Thursday, April 7, 2011

IT News HeadLines (Engadget) 06/04/2011




Survey says AT&T drops more calls than Verizon, these bar charts don't lie
Chargepoint
Wondering which carrier you should buy your iPhone on? There's a survey for that. ChangeWave Research has released the results of a poll that hit 4,068 users distributed across Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Among those four, VZW came out ahead when it comes to dropped calls, with 1.4 percent of respondents indicating they'd received one in the past three months. AT&T, meanwhile, came in last with 4.6 percent. If you look only at the iPhone 4 users the numbers change a little, 1.8 percent vs. 4.8, but the conclusion stays the same. No, this conclusion sadly will not get you around your ETF, but maybe making a pouty face at the AT&T store will help.
Survey says AT&T drops more calls than Verizon, these bar charts don't lie originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink AppleInsider | sourceChangeWave Research | Email this | Comments
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DARPA BOLT initiative wants real-time spoken translation, Douglas Adams' ghost says it's about time
DARPA launches BOLT initiative for real-time spoken translation, ghost of Douglas Adams readies spectral patent lawyers
Thanks to online tools like Google Translate we're now able to communicate with people in nearly any language -- maybe not perfectly, but well enough to get the general idea across, and livened up by the occasional humorous mistranslation. Now DARPA wants that done wholesale and with military precision, launching the BOLT initiative. That stands for Boundless Operational Language Translation, and DARPA is giving interested parties until May 19th of this year to submit proposals for how they'll manage to achieve the department's lofty goals, which include written and spoken translation into English of "multiple languages." If you're thinking of competing you can find all the details at the source link, though curiously you won't find a single Vorgon dialect mentioned.
Permalink Wired | sourceDARPA | Email this | Comments
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Acer releases third-gen Aspire Timeline X laptops with Sandy Bridge, but only in Taiwan for now
If you've been waiting for Sandy Bridge to land on Acer's Timeline X laptops, then today's your day. Well, it depends, as these new machines are only available in Taiwan for the time being. Just a few hours ago, the lucky folks over at Engadget Chinese managed to get up close and personal with these bad boys: we have a couple of 13.3-inch 3830TGs (pictured after the break), a 14-inch 4830TG, and a 15.6-inch 5830TG (pictured above). With the exception of Core i3-2310M on one of the 3830TGs, these laptops all come with Core i5-2410M, NVIDIA GT540M (with 2GB DDR3 RAM), 640GB hard drive, 2GB DDR3 RAM, and USB 3.0 ports. As for multimedia, sitting below the 1,366 x 768 LED-backlit LCDs are Dolby Home Theater speakers by Kenwood, and additionally, the two larger models also pack a DVD Super Multi DL drive.

Compared to the previous-gen Timeline X range, the most notable difference here is the new chiclet keyboard brought over from the Ethos range, which should trap a lot less dirt thanks to the tighter gaps. You'll see that the new Timeline X ID has gone for a more tranquil look -- the touchpad no longer has a silver trim around it, and likewise, the edges around the body are no longer tapered. Also gone is the removable battery underneath, but given the impressive portability (4.12 pounds, 4.67 pounds, and 5.49 pounds, respectively), we won't miss this feature too much. On the contrary, there's now an extra mouse button, presumably for offering better left and right-clicking. So far so good, and if you're digging these laptops as well, then they can be yours for between NT$32,900 (US$1,133) and NT39,900 (US$1,374). Head over to Engadget Chinese for the whole stash of hands-on photos. Continue reading Acer releases third-gen Aspire Timeline X laptops with Sandy Bridge, but only in Taiwan for now
Permalink | sourceEngadget Chinese | Email this | Comments
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Sprint EVO View 4G tablet to launch with Honeycomb, Flyer can't be far behind (update: maybe not)
Sprint EVO View 4G tablet to launch with Honeycomb, Flyer can't be far behind
If you want a 7-inch, 1024 x 600 tablet with 1.5GHz and dual cameras, you want an HTC Flyer. If, however, you want that with WiMAX data and a talk show name, you'll want Sprint's special flavor, the EVO View 4G. At CTIA we were told that it was, of course, Android, but now Sprint's confirming that it'll come right out the door with Android 3.0, aka Honeycomb. That's the tablet taste that makes everybody come a runnin', and that this sucker will have it at launch (sometime "this summer") might just be good news for those pining for the WiFi-only Flyer, which as of last report would not be getting its own sweet taste until sometime after launch.

[Thanks, Leo Z]

Update: Well, that didn't last long. Sprint has now tweaked the page to simply read the "latest version of Android," and a spokesman tells Android Central that while the "plan is to offer Honeycomb," it's still "too early to determine whether or not Honeycomb will be available at launch."
Permalink CrunchGear | sourceSprint | Email this | Comments
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Samsung Galaxy S II gets upgraded to 1.2GHz, delayed until May or June?
Well, it looks like there's some good news and some bad news for those holding out for a Samsung Galaxy S II. GSM Arena is reporting that Samsung has decided to upgrade the phone's dual-core processor from 1GHz to 1.2GHz, something that was first revealed on Samsung Estonia's Facebook page and has apparently be confirmed by GSM Arena itself from an "internal source." The bad news is that it seems you'll also have to deal with a bit of a delay. Some UK retailers are now listing a release date of May 6th, while Samsung India has tweeted that the phone's global launch has been delayed by "at least" a month, and that it won't roll out before June.

