Android 4.3 supports TRIM, improves performance on Nexus devices
It's no secret that many Android phones and tablets show a decrease in performance over time. Nexus devices are not immune -- it's particularly noticeable with the original Nexus 7. Our friend Brian Klug over at AnandTech discovered an interesting tidbit while testing the new and improved Nexus 7: Android 4.3 supports TRIM. What this means is that Google's mobile OS can now instruct the flash storage controller when to collect / recycle unused data pages / blocks. The net result is that devices running Android 4.3 will no longer become sluggish with time -- in fact, existing Nexus handsets and tablets will see performance improve after the update. It also looks like Jelly Bean invokes TRIM maintenance once within a 24-hour window (after one hour of inactivity), and only if the battery is 80% full (30% when charging). Follow the source link below for all the details.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Google
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Source: AnandTech
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LG outs diminutive Bluetooth headset with 8 hours of battery life
LG's big ticket items may take up most of our attention span, but the South Korean firm's latest Bluetooth headset solution has caught our eye. Coming in at roughly the size of a matchbox (35.9 × 50.2 × 19.2mm), the BTS1 boasts an 8 hour battery life, features a built-in clip, supports the aptX codec and packs on-board controls for volume, pause and play, sifting through songs and handling phone calls. With the help of Bluetooth 3.0, the pack connects to smartphones, laptops, tablets and even TVs -- yes, even those in LG's 2013 line-up -- with the wireless standard baked in. Of course, you could always lean on a Roku 3 if you're hankering for a wire-free television experience for your earbuds. There's no word of a US release, but if you find yourself in PSY's homeland, you'll be able to score one for 59,000 won (roughly $53).
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, HD, Mobile, LG
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Source: LG (translated), LG (Flickr)
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Sprint reports 'highest-ever' revenue of $7.2 billion for Q2 2013, loses $1.6 billion on Nextel shutdown
Sprint has just announced its second quarter 2013 financial results, and while it's pay as you go plans are paying off in terms of income, shutdowns and charges caused a huge loss. The company posted $7.2 billion in earnings, its "highest ever" total and an eight percent increase over last year, but also took a net loss of $1.6 billion for the quarter. It's chalking that up to a huge depreciation charge of $430 million and another non-cash hit of $623 million due to the Nextel platform shutdown, which is finally complete. However, the company added that over 4 million Nextel subscribers were "recaptured" to the Sprint platform since the transition commenced in early 2011. The shutdown and loss were anticipated, though and apart from that, Sprint said it's in good place, having achieved "record levels of... postpaid subscribers, service revenue and postpaid ARPU." It also completed its acquisition of Clearwire (at last) and US Cellular's spectrum and customers, while itself being captured into Softbank's orbit.
The operator now has 4G-LTE coverage in 151 markets, including 41 that are new as of today, including Philadelphia, the Bronx , Brooklyn, Jacksonville, Nashville and Oakland. As for subscribers, post post-paid customers are up from last year, but pre-paid clients are down due to "planned deactivations related to regulatory changes." All of that resulted in an increase in churn (turnover) year-over-year to 1.83 percent. Eighty-six percent of its postpaid handset sales were smartphones, including about 1.4 million iPhones sold during the quarter. Going forward, the company just launched a raft of new data plans, including an Unlimited offering that guarantees customers who sign up will get to keep it for life. We'll have to wait and see whether that and all the other machinations this quarter will finally push the company into the black.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Sprint
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Source: Sprint, (2)
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Time Warner Cable drops CBS in NYC, LA and Dallas (update: maybe not)
Time Warner Cable and CBS have been negotiating over a retrans deal for quite some time, and after several extensions talks broke down tonight. TWC's static replacement page for the networks even suggests Aereo as a replacement, an interesting endorsement considering the online service's legal entanglements. According to a statement from Time Warner Cable, this means it's dropping CBS in regions including New York City, Dallas and Los Angeles. Nationally, Time Warner Cable subscribers will do without Showtime, The Movie Channel, Flix and Smithsonian Channel. As CBS' website helpfully points out, if it goes one this means subscribers will also miss college and pro football, MLB, PGA Tour and US Open events, shows like Under the Dome, CSI and more. Of course, Time Warner Cable's site points to options like the CBS.com website. We'll see who holds out, and for how long -- check after the break for a list of affected channels and areas.
