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Engadget News

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• US Surpreme Court agrees to hear Microsoft appeal in Word patent case
• Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Gaming
• Two Kinects join forces to create better 3D video, blow our minds (video)
• Bicycle lock climbs poles, encourages would-be thieves to look elsewhere (video)
• Sony PSP to gain unlimited music via cloud-based Qriocity service
• MS applies for patent on 'light-induced shape-memory,' a touchscreen that could touch back
• Playboy releases not-so-discrete 250GB 'cover to cover' hard drive
• Nooka Zub Zayu watch has no hands, a name only Trevor Horn could love
• Mouse Computer's Lm-mini30X nettop gets D525 processor and SSD, costs a lot of cheese
• Lady Gaga trapped in an Android smartphone, we wish she'd stay there (video)
• Microsoft in talks to start new TV service using the 360?
• Steve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server
• Lenovo teases S800 phone with translucent color display, won't let anyone touch it
• Safretti's back with Double Vision hanging HDTV / fireplace combo
• ASUS Eee Note EA-800 priced at $230, launching in Taiwan this week
• LaCie's Hub4 quadruples your USB 3.0 pleasure
• Taiwan subsidizes development for Delta's glasses-free 3D projector and AUO's flexible AMOLED
• Harvard scientists reverse aging in mice, laugh maniacally at human possibilities
• WikiLeaks: Chinese Politburo responsible for Google hacking
• Adafruit Propeller Platform USB entices DIY electronics builders, 'Gadget Gangsters' at large
• Toshiba's 32-inch Power TV runs for 2 hours on integrated battery
• KDDI develops a zoom-enhance system for HD movie streaming on smartphones (video)
• Sharp's Galapagos media tablets landing December 10, costing quite a few Yen
• Kingston HyperX Max 3.0 USB 3.0 SSD reviewed, hits ludicrous speeds
• Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th
• Comcast internet down across parts of the eastern seaboard, fix on the way
• MIT developing smart adaptive LED lighting system to reduce energy use by up to 90 percent
• Sony fires barrage of touchscreen patent applications, only one points at new PSP
• Switched On: Acer's Iconic Keyboard
• Inhabitat's Week in Green: modernizing the US national grid, not to mention deserts and pyramids
• Samsung Nexus S reappears at the FCC with a pair of new antennas
• iPhone 3G, 3GS get iOS 4.2.1 unlock, using risky ultrasn0w workaround
• AMOLED shortage to become a surplus in 2011

US Surpreme Court agrees to hear Microsoft appeal in Word patent case Posted: 29 Nov 2010 10:20 AM PST It's been quite a few months since we've seen any major developments in Microsoft's patent battle with Toronto-based i4i Inc over Microsoft Word, but it looks like things are now about to change in a big way. As The Wall Street Journal reports, the US Supreme Court has today agreed to hear Mircosoft's appeal in the case that dealt it $290 million in damages and prevented it from selling versions of Word that contained the allegedly infringing technology. That could not only have some pretty big ramifications for Microsoft in this particular case, but for patent law in general, as it gets to the very heart of the legal standard for determining the validity of a patent. Needless to say, we'll be watching this one very closely -- the court is expected to hear the case sometime next year.

Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Gaming Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:48 AM PST Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! The team here is well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties of the seasonal shopping experience, and we want to help you sort through the trash and come up with the treasures this year. Below is today's bevy of hand curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Sit back, relax, grab a controller, and enjoy some obsessive-compulsive button mashing while you work in that body-sized groove into the couch... that's not the M.O. for the console makers this year. You don't have to embrace the jumping, hand-waving, and other methods of physical exertion, but it's definitely the "it" gaming hardware of this holiday season. Be sure to triple-check just what box your loved ones play on, and click on through for our gaming gift suggestions. Stocking stuffers Wii Remote Plus Nintendo's Wii Sports Resort made a somewhat compelling case for the original Motion Plus attachment, but one year later and we're still waiting for other games to fully capitalize on the added motion sensitivity. That isn't to say it won't happen, so best to be prepared. The Remote Plus is the "hybrid Cylon" of the original controller and the dongle, and at $40 it's priced to move. Then again, if you're a Nintendo faithful, there's always the all-red 25th anniversary Wii bundle for $199. Or you could just gift an IOU for the 3DS. Suggested MotionPlus games: Wii Sports Resort, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, Red Steel 2 Price: $39 Another option... PS Move Shooting Attachment - $20 If you're going to give your PlayStation Move-wielding friend any gun accessory, it might as well be one capable of scaring off alien invaders stuck in a 1950s time loop. Just saying. And another... Xbox Live / PSN / Nintendo Points - various prices Be it retro games of yesteryear, fresh bite-size titles, a movie rental / purchases, or additional content to your disc collection, game consoles today are all but begging you to indulge in some virtual content -- at a fee, of course. If digital is on his or her wishlist and you have to giftwrap something, this just might do the trick. Oh, you shouldn't have PlayStation Move A slim PlayStation 3? That's so last year. Why not, then, pick up Sony's latest addition to the PlayStation family. The Move is more of an evolution than a revolution, but it's easy to pick up to use and it really does get the "wand" fluidity right. Don't worry about the navigation control (you can use a DualShock pad in its stead) but it might be worth picking up another controller from the get-go for two-player fun. No PS3? Look for the320GB slim bundle for $399. Suggested Move games: Sports Champions, Heavy Rain, R.U.S.E. Price: $100 Another option... Mad Catz Cyborg Rat 9 - $129 Pro gamers won't like that it's wireless, but for every other gamer, the low latency, customizable nature and industrial aesthetic makes for a very attractive package. Because not everyone wants, needs, or even has the option of motion controls this holiday season. And another... Rock Band 3 keyboard - $129 with game Tales have been told of the very first time someone joked about a "keyboard hero" rhythm game? The original Guitar Hero developer have finally pulled it off in its own series, Rock Band 3. Pro guitars and bass interface is there, too, but if you ask us, the 100-plus-buttoned controller isn't worth the ticket price. The keyboard, however, is great, and simultaneous learning Bohemian Rhapsody / earning virtual achievements and trophies? Now that's efficiency we can get behind. We can't afford the rent now, can we? Xbox 360 4GB with Kinect Microsoft's game console has grown up quite a bit in its fifth year. Let's run through the list: ESPN3, Zune music, Netflix search (finally!), and a new, sleeker model with integrated WiFi and a quieter chipset that doesn't seem to give up on life as easily as its predecessor. And then there's Kinect, its controller-free motion-control system that's best when you're either learning to dance or "hacking" it for computer trickery -- you can pick up the Kinect solo for $149, if you're so inclined. Suggested Kinect games: Kinect Adventures, Dance Central, ESPN3 with voice control Price: $299 Another option... iPod touch - $230 and up Like it or not, Apple's managed to make a compelling case for iOS as a gaming platform, and as time goes on, more and more quality titles seem to surface. You could tether yourself to a two-year AT&T contract and pick up an iPhone 4, but if you want the iOS experience without giving up your current dialer (or carrier), take solace in this much-thinner touch alternative. Keep Rage HD handy to impress your friends, look forward to Epic's Infinity Blade, and take our advice: play Angry Birds only after all other work is out of the way. And another.... Alienware M11x with Core i5 - $949 and up Even with a Core 2 Duo and without NVIDIA's Optimus automatic GPU switching, we still loved Alienware's gaming rig in a (heavy) netbook form factor. Since our initial review, the M11x lineup has expanded to include Core i5 / i7 as well as Optimus support. The C2D model is actually on sale right now for $599 base price, but if you're really looking for a gaming machine with some more staying power, keep your eyes on the newer chipsets.

Two Kinects join forces to create better 3D video, blow our minds (video) Posted: 29 Nov 2010 09:21 AM PST Remember when Oliver Kreylos impressed and shocked us by showing that a single Microsoft Kinect could create some remarkably stout 3D video? He's back at it again, this time blowing minds and demonstrating that two Kinects can be paired and their output meshed -- one basically filling in the gaps of the other. He found that the two do create some interference, the dotted IR pattern of one causing some holes and blotches in the other, but when the two are combined they basically help each other out and the results are quite impressive. As you can see in the video after the break, Oliver is able to rotate the camera perspective and basically film himself from a new camera angle that exists somewhere in between the position of the two Kinects, and do-so in real-time. Sure, the quality leaves a lot to be desired, but still. Wow. [Thanks, Mohammad]

