Tuesday, March 20, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 3/20/2012





Sphero goes modular, spins out for a drive (video)

Sphero's hooked up with a new whip, albeit a retro-fitted one. Skylar, a Junior Developer at Orbotix, modded an old RC car with an Arduino board, H-bridge and a few trackball parts, enabling the remote control ball to serve as its brain. Just in time too -- there's only so much fun you can have getting the little orb stuck behind the filing cabinets. Still, it's certainly a leap beyond purposing it to pull an iPhone-toting chariot.

Sean Buckley contributed to this post.
Sphero goes modular, spins out for a drive (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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EverQuest turns 13, blows out the subscription candles (video)
EverQuest? More like Ever-cost -- until now that is. The popular subscription-based game has dropped the need for recurring charges as the franchise marks its thirteenth year on the scene. If you're still set on forking out that $14.99 for full access, you can, but there's now a one-time $5 silver membership as well as the totally free option. Of course, it's free as in beer, with parts of the game restricted (only four character races and classes etc) meaning it mightn't be long before you're opening up the wallet again. But, if this doesn't turn you off, saving up for another classic just got a lot easier.
Continue reading EverQuest turns 13, blows out the subscription candles (video)
EverQuest turns 13, blows out the subscription candles (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Kotaku, Massively  |  sourceEverQuest  | Email this | Comments

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How would you change the Nook Tablet?
It's hard not to make a series of reductive comparisons between the Nook Tablet and the Kindle Fire. After all, it's the conflict between Barnes & Noble and Amazon that frames these two 7-inch tablet / e-reader hybrids. When released, this one was $50 more expensive, but is technically more impressive: you get more expandability, it's faster and the screen is better for images and video. Statistically, at least three out of every ten e-book readers purchased were Nooks, so plenty of you out there use 'em. What we want to know, is what are they like to use on a daily basis? What little gripes did we not pick up during our week-long review and, if William Lynch was reading what you had to say, what would you change?
How would you change the Nook Tablet? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Inhabitat's Week in Green: cloning a woolly mammoth, mesmerizing kinetic facade and LED-suited break dancers
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.

This week Inhabitat reported on several breaking technological controversies as South Korean scientists announced plans to clone a woolly mammoth and a group of researchers suggested bioengineering the human body to combat climate change. Printing tech also got a green upgrade as researchers developed a laser "unprinter" capable of erasing pages with a quick zap, and scientists used a 3D printer to create the world's smallest F1 car. Speaking of print, the University of Texas in Austin just developed a revolutionary paper sensor that can detect HIV and malaria for less than 10 cents and a group of aerospace engineers created a pacemaker that's powered by the human heart.

In alternative energy news, this week we showcased a solar-powered shipping container office that produces twice as much energy as it consumes, and Arup unveiled its striking net-zero arena for the 2022 world cup. We also highlighted 6 brilliant sun-powered art installations, a pair of massive oil pumps sprang up in Midtown Manhattan, and we brought you a mesmerizing kinetic facade that changes with the wind. President Obama also delivered a speech where he slammed opponents for their single-minded views on energy and a team of researchers developed a ultra thin battery that could power displays on credit cards.

Several groundbreaking green transportation projects launched this week as the first 2012 Coda all-electric sedan hit the streets, and scientists proposed a crazy maglev "Startram" train that could make space travel cheaper and more efficient. We also brought you the latest on the Chevy Volt saga as Bob Lutz went on the defensive for the Volt, Bill O'Reilly got caught red-handed as he flip-flopped his position on eco vehicles, and we got the scoop from Chevy's Rob Peterson about the Volt production shutdown. Last but not least, we published you several dispatches from the field of wearable technology - including a dazzling "Aurora" dress made from 10,000 LEDs, a line of space-age fashions inspired by Hubble photography, and a team of pop-locking LED-suited break dancers.
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Is your new iPad heating up?
Apple's latest hot ticket seems to be a tad too hot to hold, some users are reporting. New iPad owners on the MacRumors forums and Apple's own support community complain that the slab's lower left corner can get a little warm during extended use. Don't get excited though, reports seem to vary by user -- some are reporting that their tablet becomes too uncomfortable to hold while others say that it only gets "slightly warm" and that it's "expected." How's your new iPad treating you? Click on through to the comments and let us know.
Is your new iPad heating up? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink CNET  |  sourceApple, MacRumors  | Email this | Comments

