Okay, so maybe this isn't the best choice for businessfolk sporting their new Droid Pros, but if you remember Doom as fondly as we do, you're probably going to want to check this out. A dev over on xda-developers has posted information on his new Doom-themed live wallpaper -- it doesn't actually draw from the game itself, but he's taken the bad guys (the important part) and reused them on a flat, stationary playing field of his own design. Basically, your hero strolls around battling baddies as they spawn; when he finally succumbs to his countless festering wounds, he respawns in a different room ad nauseam. It's available in beta form for free in the Market right now -- question is, are you tough enough to load it?
When word first reached Microsoft that the open-source community would hack the Kinect, the company's response was pretty heavy-handed: "Microsoft does not condone the modification of its products," a rep told CNET, pledging to "work closely with law enforcement and product safety groups to keep Kinect tamper-resistant." But now that Kinect mods blow our minds on a near-daily basis, Redmond has changed its tone. Microsoft's Alex Kipman told NPR Science Daily listeners that as far as the company's concerned, the Kinect hasn't actually been hacked thus far, and that Microsoft actually left the camera's USB connection unprotected "by design" to let the community take advantage. Though he and fellow Microsoftie Shannon Loftis wouldn't commit to official PC software drivers for the device, he did say that the company would "partner sooner rather than later" with academic institutions to get the hardware doled out, and suggested that some universities started playing with Kinect even before its commercial launch. Read a transcript of the pertinent section of the podcast after the break, or listen for yourself at our source link starting at the 18:22 mark.
[Thanks, Fred T.]
Alex: Kinect was not actually hacked. Hacking would mean that someone got to our algorithms that sit inside the Xbox and was able to actually use them, which hasn't happened, or it means that you put a device between the sensor and the Xbox for means of cheating, which also has not happened. That's what we call hacking, and that's what we put a ton of work and effort in to make sure doesn't actually occur. What has happened is someone wrote an open-source driver for PCs that essentially opens the USB connection -- which we didn't protect, by design -- and reads the inputs from the sensor. The sensor has eyes and ears, and that's a whole lot of noise that someone needs to take and turn into signal.
NPR: You left it open by design, then, so that people could get into it?
Chances are this is one research project that won't find its way into a phone, but Nokia's research lab in Tampere, Finland has come up with a rather unique new type of touchscreen display: one made of ice. Of course, there are a few other components involved -- namely, a projector and an array of near-infrared cameras that are connected to a PC -- but it is technically a multitouch display made of ice, and that's got to count for something. For Nokia's part, it says that while the project is a "playful experiment," it does show that "interactive computing interfaces can now be built anywhere." Head on past the break to check it out in action.
Just a month after pushing out a smaller duo of gaming laptops, Maingear has now revealed an entirely new line catering to mid-range gamers. The Alt-15 and Alt-17 both start right around the magical $1,000 point, and moreover, both rely on NVIDIA's graphics-switching Optimus technology to conserve battery life when you don't need the GPU pegged. The Alt-15 is a 15.6-incher with a Core i5 or Core i7 Mobile processor, NVIDIA's GeForce GT 425M (1GB), up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, an optional Blu-ray drive, your choice of an HDD or SSD, Windows 7, a fingerprint reader, HDMI / VGA outputs, a USB 3.0 socket (plus a trio of USB 2.0 sockets) and a $1,049 base price. The bigger, beefier Alt-17 gets away with a 17.3-inch LCD (1080p) and most of the same specifications as listed above, though you'll see a starting tag that's $50 more. Hit the links below if you're up for a little customization.
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MAINGEAR LAUNCHES THE ALT-15 AND ALT-17 NOTEBOOKS POWERED WITH NVIDIA® OPTIMUS™ TECHNOLOGY
Kenilworth, New Jersey – November 18, 2010 - MAINGEAR™, an award-winning PC system builder offering custom desktops, notebooks, workstations and media centers has just added two new high performance notebook options to their product line, The Alt-15 and Alt-17, both notebooks utilize NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology with Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 mobile processors that will give the performance and longevity for mobile users on the go.
The MAINGEAR Alt-15 and Alt-17 are hybrid notebooks that offer outstanding graphics performance while also prolonging battery life utilizing NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology. Both notebooks pack a dedicated NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 425M GPU with 1GB GDDR3 memory, choice of Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 mobile processor, 1920x1080 16:9 HD resolutions, up to 8GB of DDR3 1066MHZ memory and up to 512GB Solid State Drive or up to 500GB Hybrid SSDs hard drives. Gamers and PC enthusiasts who are on the go can now enjoy watching a HD movie, surfing the web, or playing the latest PC games with the reassurance of getting the best performance and the longest battery life.