Bicycle lock climbs poles, encourages would-be thieves to look elsewhere (video) Posted: 29 Nov 2010 08:54 AM PST Had your morning cup of Haterade? Get ready to have it flushed out. A team of bicyclists / engineers have assembled what might be the best thing to happen to the bicycle since Lance Armstrong, with the (currently unnamed) pole-climbing bike lock created for Germany's own Conrad. There's no word on if (or when) this fancy contraption will go on sale, but we know at least one Dutch inhabitant that'll be parting ways with as many Euros as necessary in order to take one home. In short, this device straps around a nearby light pole and then carries your bike high into the air (and thus, faraway from the hands of thieves) via a remote control. The only problems? For one, it's huge, and should prove worrisome to carry around. Secondly, you'll be in a whole heap of trouble should some other prankster decide to hike his / her bike up the same pole beneath yours. Anywho, the video after the break is definitely worth a watch. See more video at our hub!

Sony PSP to gain unlimited music via cloud-based Qriocity service Posted: 29 Nov 2010 08:21 AM PST Just days after Sony's Qriocity video-on-demand service went live across Europe, in flies this -- news that the aforesaid service will be spreading its wings and touching the PSP in short order. Word on the street has it that the next PlayStation Portable update (v6.35) will bring along Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, described as a "new, cloud-based, digital music service from Sony that will give music lovers access to millions of songs stored and synchronized through the cloud." Post-update, users will notice a new icon in the PSP's XrossMediaBar under the 'Music' category, and moreover, the Media Go application for managing PSP downloadable content on your PC will be updated "with enhancements to the user interface and advanced photo editing tools." Sony's remaining mum on a launch date, but the internet is already abuzz about what this may mean for the impending PlayStation Phone. Will Sony finally have a leg-up over iOS with an ingrained unlimited music client? A boy can dream, can't he?

MS applies for patent on 'light-induced shape-memory,' a touchscreen that could touch back Posted: 29 Nov 2010 07:56 AM PST Touchscreens are selfish lovers, taking your gentle caresses and impatient taps without offering a hint of feedback to you. We've seen attempts to change that, like prototypes from Toshiba and Senseg that add a bit of texture to a touchable surface, but now Microsoft might be looking to bring such dynamic tactility to the one of the biggest touchable surfaces: Surface. A recent patent application entitled "Light-induced Shape-memory Polymer Display Screen" describes a technique for a display that uses infra-red light to detect touch, but also to "selectively change a topography of the topography-changing layer." In other words: to make it bumpy or smooth. Certain wavelengths of light projected on the screen can cause areas of that topography layer expand or contract, which could finally mean all our cries for attention might finally be responded to in kind.

Playboy releases not-so-discrete 250GB 'cover to cover' hard drive Posted: 29 Nov 2010 07:33 AM PST Well, you can finally throw out that trunk in your grandfather's garage. Hugh Heffner's legacy has taken a cue from National Geographic -- in an arguably non-horrifying way -- and partnered with publisher Bondi Digital to release a (presumably Seagate-branded) 250GB external hard drive packed with every issue of Playboy released since 1953. Its $300 asking price is roughly four times what you'd pay for a fresh G-rated 250GB drive today, but compared to a 57-year subscription, the digital vault is certainly a bargain. In contrast to their trail blazin' efforts with the iBod though, thanks to the prominent placement of the brand's iconic bow tie-wearing bunny and name, there's no chance of using this device for practical tasks such as backing up TPS reports at the office. Like the decision to phase out DVDs in favor of VOD however, the move does prove the magazine isn't afraid of staying abreast of today's content consumption trends. Next stop, Nook Color?

Nooka Zub Zayu watch has no hands, a name only Trevor Horn could love Posted: 29 Nov 2010 07:09 AM PST Call us suckers for odd watches if you must, but there is something about Nooka's timepieces that make you take a second look. Keeping with the tradition of goofy "z" names (remember Nooka's Zot and Zoo from a couple years back?), the Zub Zayu is ambidextrous and eschews hands for something called the "time capsule" display. And if that isn't enough, it also goes into sleep mode to conserve juice. We just hope it comes back to life quicker than the iPod nano! Available now for $175.

