Thursday, June 21, 2012

IT News Head Lines (Engadget) 21/06/2012





48 PandaBoards chained together in solar-powered ARM cluster
48 PandaBoards chained together in solar-powered ARM cluster
Michael Larabel already had a 12-core PandaBoard-based mini-cluster under his belt. Clearly, the only way to outdo that is to go bigger, better and greener. The Phoronix founder took 48 of the OMAP 4460-powered boards, got them up and running on Ubuntu 12.04 and chained them together in a massive ARM cluster of Linux goodness. Even with 96 cores chugging along at 1.2GHz the cabinet of tiny computers used only 200 watts -- a threshold Larabel was able to meet with a solar panel strapped to a handtruck. Sadly we don't have any performance figures yet, but MIT, where the little ARM experiment was conducted, should be releasing benchmarks and video soon enough. In the meantime, hit up the source link for some more details and photos of this 96-core, solar-powered wonder.
48 PandaBoards chained together in solar-powered ARM cluster originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePhoronix  | Email this | Comments

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ASUS Zenbook Prime UX31A alights its Ivy Bridge at Amazon: $1,149 for Core i5 edition
asus-zenbook-prime-ux31a-alights-ivy-bridge-amazon
True to its pledge, ASUS has hauled the backlit keys and 1920 x 1080 IPS displays of the Zenbook Prime UX31A stateside, where it just made the Amazon scene in Core i7 and i5 Ivy Bridge flavors. The 13.3-inch Ultrabooks also have 4GB RAM, Intel HD 4000 Graphics and 128GB or 256GB solid state drives, depending on the model, and weigh in at a stark 2.86 pounds. The priciest Core i7 configuration with a 256GB SSD will run $1,599, and the lower-end Core i5, 128GB SSD version is $1,149. Some models are out of stock already, so if want to shell out, check the source for the product page.
Permalink   |  sourceAmazon Store  | Email this | Comments

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Prepaid MiFi coming to Walmart, starting at $10 for 100MB with no expiry
Prepaid MiFi coming to Walmart, starting at $10 for 100MB
Hot on the heels of T-Mobile's new 4G prepaid options, Walmart has paired with TruConnect to offer a MiFi for "casual users." The service -- called Internet on the Go -- appears to be based on Sprint's 3G network (with no mention of LTE on the horizon) and claims to have 97 percent coverage as a result. It requires a MiFi 2200 made by Novatel, which can cope with up to five devices over WiFi and to which you then add a minimum of $10 for 100MB or up to $45 for 1GB. That's not cheap by any means, and the PR below doesn't actually specify the price of the dongle itself -- but at least the service looks flexible, as you can also choose automatic online refills at $20 for 450MB. And the last bit of good news? You can burn through those rations as quickly or as slowly as you please, because there's no time limit so long as you use the service at least once per year.
Continue reading Prepaid MiFi coming to Walmart, starting at $10 for 100MB with no expiry
Prepaid MiFi coming to Walmart, starting at $10 for 100MB with no expiry originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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MIT thaumaturges work to turn any windowed room into a camera obscura
MIT thaumaturges work to turn any windowed room into a camera obscura
Those interested in criminology, forensics or the basics of voyeurism probably have a decent grasp on what a camera obscura is. For everyone else in the audience, allow us to explain. Used since way before your birth, these chambers are designed with an optical device that projects an image of its surroundings on a screen; you just need a room with a hole in one side, which allows a fine amount of light to pass through. If you've ever watched [insert crime drama here], you've probably seen those magical investigators take a blurred shot of a room wall, zoom it in and somehow draw conclusions about the origins of life. Now, MIT's own Antonio Torralba and William Freeman have developed a method that can "transform the entire setting into a pinhole camera." In other words, any room with a window can be repurposed for forensics. On that note, you should probably consider moving your... operations center to a windowless bunker, STAT.
MIT thaumaturges work to turn any windowed room into a camera obscura originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 03:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceNew Scientist  | Email this | Comments

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Plex for iOS 2.4 lets you get social with video, tie into Facebook
Plex for iOS 24 lets you get social with video, tie into Facebook
It's been awhile since we last saw a big Plex update for mobile apps, so it's with some relief that version 2.4 has just crossed the path of iOS users. The upgrade is all about socializing and introduces a friend system both to get viewing ideas as well as to recommend favorite videos to others. Those especially eager to make the link can go on to bind a myPlex account with Facebook. Even if social networking is furthest from viewers' minds, they can still remotely delete content from a supporting Plex media server, launch the app from the browser and regain the adaptive video quality that they'd lost in an earlier iteration. More fixes are in place, so head on over to the source link to feed that iPad or iPhone as soon as you're willing; other platforms will get the social aspects before too long.
Plex for iOS 2.4 lets you get social with video, tie into Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Plex  |  sourceApp Store  | Email this | Comments

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Japanese research group concocts 3D restoration magic from regular photos (video)
Japanese research group concocts 3D restoration magic from regular photos video
Reconstructing 3D spacial data has long been possible, but convincing the average consumer of that would be another chore entirely. In the future, however, it may be simpler to believe. A crew of researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology are hard at work developing a new system that "quickly creates 3D spacial data from photos taken with a digital camera." According to Assistant Professor Akihito Torii, the method can use JPEGs from a conventional point-and-shoot camera -- no specialized equipment needed -- which are then shot over to a PC via a wireless Eye-Fi SD card. From there, it's the magic of the software that takes over, reconstructing a 3D model in mere minutes. The goal? To save Earthlings time, naturally. As it stands, pilots shooting aerial shots usually have to land, offload imagery and see if they missed anything; in theory, this could allow a more real-time process to fall into place, enabling patch shots to be taken just minutes after they're missed. Looking for more? Hit up the explanatory video just after the break.
Continue reading Japanese research group concocts 3D restoration magic from regular photos (video)
Japanese research group concocts 3D restoration magic from regular photos (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo  | Email this | Comments