Both of the new notebooks combine functionality and design with built-in biometric security via fingerprint reader and Kensington locks for security, touch sensitive hotkeys for executing customizable macros and applications, and MAINGEAR's M.A.R.C. laser engraving that offers a clean and elegant design.
"We are proud to offer two new notebooks with NVIDIA's Optimus technology that extends battery life which for people on the go is a must." said Wallace Santos, CEO and Founder of MAINGEAR. "Power, portability, and style is what MAINGEAR is what the Alt series notebooks is all about."
"MAINGEAR new line of notebooks use GeForce GPUs and their inherent graphics plus features to offer users an experience they cannot get from competing solutions," said David Ragones, director of GeForce product marketing at NVIDIA. "The battery efficiency of Optimus technology, or the gaming visuals of GeForce GPUs, NVIDIA is providing the technology that consumers get excited about."
MAINGEAR Alt-15:
* Video Card: NVidia® Geforce® GT 425M with 1GB GDDR3 Memory * Display: 15.6 LED Widescreen glossy display full 1920x1080 16:9 HD resolutions * Processor: Intel® Core™ i5/i7 mobile processor – up to 2.8GHZ (3.4GHZ Turbo Mode) * Memory: Up to 8GB DDR3 1066MHz * Optical Drive: DVD±R/RW Combo drive, Blu-ray/DVD±R/RW Combo Drive * Hard Drive: Up to 512GB Solid State Drive, up to 500GB Hybrid SSDs, or up to 750GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5 * Network Adapter: Integrated b/g/n wireless * Audio: Integrated High-Definition Audio * Media Card Reader: 3-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/SD/Mini-SD/SDHC) * Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home, Professional or Ultimate 64-Bit * Battery: Removable Li-Polymer Lithium-Ion * Security: Fingerprint reader and Kensington lock * I/O Ports: 1 HDMI out, 1 CRT out, 1 USB 3.0 Port, 3 USB 2.0 Ports, 1 eSATA, 1 Headphone Jack, 1 Microphone Jack, 1 S/PDIF output Jack, 1 RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) * Camera: Built-in 2.0M Digital Video Camera * Optional: External USB ATSC HDTV / ANALOG TV-Tuner with Remote * Dimensions: 14.72" (w) x 9.8" (d) x 0.98~1.46" (h) * Starting at $1,049
MAINGEAR Alt-17:
* Video Card: 1GB DDR3 NVidia® Geforce® GT 425M with Optimus Technology * Display: 17.3" LED Widescreen glossy display full 1920x1080 16:9 HD resolutions * Processor: Intel® Core™ i5/i7 mobile processor – up to Intel Core i7 640M Processor * Memory: Up to 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1066MHz * Optical Drive: DVD±R/RW Combo drive, Blu-ray/DVD±R/RW Combo Drive * Hard Drive: Up to 512GB Solid State Drive, up to 500GB Hybrid SSDs, or up to 750GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5 * Network Adapter: Integrated b/g/n wireless * Audio: Integrated High-Definition Audio * Media Card Reader: 3-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/SD/Mini-SD/SDHC) * Operating System: Genuine Windows® 7 Home, Professional or Ultimate 64-Bit * Battery/Keyboard: Removable Li-Polymer Lithium-Ion, full size keyboard with numeric pad * Security: Fingerprint reader and Kensington lock * I/O Ports: 1 HDMI out, 1 CRT out, 1 USB 3.0 Port, 3 USB 2.0 Ports, 1 eSATA, 1 Headphone Jack, 1 Microphone Jack, 1 S/PDIF output Jack, 1 RJ-45 LAN (10/100/1000Mbps) * Camera: Built-in 2.0M Digital Video Camera * Optional: External USB ATSC HDTV / ANALOG TV-Tuner with Remote * Dimensions: 16.26" (w) x 10.93" (d) x 0.99~1.53" (h) * Starting at $1,099
All of MAINGEAR products are supported with lifetime labor and phone support with one to three year hardware warranty. For more information about MAINGEAR's Alt-15 and the Alt-17, please visit www.maingear.com
Ari Jaaksi, the former head of MeeGo Devices at Nokia, has confirmed reports from last month identifying HP as his new employer. According to the latest update to his LinkedIn profile, Ari is now enjoying the mild temperatures of the San Francisco Bay Area and does indeed hold the title of Senior Vice President at Hewlett-Packard. That in itself doesn't necessarily mean he's the new head honcho for webOS and Palm devices, but clicking on his "Company Website" link takes you to Palm.com, which should dispel any lingering doubts. So now that we know he'll be helping steer the HPalm ship, can we start sending Ari our mockups for the Pre 3 or what?