Mouse Computer's Lm-mini30X nettop gets D525 processor and SSD, costs a lot of cheese Posted: 29 Nov 2010 06:46 AM PST What would you pay for a netbook without a screen? How about one that's rocking a dual-core, 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 processor, NVIDIA ION graphics, and an 80GB SSD? Mouse Computer is hoping your answer is somewhere around $600, because that's roughly what its new, 49,980 yen Lm-mini30X will cost along with 4GB of RAM, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, HDMI output, and a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. If that's a bit too rich for you, there's the slightly lower-spec Lm-mini30S, which drops you to 2GB of RAM, 320GB on platters, and lowly 32-bit Windows. That'll set you back 37,800 yen, or about $450 -- still a good amount for a little PC, but given neither are likely to see a release on these shores there's no point in getting too worked up about it. Mouse Computer Lm-mini30X nettop

Lady Gaga trapped in an Android smartphone, we wish she'd stay there (video) Posted: 29 Nov 2010 06:24 AM PST NTT DoCoMo has Darth Vader selling its Android wares, so what could KDDI au possibly counter with? Why, a force even darker and more heinous than the Sith Daddy himself: Lady Gaga. Yes, the music fiend we love to hate has remixed Poker Face just to make sure we take notice of Sharp's IS03, and the kindly Japanese carrier has taken care of inserting her into the phone for maximum promotional value. Yes, au, now that we've seen Lady Gaga strutting around inside it, we totally want to own one of these handsets! See the video promos after the break. [Thanks, machine]

Microsoft in talks to start new TV service using the 360? Posted: 29 Nov 2010 06:02 AM PST Microsoft's been strangely quiet during the recent smart TV explosion even though it has arguably the most mature set of products in Windows Media Center and Mediaroom, and now we know why: Reuters says MS has been meeting with media companies in an effort to create an entirely new TV service possibly delivered through the Xbox 360. Apparently there are multiple options on the table, ranging from a full-on "virtual cable operator" with monthly fees to using the 360 as an extension of existing cableco online TV initiatives to simply delivering certain channels like ESPN and HBO a la carte, and Reuters' sources say the plan might take another 12 months to develop. That sounds like a bit too long, if you ask us: Apple and Google are waging a major living room assault, and we can't imagine Microsoft is willing to miss another technology cycle -- especially not one where it holds the significant advantage of the 360's installed base and proven history as an IPTV device on multiple operators worldwide, including Uverse. We'll see what happens -- it sounds like the battle might finally be joined.

Steve Ballmer looking into removal of Drive Extender from Windows Home Server Posted: 29 Nov 2010 05:26 AM PST Windows Home Server hasn't exactly taken the consumer market by storm, showing yet again that people are more interested in shiny new toys than protecting their precious data. Still, there's been a huge amount of negative backlash from Microsoft's recent decision to drop Drive Extender from the next release of WHS, currently codenamed Vail. Drive Extender is the tech that enables multiple physical disks to act as a single logical volume, making it easy for even non-techy folks to add more and enable data replication. Terry Walsh over at We Got Served was similarly taken aback by the decision and took the opportunity to drop a note to Big Poppa Steve Ballmer. He got a response: From: Steve Ballmer Sent: 26 November 2010 05:30 To: Terry Walsh Subject: RE: MVP Feedback – Windows Home Server "Vail" Crisis Let's look into it Yes, it's a short response, and it course could mean anything or, indeed, nothing, but it is at least a response and a positive sign that the huge outcry among fans of Windows Home Server can indeed make its way to the top of the executive chain. Now we just wait to see what comes rolling back down...

Lenovo teases S800 phone with translucent color display, won't let anyone touch it Posted: 29 Nov 2010 05:01 AM PST Step aside, Sony Ericsson, your Xperia Pureness has been beaten at its own game by an enigmatic new handset that Lenovo has been showing off over in China. The above images come from a Beijing fashion event, where Lenovo chose to debut its S800 featurephone with a color translucent display. It looks to still be at the concept stage, one that not many of these luxury items seem to ever exit, but lest you think it's not for real, the models showing it off at the show were photographed backstage using the lustworthy piece of glass to do whatever it is that models do with their phones. Check out the links below for more.

Safretti's back with Double Vision hanging HDTV / fireplace combo Posted: 29 Nov 2010 04:46 AM PST Nothing quite says "the holidays" like warming up to an artificial fire in a spacious, well-appointed apartment while watching a DVD of generic snow-filled landscapes. Unless you're in our family, in which case "the holidays" is more about drunken egg nog brawls and recrimination. Either way, it looks like the kids at Safretti have improved their hanging, portable fireplaces the only way, really, that it could be improved upon: by adding an HD LCD TV to the mix. We're not sure what the Netherlands-based company is charging for this, but seeing as how this purveyor of ultra-expensive home furnishings doesn't even have an office in the states (the closest is in Mexico, and the one in Liechtenstein refuses to answer our emails) we're pretty sure you can't afford it anyways. It comes in two sizes, featuring either a 37-inch or 47-inch TV. Get a closer look after the break.