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Nokia Lumia devices now present in 54 markets, 44 percent of apps available in China
Nokia Lumia devices now present in 54 markets, 44 percent of apps available in China
In case you want to check Nokia's pulse amid a mixture of good news and bad news, the company's decided to dish out some new stats on its Windows Phones at the first-ever Mobile Asia Expo here in Shanghai. Asia region president Olivier Puech announced the Lumia devices are currently available in 54 markets worldwide, courtesy of over 130 operators and over 80,000 apps (though our friends over at All About Windows Phone said the marketplace broke the 90,000 barrier last month). Sadly, there was no mention of market share or sales figures, but Puech did add that since the Lumia launch in China at the end of March, only 35,000 -- or about 44 percent -- of all those Windows Phone apps are available in the restricted marketplace, 5,500 of which are tailored for the local market. Of course, with Nokia's constant push in the country these numbers will hopefully only go up, so hang in there, Elop!
Continue reading Nokia Lumia devices now present in 54 markets, 44 percent of apps available in China
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LeapFrog reveals LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS learning tablets, priced at $70 and $100
LeapFrog reveals LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS learning tablets, priced at $70 and $90
Got a youngster who ain't keen on waiting for his or her Surface of choice to ship? There's a LeapFrog for that. The name in educational slates has just revealed a pair of refreshed gizmos, the LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS. Boasting higher resolution front and rear cameras / video recorders, twice the memory (4GB) compared to the original and an even more durable frame, the LeapPad 2 also touts a zippier LF 2000 processor, improved battery life and compatibility with an optional internal battery system and recharger pack. Buyers of the $99.99 device will also see a gratis music player (with five learning songs, no less), a Cartoon Director creativity app, an Art Studio creativity app and the Pet Pad writing app. The Leapster GS ($69.99) is a revised Leapster Explorer, offering a thinner design, larger screen, built-in motion sensor, 2GB of memory and a camera / video recorder. Sold already? Folks in the US, UK, Canada and Ireland can grab theirs on July 18th, while most other nations will have to wait until August. Summer learning never felt so right... right?
Continue reading LeapFrog reveals LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS learning tablets, priced at $70 and $100
Permalink   |  sourceLeapFrog  | Email this | Comments

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Nokia Lumia 710 phones on T-Mobile USA should learn to Tango on June 20th
Nokia Lumia 710 phones on TMobile USA should learn to Tango on June 20th
If you've been carrying around a Lumia 710 for T-Mobile in your pocket and waiting for the day when you'd get a taste of Tango (Windows Phone 7.5 Refresh), you'll be happy to know that it could very soon. An internal memo passed along to WPCentral has Microsoft delivering the update on June 20th. Much like you'd hope, it should switch on hotspot support to share that HSPA+ network with others; many of the fixes between Mango and Tango will have snuck their way in as well, such as the cure for the well-known disappearing keyboard bug. Assuming the schedule holds, about the only visible drawback might come from a staggered rollout that won't have everyone dancing until July 31st.
Nokia Lumia 710 phones on T-Mobile USA should learn to Tango on June 20th originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceWPCentral  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung Galaxy S III review shootout: AT&T vs. Sprint
Samsung Galaxy S III review shootout AT&T and Sprint

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Each summer the world celebrates a time of warmth, fun and relaxation. For the tech community, however, it's traditionally the season in which Samsung unleashes the latest version of its Galaxy S flagship. But the now time-honored tradition is actually more of a one-two punch: first the unlocked international model is revealed, and later it's followed up by a litany of worldwide variants. US carriers intent on offering the "value" of differentiation to their customers have been the worst offenders in modifying Sammy's magic formula, ranging from motley form factors to egregious bloatware to clumsy naming schemes (Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch quickly comes to mind).

But Samsung's brand cache has grown year over year, so much so that the company is starting to wield more power over carriers. No weird names, no exclusive agreements and no changes to the form factor. That's right, six carriers have signed up to carry the Galaxy S III so far, and every single one of these devices looks exactly the way Samsung intended, with the only major exceptions being the processor and memory allotment. So far we've had the opportunity to play with two of the six: AT&T's and Sprint's. How close to the original GS III (also known as the GT-I9300) do these devices come? What advantages and disadvantages does each bring to the table? Can you expect comparable performance? Stay with us as we break it all down.
Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T, Sprint) overview
Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S III review shootout: AT&T vs. Sprint
Samsung Galaxy S III review shootout: AT&T vs. Sprint originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Reading Rainbow launches iPad app, we go hands-on (video)
Reading Rainbow launches iPad app, we go handson video
The rainbow chairs, miniature hot air balloons and child care at yesterday's Reading Rainbow press event were a welcome change from the standard mood lighting and Adele songs that set the scene for most tech launches these days. Of course, this wasn't just any press event -- this was Reading Rainbow, the eagerly anticipated return of the beloved children's program cancelled by PBS back in 2009 after a 26 year run. Host LeVar Burton was clearly emotional when he hit the stage, dabbing tears before discussing the two-year journey that culminates today with the release of the Reading Rainbow iPad App.
Burton gave a quick demo of the app on stage (including a little technical hiccup, resulting in the sly TNG nod, "I'm not an engineer, I just play one on television"), and after a brief, misty-eyed rendition of the Reading Rainbow theme song by its original singer, Tina Fabrique, the walls behind us opened up to reveal a group of kids sitting on beanbag chairs around a table, putting the app through its paces. We also managed to get some hands-on time with it, without having to elbow any small children in the process (not that we weren't willing to do what it took to get the story). Check out some impressions and video after the break.