P.S. There's no indication as to how this upgrade will affect the Tegra 2 version of the phone, which was confirmed to be on track last month.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Samsung Galaxy S II gets upgraded to 1.2GHz, delayed until May or June? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceGSM Arena, @Samsung_Mobiles (Twitter), Facebook | Email this | Comments
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Samsung's 3D TV experience is getting cheaper: two pairs of glasses packed in, $50 for extras
As the battle between active and passive 3D glasses display technology heats up, Samsung has responded by announcing its cheapest pair of active shutter 3D glasses will cost $50 (previously $130) beginning May 1st. Additionally, all of its 3D-capable 2011 HDTVs will come with two pairs of glasses packed in, unless the purchase is eligible for the Megamind/Shrek starter kit that already comes with them. This move comes just as FPR-based displays from LG, Vizio, Toshiba and Philips hit the marketplace. LG specifically focused on the cost of glasses as a selling point over Samsung in recent ads that ran heavily throughout the NCAA Tournament (embedded after the break.) LG is charging $10 per pair for its RealD-compatible Theater 3D glasses while Vizio has pairs on its website for $29.99 or two for $44.99.

The cheap pair of Samsung glasses is the SSG-3100GB model with replaceable battery pictured above and while it promises the new, lighter Silhouette-designed SSG-3700GR glasses will also get cheaper, no new price has yet been announced. A 62% price reduction is nothing to sneeze at, but it looks like customers will still need to buy into 3D -- and that active glasses beat passive on picture quality and viewing angle like it says in the press release (after the break) -- to spur sales of the new TVs. Continue reading Samsung's 3D TV experience is getting cheaper: two pairs of glasses packed in, $50 for extras
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Bacteria's disciple improves upon technique, crafts N64 handheld capable of GoldenEye split-screen
This isn't the smallest portable Nintendo 64 we've seen, nor the most elegant, creative or complete -- in fact, it's pretty much a straight clone of Bacteria's iNto64, but with a spiffier paint job and one critical improvement. Yes, that is an extra controller port you see in the foreground of the image above, and if you click your way below, you will indeed be able to watch its creator engage in some wonderfully retro split-screen Mario Kart 64 and F-Zero X races, not to mention the obligatory GoldenEye death match and a wee bit of Quake 2. Ahhh, memories.

[Thanks, Alon T.] Continue reading Bacteria's disciple improves upon technique, crafts N64 handheld capable of GoldenEye split-screen
Permalink | sourceModded by Bacteria Forums | Email this | Comments
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HTC Desire solves dodecahedron Rubik's Cube, will blow your mind (video)
If this image doesn't have you completely dumbfounded, scroll down and watch the video. Sufficiently awestruck? Good. Now, for a little background on exactly how someone got a pile of Legos and a smartphone to solve the devil's puzzle Megaminx. The aptly titled Megaminxer enlists the Mindstorms NXT kit to do the dirty work and an HTC Desire, running a custom Android app, as the brains of the operation. Said app uses the phone's camera to take individual images of each of the puzzle's 12 faces, then processes the information and sends a signal via Bluetooth to the NXT controller, which in turn goes to town. Unfortunately, there's no explaining how they got the Android to dance like that, but, really, why ruin the magic?

[Thanks, Stuart] Continue reading HTC Desire solves dodecahedron Rubik's Cube, will blow your mind (video)
HTC Desire solves dodecahedron Rubik's Cube, will blow your mind (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceARMflix | Email this | Comments
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Elgato updates EyeTV iOS app, does the AirPlay dance
If you've been longing to use your EyeTV HD to sling content from your AirPlay-enabled iOS device to your designated Apple TV 2 setup, listen up. Elgato has pushed an updated version of the EyeTV iOS app (version 1.2.3) that enables Apple's wireless streaming technology to play nicely with your ATV2 or third-party AirPlay device. Remember, the app costs $4.99, but wouldn't you rather watch Seinfeld reruns on the living room 74-incher? Yeah, us too.
Elgato updates EyeTV iOS app, does the AirPlay dance originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TUAW | sourceEyeTV | Email this | Comments
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da Vinci Robot pwns Operation, deems our childhoods forlorn (video)
What happens when a robot with immaculate dexterity comes to grips with a notorious board game from our childhood? Just ask Johns Hopkins University students, who successfully removed the wish bone from an Operation board using the da Vinci Robot. If you're familiar with the game, you'll know how incredibly difficult it was to prevent that ear-piercing noise from occurring-- even with our tiny fingers. Of course, we should have expected that a robot -- especially one capable of folding a tiny paper airplane -- would be able to accomplish this feat with such ease. Be sure to peep the pseudo-surgery in video form below the break. Continue reading da Vinci Robot pwns Operation, deems our childhoods forlorn (video)
da Vinci Robot pwns Operation, deems our childhoods forlorn (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourcejohnshopkinsrobotics (YouTube) | Email this | Comments
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Intel rolls out 10-core, 20-threaded Xeon E7s, shows everyone who's boss
Someone deep down in Intel's development dungeons must be laughing a haughty laugh of disdain at us mere mortals getting excited about dual-cores in smartphones. The old Chipzilla has just turned out its 10-core Xeon E7 processor family, which can work on 20 simultaneous computational threads courtesy of the company's Hyper-Threading knowhow. Needless to say, there aren't that many casual workloads that will ever properly harness such extremely parallelized prowess, but then Intel isn't really gunning for the Facebook crowd here anyhow. The new E7s are for those dealing with truly data-intensive tasks, meaning that Facebook itself would be a good candidate to buy up a few, provided it's tempted by such things as 40 percent performance improvements over the Xeon 7500 tied to dynamic power adjustment for increased energy efficiency. Pricing for the Xeon E7s starts at $774 and climbs up to $4,616 per 32nm chip, with the usual proviso that Intel won't sell them in batches of less than 1,000. More details follow in the press release and video after the break.

