Google, HelloFax, Manilla, Fujitsu and others urge you to go paperless in 2013
Even with the popularity of cloud computing and terabyte servers, most US offices are still drowning in a sea of dead trees; around 10,000 sheets of paper a year per worker, according to the EPA. Enter Paperless 2013, a campaign that will email you monthly tips on how to make the paperless office a reality. It's funded by the "Paperless Coalition," a group of digital solution companies comprised of Google Drive, HelloFax, Manilla, HelloSign, Expensify, Xero and Fujitsu ScanSnap -- none of which have any ulterior motive behind encouraging this paper-free existence. None at all. Of course, you don't have to go with these specific companies to go eco-friendly (Dropbox and PDFPen are a couple of other options) but if you need some advice on how to shed those wasteful printing habits, then go ahead and sign up at the source. Or you could do what we did and unplug our printers altogether -- just in case it gets possessed.
Filed under: Internet, GoogleCommentsVia:TechCrunchSource:Paperless 2013
Read More ...Engadget Mobile Podcast 163 - 1.2.2013
Can you hear that? That's the calm before the storm. The fiery, relentless, gadgety storm that is CES. While we wait to see what what mobile delights the show brings us, we've a few things already in the bag to discuss. So bring in the garden furniture, baton down the hatches and tune in to this week's mobile podcast.
Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen
Producer:James TrewMusic: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)
Hear the podcastContinue reading Engadget Mobile Podcast 163 - 1.2.2013
Filed under: Podcasts, MobileComments
Read More ...Razer Sabertooth Xbox 360 controller ups the ante on tourney gaming, we go hands-on
Razer's Onza Xbox 360 controller is very, very nice. Sure, it's got an unbelievably long, non-detachable wire sticking out of it, but its build quality is top notch and its ultra-clicky face buttons are a pleasure to use. In the company's second Xbox 360 controller -- the Sabertooth -- Razer's focusing on the tournament gaming crowd rather than simply outfitting its Onza with "Tournament Edition" specs. That aside, the Sabertooth retains the quality we've come to expect from Razer products. Oh, and that crazy long wire is thankfully detachable!
It's apparent from first glance that the Sabertooth is intended as such, given the six extra (programmable) buttons found on the shoulders and back of the controller, and the tiny OLED screen found along the bottom (allowing for the programming of said buttons). Considering that a regular Xbox 360 controller comprises 12 (!!) buttons not counting the d-pad, adding another six and an OLED screen is ... intense, to say the least. While we didn't have occasion to test the programmability, we can definitively say that the Sabertooth's other functions are just as solid as with the Onza. The analog sticks are as good or better than a standard Xbox 360 controller, the d-pad is an improvement over the Onza (which was already an improvement over the dismal d-pad included on most Xbox 360 controllers), and the triggers / shoulder buttons are appropriately springy and responsive. There's even a silly backlight for several face buttons, should you be playing video games in a cave (you can opt to turn off the backlight, too -- we certainly did).
We've gotta hand it to Samsung: announcing new products before CES is a clever way of grabbing our undivided attention. With days to go before the show officially kicks off, the outfit's already unveiled some new monitors, and put out teasers for at least threeotheritems. Now the company's PC division is getting a headstart as well: Samsung just added two notebooks to its high-performance Series 7 family of products. These include the Series 7 Ultra, a 13-inch Ultrabook, as well as a refreshed Series 7 Chronos with AMD graphics.
Starting with the Ultra (pictured above), this is the first Ultrabook in the Series 7 family, which emphasizes hearty performance more than other PCs in Samsung's lineup. It'll be available in two versions, one with a touchscreen and one without, but even then, you'll find variants with different processors (Core i5 or i7) and different storage capacities (128GB or 256GB). Whichever configuration you choose, though, you'll get a 350-nit, 1080p display, up to 16GB of RAM (!), a backlit keyboard, JBL speakers and a 1GB AMD HD8570M GPU. Other specs include three USB ports (two 2.0, one 3.0), HDMI, Ethernet, mini-VGA, a memory card reader and a battery rated for up to eight hours (we're assuming that's the non-touch model).