No one's going to be calling Nokero out for falling behind. Just a few short months after revealing its first commercial light bulb for developing nations, the outfit has now rolled out a second version, the predictably titled N200. This guy strikes a vastly different pose compared to the original, with the LED enclosure hanging on a swivel that enables it to be positioned in a way that would optimally catch light. When night falls, users can flip the light north to create a lantern. Nokero claims that this edition is just as rugged and rainproof as the original, but it's 60 percent brighter and lasts three times as long. A single NiMH battery is included, and that's what is rejuvenated by the sun -- once charged, it'll provide between 2.5 and 6 hours of light, depending on the mode. It's on sale now for $20 apiece (bulk prices are less), representing a modest $5 premium over the (still available) N100. Can't say the Yankees will be looking to decorate their outdoor patio with lighting right about now, but for the nomads trekking to Panama to escape Old Man Winter... well, you know what to do. Vid's after the break.
Solar light bulb takes on 190 million ton pollution problem
Denver CO (Nov. 18, 2010) - Sometimes the great ideas are the simple ones, and this certainly holds true for the new solar light bulb coming from the creative minds at Nokero International Limited, the Nokero N200.
Small, lightweight, and durable, the Nokero is billed as humanity's best chance at ending the dangerous and polluting practice of burning kerosene fuel for lighting. A quarter of the world's population still burn fossil fuels for light, leading to the release of 190 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year – that's the equivalent of 30 million cars.
Replacing kerosene with solar is no easy task. A solar light must be durable, rainproof, long-lasting, and bright enough to be useful in the dark of night. Perhaps more importantly, it must be affordable – even to those who make $2 US a day or less.
The Nokero N200 meets all these requirements, and is also the brightest solar bulb for the money on the market. The company is aiming to see it retailed in world markets for around $15 or less.
Users would no longer have to pay for kerosene or other fuels, so could recoup the money in a matter of weeks or months, depending on market factors, and the bulb is designed to last two years before the battery must be replaced. Once replaced, the recyclable, nickel-metal-hydride battery can keep the bulb functioning for five or more years, if well-cared for.
Nokero also makes a useful tool for home, garden, and camping for ecologically-minded people living in the developed world. The company sells the bulb at bulk rates to dealers and distributors, who can then offer the bulb at reduced rates domestically and abroad. However samples of the Nokero N200 are available for a premium at www.nokero.com.
Bulb performance
The Nokero N200 has three modes: On, Off, and Turbo-Task. The bulb can last six or more hours on one day's charge, or 2.5 hours per night or more in Turbo-Task mode. The Nokero's N200 single solar panel can be pivoted toward the sun to maximize charging efficiency in the day, and at night the light can be hung, or set inside to provide light.
About the Nokero N100
Nokero attained notoriety with the introduction of its first solar light bulb, the N100, in June of 2010. The company has sold more than 50,000 N100s since then, and has launched pilot projects on six continents.
The Nokero N100 is still available for sale in small quantities and in bulk, and is 30 percent less expensive than the Nokero N200. As the most affordable solar light of its kind in the world, the N100 is an appealing option for people in impoverished regions who desperately need light, yet don't have the funds to buy expensive solar systems.
Learn more about Nokero at N100 and N200 at www.nokero.com.
Are you prepared to be blown away? Have your mind flipped inside-out? Experience a revelation to end all revelations? Tough luck, bubs. During an earnings call yesterday, GameStop president Tony Bartel was cited as saying that both Microsoft's Kinect and Sony's PlayStation Move would both be difficult to find this holiday season, noting that the Kinect would be "a hot item through the holiday season and the key opportunity will be just to continue to keep them in stock." He also stated that the Move would be "in short supply," and even went so far as to predict that consumers would be "following the UPS truck to our stores to pick up that product as soon as they can find it." Naturally, GameStop's in-stock guarantee won't apply to the two things it actually should (read: Kinect and Move), and Tony stopped short of providing hard evidence that this so-called shortage would in fact occur. But hey, no one ever said that drumming up demand for a product your store hawks was a bad business move, you know? And on the real, we're guessing that Santa will actually have the hots for these things, and if you're considering one, it's always wise to be proactive. Or spend countless nights attempting to snipe Johnny Doe on eBay -- your call.
Without question, Apple's latest iPod nano is its most interesting one yet. And considering that it's the first nano with a color, multitouch LCD slapped onto it, it's also one of the most multifaceted. The engineers in Cupertino certainly cut away from the nano's past in order to create this new shuffle-like form factor, and it's expectantly drawn quite a bit of heat from both side. Now, let's say you were allowed inside the Apple lairs, and told that you could revamp the nano in any method you pleased. Aside from figuring out if it would blend or not, how would you go about tweaking the new nano? Enlarge the device (and thus, the screen) just a bit? Throw a second display on the rear for kicks and giggles? Throw in a pair of Bluetooth headphones? Talk to us in comments below.