[Thanks, Khan] Continue reading Intel rolls out 10-core, 20-threaded Xeon E7s, shows everyone who's boss
Intel rolls out 10-core, 20-threaded Xeon E7s, shows everyone who's boss originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 09:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Hot Hardware | | Email this | Comments
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Dish Network wins Blockbuster auction for $228 million in cash
The question of what's next for Blockbuster has been partially answered, now that Dish Network has announced its $320 million bid was enough to win a bankruptcy court auction for the rental giant's remaining assets. After "certain adjustments" are made and the deal closes, it's expected to cost just $228 million in cash but what exactly Dish plans to do with the 1,700 stores and innumerable copies of Little Fockers is unclear. Executive VP Tom Cullen stated in the press release (after the break) Dish looks forward to reestablishing "Blockbuster's brand as a leader in video entertainment," but in a world where Netflix, Redbox and iTunes exist that could be easier said than done. Continue reading Dish Network wins Blockbuster auction for $228 million in cash
Dish Network wins Blockbuster auction for $228 million in cash originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceDish Network | Email this | Comments
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Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster provides $79 of USB power-suck
What was a Japanese-only device has finally made it to the US shores. Sanyo's Eneloop Mobile Booster (aka, KBC-L2) battery supplies 5V 500mA of juice to a pair of simultaneously connected USB devices or 1,000mA to a single, more power-hungry tablet. The 5,000mAH Lithium-ion pack is baked right into the device (rechargeable Eneloop AA owners should check out Sanyo's Mobile Booster stick) and charges fully in about seven hours from an AC circuit or 14 hours from a relatively feeble USB jack. Available now for $79.99.
Continue reading Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster provides $79 of USB power-suck
Sanyo Eneloop Mobile Booster provides $79 of USB power-suck originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 08:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceSanyo | Email this | Comments
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Microsoft and Toyota to partner on smarter charging systems for EVs?
Microsoft and Toyota to parner on smarter charging systems for EVs?
Today at 3:00pm EST Microsoft and Toyota are holding a little webcast and, while they're staying mum on just what the topic of discussion will be, we're hearing they've been having some heart-to-hearts about making dumb power grids a little smarter. The details naturally are yet to be unveiled, but we're presuming it'll be similar to what Microsoft and Ford have worked on for the Focus Electric, technology that enables the car to know when rates are cheapest and only charge up then, also providing detailed data on the car's power consumption. The Tesla-powered RAV4 EV will be Toyota's first pure electric vehicle, and while it surely won't be as invigorating to drive as the similarly Tesla-powered Roadster, thanks to Microsoft maybe it'll be a little smarter. It'll certainly be cheaper.
Microsoft and Toyota to partner on smarter charging systems for EVs? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourcePC World | Email this | Comments
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Ubisoft's Battle Tag lands at the FCC, we're already out of breath
Remember when we just about passed out from exhaustion following a rather short demo of Ubisoft's nouveau laser tag setup? Well, judging from its appearance over at the FCC, it looks like the RFID-packing Battle Tag is ready to play. Unlike some of our more fruitful dives into the commission's archives, this one doesn't uncover a whole lot about the product that we didn't already know. Internal photos show an RFID reader, used to communicate with ammo packs for reloading, and a thorough examination of the game's user manual revealed the accompanying software is compatible with Windows only. So, no, we won't be exposing any big secrets here, but for laser tag aficionados, whoever they may be, today is a good day. A Battle Tag setup for two is now available via Ubisoft for $130.
Ubisoft's Battle Tag lands at the FCC, we're already out of breath originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Slashgear | sourceFCC | Email this | Comments
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HTC Pyramid to launch on April 12th under the name of HTC Sensation?
When HTC extended an invitation our way to come "see what's next" on April 12th in London, plenty of you were already guessing that its long-rumored 1.2GHz Pyramid device would seize that opportunity to make its debut. Now Pocket-lint has apparently confirmed those inklings, with word from an insider affirming the new Android smartphone's launch for that day and also adding that its retail name will be the HTC Sensation. HTC has already filed a claim to trademark that tandem of words, which lends an extra dash of credence to this revelation. Frankly, so long as all the mighty, EVO 3D-emulating specs we've been hearing about this device turn out to be true, we don't care if HTC calls it the Watermelon. Actual availability in stores is said to be expected "in the coming months," leaving a bit more waiting to be done whatever happens on April 12th. Ah well, they do say good things come to those who wait.
HTC Pyramid to launch on April 12th under the name of HTC Sensation? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 06:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourcePocket-lint | Email this | Comments
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Liquid-cooled Wii takes console mods to a ridiculous extreme
There are console mods and there are console mods... and then there's this -- a completely custom Nintendo Wii built from steel and cooled by two liquid-filled containers that would look more at home in a mad scientist's laboratory. Not surprisingly, this mod took a long time to complete. Bit-tech forum member Angel OD began the so-called "UNLimited Edition" project way back in December, 2009 and, after a few diversions, finally finished it this past weekend. Be sure to hit up the links below for a look at the complete build process, and a few more shots of the finished product.
Liquid-cooled Wii takes console mods to a ridiculous extreme originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceBit-tech (1), (2) | Email this | Comments
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Isis NFC payment system gets its first market in Salt Lake City, Utah, launches in 2012
Like 3D on high-end HDTVs, NFC-based payment systems seem set to invade our mobile lives whether we like them or not. Isis, a collaborative venture between AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and a bunch of banking big timers, has today announced the first market for its rollout of a contactless payment scheme, and it's none other than Salt Lake City, Utah. That'll surely raise eyebrows in locales that may consider themselves more tech-savvy, but we reckon starting off with a city of a smaller scale might be good for getting this "mobile wallet" system off the ground. And then there's the added benefit of Isis snagging a deal to enable compatibility with the entire Utah Transit Authority footprint. If all plans are executed properly, that should mean that by summer 2012 the good people of SLC will be able to NFC their way around town with just their smartphone in hand, while also swiping it through checkouts like some form of highly advanced techno-humans. Continue reading Isis NFC payment system gets its first market in Salt Lake City, Utah, launches in 2012
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Apple granted patent for a 'reduced size multi-pin connector,' namedrops USB 3.0 and DisplayPort
Apple has just collected the US Patent Office's approval to add another to its vast hoard of patents. This one, numero 7,918,689 in the USPTO annals, describes a multi-pin male plug connector and a corresponding female receptacle, with the innovation being a reduction in size thanks to a single row of contacts. You can think of it as Apple's next generation of 30-pin connectors, or rather the next generation as the company envisioned it back in late 2008, the date of filing for this document. Back then, while the age of the click wheel was still upon us, Apple wanted to transfer USB 3.0 and DisplayPort signals over its newfangled plug, aspirations that were codified in claim 11 of its patent. We may now be a solid 30 or so months removed from that doc hitting the Patent Office's inbox, but the desire to have advanced data transfer tech integrated straight into the company's proprietary connectors is unlikely to have withered. Would it be a stretch to expect Apple's now working on a similar solution for the Thunderbolt interconnect -- whose plug looks identical to the one used for DisplayPort -- that is presently gracing its MacBook Pro line?
Gallery: Apple patent: Reduced Size Multi-pin Male Plug Connector
Permalink MacRumors, Patently Apple | sourceUSPTO | Email this | Comments
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Nikon Coolpix P500 reviewed, zooms to infinity but not beyond
It's been more than a year since the Coolpix P100 hit the review panels, and now it's time for the new kid on the block to step up. The fine folks over at Photography Blog seem to find that the P500 performs similarly to the P100 -- the Achilles heel still being image quality, suffering from the same washy retention of detail. The overall handling and controls haven't changed much either -- a second control wheel, the ability to mount an external flash, as well as dedicated ISO and white balance buttons are all still missing. With rather modest changes, the P500 gives you another dose of what the P100 served up -- convenience in a compact package. Besides being able to zoom 10x more with that 22.5-810mm monstrous lens, and take larger pictures due to a 2 megapixel increase, the P100 is still faster (with a f/2.8 lens) and smaller, not to mention $100 cheaper. It's difficult to say that the P500 is ready to grab the reins from the P100 entirely, but that miniature telescope of a lens sure makes it a contender. Hit up the source for the full analysis.
Nikon Coolpix P500 reviewed, zooms to infinity but not beyond originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourcePhotography Blog | Email this | Comments
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HP's keyboard-less webOS phone and Verizon Pre 3 leaked?
Our good friends over at PreCentral have just received a couple of juicy scoops, even for this time of the day. According to their proven tipster, what we're looking at here is an upcoming webOS phone sans keyboard -- a first for Rubinstein's crew, as many of you might already know. While there's not much detail to go with this pic, it appears that this here slate's just slightly bigger than the Pre 3, and that the little spot above the screen could be either a front-facing camera or merely a proximity sensor. Following PreCentral's logic, this could very well be the Stingray that showed up in the list of codenames back in November -- the similarly sized Pre 3 is Mantaray, whereas the smaller Veer is Broadway, leaving Stingray and Windsor unclaimed. But of course, we wouldn't place our bets just yet.