As for the new Series 7 Chronos, Samsung actually just teased it in a video earlier today. Based on that, we already knew the 15-inch version would be refreshed with AMD's new AMD Radeon HD 8870M GPU, whose RAMaccelerator technology claims to increase browsing and general application speeds by up to 150 percent. At the same time, Samsung's also given the chassis a makeover so that it's now thinner than the last-gen model (0.82 inches thick versus 0.94). Other than that, it packs a 2.4GHz Intel Core i7 3635QM CPU, a 300-nit, 1080p display, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, an optional touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, JBL speakers and 11 hours of battery life (in theory, anyway).
In any case, Samsung hasn't announced pricing or availability for either of these models, but you can bet your Nexus 10 we'll be getting hands-on at CES next week. Until then, we've slipped a photo of the Chronos after the break. You know, because we can play the teaser game too.
Continue reading Samsung unveils the Series 7 Ultra, refreshes the Series 7 Chronos with a slimmer design
Filed under: Laptops, SamsungComments
Read More ...Hackulous closure prompts rise of portals that allow bootleg iOS apps without a jailbreak
The somewhat unexpected shutdown of Hackulous' community, and the corresponding departure of related tools like Apptrackr and Installous, left iOS app pirates in something of a panic: many of those who jailbroke their devices expressly for ill-gotten goods suddenly lost one of their main sources. While they haven't earned much sympathy, they've also triggered a surge in services that don't require a jailbreak at all. Months-old pay service Zeusmos has seen a spike in popularity, but more recent upstart Kuaiyong is drawing the most attention. It's offering others' commercial releases through the web, for free -- and on a scale into the thousands of bootleg installs per app, suggesting that it may be abusing enterprise policies rather than Zeusmos' apparent reliance on developer slots.
There's no immediate sign of a crackdown, but those app writers concerned about their revenue might take consolation in knowing that the risks might outweigh the rewards. iTunes syncing breaks the moment a pirated app reaches a device, and there's no guarantee that every copy will be malware-free. Zeusmos also claims to be clamping down on questionable sources in an attempt to steer users towards homebrew apps. Even with those disclaimers, it's still possible that Hackulous' end may have created more problems for some developers than it solved.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, AppleCommentsVia:GizmodoSource:The Next Web, Pastie.org
Read More ...Polaroid plans experimental Fotobar stores that will let you print your photos
Polaroid hasn't been shy to try varioustactics as it attempts to compete in the age of digital photography, but it always seems to come back to the idea it's best known for. It's latest effort is a bit more of a roundabout way to get some tangible photos in your hands, though: a series of "experimental" Photobar stores where you can go and have your digital photos professionally printed. The first of those will open in Delray Beach, Florida in February, with a total of at least ten stores promised for 2013, including locations in New York, Las Vegas and Boston -- each staffed with so-called Photenders to help you get the best results, and equipped with a "patent-pending proprietary technology" that'll let you wirelessly transfer photos from your phone to a workstation. What's more, the stores won't just be producing glossy photos, but what Polaroid describes as handcrafted pieces using canvas, metal, acrylic, wood or bamboo -- those will be shipped to the customer within 72 hours, and are apparently of the same variety that can currently be ordered on Polaroid's Photobar website. You'll still need to get your Polaroid film elsewhere, though.
Continue reading Polaroid plans experimental Fotobar stores that will let you print your photos
Filed under: Cameras, MiscCommentsVia:Cult of AndroidSource:Polaroid
Read More ...The Daily Roundup for 01.02.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.Continue reading The Daily Roundup for 01.02.2013Comments
Read More ...US retailer pegs Nexus 7 dock release for January 10th, we remain wary
ASUS' official dock for the Nexus 7 has been an elusive beast, to put it mildly: Americans, at least, have had to sit tight for half a year if they weren't content with third-party hardware. We just might be reaching the end of that road, if B&H is right. The retailer is listing the audio-capable cradle as arriving January 10th for $40. The accessory could be tantalizingly close as a result, although we'll believe it when we're charging our tablets -- we've seen as many retailers take stabs in the dark on release dates as those that use real information, so we may still be left waiting in a week's time.
