Saturday, June 25, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 25/06/2011





Engadget Podcast 245 - 06.24.2011
This week was like some sort of beautiful patchwork quilt of tech news from all sorts of random corners of the industry: we've got hoardes of tablets, one very tiny camera, a slew of software and mobile news, and...light bulbs? PhD programs? DataGates? We'd try to explain it all in this text, but we think you'd be better-served to just hit the play button down there. Or the download link. We won't judge you either way, just get it done, ok? It's the Engadget Podcast -- thanks for listening, as usual!



Host: Tim Stevens

Guests: Darren Murph, Brian Heater

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Music: Brown Eyed Girl



00:02:40 - Nokia N9 first hands-on! (update: video)

00:11:27 - Nokia's first Windows Phone: images and video, codenamed 'Sea Ray'

00:14:10 - Editorial: Dear Nokia, you cannot be serious!

00:18:40 - Nokia's N950 developer MeeGo handset gets official: 4-inch display, QWERTY keyboard, same childlike dreams (updated)

00:23:30 - Prototype dual-screened 2-in-1 Android smartpad from Imerj preview

00:29:22 - Apple unveils updated Time Capsule, bumps storage to 3TB

00:31:25 - Apple Final Cut Pro X now available on Mac App Store

00:35:42 - Samsung denied preview of iPad 3, iPhone 5 in ongoing Apple infringement suit

00:42:05 - Vizio Tablet gets detailed, we go hands-on (video)

00:49:05 - Vizio, your favorite low-cost TV leader introduces... a light bulb (video)

00:50:07 - Huawei MediaPad revealed: world's first 7-inch Android 3.2 tablet, dual-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU

00:55:55 - Pentax intros Q, world's smallest interchangeable lens digital camera (hands-on video)

01:01:38 - Verizon's 'DataGate' plans leaked in excruciating detail

01:04:30 - Best Buy puts your music in the cloud, goes where others have gone before (updated)

01:07:38 - Listener questions









Hear the podcast



Subscribe to the podcast



[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).

[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.

[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.

[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace



Download the podcast



LISTEN (MP3)

LISTEN (AAC)

LISTEN (OGG)



Contact the podcast



Send your questions to @tim_stevens.

Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005)

E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com

Twitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @darrenmurph
Filed under:
Engadget Podcast 245 - 06.24.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Apple sues Samsung again for copying the iPhone's design, this time in South Korea
As if Apple and Samsung's patent infringement catfight weren't distracting enough, Apple is recreating the legal spectacle in Samsung's home country of South Korea. Apple just filed a suit against Samsung Electronics in Seoul Central District Court, with Cupertino alleging that the Samsung Galaxy S copies the third-generation iPhone, according to a report from the online news site, MoneyToday. That closely matches the claims Apple made when it it sued Samsung back in April for "slavishly" copying the iPhone and iPad. Since then, Apple's expanded its case to include additional Samsung devices, including the Droid Charge, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy S II, and a handful of others. Meanwhile, Samsung has attempted (in vain) to subpoena prototypes of Apple's next-gen iPhone and iPad. We wouldn't be surprised if Samsung abandoned its efforts to peek Apple's forthcoming products, but if this is, indeed, destined to be a case of déjà vu, Samsung might well strike back with a suit of its own.
Apple sues Samsung again for copying the iPhone's design, this time in South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


AutoWed vending machine concept offers marriage of convenience, nuptials at $1 a pop
AutoWed vending machine offers true marriage of convenience, nuptials at $1 a pop
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to introduce to you perhaps the most outlandish concept we've seen all year. Looking something akin to a Moroccan Barbie accessory, and sporting a small portrait of Jesus Christ, the AutoWed Wedding machine has blasphemy written all over it. Pop in a dollar or a pound, depending on your location, and in moments you're served with a pair of plastic wedding bands and a personalized certificate, (unofficially) sealing the deal. And to think we ever raised a brow at that live crab vending machine.
Permalink   |  sourceConcept Shed  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Zinio brings Tegra hardware acceleration to Honeycomb tablets