Continue reading Reading Rainbow launches iPad app, we go hands-on (video)
Reading Rainbow launches iPad app, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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LG launches 'Quick Voice' on its phones in Korea, goes head to head with S Voice and Siri
LG launches 'Quick Voice' on its phones in Korea, goes head to head with S Voice and Siri
After Apple and Samsung have made their Siri and S Voice features keystones of recent smartphone releases, it wasn't long before other manufacturers jumped in and now it's LG's turn with Quick Voice for its Android phones (we'll see how Apple responds to that). Just announced in Korea and rolling out soon for various members of the Optimus family like the Vu (later this month) and LTE II (in July), it brings natural voice recognition to commonly used functions like searching, setting up appointments or pulling up videos on YouTube. For Korean users it's even tuned to check dates on the lunar calendar, although there's no word yet on when or if it will arrive elsewhere.
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Ikea's Uppleva TV hits European shelves with tiny, 8GB DVR add-on
Ikea's Uppleva TV hits European shelves with tiny, 8GB DVR add-on
If you're US-based, you'll still have to wait till 2013 to get your hands on a TV you can assemble with an Allen wrench. Our friends across the Atlantic on the other hand, can already snatch up a particleboard package that combines a display and TV bench. The Uppleva first went on sale in Ikea's Stockholm flagship store last week, with it's Berlin Lichtenberg shop and select others across Europe to begin selling the home theater device on July 2nd. Those eager to score one were also treated to a bit of a surprise, when the furniture company listed an 8GB USB drive (which you can see in the image after the break) as an accessory that will enable limited DVR functionality -- including the rewinding and pausing of live TV. The only bad news? According to a review by Swedish site M3 the display isn't exactly up to videophile standards and the smart TV interface is about as responsive as one of those tasty meatballs Ikea serves in its stores. Now you'll just have to have patience... or, decide that the couch, chair, desk, bookcase and dresser you already own is enough medium-density fiberboard for your tiny apartment.
Continue reading Ikea's Uppleva TV hits European shelves with tiny, 8GB DVR add-on
Ikea's Uppleva TV hits European shelves with tiny, 8GB DVR add-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink GigaOm, Gizmodo  |  sourceIkea, M3  | Email this | Comments

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Cartoon Network's iPhone and iPad app adds a live TV feed, for authenticated customers
Cartoon Network's iPhone and iPad app adds a live TV feed, for authenticated customers
Cartoon Network announced plans to join the TV Everywhere party with a live internet feed of its channel (for authenticated cable / satellite customers) during upfronts and now the updated v1.8 app has arrived on iPhones and iPads. The feed can also be streamed with Flash on the channel's website (we tried it on an Android 2.3 device and logged in but couldn't get it to play), although the only differences we noticed were that the website feed was slightly ahead of our cable box and iOS was a few seconds behind, but with slightly higher picture quality. All in all it's very similar to the WatchESPN experience (which ABC expanded upon last week with Watch Disney, Watch Disney Jr and Watch DisneyXD apps, though the full experience is only currently available to Comcast customers), and should satisfy all those who have been missing the Toonami experience when they're away from home. Take a peek after the break for a preview trailer, shot of the login screen and press release.
Continue reading Cartoon Network's iPhone and iPad app adds a live TV feed, for authenticated customers
Permalink   |  sourceCartoonNetwork.com, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

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Microsoft offers a sneak peek at Windows Phone, we'll be liveblogging at 12pm ET!
Microsoft offers a sneak peek at Windows Phone, we'll be liveblogging at 12pm ET!
Microsoft is definitely having a field day week, sandwiched right in between WWDC and Google I/O. Tomorrow morning the giant's offered us a sneak peek at Windows Phone, and that's leaving us plenty of food for thought to chew on. Will it be this Apollo we've heard all about? We're going to be at tomorrow morning's keynote, bringing you all of the updates as the news flows out of Joe Belfiore & Co. Join us then -- the fun begins at noon!
June 20, 2012 12:00 PM EDT
Microsoft offers a sneak peek at Windows Phone, we'll be liveblogging at 12pm ET! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 21:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Axio's EEG headband helps you teach your brain to focus (hands-on)
Axio's EEG headband helps you teach your brain to focus handson
Usually when an EEG sensor headset graces these pages, it's used to peer into your thoughts or grant the wearer the power to control other gadgets with his or her mind. While such uses have appeal, start-up company Axio has a new EEG headband that aims to help you learn to better control your own brain. It tracks your level of mental focus in real-time and provides positive reinforcement audio feedback when you're mentally locked in. The neoprene band packs a trio of electrodes, a PCB with a Bluetooth radio and audio out, and a battery pack to power everything. It works by identifying the brainwave readings that correlate to ideal executive function in your pre-frontal cortex and shooting that data to your computer or phone via Bluetooth. Axio's software then shows an onscreen graph that charts your focus level in real-time, and for folks who prefer a more literal tracking method, there's a photo above the chart that moves in and out of focus along with your mind. Additionally, the headband provides pleasing audio neurofeedback when you're focused in order to train you to stay mentally engaged.
Gallery: Axio EEG headband hands-on
Unfortunately, we couldn't get much more information about the neurofeedback functionality, as the technology behind it is the company's secret sauce, and it won't divulge more until it's got the cash to bring the band to market. We also weren't able to actually test the band to see how it works, as it's still in the prototype phase and there's still a kink or two left to work out. Axio did tell us that the prototype we got our mitts on was the result of just six short months of work, and that after hacking together the original design using Arduino, the current iteration has a custom PCB better suited to Axio's needs. Co-founder Arye Barnehama also informed us that the band should be on sale by the end of summer, though he wouldn't say for how much or where we'll be able to pick one up. Sometime after it hits store shelves, Axio plans to release an SDK so that enterprising devs can make their own focus-aiding software and implement whatever audio feedback they prefer to help them take care of business -- a dose of Bachman-Turner Overdrive ought to do the trick.
Axio's EEG headband helps you teach your brain to focus (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceAxio  | Email this | Comments

