Tuesday, November 15, 2011

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 15/11/2011





VIA offers $89 processor and motherboard combo for custom HTPCs
If you're looking to craft a small form factor HTPC to an equally small budget, then VIA's own-brand internals deserve some serious consideration. The company's 1.4GHz dual-core Nano X2 CPU was recently put to good effect in Zotac's ZBOX Nano VD01 and is now available as part of a DIY combo called the VE-900, which puts the processor on a compact mini-ITX motherboard alongside a VX900 dedicated media accelerator for smooth video handling up to 1080p. The board has a single PCI slot, room for up to 8GB of DDR3, two SATA pin headers and four USB 2.0 ports. The rear panel adds to this with HDMI and VGA video outs, three analog audio jacks, Gigabit LAN, four more USB 2.0 ports and other standard fare -- but alas, it seems that the $89 price tag won't fetch you digital audio outs or USB 3.0. You'll find a full PR and promo video after the break, plus some Nano X2 benchmarks at the More Coverage link.
Continue reading VIA offers $89 processor and motherboard combo for custom HTPCs
VIA offers $89 processor and motherboard combo for custom HTPCs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Intel's Sandy Bridge E gets rounded up and reviewed, the E is for Excessive
You can guess how this one's gonna go: top marks for performance and a shriek of despair when it comes to value for money. Is there anyone out there who really needs an over-sized six-core CPU that requires its own chubby LGA-2011 socket and tailored X79 chipset before it'll even switch on in the morning? Could people seriously be persuaded to drop a grand on merely incremental improvements in technology, such as 15MB of L3 cache and a bigger 600MHz Turbo Boost for stock clock speeds up to 3.9GHz? Well now, let's not get distracted. Even if there were no market -- which there is -- Intel would probably carry on releasing world-beating desktop chips simply to remind us that its rivals can't, and we'd probably carry on reading about them. So here goes, a bunch of reviews covering both the i7-3960X and i7-3930K variants, which together represent the absurd awesomeness of Sandy Bridge E and are on sale at Newegg for $600 and $1050 respectively:



AnandTech: bemoans the absence of an on-die GPU, criticizes the X79 chipset, and dislikes the "performance/functionality tradeoffs"

PC Pro: sedately noted that the i7-3960X shows an "improvement" over i7-2600K in real-world benchmarks, and that "AMD must be sweating."
HotHardware: regards the 3960X as an "excellent overclocker" despite its vast power consumption, and says it combines with the X79 chipset to make "the most potent" desktop for gaming, content creation or productivity.
Tom's Hardware: describes the 3960X is a "symbolic king in a crowd full of value," and the 3930K is the processor moneyed enthusiasts should be lusting over.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Intel's Sandy Bridge E gets rounded up and reviewed, the E is for Excessive originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNewegg  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Samsung Captivate Glide and DoubleTime hands-on
Samsung Captivate
Samsung's got a pair of QWERTY-sporting Android handsets heading to AT&T, targeting distinctly different different ends of the smartphone spectrum. Sure, both the Captivate Glide and the DoubleTime attempt to woo messaging addicts with their physical keyboards, but that's about where the similarities end. The Glide is packing a full gig of RAM, a 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 8GB of internal storage, an 8 megapixel camera (plus a 1.3MP front-facing cam), Gingerbread slathered with TouchWiz and a 4-inch Super AMOLED display. The 800 x 480 panel isn't the best we've ever seen, but it's brightness and superb contrast certainly don't disappoint. Like many Samsung handsets, the Glide is surprisingly light thanks to its all plastic construction, but the textured battery plate and satisfyingly firm sliding mechanism keep it from feeling cheap. The landscape keyboard is quite pleasant. The keys don't have much travel, but they're well spaced and we had no trouble quickly banging out a bunch of texts right away.

Gallery: Samsung Captivate Glide and DoubleTime hands-on
Continue reading Samsung Captivate Glide and DoubleTime hands-on
Samsung Captivate Glide and DoubleTime hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Exclusive: Lenovo to release a 10.1-inch Ice Cream Sandwich tablet with Tegra 3 by year's end
You wouldn't think a giant like Lenovo would stop at just three (or four) Android tablets now, would you? In fact, a little birdie has informed us that said Chinese company will release a new 10.1-inch tablet by the end of the year, and unsurprisingly, Ice Cream Sandwich along with NVIDIA's Tegra 3 are on the menu. Other features include 2GB of speedy 1,600MHz DDR3 RAM, a standard USB host socket (covered by a not-so-elegant pop-out flap), a back-facing camera of unknown resolution, a "Special Fusion-Skin Body" and, most interestingly, a fingerprint scanner that apparently doubles as an optical joystick on the seemingly flat backside -- only time will tell whether this layout makes sense. Our source hasn't spilled any info on the dimensions and weight, but judging by the photos in our gallery, this 1.6GHz quad-core slate should be significantly thinner than the IdeaPad K1 or LePad sitting underneath. As always, you'll hear from us as soon as we find out more.