Zinio's smartphone and tablet apps make it easy to bring a lifetime's worth of magazine content with you on the go, but performance has been inconsistent, especially when navigating through pages or zooming into photos and text. The company's latest app improves upon both critical elements, however, taking advantage of the Nvidia Tegra chip in your Mototola Xoom or Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 to smooth out page transitions and pinch-to-zoom. Nvidia posted a side-by-side comparison video demonstrating the improvements on a pair of Xooms, and there's clearly a noticeable difference. You can try it out for yourself by downloading Zinio version 1.10.3641 from the Android Market, or jump past the break for the demo.
Continue reading Zinio brings Tegra hardware acceleration to Honeycomb tablets
Zinio brings Tegra hardware acceleration to Honeycomb tablets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Nvidia Blog  |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


EVO 3D and EVO View 4G now available to the non-Premier masses
EVO 3D and EVO View 4G
No longer must you be a member of Sprint's Premier Club to get your hands on the EVO 3D. At long last, the poverbial floodgates are open allowing you, dear reader, to rush to your local shop and acquire one for $200 -- provided you're willing to commit to a two year contract. Arriving on shelves alongside the glasses-free 3D handset is the HTC EVO View 4G, the Taiwanese company's 7-inch tablet that (for the time being) comes packaged with the fancy Scribe stylus for $400. You'll find PR after the break but, who are you kidding, there's no time for reading -- there's shopping to be done.
Continue reading EVO 3D and EVO View 4G now available to the non-Premier masses
EVO 3D and EVO View 4G now available to the non-Premier masses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


LaCie's CloudBox 'hybrid HDD' doubles your backups in the cloud (video)
LaCie CloudBox
Tempted by the allure of the cloud? Still not quite ready to give up that local backup at home? Fret not, as LaCie's new CloudBox gives you a pinch of both. The gizmo pictured above may look similar to the company's Wireless Space NAS, but it's actually a 100GB "hybrid HDD." The device connects to a router exclusively via its single Ethernet port, enabling it to handle local backups while also automatically mirroring an AES encrypted copy to a cloud server daily -- even if your computer is off. Using LaCie's Online Restore software, the offsite copy is accessible by up to ten previous volumes should the box ever become inoperable. The CloudBox comes with a one year subscription for online backups (mum's the word on future fees), and will be available in July priced at $200. You'll find more details in the PR past the break, as well as a video showcasing a variety of unfortunate -- mostly baby induced -- situations it's intended for.
Gallery: LaCie CloudBox hybrid HDD
Continue reading LaCie's CloudBox 'hybrid HDD' doubles your backups in the cloud (video)
LaCie's CloudBox 'hybrid HDD' doubles your backups in the cloud (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLaCie  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Telstra will scrap Sense UI to make room for Gingerbread on the HTC Desire
What's this we spy in the dusty depths of a Telstra software update page? A little sentence that displays some crowd-pleasing logic in bringing Android 2.3 to the hoary old Desire. HTC originally told us the handset had insufficient memory to run Gingerbread, and so would be excluded from the update. Then it did a 180-flip and said the Desire would be getting Gingerbread after all, but with the sacrifice of some memory-hogging apps. But now Aussie Telstra has opted for arguably the smartest alternative: prepare a special update that kicks HTC's Sense UI out of the pub instead, freeing up plenty of room for Gingerbread while also pleasing punters who like to drink their Android neat. If it can work Down Under in August, other operators around the world ought to be able to make it work too. And if they don't, there's always the option of a spicy home-brewed beverage instead.



[Thanks, Alejandro]
Telstra will scrap Sense UI to make room for Gingerbread on the HTC Desire originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTelstra  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway


Would you feel comfortable driving down the highway with a Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) behind the wheel of your next Volkswagen? A new technology proposed by the German automaker won't take you from A to B automatically, but it will help out with more simple driving, so you can take your hands off the wheel while cruising down the highway at up to 130km/h (about 80 mph), for example. The system pairs Lane Assist with cruise control, and can be overridden by the driver at any time. The TAP system's Pilot Mode uses radar, laser, camera, and ultrasonic sensors to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, start and stop in traffic, and slow down before a bend. Speed is set by the driver, who you'll need to remain aware of your surroundings in case you need to take over control -- so don't get too comfortable poking around the menus on that AppRadio just yet.
Continue reading Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway
Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Thai Automaxx  |  sourceVolkswagen  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Hyper Ping Pong is like real table tennis, only without the ball, table or opponent (video)