As the everlasting debate rages on, and brains continue to / not to melt with every passing phone call, Casemate's taking no chances whatsoever. By collaborating with Pong -- a company that makes its ends by "protecting users of cellular telephones from the potentially harmful effects of radiation exposure" -- the Bounce was born. For all intents and purposes, it's a simplistic form-fitting iPhone 4 case (BlackBerry models are en route), available in a foursome of hues and tested to reduce normal cellphone radiation (SAR) by at least 60 percent. Purportedly, the case can redirect your phone's electromagnetic energy away from your head... right into the brain of some lucky chap sitting next to you on the subway. But hey, at least it serves another purpose: solving that blasted iPhone 4 reception issue. Two birds, one $49.99 dent in your credit card. Propaganda vid is just past the break.
Bounce™ Collection from case-mate and Pong Lets You Give the Gift of Style and Safety This Holiday Season
Radiation-Reducing Cases for iPhone 4 Smartphones Available Now at case-mate.com
ATLANTA, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for holiday gift-giving, Bounce™, the stylish, radiation-reducing collection of smartphone cases, is now available for purchase. case-mate®, known for its innovative accessories that protect, adorn and enhance mobile technology, developed the line in partnership with Pong®, the global leader in technologies that protect users of wireless devices from radiation exposure.
Available in an assortment of bold colors, Bounce cases employ patented technology from Pong® that redirects radiation away from consumers. The devices are proven in laboratories certified by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to redirect at least 60 percent of "normal" cell phone radiation and 85 percent of "hot spot" radiation away from users while maintaining full signal strength.
"case-mate is delighted to offer consumers a collection of cases that protect both their smartphones and their health," said Erik Attkisson, Chief Marketing Officer of case-mate. "With Bounce, we're providing consumers with a new level of prevention, while delivering the style factor they've come to expect from case-mate."
"We are proud to be the leading manufacturer of mobile device accessories that address concerns of environmental health," said Kevin Passarello, President of Pong. "By partnering with case-mate, we are able to take our radiation-reducing cases to a new level with best-in-class design."
Bounce Product Features
* Innovative: Bounce cases feature a sleek design coupled with ground-breaking radiation-reducing technology. * Trustworthy: The devices are proven in FCC-certified laboratories. * Effective: A paper-thin internal circuit board deflects away from the user at least 60 percent of constant radiation and re-directs 85 percent or more of "hot spot" radiation. * Durable: The slim, flexible case is impact resistant, so the phone is protected from potential scratches and scrapes. * Stylish: These cases come in bold pink and green, as well as sleek black and grey.
The Bounce collection offers cases for the iPhone 4 and coming soon for BlackBerry 8520, 9650 and 9700 smartphones.
Pricing and Availability
Priced at $49.99, Bounce cases are available for purchase by visiting http://www.case-mate.com/pong. All cases include a free screen protection kit.
For more information on the science behind Pong technology, visit http://www.pongresearch.com.
About case-mate
Launching innovative accessories since 2006, case-mate combines design engineering with cutting-edge materials to protect, adorn and enhance mobile technology. case-mate employees comprise entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world who believe that there is nothing more important than the freedom of self-expression. Our mantra "Freedom To Be Truly You" inspires every creative output, every day. This core principle carries through our products, packaging and partnerships and brings to life case-mate's vision in a dynamic technology marketplace. To learn more, please visit http://www.case-mate.com.
About Pong
Pong Research Corporation LLC is the global leader in technologies that protect users of cellular telephones and other wireless devices from the potentially harmful effects of radiation exposure. Pong has developed the first patented technology proven in laboratories certified by the FCC to redirect away from the user at least 60% of "normal" cell phone radiation-as measured on the SAR scale. Once redirected, the radiation poses no threat to users or those around them. Pong also reduces the most dangerous EFI or "hot spot" radiation by at least 85%. Pong will not diminish, and may even improve, signal strength. Consumers all over the world who care about their-and their families' and friends'-environmental health enjoy the benefits of Pong technology. To learn more, please visit http://www.pongresearch.com.
Rage HD for iOS is a seriously gorgeous game -- well worth the $2, if you ask us. Now that he can look up from his monitor, id Software's technical wizard John Carmack is making the interview rounds -- let's see what we can glean, shall we? On the subject of Rage itself, expect the first patch to add Game Center support as well as some bug fixes / minor tweaks to prettify the game further. And if you picked up the SD version, consider yourself among a more exclusive crowd: sales have been majorly lop-sided in favor of HD. "If it's that big of a difference," he told TUAW, "we probably won't offer the low-end, standard def version [in future games]."
We already know Carmack's thoughts on the iPhone vs. Nintendo DS / PSP, as they've been echoed before once or twice, but here's one new to us: "You should be able to do something that's better on an iPad than anything that's done on the Wii," according to the John that spoke with Kotaku. That's all purely theoretical, as it's really up to the developer as to how much power it takes advantage of, and even with the tablet in question, "we're nowhere close to maxing out what could be done on an iPad." Oh, and Android? There's work being done for the Little Green Platform as well, but via TUAW John, "there's a lot of things with how the distribution platform works and the diversity of the platforms that you have to target, where things are still much, much nicer on the iOS world."