[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Exclusive: Lenovo to release a 10.1-inch Ice Cream Sandwich tablet with Tegra 3 by year's end
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Zelda-branded Nintendo 3DS coming to US GameStops?
Is Nintendo's Zelda-branded 3DS making its way to the US? It certainly seems to be, based on the above GameStop ad. Spotted by one of our eagle-eyed tipsters, this leaked Black Friday promo offers the gold-and-black, Hyrule-emblazoned console as part of a bundle deal that also features The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. This can all be yours, apparently, for the price of $200 (or as little as $100, if you're willing to part with one of your older consoles). Nintendo has yet to issue an official word on Zelda's stateside arrival, but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we hear more.


[Thanks, Colin]
Zelda-branded Nintendo 3DS coming to US GameStops? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGottaDeal.com  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Motorola Droid RAZR rooted -- watch out for rough edges
First it was the Kevlar-coated hardware, and now Android enthusiasts have cracked open the software edges of Motorola's latest Android baby. Yes, that dual-core slice of smartphone that is the Droid RAZR can now be rooted, but there is a catch. The Windows-only program won't let you reverse the deal once you've taken the hack-friendly plunge, even if you're unfortunate enough to hit a soft brick wall. You can check out the directions in the source link below, but we're wagging our finger of caution right now -- you've been warned.
Motorola Droid RAZR rooted -- watch out for rough edges originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Central  |  sourceDroid Forums  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Maingear brings Intel i7-3960X Extreme Edition chip, Epic Audio Engine to desktops, extreme gamers
Looking to add a dash of extremity to your gaming existence? Maingear's got you covered, now that it's added a second generation Intel Core i7 CPU to a handful of its desktop offerings. Today, the company announced yet another upgrade to its SHIFT, Quantum SHIFT and F131 desktops, with the addition of the Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition processor. According to Maingear, this extra horsepower will provide gamers with a 34 percent improvement in performance at normal speeds, while offering similar enhancements in video editing and 3D rendering capabilities. That's all thanks to the fact that the i7-3960X can be overclocked at a handsome 5.2GHz, with a quad-channel memory structure that brings even more bandwidth to the table. On top of that, the company has also added its own EPIC Audio Engine to this troika of rigs, using Aphex's processing technology to offer audio that, according to Maingear, is "more balanced, more articulated, and simply put, better sounding." The revamped desktops are on sale now, so hit up the source link for more information, or check out the full PR, after the break.
Continue reading Maingear brings Intel i7-3960X Extreme Edition chip, Epic Audio Engine to desktops, extreme gamers
Permalink   |  sourceMaingear  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Netflix signs up Lionsgate UK films for its British debut
Now that Netflix has made its plans to launch in the British Isles official, it's gotten busy signing content deals and the latest affiliation is with Lionsgate's UK arm. The deal makes Netflix the "exclusive subscription streaming service" in the UK and Ireland for the studios first-run movies, with upcoming titles like The Expendables 2, and the Dirty Dancing remake already on deck. The agreement also extends to catalog hits like Reservoir Dogs, 3:10 to Yuma and The Blair Witch Project, which should be available when the service launches early next year. Check the press release after the break for all the details, although there's still plenty of time to decide whether or not its worth your pounds, pence, or bank notes.
Continue reading Netflix signs up Lionsgate UK films for its British debut
Netflix signs up Lionsgate UK films for its British debut originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Intel and MasterCard to offer Ultrabook users 'safer' NFC checkout via PayPass, impulsive shoppers rejoice
Entering a 16-digit credit card number may be a thing of the past with a new initiative from MasterCard and Intel, which allows users to checkout online by tapping a PayPass-enabled card, tag or smartphone to their Ultrabook. Calling the checkout "safer" and "simpler," Intel is bringing its Identity Protection Technology to the potluck, giving shoppers two-factor authentication and chip-based display protection when forking over that hard earned cash. Here's how it all works: when you tap a NFC smartphone or other PayPass-enabled device, it will communicate with the Ultrabook, generating a six-digit code from the embedded processor or from within the Manageability Engine. The ME hardware, encrypted with third-party algorithms, then transacts with the e-commerce site, hopefully offering shoppers more protection than standard software solutions. Since using the feature requires an NFC-connected device as well as the Ultrabook and a username and password, forgetful folks who tend to misplace their phone or computer won't have to worry about unwarranted spending. Sadly, the solution won't protect your wallet from the perils of a late night shoe shopping spree. Check out the full PR after the break.
Continue reading Intel and MasterCard to offer Ultrabook users 'safer' NFC checkout via PayPass, impulsive shoppers rejoice
Filed under:
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Amazon Kindle Fire review
It seems like ages since Amazon introduced us to the $199 Fire at a hectic New York City event, but in truth that was only about six weeks ago. Maybe our perception of time is warped because we've been hearing talk about this 7-inch Android tablet for months now. Maybe it's because Amazon launching a tablet seemed like such a natural thing to do after Barnes & Noble paved the way with its Nook Color. Or, maybe it's just because the gadget Amazon shipped looks nigh-identical to the 7-inch BlackBerry PlayBook that we've had for, well, ages.



