When we reported on Japan's plans to track the re-entry process of its Kounotori 2 spacecraft with a black-box-style recorder, there were still some unanswered questions: specifically, would the REBR (Re-entry Breakup Recorder) sink or swim. Well, according to an announcement from the device's creator, the thing not only survived the fiery plunge to Earth, but it also stayed afloat after plunking down in the South Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. During free fall, the REBR did as it was expected, automatically monitoring, recording, and eventually transmitting data about the re-entry process, and while the thing was admittedly "not designed to survive impact with the water," it continued relaying information even after landing. The next scheduled REBR mission is planned for June -- here's hoping the new guy's as buoyant as its buddy. Full PR after the break. Continue reading Japanese spacecraft's 'black box' recorder survives flaming fall to earth
Japanese spacecraft's 'black box' recorder survives flaming fall to earth originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink NewScientist | sourceAerospace | Email this | Comments
Read More ...
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 1:00 PM
التسميات: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)