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Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012
Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. 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 we could find during 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!
Continue reading Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012
Refresh Roundup: week of March 12th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 19:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple to announce plans for its $100 billion cash reserves tomorrow morning
A slew of successful, high margin products have left Apple sitting on an almost unimaginable amount of money -- $97 billion as of its last earnings report -- and led to the natural question of just what to do with it. According to a press release just issued, we'll all find out about "the outcome of the Company's discussions" tomorrow on a conference call with CEO Tim Cook and CFO Peter Oppenheimer at 9AM ET. What does $100 billion or so of iMac, Macbook, iPhone and iPad money buy? Speculation has already included dividends for investors, a spending spree of acquisitions or even a dip into philanthropy. We'd have blown the entire bundle on the largest indoor laser tag facility ever built long ago, so this time we'll leave the question to the experts -- what do you think the folks in Cupertino will (or should) announce?



March 19, 2012 08:00 AM EST

Continue reading Apple to announce plans for its $100 billion cash reserves tomorrow morning
Apple to announce plans for its $100 billion cash reserves tomorrow morning originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Switched On: Extra Sensory Perception
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

At Intel's CES 2012 press conference, the giant chipmaker justified calling thin notebook PCs "ultrabooks" by noting how the devices would increasingly be characterized by more than their thinness.

The integration of sensors has become so core to the modern smartphone experience that their absence would make using such devices untenable.

Most of that differentiation was based on plans to integrate the kinds of sensors that have become commonplace in smartphones and tablets, sensors that can detect location, motion, orientation and proximity. The integration of sensors has become so core to the modern smartphone experience that their absence would make using such devices untenable. Imagine if we had to manually reorient a display every time we wanted to play a game or take a photo or if we had to avoid activating a button with our cheeks when holding a phone against them.

But as Switched On discussed in taking on how screen size affects form factors, what is a limitation of form factor today may not hold true tomorrow. Already, of course, smartphones can tap into remote intelligence for applications such as remote camera viewing or unlocking of doors via services from home security companies such as ADT and Vivint. From around the world, you can even remotely start a vehicle using the Viper SmartStart app. But there are increasing opportunities for smartphones to act on information from sensors that are not embedded into their shells.
Continue reading Switched On: Extra Sensory Perception
Switched On: Extra Sensory Perception originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Apple TV (2012) gets torn down, confirmed to have 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage
We already knew about most of the latest Apple TV's technical upgrades, but a few key specs have eluded us since its announcement. That's now changed, however, thanks to user aicjofs over at XBMC's forum, who ripped a fresh unit apart to find out exactly what's inside of its shell. Apart from its documented single-core A5 SoC, it's now confirmed that the 1080p-capable streamer features 512MB of Hynix-branded RAM (up from 256) along with an unchanged 8GB of storage, courtesy of Toshiba. Interestingly, there's no word on whether it's still packing Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR like the 2010 variant (Apple's website only lists 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi), but MacRumors notes that aicjofs has discovered what's possibly an additional WiFi antenna. A few parts are still under investigation, but you can check out the links below for more info.
Apple TV (2012) gets torn down, confirmed to have 512MB of RAM, 8GB of storage originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacRumors  |  sourceaicjofs (XBMC forum)  | Email this | Comments

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Sony Tegra 3 slate benchmarked, Tablet S successor on the way?
Sony V150 shows up on NenaMark sporting Tegra 3 GPU
If you're looking to benchmark tools for hints at Sony's next slate, then you're looking at a little number that calls itself the V150. According to the NenaMark Android GPU benchmarking tool, this 1.4GHz tablet rocks a 1280 x 752 display and Android 4.0.3. An Nvidia Tegra 3 helps this slate achieve a benchmark score of 59.70, which is well above the Tablet S' 42.89 average. Considering that Sony's last wedge-shaped wonder has already seen a sizable price drop, it's looking like the firm may be gearing up to announce its replacement. We're reluctant to make the call with only a single benchmark score to go by, but we won't stop you from speculating.
Sony Tegra 3 slate benchmarked, Tablet S successor on the way? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Netbook News  |  sourceNenaMark  | Email this | Comments