For whatever the reason, what Amazon has delivered is a device that is intimately familiar yet mysterious -- a simple, minimalistic exterior design hiding a flashy, seemingly quite trick customization that's sitting atop a decidedly ho-hum Android Gingerbread build. Our questions leading up to this review were many: How will it handle sideloading? Are the battery life and performance better than the PlayBook? Can a tablet that costs two hundred bucks stand a chance against those that cost two and three times as much? C'mon baby, click on through to find out.

Gallery: Amazon Kindle Fire review
Continue reading Amazon Kindle Fire review
Amazon Kindle Fire review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Amazon Kindle Touch review
It was back in back in September that Amazon finally unveiled the Kindle Fire, its long awaited entry into the budget space. The full-color, multimedia slate hit the sweet spot, price-wise, sliding in at a hair under $200 and setting the tech world abuzz. The company made it clear, however, that it still had a horse in the standalone e-reader race -- three horses, in fact. That same event also saw the unveiling of the fourth-generation Kindle and the Kindle Touch, two new devices that take slightly different approaches to the post-keyboard world of e-readers. And, to play it safe, Amazon announced that it would be keeping the Kindle 3 around -- albeit, rebranded as the Kindle Keyboard.



At $79 for the ad-supported version, the Kindle 4 carved out a whole new price point for e-readers. The Kindle Touch meanwhile, marked a belated entrance into touchscreen e-ink devices -- a market that had already been populated by several high-profile competitors: Barnes & Noble's Nook, Kobo and Sony. Why did Amazon hold off so long? According to the company, it was "waiting to get touch right." Without spoiling this review too much, there are indeed some features of this new device that suggest the wait was worth it.



But are these elements enough to dethrone the Nook Simple Touch as the best devoted e-reader out there, especially given that the Nook, too, recently got a refresh of its own? Does Amazon still have what it takes to remain the clear market reader in e-books? And is the $20 premium worth the step up from the fantastically affordable fourth-gen Kindle? The answer to all of this and more can be found after the break.
Gallery: Amazon Kindle Touch unboxing
Gallery: Amazon Kindle Touch review
Continue reading Amazon Kindle Touch review
Amazon Kindle Touch review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


PSA: Kindle Touch shipping a week early


In case you haven't checked your email today, Amazon's touchy-feely e-reader will be hitting your mailbox a little earlier than expected. Instead of arriving after November 21st, readers have been telling us that their Kindle Touch orders have been pushed out a few days early, opening November 15-17 release windows. The Kindle Fire? As far as we know, it's still on track to make its November 15th shipping date. We'll let you know if we hear anything else.



[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
PSA: Kindle Touch shipping a week early originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart
Inner-city cars have been getting smaller and smaller, but Suzuki's Q-concept micro car takes extreme spot-hunting to the next level. Thanks to its tandem seating configuration, the Q-concept is slim -- somewhere between a car and a motorbike -- bestowing it tighter turning angles, ideal for snaking betwixt those SUVs at Walmart. Being a concept, there are all sorts of teasing technical touches we'd love to see, such as what looks like a smartphone dock in the steering wheel, video screens instead of rear-view mirrors and, of course, gull-wing doors. It might not have the cyborg-ish charms of Audi's Urban Concept, but mercifully it's got some decent curves, unlike its cousin the not-so-concept electric Every van.
Continue reading Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart
Suzuki's Q-concept micro car tries to out-smart the Smart originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gizmag  |  sourceSuzuki  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Inhabitat's Week in Green: Rolls Royce 102EX test drive, electric unicycle and a sun-powered leaf
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.



Electric vehicle momentum swept the states this week as Inhabitat took a spin in the new Rolls Royce 102EX Phantom EV, and we brought you exclusive photos of BMW's brand new i3 and i8 electric cars. We also showcased six sexy electric vehicles set to hit the streets in 2012, watched a 350MPG EV win the Future Car Challenge, and saw scientists create the world's smallest electric vehicle from a molecule and four motors. Meanwhile, El Al airlines announced plans to launch a line of hybrid-electric Boeing 737 airplanes, Ryno unveiled a crazy electric unicycle, and a team of students revealed Uganda's first electric car.



It was a big week for alternative energy as well as Kenya announced plans to tap lava power with a newly Toshiba-built geothermal energy plant and scientists made a breakthrough in using urine as a viable power source. We also looked into a scientist claiming to have achieved cold fusion, a 'solar cucumber' that harvests fresh drinking water from the ocean, and a sun-powered leaf capable of making ice in the desert.



In other news, green textiles advanced by leaps and bounds as scientists wove fabric from 24-karat gold, researchers developed a reusable fabric that administers drugs through the skin, and the University of Kiel's developed a super-adhesive tape inspired by Gecko skin. We also showcased an incredible set of sculptures made from recycled circuit boards, we watched a crop of styrofoam robots invade Germany's streets, and we saw an innovative self-powered irrigation system win the 2011 James Dyson award. And just in time for the chilly winter season, we found these oh-so-handy texting gloves which feature conductive fingertips that allow you to touch, tap, or type on any mobile touchscreen outdoors without having to remove your gloves.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Engadget Mobile Podcast 112 - 11.13.2011
Rants. You want 'em, we got em...by the dozen, this week. But they're not rants for ranting's sake: we just want the best for you, dear mobile technology consumer, and we're just doing our jobs by taking the flaws in the industry to task. Don't worry, we've got raves too, as well as the usual boatload of product announcements. The Engadget Mobile Podcast: it's full of stuff!



Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen, Joseph Volpe

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)



00:35:00 - Adobe confirms Flash Player is dead for mobile devices

00:38:00 - RIM to forge ahead with Flash on the BlackBerry PlayBook, even if it's dead

00:45:55 - Samsung GS2 Skyrocket review

01:00:33 - HTC Vivid review

01:04:45 - Engadget Distro Issue 12 -- Now with more exclusive content!

01:07:40 - Motorola Droid RAZR review

01:22:07 - Samsung Focus Flash review

01:25:35 - Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S review

01:49:50 - Verizon to begin offering double the data for your buck tomorrow as a limited time promo

01:53:00 - ZTE Tania and LG Jil Sander Windows Phones hands-on

01:53:29 - AT&T commits to LTE-Advanced in 2013

01:53:38 - HTC Edge may be the first quad-core smartphone to market



















Hear the podcast





Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes

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

[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Mobile 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)



Contact the podcast

podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.



Follow us on Twitter

@tnkgrl @phonewisdom @engadgetmobile @jrvolpe
Filed under:
Engadget Mobile Podcast 112 - 11.13.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Lenovo Live update outs ThinkPad X1 Hybrid, $800 Ultrabook plans
Not so hip on the ThinkPad X1's short battery life? Lenovo doesn't seem too thrilled about it either, and are prepping to launch a new twist on the X1 sporting a battery efficient "Instant Media Mode" sometime this month. A recent Lenovo Live update dubs the refresh the "ThinkPad X1 Hybrid, and shows the rig rocking the same media interface as the IdeaPad K1. The Hybrid promises Windows 7 / Media Mode switching, instant-on convenience and enough juice to get you through eight hours of video playback or up to 10 hours of web browsing. The document also details plans to release 13 and 14-inch Ultrabooks in May starting at $1300 and $800, respectively, as well as the ThinkPad x130e -- an apparent successor to the X120e, ruggedized and due in December. Hit the source link below to peek at the PDF yourself.
Lenovo Live update outs ThinkPad X1 Hybrid, $800 Ultrabook plans originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceLenovo  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China, the latter with 720p display
Chinese mobile customers face a similar dilemma as their American counterparts: they have to choose either China Unicom's WCDMA network, China Telecom's CDMA2000 network or China Mobile's more obscure TD-SCDMA offering. Needless to say, this can be a real headache for phone fanatics stuck on a carrier that doesn't support their desired devices, unless they don't mind surfing the web on 2G radio (if compatible at all). Luckily, nowadays Motorola tends to take good care of all potential Chinese customers whenever it rolls out a new Android phone, including the Droid RAZR (aka XT910, pictured right) in this case. Read on to find out what these two new phones are about.



Gallery: Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China
Continue reading Droid RAZR's CDMA2000 and TD-SCDMA variants teased in China, the latter with 720p display
Permalink Engadget China  |  sourceKevin Si (Weibo), TENAA, China Telecom (Weibo)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Switched On: Next for the nano
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.



For all the grousing about the minimal changes from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 4S, Apple's fastest smartphone incorporates sweeping shifts compared to what the company did with its iPod line. From keeping the waning iPod classic in the lineup to leaving the still-potent iPod touch untouched save for a blanching and price reduction, the venerable digital media player line seemed all but ignored at a time of year when Apple once primed the holiday pump for MP3 players.



Yet, while the iPod touch may not have received the processor boost or Siri-ousness of the iPhone 4S, it at least continues to remain vibrant via access to Apple's app store. That's not the case for the nano, once the flagship of the line. While Apple's smallest touchscreen device gained new software that enlarged the main icons and brought new clock faces, these improvements are also being offered to owners of the last-generation iPod nano via a software update.
Continue reading Switched On: Next for the nano
Switched On: Next for the nano originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 17:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Sony's latest PS Move Bundles let you go Medieval, get your groove on
Good ol' gaming bundles can be enticing when you're on the prowl for a new console or accessory set, and we have to admit, we'd be excited to lay some motion-controlled moves down with Sony's latest PlayStation offerings. Back at E3, we had a chance to slice enemies with virtual swords in Medieval Heros: Deadmunds Quest, thanks to the PS Move's 1:1 tracking abilities. With the game releasing next week, Sony's decided to offer it in a $100 bundle, packing a PS Eye, Move controller and a copy of Sports Champions (which Deadmund shares its gameplay mechanics with). If you don't already own a PS3 -- and love getting your groove on -- the Everybody Dance bundle may be your $300 ticket to the wand-waving fun; it features a 320GB PS3 Slim, PS Eye and Move controller, along with a DualShock 3 for when Duty Calls. These likely won't be Sony's last PlayStation-related bundles to hit shelves before the year's through, but if it sounds like your kind of party you'll find more info at the source link below.
Sony's latest PS Move Bundles let you go Medieval, get your groove on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 15:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink PlayStationLifeStyle  |  sourcePlayStation Blog (US)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