As for id's next foray in the "iOS world," Joystiq learned that a driving game based in the Rage universe is in the cards, and perhaps something inspired by Quake Arena: "maybe focusing on the lightning gun, and call it 'Lightning Arena' or something, that would be a full roam-around FPS game." When asked about his resemblance to one Kevin Bacon, all reports indicate Carmack vanished behind a green-tinted smoke cloud of 1s and 0s, leaving in his wake a three-foot tall statue of Commander Keen made from old shareware discs.
Making plans to invite the whole neighborhood to watch the BCS National Championship in 3D? For large groups, the best option may be this 65-inch Theater 3D LCD HDTV that posters on AVSForum spotted today on VIZIO's website, since its screen is polarized for use with passive 3D glasses like the ones used at most movie theaters. Since all the cost is in the $3,699 screen, the individual pairs of glasses are far cheaper than the battery powered active shutter glasses used by other 3DTVs currently available. The specs show this one is a 120Hz edge lit LED unit, unlike the 480Hz local dimming 3D sets the company announced earlier this week, but we'll wait for an official announcement and a release date before deciding if that makes a difference.
Didn't get a Venue Pro when Microsoft threw a few on its store shelves? Why, that'd be enough to make us mad, too -- Ballmer mad, in fact. Fear not, though: as Dell tells it, the company has production ramped up for a "timely" launch on T-Mobile's network. When? Won't say. Holiday season, at least? No release windows is given. And one more thing, too... Dell read our piece on the Windows Phone 7 microSD and wants you all to know that, no, you shouldn't mess with the Venue Pro's card, either. There's no eject mechanism, and that's supposed to be a not-so-subtle hint to stay back. Consider yourself warned, again.
So, it's real after all, huh? Android fragmentation is making its way into the news again, and this time it counts. Rovio, developer of a little-known title called "Angry Birds," has just penned a new blog post detailing the night terrors that have come with coding a single program to work on a cornucopia of platforms. In the weeks since Angry Birds was released to Android users everywhere, the company has been inundated with performance complaints, mostly from users with older / underpowered Android devices or phones using Android 1.6 or earlier. A laundry list of smartphones have now been added to the "unsupported" list (shown in full after the break), but thankfully for you, a "lightweight" version of the game is in the works. According to Rovio, that build won't reduce the number of levels (or amount of fun / frustration, for that matter), but will instead be optimized for dawdling processors and Android versions that have been helplessly malformed by carriers. Nice going, guys.
It's not every day that a new HTC phone with CDMA and WiMAX support swings through the FCC's labs -- so even though we don't really know what this is, we thought we'd better point it out. Odds are it'll be headed to Sprint considering the unique combination of technology, and the test report lists it as a "Smart Phone" -- Windows Phones from these guys usually say as much, so we're thinking this is probably Android. The elephant in the room would have to be the Knight / EVO Shift 4G we've been hearing about lately... and considering that there are mentions of tests in the "slide off" and "slide right" configurations, we wouldn't doubt this is it. Any crazy theories out there?
We do hate to play into wily PR folks' attention-grabbing campaigns, but when they're quite so nutty, we can't help but admire them. UK network Three is trying to promote its hotspots (we think) by having dudes wearing full-body underwear running around with "Human Hotspot" signs and what looks like part of the Engadget logo throughout London. We don't get it, but we do love it.
Thomas: "I can look up your WEP." Vlad: "Please note, dressing up as a Trojan won't protect you from actual trojans." Nilay: "Touch my junk and I'll have you arrested." Darren: "I'm probably working... even if the tube drivers aren't." Richard Lai: "My SSID is quite well hidden, if I may say so." Carlos: "I'm hot... or not?" Tim: "I knew that Fantastic Four movie was a bad career move. Time for a new agent." Ross: "Ask about where I keep my SIM card." Myriam: "Spot the hotness." Sam: "The Blue Man Group member that never was." Josh T.: "Due to his drug habit and carousing, the Invisible Man had been forced into a number of demeaning jobs."
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THREE 'HUMAN HOTSPOTS' SWEEP THE UK ... as more than 60% of Brits now own a mobile gadget
Three is letting loose 'Human Hotspots' across London and several other regions to give Brits free access to mobile Wi-Fi. The 'Human Hotspots' are a response to research showing that more people are going online with their mobile gadgets and are in need of a strong and reliable 3G connection.
Research by Three has shown that one third (31 per cent) of Brits are planning to buy one of this year's hot mobile gadgets such as a tablet, Sony Playstation PSP and an Amazon Kindle, as a gift this Christmas, while 60 per cent of people already own a mobile gadget themselves.