Filed under: Peripherals, Tablets, ASUS, GoogleCommentsVia:PhandroidSource:B&H
Read More ...This is the Modem World: Why I don't like lists -- a listEach week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology.
It's both the end of one year and the beginning of another, and that means we're inundated with best-of, worst-of and something-of lists from all of our favorite -- like this one -- tech media outlets. I don't like lists.
But lists are useful. I've been guilty of making lists. They're nice ways to organize a year, and they get people talking about why X is No. 1 and Y is way down at the bottom. It brings out our inner fanboy, exposes us to products we wouldn't normally consider and makes for an easy reading experience.
Therefore, I present to you a list... about why I don't like best-of product lists.
Continue reading This is the Modem World: Why I don't like lists -- a list
Filed under: MiscComments
Read More ...Samsung gives its Series 3 Chromebox a facelift, hardware remains unchanged
Keeping the Chrome OS party going, Samsung released an updated model of last year's Series 3 chromebox. Gracefully named the XE300M22-B01US, this cloud-based workstation features the same 1.9GHz Intel Celeron B849 processor, 4GB of RAM, six USB 2.0 ports and 16GB SSD as its predecessor. The only real change here is the system's appearance, which is now a sterile white plastic shell with a latch covering its front-facing inputs. The computer recently went on sale in the UK for 279 GBP ($453.50) with Samsung remaining mum on stateside release plans. However, if patience isn't your strong suit and you've gotta have this machine now, you can pick up last year's model (virtually the same hardware) for around $329 or less.
Filed under: Desktops, Software, Samsung, GoogleCommentsVia:TG DailySource:Samsung
Read More ...MeterPlug Bluetooth power monitor tracks usage, sends stats to your smartphone (hands-on video)
If there's one constant in this world, it's that the cost of energy continues to climb, be it household electric or good ole petrol. We can't help you with the latter today, but we have found a pretty slick tool for keeping tabs on electricity consumption. Now, before you head down to the comments section or send your angry emails letting us know, we're fully aware that power monitoring solutions have been around for some time now. MeterPlug isn't your run-of-the-mill device, though. This solution is relatively inexpensive (it'll retail for about $60), very compact (it plays nicely with other plugs in your power strip), and with the included Android and iOS apps, it's quite powerful as well. The device will be available with US, UK or European plugs, and slips between your existing cord and an ordinary socket. Then, you pair it with your smartphone and you're good to go.
Once connected, MeterPlug uses your handset's GPS to find electricity rates for your location, then displays your current usage in watts and cost -- during our hands-on in NYC, a connected MacBook Pro pulled about 60 watts of power at a cost of $0.01 per hour. Connect a TV or household appliance though and you might just be surprised about how much you're spending on each gadget. Naturally, there's also a few tools to conserve energy. A simple (and responsive) power toggle lets you turn your device on and off using a smartphone, a proximity sensor cuts off power when you leave the room (and pops it back on when you arrive), and a feature called Vampire Power Shield keeps track of your gadget's typical consumption, then pulls the plug when you flip your television or Xbox to standby mode, potentially saving you a fair amount of money each year. The plug module and app worked very well during our test, as you'll see in the video after the break. Then, head over to the source link to submit your pre-order on Indiegogo.
Making games for computers is apparently akin to churning out sausage. For the most part, consumers are privy to the final yummy-looking package, give or take the occasional wandering bug that decides to crash their gaming spread. Underneath all that sumptuous, juicy meat, however, is a healthy helping of mystery meat. This includes the amalgamation of hours upon countless hours of the proverbial blood, sweat and tears piled up by the modern-day artisans who ply in the video game trade. At the top of their list of concerns? Making sure a game works across the multitude of computers that proliferate out in the wild.
