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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

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T-Mobile myTouch 4G rooted, has G2 root to thank for it

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 10:16 AM PST

Even when they're relatively easy to root, it usually takes a few weeks of elbow grease to get an Android device fully opened -- but thanks to the hard work that's been put into the T-Mobile G2 root recently, its just-released sister device has been cracked already, too. Sure enough, if you're willing to put a little time into it, you can now break your myTouch 4G wide open, which presumably means it won't take long before we see some stock ROMs become available (if you're into that sort of thing). Seriously, judging from the list of instructions, this isn't the easiest root in the world -- so unless you want to be up on the bleeding edge, you might want to hold out until some awesome ROMs start floating in. Then again, we totally understand if you do it right this second. We're the same way.

[Thanks, Davis]

Sony's 'affordable' PMW-F3 Super 35mm camcorder announced, still not priced

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 09:52 AM PST

Sony's 'affordable' PMW-F3 Super 35mm camcorder announced, still not priced
When Sony announced it was working on an "affordable" pro-level 35mm camcorder, we knew that would be a very relative term. Now the company has finally unveiled the thing, though it's apparently still deciding just how affordable it's going to be. A price is not yet set, said to be low enough for "indie" filmmakers and others lacking major production house funding, but we have other details on the upcoming PMW-F3, like its 35mm CMOS sensor with recording modes of 1080p at frame rates ranging from 1 up to 60, with stops at important speeds like 23.98 and 59.94. The body can be purchased alone or there's a PL kit that includes 35, 50, and 85mm prime lenses. Again, no cost is known at this point, but expect the MSRP to be closer to Volkswagen than Vaio.
Sony PMW-F3


Show full PR text
Sony strengthens super 35mm digital production line-up with groundbreaking new camcorder
Nov 8, 2010
New PMW-F3 joins F35 and SRW-9000L as latest S-35mm innovation, delivering high-end performance at an "indie" price

Basingstoke November 8th, 2010:- Representing a breakthrough for filmmakers in terms of features, performance and price, Sony Professional is adding to its line-up of Super 35mm digital motion picture camera technologies. The family, which includes the legendary F35 and the recently announced SRW-9000PL, is now joined by the all new PMW-F3 camcorder.

Each camera in the line-up is based on a Super 35mm sensor and PL mount technology, and illustrates Sony's unique ability to offer filmmakers access to the highest-quality imaging tools and most complete digital production workflows.


The new PMW-F3 is the latest example of Sony's efforts to combine performance and price into a powerful and affordable production tool. Designed for television, commercials, music promos and budget features, the new camcorder is offered at a price point that will bring Super 35mm shooting within reach of a wider audience.

That, and the availability of a low-cost PL lens kit model which includes 35/50/85mm T2.0 fixed focal length lenses, makes it ideal for use as a 2nd unit 35mm camera or as a B camera to the SRW-9000PL.

"Sony has a long and successful track record of developing digital motion production technologies," said Bill Drummond, Strategic Marketing Manager at Sony Professional Europe. "Our cameras have shot everything from documentaries to big-budget blockbusters, totaling many billions of Euros at the box office. With the new PMW-F3, we're putting the full power of our expertise to work, to bring precise control over depth of field, and access to the huge range of cinematic lenses available to a wider range of users."


The new PMW-F3 camcorder is based on Sony's XDCAM EX workflow (codec is MPEG-2 Long GOP 4:2:0 8bit, 35 Mbps), and uses Sony's SxS™ ExpressCard-based recording media format. Its Super 35mm CMOS imager delivers shallow depth of field, with high sensitivity and low noise levels (ISO 800, F11; and S/N ratio of 63dB in 1920x1080/59.94i mode), as well as wide dynamic range.


The camcorder offers a wide range of image creation options, as well as the ability to seamlessly inter-cut PMW-F3 footage with content shot on Sony's F35 or SRW-9000PL cameras - through the use of an HD-SDI dual-link output for external recording (4:2:2 1080 50/59.94P as standard; and RGB 1080 23.98/25/29.97PsF as an option).


Additionally, "S-LOG" and "Hyper Gamma" can be selected. This can allow users to take full advantage of the CMOS imager's wide dynamic range, giving them the ability to tailor their images during post-production in the same way they would in a film based workflow.


Recording formats include 1920x1080, 1440x1080, and 1280x720 at 23.98/25/29.97p, 50/59.94i and, in DVCAM mode, 25/29.97PsF and 50/59.94i. Filmmakers can also take advantage of 'slow' and 'quick' recording, also known as "overcranking" and "undercranking" from 1 to 30 fps at 1920x1080 (17 to 30 fps in dual-link mode) and 1 to 60 fps at 1280x720 (17 to 60 fps in dual-link mode).

The PMW-F3's PL mount adapter can accommodate both PL and zoom lenses, and will offer compatibility with a variety of cine lenses such as Cooke, Arri, Fujinon and Zeiss.

Sony is also announcing its plan to introduce a compatible SR Memory Portable Recorder for the PMW-F3 camcorder. This will add a high-end workflow option as well as full RGB capability providing native recoding in HDCAM SR codec.

"We demonstrated a prototype PMW-F3 on our stand at IBC and have been inundated with requests for more information ever since. It's great to be able to unveil the full list of features, and announce that first deliveries will be made well in advance of what many customers may have been expecting," concluded Drummond.

Two configurations of the PMW-F3 will be available (PMW-F3L body only and PMW-F3K with PL lens kit). First deliveries of are scheduled for January 2011.

Motorola Citrus launching on Verizon tomorrow for $50 on-contract

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 09:31 AM PST

Not much of a surprise at this point, but Verizon has now confirmed that it will be launching the Android-based Motorola Citrus tomorrow, November 11th, and that it will be offering it for just $50 on the usual two-year contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate). Of course, that still doesn't make it the cheapest Android handset around, and that low-end price comes with some specs to match, including a sluggish 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7225 processor, a low-res 3-inch screen, and just Android 2.1 with some Blur customizations. Full press release is after the break.
Show full PR text
Motorola Citrus Available Tomorrow On The Verizon Wireless Network

Full-Touch, Customizable, Android-Powered Smartphone Now Available for Verizon Wireless Customers

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and LIBERTYVILLE, IL - Verizon Wireless, the company with the nation's largest and most reliable wireless 3G network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that Motorola CITRUS™ will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com tomorrow for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Powered by Android™ 2.1, Motorola CITRUS delivers an affordable, entry-level, customizable smartphone experience in a compact design that is easy on both the eyes and the earth. The full HTML Web browser comes preloaded with Bing Search and Bing Maps and delivers a PC-like Web browsing experience, while the easy-to-use on-screen QWERTY keyboard or Swype® keyboard allow for quick messaging. Get fast access to Web apps and services such as Facebook®; Google services such as Gmail™, Google Talk™ and YouTube™; and customize your phone with free and paid apps available from Android Market™. Plus, the CITRUS phone housing is made from 25 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, is CarbonFree® Certified through an alliance with Carbonfund.org, and is PVC and BFR free. The packaging is made from 80 percent post-consumer recycled paper, and the user manual is made using 100 percent recycled paper and soy-based ink. Additional features and specifications on the Motorola CITRUS are available at http://news.vzw.com/news/2010/10/pr2010-10-05a.html.

Verizon Wireless customers who purchase Motorola CITRUS will receive the mail-in rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted. Motorola CITRUS customers will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and a Data Package (beginning at $15 monthly access for 150 MB). Customers can track their data usage by downloading the My Verizon app available in Android Market or by logging on to their My Verizon account online at www.verizonwireless.com/myverizon. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to mobile and wireline digital communication devices that provide compelling experiences, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo and MOTOBLUR logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC.

Android, Google, Gmail, Google Talk, YouTube and Android Market are trademarks of Google Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. © 2010 Motorola, Inc. All rights reserved.

NHL GameCenter streaming coming to Roku, PS3

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 09:08 AM PST

In addition to an updated app for Boxee, the NHL just announced its GameCenter streaming app is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Roku players. Free to PlayStation Plus members ($9.99 for all others, free on Roku) gamers get access to the app with its highlights, stats and information, while subscribers to the $169 GameCenter Live service get the full package including streaming out-of-market games and some playoff matchups. It's pretty similar to the MLB app that's also available on PS3, but similarly the lack of locally blacked out games makes it more of an alternate way to catch more sports than a cord-cutters best friend. Additional details are in the press release after the break, or check for the app under the video section of the PlayStation Network store.



Show full PR text
NHL GameCenter LIVE™ "Lights the Lamp" On PlayStation®3

NHL GameCenter Application Available Free to PlayStation®Plus Members



FOSTER CITY, Calif., November 10, 2010 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) today announced that NHL GameCenter LIVE™, an online service offering streaming video of live games, is available now on the PlayStation®3 (PS3™), an exclusive offer for PS3 users making it the first and only gaming console to stream live hockey games in High Definition (HD). The combination of the PS3 system's technical capabilities and NHL's live HD streaming technology showcases the added power and potential of PS3 as an in-home platform for all types of entertainment: games, movies and TV shows, music, original content, social networks and, of course, live sporting events.



NHL GameCenter LIVE subscribers who enjoy free access to PlayStation®Network and its variety of online content, can now stream live out-of-market regular season and select playoff game broadcasts in HD by downloading the NHL GameCenter application on the PS3 system. In addition to offering live hockey games, NHL GameCenter LIVE also allows subscribers to watch full-length and condensed replays of the current season games they missed (48 hours after they air, no blackouts) and relive NHL history with unlimited access to over 500 classic games from NHL Vault™.



PS3 users that do not have a subscription to NHL GameCenter LIVE will still have access to a wide range of NHL content through the NHL GameCenter application. Fans will have access to features such as post-game highlights, team schedules, standings, player stats and profiles, and full NHL scoreboard.