Speaking of the Pre 3, the same tipster also sent in a spyshot of said phone connected to Verizon. While we already know that this slider packs both CDMA and GSM radios, this is actually the first prototype seen running on the former. Alas, the mysterious tipster is again keeping a tight lip about this leak. Picture after the break. Continue reading HP's keyboard-less webOS phone and Verizon Pre 3 leaked?
HP's keyboard-less webOS phone and Verizon Pre 3 leaked? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 02:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourcePreCentral (keyboard-less phone), (Pre 3 on Verizon) | Email this | Comments
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NASA makes longer, straighter piezoelectric nanowires in microgravity, no flat iron needed
Piezoelectric nanowires are the stuff that make power-generating pants a possibility, and that prodigious potential has drawn the attention of NASA. You see, self-powered spacesuits are awfully attractive to our nation's space agency, and a few of its finest student researchers have discovered that the current-creating strands of zinc oxide can be made longer and straighter -- and therefore more powerful -- when freed from gravity's unrelenting pull. That means nanowires grown in microgravity could lead to higher capacity batteries and the aforementioned juice-generating interstellar garb. Of course, there's no such end-products yet, but let's see if NASA can do what others have not: give pants-power to the people.
Permalink Ecouterre | sourceNASA | Email this | Comments
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Nokia E7 now shipping from Amazon for $649
Well look here! You can have your cake and eat it too -- and by cake we mean that landscape QWERTY smartphone known as the Nokia E7. The latest and greatest Communicator has caught up with its European twin and is shipping unlocked and contract-free from Amazon right now. It can be yours for $649, which is somewhat cheaper than the $679 pre-order price we mentioned last month. This buys you a 4-inch 640x360 ClearBlack AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, an 8 megapixel EDoF camera with dual-LED flash, a pentaband 3G radio, and the coolest hinge mechanism on the block. So visit the source link, and get your Symbian on.