With the industry essentially settling on NVIDIA and ATI/AMD these days, the narrowing of card choices to two brands has made working on compatibility "a little easier" than it used to be, said Travis Baldree, president and lead engineer for Runic Games. Note he said "a little easier" not "a cakewalk."
"Compatibility is always the biggest challenge -- it isn't a new problem at all," Baldree said. "The sheer number of permutations of cards, drivers, devices and third-party software -- and their unexpected interactions with one another -- can be a trial to deal with."
Continue reading A perfect match: PC game designers and the quest for compatibility
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, LaptopsComments
Read More ...Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It's not Monday, but we're still taking some time off from preparations for the super bowl of electronics to record the Engadget HD podcast. You can tune in live at 5:30PM and be be a part of it. Start by reviewing the list of topics (including our CES preview) after the break, then participate in the live chat.
Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
Filed under: HDComments
Read More ...Apple acknowledges Do Not Disturb bug, says it will magically fix itself on January 8th
Well, it's no "you're holding it wrong," but we can't say we're 100 percent satisfied with Apple's response to the recent discovery of a bug affecting iOS's Do Not Disturb feature. Starting January first, ringers failed to turn back on after the predetermined silent period. Today Cupertino seemed to acknowledge the existence of the flaw but, rather than offer a patch, it simply told customers to be patient:
"Do Not Disturb scheduling feature will resume normal functionality after January 7, 2013. Before this date, you should manually turn the Do Not Disturb feature on or off."
Understandably, it'll probably take longer than five days to find the offending code, whip up a fix, test it and roll it out to users. Still, a thorough explanation is always appreciated and the iOS faithful have already been patient enough.
Filed under: Software, MobileCommentsVia:CNETSource:Apple
Read More ...StickNFind Bluetooth stickers let you tag and locate your goods with a smartphone (hands-on video)
We've all misplaced keys, gadgets and occasionally even children. Well, no more. StickNFind is a nifty, inexpensive solution for tagging and locating electronics, keys and pets. For roughly $25 a pop (estimated retail), you get a small adhesive disk that can be affixed to any flat surface or attached to a keychain. Inside, there's a replaceable CR2016 watch battery that's said to last more than a year, a Bluetooth module and antenna, an LED-lit ring and a piezoelectric speaker. A free Android or iOS app then lets you hone in on any stickers within a roughly 100-foot (line of sight) range. The current version can only display distance, but an update, set to hit before StickNFind ships, will add direction, leading you directly to your target. You can also activate a (fairly faint) beeper, and an LED ring around the perimeter of the sticker, further helping you to find the device, even in a dark room. The app will offer several other features, including a "Virtual Leash" that alerts you when the sticker goes out of range -- a "Reverse Virtual Leash" will make the device (perhaps attached to your keys) beep, letting you know you've left your smartphone behind.
The product designers will also be offering an SDK, so developers can even create their own apps for StickNFind. For example, you could write an app that uses the stickers as triggers -- apparently one museum plans to affix the device to art, so as visitors approach, a text notification will pop up describing the piece. Another company is considering using stickers at an upcoming conference, and with Bluetooth transmitters placed around a venue, they can track the precise location of attendee badges (and the individuals wearing them), and even send "pages" by triggering the beeper and light. During our hands-on, StickNFind worked quite well, though as we mentioned, the current alpha version of the app only displays distance, not direction. The device is currently available for "pre-order" on Indiegogo, with an estimated March ship date. You can snag a sneak peek of it in action though, in our hands-on video after the break.
When Lenovo came out with the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, it seemed like precisely the sort of thing ThinkPad fans had been waiting for: an ultraportable with fast performance, a crisp 1,600 x 900 screen and, of course, one well-engineered keyboard. In fact, we deemed it one of our favorite Ultrabooks -- not just for businesspeople, but for everyone.
The thing is, it arrived just before Windows 8 went on sale, which means four months after its release it's already a bit outdated. Enter the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch: it's more or less the X1 Carbon you know and love, except it has a touchscreen allowing for finger input. (Don't worry, that signature red pointing stick hasn't gone anywhere.) So is this basically just an even better version of the original X1 Carbon? And is it worth that steep $1,499 starting price (a $250 premium over the non-touch version)? Let's find out.