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Sprint warns it's a 'little behind' on Samsung Galaxy S III, T-Mobile staggers its launch
Samsung Galaxy S III rocky
That delayed Canadian Galaxy S III launch may have been a harbinger of US delays to come: Sprint has let Engadget know that it's running a "little behind" on shipments. The company still hopes to get all pre-orders of the 16GB model to customers by the official June 21st release, but warns that orders might slip by one or two days. We also hope 32GB customers weren't planning their schedules around the 21st -- the higher capacity won't ship until the following week. Sprint is citing both "overwhelming demand and limited supply" as the root causes, although it hasn't quantified just how whelmed those sales are.
T-Mobile, meanwhile, is telling Galaxy S III buyers in some areas to sit tight. We've directly confirmed through a spokesperson an earlier leak from TmoNews that claimed Magenta will only focus June 21st retail sales on the "top 29 markets," most of them major cities. If you fall outside of those areas, you'll have to wait until shortly afterwards to pick one up, the provider tells us. As it stands, AT&T, US Cellular and Verizon still haven't committed to exact release dates and are currently off the hook.
Permalink   |  sourceTmoNews  | Email this | Comments

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NICT's Daedalus creates beautiful 3D visuals to map out nasty cyber attacks (video)
NICT's Daedalus creates beautiful 3D visuals to map out nasty cyber attacks video
There's nothing pretty about a cyber attack taking over an organization -- or, there wasn't, until NICT crafted this thing. Daedalus, christened as a "cyber attack alert system," is a 3D visualization system that currently monitors some 190,000 IP addresses across Japan. Rather than forcing a human to comb through a punishing amount of data, the visualizer turns into an organized stream of lines that can be viewed and zoomed in on from any angle. You can see networks and subnets, as well as patches of used and unused IP addresses; taking it a step further, the system lights up when an attack is sensed (for example, an IP pinging an unused IP as a virus spreads with reckless abandon). DigInfo reports that the system could find a home in educational and enterprise applications, but there's no word on how much it'll cost to deploy en masse. Per usual, the video demonstration awaits you after the break.
Continue reading NICT's Daedalus creates beautiful 3D visuals to map out nasty cyber attacks (video)
Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo  | Email this | Comments

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Engadget HD Podcast 304 - 06.19.2012
Engadget HD Podcast 296 - 04.25.2012Rumors that Microsoft's plans for its next console could turn it into a Blu-ray and whole-home DVR super set-top box lead off a console-heavy into to this week's podcast, as we also check out the new Paramount Movies app and Netflix for the Wii U. If speed is what you're about, Verizon just raised its limits (and its prices), while the DOJ is looking into cable vs. online video -- we'll let you know when to get excited. We also have a heads up on where to catch the new Dolby Atmos audio technology, and a peek into the future with TiVo/Paypal and Dish.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe
00:05:25 - Alleged Xbox 720 document leak resurfaces, stirs rumors of Kinect 2, native 3D, AR glasses
00:12:55 - Paramount Movies Ultraviolet app released for Xbox 360
00:16:48 - Netflix app for the Nintendo Wii U, pictured
00:20:00 - Amazon Prime Instant Video gets MGM Studios movies and TV shows, dances with a few wolves
00:21:47 - Sharp launches 'world's largest' 90-inch LED AQUOS TV, we go hands-on
00:25:20 - Verizon intros FiOS Quantum, officially priced up to 300Mbps
00:32:25 - Time Warner Cable starts rolling out lightly refreshed guide with new color scheme, cloud VOD search
00:35:05 - DOJ looking into whether Comcast, other TV giants are unfairly (knee)capping Hulu, Netflix
00:38:33 - Dolby confirms 14 theaters for inaugural screening of Pixar's 'Brave' with Atmos audio
00:41:33 - Google TV team focuses on third party content, second screen apps as I/O approaches
00:43:45 - ConnecTV officially launches, gives you more ways to bug your buddies
00:47:52 - TiVo and PayPal let you buy stuff using your remote, hopes you swing past the shopping channel
00:50:41 - Dish Network, Qualcomm team up on Snapdragon S4 chips for hybrid satellite / cellular mobiles
00:52:03 - Must See HDTV (June 18th - 24th)
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Engadget HD Podcast 304 - 06.19.2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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SeaOrbiter to begin construction by year's end, project price tag clocks in at $52.7 million
SeaOrbiter to begin construction by year's end, project price tag clocks in at $527 million
Remember that USS Enterprise-esque ocean research vessel we first ran across back in 2005? Yes, the one that was originally slated to hit the open waters in 2008 or 2009. After catching heat for its lofty ambitions for the last 12 years, the SeaOrbiter is finally set to begin construction later this year. The ship is slated to measure 170 feet (51 meters) tall, but to stabilize the vessel over half of the vehicle would stay below the surface, providing all sorts of collection systems and useful tools. Not only does it look like something out of Minority Report, but the SeaOrbiter is 100% sustainable. The ship's power is set to come from solar, wind and wave power with biofuel in case nature doesn't cooperate -- when the vessel isn't adrift via ocean currents. Funding has been obtained for the $52.7 million undertaking, which will produce an endless amount of data on global warming and marine biology around the globe. For a look at some renders of the massive vehicle, click though the gallery below for a quick peek.