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New York's Chinatown Fair arcade presses start to continue
Live in New York? Miss the familiar sound of a quarter dropping into an arcade slot? If so, then news that the Chinatown Fair arcade could be re-opening will definitely give you a power-up. It turns out that film maker Kurt Vincent headed down to the disused locale to shoot its vacant halls, only to bump into the new owner shuffling some game cabinets back in. Sadly there's sparse little other info about how or when we might see the flicker of screens lighting up the walls once more, but at least you should be able to beat that OutRun top score in relative comfort soon.
New York's Chinatown Fair arcade presses start to continue originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceArcade Movie  | Email this | Comments

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Engadget Mobile Podcast 130 - 03.18.2012
Wade through the post-St. Paddy's fog with the Engadget Mobile Podcast -- the only podcast that, if it were a mobile phone, it would be bathed in lightning, have its radio flashed, and have a pixel density three thousand times greater than even the most sensitive eagle could detect.

Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

00:02:30 - iPad review (2012)
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Engadget Mobile Podcast 130 - 03.18.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Panasonic Lumix GF5 accidentally leaked by Hong Kong spokesperson?
Frequent social networkers will tell you that Instagram's usually plastered with food photos and self-portraits, so we were quite surprised to see a product leak over there. After some careful inspection, we're pretty certain that the above picture shows a legit Panasonic Lumix GF5, which from this angle bears much resemblance to the GF3 bar the grip. To add credibility here, the uploader is none other than Hong Kong celebrity Angelababy who happens to be the brand ambassador for Panny (oopsie!). Unsurprisingly, the twee model has already removed the offending picture from her account, but the direct image link still works.

You may be wondering: shouldn't this Micro Four Thirds camera be the GF4 after the current GF3? Well, much like Chinese superstition, Japan also prefers to steer clear of the number 4 as it sounds the same as "death" in Japanese. For instance: there was no Lumix LX4 before the LX5. As for specs, Chinese website Nphoto reported earlier this month that the GF5 will also feature a 12-megapixel sensor but with a better signal-to-noise ratio and topping at ISO 12800, while on the back it'll have a much sharper LCD with 920k dots (instead of just 460k on the GF3). Judging by the looks of things it shouldn't be long before we see Angelababy presenting this new camera for real -- let's just hope that she gets to keep her job.
Panasonic Lumix GF5 accidentally leaked by Hong Kong spokesperson? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink 43 Rumors  |  sourceInstagram  | Email this | Comments

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HP sneaks out new dv4, dv6, dv7 and g4 Pavilion laptops, Ivy Bridge in tow (video)
We know Ivy Bridge is close to landing, but when damn it, when? Until we know for sure, what about these new notebooks from HP that sneaked out with barely a flicker of ballyhoo. There are four new Pavilions on their way, the dv4-5000, dv6-7000, dv7-6000 and g4-2000. All of them are getting the Ivy Bridge treatment bar the g4, which sticks with Sandy Bridge. The dv4 and dv6 both sport 2.3GHz i7-3610QM processors, GeForce GT630M graphics, Beats Audio and 14-inch or 15.6-inch (1366 x 768) displays respectively. The dv7 model steps things up with a 2.6GHZ i7-3720QM chip, GeForce GT 650M graphics and 17.3-inches of 1920 x 1080 screen. The g4, on the other hand, comes in a range of processing flavors, including the i3-2350M and i5-2450M Sandy Bridge variants and a 14-inch screen. The g-series will likely carry a £399 (about $630) price-tag, while the dv6 and dv7 are rumored start around £599 ($940) when they eventually land potentially in April -- but don't count your chickens. Full specs in the source, and promo videos after the break.

[Thanks Andrew]
Continue reading HP sneaks out new dv4, dv6, dv7 and g4 Pavilion laptops, Ivy Bridge in tow (video)
HP sneaks out new dv4, dv6, dv7 and g4 Pavilion laptops, Ivy Bridge in tow (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Laptop Reviews  |  sourceHP  | Email this | Comments