Thought the holidays were over? So did we. Imagine our surprise, then, when we returned to the office to find one last, special package lying in wait: Mad CatzStreet Fighter x Sanrio Arcade Fightstick Pro. As ridiculous explosions of cute go, this one takes the sugoku kawaii cake -- even the box is a Hello Kitty collector's wet dream. Obvious overall otaku appeal aside, Xbox 360 gamers interested in the Fightstick Pro will find an eight button "authentic Japanese-style Sanwa Denshi" layout, switches for button lock / unlock and three joystick configuration settings (d-pad, left or right analog stick), turbo functionality, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack upfront and a storage compartment housing the 13-foot long USB cable around back. Really though, no amount of English words will do this kitsch item justice. So check out the gallery below for a photo tour of this adorable collision of anime worlds.
Filed under: GamingComments
Read More ...Engadget's CES 2013 Preview: SmartphonesWith CES looming like an electrically charged storm of news and announcements, it's time for us to give you our best bets on what you'll see come January. During the month of December, we'll bring you a series of CES preview posts, forecasting what you can expect when the news deluge begins. For more of what's to come, check out our hub.
It goes without saying that smartphones are now an integral part of the consumer electronics industry, and each January plenty of them are exhibited at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While many companies are understandably silent about their plans for the massive trade show, we've been able to gather a pretty solid idea of what we can expect to see as the show descends upon us. Join us after the break as we tell you what types of products will delight or depress us at next month's event.
Continue reading Engadget's CES 2013 Preview: Smartphones
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Nokia, Verizon, AT&T, T-MobileComments
Read More ...Samsung teases Series 7 Chronos refresh with AMD Radeon HD 8870M graphics (video)
Samsung added a 17-inch model to its Series 7 Chronos laptop range last year, and updated the wholefamily with IvyBridge processors, to boot. Barely a breath into 2013, the company is at it again, teasing better hardware in the "new" Series 7. There isn't much information in between the scenes of advanced robotic predators (video embed below), but those snippets mention RAMaccelerator (which promises 50 percent faster app loading), a full HD display, JBL speakers and most importantly, a beefy new AMD Radeon HD 8870M GPU. Since the 17-inch model already has a 1,920 x 1,080 panel and JBL speakers, these could be improvements coming to the 15-inch model, or maybe it's a hint that RAMaccelerator and upgraded graphics are destined for the larger sibling -- we just don't know. As we're merely days away from CES, it's likely we'll get a clearer picture of what's what at the show, but we've also contacted Sammy for clarification in case beans are willing to be spilled beforehand. Continue reading Samsung teases Series 7 Chronos refresh with AMD Radeon HD 8870M graphics (video)
Filed under: Laptops, Samsung, AMDCommentsVia:Sammy HubSource:Samsung (YouTube)
Read More ...Raspberry Pi gets an open source educational manual
Been staring at that Raspberry Pi trying to figure out where to start? You're hardly alone. We've spent some time with the diminutive Linux machine and even tried to point you in the right direction when booting up your Pi for the first time. If you're looking for something a little more in depth than our own tutorial however, its worth checking out the just released Raspberry Pi Education Manual. The book, drafted by a team of teachers from Computing at School (CAS) and released under the Creative Commons licence, is available for free either through the Pi Store or at the source link in PDF form. It's a little more education-focused than say a tome like Getting Started with Raspberry Pi, but it's certainly an excellent introduction to the platform.