Gallery: SeaOrbiter marine research vehicle
Permalink Inhabitat  |  sourceCNN  | Email this | Comments

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Nomiku's immersion circulator makes low temperature cooking available to the masses, we go hands-on
Nomiku's immersion circulator makes sous vide cooking available to the masses, we go handson
If you've ever spent time watching Iron Chef or other cooking shows, odds are you've heard of the term sous-vide and know the wonders of cooking with immersion circulators. For those not in the know, an immersion circulator cooks food in a water bath at a precise (to the degree) temperature to ensure perfect doneness of dishes. Nomiku's an immersion circulator that clips onto any pot of water, giving home cooks the ability to sous vide to their heart's content at temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius. The device is a machined aluminum tube and heat sink, with a 1.3-inch touchscreen OLED display on top surrounded by a plastic knob. Inside is an impeller and 750W PTC heating element that circulates water at up to 10 liters per minute and heat it to within .2 degrees Celsius of the temperature you choose. Just tap the touchscreen to turn it on, stick it in a pot with up to 5 gallons of water, turn the knob to set your temperature, tap the screen again to get it going and, presto, you (or your sous chef bot) will be cooking succulent meats like Bobby Flay in no time.
Gallery: Nomiku immersion circulator hands-on
For now, Nomiku exists only in prototype form, but the folks behind it have launched a Kickstarter page to get the funding needed to ramp up production. We got to see the prototype in person, and as a casual dabbler in the culinary arts, the appeal was easy for us to see. It's dead simple to use, and is about the same size as a hand blender, so most folks won't have a problem finding a place for it in their kitchen. In speaking with its creators, we discovered that they created Nomiku to make low temperature cooking easy and (relatively) affordable. You see, existing immersion circulators cost between $500-$2000, which puts them out of reach for most home cooks, but Nomiku (should the project get funded) will retail for $299. Itchin' to get one in your kitchen? Well, head on down to the source link to help make it happen, and feel free to peruse our gallery of photos while you wait for its arrival.
Continue reading Nomiku's immersion circulator makes low temperature cooking available to the masses, we go hands-on
Permalink   |  sourceKickstarter  | Email this | Comments

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NVIDIA responds to Linus Torvalds' critique: 'supporting Linux is important'
Linux creator Linus Torvalds didn't mince any words with his criticism of NVIDIA earlier this week -- calling it, among other things, the "single worst company we've ever dealt with." That unsurprisingly didn't go unnoticed by NVIDIA, which has today issued a statement that attempts clarify its position on the open source OS. It leads off by flatly stating that "supporting Linux is important to NVIDIA," before addressing some of the criticisms that have been leveled at it from Torvalds' and others. That includes its lack of Linux support for its Optimus laptop graphics, to which NVIDIA points to its support of the Bumblebee open source project, and its decision to not provide detailed documentation on all of its GPU internals -- on that, it says that it's "made a decision to support Linux on our GPUs by leveraging NVIDIA common code, rather than the Linux common infrastructure." The company goes on to note that it supports a variety of GPUs on Linux and is an active participant in the ARM Linux kernel, but acknowledges that its position "may not please everyone." We're going to go out on a limb and guess that includes Torvalds. Hit the source link below for the full statement.
NVIDIA responds to Linus Torvalds' critique: 'supporting Linux is important' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourcePhoronix  | Email this | Comments

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AT&T strikes a deal with Sirius XM to make 2.3GHz LTE a reality, pitches it to the FCC
AT&T strikes a deal with Sirius XM to make 23GHz LTE a reality, pitches it to the FCC
AT&T has been a little more eager than usual to get spectrum after a certain big deal fell through, and we now know that Big Blue has been willing to bury a few outstanding hatchets to make that happen. The carrier has filed with the FCC to propose a deal with Sirius XM that would get its LTE-based 4G running on the 2.3GHz Wireless Communications Service (WCS) that, normally, satellite radio intersects. Rather than stay at an impasse, AT&T has agreed to a 5MHz dead zone on either end of Sirius XM's frequencies that would mitigate the risk of that Internet video stream colliding with Howard Stern. The provider still needs clearance to go ahead, and might not exactly get a resounding thumbs-up from WCS holder NextWave, which stands to lose more than a small piece of its airwave pie. An FCC all-clear would nonetheless raise the chances that AT&T keeps LTE flowing freely as subscribers pile on the network, even after the telecom behemoth conceded spectrum to T-Mobile.
Permalink ExtremeTech, GigaOM  |  sourceFCC  | Email this | Comments

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Samsung coughs up source code for AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S IIIs
Samsung coughs up source code for AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S IIIs
We've gotta hand it to Sammy, the company has been pretty good at releasing source code for its handsets in a timely manner. Just a few days ahead of the launch of the SGH-I747M and SGH-T999V (the Galaxy S III on AT&T and T-Mobile, respectively) Samsung Mobile has let the Android 4.0 source for the two devices loose on the web. For the average user, piles of code like this mean very little, but it should make it easier for those crafty devs out there to whip up some top-notch custom ROMs. If you're one of those Android-hacking folk, check out the source links to download Samsung's code.
Samsung coughs up source code for AT&T and T-Mobile Galaxy S IIIs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Android Police  |  sourceSamsung 1, 2  | Email this | Comments