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SQ Blaster Plus blasts some infra-red at the FCC
The SQ Blaster Plus strolled into town, but before it knew what had hit it, it was bundled into the back of a van and taken to the FCC's secret underground bunker in Washington. It was there that strange men in blue lab coats found out what lay beneath that black plastic box that's remarkably similar to last year's offering. Hidden inside is a 802.11 b/g WiFi module and an infrared blaster, capable of beaming out commands to your TV and similarly equipped appliances. It's also only packing the one side-mounted aerial, whereas the older generation had the choice of internal or external. Now that it's been passed fit and proper by the government, it can't be long until it reaches our shelves pre-order lists.
SQ Blaster Plus blasts some infra-red at the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Ask Engadget: Best Mac Mini carrying case?
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 from is from Kevin, who's decided to abandon laptops for his Mac Mini. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"Hi All. I purchased a 2011 Mac Mini with dedicated graphics for PhotoShop and InDesign. I've grown tired of my Core 2 Duo Laptop, instead I want to bring my Mac Mini to and from work (I've got display, keyboard and mouse at both places so it's not a problem). It might be a weird idea, I wanna try it. Any suggestions on what I can use to carry it, as long as its discrete as I commute quite a bit. Thanks!"
Well, we're impressed by his commitment and his plan, but has anyone else made the leap and lived to tell the tale? We've never seen a mac at a LAN party, but that doesn't mean there isn't some exquisite accessories available for the purpose. One, two, you know what to do.

(NB: If you don't know what to do, it's to give your helpful suggestions and personal experiences in the comments below)
Ask Engadget: Best Mac Mini carrying case? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 22:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Pioneer launches its 2012 VSX AV receivers lineup, available now starting at $249
Pioneer launches its 2012 VSX AV receivers lineup, available now starting at $249
We've seen Pioneer stuff its VSX line with 3D and Bluetooth goodness in the past; now, the Japanese outfit is unveiling its 2012 AV receivers portfolio in an attempt to widen its offerings. Starting with the lower-end models, the VSX-522 and VSX-822 are both packing 5.1 surround audio, while the main difference between the two is the lack of AirPlay and Bluetooth on the former. If you are, however, looking to go the premium route, you can snag the VSX-1022 or the top of the line Pioneer VSX-1122 , which will get you 7.1 sound, DLNA, as well as 1080p upscaling. All good for your ears? Ready up your wallet, as you'll have to drop anywhere from $249 to $599 if you want to add one of these to your setup.
Gallery: Pioneer VSX press shots
Continue reading Pioneer launches its 2012 VSX AV receivers lineup, available now starting at $249
Pioneer launches its 2012 VSX AV receivers lineup, available now starting at $249 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012
Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012
Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, we've seen T-Mobile expand its network coverage and take an argument to the FCC regarding interoperability requirements of the 700MHz band. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of March 12th, 2012.
Continue reading Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012
Mobile Miscellany: week of March 12th, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nokia confirms Lumia 710, 800 to be knighted with mobile hotspot 'soon'
Nokia devering mobile hotspot to Lumia 710, 800 'soon' via Zune
If you've pored over the specs of Nokia's Lumia 710 and 800 handsets during the last few months, you've likely noticed the duo's lack of mobile hotspot functionally. Of course, the Finnish phone maker didn't completely abandoned the feature in Windows Phone, as the ability to turn your device into a portable access point will ship with its flagship Lumia 900 and the recently announced 610 at launch. Nokia admitted that the feature would be coming to the 800 months ago, and now Elop & Company have announced that the 710 is also on the shortlist. A recent Q&A post on its Connects blog explained that software updates will be "coming soon" -- by way of Zune update -- to remedy the discrepancy between the old and new. No word on what Nokia's definition of "soon" is, but you can find all the available details at the source link below.
Nokia confirms Lumia 710, 800 to be knighted with mobile hotspot 'soon' originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink TmoNews  |  sourceNokia Connects  | Email this | Comments

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IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

This week's edition of IRL is geekier than usual because really, only the nerdiest of you would be reading a tech site when you could be pretending to be Irish. On tap (har!) we have James and Andy talking about their favorite ways to charge gadgets on the go, while Darren, a man after serious photographers' hearts, tells what happened when he took his beloved D3S in to have the sensor cleaned.
Continue reading IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor
IRL: Rayovac Mobile Power Pack, a TomTom car charger and cleaning a DSLR sensor originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Windows 8 app keeps perps under virtual lock and key, frightens pedestrians (video)