Update: According to Time Warner Cable, at the request of CBS it has stopped removing the channels, so if you've been seeing a replacement screen your programs may be back very soon. Both sides indicate negotiations are ongoing, we'll let you know if there are any updates.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
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Source: KeepCBS.com, TWCConversations, CNBC (Twitter)
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Kevo lock up for pre-order tomorrow, starts shipping in September
Amongst the seemingly endless stream of companies looking to replace your house keys, Kwikset and UniKey's Kevo system certainly seems one of the more promising options. When we had a chance to fiddle around with the device back in May, the companies didn't have much to say in terms of release schedule. Turns out you're going to have to wait until September to toss those keys in the trash -- though you can get on the list for a unit of your own tomorrow, when Kevo goes up for pre-order at $219 a pop. More info after the break.
Filed under: Household
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Source: Kwikset
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Tokyoflash releases Kisai Neutron, makes Cylons proud (video)
Like most tech-savvy humans, we're big fans of Tokyoflash watches here at Engadget -- after all, what's not to like about eccentric design and blinkenlights? Now Cylons everywhere can proudly get in on the fun thanks to the company's latest timepiece, the Kisai Neutron. This futuristic-looking LED watch is available for $139 during the next 48 hours and features an integrated motion sensor. It can be set to display the time (or date) by pulsing in and out or waving up and down. The light show is activated by flicking your wrist or pressing a button -- there's even a bonus "always on" mode. Color options include black, gold and gunmetal for the stainless steel and plastic case, plus red, white and blue for the LEDs. A USB-rechargeable battery completes the package. Enjoy the gallery below, then hit the break for a video of the new timepiece in action.
Filed under: Wearables
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Source: Tokyoflash
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LG G2 QuickWindow case revealed ahead of phone's unveiling
The curtains on the LG G2 won't be pulled back until August 7th, but that hasn't stopped the South Korean firm from announcing a case for the smartphone. Dubbed QuickWindow, the sheath sports a slot on its front that reveals a portion of the device's screen à la Samsung's S View Cover. Just slide a finger against the exposed display and a special QuickView UI will light up the area with incoming call details, text messages, a clock, weather report, alarm or music player. Though a release date for the G2 is still MIA, the case is set to launch alongside the phone in black, blue, mint, pink, purple, white and yellow. In a world filled with case leaks for unannounced hardware, we can't help but feel strange seeing a bonafide cover before we've officially laid eyes on the device it's made for.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
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Source: LG
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Google debuts new Zagat app for Android and iOS, redesigned website
Sure, Mountain View slowly infused Maps with Zagat content after acquiring the brand, but now it's revamped the outfit's mobile apps on Android and iOS, along with its website, to boot. As you'd expect, users can wield the apps and website to find venues with searches and map-based browsing, and catch up on news and videos from the service's editors. In this fresh incarnation, Google's lifted a registration requirement that was previously necessary to peruse reviews online. Schmidt and Co.'s redesigned experience only covers restaurants and nightlife in nine cities, but will include hotels, shopping and other points of interest in a total of 50 US cities over the coming months. In the meantime, Zagat promises its existing ratings and reviews for spots in those markets will soon be available on the web. Hit the bordering source links below to grab the reimagined applications.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Google
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Source: Google, Google Play, iTunes
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Must See HDTV (July 29th - August 4th)
Calm yourself, Breaking Bad isn't back yet (that will be in next week's listing for August 11th), but football fans can look forward to the beginning of the preseason. The Cowboys and Dolphins kick things off with the Hall of Fame game Sunday night on NBC, while Discovery Channel begins its usual celebration of Shark Week and Star Trek The Next Generation season four comes to Blu-ray. Look after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
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Mercedes-Benz imagines seamless door-to-door directions with Google Glass
Despite apps that let a few lucky Glass owners control their Nest thermostat or unlock that Tesla Model S, one of the futuristic headgear's most practical applications is still just the default turn-by-turn directions that come courtesy of Google. The R&D department over at Mercedes-Benz realizes that as well, but wants to take it a step further. According to a report in the Silicon Valley Business Journal, the automotive company is working on a Google Glass project that combines both pedestrian and automotive directions to take a user literally from door to door. MBRDNA President and CEO Johann Jungwirth told the publication that he wants Glass to seamlessly transition between walking and in-car navigation. Of course, not everyone has access to the pricey wearable just yet, so the project won't likely see real-world application any time soon. In the meantime, Mercedes does have a few more down-to-earth solutions for the gadgets you might already have.