"PlayStation Network has become an innovative and all-in-one destination for PS3 users to enjoy a comprehensive, customizable on-demand entertainment experience and the addition of streaming NHL content continues the expansion of our library of movies and TV shows, original programming, music, live sports and access to social networks," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "Through our partnership with the NHL, we are giving our customers another important choice to access and stream the content they want, when and how they want it."



"In order to serve our fans, we are continuing to respond to the convergence of technology, media and consumer behavior," said Perry Cooper, NHL Senior Vice President of Digital Media. "With today's announcement, we are able to deliver NHL GameCenter LIVE and NHL Vault to Sony's extensive consumer base and significantly broaden the availability of our products to our fans across the world."



Customers that have an annual subscription to NHL GameCenter LIVE ($169 U.S.) and a free PlayStation Network account can download the NHL application for a one-time $9.99 (U.S.) fee and access it under the "Video" icon on the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) menu. Additionally, PlayStation®Plus subscribers can download the NHL GameCenter application for free, continuing PlayStation's goal to deliver exclusive opportunities only made available to PlayStation Plus members.

Additional features of NHL GameCenter LIVE include:

* Select from home and away broadcasts available in HD to follow your favorite team(s), even while they are on the road
* Follow the action from around the league with game updates in the live scoreboard and plan what games to watch using the full season calendar
* Make the most of your viewing experience with live stats, standings, player bios, and post-game highlights for all 2010-11 games
* Pause, fast-forward, rewind or simply jump to key points of interest for 2010-11 games using event data indicators displayed on-screen
* Easily flip between live video and browsing other NHL GameCenter application features, while the video still plays in the background



Additional features of NHL Vault include:

* Classic Games: Relive historic hockey moments from classic games dating back to the 1960s
* Condensed Games: Catch up on games you missed with 10-12 minute extended highlights
* Game Archive: Watch full length replays of all games since the 2008-2009 season



About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStationÒ and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

About the NHL
The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other major professional sport. The NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, ESPN America, ASN and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM Satellite Radio and XM Canada). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

Roku and the NHL Bringing NHL GameCenter LIVE to the TV




Saratoga, Calif. – November 10, 2010 – Roku, Inc., maker of the best-selling and award-winning Roku streaming player, and the National Hockey League (NHL), today announced that NHL GameCenter LIVE™, a subscription service that offers live broadcasts of up to 40 weekly out-of-market hockey games, classic hockey as well as on-demand access to all NHL® games 48 hours after broadcast, is coming soon to Roku customers. More information can be found at www.roku.com/nhl.

NHL GameCenter LIVE provides the most comprehensive access to the NHL regular season, as well as archived and condensed games, highlights, and select games from the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup® playoffs. NHL GameCenter LIVE is specifically designed for those avid fans looking for the most robust, in-game NHL viewing experience, as well as for the more than 50 percent of NHL fans that live away from their favorite team's local television market and want to watch their favorite team play live. Current NHL GameCenter LIVE subscribers can enjoy the service for no additional cost on Roku.

"In order to serve our fans, we are continuing to respond to the convergence of technology, media and consumer behavior," said Perry Cooper, NHL Senior Vice President of Digital Media. "With today's announcement, we are able to deliver
NHL GameCenter LIVE and NHL Vault to Roku's consumer base and significantly broaden the availability of our products to our fans in the United States."

The NHL is the third official sports league now partnered with Roku, joining Major League Baseball and the Ultimate Fighting Championship® in streaming live and on-demand sporting events to televisions through the Roku players. Roku continues to offer the broadest access to sporting events of any internet streaming television device.

"We are excited to add NHL GameCenter LIVE to our growing list of sports offerings on the Roku platform," said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. "Sports is an important part of our content offerings, and Roku aims to bring sports fans the most expansive and best experience possible to stream games from the internet to their televisions."

Roku recently launched its new line of HD-capable streaming players starting at $59.99, featuring the largest collection of streaming entertainment available for the TV and the lowest prices in the industry. Almost all of games on NHL GameCenter LIVE will be available in HD.

The Roku HD ($59.99) streams video in high-definition at up to 720p, and features built in wireless and Ethernet for easy broadband connectivity anywhere in the home. The Roku XD ($79.99) and XDS ($99.99) models deliver the next level of streaming performance, with 1080p HD support (delivered over HDMI) and extended-range Wireless-N. In addition, the XDS model features dual-band Wireless-N technology, component video output, optical audio output, and a USB port.

In partnering with Roku, the NHL joins other major entertainment partners including Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), Amazon Video on Demand (NASDAQ: AMZN), Hulu, and Pandora.

NHL GameCenter LIVE™ was co-developed with the NHL's strategic partner NeuLion.

About Roku, Inc.

The market leader in streaming entertainment devices for the TV, Roku has always believed that anything you want to watch, listen to, and enjoy should simply be there on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku streaming players are renowned for their simplicity, variety of entertainment choices, and exceptional value. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif. For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.


About the NHL

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other major professional sport. The NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (VERSUS, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, ESPN America, ASN and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM Satellite Radio and XM Canada). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and NHL GameCenter LIVE, Ice Tracker and NHL Vault are trademarks of the National Hockey League.
All Rights Reserved. Blackout and other restrictions apply

# # #

Open source Kinect camera driver now available for download

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 08:50 AM PST

This is a little confusing, but it looks like there's another Kinect driver out in the wild, and this one is actually available for download. The folks at NUI Group, who posted results first, are working on an SDK and Windows driver for all the capabilities of the device, which they plan to release as open source once their $10k donation fund is filled up. Meanwhile, hacker Hector Martin has performed a quick and dirty hack of his own (three hours into the European launch, no less) and has released his results and code into the wild. Sure, pulling data from the IR and RGB cameras and displaying it is a lot different than actually making sense of it, but if you're just looking for a way to plug your Kinect into your computer and squeeze some fun visuals out of it (and you're smart enough to deal with some pretty raw code), it looks like Hector is your man of the hour. Peep his video proof after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

LG demonstrates two color e-paper displays, one with a split personality

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 08:27 AM PST

LG demonstrates color e-paper displays, about to show E Ink what's what
Competition is good, let's officially welcome LG to the burgeoning color electronic paper market. The company is diving right in with not one but two color prototype displays that it showed off at FPD International in Japan. Both are 9.7-inches diagonal, the first being fully color with an 800 x 600 resolution -- which just happens to exactly match the specs of E Ink's latest. The second, however, is only partly color, the top three quarters being monochrome with a 1200 x 1200 resolution, augmented by a 200 x 600 color strip at the bottom. It's an interesting offering, a layout not unlike the Nook but all on a single display. No word on price or availability, but you can see them doing their thing, along with E Ink's latest, in the video below.

Gartner's global phone sales rankings match IDC's, but say the big guys have less of the pie; Android moves to number two overall

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 08:06 AM PST

At a 30,000-foot level, the global mobile phone sales numbers for the third quarter of 2010 just released by Gartner match up with what IDC posted a few days ago, but you might say the devil's in the details. These guys have all of the top five players -- Nokia, Samsung, LG, Apple, and RIM -- at noticeably lower total market shares than IDC did, suggesting that second-tier players like Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and HTC (if you can really call them "second-tier") are grabbing more hearts and minds. And hey, considering Motorola's prominent role at Verizon and HTC's ever-growing global presence, we could totally believe it. Notably, Nokia is well below 30 percent in Gartner's report at 28.2, a whopping drop of 8.5 percent year-over-year -- way more than the 4.1 percent drop that IDC's got pegged. Of course, there's no way of knowing which of the two reports is more accurate -- and you know how margins of error work with these things. Hey, at least the rankings are the same, right?

[Thanks, Tad]

Update: As commenters have pointed out, the Gartner report also puts Android at 25.5 percent market share, moving past BlackBerry OS to become the number two smartphone platform behind Symbian (they've got iOS at third, BlackBerry fourth). Considering the platform's trajectory this year and sheer variety of Android phones now being solid worldwide, it's no surprise.

Game Boy emulator being developed in JavaScript by a very smart person

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 07:44 AM PST

Sure, it's one thing to build a Game Boy emulator out of what is typically viewed as a limited-purpose language for enhancing website interactivity for the usual emulator-building reasons: you like video games, you're trying to impress the ladies. But just to prove a point? Imran Nazar is building a Game Boy emulator out of JavaScript to show how far the language has come, particularly with the fancy new stuff HTML5's <canvas> tag allows for, and to see if it would be possible to fully emulate a Game Boy from the CPU up. Sure, HTML5 has already proven useful for straight games, but an entire architecture? Turns out, it's pretty possible, and Imran has an excellent multi-part tutorial for how he's doing it. Right now there's a nearly playable version of Tetris, and pretty soon we'll all be playing Zelda in our web browsers and that time when we tried to build an HTML table from scratch to show a few of our favorite animated GIFs on our GeoCities page will only be a distant memory...

iOS 4.2 coming Friday with iTunes and Mac OS X updates, sans AirPrint? (update)

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:57 AM PST

We knew it was coming, and now we're hearing from MacStories (and their source at AT&T, who was probably wearing a trench coat and fedora) that iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad will roll out beginning this Friday, November 12, at 10AM PST. Of course, in order to take advantage AirPlay we'll have to see an update to iTunes as well, which is good because iTunes 10.1 is rumored to be coming tomorrow at some point. But that ain't all! It seems that the website of note for Mac stories has been hearing from devs that references to AirPrint have been disappearing from online documentation in the iOS developer center, leading to speculation that Mac OS X 10.6.5 (also rumored to hit tomorrow) will not have the ability to print wirelessly after all. We can't speak to the veracity of all these claims, but we're pretty sure we can look forward to a new OS for our Apple handhelds before the week is over.