The popularity of mobile gadgets is seeing people use them almost wherever they can – nearly half of those surveyed admit to going online on their mobile gadgets in the bedroom (48 per cent), just under a third are using them at work (29 per cent), while 14 per cent admit to using their mobile gadget on the toilet.
But it doesn't stop there as eight per cent of people admit to using their mobile gadget at their in-laws' house, and five percent even find the time to go online during their work-out at the gym.
The 'Human Hotspots' will use Three's MiFi®, which uses Three's 3G network to create a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Those in the area who spot a Human Hotspot can connect to the internet while out and about by connecting to the Human Hotpot's MiFi.
Three's Wi-Fi dongle is small enough to fit in your pocket and can connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices at once.
According to Three's research, the top ten places where people use their mobile gadgets the most is as follows: 1. In the living room 72% 2. In the bedroom 48% 3. At work 29% 4. On public transport 24% 5. On the toilet 14% 5. Walking 14% 7. In the bathroom 12% 8. In the garden 11% 9. At a bar/club 9% 10. While shopping 8%
Matthew Halfin, the marketing manager for Three's mobile broadband propositions commented, "People are now using mobile internet as part of their everyday lifestyle, and we think it's important that we're able to support our customers by providing them with reliable and fast connectivity for wherever they want to go online.
"Three's 3G network was designed for the mobile internet, so we can give people the very best online experience with their mobile gadgets. This will be particularly important over the Christmas period as a third of people head online with their new mobile toys."
Three's Human Hotspots will be appearing in London (Friday Nov 19), Cardiff (Friday Nov 26), Bristol (Saturday Nov 27), Nottingham (Saturday Dec 4) and Newcastle (Saturday Dec 11) and will be allowing people in these regions - and near a human hotspot - to connect to the internet for free while they're out and about, as well as trial some of this Christmas' hottest mobile gadgets.
It's not the Kindle lending feature that Amazon has in the works, but the company has just rolled out another fairly big Kindle feature for those feeling a bit generous this holiday season. That comes in the form of a new "give as a gift" option now present on Amazon.com, which will let you send an e-book to anyone with an email address, who can then read it on the Kindle-friendly device of their choice (or an actual Kindle, of course). As Amazon is all too happy to point out, it's the first major bookseller to offer such a service, but we've got to guess it won't be the last.
We've always had a soft spot for Altec Lansing's wide array of speaker docks -- these guys have been embedded in that space for an awfully long time, and the quality has always seemed up to snuff in our eyes. Er, ears. For whatever reason, it looks as if Altec is trying to replicate that success in the earbud market -- a market that's been growing increasingly crowded over the past couple of years as the portable media player and smartphone sectors have exploded. These days, a set of third-party headphones are nearly a requirement to fully enjoy whatever media player you've ended up with, and thus, hordes of companies have flocked to cater to the demand. The Ultra MZX606 earbuds ($99.95) popped onto the scene just two months ago, and now we've had a solid weekend to push the latest Underoath, Happy Body Slow Brain, Kanye West and Otis Redding jams through here. Hop on past the break for our impressions.
Design wise, these are about what you'd expect for a $100 set of 'buds. The glossed cable is tough to tangle, the input jack is solid and thick, the remote is rugged enough and the earbuds themselves are downright classy. We haven't exactly seen a design like this before, and while it's eye-catching at a glance, we get the impression that Altec's designers were going for more than aesthetics. The more chances you give users to bend or break a cable, the worse, so this bracing system actually helps to prevent unnecessary bends when they're inevitably shoved into the bundled carry case. They're also delightfully lightweight, but strangely large. The casings themselves feel bloated by modern day earbud standards, and the included earbud tips are no different.
Altec threw in four sets of tips with our review unit; a small / medium / large trifecta of the typical "round" tips, and a single, one-size-fits-all dual-flange set. But here's the thing: even the small tips are enormous. We can't even imagine a human outside of The Undertaker or Shaquille O'Neal who could realistically use the large ones. In the past, we've tended to prefer the dual-flange tips when given the choice, and while the seal was certainly superior with those, they were still too large for us. We're thinking a smaller set of dual-flange tips would've hit the sweet spot for us, but alas, those aren't included. Or even created, so far as we know.
Unfortunately for Altec Lansing, the eartips make all the difference in the world when it comes to audio quality and overall enjoyment / dissatisfaction. We tested out all of the tips, and while the dual-flange ones did actually maintain a relatively good seal even while exercising, the sound quality was underwhelming through all of them. We tested out a variety of genres -- from jazz to metal and just about everything in between -- and two things made themselves apparent throughout. First, there's a distinct lack of low-end. Even from a non-basshead's perspective, the low lows just weren't in attendance like they should be. Secondly, the mids and highs were pretty impressive, and quite accurate even when pressed at higher volumes. Sadly, two out of three doesn't cut it these days, and even though the highs and mids were on-point, they still lacked a certain enthusiasm that was evident in Sleek Audio's $79 SA1 and Klipsch's $99 Image S4i.