Filed under: Transportation, Google
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Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal
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The Daily Roundup for 07.29.2013
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.
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Researchers turn standard microscope into billion-pixel imaging beast
A team of researchers at the California Institute of Technology, led by Professor Changhuei Yang, have figured out a way to crank their microscopy up to 11. Usually, scientists are forced between a rock and a hard place: they can have high res images of small areas or low resolution pictures of larger fields. Using a strategy known as Fourier ptychographic microscopy, Yang's team was able to computationally correct a standard microscope's low res imagery, producing a billion-pixel picture. By adding an LED array to an existing microscope -- the only hardware tweak their $200 system calls for -- the researchers were able to stitch together a 20X quality image from a 2X optical lens. The information gleaned from the LED lights was corrected entirely on a computer, making it an exceptionally cost effective way to create high res microscopic images. The team's report, published by the journal Nature Phototonics, can be read in full at the source link below.
Filed under: Science, Alt
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Via: California Institute of Technology
Source: Nature Phototonics
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Nuforce Icon DAC and headphone amp arrives for Android, Mac and PC for $325
NuForce has been pumping out high end audio gear for the digitally inclined for years, and its latest effort is the Icon DAC and amp for Android, Mac and PC. It shares the same aluminum construction as the Icon iDo amp aimed at iDevice owners that was released in 2011. However, the latest Icon adds a few new features. While it still has analog RCA and digital coax output, the new model offers RCA and 3.5mm analog input as well as a USB connection for pulling in audio. Additionally, it can drive 600-ohm headphones thanks to its 8V output amp, and its DAC supports sampling rates up to 96kHz, 32 bits of resolution and direct stream digital decoding. It's available now for $325 for folks with Windows 7 or 8 PCs, Macs and Android devices running 4.1.1 or higher.
Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment, HD
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ASUS eyeing 2014 for US smartphone launch
It wouldn't be the first time ASUS saw a US smartphone launch -- though last time the company had the GPS experts at Garmin to help it find its way. This time, according to Jonney Shih, the maker of both the Padfone and Fonepad (coincidence?) is looking to take a more direct route. The ASUS chairman told All Things D that his company has been making progress building bridges with retailers and carriers alike in an attempt to succeed in the already crowded US market. And while it may not be impossible, a 2013 launch is looking unlikely. "I think next year is more reasonable," he told the site.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, ASUS
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Source: All Things D
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MakerPlane's open source aircraft funding campaign gets off to a slow start (video)
There are some things in this world we're not sure are improved by the 3D printing process, like firearms and food. Aircraft might also be on that list, but no amount of dubiousness will stand in the way of MakerPlane's open source plane. The aviation company's ambitious Indiegogo campaign went live last week (check out the video below), but its quest for funding looks like it's going to be a major uphill climb. At the time of this writing, the campaign had yet to breach the $800 mark, a far cry from its $75,000 goal. While part of the reason for the slow funding can be chalked up to a certain level of skepticism when it comes to a plane made with 3D printed parts and open sourced avionics software, the lack of plane-related rewards might also be holding the company back from reaching its endgame. For example, a $10,000 pledge will only get your corporate logo on the display craft's fuselage. That being said, somebody's got to dream big. Just don't ask us to get in your homemade plane.