Need something to sate that Windows 8-lust Microsoft stirred up with its Consumer Preview? Then take a gander at this in-development vehicle control app shown off at the company's Redmond campus as part of this year's Worldwide Public Safety Symposium. Developed by Modularis, an outfit known for their enterprise, federal and OEM automation solutions, the Metro-style application turns its host slate into a virtual controller, granting users remote access to door locks, sirens, lights, as well as the ability to pull cloud-based data -- courtesy of Windows Azure -- from multiple cars to determine GPS location. And, as you'll see in the video after the break, it also has the unintended and wholly amusing benefit of freaking out innocent passers-by.
Continue reading Windows 8 app keeps perps under virtual lock and key, frightens pedestrians (video)
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Kinect makes pact with head-mounted display, virtual reality Skyrim ensues
Kinect and head-mounted display make love, give birth to virtual-reality Skyrim
Yeah, streaming Skyrim on a Tegra 3-powered Ice Cream Sandwich tablet is nice and all, but what about folks who want a more immersive experience with their beloved time sink? One tech-savvy gamer took matters into his own hands -- conjuring a bit of electronics alchemy by throwing together Sony's HMZ-T1 head-mounted display with a Kinect sensor, a TrackIR5 for head tracking and voice recognition software. The result is an experience that allows any wannabe adventurer to press onward into Tamriel's frozen north by marching in place while imbibing in a true, head-mounted first-person perspective. Admittedly, stomping around and flailing one's arms may lack the elegance and playability of The Gadget Show's $650,000 Battlefield 3 simulator, but at $1500, it's a homegrown virtual reality experience that's actually within reach. Now go forth and explore the video after the break.
Continue reading Kinect makes pact with head-mounted display, virtual reality Skyrim ensues
Kinect makes pact with head-mounted display, virtual reality Skyrim ensues originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceZookal  | Email this | Comments

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TiVo co-founder, CTO Jim Barton resigns
Co-founder of TiVo and CTO Jim Barton has long outlasted our deathwatch, but his time as an executive at the DVR maker quietly came to an end this week according to documents filed with the SEC. CEO Tom Rogers thanked Jim for his "commitment to innovation" in a statement, and the filing indicates he will stick around as a $25,000 per month consultant in "patent matters and litigation" among other things -- nice work if you can get it -- until March 15, 2015, but his reason for stepping down is unspecified. As Multichannel News notes, Barton was working with fellow co-founder Mike Ramsay (who left in 2007) at Silicon Graphics on a project for Time Warner when they had the idea for the DVR and eventually founded TiVo in 1997. That early movement may not have resulted in dominance over pay-Tv provided DVRs, but some favorable legal settlements and successful partnerships like its deal with Virgin Media mean he's leaving the company with its prospects looking a bit better than they did back in the dark days of '05.

[Thanks, David]
TiVo co-founder, CTO Jim Barton resigns originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceMultichannel News, TiVo  | Email this | Comments

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US Navy LASR research facility builds robots, not ray guns
US Navy LASR research facility builds robots, not ray guns
The US Navy announced a new robotics research facility this week located within the existing Naval Research Laboratory's main site in Washington D.C. The Laboratory for Autonomous Systems Research, or LASR, was created to support NRL research in "robotics and autonomous systems of interest to the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense," wrote LASR director Alan C. Shultz, mentioning that a familiar sounding autonomous firefighting robot would be among the lab's projects. The new facility is kitted out with a litany of realistic environmental simulation bays, allowing NRL scientists to pit their research against the elements with ease. Researchers will also have access to machine shops stocked with 3D printers and other goodies, a power and energy lab, a sensor lab and what Shultz calls the "world's largest space for real-time motion capture." Sounds great, at least as long as the research projects never get ahold of a certain Navy-funded AI report. Check out Shultz' official statement at the White House blog link below.
US Navy LASR research facility builds robots, not ray guns originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Information Week  |  sourceWhite House blog, LASR  | Email this | Comments

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Final ITC ruling affirms Motorola Mobility didn't violate Apple's patents
The preliminary decision already determined that, in this case, Motorola Mobility hadn't violated any of Apple's patents with its Droid series, and now a final review has affirmed those initial findings. While this might not be a massive turn up for the books, it does close the doors on at least one big name patent dispute. That said, Apple can appeal to the Federal Circuit, and given that it has done before, it's likely the iPad maker will do so here. But, for now at least, it's cork popping time over in Libertyville.
Final ITC ruling affirms Motorola Mobility didn't violate Apple's patents originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink FOSS Patents  |  sourceITC(PDF)  | Email this | Comments

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Wacom Intuos5 touch review
It's no secret Wacom has a firm grasp on what it takes to make great graphic input devices. Fresh off of its introduction of the Inkling last Fall, the outfit recently unveiled the latest member of its high-end pen tablet line, the Intous5 touch. Essentially, Wacom took what made the Intuos4 a great addition to any designer or illustrator's workflow and refined it, with this latest iteration sporting a new rubber-coated shell. It also implements touch gestures -- much like those on the fresh Bamboo models -- which can be customized to speed up tasks you need to be complete on the regular, preferably without the aid of a mouse.