2012 London Olympics Super Hi-Vision broadcast coming to select US, Japan, UK locations
While Super Hi-Vision isn't expected to bring its 7,680 x 4,320 resolution (16x more detail than your 1080p display, for those keeping count) home for several years, the NHK and BBC have confirmed it will be available for public screenings next year during the 2012 London Olympics. Screening dates have been arranged for three countries (Japan, UK, and US), and it appears domestic viewers will want to plan on visiting the Washington D.C. area next July / August to get a taste of the 33 megapixel video and 22.2 channel surround sound for themselves. Next year's Games have already put extensive 3D coverage on the schedule and NBC has promised every event will be available for viewing live as it happens for the first time, so there's plenty for everyone to look forward to. The only question now? Whether or not that silly false start rule can be changed so we don't face the prospect of a men's 100m dash final without Usain Bolt in it.
Permalink AV Watch  |  sourceNHK  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Refresh Roundup: week of November 7, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!



Official Android updates

  • The Motorola Electrify, US Cellular's take on the Photon 4G, is prepping soak tests for a future official update and looking for volunteers. [Android Community]

  • Remember when ASUS updated the Transformer with 8.6.5.18? That was so last week. This week, say hello to maintenance build 8.6.5.19! We don't know what's in it, but it probably includes bug fixes from the previous release. [Droid-Life]

  • The O2-branded Sony Ericsson X10 will finally be getting Gingerbread next week. [AndroidCentral]

  • Owners of the Huawei Ideos X5 in the UK are receiving Android 2.3. There's no word on when it will roll out globally, but this is definitely a start. [Unwired View]

  • LG Optimus S users remember all too well the tale of how Gingerbread was offered on their beloved phone for less than 48 hours before it was pulled due to several issues. Sprint hasn't forgotten about you -- this week, the carrier confirmed that the release is still on its way. [PhoneNews]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery


  • The HTC Thunderbolt now has official MIUI support. [Android Community]

  • Enjoy ICS -- as well as a hefty performance boost -- on the Samsung Galaxy S II, thanks to a MIUI ROM. [GSMArena]
Other platforms

  • According to a tweet posted by Damian Dinning, the man behind the development of the Nokia N8 camera, a software update for the N9 and N800 cameras are in the works but had no further detail. [MyNokiaBlog]
Refreshes we covered this week
Refresh Roundup: week of November 7, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Lenovo IdeaPad U300s review
Review enough Ultrabooks and you'll start to wrestle with this idea of value. We've seen cheap ones that don't perform well and expensive ones that do. Things get really dicey when you throw in machines that cost a bit less, look good and perform well, but are nonetheless flawed in some key way -- like having a sticky keyboard or a trackpad with a mind of its own.



For more than a week now we've been testing the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s and, at the risk of spoiling this review altogether, it's made it even tougher for us to stack up one imperfect Ultrabook against another. What to do with a well-made, speed demon of a machine that boots in less than 20 seconds but starts at $1,095 without an SD slot, high-res display or backlit keyboard? Are the U300s' stately looks, brisk performance and sound ergonomics enough to make up for a handful of absent features? Find the answers to that and more in our full review after the break.

Gallery: Lenovo IdeaPad U300s review
Continue reading Lenovo IdeaPad U300s review
Lenovo IdeaPad U300s review originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike
This year's Milan International Motorcycle Show is definitely featuring a healthy assortment of battery-powered two wheeled machines, and now Evolve Motorcycles has two more plug-in designs to add to the list. First up is its Xenon, aka the Tron Lightcycle replica, which is a real bike that you can purchase 32-inch hubless rims, OLED light tape and all for $50,000. It's even claiming a top speed of 100mph with a 100 mile range on its custom lithium ion battery system, so all you have left to do is regret not grabbing one for $35k on eBay last year. The Lithium however, chooses to keep things more conventional as a streetfighter concept built around a 54hp electric motor that is expected to cost around $20,000 when it actually goes on sale. Check after the break for a pic of the Lithium, or head over to our friends at Autoblog Green for a gallery full of eyecandy featuring both bikes.
Continue reading Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike
Evolve Motorcycles shows off $50k Xenon lightcycle, Lithium electric streetbike originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 07:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAutoblog Green  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Visual Spicer creates a 7-foot tall papercraft Gundam, films the entire process as a timelapse (video)
Believe it or not, the massive seven-foot Gundam you're looking at was mostly constructed out of paper -- 720 sheets, to be exact. The papercraft artist behind the model, Taras Lesko (aka Visual Spicer), began creating it nearly a year ago, and estimates that it took him about 350 hours and four to five months to complete. As explained on his video commentary, the process started with building a store-bought model for photographs, using the shots to render it in 3D on his computer. After that, he created various templates using a variety of programs, which were then printed, cut and assembled into place. Notably, the final product has 1,250 total parts, weighs in at about 10 pounds and packs an internal 12-piece foamboard skeleton to stand. All of that is only the part of the final product, though.