Here's the thing: the Muzx Ultra MZX606 earbuds cost $100. That's a bold price point, and considering the intense competition in that range, there's simply no room whatsoever for a let down in any aspect of the product. The aforesaid SA1 from Sleek Audio and Klipsch Image S4i (which includes an three-button iPhone remote, to boot) both outperform these guys handily, from overall design to overall audio quality. For some strange reason, Altec decided it best to stuff the inline remote about an inch from your cheek rather than at the yoke below your chin -- we're guessing they wanted the microphone closer to your lips, but you're left with a ridiculous stick slapping you in the face with every single step on the treadmill. Not cool. Furthermore, it's hard to endure any eartip once you've had the pleasure of inserting Klipsch's oval tips into your flappers. Canal openings simply aren't round; they're oval, and oval tips undoubtedly provide a more premium seal, and in turn, a better audio experience. If Altec Lansing were to price these at half of what they are, they'd be tough to overlook. But at $100, given the competition, they're frankly hard to even consider.
We're hoping he wasn't speaking out of turn here, but for what it's worth, Palm developer advocate Josh Marinacci has said on stage at webOS Developer Days today in New York that webOS 2.0 will be coming to "all" Palm devices in "the coming months." Now, we're going to go ahead and assume he's not talking about your Treo 650, your Palm III, or your LifeDrive, but we're taking that to mean that Pre, Pixi, Pre Plus, and Pixi Plus owners on all carriers around the globe can expect official upgrades for their phones -- and hey, considering how mild of an upgrade the Pre 2 is (and the fact you can't get it on some of the older devices' launch carriers), that's fantastic news. Follow the break for Marinacci's full presentation from the event.
Still have your hopes up about a Windows Phone 7 slider from Sony Ericsson? Then you might want to dial back those expectations, at least according to Sony Ericsson France CEO Pierre Perron. He recently told French newspaper Les Echos that while Sony Ericsson has indeed been in talks with Microsoft about Windows Phone 7, the company is not likely to pursue it because it would "run the risk of standardizing our smartphones," adding that (roughly translated), "we would be obliged to fight only on design and price, which we want to avoid." Perron also seemed to outright dismiss the idea of a tablet from Sony Ericssson (be it Android or otherwise), flatly stating that the company doesn't want to be the "24th" tablet on the market. Of course, it could well be a different story a few months or a year down the line, but it certainly doesn't sound like Sony Ericsson will be straying far from its current strategy at the moment.
Attention humans: the Engadget Show is back in a big way tomorrow, November 20th at 6:30pm! Join us in New York City, where we'll be interviewing Sprint's product chief Fared Adib as well as Google TV product manager Salahuddin Choudhary, plus we'll have the usual mix of raucous editor roundtable, insane giveaways (somebody is leaving with an EPIC 4G and more!), crazy segments, and mind-bending chiptunes music from exileFaker! You don't want to miss it! Remember, giveaways happen at the live show only, so make the trek and join us at The Times Center in person. We have a new ticketing policy, so if you're coming to the live show, be sure to read about it below. If you're geographically incapable of joining us in New York City, just tune into the stream right here on Engadget.
The Engadget Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... we still had a few tickets left at the beginning of the last show and we'll be updating the site if we run out, so come join us! Here's the updated info on our new ticketing policy that you need to know:
There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
The event is all ages
Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2:00PM on Saturday, November 20th, doors will open for seating at 5:45PM, and the show begins at 6:30PM
We now have assigned seating, so the first people to get their tickets -- and the Sprint text-to-win winners (see below) -- will get priority seating. This also means that once you get a ticket, your seat is guaranteed -- you won't have to get back in line to get a good seat.
Ticketing will continue until all tickets are given away
You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full
If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.
Subscribe to the Show:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.
It's no secret that RIM doesn't exactly agree with Steve Jobs' characterization of the company's prospects, and Jim Balsillie has some more to say on the Apple vs. RIM front, particularly where it comes to apps. It's hard to imagine RIM catching up with Apple's 300,000+ apps, but Jim doesn't think that's the point: "We believe that you can bring the mobile to the Web but you don't need to go through some kind of control point of an SDK, and that's the core part of our message." The statement was made at the Web 2.0 Summit a couple days ago, and on further prompting Jim made it clear he rejects Apple's "appification" of the web. RIM's strategy is obviously riding on highly portable Adobe AIR apps and Flash support in the browser (much like Microsoft's Silverlight app strategy for Windows Phone 7), and we look forward to seeing just how well that playbook plays out in the PlayBook. Of course, "there's not an app for that, but our browser is fully capable of performing that functionality" isn't quite so catchy...