Filed under: Transportation
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Via: Wired
Source: Indiegogo, MakerPlane
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Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide: summer 2013 edition
Summertime is now in full swing, and it's also a period of transition within the mobile world. With the exception of a brand-new smartphone that wields a 41-megapixel shooter, our buyer's guide hasn't changed much since the last installment, but that's not to suggest the market is stagnant. On the contrary, high-profile smartphones such as the next iPhone, the Moto X and the successor to the Galaxy Note II are in the pipeline, and there are even rumors swirling of a larger BlackBerry. Likewise, two of the world's premiere smartphones -- the HTC One and the Galaxy S 4 -- are now available with stock Android directly from Google, which brings the added promise of timely software updates.
Mobile carriers are changing the game too, thanks in large part to the T-Mobile Jump program, which allows customers to upgrade their smartphone every six months. AT&T Next and Verizon Edge will soon provide similar (albeit more expensive) offerings, with upgrade eligibility that comes once per year. Even Sprint is doing its part with Unlimited, My Way, which promises unlimited data for life. Whether you're looking to purchase a new handset right away, or you're simply evaluating your options, Engadget's smartphone buyer's guide is the definitive resource for finding the very best smartphones on the market today. We'll be here when you're ready.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC, Google, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Blackberry, T-Mobile
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iTunes 11.1 beta seeded to developers with radio feature
When iOS 7 finally becomes official later this year, it'll be accompanied by a brand new iTunes, complete with a much anticipated streaming radio feature. iTunes Radio, the oft-rumored, and finally announced Pandora competitor will launch as part of an updated music management app and will have deep hooks in the major mobile OS revamp currently under way at Cupertino. If you're one of the many that maintain a developer account with Apple, you can download the beta at the source link. If, in your travels, you dig up any more dirt on the updated music app let us know in the comments.
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Software
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Via: 9to5Mac
Source: Apple Developer
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Oppo confirms new N-Lens series to challenge Samsung's Galaxy Camera
We were a bit skeptical when Android Authority claimed earlier this month that Oppo's developing a camera-centric device, but as it turns out, this is really happening! Today, a company representative confirmed to us the name of Oppo's new product line: N-Lens. The focus here will obviously be on photography, and it'll apparently be the "most important flagship series for Oppo going forward." Luckily, the cellular part is here to stay, so these N-Lens cameras -- likely powered by Android -- will be connected; but we're not sure whether you can also make phone calls with them.
No further details were provided (especially not a release date), but Android Authority's scoop already gives a rough idea on what to expect: a high-resolution camera with great low-light performance. You can also just about see the above slide referring to the "Samsung Galaxy Camera" (which has since been superseded by the Galaxy S4 Zoom), so Oppo seems keen to ride on this wave started by the Korean giant. If you want, it's a bit like how the Chinese company spotted the upward trend in local girls taking selfies early on, which led to the Ulike 2 with its 5-megapixel front-facing camera. But of course, with the arrival of Nokia's Lumia 1020, it's not going to be an easy fight.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
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Samsung reportedly looking to engineer new ARM-compatible Exynos processor
It's a material world, and Samsung's just living in it. And, evidently, it's tired of doing things in the same manner it has been. According to a report from ETNews, the aforesaid company is looking to produce an Exynos processor using a "redesigned ARM core platform" that'll be whipped up in Samsung's Austin, Texas-based R&D facility. If the plans materialize, it'll mark the first time that Samsung has engineered an Exynos chip "based on its own architecture platform by redesigning the ARM cores." For those unaware, Qualcomm and Apple are amongst the precious few that have concocted their own platforms after inking an architecture licensing deal with ARM, and it sounds as if Sammy's tired of being on the outside looking in. The report also states that development is expected "to be completed early next year," and you can bet that future Galaxy and Note products will be the first to benefit.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Samsung
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Via: Android Beat