[Thanks, Andrew]
Nokia E7 now shipping from Amazon for $649 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MobileWhack | sourceAmazon | Email this | Comments
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Mozilla shames developers with list of slow performing Firefox add-ons
We know how Mozilla must feel. It spends every waking hour tweaking and perfecting Firefox to eke out as much performance as possible, only to see it all ruined by lousy add-ons that weigh the browser down like a block of cement. It's apparently now had enough, however, and has gone as far as to publish a list that exposes the worst offenders. As of this writing, the two biggest drags on the browser by far are the FoxLingo translator / dictionary and Firebug developer tool add-on which, according to Mozilla, each make the browser 74 percent slower to start up. That list is just part of a broader crackdown on poor performing add-ons. Mozilla says it's also instituting automated performance testing of the top 100 add-ons in its gallery, and that it will begin reaching out to developers directly to get them to improve performance (and even provide them with some new tools to help out). Hit up the link below to see how some of your favorite add-ons stack up.
Mozilla shames developers with list of slow performing Firefox add-ons originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Download Squad | sourceMozilla, Slow Performing Add-ons | Email this | Comments
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GoPano Micro brings 360-degree video recording to the iPhone 4 (video)
We've seen still photos shot in the round, but wouldn't it be nice to snag some panoramic moving pictures every once in a while too? Well, the folks at EyeSee360 certainly think so, which is why they've given the iPhone 4 some 360-degree video recording capability with the GoPano Micro. Comprised of a plastic case for your handset, a detachable 360-degree lens, and a GoPano app, the system lets iPhone fanboys do a circular pan with the swipe of a finger. That put you in the moviemaking mood? Well, you can't get your hands on one just yet, but the venture has already reached its $20,000 funding goal, so those willing to invest $50 can head over to Kickstarter to reserve one of the first GoPano Micros off the production line. Before plunking down your hard-earned cash, however, check out all the full-circumference cinematic fun after the break. Continue reading GoPano Micro brings 360-degree video recording to the iPhone 4 (video)
GoPano Micro brings 360-degree video recording to the iPhone 4 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceKickstarter | Email this | Comments
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Toshiba shows off 2011 HDTVs with the most local dimming LEDs, facial recognition, 3D and more
Toshiba's focus at CES was glasses free 3D displays, but it highlighted more conventional HDTVs today at an event in Rome. Its new TVs and laptops all tie in to Toshiba Places, which sorts out access to different types of apps for video, social networking, music and other areas and is ready to launch this month. Separating Toshiba from the competition is a slew of new technology and the top of the line 55ZL1 model checks all the boxes: Seven core CEVO CPU for image processing, a Pro-LED512 panel that is the world's first with 512 zones of dimming among 3,072 LEDs, Personal-TV facial recognition that picks up on which user is watching then personalizes to their preferred settings and active shutter 3D glasses.