The iOS App Store might already have its fair share of addictive and compelling games on offer, but when John Carmack comes calling with his latest megatextured shoot-em-up, you've got to sit up and pay attention. Rage HD: Mutant Bash TV isn't so much a full-fledged game in its own right as it is a teaser for the forthcoming Rage FPS for the PC, and yet even in its pretty limited running time, it managed to woo and thrill us with its visceral gameplay and arresting visuals. It's easily the best-looking game we've yet seen on a mobile device and provides a fine demonstration of just how far Apple's hardware -- on the iPhone 4, iPad, and fourth-gen iPod touch -- can be pushed when some appropriately adroit hands are at the graphical controls. But, of course, games are supposed to be fun to play, not just to look at, so why not join us after the break to see how well Rage HD handles its mutant-bashing duties?
The first thing to be said about Rage HD is that it's a shooter on rails, meaning that you don't get to personally control the movement of your protagonist, who -- much like a cart on an amusement park ride -- swings to and fro under his own, mysterious volition. Given the relative lack of sophistication on offer from touchscreen controls, we feel like that was probably the sagest choice to make. It helps to make the game instantly accessible and minimizes control clutter to a degree where there's no frustrating learning curve. There is room to improve your aim and your agility in combat, but you can get by without it on the Easy mode.
Looking around is done either by navigating the screen with your finger or by tilting and turning the phone itself, whose accelerometer and gyroscope come into good use and react impressively quickly. The one niggling thing that kept irking us was that the player's automated motion also includes some camera control, so oftentimes you'll have your vision swung away from bonus items or Bullseye targets that you might have preferred to shoot before delivering some merciful death to the nearest mutants. It's clearly a part of the gameplay mechanics to make you twist and torque yourself around to achieve every objective, but it's something of an annoying one.
The few button controls are intelligently thought and laid out on screen, neither obscuring the action nor making themselves particularly difficult to find, use or understand. We also enjoyed the extra bit of sophistication thrown in to differentiate weapons -- you can interrupt reloading of your shotgun to fire off a shot, which you can't do with the assault rifle or handgun, both of which require the exchange of an entire clip. Additionally, some of the baddies can throw projectiles at you, which you're free to either dodge or shoot out of the air, depending on how much of a badass you are.
On the whole, id earns high marks from us for its control scheme (which admittedly hasn't really changed from the days of Doom Resurrection) on a game that really has no business working so well on a comparatively tiny 3.5-inch screen. That's only augmented by the professional and deeply atmospheric musical score and the, let's say it again, buttery smooth and stunningly beautiful graphical performance. If there's anything to be criticized about the look of Rage HD, it's the insipid pastel color palette -- but then we hear it's all the rage in dystopian visions of our post-apocalyptic future, so we'll let that slide.
Another positive of note is that exiting the game abruptly won't lose your progress and you'll be thrown back into the exact same spot when ready to return and get gunning again. If you decide to shut it down entirely, Rage HD will still remember your last checkpoint, and since autosaves seem to be quite generously apportioned, you're pretty much always assured of having your trail of mayhem recorded. Which might be a really valuable thing to have ... if only Rage HD wasn't so incredibly brief. A measly three levels are on offer, each one taking no longer than 15 minutes to complete (unless you jack up the difficulty, then they might take you days), and there's no actual storyline aside from the Running Man theme, no character development, and no great finale to look forward to. Like we say, it's more a teaser than a game in its own right.
The short single-player and non-existent multiplayer components to this game -- seriously, why not keep some proper stats and let us at least compete numerically -- limit the long-term appeal of Rage HD, but if you're looking for the best way to kill, murder, and obliterate 30 minutes of your lifetime, this $1.99 gorefest would top our list of recommendations.
N.B. -- There's also an SD version of the game available on the App Store, costing $0.99, that extends compatibility down to the iPhone 3G and iPod touch second and third generation devices.
Still have your hopes up about a Windows Phone 7 slider from Sony Ericsson? Then you might want to dial back those expectations, at least according to Sony Ericsson France CEO Pierre Perron. He recently told French newspaper Les Echos that while Sony Ericsson has indeed been in talks with Microsoft about Windows Phone 7, the company is not likely to pursue it because it would "run the risk of standardizing our smartphones," adding that (roughly translated), "we would be obliged to fight only on design and price, which we want to avoid." Perron also seemed to outright dismiss the idea of a tablet from Sony Ericssson (be it Android or otherwise), flatly stating that the company doesn't want to be the "24th" tablet on the market. Of course, it could well be a different story a few months or a year down the line, but it certainly doesn't sound like Sony Ericsson will be straying far from its current strategy at the moment.
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