Source: ETNews
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iOS 7 beta 4 hits with boatloads of bug fixes, as it inches towards release
Three weeks after the last beta release, and just a few days after Apple's developer center finished receiving a massive security overhaul, iOS 7 beta 4 is now available to download. The update to Cupertino's upcoming iOS release -- the biggest since the debut of the original SDK -- is heading out over the airwaves now, with a list of fixes and improvements far too long for us to reprint here. Of course, if you're a registered developer, you can hit up the source link to check out the entire tome of changes for yourself. If you haven't gotten an alert on your handset just yet, be patient. And, please, let us know in the comments if you dig up any interesting tidbits while poking around.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Filed under: Software, Mobile
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Source: Apple Developer
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Toshiba adds Haswell to refreshed Satellite U and M laptops
While Toshiba already outed its Haswell plans, the company has chosen today to unveil a few more PCs. The outfit's refreshing its Satellite U and M range in the UK, with the U50t being equipped with a 10-point touchscreen and Windows 8 onboard. The Satellite M50D and M50Dt, meanwhile, boast AMD's latest APU processors and Radeon graphics. The whole line (which is slated for dispatch in Q3) ships with Intel's fourth-generation processors and HD 4400 graphics, while those needing a bit more oomph on the pixel pushing side can opt for NVIDIA's GeForce GT 740M. As you'd expect, Intel's WiDi and Miracast technologies are infused, and each machine arrives with a full-size HDMI port, Bluetooth 4.0, an SD card slot and a pair of USB 3.0 sockets. Tosh isn't talking pricing just yet, but you can dig into the specification list just after break.
Filed under: Laptops
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Source: Toshiba
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IRL: TYLT's Energi charging backpack and the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio
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, Darren Murph, the man of many bags, is at it once again, trying out a charging backpack we got to handle for just a few minutes back at CES. In addition, we'll give you a peek at Logitech's suspiciously Surface-like FabricSkin keyboard case. Find it all after the break.
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US patent office throws out Apple's pinch-to-zoom claim against Samsung
For those of you eagerly following the seemingly never-ending legal battle between Apple and Samsung (cue crickets), a recent decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office has thrown a wrench into Apple's master plan. According to documents filed by Samsung in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on Sunday, Apple's Patent No. 7,844,915, which covers the two-finger pinch-to-zoom gesture, was found wanting by the USPTO due to it being anticipated by other patents and declared otherwise non-patentable, much like its "overscroll bounce" claim. Apple has up to two months to dispute the decision, though whether or not that action would gain the company any ground, either with federal court or the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, remains to be seen.
Filed under: Misc, Apple, Samsung
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Via: PC World
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Google Chromecast review: can you make your dumb TV a smart one for just $35?
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Despite the best efforts of Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, LG and others, most of the televisions in people's homes these days are not of the smart variety. However, there are hundreds of millions of regular televisions packing HDMI ports, and Google's new Chromecast device offers a way to put some brains into those dumb TVs by giving them access to web-based content. Having a Chromecast dongle connected to your TV means you can stream videos straight from a Google Play, Netflix or YouTube app, or mirror the content in any open tab in Google's Chrome browser using a tab casting feature.
Sure, we've seen devices with almost identical functionality, like Plair, but Chromecast is backed by Google, whose relationships with content providers and developers mean that the Google Cast technology powering it will soon be popping up in even more apps. Not to mention, there's the price. At $35, it's almost a third of the cost of Plair and also Roku 3 and Apple TV, the current most popular devices that bring internet video to your TV. Even for such a paltry outlay, is it a worthy addition to your living room? And is it really "the easiest way to enjoy online video and music on your TV" as Google's marketing would have us believe? Read on to find out.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Mobile, Google
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