ASUS Eee Note EA-800 priced at $230, launching in Taiwan this week Posted: 29 Nov 2010 04:19 AM PST Woah, it was only last week that we finalized the naming scheme for ASUS's LCD-equipped note taker, yet today the company's announcing that it'll be available to buy this week in its native Taiwan. Even better news is the $230 price tag (NT$6,999), which makes the Eee Note quite the affordable little device. It's versatile too, thanks to a built-in camera and microphone for recording of notes and a 3.5mm headphone jack for playback. Running on Linux, the 8-inch tablet (1024 x 768 res) is said to be capable of 13.5 hours of uninterrupted use, which doesn't match the similarly monochromatic e-readers out there but is a decent compromise for the functionality on offer. Hong Kong should be the next market on its global tour, to be followed by Germany, Italy and Russia around the turn of the year and China and the US in Q1 of 2011.

LaCie's Hub4 quadruples your USB 3.0 pleasure Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:49 AM PST Even in their prime, USB hubs were never the sexiest part of a tech geek's shopping trip -- people would typically grab the most functional (or crazy) looking option and move on to picking out their next set of "future-proof" RAM sticks. We're not convinced LaCie's really going to change all that with its Hub4, but it sure is trying hard by giving it a curvaceous exterior and those oh-so-desirable blue USB jacks. Yes, the USB 3.0 color coding is large and in charge here, highlighting a full quartet of ports for all that SuperSpeed gear you've been stashing. Of course, you'll still need at least one 3.0 connector on your computer to make the most of this USB peripheral (otherwise you'll have a very curvy and very standard USB 2.0 hub), but if that's already accounted for, you'll just need $59.99 and the source link to get yourself connected to the future.

Taiwan subsidizes development for Delta's glasses-free 3D projector and AUO's flexible AMOLED Posted: 29 Nov 2010 03:18 AM PST You know the Taiwanese are pretty serious about technology when you see them liberally throwing cash at factories. According to DigiTimes, Delta Electronics and AUO are two recent winners for a shared NT$600 million (US$19.6 million) government grant, which will cover 45% of each of their research expenditure -- so probably not a fifty-fifty split. If all goes well, Delta will bring out glasses-free, wide-angle 3D projection that's enabled by using multiple high-res LED beamers; whereas AUO will take advantage of the recent AMOLED shortage and develop high-res flexible panels. Nice going, folks, just don't let us catch you all partying on the factory floor with that money.

Harvard scientists reverse aging in mice, laugh maniacally at human possibilities Posted: 29 Nov 2010 02:37 AM PST The reversal of aging has been one of the great dreams of humanity, but it seems like our rodent overlords have beat us to it. The Harvard Medical School has demonstrated "a dramatic reversal" in the aging process when reintroducing the enzyme telomerase into old and feeble mice. What happened was that their naturally worn out organs started to regenerate, instead of degenerating further, bringing them back to a youthful state of health. Sadly, while the results of this study are hugely important, there are a couple of caveats to make: firstly, the mice in question were genetically modified to suffer from a lack of telomerase, which might have inflated the results of the tests relative to regular mice, but more importantly, an increase in telomerase in humans is "a hallmark of most human cancers." So, if you want a shot of Benjamin Button brew, you'll have to be very patient indeed. For now, let's just be happy that Algernon and his buddies have found their fountain of youth. [Thanks, Vygantas]

WikiLeaks: Chinese Politburo responsible for Google hacking Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:48 AM PST You had to know something interesting would come out of the quarter million diplomatic cables that WikiLeaks just, well, leaked late on Sunday, and the New York Times has picked out a doozie for us. As it turns out, that big brouhaha in China surrounding the hacking of Gmail accounts was actually a state-authorized attack. Such was the report from a Chinese informant working for the US embassy, and the disclosure goes on to say that it was part of a "coordinated campaign of computer sabotage," reaching a wide net of targets, including American government machines, American private businesses, and... the Dalai Lama. Hey, China's hardly the first country to ever engage in state-sponsored cyber espionage (ahem, Stuxnet), but we can't say we're not disappointed. Let's keep it classy from here on out, alright guys?