Microsoft and Nintendo might already have the motion-based table tennis simulation market locked down, but there's one thing their consoles need that the new Hyper Ping Pong paddle doesn't: a TV. That's right, this motion sensor-equipped bat lets you play without the superfluous need for something to look at -- it comes with a speaker that plays back the sound of a rally and all you need to do is "go with the rhythm." A button integrated into the handle lets you put a little extra sauce on your volleys and accurate timing will win you points, awesome sound effects, and the admiration of all your friends. The Hyper Ping Pong kit will start selling in Japan this October for ¥2,000 ($25).
Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo.tv  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Mimobot Transformers thumb drives are exactly what meets the eye
Transformers Mimobots
Oh, look, Mimoco is back with a couple of new USB flash drives. These particular Mimobots come in the likeness of everyone's second favorite morphing robot rivals -- Optimus Prime and Megatron. (Obviously Cy-Kill and Leader-1 take the top slot in our hearts.) Sadly, these Transformer thumb drives don't actually transform, but they do come preloaded with screensavers, wallpapers, and digital comics... if you're into that sort of thing. The Autobot and Decepticon leaders are available now, starting at $23 for 2GB of storage and reaching $60 for the 16GB model. PR is after the break.
Continue reading Mimobot Transformers thumb drives are exactly what meets the eye
Mimobot Transformers thumb drives are exactly what meets the eye originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will launch in the UK on August 4th
The Galaxy Tab 10.1, the benchmark Android tablet device at this moment in time, is coming to the UK on August 4th. Samsung's just made the launch date official, announcing that both WiFi and 3G variants will be hitting "a range" of British stores almost exactly six weeks from now. Alas, no pricing details have been revealed yet, but you can look forward to an exceedingly slim (8.6mm / 0.33-inch) slate sweetened with Honeycomb (3.1) software and dual-core Tegra 2 performance. The 3G variant will also include a 21Mbps-capable HSPA+ radio, which would be called 4G if it were in the hands of overzealous American carriers. The TouchWiz UI will be large and in charge on the British Tab 10.1, augmented with Samsung's Social, Readers, and Music Hubs, as well as access to NVIDIA's Tegra Zone. We're also reminded about the neglected Galaxy Tab 8.9 in the press release, which should be arriving in the UK "later in the year."
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will launch in the UK on August 4th
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will launch in the UK on August 4th originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Nokia's Android flirtations revealed
We don't know if this device is "super confidential" or not, but we've just come across yet another Nokia N9 lookalike with a non-MeeGo operating system on board. Well, it looks that way, anyhow. There's no way to verify that the Android homescreen we see above is a legitimate Gingerbread installation and not a mere screenshot (the resolution looks all wrong, for one thing), but the source of this image is the same Chinese fellow that posted a picture of Nokia's Windows Phone prototype, the Sea Ray, way back in May, so we're inclined to believe he's got an inside line on these things. Additionally, the undersized Android UI elements on the screen actually encourage us to believe that this is indeed a Nokia testing device -- if we were going to fake something like this, we'd use a regular screen grab for our tomfoolery -- and Stephen Elop has openly admitted that Nokia spent a couple of wild seconds contemplating a switch to Android. Well, folks, here's what that alternate future might have looked like.
Continue reading Nokia's Android flirtations revealed
Nokia's Android flirtations revealed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  source@codegeass (Weibo, 1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Hacker pleads guilty to AT&T iPad breach
Nearly six months after his arrest, one hacker pleaded guilty to charges that he exposed the email addresses of over 100,000 AT&T iPad 3G users. It's been a year since Daniel Spitler and his compatriot, Andrew Auernheimer, coaxed Ma-Bell servers into delivering the goods, with a brute force script they lovingly named the iPad 3G Account Slurper. The hacker's plea agreement suggests a 12 to 18-month sentence, which is a lot more lenient than the 10-year maximum we hear he could face. Spitler's collaborator is apparently still in plea negotiations with the prosecutor. Both men initially claimed they were just trying to draw attention to a security hole, but maybe next time they'll think twice before embarking on such altruistic endeavors.
Hacker pleads guilty to AT&T iPad breach originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacRumors  |  sourceComputerworld  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Atrix 4G bootloader unlocked: you can hack it up today or wait for official Gingerbread update
The Atrix 4G is today an eminently more intriguing smartphone than it was yesterday. Leaked code from Motorola's upcoming Gingerbread update for the handset has made its way into the hands of the always-eager coders at xda-developers, which has resulted in two things: one, the discovery that Motorola intends to unlock the Atrix's bootloader when it upgrades it to Android 2.3, and two, downloadable files to let you do exactly that today, even if you're still stuck on Froyo. Moto users have been pleading for this change for a long time and Motorola did pledge to make it happen across its portfolio of devices, but it comes as a mild (and happy) surprise to see this change being effected retroactively. Check the links below to see how you can unchain your phone's bootloader if you can't wait for the official software to drop.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Permalink BriefMobile  |  sourcexda-developers  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Navy blends Jet A and algae-based biofuel, uses it to power Seahawk chopper (video)