Taking it a few steps further, he created a bevy of "fantasy shots" (like the one above) with his brother, Ivan -- and of course, Photoshop -- and even filmed both endeavors as timelapse videos. According to Taras, the aim was to make something "bigger and better" than the four-foot papercraft Gundam, which he made nearly three years ago and burned to ashes on video prior to this project -- we'd say mission accomplished. You'll find the construction timelapse video after the break, along with more related vids and photos at the source link below.



[Thanks, Christos]
Continue reading Visual Spicer creates a 7-foot tall papercraft Gundam, films the entire process as a timelapse (video)
Permalink   |  sourceVisual Spicer  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


PlayStation Vita gets a content management app, plays nice with PS3 and PC
Worried your PlayStation Vita is going to be so full of repurchased PSP content that you won't be be able to store it all? Yeah, neither are we -- but if you want another place to keep your Vita's picture, video, music and game content, Sony says your PC and PS3 will do nicely. An application page on the Japanese PlayStation website details a Vita app that lets users transfer data between the three platforms, noting that content can be purchased on the PC or PS3, and then transferred to the Vita for use later. Gamers looking to save scratch on that not-so-optional memory card will be able to use this content sharing feature to get the most out of whatever size storage they can afford. Sure, 4GB of storage the cheapest Vita memory card offers isn't ideal, but at least Sony is throwing you a bone to make it work.
PlayStation Vita gets a content management app, plays nice with PS3 and PC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourcePlayStation (Japan)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Ask Engadget: best rugged (but tiny) USB flash drive?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Chris, who seems to be looking for the world's toughest (and smallest) USB flash drive. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I'm looking for a good USB flash thumb drive that I can put on my keychain. I'd like one that is rather small in physical size, but, more importantly, can take a beating; especially at the spot where it connects to a keychain. Thank you."
This guy? If not him, what? Help a brother out in comments below!
Ask Engadget: best rugged (but tiny) USB flash drive? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 22:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Shanghai Science and Technology Commission proposes 100 'innovation houses' for DIYers
Shanghai Hackerspace
Here we call them hackerspaces and generally they're sustained through the contributions of paying members. The Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality has decided to go with the more esoteric "innovation house" and is expecting support from the government, but the concept is the same -- a pubic place where those with an idea can go and make it a reality. The commission is proposing building 100 such studios equipped with wood and metal lathes, drills, saws and milling machines. Shanghai may be a sprawling city of over 23 million (the largest in the world), but if even just half of those hackerspaces are eventually constructed it would have one studio for every 460,000 citizens and become one of the most DIY-friendly metropolises in the world. By comparison, New York City's roughly 8 million residents share just eight.
Permalink Slashdot  |  sourceMorning News (Weibo) (translated), STCSM (translated)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Galaxy Note hooks up with O2, brings the hybridized goods to British hands
Sammy's already released its massive mobile in-betweener to the UK, but so far the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note's failed to catch on with the country's carriers. Well, the winds of wireless change are sweeping in and O2 looks to be the spot for your subsidized needs. There's not much more than a November mention and the promise of it "Coming soon" on the operator's landing page. Still, it's good news for those of you on tight budgets with a predilection for tablet-like smartphones.
Galaxy Note hooks up with O2, brings the hybridized goods to British hands originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Cool Smartphone  |  sourceO2  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


$100 Kobo Touch with Offers ships in '2-3 weeks,' serves you ads between reads for a one-time discount
Well, would ya look at this? Apparently, Kobo's unceremoniously launched a new variant of the Touch eReader on its webstore -- this time "with offers," priced at $99.99 (down from the regular's $130). According the company, this six-incher is identical to its original Kobo Touch, but will display advertisements when you're not reading -- namely, while it's off, in sleep mode and across other "discreet" areas when it's on. Notably, the device is only available in the US in black and currently unavailable for pre-order, although Kobo's listed it as "shipping within two to three weeks." There's no word on what sorts of "sponsored content" you can expect to see, but we'd bet that Amazon-related items won't be on the table. Ad-tolerating eBook aficionados will find all the details at the source link below.
Permalink The Digital Reader, The eBook Reader  |  sourceKobo  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Amazon bringing 400 magazines, newspapers, flame retardants to Kindle Fire
It's been a busy week for the Kindle Fire. First came news that Amazon would be bringing Facebook, Hulu and "several thousand" other apps to its forthcoming tablet, and now, we've got confirmation that hundreds of magazines and newspapers are on their way, as well. Yesterday, the company announced that more than 400 "full-color" titles will be available on the Kindle Fire Newsstand, including Us Weekly, The New Yorker and Reader's Digest, among others. Users who subscriber before March 1st, meanwhile, will be able to access a full 17 Condé Nast titles for free, as part of a three-month offer. Amazon is also promising plenty of interactive editions with built-in video and audio, which you'll be able to check out for yourself next week, when the Fire begins shipping. For more details, check out the full press release after the break.
Continue reading Amazon bringing 400 magazines, newspapers, flame retardants to Kindle Fire
Amazon bringing 400 magazines, newspapers, flame retardants to Kindle Fire originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceKindle Fire Newsstand  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