Adafruit Propeller Platform USB entices DIY electronics builders, 'Gadget Gangsters' at large Posted: 29 Nov 2010 01:02 AM PST It's days like today where you realize just how badly you need to scratch that DIY itch, and Adafruit's newest two circuit boards couldn't be landing at a more opportune time. Both of these bad boys are classified as Gadget Gangsters, which makes 'em viable for purchase without any additional investigation. Should you choose to, however, we'll have you know that the Propeller Platform USB is an open-source platform for building your own electronics projects with a new eight-core Parallax Propeller chip; the ProtoPlus model adds video / audio support as well as a "prototyping area." Tutorials are available in the source links for those inexperienced with Spin, and at just $50 / $15 (respectively), we'd say they're well worth the purchase if you're looking to simply get your toes wet. Better known as "become hopelessly addicted to modding" 'round these parts.

Toshiba's 32-inch Power TV runs for 2 hours on integrated battery Posted: 29 Nov 2010 12:06 AM PST You read that headline correctly, Toshiba just announced its new Power TV family of battery-powered LED TVs. Mind you, these aren't tiny portables. Toshiba's PC 1 sets are pushing 32- or 24-inches and are the world's first (according to Toshiba) to integrate a rechargeable battery good for about two hours of power. Why? Because even people lacking clean, consistent power desire the mind-numbing escape afforded by a large televised soccer football match. The sets feature "auto signal booster" tech to enhance viewing in areas with weak signal coverage and "auto view" to optimize the picture based on ambient lighting conditions. Tosh is also announcing its new 55-inch 55ZL800 3D LED flagship TV with new multiprocessor CEVO Engine as well as its 29-mm deep WL700 series of slim LED TVs available in 46- and 55-inch models. See the full press release after the break. Show full PR text Toshiba to Unfold TV Business Strategies and New Products To Reinforce its Presence in the ASEAN market 29 Nov, 2010 Singapore - Toshiba Corporation today unveiled a strategy and product line-up for the ASEAN economies that positions the region at the centre of the multinational enterprise's drive for growth in its global TV business. In the coming year, Toshiba will reinforce its presence throughout ASEAN by rolling out an exciting new line-up of LCD TVs expressly designed for the region; products that combine innovation and technology with functionality and artistry. Toshiba made Singapore the headquarters for its Asian TV business in April 2010, in order to enhance sensitivity to market needs and to provide leading-edge products that truly accommodate the requirements of customers in the ASEAN region. Since then it has channeled major resources to developing an optimum business strategy and products for the region. Mr. Shigenori Tokumitsu, Vice President of Visual Products Company, Toshiba Corporation, Japan, said: "Our business is global, but we recognize that different regions have different characteristics and requirements. Toshiba's visual products enjoy a long-standing reputation for quality in the ASEAN region, and we are more than confident that we can further contribute to our customers in this important market with leading-edge products that feature functions and capabilities they want." A growing market The global LCD TV market is growing briskly. Toshiba estimates show 2009's global market of 142 million units climbing to 200 million units in 2012, an average annual growth rate of 12 percent. Toshiba recorded global unit sales of 10 million units in FY2009, ended March 2010. The company aims to boost that figure significantly this year, and positions growth in the ASEAN economies as the cornerstone of its strategy. Toshiba aims to achieve sales for more than 1.2 million TV units for ASEAN market in FY2011, which translates into a 20% market share. Mr. Ronald M.F. So, Department Manager, Marketing and Merchandising, Asian Headquarters Division, Toshiba Singapore Pte., Ltd., said: "We are determined to provide a broad array of high-value products that reflect the changing lifestyles in the ASEAN countries, and to address individual market requirements. We are confident that our new product line-up does just that." Introducing three new series of models Toshiba is launching three new series of TVs. the 55ZL800 flagship model; the first 3D LED TV series for the ASEAN market; and the innovative Power TV series. Flagship TV – 55ZL800 With its superb picture and sound quality, the 55-inch 55ZL800 will allow Toshiba to establish a strong presence in Asia's high-end home entertainment market. The 55ZL800 is inspired by the CELL REGZA TV, the ultimate entertainment machine introduced for the Japanese market, and features Toshiba's newly developed CEVO Engine, a high-performance multi-processor platform that draws on the company's extensive experience in semiconductors and software to deliver breathtaking image quality, sharp, realistic 3D, and excellent sound. The first 3D LED TV in the ASEAN Market – REGZA WL700 The WL700 series of slim LED TVs, which will be available in 46-inch and 55-inch models, combine superb performance with a head-turning appearance. Designed in a collaboration between Toshiba's in-house design team and Jacob Jensen Design, one of Europe's leading design studios in high-end electronics, the WL700 series stands out for a minimalist design in glass and metal, both elegant and sophisticated at the same time, an slim profile, only 29mm deep, and a bezel-free screen. Brand new Power TV series Toshiba's Power TV family includes the world's first LED TVs with integrated battery back-up. Developed to bring quality viewing to wide segments of the market at affordable prices, the Power TV family draws on Toshiba capabilities in innovation and design to deliver high picture quality, dramatic sound and low power consumption, all housed in slim, handsome designs. Power TVs series are designed for tough infrastructure conditions. The PC 1 range, one of three in the series, are the world's first TVs to integrate a stand-by rechargeable battery, a useful innovation in areas where power supply can be uncertain. Fully charged, the battery can power a TV for approximately 2 hours, long enough for the broadcast of a full soccer game. Power TV series also features "Auto Signal Booster" that improves signal sensitivity and allows viewing in areas with weak signal strengths and "Auto View", optimizes picture settings according to the ambient lighting condition for greater viewing pleasure and lower electricity consumption.