Filed under: MiscCommentsSource:Raspberry Pi
Read More ...Samsung's possible Galaxy M Pro sequel poses for the camera, may hang on to Android 4.0
Samsung's Galaxy M Pro is one of the few widely distributed, fixed-QWERTY smartphones available for the Android world, but cutting edge it's not: the messaging phone originally shipped with Android 2.3 just as 4.0 was about to take center stage. It may be nearing a sorely needed update. Blog of Mobile has followed up a June FCC filing for an unannounced GT-B7810 with some purported details and photos for the same device. Most of the change is reflected on the outside: aside from a similar 480 x 360 display, it could have a considerably fresher metal-effect design. The improvement on the inside is tougher to reckon. While there should be a 1,200mAh battery, HSPA 3G and a micro-SIM slot, the only major upgrade claimed here is the shift to Android 4.0, or just enough to stay on the trailing edge. That is, assuming the B7810 launches at all. Having spent more than half a year in limbo, the budget-focused phone may be out of step with the modern market unless there's a pre-release update in store.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, SamsungCommentsVia:Unwired ViewSource:Blog of Mobile (translated)
Read More ...Canonical announces Ubuntu for smartphones, we go hands-on (video)
This is no ordinary Galaxy Nexus. Instead of Android, it's running a very different Linux-based OS -- the long-awaited mobile version of Ubuntu -- which comes with a new UI adapted for smaller screens. We've played with the phone briefly and we'll have a proper hands-on video for you shortly, but in the meantime there are a few salient features to report. First and foremost, the UI relies heavily on edge swipes instead of buttons -- much like Windows 8 on a tablet or indeed other mobile OS's like MeeGo, although here each swipe has its own Ubuntu-esque functions. Beyond that, the icons along the top have some interesting features, which will be explained after the break. We're also told that voice control is in attendance, and that an app store is in the works, with a mix of both web apps and native apps -- with the latter type being able to make better use of the hardware.
Speaking of hardware, here's where you might get a twinge of disappointment: there are no immediate plans for actual Ubuntu phones, and no carriers have been signed up yet. Any new phone built for Android with at least a dual Cortex-A9 cores, a gig of RAM and 800 x 400 resolution could run this OS, should a manufacturer see merit in installing Ubuntu instead, and high spec 720p, quad-core phones should do wonders with it. Meanwhile, rather like Ubuntu for Android, this is still an idea looking for a device -- but as ideas go, our initial impression is that it looks like a bright one, especially if you dig Linux and open source. We're told the Galaxy Nexus-compatible build will be available for download within the next few weeks, and Mark Shuttleworth is optimistic that actual devices will ship sometime in early 2014 -- which is quite a ways away. For now, check out the press release, gallery and publicity video after the break.
Update: Our hands-on video with the Benevolent Dictator himself is now live!
Continue reading Canonical announces Ubuntu for smartphones, we go hands-on (video)
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, MobileComments
Read More ...Amazon gets Apple's false advertising claim dismissed from trademark infringement lawsuitIt's been awhile since we last had news from Apple's App Store-based trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon. Today, Amazon got Apple's claim for false advertising dismissed from that very same case after filing for partial summary judgement. In finding for Amazon, the judge held that Apple failed to identify a single false statement (expressly stated or implied) that Amazon made about the nature, characteristics, or quality of the Amazon Appstore that would deceive customers into thinking it was the same as the Apple App Store -- a legal requirement to establish false advertising under federal law. Not a bad way for Bezos to ring in the new year, eh?
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Apple, AmazonCommentsVia:BloombergSource:Court Order [PDF]
Read More ...Slickdeals' best in tech for January 2nd: Western Digital portable hard drive and digital camerasLooking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long.
Google, HelloFax, Manilla, Fujitsu and others urge you to go paperless in 2013
It's been awhile since we last had news from Apple's App Store-based trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon. Today, Amazon got Apple's claim for false advertising dismissed from that very same case after filing for partial summary judgement. In finding for Amazon, the judge held that Apple failed to identify a single false statement (expressly stated or implied) that Amazon made about the nature, characteristics, or quality of the Amazon Appstore that would deceive customers into thinking it was the same as the Apple App Store -- a legal requirement to establish false advertising under federal law. Not a bad way for Bezos to ring in the new year, eh?
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Apple, Amazon
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Via: Bloomberg
Source: Court Order [PDF]
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