LG might show off Google TV hardware at CES
Turns out the Apple TV isn't the only one to see rehashed rumors making the rounds, as Bloomberg has dredged up "people with knowledge of the project" to say LG could show off hardware featuring Google TV at CES 2012. Of course, slow-to-materialize new software apparently put a stop to LG, Sharp, and Toshiba's plans at last year's show, leaving Samsung and Vizio alone to bear the flag. Making the timing of this rumor conspicuous however, is news of Logitech sitting out the next round of Google TV, the aforementioned Cupertino project, and Sony's promise of a "different kind of TV" floating around recently. Now that the Honeycomb update and Android Market access actually exist, Google's next big task is securing more partnerships for content and hardware -- we'll find out how successful it's been in January.
LG might show off Google TV hardware at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceBloomberg Businessweek  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


3DS to beat out original DS' first year sales, land killing blow during holiday season
First 3DS sales were great, then not so much, and now things seem to be evening out somewhere around "normal." According to numbers released by Nintendo, the fledgling handheld is poised to break the original DS' first year sales numbers -- closing out its 8th month with 1.65 million units sold, or roughly 69 percent of its predecessor's 2.37 million first year sales. Noting that half of the old DS' year one sales were made during the holiday season, Nintendo is confident the 3DS will surpass its predecessor's numbers before hitting the one year mark. We'll let you make your own predictions -- Nintendo's press release is after the break, if you want to compare notes.
Continue reading 3DS to beat out original DS' first year sales, land killing blow during holiday season
Permalink Joystiq  |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Mobile Miscellany: week of November 7, 2011
This week was packed with news on the mobile front, so it was easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of November 7, 2011:


  • Motorola's finding itself in the hot seat with the Advertising Standards Authority for its TV ads regarding the Defy (shown above). The ASA banned the ads, stating that Moto's claims of the Defy being an indestructable phone are misleading, as evidenced by several people who've cracked or severely damaged their Defy due to drops or kicks. [The Register]

  • The Huawei Blaze is now being sold at Phones4U for £79.95 on a PAYG plan. [Unwired View]

  • How nice would it be to have a live tile on your Windows Phone that displays your current battery charge by exact percentage, instead of guessing what that small meter at the top of the screen means? If you have an unlocked WP7.5 device, head over to XDA to find out how to get one for your Start Menu. [WMPowerUser]

  • Who wants some more white BlackBerry news? Bell's likely getting ready to sell the Bold 9900 on November 24th for $170 with a three-year commitment, and Rogers is getting the aforementioned device alongside the Bold 9790 and Curve 9360 -- since these were based off of leaked internal device lists, no dates or pricing were specified. [MobileSyrup 1, 2]

  • More Canadian release tidbits: MobileSyrup reports that the Samsung Galaxy W will be hitting Bell shelves sometime this quarter, and Rogers should offer the Samsung Galaxy S Glide sometime soon for $150 with a three-year contract. [MobileSyrup 1, 2]

  • Orange UK's website shows the HTC Sensation XE as "coming soon." [CoolSmartphone]
Mobile Miscellany: week of November 7, 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


One Millionth Tower documentary elevates the art of HTML5
Impressive demos of HTML5-based wizardry may be more common than ever now, but that doesn't mean there isn't still room to be impressed. One of latest to raise the bar is the One Millionth Tower documentary from the National Film Board of Canada's Highrise project. The main feature itself runs just over six minutes if you choose to simply sit back and watch, but things get quite a bit more interesting if you dive in and explore the highrise neighborhood that's the focus of the documentary, which is realized in WebGL-based 3D environment. Naturally, there's also a behind-the-scenes look at how the documentary was made, and the NFB has even made the source code available for those that want to dig deeper. Head on past the break for the trailer, and hit the source link below to check out the full thing for yourself -- we'd recommend switching your browser to full screen mode for the best experience.