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Facebook warms to subscription billing for devs, backs away from Credits as main currency
Facebook warms to subscription billing for devs, backs away from Credits as main currency
Subscriptions. It's the wave of the future, man. It's also the wave that Facebook's now riding, as it has just announced plans to enable developers to offer subscription payment services starting in July. In other words, devs that charge monthly for a premium edition of a title will be able to accept automated payments so long as the user continues their subscription. Without question, it's bound to be attractive to prospective app builders, and moreover, Facebook's about-face on Credits as the primary payment method will be met with praise, too. For the past year and a half, Facebook Credits were the way that many items were priced; going forward, devs will be allowed to price things in their own currency, eliminating yet another barrier in the transaction. The status quo 30-70 revenue split isn't going anywhere, however, but Facebook has admitted that it'll "convert any Credit balances into the equivalent amount of value in local currency," according to TechCrunch.
Permalink   |  sourceTechCrunch, AllThingsD  | Email this | Comments

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CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable hands-on (video)
CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable handson video
Love or hate it, Apple's 30-pin dock connector is no easier to attach than a standard micro-USB plug. That's not to say that it's tremendously difficult to link an iOS device with its proprietary cable, but it can be a nuisance on occasion, especially when you're fumbling around in the dark. CordLite makes that standard-issue dock connector cable a bit more nighttime friendly, adding a pair of touch-activated white LEDs to the left and right of the metal lead. Instead of the familiar white, this third-party Apple cable is finished in black (white is available, too), with a silver connector at the tail end. That component itself is noticeably wider, longer and thicker than its Apple-designed counterpart, but that's to be expected, given the added electronics. After you connect the USB plug to a computer or power source, the opposite end is ready to go to work, lighting up just as soon as you touch its metal housing. It powers off just as quickly, once it's docked with your iPhone, iPad or iPod.
We took the cable for a spin earlier today, and while the device we received is an early prototype, it still worked just fine, lighting up and turning off on cue, and pairing our iPhone with a MacBook just as any old dock connector cable has in the past. There's not much more to it than that -- the cable works, and we can see how it could be useful in low-light situations, such as at the bedside, in a car or while riding on a plane. It could theoretically also double as a flash light, and given that you're most likely to use it in a dark environment, it could be equally suited for non-iOS-related scenarios as well. CordLite isn't available for purchase yet, but you can be one of the first to receive a cable if you hop on board the company's Kickstarter campaign. Pledges of $30 or more will net you one CordLite in black or white after the device's estimated October ship date -- assuming the project meets its $70,000 funding goal before next week. For now, you can take a closer look in our hands-on video after the break, and rest assured that your days of blindly connecting your iPhone may very well be numbered.
Gallery: CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable hands-on
Continue reading CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable hands-on (video)
CordLite illuminated iOS dock connector cable hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BlackBerry 10 hands-on (video)
BlackBerry 10 handson video
Like any good show pony, BlackBerry 10's been trotting around the world, strutting the fairly limited elements of its known UI in an effort to court developers. The platform, without question the nail upon which RIM's fate and fortune hangs, had its big coming out party this past May at the company's showcase in Orlando, an event at which we also got to meet the Dev Alpha -- a glimpse into future hardware design -- and espy three main features of this new OS: camera, keyboard and app switching. What we didn't get, however, was any actual hands-on time with the software, leaving most members of the tech press to take Waterloo for its word.
Cut to the present and on this segment of RIM's dev-focused Jam tour, nearly two months later, we finally got a chance to cut through the smoke and mirrors of the company's polished powerpoint presentations to get some honest-to-goodness, up-close and personal time testing the software. So join us, won't you, after the break, where we'll delve into our first impressions of this Hail Mary in Motion.
Continue reading BlackBerry 10 hands-on (video)
BlackBerry 10 hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis
Keepin' it real fake
It takes quite a bit for a KIRF smartphone to turn our heads these days, but this specimen spotted by one of our readers in an Indian newspaper checked off just enough boxes to get us to take notice. As you can see, the company behind it has merged a fairly faithful iOS knock-off operating system with a device reminiscent of something from Samsung's Galaxy line, but it didn't stop there. You'll also get no less than four SIM card slots and two memory card slots, not to mention an antenna to pull down some free over-the-air TV channels. Specs otherwise remain a bit of a mystery, but those curious enough to find out more can take one home for just over $60.