Update: Of course, as Benedict Murray pointed out in the comments, if there really were a conspiracy afoot to disappear AirPrint, Apple certainly would have dropped it from the product page. So we'll see.

Microsoft planning ESPN-branded Xbox 360?

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:34 AM PST

Well, well, what's this? We were just sent this obvious mockup of an ESPN Xbox 360, which our tipster found just hanging out on a Microsoft PR server. Now, this could just be a branding exercise or the remnants of a failed idea, but now that ESPN 3 is live on the Xbox 360 Fall 2010 Dashboard Update, it makes sense for the two companies to explore a branded console -- we know a lot of college students (and Engadget editors) who'd love to ditch their cable and still get ESPN through their 360s. We'll see what comes to pass -- and if Microsoft wisens up and tones down that red.

Elecom claims first Bluetooth 3.0 mouse, performance improvements sure to be palpable

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:23 AM PST

Bluetooth 3.0 is poised to bring some big improvements, like WiFi hand-off for approximately 24Mbps data transfers... but how good is that for a mouse? We still don't really know, but that isn't stopping Elecom from boasting about its new, "first ever" BT 3.0 mouse -- and as best as we can tell, it lacks the "+ HS" protocol for utilizing the aforementioned 802.11 speeds. In other words, we don't think this was a race to beat the competition so much as it was one company finally saying, "hey, why not?" Japan denizens should be able to pick this up next month for ¥4,200 with tax, or about $52 in US bills.

Sprint ZTE Peel officially announced, adds a little 3G to your iPod touch

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 06:00 AM PST

As expected, Sprint's just announced the ZTE Peel for the iPod touch will arrive on November 14th. The $79 slider case for Apple's media player features a built-in mobile WiFi hotspot, essentially turning your iPod into a bulky iPhone without a native phone or SMS app. Of course, you'll still be stuck paying Sprint for a $29/mo data plan, but you'll be able to connect up to two devices to the Peel's WiFi as well, so that's a plus. Another big plus: since the iPod thinks it's on WiFi, you'll be able to use FaceTime on the road -- something we've tried using a MiFi with pretty decent results. Of course, you'll be saddled with a big fat case around your oh-so-slim iPod, and we can't imagine why the Peel is limited to WEP when it comes to security, but we'll definitely applaud Sprint for attitude when it comes to iOS devices on its network-- now just kick out a 4G Peel and we'll be all set. PR after the break.

Show full PR text
ZTE PEEL Brings Sprint's 3G Network Reliability to Apple iPod Touch; Creates Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots

Unique form factor of ZTE PEEL™ cradles Apple® iPod touch® for easy access to Sprint's 3G data speeds; available Nov. 14

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 10, 2010 - Beginning on Nov. 14, Sprint (NYSE:S) customers can attach ZTE PEEL™ to their Apple iPod touch and connect to Sprint's 3G network. ZTE PEEL is a unique device that cradles the second- and third-generation iPod touch with a case-like form factor. With universal Wi-Fi compatibility and support for up to two Wi-Fi enabled devices, iPod touch users will have a virtually anywhere, anytime Internet connection that removes the reliance on a Wi-Fi hotspot for a data connection. Customers simply slide their iPod touch (touch-screen face out) into ZTE PEEL, press down on both sides until it clicks into place, and then press the power button located on the back of ZTE PEEL to connect to Sprint's 3G network.

ZTE PEEL will be available beginning Sunday, Nov. 14, through Sprint retail stores and direct ship sales channels, including Web sales (www.sprint.com) and Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) for $79.99 (taxes excluded). The ZTE PEEL $29.99 monthly service plan from Sprint allows up to 1GB of 3G data on the Sprint network (taxes and surcharges excluded) with no annual contract required.

"ZTE PEEL unlocks the wonderful user interface and Web experience of Apple's popular iPod touch and transforms it into a powerful mobile device using the Sprint 3G network," said Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development. "When combined with Sprint's 3G network, ZTE PEEL turns an iPod touch from a portable device limited by the availability of Wi-Fi to a mobility tool free to browse the Web and use applications anytime, anywhere while on Sprint's 3G network."

Key features of ZTE PEEL include advanced security through WEP, an internal antenna and compatibility with Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP®, Macintosh® OS 10.5, 10.6. No software installation is required for use.

"ZTE is proud to continue to grow our relationship with Sprint, and we are excited to bring this ground-breaking product to Sprint's already innovative portfolio," said Joey Jia, general manager-ZTE USA. "We are committed to providing our partners with products that drive consumer demand and present a competitive edge."

The nationwide Sprint 3G network provides access to a full range of apps that require internet connectivity to perform, including VOIP, gaming, streaming news and real-time sports updates. With ZTE Peel supporting up to two hotspot connections, users can also enable laptops, tablets and other mobile devices with 3G data speeds.

Reliability from Sprint 3G

ZTE PEEL will operate on the Sprint 3G network, and customers can be confident in their ability to stay connected. According to the results of a 13-city test conducted by PC World on 3G performance, no one has a more reliable network than Sprint. For the second consecutive year, Sprint's reliability rates were second-to-none.

PC World's test involved Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in 13 major cities in all regions of the country during December 2009 and January 2010. In all, roughly 9,000 individual tests of Sprint's 3G service were conducted from 280 testing locations. Testing sessions were one minute in duration per location, and network performance can be highly variable from neighborhood to neighborhood. In laptop-based tests, Sprint tied with another carrier for first in 3G network reliability.2

With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can take advantage of ZTE PEEL for 30 days. If not completely satisfied, customers may return the device within 30 days to get reimbursed for the device purchase and activation fee, get the restocking fees waived, and receive a full refund for the monthly service plan charges.1

SRI's electroadhesion tech enables new army of wall-climbing robots

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 05:47 AM PST

When the inevitable Robot Apocalypse goes down, you can credit SRI International for helping the forces assimilate. The aforesaid entity has apparently been toiling around the clock on a technology it's calling compliant electroadhesion, and to put things simply, it gives robotic climbers the ability to scale all sorts of walls made of all sorts of materials. Tests have shown wall-gripping robots climb surfaces made of steel, brick, concrete, glass, wood and drywall, which effectively eliminates any hope of you surviving the fallout based on the construction choice of your bunker. Thankfully, it does seems as if this could also be applied to human footwear, giving Earthlings at least a fighting chance of standing toe-to-toe with these guys on the side of the Menara Kuala Lumpur. Head on past the break if you're looking for a horror film. Or a demonstrative video... same difference.

See more video at our hub!

Clear security lanes reopen in Orlando, coming soon to Denver

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 05:27 AM PST

There's just nothing quite like a promised kept, you know? Back in May, we heard that the financially troubled Clear would be making a comeback this fall, and lo and behold, the first Clear security lanes in quite some time have opened up in Orlando International Airport (MCO). Just as before, customers angels who fork out $179 per year and pass a litany of personality tests (we kid, we kid... sort of) will be able to breeze right through a dedicated security lane, enabling them to show up just moments prior to takeoff, claim their seat and simultaneously draw the ire of every other nearby passenger. In the next few months, Clear will roll out a family plan that enables the $179er to add members at $50 a pop, and during the introduction period, all members will receive a free month. Best of all, those who used Clear before can have their cards reactivated once it returns to their home airport. The company intends to open lanes in Denver later this month, but expansion plans beyond that remain a mystery. Feel free to get amped by watching the video just past the break.

See more video at our hub!

Shure's SE210m+ sound isolating earbuds include iPhone remote, $170 price tag

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 05:08 AM PST

The mid-range earbud wars are raging harder than ever these days, with high-end stalwarts and newfangled boutiques all striving for your hard-earned cheddar in the $100 to $200 range. Take Shure, for example, who is better known industry-wide for upper-end headphones and in-ear monitor systems than consumer-level 'buds. That said, none of those truths are keeping the company from pushing out a new set today in the SE210m+, which arrive with an obligatory three-button iDevice remote to control playback on your iPod, iPad or iPhone. For all intents and purposes, these are just a set of SE210s with an inline remote thrown in, but that's probably enough to catch the eye of quite a few consumers who would otherwise flock to any competing model that was doused in white. You'll find these guys at your local Apple store right now and online starting November 19th, but you'll need to bring $169.99 (or a really bodacious ski mask) to take 'em home.
Show full PR text
SHURE INTRODUCES SE210m+ SOUND ISOLATING™ HEADSET FOR APPLE PRODUCTS

New Music + Mobile Model Offers Enhanced Functionality For iPods, iPhones, and iPads

NILES, IL, November 8, 2010 – Shure Incorporated today unveiled the new SE210m+ Sound Isolating™ Headset, an all-in-one product that combines the professional audio performance and sound isolation of the SE210 Earphones, with an integrated remote and microphone for the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod models. Joining the SE115m+ Headset and SRH240m+ Headphone, this headset is an impressive addition to the Company's Music + Mobile line, featuring an ergonomic design and customizable ear sleeves that provide maximum isolation and an ideal fit, while High-Definition MicroDrivers deliver full range sound.

"As Apple continues to evolve its offerings, we are dedicated to enhancing our Music + Mobileproduct line to meet the needs of our customers who use Apple products on a consistent basis," said Matt Engstrom, Shure's Category Director for Listening and Monitoring Products. "Combining the professional audio performance and sound isolation that Shure is known for, with a convenient remote and microphone, Apple users can get the most out of their devices with a push of a button."

All three Music + Mobile products feature a three-button remote control that enables users to adjust volume, control music and video playback, record voice memos, and answer or end calls without removing the headset or headphones. Additional features of all three models include:

SE210m+ Sound Isolating™ Headset – The SE210m+ features High-Definition MicroDrivers that deliver impressive audio quality with full range sound. The ergonomic shape with an optimized nozzle angle rests comfortably in ear. The accessories package includes three pairs of disposable black foam sleeves (S, M, L); three pairs of grey flex sleeves (S, M, L); one pair of triple flange sleeves; and a hard, zippered carrying case.