[Thanks, Kat]
Continue reading One Millionth Tower documentary elevates the art of HTML5
One Millionth Tower documentary elevates the art of HTML5 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceOne Millionth Tower  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Logitech Alert Video Security System gets Dropbox support, lets you park 100GB of footage in the cloud
We liked Logitech's Alert Video Security System when we took it for a week-long spin last year, which at that point allowed remote access to live HD camera footage, and video stored on your PC. But a new partnership with Dropbox adds cloud storage to the equation, letting you boot video directly to the web to supplement the PC- and microSD-based options already in place. Packages are available today, and come with 2GB of storage for free, 50GB for $10 per month or 100GB for $20 per month -- Logitech isn't exactly giving away the service, but when you consider that a bare-bones Alert system costs $300, those virtual add-ons sound a bit more reasonable. Jump past the break for the full rundown from Logitech, and get ready to beef up those passwords -- having your email account hacked is one thing, but you certainly don't want anyone watching you at home, in real-time or the past.
Continue reading Logitech Alert Video Security System gets Dropbox support, lets you park 100GB of footage in the cloud
Permalink   |  sourceLogitech  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Orange's San Francisco II makes a surprise debut, continues midrange reign with Gingerbread
Got a taste for mid-range handsets with the swank appeal of jet set monikers? Good, then you have a seat firmly secured at Orange's table. Last year, the UK carrier delighted pay-as-you-go subs with its Eclair-infused San Francisco and now it's looking to serve up a second course. Leaked out by the operator's own Help & Support page, the San Francisco II ups the ante with an 800MHz ARM11 processor, 3.5-inch WVGA TFT display, a 5 megapixel rear camera and 512MB of onboard memory. The ZTE-built black slab gets the upgrade to Android 2.3 Gingerbread and also appears to come pre-loaded with both Ovi and BlackBerry Maps for your navigating needs. You can catch a sneak peek of all this unofficial goodness at the source below.
Permalink So Mobile  |  sourceOrange  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Facebook SlingPlayer revealed, proves you can't escape social networking (video)
Add another future platform for SlingPlayer to the pile, as the company recently showed off this quick demo of streaming video through Facebook. While the old Sling.com streaming still works just fine, this one adds some new social features to the mix. That will let viewers share the shows and what they enjoy watching easily while not-so-coincidentally making sure their friends know they're watching TV via Slingbox. There's no word on when this will actually hit the OpenGraph'd streets, but so far it's already in line behind players we've seen demonstrated but not yet released for Boxee and Google TV. Press play to check out the video and think back to a world where no one knew you were watching Law & Order for the eighth time today.



[Thanks for the video, Dave Zatz]
Facebook SlingPlayer revealed, proves you can't escape social networking (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink @MisterSling (Twitter)  |  sourceSling (Facebook)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Apple is replacing first gen iPod nanos due to faulty batteries
After offering to swap out a few faulty first gen iPod nanos in Korea back in 2009, it appears Apple has finally seen fit to get them out of owner's pockets here in the US (update: worldwide) too. An email just sent to registered owners (included after the break) and notice posted on its replacement program site inform users the affected units were sold between September 2005 and December 2006. If you have one (seriously, yours still works?), stop using it right now and fill out the form at the link below to order a free replacement unit. The main inconvenience -- other than finding out you've been walking around with the possibility of a "rare case" of overheating taking place in your skinny jeans -- is an anticipated six-week lag between Apple receiving the old unit and shipping you out a replacement.



The reason given for waiting so long to replace them is that when it comes to this issue "the likelihood increases as the battery ages"; that, and it's finally too late for you to run out and get a Zune. No word yet on which models will be sent out as replacements, but if yours is personalized, then sorry -- no inscriptions available.



[Thanks, Paul & Jordan]
Continue reading Apple is replacing first gen iPod nanos due to faulty batteries
Apple is replacing first gen iPod nanos due to faulty batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceApple  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Apple iPhone 4S now available for $99... in Puerto Rico
Sure, you can now purchase an unlocked iPhone 4S within the US officially, but folks in the outlying territory of Puerto Rico have some tempting options if they'll go the long-term contractual route. The region's division of carrier, Claro, is now selling the Siri-packed device starting at the low, low price of $99 for the 16GB model on-contract -- those scared of commitment can also snag it unlocked, albeit for a slightly pricey $670 (which as 9to5Mac points out, is up $20 from Apple). The carrier also lists the 32 and 64GB variants as "expected soon," marked to sell at $199 / $299 with a two-year commitment and $770 / $870 unlocked. Notably, you'll have a choice of four monthly plans featuring unlimited talk and text ranging from about 65 to 85 bucks, with data allotments starting at 250MB and peaking at "unlimited." Apparently, Claro isn't offering the 4S for purchase online, but it does list a number of retail locations you can grab one from if you're interested. You'll find more details at the source link below.
Apple iPhone 4S now available for $99... in Puerto Rico originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 9to5Mac  |  sourceClaro (Puerto Rico)(translated)  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...


Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video)
We've seen nano-origami and robo-origami, but nothing quite as rapid and simple as this. Researchers at North Carolina State University have figured out how to neatly fold plastic using infrared light and an inkjet printer. Deep black lines are printed onto the plastic sheets, which then absorb the light and cause the material to fold without anyone having to touch it. The wider the line, the greater the angle of each fold, so it's possible to set, say, a 90-degree bend for a cube or 120 degrees for a pyramid. What's more, by giving the lines different patterns, folds can be made to work in specific directions, potentially producing the most perfect, most hygienic bento box that's ever contained your lunch. Click past the break to watch the folding unfold.
Continue reading Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video)
Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNorth Carolina State University  | Email this | Comments

Read More ...




Available Tags:VIA , Sandy Bridge , Samsung , Lenovo , tablet , Nintendo , Motorola , Intel , gamers , UK , Amazon , Kindle , Engadget , PS3 , USB , Galaxy , Google TV , LG , Google , TV , hardware , HTML5 , Logitech , Security , Facebook , Apple , iPod , Apple , iPhone ,
مرسلة بواسطة Abdalrhman Albayyat
في 1:30 AM
التسميات: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)