[Thanks, Mahesh]
Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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BBC 'Live Restart' brings pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer live streams
BBC 'Live Restart' bring pause, rewind and 'start from beginning' to iPlayer live streams
On demand TV is great and all, but what if the program you're wanting is on right now? Previously -- in the UK at least -- you'd have to either catch the whole thing later, or accept you'd missed a bit, and watch the rest live. Starting today, however, iPlayer will let you rewind, pause, and even start live shows from the beginning. In fact with the "Live Restart" update, you'll be able to go back over the last two hours of scheduled TV, should you wish. The new features come as a result of the BBC switching to "HTTP chunked" streaming instead of RTMP, which breaks up the H.264 video feed into blocks, delivering them like regular web packets -- apparently improving scalability, adaptive bitrate playback and cost effectiveness, compared to Content Delivery Networks. All we want to know is will you be able to skip the ads? Oh wait.
Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceBBC Internet Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)
Cadillac
Navigating those mean Manhattan streets is an intimidating chore for any driver, with or without a battery of high-tech in-car aides. But after an introduction to Cadillac CUE, it's easy to see the benefit of such a comprehensive system. CUE isn't your typical in-dash GPS nav -- sure it can get you on your way just as well as any other navigation system, but a bounty of sensors and displays allow you to keep your eyes on the road and avoid collisions, while also providing the smartphone integration and media playback support you'd expect from a high-end 2012 automobile. The base system, included standard with 2012 and 2013 XTS and SRX models and available as an option with the ATS, is centered around an 8-inch, 800 x 400 capacitive touch LCD with anti-scratch, anti-glare and oleophobic coatings to keep the display in tip-top shape and completely viewable from both the driver and passenger seats.
The display flips open to reveal a lit storage compartment with a USB port for connecting and charging your smartphone, while capacitive-touch buttons below the panel provide haptic feedback and a variety of control options (you can tap or slide your finger across to adjust volume, for example). Add-ons include a 12.3-inch, 1280 x 480 "instrument cluster" that provides speed and fuel information in a familiar readout, along with directions, phone call info and music selection. Also available is a slick heads-up display, which features a more subdued color pallet (compared to the vibrant LCDs) and outputs key info, including speed limits and collision warnings, while also minimizing ghosting thanks to a wedge-shaped windshield, which thins as you move from top to bottom. Two more USB ports in the center console let you sync up and charge two additional devices, while an AUX input enables older devices to pipe out tunes.
Now, much of this may seem familiar -- we took a peek at CUE at last year's CTIA -- but this is the first time that we've actually had a chance to take the tech for a spin in a drivable 2013 Cadillac XTS, and New York City seems like the perfect venue for pushing the system to its limits. Inputting a destination is as simple as typing an address into Google Maps (though CUE uses a proprietary maps app based on NAVTEQ's database). As we drove from our office near Union Square to the Financial District, the car let us know when we were cutting things a bit too close, as seat vibrations alerted us to obstacles on either side. All the while, adjusting music and climate was simple as can be, and HUD-based directions gave us little excuse to look away from the busy road. After arriving at our destination, we slid on over to the passenger seat to film the action while an expert drove. If a new Caddy is in your future, you should be able to pick up a CUE-equipped car within the next few weeks. For now, you can jump past the break for a front-seat look as we cruise on through the 212.
Gallery: Cadillac XTS with CUE hands-on
Continue reading Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on)
Cadillac CUE makes its way to XTS, navigates with ease in NYC (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceCadillac CUE  | Email this | Comments

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Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help)
Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help)
Researchers at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a robot capable of identifying materials, thanks to a tactile sensor. The so-called BioTac sensor mimics the human finger, with flexible robot skin layered over a liquid filling -- and the skin even has fingerprints to increase the robot's sensitivity to vibration. Researchers trained the robot to recognize 117 common materials, and by making "exploratory movements" to feel out textures it was able to correctly identify materials 95 percent of the time -- a higher accuracy rate than humans achieve. Still, though the robot is an ace at understanding textures, it doesn't possess the ability to decide which materials are preferable to humans. For this reason, the USC team says it will focus more on applications such as human prostheses and consumer product testing. Relax: your fingers are still worth something -- for now.
Permalink   |  sourceUSC Viterbi School of Engineering  | Email this | Comments

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Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)
Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring video
Themes are nothing new for avid Gmail users -- after all, they've been around in some form or fashion since 2008. But starting today, Google's adding a personal twist. You know, personalization. We're told that a new Custom Themes section will be hitting inboxes the world over during "the next couple of days," with Light and Dark options there for your customizing pleasure. You can upload your own images directly, select from your Google+ photos or simply paste any image URL. Can't decide? Just cycle through the Featured Photos list instead of whittling down that Priority Inbox. Head on past the break if you're in need of inspiration.
Continue reading Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)
Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink   |  sourceOfficial Gmail Blog  | Email this | Comments

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Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples
Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples
iPhone owners bummed that their Android-using friends were taking advantage of Google Offers they couldn't use can now level the playing field: an iOS port has just gone live. Much like its Google-native peer, the iPhone-optimized version can spot discounts in the neighborhood and will let you claim them on the spot. The chronically inattentive still get a lot of love in the process with both mentions of new offers and warnings for soon-to-expire deals. In keeping with Google Offers' current US-only focus, the app won't show outside of American borders just yet -- but if you've been thinking those yoga classes in Portland were a bit too dearly priced, your iPhone (and a well-timed sale) is now all it takes to set things right.
Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Google Mobile Blog  |  sourceApp Store  | Email this | Comments

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D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $70
DLink SharePort DIR505 is a router repeater access point that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100
An April ship target may have come and gone, but that's not stopping D-Link -- the company's SharePort DIR-505 Mobile Companion is finally ready to join your side, beginning today. The $100 $70 pocketable WiFi-enabled hub can serve a variety of wireless functions, making it an ideal choice for road warrior types hopping from hotel to hotel while longing for just a hint of consistency. In router mode, the SharePort pumps out an 802.11g/n WiFi signal, converting a lone Ethernet hook-up to a shareable connection. There's also a nifty repeater mode, for those rare check-ins met with a spacious suite upgrade, where a single access point won't get the job done. Or, if you're covered on the connectivity front, you can use the DIR-505 to link your USB hard drive with the web -- or, if all else fails, it'll at least charge your smartphone. Ready to hand over a Benjamin in exchange for a slab of all-in-one wireless goodness? Jump past the break and hit up our source link to make your purchase.
Update: The press release references a $69.99 price tag, though the DIR-505 carries a list price of $99.99, which is what you'll pay if you order it directly from D-Link. The device is available through third parties (including Amazon and TigerDirect) for $70, however.
Update 2: D-Link representatives have confirmed a list price of $69.99. The headline and text above have been corrected to reflect this adjustment.
Continue reading D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $70
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Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)
Gooseberry android board released to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi
If one of the aims of the Raspberry Pi was to embody the "do-it-yourself" ethos, then it's already succeeded. Annoyed at the wait for the education-friendly board to arrive, the anonymous creator of the Gooseberry decided to build their own. Looking reasonably similar to its inspiration, it's packing a 1GHz AllWinner CPU, 400MHz Mali GPU, 512MB RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. It'll go on sale in the UK for £40 ($63) shortly, running Gingerbread and is capable of running HD video -- as demonstrated by the video we've got for you after the break.
Continue reading Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)
Permalink TG Daily, Liliputing  |  sourceGooseberry  | Email this | Comments