SRH240m+ Headphone – The SRH240m+ is equipped with 40mm neodymium drivers and reproduces full bass with clear mids and highs. Its lightweight, closed-back, circumaural design rests comfortably over the ears and reduces background noise. Replaceable ear cup pads ensure long product life.

SE115m+ Sound Isolating™ Headset – The SE115m+ uses Second Generation Dynamic MicroDriver technology to deliver detailed sound while the ergonomic earphone design and sleeve selection block outside noise and provide a comfortable, custom fit. The accessories package includes three pairs of disposable black foam sleeves (S, M, L); three pairs of grey flex sleeves (S, M, L); and a soft, zippered carrying case.

Pricing and Availability

· SE210m+: $169.99 retail
· SRH240m+: $79.99 retail
· SE115m+: $119.99 retail

The Music + Mobile products carry a two-year limited warranty, are currently available at Apple stores and will be available online at www.apple.com beginning November 19. For a complete list of compatibility requirements and where Shure products are sold, please visit www.shure.com.

Hughes launching Jupiter satellite in 2012, may actually provide broadband internet

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 04:46 AM PST

If you're stuck in an area that's not served by an existing broadband source, your options for hopping on the world wide web at a rate hastier than 56Kbps are limited. Severely limited. The go-to alternative for the past few years has been HughesNet, a satellite-based "broadband" service that offers users 2Mbps down / 300Kbps up for a staggering $120 per month. It's definitely a last resort, and many satellite gamers have kvetched that triple-digit ping times have all but destroyed their yearning to catch a round of Counter-Strike before hitting the sack. If all goes well, however, this entire situation could be up-ended by 2012. Hughes just landed the financing it needs to launch a $400 million Jupiter satellite into orbit, theoretically giving it over 100 gigabits per second of capacity and enabling it to seriously expand its customer base. Once launched, consumers could be offered download rates as high as 20Mbps, and while that's far from impressive, it's definitely a step-up for those positioned in bandwidth-starved locales. Until then, it looks like you'll still need to Photoshop your speed tests to convince yourself you're really on a high-speed connection.
Show full PR text
Hughes Completes COFACE Financing of Jupiter™ Satellite Launch

GERMANTOWN, Md., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced the signing of a $115 million loan agreement with BNP Paribas and Societe Generale to finance the launch of Jupiter, its next generation, high-throughput, Ka-band satellite. The loan is guaranteed by COFACE, the French Export Credit Agency, and Arianespace has been contracted by Hughes to launch Jupiter in the first half of 2012.

Loan draw-downs will occur over the launch vehicle construction period leading up to the launch and will commence shortly. Terms of the loan include a fixed interest rate of 5.13 percent, and a repayment period of 8.5 years starting after launch. Funding under the facility is subject to customary closing conditions which are expected to be met shortly.

Commenting on the signing, Pradman Kaul, Hughes chairman and CEO, said "I am very pleased to have entered into this COFACE-backed facility with attractive terms that include a fixed interest rate and long tenor. I would like to thank all of our colleagues who have made this happen, including COFACE, BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, and Arianespace."

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet® encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Its broadband satellite products are based on global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU standards organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A and GMR-1. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: HUGH). For additional information, please visit www.hughes.com.

Sony shrinks Vaio Y series to 11.6 inches, threatens to cut you if you call it a netbook

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 04:22 AM PST

Sony shrinks Vaio Y series to 11.6 inches, threatens to cut you if you call it a netbook
Sony's little mid-range Vaio just got a little more little. The Y series, launched back in January, is shrinking from 13.3 to 11.6 inches with the new VPCYA19FJ/B model, but still offers a perfectly respectable resolution of 1366 x 768. The CPU is an Intel Core i3-380UM processor running at 1.33GHz, storage is provided by a 320GB disk, between 2 and 8GB of memory is available, and connectivity is provided by Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, and the ever-popular HDMI port. All that will supposedly still net you six hours of battery life when it ships to lucky Japanese shoppers with laps on November 27th at an as of yet undisclosed price.
Sony Vaio Y


Show full PR text
VAIO personal computer for personal "Y Series" Information of new product launch

Sony, VAIO will release a new product follows the personal computer.

The compact, lightweight size and implemented a long drive for portability "Y Series"

Equipped with 11.6-inch WXGA widescreen LCD, weighs 1.46kg while providing the portability Ito Takashi, CPU is "CoreTM i3-380Um "by adopting the PC have a good basic performance as a Masu. In addition, a small and lightweight a maximum of about six hours of battery supplied with the optional L-battery can be a maximum of about 11.5 hours of battery life, handy for use on the go.

Subdued black design offices can also be used

The top plate to unify both black palm, due to adopt a relaxed sense of quality design that is suitable for use in business. There is also a space between the keys and, by adopting a separate Aisoreshonkibodo keys one by one, little typo can be comfortable typing.

PC equipped with safety features and software to use

On the keyboard "ASSIST (Assist)" by simply pressing a button, PC software that supports the prevention and resolution of problems "VAIO Care (Biocare)" starts, the computer system notifies the state list. This problem can be easily found, preventing serious problems. Also, "VAIO Care", just pick a menu that is prepared by symptom, features and troubleshooting guides coping, CPU is equipped with the ability to diagnose the condition, such as hardware and memory. Furthermore, when the PC does not start, "ASSIST" by pressing a button, saving valuable file and C recovery and repair support the drive back to its initial state.

The world a little brighter, fun "VAIO ASSIST TORCH PROJECT (Project Assist torch bio)" Start 2nd

"" Your words set the world alight, "a light and sound to express!"

VAIO introduction service support, and for you to feel closer to their contents, was published in the first wave of November 1, "Thank you" and "luck" and "light the world words = words to assist the people "gathered from around the world continuously, WEB is expressed above.

The second series is actually "words set the world alight," the WEB can be sent on the express. Entered on a special website "words" will, "VAIO melody start" program was created based on the logic of "sound" changes to, Twitter can be outgoing. Also, the type "words" on the official site of "light" becomes a collection, will be formed and they light the torch.

Means, VAIO site, "set the world alight words" please change to express the light and sound.

VAIO is a comfortable and pleasant to everyone from your PC to send'd thought that life, PC to "ASSIST" establishment of a button, VAIO run the site and post questions with other users, and increased telephone support service, free PC can assist a little fun life, we continue to strive every day.

The third project (11/25 -) in, WEB gathered on the "words to brighten the world" (assist), expressed as a torch to light the chimney of a public bath in the real world. Directing the light to live through the site will deliver sound and light. The fourth project further, we plan to conduct the event under the torch light.

Lovefilm movie streaming now live on UK PlayStation 3 consoles

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 03:58 AM PST

Sony's "it only does everything" claim for the PS3 seems to be growing stronger with every day that passes. After getting Hulu Plus in the US recently, the versatile console has just seen the green light to start some movie streaming action in the UK, courtesy of a hookup with Lovefilm. To get this free extra, you have to have a £5.99 or above monthly Lovefilm subscription (that's excluding its Games offering), though there's a limit on how much streaming you can do at that price point. Such stipulations fall by the wayside on the £9.99 top tier, leaving you and your console to enjoy as many movies as you can handle.

Samsung Galaxy Tab fulfills its destiny, now available on T-Mobile for $399

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 03:42 AM PST

Nothing unforeseen here, folks, just a friendly reminder that Samsung's Galaxy Tab has kept to its release schedule and is now available to purchase from T-Mobile USA. $399 gets you the 7-inch Tab plus a two-year contract with the American arm of Deutsche Telekom, or you can pay the full $599 and make off with just the tablet itself. Or you can even wait an extra day for Verizon to start dishing Android slates your way as well -- the choice, as always, is yours. Just try not to think about that gorgeous 7-inch Super AMOLED panel that Samsung's busy showing off in Japan right now.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Sony Ericsson's Anzu / X12 to be Xperia Gingerbread flagship? (Update: more pics!)

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 03:27 AM PST

We're not sure what Sony Ericsson's gotten to lately with its mythological codenames, but if Xperia X10 Blog's source is to be trusted, what we're looking at here is supposedly an upcoming handset codenamed "Anzu" (a lesser god of Akkadian mythology), or simply the X12 according to the often reliable Eldar Murtazin. Details are thin right now, but the leakster claims that said device is "very, very slim" yet packing a 4.3-inch display and HDMI output -- sounds very much like the Droid X, if you ask us. Although this particular photo shows an Android 2.1 build on the phone, rumor has it that it'll be shipped with Gingerbread (which is now pretty much officially 2.3) in Q1 next year.

Here's another interesting bit of gossip to take with you: we've heard from a couple of reliable sources close to the matter that the Anzu lies in the same category as the PlayStation Phone "Zeus" (also on Gingerbread but lacking the Xperia branding), and that they're being tested alongside each other. Whether this is an indication that the mystical Z-System gaming platform is heading to the Anzu, we don't know, but it makes sense given that both upcoming SE devices appear to bear the same screen size, or at least the same aspect ratio. Either way, we're told the pair will be officially announced some time before or shortly after Christmas, which again supports Xperia X10 Blog's leak. Time to stock up on some fine champagne, folks -- looks like 2011 is going to be a good year.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Well that was quick. Xperia X10 Blog's just posted a few more lovely pics of the Anzu, and boy it sure is thin -- check out the profile shot after the break. The site's also just heard that said phone can capture 1080p video and will have a front-facing camera. [Thanks, Tejstar]

Cisco responds, fixes Linksys Extenders for Media Center, certificate issue to blame

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 03:07 AM PST

Cisco responds, fixes Linksys Media Extenders, certificate issue to blame
Ever have a really bad day? You know, when you try to do a simple task like reboot a server and suddenly your whole week is shot? That, apparently, is what happened at Cisco HQ, with the result being the disabling of thousands of Linksys Extenders for Media Center, as we reported last week. Our request for info was finally channeled through to the right people and we have a response as to what happened:
Yes we did have to take the server down for maintenance and during the reboot realized we had an issue with a certificate server. All is fixed now and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused to our customers.
So, that missing IP should now be responding and hopefully your Extenders are working again. Also, it seems this was not part of a vast cable company conspiracy to keep you from watching downloaded versions of The Walking Dead and finding out how Rick got out of that tank. Now, as to why the thing needs to dial home in the first place, and when will that freshly certified server be put out to pasture for good, rest assured we're looking for answers.