Considering that helicopters are entirely dependent on a spinning rotor to remain in the air, an MH-60S Seahawk doesn't exactly seem the most likely candidate for experimental fuel. That didn't seem to stop the US Navy, however, which successfully completed a test flight with a 50 / 50 blend of algae-based biofuel and Jet A (traditionally the flavor of choice for turbine-based aircraft). The mixture used is known as Solajet HRJ-5 Jet fuel, which doesn't quite have the same ring to it as good ole Jet A -- but it does happen to be based on a renewable resource and managed to keep the rotor spinning. There's no word on how much the new fuel costs to produce or when it might be ready for commercial use, but if all goes to plan, we may soon be using the green stuff for more than just sushi rolls and miso soup.
Continue reading Navy blends Jet A and algae-based biofuel, uses it to power Seahawk chopper (video)
Permalink DailyTech  |  sourceSolazyme  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Quake turns 15, ready to be ported to a learner's permit
In the ever-changing world of gaming, a 15-year-old title is downright ancient, so there's a lot to be said for the fact that we're still talking about Quake a decade and a half after its release -- and what a packed decade and a half it's been. The game has spawned a still thriving convention and has made an appearance on pretty much every platform, ever, including, recently, Android, webOS, Chumby, BUG, and, of course, a maze for lab mice. So, happy birthday, old man. Now how about playing on something more your age? Like, say, the Jitterbug? Got a favorite Quake moment? Be sure to share it with us in the comments below.
Quake turns 15, ready to be ported to a learner's permit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 01:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink USA Today  |  sourceBethesda  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Siemens DA36 E-Star glider takes serial hybrid to new heights
Siemens DA36 E-Star glider takes serial hybrid to new heights
It's not exactly Wonder Woman-ready, but this little glider is already a star. A collaboration between Siemens, Diamond Aircraft, and EADS, the DA36 E-Star, being billed as the "world's first serial hybrid electric airplane," has taken to the friendly skies and is now on display at the Paris Air Show. The two-seater, which boasts a serial (or series) hybrid electric drive, similar to that found in the Chevy Volt, is currently a two-seat affair, but is intended to pave the way for passenger planes, and could eventually cut emissions by 25 percent. Along with a decrease in fuel consumption and subsequent emissions, the plane is also nice and quiet. So what's next? Scientists are working on a new motor that could make the drive five times lighter. Hey Siemens, give us a call when it gets inflight-WiFi. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading Siemens DA36 E-Star glider takes serial hybrid to new heights
Siemens DA36 E-Star glider takes serial hybrid to new heights originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Cnet  |  sourceSiemens  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online
Non-computer device traffic
It's no secret that the iPad commands a serious lead in the battle for tablet mindshare, but comScore's new Device Essentials traffic-tracking service shows just how much that translates into market dominance. According to the web monitoring company, the iPad and its successor account for 89 percent of tablet internet use globally, and 97 percent here in the US. Of course, the slate segment is still young and accounts for only a tiny percentage of total traffic. And, it's worth noting, the iPad has a significant advantage in being the first to hit shelves. If you want to dig a little deeper, hit up the source link for the PR and a few more charts.
iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Mac Rumors  |  sourcecomScore  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)
Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)
In an attempt to edge its way into the crowded mobile payments market, a new credit card scanning system is saying "ah, hell no!" to typing and swiping. Card.io is billed as an SDK that takes advantage of smartphone cameras to let devs accept credit, because, as its creators point out, "typing on mobile phones is slow, and most consumers don't have a separate hardware attachment." When it's time to pull out the plastic, Card.io gets your phone's camera going, and up pops a little green rectangle, in which you frame your card and snap a pic. Your credit card info is then processed by a third-party merchant, and the details are subsequently deleted from your phone. Can you hear that? That's the sound of our chubby thumbs breathing a sigh of relief. The Card.io SDK for iOS is now available at the source link below, and an Android version should be close behind. For now, hop on past the break for a video demo.
Continue reading Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video)
Card.io SDK takes swipe at competition with camera-enabled mobile payments (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PCMag  |  sourceCard.io  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Oracle v. Google update: USPTO rejects several patent claims, leaves chinks in Oracle's IP armor?
Much ink has been spilled about Oracle's lawsuit against Google for Android's allegedly unlawful use of Java, and rightfully so, considering Team Ellison's seeking to take more than a billion dollar chunk out of Google's bottom line. Just because Oracle's damage calculations add up to ten figures doesn't mean that the court will agree with them, however. And, there's a long legal road to be tread before the court can assign a dollar value to the case -- namely it must determine if the patent claims and copyrights are valid and whether Android actually infringes them.