Sure, a new matte black suit and the ability to navigate Adobe Creative Suite without a pen seem impressive at first glance, but is the new model worth investing northward of $229? Are you better off sticking with the Intuos4 you splurged on a while back? Let's see.
Gallery: Wacom Intuos5 touch
Continue reading Wacom Intuos5 touch review
Wacom Intuos5 touch review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Pioneer launches RMX1000 Remix Station, now no tune is safe (video)
Pioneer has been dishing out its line of digital DJ tools for long enough that you'd hope it knows what the spinners want, and these days it seems that's remixing tools. The RMX1000 is a new effects based unit, that looks like an evolution of the firm's EFX range. It still cooks up those chops, rolls, and reverbs, but also has a companion "Remixbox" software, as well as studio-friendly VST / AU functionality. The software lets you overwrite the default set-up with one of your own, and there's an SD card slot so you can leave yours at home, but still bring your settings to the club. Word is that pro DJ settings will be available for download, so nosey DJs can see how James Zabiela likes his high-pass filters. The effects themselves come in four flavors: Scene, Isolator, Release and X-Pad. Connectivity-wise it's rocking a pair of RCA and 1 / 4-inch plugs for both in-and out-put, and there's USB for the computer / MIDI hook-up. It's set to land in June with a $1000 price tag, but in the meantime if you want to see if it'll be worth your savings, hit-up the video after the break, or click the PR for the full specs.
Continue reading Pioneer launches RMX1000 Remix Station, now no tune is safe (video)
Pioneer launches RMX1000 Remix Station, now no tune is safe (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourcePioneer  | Email this | Comments

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Untethered jailbreak for new iPad shown on YouTube, not quite ready for download
Untethered jailbreak for new iPad shown on YouTube
Are we shocked to see an untethered iOS 5.1 jailbreak for the new iPad? Not so much. Are we surprised to see it arrive so quick? Hell, yes. The iPad 2's untethered jailbreak took an eternity, whereas this new tunnel seems to have been dug during one fleeting Friday night. The hacker to thank is i0n1c, aka Stefan Esser -- a man who moves so fast his YouTube clip reportedly had 28 likes before it had even finished uploading. Just leap that final fence, Stefan, by releasing your jailbreak to the public, and we shall re-christen you bi0n1c. (Unless you want to keep your current handle, which would also be fine.)

[Thanks, Brad]
Continue reading Untethered jailbreak for new iPad shown on YouTube, not quite ready for download
Untethered jailbreak for new iPad shown on YouTube, not quite ready for download originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Redmond Pie  |  sourcexpI0n1c (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

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Seagate GoFlex Satellite reportedly getting firmware update on March 19th
Still rockin' one of those (cargo) pocket-sized GoFlex streaming drives we showed you a while back? Marvelous. According to Gear Diary, Seagate's given the site intel saying it's getting ready to roll out a Satellite firmware refresh on the 19th of this month. Allegedly, the update will boost the limit on the number of devices that can be connected simultaneously, making the jump from three to eight, as well as promising to double your battery life in the process. The company says the updated firmware will come gratis to all "original devices" (hear that Androids?), while all new GoFlex drives are expected to ship with it on board. And now, you know.
Seagate GoFlex Satellite reportedly getting firmware update on March 19th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGear Diary  | Email this | Comments

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Time Warner Cable brings 26 local NYC channels to iOS app, website
While it may not be the good news the Android army was hoping for, TWC's got some Big Apple-sized bits to share. Via its Untangled blog, Time Warner announced it's finally adding local channels to its iPhone / iPad app and TWCTV site, including CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC and Univision (because you can never have enough novelas). Unfortunately, the goodies won't be up for everyone's viewing pleasure, as the additions are only for folks within the NYC boroughs. That said, the cable giant plans to add "a few more markets by the end of the year." Want to find out if your favorite local news show made the cut? The full list can be found at the source link below.
Time Warner Cable brings 26 local NYC channels to iOS app, website originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceTWC Untangled  | Email this | Comments