The edge lit LED VL863 series will come in 47- and 42-inch versions featuring LG's FPR passive glasses 3D and four pairs of glasses, while the 32- through 46-inch UL863 drops 3D for built-in WiFi and Personal-TV. The SL863 series is the final step down, nixing built-in WiFi. Prices weren't listed but the new models should be shipping soon, until then you can find more details in the press releases linked below -- no word on the US-bound models yet.
Permalink | sourceZL1, Places, SL, VL, UL | Email this | Comments
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Keyport ships Mini-LED, offers Slide in four splendiferous new hues
It ain't a mind-bending concept, but the Keyport Slide solves a problem that far too many humans have. Put simply, this multi-key tool allows users to store both key imprints and digital files in a single device, and for those on the hunt for something to match their Sunday best... well, look no further. The outfit has just introduced a foursome of new Slide colors: Gunmetal, Zircon Gold, Copper, and Champagne. Starter bundles are still listed at $79, and if you believe the outfit's CEO, there's "much more on the horizon." You know, like the initial shipments of its $10 Mini-LED, which was also revealed today. Tap that source link if you're gushing with joy (and we know you are). Continue reading Keyport ships Mini-LED, offers Slide in four splendiferous new hues
Keyport ships Mini-LED, offers Slide in four splendiferous new hues originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceMyKeyport | Email this | Comments
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Kinect hack turns tourists into 3D souvenirs (video)
As souvenirs go, a miniature replica of yourself -- striking a pose of your choosing on Barcelona's La Rambla street -- is a far sight more original than a bullfights-and-senoritas snow globe. This past January, the hilariously titled BlablabLAB enlisted three Kinects and a RepRap machine to snap passersby and render them into personalized tchotchkes, in a project called Be Your Own Souvenir. Subjects stood atop a small platform, mimicking the human statues on La Rambla, as the Kinects captured their likeness in full 360-degree glory. The resulting images were then processed as a mesh reconstruction, saved as a G-code file, and then fed through a 3D printer -- and voila, out popped the tiny statuettes. If you're a fan of flashy editing and Kinect-based street experiments, check out the video after the break. Continue reading Kinect hack turns tourists into 3D souvenirs (video)
Kinect hack turns tourists into 3D souvenirs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceBlablabLAB | Email this | Comments
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Motorola NYXboard surfaces from the dead, XBMC reclaims it (update)
Seven months ago, Motorola unveiled a dual-sided, QWERTY-laden TV remote control: the NYXboard. It was never heard from again. Today, we've learned why -- the open-source community will be selling a version specially redesigned to control your XBMC rig. The folks at Pulse-Eight -- a startup with roots in the XBMC community dedicated to designing hardware -- tell us they actually talked Motorola out of bundling the remote with set-top-boxes in favor of a nefarious plan. Simply put, they want you to be able to purchase an IR and RF remote that natively supports XBMC for a penny under $60 this June.

While we don't have any real pictures of the unit quite yet -- just the renders you see above and below -- developers say it will work with installations on Mac, Windows, Linux and the original Apple TV on day one, and will actually turn off the side of the remote that's face down to avoid accidental inputs. You'll find the NYXboard up for pre-order now at our source link, with the first shipments slated for around June 27th. Then again, you might want to wait, as we're told there are more surprises in store: a second version that can control the Apple TV 2, and a secret method which would allow the remotes to control your home entertainment center without pesky line-of-sight infrared. The best laid plans and all that... but it sounds like Logitech's Harmony may finally get some competition.