Bang &amp; Olufsen BeoSound 8 welcomes iPads, iPhones and iPods into its emporium of awesome

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 02:21 AM PST

iPod and iPhone users aren't exactly bereft of choice for places to dock their audio transporters, but what if you prefer to keep your music collection on your iPad? Okay, actually there are a couple of options for you out there as well, but few will be quite as bodacious (or as expensive, we're sure) as Bang & Olufsen's latest. The BeoSound 8 straps a pair of cones to a connecting bar, adds some feet, a wall bracket, and a remote control, and sends you home to enjoy some "outstanding sound performance." USB and auxiliary line-in connectors are available if you're not dancing to Steve Jobs' tune, while the body can be had in white or black and the speaker covers come in a variety of colors to express your individuality with. Look for the BeoSound 8 at your nearest B&O outlet later this month.

[Thanks, Jesper]
Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 8 speaker dock

Show full PR text
Speaker docking gets serious with Bang & Olufsen

BeoSound 8 is a powerful new speaker dock for the iPad, iPhone and iPod that takes the digital music experience to a completely new level, conveniently and seamlessly.

BeoSound 8 delivers breathtaking sound performance and offers elegant design and a simple user interface. It is a fantastic solution for enjoying digital music either from your iPod, iPhone, iPad, PC or Mac. Simply by connecting a device to BeoSound 8, digital music can be unfolded to its true potential.

The light and characteristic design of BeoSound 8 makes it highly flexible in use; it is perfectly suited as a music system not only in a main room, but also in the kitchen, on the patio or even at the summerhouse. BeoSound 8 can be placed on a wall bracket or any flat surface and still deliver fantastic premium quality sound.

To complete the outstanding sound performance BeoSound 8 has a manual room adaptation switch with 3 positions which allows it to be placed anywhere without compromising the sound performance.

Cool and simple to use

Simply plug BeoSound 8 in and connect your device by docking it or connecting it using the AUX line-in or USB ports and you are ready to listen to your favourite digital music in no time. You can easily control BeoSound 8 using the dedicated remote that comes with the product, or you can control it with one of Bang & Olufsen's intelligent remotes if that's what you prefer.

Another cool application of BeoSound 8 is that it can be networked using the Apple Airport Express and in this way your music collection can conveniently be streamed wirelessly from your PC or Mac to BeoSound 8.

Magical 2D design

BeoSound 8 is available in black and white. Choose from a variety of optional soft coloured speaker fronts to customise it to its new home. The cone shaped speakers give BeoSound 8 a magical hovering 2D appearance as it hides the actual depth of the speakers and the feet lift it up giving a light and slim design.

In addition, the speakers of BeoSound 8 are outlined by aluminium rings adding a distinct Bang & Olufsen look and feel. With BeoSound 8, Bang & Olufsen has once again proven that it is leading within the field of innovation and design.

BeoSound 8 will be available in Bang & Olufsen stores worldwide within the coming month.

Nokia SVP of Symbian Smartphones talks portrait QWERTY, Symbian 'bashing,' and MeeGo devices

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 01:31 AM PST

Jo Harlow, Nokia's Senior VP of Symbian Smartphones was in Amsterdam for the kickoff of the Symbian Exchange and Exposition, giving us the chance for a sit down with the seven year Nokia veteran. How could we resist given the recent launch of Symbian^3, Nokia's new iterative approach to Symbian updates, and then Monday's (expected) bombshell that the Symbian Foundation would hand over operation responsibility for the OS to Nokia. While the full transcript is available after the break, we wanted to highlight the following:
  • Symbian user interface improvements are Nokia's top priority. According to Jo, "We are planning a few user interface improvements in early 2011 including split screen text input, portrait QWERTY -- there will be other improvements coming shortly after particularly in the visual appeal of the graphics of the device."
  • While Jo stopped short of saying that changes in the Symbian Foundation will accelerate Symbian updates, she did concede that it eliminates a step making things "simpler" -- and that's a positive thing.
  • Jo also reminded us that Nokia's plans for MeeGo stretch beyond traditional handset formats. And just like Symbian handsets will form a "fat center" in Nokia's device portfolio, she expects Nokia's more diverse MeeGo offerings to be "pretty big and fat as well."
Read on for the full interview in addition to Jo's thoughts on Symbian's "infinite possibility to surprise people," Stephen Elop's performance in his first two months on the job, and her frustration at not being able to move faster amidst all of the "Symbian bashing."


Engadget: Do you get frustrated by the perception that people have of Symbian or maybe internally at the company's inability to get timely updates out to the user interface? It took Palm and Microsoft two years to completely redo their mobile operating systems. S60 5th was released in October 2008 and here we are more than 2 years later with Symbian^3 that looks a lot like S60 5th...

Jo Harlow: From a visual appeal perspective, yes.

Engadget: And that was an OS targeting touchscreen slates. So do you feel frustration from both ends and does formalizing Nokia's role in Symbian development relieve some of that frustration?

Jo Harlow: Of course, I am... yeah, it is frustrating to not go faster. To hear the kind of bashing of Symbian that you see externally.

Engadget: And the bashing is incorrect often because it's a UX issue, a user interface issue, not an OS issue.

Jo Harlow: Exactly, but for a lot of people who are doing the bashing, it's difficult to explain the distinction. But on the other side of that I also know the work that we're doing. I know that we have an infinite possibility to surprise people. Because the expectations at least in the trade, for those people who follow the guys like yourself, the high tech blogs, and that's not every consumer, certainly -- then we have the ability to bring great surprises that will have wide wide effects.

Engadget: Is that because expectations are so low at this moment or because of your ability to innovate?

Jo Harlow: I think it's both. I think expectations are quite low. I think that we have made some significant changes in terms of how we will develop and how we will deliver that gives us more ability to deliver changes faster, improvements faster, versus putting all the eggs in one basket that is one single software release where we're changing lots of things throughout the stack.

Engadget: Regarding the iterative approach to making updates to the Symbian OS, what are we going to see first? For example, you could tweak the video frame rate of the N8 or you could change user interface elements. Where is the priority and what time frame are we looking at?

Jo Harlow: I think clearly the priority is on the user interface. We are planning a few user interface improvements in early 2011 including split screen text input, portrait QWERTY -- there will be other improvements coming shortly after particularly in the visual appeal of the graphics of the device.

Engadget: Is that first half or first quarter of 2011?

Jo Harlow: It's early [laughter]. The point is, what we are driving to do is bringing the improvements when they're ready as opposed to what would have happened in the past is we would have to wait for some next major release.

Engadget: Does the announcement made yesterday of the Symbian Foundation giving up operational duties accelerate things in terms of software releases?

Jo Harlow: It eliminates a step, certainly. As almost all the development is being done by Nokia today, and the interface has been with the foundation in terms of the integration, etc to be made available to other people. So now that that step and the time and activity of the folks in Nokia who work with the Foundation, that goes away. So does that bring us some time to market benefits? Some. Hard to dimensionalize really how much that is but it does make things simpler and that's a positive thing.

Engadget: Internally, everyone is developing on Qt now. MeeGo is reporting to Alberto Torres and the Symbian developers report to you. What does that look like internally, are your groups speaking?

Jo Harlow: Of course.

Engadget: Are the developers sitting next to each other or are they in different locations around the world?

Jo Harlow: Well, we have developers in a number of different locations in the world and that is true for Symbian and for MeeGo. And also let's not forget that we have our services organization that's doing development on the different services clients. And at many different levels between Symbian and MeeGo there is discussion on how do we make functionality the best... let's take NFC for example, or Voice UI for example, there's lots of dialog between the two on how to make that the best possible experience for consumers even though it might be delivered slightly differently given the capabilities of the two platforms. And then with services, we work very closely together with the individual service development teams who also are in different locations. Being the company the size that we are, having acquired a number of different groups has given us some geographic diversity but our mode of operation is to put teams together for short periods of time, bringing them together physically as well as using all the tools available to have them work together when they are geographically separated.

Engadget: so the development teams do work together closely especially when there are feature sets...

Jo Harlow: Yes, when there are common feature sets, that's right.

Engadget: Nobody talks about Series 40. You have three operating systems now yet the discussion is always about Symbian and MeeGo. Symbian is being pushed down as part of the democratization of smartphones so at what point does Series 40 disappear?

Jo Harlow: Well, I think first off you have to look at the whole picture, yes smartphones are coming to lower price points. But look at what's happening in what you can call mobile phones or features phones etc. What's happening price-point wise there. The desire for the kinds of features for that have historically been provided by feature phones is also going down. So there's still another billion and a half people who don't have a mobile phone yet. And for those who've been in the most entry level, who are stepping up to feature phones, those devices are needing to become more affordable as well. So I think there's a long future for Series 40. I think Series 40 faces similar challenge as smarpthones in how do we get lower in order to attract that next billion people. And that includes from a services perspective as well. Not just the navigation type services but what are the kinds of services we've been developing with Nokia Life Tools, etc. that are especially attractive to consumers who live in a world that is quite different from our own.