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GeChic On-Lap 1302 is a 'Secret Tool' to give your smartphone dual screens (video)
GeChic On-Lap 1302 is a 'Secret Tool' to give your smartphone dual screens (video)
If you've ever felt the burning urge to mirror your smartphone's display onto a larger screen, then you might consider stuffing GeChic's portable, 13.3-inch monitor into the ol' man purse for your next wayward outing. We're not promising that it'll be simple, but in addition to supporting laptops, game consoles and digital cameras, you can also rig up your smartphone to the On-Lap 1302 monitor -- with the assistance of a tangle of adapters, batteries and cords, that is. The product is said to be just 8mm thick, but most importantly, this 1366 x 768 display can be powered either from your laptop's USB port or an external battery pack. It includes proper hookups for VGA and HDMI video connections (via a proprietary 30-pin connector), but laptop users may also purchase a Mini DisplayPort accessory. Throw in Apple's Digital AV Adapter or an MHL to HDMI solution, and boom, you've also got support for your iPhone and many Android smartphones. Okay, so it's a bit convoluted, but the product's video touts this as, "The best idea ever," and along with its homespun production, we think you'll enjoy it for a good laugh -- so just hop the break. Those interested in such gear will find it on Newegg next month for $199.
Continue reading GeChic On-Lap 1302 is a 'Secret Tool' to give your smartphone dual screens (video)
GeChic On-Lap 1302 is a 'Secret Tool' to give your smartphone dual screens (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceGeChic, Newegg  | Email this | Comments

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Universal ticker hack takes a look back at a time before NASDAQ (video)
Know what takes the sting out of your crashing stock portfolio? Arduino fun, silly geeks. Alright, so in this case it's an FTDI Basic board, but the spirit of this hack remains the same. A Swarthmore student by the name of Ames Bielenberg picked up where his hobbyist Pops left off and cooked up a Spring Break scheme to reanimate a late 19th century Universal Ticker. What's that, you ask? Only an old timey way of printing out pulses of what those monthly dividends were going to look like. So, while other youngins were going six shots deep, our enterprising tinkerer blacked out the windows, forgot about the bikinis and gently transformed this rare relic (of which there are only 6,000) into a Mac accessory. Using that above mentioned circuitry, lightly modified to accommodate RTS output and sufficient power demands, and the addition of a simple python script to translate that fluctuating index into real-time ticks, Ames was able to breath new life into an antiquated piece of Americana. Hop on past the break for a video demo of this tech walk down memory lane.
Continue reading Universal ticker hack takes a look back at a time before NASDAQ (video)
Universal ticker hack takes a look back at a time before NASDAQ (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Hack a Day  |  sourceSwarthmore College  | Email this | Comments

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PatchWerk lets you control a monstrous modular synth with your browser (video)
PatchWerk
The Paradiso Synthesizer at the MIT Museum might be the largest homemade instrument of its type. That fact alone does make it interesting but, what makes this room-sized collection of wooden cabinets connected by a web of cables really stand out is the fact that you can control it from the comfort of you home with nothing more than a browser. The web app, PatchWerk, lets individuals from around the world come together and commandeer Joe Paradiso's creation... at least in a limited form. As you turn dials and flip switches you can hear the soundscape change, and their real life counterparts react in kind on the museum floor. Hit up the source link to try it out for yourself and check out the video after the break to see the monstrosity you'll be hijacking.
Continue reading PatchWerk lets you control a monstrous modular synth with your browser (video)
PatchWerk lets you control a monstrous modular synth with your browser (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Wired  |  sourcePatchWerk  | Email this | Comments

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CyanogenMod disables root access by default, now requires user configuration
CyanogenMod disables root access by default, keeps it as an optionHoly crap! CyanogenMod, the custom ROM of choice for many power users, will no longer offer root access upon first install. Now before you panic, let's make this part clear: everyone so inclined may still enable superuser access -- for ADB, apps or both -- from the Developer Options menu. The biggest change, in fact, is that CyanogenMod is making a significant departure from the majority of custom ROM developers, which offer root access to all users by default (and often without their knowledge). The move is an attempt by CyanogenMod leaders to make the platform more secure, and given the number of ROMs that are based on CyanogenMod (or glean its packages), we wouldn't be particularly surprised to see this feature become more commonplace amongst other custom Android ROMs. To learn more about the rationale of the project leaders, be sure to hit up the source link below.
CyanogenMod disables root access by default, now requires user configuration originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 22:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Phandroid  |  sourceCyanogenMod  | Email this | Comments