That's why Google requested the USPTO re-examine the patents asserted by Oracle, as the process gives Google a shot at invalidating them outside the courtroom. It looks like the strategy is paying off, as one of those re-exams recently resulted in a rejection of 17 of the patent's 21 claims -- which reduces the number of claims Oracle can assert in court accordingly. Of course, those four remaining claims plus the 118 contained in the other six asserted patents (should they survive the re-examination process) could still spell doom for the little green bots, but it is a victory, albeit a modest one, for the team in Mountain View. So, Oracle may have a few less IP bullets to fire Google's way, but it's still got plenty of other legal ammo left. We'll keep you posted when next shot's fired.
Permalink The Register  |  sourceGroklaw  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover anti-competitive ways?
Google's drawn the ire of the Federal Trade Commission before for failing to follow its own privacy policies. Now, however, the Mountain View crew is apparently facing a formal inquiry from the FTC as it seeks information about Google's search and advertising business. The civil investigative demands are set to be sent out within the next five days, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the commission will be looking into whether Google's search engine illegally routs all those internet eyeballs scanning its site to its own services instead of those offered by competitors. Sound familiar? It should, because Google's under investigation for similar anticompetitive accusations made in Europe -- somewhere Steve Ballmer is smiling.
FTC to put Google under a microscope, try to uncover anti-competitive ways? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM connects to WiFi, plans your Great American vacation
How do you spice up a standalone GPS in a market that just isn't pining for 'em any longer? If you're Magellan, that's easy -- you take a smartphone, gimp voice and app capabilities and, voila!, you have the RoadMate 5175T-LM. Eerily similar to its Garmin rival, this slab boasts a full WVGA display, WiFi (you know, for that inbuilt web browser) and AAA travel planning. Purportedly, those fine, fine amenities will enable you to "go from the car to the boardroom to the hotel," and maybe even on that cross-country trip, too. Judging by its built-in tour guide functionality and heavy emphasis on the suit-and-tie demo, we'd say Magellan's aiming this one at the fifty and over set. This shortlist of features doesn't come cheap, either -- with a $299.99 price tag, we'd understand if your wallet was eyeing greener pastures. Full PR gush after the break -- you're welcome, GPS enthusiasts.
Continue reading Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM connects to WiFi, plans your Great American vacation
Magellan RoadMate 5175T-LM connects to WiFi, plans your Great American vacation originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMagellan  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Great Firewall of China getting a small cloud-based silver lining
China, it seems, is getting ready to punch a cloud-shaped hole in its infamous Great Firewall. A massive six square mile office park currently being built in the southwestern city of Chongqing is set to escape the filtering that dominates the rest of the company's internet access. The area, affectionately known as the "Cloud Zone," will be home to technology companies and Chinese startups that will presumably require free access to sites like Twitter and Facebook to do their jobs. Freedom, after all, is just another word for being able to update your status from your cubicle.
Great Firewall of China getting a small cloud-based silver lining originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Penn Olson  |  sourceSouthern Weekend (scan)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays
Voltaic Spark Tablet Case
Voltaic makes tons of solar-charging gear, from laptop bags to backpacks, but what are those living in a post-PC world to do? Well, the company just unveiled its Spark Tablet Case -- a thin, padded tote designed for your iPad or other slate that can generate 8-watts of power in sunlight. In addition to directly charging your iPad in about 10 hours, it can also bank the Sun's rays in a universal battery pack, for use when those fluffy things in the sky don't cooperate with your outdoor computing schedule. Optionally, the included V39 USB Battery can be charged (as you may have guessed) via USB, for extra insurance. The Spark is available now for $299 and extra battery packs can be had for $99. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break.