Engadget: The first MeeGo handsets are coming in 2011. So in terms of units shipped, in three years, what does that distribution look like for MeeGo devices, Symbian, and Series 40. Is Symbian the fat chewy center?

Jo Harlow: I think certainly Symbian is the fat middle. I think however, when you look at MeeGo I don't think that you can look at MeeGo as being just devices that look like that [holds up Nokia E7]. I think what MeeGo is, is encompassing more than just what we have historically thought of as the phones business. So I would expect that to be pretty big and fat as well.

Engadget:You're speaking from a Nokia perspective because Intel is doing its thing?

Jo Harlow: Yes, from a Nokia perspective. And of course, that is one of the values of MeeGo more broadly is the attractiveness to different device classes.

Engadget: Stephen Elop has been at Nokia for two months. What impact has he made already?

Jo Harlow: In terms of the decision on the Foundation, let's remember that it's the board of the Foundation that made that decision, Not Nokia or Nokia's board. We support that decision and Stephen has been very actively involved in understanding the issues facing the Foundation and has supported the ultimate decision made by the Foundation board. But I think the bigger answer to your questions is that what you see is Stephen's guiding hand. I think Stephen is and will have a major impact on Nokia because number one he's a software guy, and number two he's a product guy, and number three is he's hugely engaging. So he's actively engaging our employees, customers, he's been traveling around the world meeting with different customers and in many ways taking it all in.

Engadget: Right, he said his first order of business was to listen.

Jo Harlow: Exactly, and that is exactly what he's been doing. In the mean time, being very engaged in the business issues of the day. So he's with me actively reviewed all of the plans that we've had and that we've ultimately announced as well as keeping very close to this situation as it developed as well. I just want to reinforce that Nokia didn't decide to limit the operations of the Foundation, that was a decision of the Foundation board.

Engadget: Who's on the Foundation board?

Jo Harlow: Well, we have one seat on the Foundation board but it's made up of other members like Samsung, Sony Ericsson as well as AT&T, Vodafone, etc.

Engadget: One last question, Jon Rubinstein from Palm famously said that he never used an iPhone. I assume you've used competitive devices?

Jo Harlow: Of course.

Engadget: So you know what you're up against?

Jo Harlow: I use them on a regular basis.

Engadget: Do you have a favorite?

Jo Harlow: Not that I'm saying [laughing]. My favorite of the moment is an E7!

Dell Venue Pro has a microSD card slot, you'll just need to void your warranty to use it

Posted: 10 Nov 2010 12:51 AM PST

Remember the good chap that brought us pictorial evidence of the Venue Pro in Microsoft stores on Monday? Well, he was fortunate enough to snag one of those precious devices for himself and today he's back on the path of spreading enlightenment by revealing that Dell's 4.1-inch WP7 slider comes with a microSD card slot. Storage expandability is something of a running joke backstory for Windows Phone 7, with HTC hiding its expansion slots deeply within the 7 Mozart and HD7 and Samsung's more readily accessible one on the Focus also throwing up issues. The Venue Pro's approach is closer to Samsung's, insofar as you don't have to tear down the phone to stick a new microSD card inside it, but it does expect you to bust through a warranty sticker to get at the port. So it's there and can be used, but the risk will be all yours if you do.

[Thanks, dawookie]

10.1-inch Galaxy Tab teased with prototype panel?

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 11:48 PM PST

Does that look like a 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab to you? Sure does to us though Tech-on! is calling it an "electronic book reader" prototype from Samsung. Thing is, when was the last time you made a 3G video call using a dedicated ebook reader? The 10.1-inch panel is a 1.8-mm thick LCD prototype on display right now at the FPD International trade show in Japan. It features a 1,024 x 600 pixel panel resolution, 250nits brightness, 1,000:1 contrast, and covers 50 percent of the NTSC color gamut. Oh, and it's said to be unbreakable thanks to the new 0.44mm / 28g resin panel (excluding the backlight unit) that replaces the typical 1.26mm / 130g glass LCD panel. And while this particular slim panel won't be ready for commercialization for another two or three years, there's nothing stopping Samsung from bunging a production-ready LCD into the 10-inch Galaxy Tab promised for 2011. Check the new LCD in profile after the break.


BIAC's C71 EV has hot-swappable battery packs and a questionable sense of style

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 11:36 PM PST

BIAC's C71 EV has hot-swappable battery packs and a questionable sense of style
Electric cars hold the potential to eliminate your monthly gasoline bill, but if you want to go more than 100 miles or so at this point you'd better plan to make a bunch of lengthy pit-stops along the way. There are various solutions, like the Volt's on-board generator or Nissan's offer to replace your Leaf with something a little more traditional for long weekend trips into the country. But, to us, battery swapping seems like the best plan. Better Place is the leader in this space but BAIC, the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company, is showing off its own solution, the charmingly named C71 EV that looks like what might happen if a SAAB and a Toyota spent a crazy night together in Shanghai. It's a $45,000 car with a 60Ah floor-mounted battery pack that can be swapped in just five minutes, each delivering 150km (93 miles) of range and can naturally be charged by more traditional means (a plug) should you not be in such a hurry. The car is said to be available sometime next year, but we've heard that one before.

Samsung 7-inch Super AMOLED panel showcased on 'next gen' Galaxy Tab

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 10:52 PM PST

We were promised a 7-inch Super AMOLED display at FPD 2010 and Samsung has duly delivered. What's less predictable about this yummy new hardware's debut, however, is the fact that it was built right into a Galaxy Tab. Yes, our postulations that Samsung intends to spruce up its "pocket-friendly" slate with a 1200 x 600 resolution and an extra lick of hyper-advanced screen technology seem to have been spot on, as OLED-Display reports the device on show was indeed the company's "next generation" Tab. We only wish there was more than just that one image -- we'll be hounding the internet for more, rest assured!

Update: Samsung's official note on the matter lists a WSVGA resolution (i.e. 1024 x 600 as on the current Tab) and some amateur geometry applied to the image does indeed show the prototype screen above has a smaller ratio than the requisite 2:1 for a 1200 x 600 pixel display. Ah well, we still want one. Also, check out Netbook News below for more images.

Update 2: Been eyeing that dualscreen clamshell in the back there? Turns out it's another AMOLED prototype with two 4.5-inch displays! Hit the break for a closer look at it on video.





SlingPlayer arrives in Windows Phone 7 Marketplace, headed to iPad next (updated)

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 10:30 PM PST

Got yourself a big new Windows Phone 7 device and need something to fill its screen with? Sling Media has your back with its SlingPlayer Mobile app, which has hit the Marketplace just in time to earn its Launch App Partner achievement. Pricing for the software is set at $30 in the US, C$32 in Canada, £23 in the UK, and €21.10 in Europe plus local tax, though you'll obviously need to have a Slingbox to communicate with as well. It ain't cheap, but good things rarely are.

Update: We've also just come across a signup page for news updates on an iPad version of SlingPlayer Mobile. It'll be priced identically to the company's smartphone offerings, at $30, and looks to be coming soon. Thanks, Blake!

Show full PR text
Sling Media Announces Availability of SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7

Sling Media Featured as Microsoft Launch App Partner

Foster City, Calif. - Nov. 9, 2010- Sling Media, Inc., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced the availability of SlingPlayer Mobile™ for Windows Phone 7. As a Microsoft Launch App Partner, Sling Media is making the new SlingPlayer Mobile software available for purchase and download from the Windows Marketplace on the same day as North American mobile carriers introduce the new handsets in their retail stores.

"The big story about SlingPlayer Mobile on Windows Phone 7 is the quality of the user experience," said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. "From the fully revamped user interface to the clear, sharp video images, customers are going to thoroughly enjoy watching TV on their Windows Phone 7 handsets."

How it Works
When connected to a Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD via the Internet, the award-winning SlingPlayer Mobile software makes it easy to watch your home TV on a variety of handsets. Now Slingbox® owners with Windows Phone 7 devices can change channels, control their DVRs and watch their favorite shows anywhere they have a 3G or Wi-Fi internet connection.

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 is available now for $29.99 (US), £22.99 (UK), €21.10 plus local VAT (Europe), and CN$31.99 (Canada) from the Windows Marketplace, accessible on any Windows Phone 7 handset or via the internet at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/apps/default.aspx. SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 can be purchased, downloaded and installed in minutes. Initially, the software will be available only in English, with other languages to follow soon.

BlackBerry PlayBook to cost 'under' $500

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 09:57 PM PST

RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie finally gave us a crucial bit of information about the BlackBerry Playbook this morning: price, or at least a threshold. According to a Korean interview, Balsillie said that RIM's 7-inch tablet will be "very competitively priced" with Bloomberg quoting the man saying that it will be "under" $500 when it hits North America in the first quarter of 2011, expanding globally in Q2. A price that should at least match the 9.7-inch WiFi-only iPad (16GB) and undercut the 7-inch 3G Galaxy Tab which goes on sale on Verizon tomorrow for $599.99. Thing is, by the time Q1 rolls around we're going to be looking at many, many more viable tablet alternatives including a likely Apple refresh.

NEC develops thin, flexible and 'practical' Organic Radical Battery

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 09:32 PM PST

NEC first announced its super-thin Organic Radical Battery (or ORB) technology a full five years ago, but it's now finally back with what it describes as the first "practical" prototypes of the batteries. While these new batteries are about twice as thick as NEC's first such units, they're still only 0.7 mm thin, and are apparently much more reliable while also delivering 1.4 times more output (specifically, a capacity of 5mAh). The key to that boost, it seems, are some newly developed, highly conductive cathodes, which consists of some solid organic radical material that were turned into a gel and then uniformly compounded with carbon materials. What does that mean for actual consumers? Well, if NEC has its way, the batteries could be a thin, flexible power source for things like smart cards, wearable devices, and flexible e-paper displays. Full press release is after the break.
Show full PR text
NEC Develops Organic Radical Battery for Practical Use -- High performance battery compatible with IC Cards and wearable terminals

Tokyo, November 5, 2010 - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced today the development of a thin and flexible Organic Radical Battery (ORB) (*1) that is significantly more reliable and produces 1.4 times (*2) more output than existing units.