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Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014
Liquidmetal exampleThe deal between Apple and Liquidmetal was originally supposed to be a short-term fling. Technically, it expired in February this year, less than two years after the couple first met. There must have been a spark, as the two have just decided to extend their licensing deal through to February 2014. Of course, simply having a deal isn't the same as putting it to use, and there's no certainty that we'll see anything exotic materialize out of it: the last time Liquidmetal's extra-sturdy alloy was used in an Apple product, it wound up in a SIM card ejector tool. Still, Apple must have found something it wants to make in order to keep its union going forward, whether it's another tiny pack-in with an iPhone or (once costs allow) something a tad larger.
Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 12:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink MacRumors  |  sourceSEC  | Email this | Comments

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Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7
Y!kes' proximityaware platform creates complete hotel access solution via a single smartphone app
We all knew opening one's hotel room door with a smartphone was just the beginning, didn't we? As the years have turned (and LodgeNet has inexplicably remained), a smattering of companies have seen the opportunity to connect savvy hotel guests to the properties they frequent. Y!kes is the latest to tune in, and its solution undoubtedly has the potential to change the way smartphone users interact with lodging venues. Designed as a hardware + software platform, the proximity-aware access system offers hotels the ability to tightly and specifically grant or deny access to one's phone. As an example, a hotel and guest both utilizing the system could see an elevator automatically choose one's floor upon entry, a door automatically unlock when a patron walks within range, a parking deck automatically have its gate raised, and a VIP lounge door automatically open if the credentials are programmed in.
Going a step further, one could envision this system having the ability to alert a hotel when a guest lands at the nearest airport, thereby triggering a series of events that places fresh Perrier bottles on the desk, blue mood lighting in the bathroom, a thermostat adjustment to 74 degrees and whatever else that person has specified in their profile. Insane? Sure, but not at all outside of the realm of feasibility. Once a venue has installed the system, guests need only have the associated app -- available for Android, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone and iOS -- running in the background on their device. If all goes as planned, he or she won't even have to drop by the check-in counter, and when the stay is over, they'll be able to bypass the check-out line as well.
If you're curious about app availability, we're told that the iOS build will hit the App Store "this week," while the other three platforms will see launches "within 30 days." We asked the company if it was ready to announce any partnerships with hotel chains, and received the following reply: "As for integration, Y!kes is currently engaged in deep discussions with the top hotel chains and will have information pertaining to specific contracts in the near future." Needless to say, the jetsetters in the crowd will be keeping an ear to the ground for more.
Continue reading Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7
Permalink   |  sourceYikes  | Email this | Comments

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Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake
Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has few fond memories of your QuickTake camera
Kodak may have recently obtained clearance to sell some patents and help dig itself out of bankruptcy, but it wants to be extra-certain Apple is nowhere near potential buyers if a deal goes down. The former camera maker is suing Apple in hopes of making the former collaborator drop challenges to the ownership of 10 imaging patents from the early 1990s, when the two were still buddy-buddy enough to design the QuickTake camera line together. Claims by Apple and patent transfer recipient FlashPoint Technology are purportedly just attempts to stall any patent sale as long as possible and spook buyers away, forcing Kodak to make some hard decisions about its own lawsuits. That's not to say Kodak is a doe-eyed innocent here: Apple has accused Kodak of trying to sweep any patent disputes under the rug with bankruptcy as the pretext. Although the lawsuit is just one part of a larger story, it could more definitively answer whether or not Kodak has enough bullets left in its patent gun.
[Image credit: Mikhail Shcherbakov, Flickr]
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iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering
iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering
We've already seen them go to town on the body of the MacBook Pro with Retina display, but the staffers at iFixit have seen fit to disassemble the 2880 x 1800 panel at the heart of the new beast. As they've since found out, it takes no less than a rethink of LCD construction to make that kind of resolution work in a laptop screen that's thinner than its ancestor. The unibody aluminum casing acts as the frame for the display, and the LCD becomes its own front glass; even the wireless antennas are threaded through the hinges to eke out that last drop of space. Combined, Apple's part layouts do make repair near-impossible -- the teardown gurus at iFixit ended up cracking the glass despite their knowledge. The team is nonetheless a little more forgiving on the lack of repairability here than with the computer underneath, noting that something had to give for Apple to have its high-resolution cake and eat it too. That just won't be much of a consolation if your MacBook Pro faceplants and requires a whole LCD swap.
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Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)
Square lets merchants offer first time deals, reward regulars with digital 'punch' cards video
The great philosopher, Huey Lewis, once mused that it was "hip to be square." And it looks like he might have been right. The nifty geometrically-named payment widget is fast gaining popularity, no doubt thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. The system's had basic loyalty functions for a while, but now, users of its Pay with Square app can rack up loyalty points for repeat visits, or certain spend amounts. That means no more scratching around trying to find that bent up punch card, just pay up and -- literally -- reap the rewards. New customers can also now be lured in with the ability for retailers to add first visit specials. Merchants also get an upgrade, including real-time in-app analytics and the ability to give on the spot discounts. Great news, of course, though we wonder if it'll extend to a free ride home?
Continue reading Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)
Permalink New York Times  |  sourceiTunes, Google Play  | Email this | Comments

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