Update: The situation's a bit tricky, but the XBMC Foundation (a non-profit entity) wants you to know that hardware vendor Pulse-Eight (a for-profit venture) isn't actually part of their group -- Pulse-Eight was founded by an XBMC team member and produces hardware targeted at the XBMC community, but apparently isn't funded by (nor directs funding towards) the XBMC foundation itself.
Gallery: Motorola NYXboard Hybrid renders
Motorola NYXboard surfaces from the dead, XBMC reclaims it (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Tested | sourcePulse Eight | Email this | Comments
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President Obama to appear at Facebook HQ for Town Hall meeting
Looks like President Obama and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg just can't get enough of each other. Just two months after his tech industry schmooze fest, the White House has announced the Commander in Chief's plans to hold a live streaming Town Hall meeting from Facebook HQ with Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg. The event is set for 1:45PM PST April 20th, and already has 3,400 attendees lined up. Users are encouraged to submit their questions about innovation and the economy via the event's Facebook page, and the comments are already rolling in. Somehow, though, we don't think this is the sort question he's likely to answer: "Dear President Obama, could we please be friends?" Sorry, Carolina.
President Obama to appear at Facebook HQ for Town Hall meeting originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 18:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TechCrunch | sourceFacebook | Email this | Comments
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Richard Branson launches Virgin Oceanic to explore the ocean's depths
Sir Richard Branson may have already branded his Necker Nymph aero submarine with the "Virgin Oceanic" moniker, but he's now finally taken things to the next logical (and ambitious) step. He's just announced a new, full-fledged venture of the same name, which promises to do to nothing short of dive to the deepest part of each of the Earth's five oceans -- all within the next two years, no less. That will be done with the one-manned sub pictured above, which was designed by Graham Hawkes and will be piloted by Chris Welsh on its first dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench later this year -- those two are Branson's partners in the venture, and Branson himself is set to pilot the sub on its second mission to the Puerto Rico Trench. Not surprisingly, one of the team's goals is to set a few world records, but they're also planning to conduct some scientific research along the way, and are already musing about future vehicles that could collect samples and allow for more extensive research. Head on past the break for a teaser video, although we're told it should not be assumed to reflect an actual mission. Continue reading Richard Branson launches Virgin Oceanic to explore the ocean's depths
Richard Branson launches Virgin Oceanic to explore the ocean's depths originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceVirgin Oceanic | Email this | Comments
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RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)
A Twitter-enabled kitty door it is not, but this RFID-equipped soda machine is by far one of the most practical DIY projects we've seen in sometime. A Canadian tinkerer picked up this pop pusher a few years back, and has been using it to sling drinks in his building ever since. Unfortunately, finding the right change to feed the machine proved an issue for his neighbors, so he did what any logical hacker would do, and built in a contactless payment system. Using an Arduino, an Ethernet shield, an LCD screen, and an RFID reader, he created a system that allows customers to swipe a card and easily add funds from an online account. Best of all, every time you press that little blue button you get a Mario Bros. sample. Big ups, PopCARD. Video after the break. Continue reading RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video)
RFID-enabled vending machine ditches coinage, gets Mario Bros. tone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Hack a Day | sourceAvBrand | Email this | Comments
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Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time
Tired of apps always getting in the way of your ads? There's an app for that.

Update: Well, it looks like there's a bit more to this story. It turns out a developer of a similar ad-only app informed us a while back that her Ads Tube app (demoed after the break) was rejected by Apple because there was "not enough user functionality." Guess it finally worked out that problem itself.
Continue reading Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time
Apple releases iAd Gallery app: all ads, all the time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Apple Headlines | sourceiTunes | Email this | Comments
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Fiat will lose $10,000 on every 500 EV it sells, still intends to bring it to US in 2012
Any new technology generally costs an arm, a leg, and a bit of your sanity to adopt early, but that's a luxury that the well settled auto market cannot afford. In light of its elastic economics, car makers looking to go electric have had to be extremely aggressive in cutting their own profits, an aggressiveness that's now been estimated by Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne to cost them as much as $10,000 per unit sold. Fiat's famed little car, the Cinquecento, is going to be hitting the US in a new EV configuration in 2012, in spite of the fact it'll be causing a ding to the company's bottom line. It's not actually clear whether Mr. Marchionne is factoring in research and development costs or whether he's talking purely of material costs, though Fiat's fate is hardly unique -- the Nissan Leaf isn't expected to generate a profit for a good couple of years yet. The Fiat 500 EV's likely price was indirectly revealed, too, by the company chief's assertion that it'll retail for about three times the cost of its gas-powered version. So about $45,000. Yikes!
Permalink Autoblog Green | sourceAutomotive News Europe | Email this | Comments
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SpaceX reveals plans for world's most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy
SpaceX promised something big, and it's now delivered. The company today revealed its plans for the Falcon Heavy, which promises to be the "world's most powerful rocket." Just how powerful is that? SpaceX says the 22-story rocket will be able to carry satellites or spacecraft weighing over 53 metric tons (or 117,000 pounds) into low earth orbit, which is nearly twice what the Space Shuttle is able to carry. What's more, this isn't just a far off promise. SpaceX says the rocket will be "ready" sometime next year, and the first test flight is planned for 2013. The rocket's sheer size isn't it's only selling point, though -- it also promises to drastically reduce the cost of sending things into space, with each launch expected to cost "only" $100 million. Head on past the break for a taste of what's in store. Continue reading SpaceX reveals plans for world's most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy
SpaceX reveals plans for world's most powerful rocket, the Falcon Heavy originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceSpaceX | Email this | Comments
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Panasonic rolls out new apps for its 2011 Viera Connect TVs, we go hands-on (video)
We knew Panasonic was going to unleash a slew of new apps for its Viera Connect televisions, and now it looks like they're finally ready to hit the ground running -- for its 2011 models, anyway. Back in January the company released its Viera SDK to developers, and now it has a smattering of games and sports apps to show for it, including the long-promised NBA Game Time, which includes standings and highlights from recent games. In case you're curious, there's no sign yet of Asphalt 5 HD, also announced at CES, though Panasonic says the title should be launching in the near future. Also on tap are MLS and NHL applications, each of which let you watch live games -- provided you subscribe to these leagues' live game packages. Panasonic says the NHL app is slated for the middle of this month, and you can expect MLS in early May. What we're most excited about, though, is an app that syncs with select NordicTrack treadmills (due out "later this year"), pairing your run with a first-person view in Google Earth. We can't wait to embark on a simulated run through the streets of Paris (versus, you know, actually going there), but alas, Panasonic wasn't ready to demo the app quite yet.