These prototype ORB maintain nearly full capacity (*3), even after repeated charge-discharge, due to anodes that feature the same carbon material as lithium-ion batteries. The new ORB also produce 1.4 times more output than existing units due to the development of new highly conductive cathodes. Furthermore, these ORB are the size of a coin, 0.7 mm thin, and boast a capacity of 5mAh.

The prototype ORB enables more than ten consecutive flash firings approximately twenty thousand times, and facilitates continuous high luminance LED flash emission, which is difficult to perform on compact double-layer capacitors. Moreover, the ORB is suitable for next-generation ubiquitous terminals that require flexibility and high output, including IC Cards, wearable terminals and flexible electronic paper.

Characteristics of the technologies are as follows:

1. Anodes made with carbon / high reliability
ORB anodes feature the same carbon material used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, rather than the thin metallic lithium film used with conventional ORB. As a result, the new ORB are approximately 1/10 the cost of existing units and exhibit comparable reliability to commercially available rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in repeated charge-discharge cycle testing (*4).

2. 1.4 times higher output enabled through new composite cathodes
A highly conductive nano-composite cathode was developed by converting solid organic radical material into a gel and uniformly compounding it with carbon materials. As a result, the output per battery with a capacity of 5mAh increased to 7kW/L, 1.4 times the level of conventional units.

Research and development was partially carried out by the "Basic Technology Development for Fiber Materials Having Advanced Functions / Development of Battery Components to Enhance Performance and Functionality" project, sponsored by the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI), as well as the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

These technologies will be exhibited at NEC's "C&C User Forum & iEXPO 2010" held on 11 - 12 November 2010 at the Tokyo International Forum (Yurakucho).

LaCie speeds up Philippe Starck mobile hard drive with USB 3.0

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 08:37 PM PST

We've always been fans of LaCie's Starck Mobile Drives, designed by the inimitable Phillip Starck, and now they're getting a little speed boost, courtesy of USB 3.0. The 500GB drive is still housed in the same "liquid metal trapped in a box" enclosure as the previous editions, and it comes bundled with 10GB of online storage at Wuala Online for $109 in the US and £89 in the UK. Looks like it's out of stock just at the moment, but we'd imagine it'll arrive soon. Shot of the back and PR after the break.


Show full PR text
LaCie Brings Industry-Leading Speeds to High Design: LaCie Starck Mobile Drive USB 3.0

LONDON, UK (9TH November, 2010) – LaCie announced today the latest addition to its USB 3.0 portfolio, bringing the fastest interface on the market to the award-winning design of Philippe Starck – LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0.

USB 3.0 Technology
Reaching speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0*, the Starck Mobile USB 3.0 is an ideal gift for technology enthusiasts who demand stylish aesthetics with leading technology.

Ensuring connectivity is never an issue, the LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 – simply connect it into any PC or Mac for a seamless plug-and-play experience.

Strength of Metal
Encased in 2mm of sturdy aluminium, the LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 is one the most resistant choices for consumer hard drives on the market. The aluminium offers resilience from blunders, improved heat dissipation, and is fully recyclable.

User-Friendly Software Suite
The LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 comes with LaCie Setup Assistant software to easily install your drive on PC and Mac. It also includes LaCie Backup Assistant, which helps make automatic backup a snap. In addition, you get 10GB of Wuala Online Storage included for one year to securely store, share and sync your data online.

Availability
The LaCie Starck Mobile USB 3.0 will be available in a 500GB capacity through LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, LaCie Reseller+ and LaCie Storage Partner starting at the suggested retail price of £89.90 (Incl.VAT). For more information, visit www.lacie.com/uk.

TAT's Dimension S3D is a user interface for stereoscopic TVs (video)

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 07:01 PM PST

You can't quite see it without 3D glasses, of course, but this clock is actually sticking out of the screen -- one of several illustrious illusions in this latest concept interface from the dreamers at TAT, spotted at Open Mobile Summit 2010. Give that watch face a spin, and you'll find a working countdown timer on the back, or browse through icon-based music, weather and Twitter interfaces, a media browser and a Rubik's Cube that spins in 3D space. The firm's calling the setup Dimension S3D, though like most TAT concepts, it's not for sale in its present form -- the company hopes to license the underlying framework to TV manufacturers who want to build menus in 3D, and hopefully attract content providers to build 3D apps as well. TAT wasn't naming names, but said that two "major" TV manufacturers had already expressed interest in possibly signing up. See what it looks like (in just two dimensions, of course) on video after the break.

Joby's Gorillamobile gets revised, caters specifically to iPhone 4 with added bumper case

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 05:29 PM PST

Are you ready for a barrage of Apple-specific peripherals from the labs of Joby? Can't say we are either, but they're coming regardless. Today, the famed creator of the original Gorillapod has pumped out a seriously overhauled version of the Gorillamobile, with this one designed to work specifically (and only) with the iPhone 4. The real difference here is the inclusion of a bumper case (no, not that Bumper case), which slides in perfectly to an accompanying rail attachment on the bundled tripod. Slip in, slip out -- you dig? It's available today for $39.95 if you're eager to ditch the case Apple gave ya, and you can expect more when this came from by the time CES 2011 opens its doors in two short months.
Joby Gorillamobile for iPhone 4
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Kicking off the launch of a new Apple mobile accessories product line, JOBY taps the potential of iPhone 4 photography and video with the ultimate iPhone positioning device

JOBY unlocks the potential of photography, video and other rich media on the iPhone 4

San Francisco, CA – November 9, 2010 – JOBY, the world-renowned designer of the best-selling Gorillapod™ line of innovative camera tripods, launches today a powerful tool for the creative iPhone 4 user. Following the success of the Gorillamobile for iPhone 3G/3GS released in 2009, the new Gorillamobile has been entirely redesigned to take full advantage of the rich media features of the iPhone 4, including the front-facing camera, camera flash, HD video and retina display. The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 has been selected for an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Award in the Wireless Handsets Accessories category.

The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 combines the protection of a durable, always-on bumper case with the hands-free positioning capabilities of a JOBY tripod. The bumper case design celebrates the sleek form of the iPhone and is equipped with a rail system that easily slides on and off the tripod stand in portrait or landscape orientation. No matter what position the iPhone and tripod achieve, the bumper case design ensures that both cameras and the flash are ready for brilliant shooting. The flexible, wrappable legs and rubber grip rings inspire creative perspectives for time-lapse photos, steady video recording, easy film-viewing on the plane or comfortable FaceTime calls without losing circulation in your fingers.

"After months of research, we recognized the opportunity to enhance the experience of using Apple's line of products, particularly for media consumption, image capture and comfort over extended use," says JOBY CEO Forrest Baringer-Jones. "We were inspired to develop a family of products that fully unleashes the creative power of Apple's mobile devices using next generation materials and thoughtful design. The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 is the first in this family but will be joined by two other revolutionary mobile accessories at CES. "

In addition to the launch of the Gorillamobile for iPhone 4, JOBY will be expanding the Gorillamobile family with two new iPad products this January. Staying true to its distinctive, user-driven research methodology, the company explored the distinct ways that users have been integrating the iPad into their lifestyles. This research uncovered a series of powerful insights that have culminated in two truly iconic iPad accessories that enhance a diverse set of usage scenarios in a multiple environments unlike anything else on the market.

The Gorillamobile for iPhone 4 is available today in leading mobile and consumer electronics stores and retails for $39.95. In addition, following on the success of its popular Gorillacam photo app, JOBY will launch a new photography app specifically designed to take full advantage of iPhone 4 capabilities including the ability to make quick and easy time-lapse videos. The new photography app will launch in advance of the holidays. JOBY will launch the two Gorillamobile for iPad products at CES 2011 in Las Vegas. Please visit us at CES unveiled on Tuesday January 4th to learn more.

Palm Pre 2 swims across the English Channel in three days, launches November 12th in the UK

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 04:45 PM PST

French citizens have been enjoying webOS 2.0 with their morning baguette for over two weeks, but it's one step closer to home today -- Pocket-lint reports that the Palm Pre 2 will launch in the United Kingdom this Friday. What's more, the 1GHz handset won't be chained to a British carrier, but rather released into the wild completely SIM-free, which probably means future Just Typists will need to buy it direct from HP. As for the promised pre-orders for US students, we're sorry to say they've failed to materialize; the Facebook page that once clearly stated "preorders begin 11/8" now simply reads "Palm Pre 2 coming soon." Soon enough for you?

Rough edges cut deep: Android still facing years-old unlock screen bug, Gmail 2.3 attachment woes have Google stumped

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 04:01 PM PST

So, that new 2.3 version of Gmail that launched in September? Yeah, we'd steer clear if you haven't nabbed it yet. Google's currently trying to track down a bug that's leaving many users (including our own hapless Chris Ziegler) unable to download any attachments. Interestingly, or disconcertingly if you're of the pessimistic sort, Google actually has a "Gmail attachment issues investigation" page set up to allow highly technical users to submit debug reports of the problem. Sure, we're all for crowd sourcing, but we also wouldn't mind a big sturdy "hey guys, we've got this" on an issue of this magnitude. The worst part? You can't revert to the old version of Gmail if you've got the latest OTA update on your fancy new T-Mobile G2.