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Bunnie Huang builds open-source geiger counter to help Japanese civilians
Chumby co-creator Andrew "Bunnie" Huang was so moved by the Japanese Earthquake and Fukushima meltdown that he felt compelled to help out. Teaming up with nonprofit organization Safecast, he started work on a radiation monitor that was suitable for everyday civilian use, rather than it remain the sole province of officials. As well as its readings being able to stand up to scientific scrutiny, Huang's counter had to remain functional after a natural disaster, last for ages and be small enough for people to carry around. When he had finished building the reference design, he open-sourced the design so companies like Medcom and individuals could build their own. If you'd like to dabble in the arts of radiation monitoring, head on down to the source link for a fascinating insight into how it's done.
Bunnie Huang builds open-source geiger counter to help Japanese civilians originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Gigaom  |  sourceAndrew "Bunnie" Huang  | Email this | Comments

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Roku 4.3 update tweaks Netflix, device discovery issues
Second gen Roku media streamers should be seeing a software update the next time they're powered up, as a company blog post mentions v4.3 is rolling out right now, following the last update that hit back in December. The Roku 2 and Roku LT should experience a variety of improvements to Netflix streaming that include video startup, screen navigation, audio / video sync and settings for subtitles and audio. There's also upgrades to HTTP Live Streaming format support (no word on how or if that may affect Plex, but forum posters report an issue with standard def video quality is still a problem after the update), multiple gaming remotes and device discovery for remote apps on Android and iOS. As usual it will be delivered automatically over the next day or two, while the impatient can hit their settings menu to grab it right now.
Roku 4.3 update tweaks Netflix, device discovery issues originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceRoku  | Email this | Comments

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The new iPad: are you buying one?
Today is the day many have been patiently, or not so patiently, waiting for. The new iPad saunters onto shelves around much of the globe, and into the sweaty palms of the "gotta-have-its." So, were you dazzled by that display? Or tempted by the LTE and new graphics chip? Maybe you're upgrading, or treating the partner (by treating yourself)? Perhaps you were hoping for the rumored smaller device, or just gotta have something Android. Whatever camp you fall into we want to know about it, tell us via the poll below!
View Poll
The new iPad: are you buying one? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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FCC Fridays: March 16, 2012
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there individually, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!
Continue reading FCC Fridays: March 16, 2012
FCC Fridays: March 16, 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Intel drops $21 million for ten percent stake in eye-tracking firm Tobii
Tobii has managed to impress quite a few folks with its eye-tracking technology -- most recently in the form of the "Eye Asteroids" arcade game -- and it looks like Intel has been paying particularly close attention to the company. As Computer Sweden reports, Intel (or Intel Capital, specifically) has now shelled out roughly $21 million to buy a ten percent stake in the Swedish company, which hopes to soon see its eye-tracking system used in everything from desktops and laptops to phones and even vehicles. Presumably, having Intel at the table will give it a considerable boost in those endeavors.
Intel drops $21 million for ten percent stake in eye-tracking firm Tobii originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Electronista  |  sourceComputer Sweden  | Email this | Comments

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The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET!
Are you strapped in? Got your helmets on? Good, because you're gonna need 'em this time out. We've got one action-packed, high-flying episode of The Engadget Show coming your way this month. We'll be testing the latest GoPro and Contour cameras in the deserts of Nevada and the skies above them, paying a visit to Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and checking out the latest new 'bots from iRobot. We'll also be talking to Sony Electronics president Phil Molyneux and media theorist Douglas Ruskoff. We'll be live tonight at 6PM ET, and you can join us at this very URL -- so keep your browser locked to this spot.
Continue reading The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET!
The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Available Tags:iPad , Apple , Apple TV , TV , Sony , Tablet , Engadget , Panasonic , Ivy Bridge , HP , Mac , Nokia , Windows 8 , Windows , Kinect , Motorola , download , Seagate , iOS , smartphone , hack , Intel ,
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