Gallery: Voltaic Spark Tablet Case and V39 USB Battery
Continue reading Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays
Voltaic Spark Tablet Case powers your pad with the Sun's rays originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Visidon Applock sees your pretty face, grants you Android access (video)


In the event you got lulled into a groovy seat dance by that most excellent muzak above, let us repeat - this app does not protect your lockscreen. That said, Visidon's Applock will prevent the privacy-adverse from messing with your personally curated app collection. Have a nosy significant lover? No sweat -- snap a pick with your front-facing cam, enable the face-lock in your settings, and those sexts are as good as blocked. It's far from foolproof, however, as some comments indicate an extended bit of facial-wriggling tricks the app into unlock mode. Oh well, you're so vain, you'll probably think this Android market link is for you -- don't you?



[Thanks, Matti]
Visidon Applock sees your pretty face, grants you Android access (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 20:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAndroid Market  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Panasonic ToughBook C1 gets upgraded with faster processor, better battery life
It may not look any different from the outside, but Panasonic has made some not insignificant upgrades to its rugged, 12.1-inch ToughBook C1 convertible tablet. That starts off with a new Intel Core i5-2520M vPro processor (2.5GHz, Turbo Boost-able to 3.2GHz), along with a standard 320GB 7,200 rpm hard drive (up from 250GB before), and some improved battery life -- Panasonic says you can expect twelve hours from a pair of hot-swappable batteries, or six hours with one. It also says its various improvements contribute to a start-up time that's 30 percent faster than the previous model, although that will obviously vary in real world use. Somewhat unfortunately, the convertible's base price tag has also seen a slight upgrade -- it'll now start at $2,599 instead of $2,499 when the new model rolls out next month
Continue reading Panasonic ToughBook C1 gets upgraded with faster processor, better battery life
Panasonic ToughBook C1 gets upgraded with faster processor, better battery life originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


D-Dalus aircraft lacks fixed-wing or rotor, looks like flying steamroller
Every other year, aviation fanatics gather in the city of baguettes and burlesque to order airplanes, gawk at concept vehicles, and dream about a better future. The D-Dalus, one of the more bizarre concepts at this year's Paris Air Show, from Austrian research company IAT21, stays aloft using quad contra-rotating cylindrical turbines -- and perhaps a touch of magic. Theoretically creating a completely new category of aircraft, the carbon fiber D-Dalus maneuvers by altering the angle of its blades, giving it virtually limitless abilities to launch, hover, and turn in any direction. An aircraft with this level of flexibility is more suited for military use than consumer applications (you won't be flying home from Paris in a freakish black tube), but could become a key asset for everything from freight transport to search and rescue operations -- on land, at sea, or even in a burning building. We haven't come across any proof that the Dalus can actually fly, but hit up the source link to see the craft suspended from the show floor ceiling in Paris.
D-Dalus aircraft lacks fixed-wing or rotor, looks like flying steamroller originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGizmag  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Microsoft details the new Games Hub for Windows Phone Mango
Still not clear on what your gaming options will be like with Windows Phone Mango? Then Microsoft's now got you covered with a fairly extensive overview of its new Games Hub, which has actually been tweaked a bit further from earlier previews it's offered. One of the biggest changes is that the Hub now includes features previously relegated to the separate Xbox Live Extras app, including improved Xbox Live messaging, integrated achievements (complete with comparison views with your friends), and the ability to edit your Xbox Live profile -- not to mention fully animated 3D avatars. The Hub also boasts a new Collection view that promises to let you more easily manage your installed Windows Phone games, and it's literally been brightened up a bit across the board. Check out the gallery below for a closer look, and hit the source link for some more details.
Gallery: Windows Phone 'Mango' Games Hub
Microsoft details the new Games Hub for Windows Phone Mango originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWindows Phone Blog  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Japan creates frankenstein pop idol, sells candy