As always, Viera's apps are arranged in a grid of large squares, right down to the standings and recorded matches in MLS, all of which makes these sets easy to navigate using a remote control. (We'll be curious to see what it's like playing Asphalt 5 with the remote, which you'll have to do if you don't want to spring for an optional wireless gaming controller.) The interface adds the occasional visual flourish, too, including a carousel of NHL standings and fly-in news categories in the AP's news app. The software is generally responsive, although you might find yourself waiting a few extra seconds for news blurbs and other information-heavy tidbits to load. Want a sneak peak at these apps before they roll out this spring? Hit the link and check out the gallery and hands-on video.
Gallery: Panasonic Viera Connect apps hands-on
Continue reading Panasonic rolls out new apps for its 2011 Viera Connect TVs, we go hands-on (video)
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REETI: the media center PC that's also a robot
Disappointed by the lack of companionship offered by your current media center PC? Then you might be interested in this so-called REETI unit developed by France's Robopec. You see, not only is it a full-fledged media PC, it's also a robot -- one capable of displaying a range of emotions, no less. The company's actually been working on this one for a little while now, but it just recently made its public debut at the Innorobo trade show, where it showed off its ability to track people with its eyes and respond to both speech and touch. Still no word on availability, but it seems like the company is, in fact, planning to sell them at some point. Until then, you can check out a pair of videos after the break, including some shocking evidence of where REETI really came from. Continue reading REETI: the media center PC that's also a robot
REETI: the media center PC that's also a robot originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Plastic Pals | sourceREETI, ReetiPlanet (Facebook) | Email this | Comments
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App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android
As we all know, the beauty of Android stems from the fact that you get a wide variety of choices when it comes to devices and interface, though the latter can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Luckily, users who are fed up with their bloated Android UI but don't want to (or can't) mess around with ROMs now have another easy solution. Joining the handful of Android launchers is SPB's Shell 3D app, which installs as a replacement (but removable) home screen that comes with some nifty widgets (radio switches, backlight dimmer, weather forecast with a 3D chart, clock with over 60 skins, world time with a 3D globe, etc.) and resizeable folders.

As you can see above, the highlight of the show here is a cool-looking 3D carousel for switching between up to 16 panels, and you can trigger it by either tapping or horizontally dragging the bottom-center button. Whilst in carousel mode, you can also rearrange the panels, change their colors, or flick away excess panels. All of this required no manual reading on our end, so it's safe to say that this is a pretty intuitive app. Read on to see what the performance is like.
Gallery: App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android
Continue reading App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android
App review: SPB Shell 3D for Android originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | sourceAndroid Market | Email this | Comments
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Google's new cloud-based Android Music app leaks out
Wondering what Google's answer to Amazon's cloud music player for Android will look like? Then it would seem you now have your answer --the Tech From 10 website somehow managed to receive a developer version of the Android Market, which allowed it to download Android Music 3.0 and try it out for themselves. That site's unfortunately down at the moment (along with the download of the app itself that it was providing), but it doesn't look like there's too many surprises to be found. Things are almost identical to the existing Android Music player in terms of appearance, while the settings menu has expectedly been augmented with various streaming-related options. Android Market itself has also apparently been tweaked slightly, and the developer version included a few other surprises as well, including new camera and desk clock apps. Unfortunately, we haven't yet been able to try it out ourselves, but you can keep an eye on the source link below for the downloads to return.

Update: Looks like Droid Life is also hosting some downloads of its own. You can find them here.

[Thanks, Joe]
Google's new cloud-based Android Music app leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Business Insider | sourceTech From 10 | Email this | Comments
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Martin Jetpack flies again, sees IPO on horizon but no commercial sales yet (video)
We were all aflutter this time last year when it was announced that the Martin Jetpack was finally available commercially and would be heading out to eager buyers in exchange for $86,000. Regrettably, the time since then hasn't been filled with bunches of happy new owners levitating on the power of their dual-fan-equipped Jetpack and even less encouragement can be found on the product's website, which still says that sales to private individuals will begin only once "development and refinement" of the vehicle is complete. To that end, we've got video of the Jetpack's latest test, which shows it elevating as high as it's ever done, but even that's tinged by the fact it's carrying a testing dummy and is remotely controlled by a grounded human below. Ah well, at least the company itself seems to be in good shape still and is looking forward to floating about 30 percent of its value on the local stock market in order to gain extra funding. We get the feeling if they could just start selling the darn things, cashflow shouldn't be a problem. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Sean] Continue reading Martin Jetpack flies again, sees IPO on horizon but no commercial sales yet (video)
Permalink | sourceMartinJetPack (YouTube), Stuff.co.nz | Email this | Comments
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