Interestingly, while we were discussing this issue, ensconced in the Engadget HQ jacuzzi, adult beverages in hand, we got a tip from some poor soul detailing a bug that's been in Android since the G1 days. Basically, if you fail at the pattern unlock too many times, the phone will ask you to enter your Google account info to unlock your phone. Sounds like a smart security feature, but unfortunately it doesn't work. The insanely detailed thread on Google's Android bug tracker reads like a history of the Android platform and the futility of man rolled into one, with various workarounds being discovered for different phones, and many desperate users resorting to wiping their phones and starting over. Sure it's minimal in the grand scheme of things, and plenty of platforms have outstanding bugs years after release, but we figured a little *bump* couldn't do anyone any harm. This one's for you, Dylan R.

Trimble enhances its Nomad 900 series rugged computers, takes WinMo further into the field

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:57 PM PST

Trimble enhances its Nomad 900 series rugged computers, takes Windows Mobile 6.1 further into the field
Windows Phone 7 may be the talk of the town, but good 'ol Windows Mobile is still gettin' 'er done in industrial devices around the country, gadgets like the Trimble Nomad 900 series. These rugged and suitably yellow handhelds are now even better at finding their way through the wilderness with improved GPS circuitry to decrease the time it takes to pull coordinates from the heavenly bodies above. Also new is a 5 megapixel camera with flash, paired with the same 806MHz processor, and 3.5-inch VGA display, 128MB of RAM, and 6GB of flash storage. Not enough for you? CompactFlash expansion is on offer, and you know how cheap CF cards are these days.


Show full PR text
Trimble Introduces Next Generation Nomad Series of
Outdoor Rugged Handheld Computers

With Ultra-Fast Processor, High-Resolution Camera, Enhanced GPS and New Wi-Fi Capabilities


SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 8, 2010 - Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) introduced today the next generation of the Trimble® Nomad® outdoor rugged handheld computers. The Nomad 900 series adds a 5MP auto-focus camera with flash, enhanced GPS performance, and new Wi-Fi® capabilities. These new features, along with the its rugged construction and computing power, make the Trimble Nomad 900 series ideal for mobile workers in forestry, public safety, surveying, construction, mapping, field service, utilities, and other outdoor or service-related fields.

The announcement was made today at Trimble Dimensions 2010.

Powered by an ultra-fast 806 MHz processor and Trimble?s optimized graphics processing, advanced caching and proprietary high-speed journaling file system, the Trimble Nomad 900 series handhelds are some of the fastest Windows Mobile® computers on the market today. The 900 series offers top-of-the-line performance with a 5200 mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery, up to 6 GB of Flash memory and a sunlight visible VGA touch screen display. The Trimble Nomad 900 series meets MIL-STD-810F standard for drops, vibration and temperature extremes and comes with an IP67 rating. In addition, users can take advantage of the Trimble Nomad 900 series CompactFlash (CF) and Secure Digital (SD) slots to add more devices, such as SD/SDHC memory and RFID.

Trimble has designed the Nomad handheld to be the ultimate all-in-one computing device for asset management. With the Trimble Nomad 900 series handheld's improved camera and flash, low light and night images are crisp and bright so that mobile workers can capture and geotag assets with confidence-even the fine print associated with an asset, such as a fire inspection tag, can be easily read. Tuned to maximize the integrated GPS receiver's performance, the Trimble Nomad 900 series handheld has an enhanced antenna design which provides a rapid Time-to-First Fix (TTF) to improve GPS productivity in difficult GPS conditions. The handhelds ship with the Windows Mobile® 6.1 operating system, featuring a redesigned user interface, enhanced security, simpler email and Bluetooth setup, and more.

"Reliability is a huge challenge for field?to-office connectivity which is a key reason that customers have chosen the Trimble Nomad handheld," said Bill Martin, general manager for Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division. "With the addition of a higher resolution camera, enhanced GPS, as well as enhanced connectivity and security with Wi-Fi, the next generation Trimble Nomad handheld sets a new standard in rugged mobile computing, providing a highly dependable way to increase productivity through field-to-office connectivity."

"Our customers depend on us to not only recommend a mobile device that meets their technical needs, but also one that's going to stand up to their rugged environments," said Steve Leuschner, president of Cardinal Tracking, a Trimble authorized dealer. "The Trimble brand is synonymous with reliability and the Nomad series delivers on that promise. A complete and rich feature set and an unmatched ultra-rugged design is a win-win for Cardinal and our customers."

The Trimble Nomad 900 series handhelds are available in a variety of configurations. The series features multiple language options including, English, French, German, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), and Spanish. The series also features an auto-switching AC battery charger with four wall outlet adapters; and numerous certifications to compliance with international standards in the Americas, Europe and Asia ensure it is ready for worldwide use.

For GIS data collection and asset management activities, the Trimble Nomad 900G series handhelds are available in a variety of configurations. The 900G series feature a 6 GB of Flash storage ideal for field GIS applications with large geospatial datasets, and the GPS receiver enhancements in the 900G series allow GPS data to be postprocessed to an accuracy of 1 to 3 meters. In addition, the Trimble Nomad 900G series handhelds are compatible with the entire portfolio of Trimble Mapping & GIS field and office software products. To support the international user community, operating system downloads for the 900G series are available in English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish, as well as Italian, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese and Russian.

The entire line of Trimble Nomad 900 and 900G series outdoor rugged handheld computers are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2010 from Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions and Mapping & GIS authorized distributors.

For more information about the Trimble Nomad 900 series and 900G series configurations, visit: www.trimble.com/nomad.

About Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division

Trimble's Mobile Computing Solutions Division offers innovative products that enable mobile workers to be more efficient in extreme outdoor and industrial environments. The Trimble Nomad®, Recon®, Ranger™, and Yuma® outdoor rugged handheld computers help users collect accurate field data and work more productively in any outdoor or service-related application. Trimble?s handheld computers meet MIL-STD-810F military specifications for drops, vibration, immersion and temperature extremes, and with an IP67 rating, are protected against water and dust.

About Trimble's Mapping & GIS Division

Trimble's Mapping & GIS Division offerings combine positioning, communications and software to equip the mobile workforce. Providing focused field solutions for the utilities, natural resources, and government industries, Mapping & GIS hardware and software solutions facilitate the collecting and maintaining complex spatial information through a range of high accuracy, rugged, and easy to use products.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location-including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Funding brings at-home STD tests closer to reality

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:30 PM PST

It's an idea that's been around the medical block a time or two already, but so far, no one has really stepped up to the plate in an effort to make at-home and on-the-go STD testing a mainstream reality. According to a new Guardian report, however, a grand total of seven entities (including the Medical Research Council) have moved to fund development in the space. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration is the end result, with £4 million at its disposal right from the get-go. The idea is to develop small chips that can accept urine samples, and then those chips would be plugged into PCs or mobile phones (likely via a USB adapter of some sort) in order to give individuals information on any sexually transmitted infection they may have. The goal is to provide that data in private and "within minutes," and experts in the field are hopeful that this kind of innovation would help reduce the growing number of STIs across the UK. If all goes well, the "rapid testing devices" could be sold for £1 or less in "vending machines in nightclubs, pharmacies and in supermarkets," but there's still no clear indication of when it'll happen.

Razer Sixense controller becomes virtual camera for your next machinima epic (video)

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:05 PM PST

Razer Sixense controller becomes virtual camera for your next machinima epic (video)
Fan of machinima? Then you're used to static shots in which a character walks into the scene, says his line, makes a silly joke, and then walks off again. Panning and smooth, flowing shots are not the forte of films created in a virtual world, but the repurposing of some Razer Sixense controllers could let the director really get into the scene thanks to researchers at Abertay University. They borrowed an idea from Avatar, in which James Cameron commissioned cameras with motion-tracking viewfinders so that he could see the virtual world through which the actors were moving. The team at Abertay uses Sixense controllers similarly to control a virtual camera, which would let gamers find dramatic, sweeping angles for their replays. Or, you know, just get a super closeup of that post-melee victory dance.

Screen Grabs: Bing it, Danno

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 01:16 PM PST

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dt com.

Well, it looks like The Vampire Diaries isn't the only show that's hopped on the Windows Phone 7 bandwagon -- what appears to be an LG Optimus 7 turned up in the latest episode of Hawaii Five-0, where it was used in yet another awkward attempt to introduce the phrase "Bing it" to a dumbfounded audience. What would Jack Lord think? Head on past the break to check out the ad clip in question.

[Thanks, Nathan]



YouTube Remote app released, controls Leanback on GTV or PC from your Android phone

Posted: 09 Nov 2010 12:47 PM PST

We weren't completely in love with Google TV's YouTube Leanback experience when we gave the platform a run through, but that could change now that the YouTube Remote app has been released to the Android Market. Users pair the devices simply by signing into YouTube Leanback on the TV or PC and the app on the phone with the same account, then select a video on the phone and send it to the bigger screen with a press of a button. At least, that's how it should work. TechCrunch got a hands on with the new app and a new Topics sorting system for the site during a demo and found some potential, however trying it on one of our devices elicited a slew of crashes before we eventually got everything synced up and working. QR code's after the break so you can have a go of your own.

Update: Once we got everything rolling, we were able to get a better impression of the app. While it was a bit slow to open on our Galaxy S phone, once it is up, it worked smoothly, scrolling side to side through various queues of types of content and our favorites list. While the task of pulling up Leanback in a browser window or even on a Google TV device makes it ill-suited for viewing just one video at a time, where it excels is building a up a queue of videos and sending them over all at once. It will work on multiple screens at the same time as well, but there's no Airplay-style syncing to be had, if one of them starts to slow down or buffer it will simply continue lagging behind, and without any volume controls or ability to reach other functions, you'll still need to keep other remotes handy.
at 11:55 AM

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