Sure, Japan's had its fair share of holographic and robotic pop idols, but they always seem to wander a bit too far into the uncanny valley. Might an amalgam composite pop-star fare better? Nope, still creepy -- but at least its a new kind of creepy. Eguchi Aimi, a fictional idol girl created for a Glico candy ad, is comprised of the eyes, ears, nose, and other facial elements of girls from AKB48, a massive (over 50 members) all-female pop group from Tokyo. Aimi herself looks pretty convincing, but the way she never looks away from the camera makes our skin crawl ever so slightly. Check out the Telegraph link below to see her pitch Japanese sweets while staring through your soul.
Japan creates frankenstein pop idol, sells candy originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Telegraph  |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Google Sites simplifies iOS and Android viewing with automatic mobile rendering
Do you use Google Sites to publish to the web? The search giant just added automatic mobile rendering to make your website more mobile-friendly when viewed on an iOS 3.0 or Android 2.2+ device. A new setting to "Automatically adjust site for mobile phones" can be activated in the site management page, at which point pages designed for desktop viewing will be displayed in a much simpler web format, so readers won't need to pinch-to-zoom just to see a page's content. Google also added mobile versions of the site list, sites search, and browse sites categories, for easy access from your smartphone. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but if you happen to run a Google Site or have a friend that does, it wouldn't hurt to flip the switch on mobile viewing -- your visitors will appreciate it.
Google Sites simplifies iOS and Android viewing with automatic mobile rendering originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Phone Scoop  |  sourceGoogle Blog  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Mac OS X 10.6.8 update now available
Mac OS X 10.6.8 update now available
It looks like Apple's getting another fix in before Lion slinks on to the scene. Mac OS X 10.6.8 is now available for download, and brings with it a number of "general operating system fixes," including further support for IPv6, improved VPN reliability, and removal of known variants of Mac Defender. It also promises to fix a glitch that has Preview randomly shutting down, and will get the App Store ready to roar for when Lion lands on the scene. We're getting it going on our laptop at home. If you've done the same, let us know how it's working out for you.
Mac OS X 10.6.8 update now available originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceApple  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Dutch parliament passes strict new law regulating cookies -- the non-edible variety
Well, it's certainly been an interesting month for those interested in all things technology-related in the Netherlands. Just last week, the Royal Dutch Mint showed off some new coins emblazoned with QR Codes promising untold "surprises," and this week the Dutch parliament made a bit of history by passing the first net neutrality legislation in the EU. Now it's taken aim at another target: internet cookies. Despite warnings that it could cause websites to flee en masse to less-restrictive countries in Europe, the parliament has also passed an amendment to the net neutrality law that drastically changes how cookies are handled on the web. Specifically, websites will have to prove that visitors explicitly agreed to allow cookies, which likely means an extra click or a pop-up window before anyone's able to actually visit a site. Of course, there's also the possibility that it could lead to a drop in a cookie use in the country, although that seems about as likely as a drop in actual cookie consumption.



[Thanks, Lucian; image: The Bygone Bureau]
Permalink   |  sourceFinancial Times  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC's PaPeRo
UNISROBO
The KIRFs we normally see are of the cellphone and PMP variety, with the occasional laptop scattered here and there. In fact, this might be the first time we've seen a clone of a serious robot, and not just some remote-controlled toy. Above is the UNISROBO from a pair of Chinese companies, UNIS and Just Good Technology. Those of you with a strong memory may immediately notice its amazing resemblance to NEC's PaPeRo and PaPeRo-mini. Outside of the bright job, the only major aesthetic difference is the LCD embedded in UNISROBO's chest. Under the hood, however, is a different story -- this Chinese knockoff is missing the stereoscopic cameras and ultrasonic sensors that helped its Japanese inspiration navigate. There's one thing these copycats are not though -- cheap. UNIS will be selling two models at 2,980 and 3,980 Yuan (about $460 and $615). One more picture after the break.
Continue reading Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC's PaPeRo
Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC's PaPeRo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePlasticPals  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joins Facebook's Board of Directors
News that Netflix's CEO Reed Hastings is joining the Board of Directors for Facebook should make for an interesting note in the next movie, but beyond that it's unclear what it means for either company. Hastings successfully navigated Netflix through the process of going public which many assume will be a next step for the social media giant, so his experience could come in handy, and also serves on the board of Microsoft, which owns a stake in Facebook. That goes without mentioning plans by Netflix to make another run at integrating social features into its movie service after the original implementation fell apart and Warner Bros. recently offering video on-demand through Facebook. Other than facing a lawsuit from Paul Allen, Netflix and Facebook share an intense public backlash whenever either one changes their homepage, but we're not sure how he could help there -- have you seen the redesigned Netflix.com?
Continue reading Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joins Facebook's Board of Directors
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings joins Facebook's Board of Directors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceFacebook  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...




Available Tags:Engadget , Apple , Samsung , hardware , 3D , 4G , HDD , HTC , Galaxy Tab , Galaxy , UK , Android , iPad , hack , tablet , Oracle , Google , Panasonic , Windows Phone , Microsoft , Windows , iOS , Mac , CEO ,
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 11:30 PM
التسميات: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)