KDDI develops a zoom-enhance system for HD movie streaming on smartphones (video) Posted: 28 Nov 2010 11:37 PM PST Because not every smartphone has a full 1080p resolution (yet), KDDI's R&D Labs have come up with a new method for massaging the most out of HD movie streams while on the move. You'll still be able to pummel your poor mobile device and connection with the full-res stream, should you wish it, but KDDI's innovation is in developing a system whereby you can zoom in on particular parts of the feed, have the stream cropped to your requirements on far-off servers somewhere, and then receive only the stuff you want to see onto your device. And because of your phone's aforementioned pixel deficiency, the employment of this technique will most often result in negligible picture fidelity loss, if any. The biggest benefit, however, might be to carriers like KDDI who end up having to carry less data back and forth, even if it does come at a slight server-side cost. Video after the break.

Sharp's Galapagos media tablets landing December 10, costing quite a few Yen Posted: 28 Nov 2010 10:39 PM PST Sharp's evolutionary tablets are coming, people. It's just that they're coming to Japan and they're not going to be terribly affordable when they do arrive. The Kin maker has just revealed a December 10 launch date for its Mobile and Home Galapagos models -- a 5.5-inch slate with 1024 x 600 resolution and a 10.8-incher with 1366 x 800 resolution, respectively -- pricing them at ¥39,800 ($474) and ¥54,800 ($653) for the Japanese market. As usual, direct currency translations are inadvisable, but if you must have a price comparison of some sort, the larger Galapagos model (equipped with an 8GB microSDHC storage card) costs ¥4,000 less than Apple's 32GB WiFi-only iPad. Of course, the big differentiator in Sharp's mind will be the e-bookstore and content ecosystem it's working so hard to create for these Galapagos terminals -- the value of which has yet to be determined.

Kingston HyperX Max 3.0 USB 3.0 SSD reviewed, hits ludicrous speeds Posted: 28 Nov 2010 10:02 PM PST We've all seen the scene in some movie or another: secret agent infiltrates the enemy stronghold, sneaks into the server room, then fights off bad guy after bad guy while an agonizingly slow progress bar ticks across the screen, super-secret egg salad recipe files taking ages to copy. If only they had a Kingston HyperX Max USB 3.0 external drive they could have escaped without needing that big final fight scene. The drive was recently tested by PC Perspective and found to feature solid construction and performance, offering the highest sequential write speeds the site had ever seen thanks to a Toshiba HG2 controller coupled with 128GB of Toshiba flash and 128MB of DDR cache memory. And, at $280 for a 128GB model, it's even somewhat reasonably priced -- well, for an external USB 3.0 SSD, anyway.

Sprint and Clearwire deliver WiMAX to Los Angeles, Ohio, Miami and Washington DC, promise SF on December 28th Posted: 28 Nov 2010 09:18 PM PST Seems like Sprint wants to get every last lick of 4G coverage in before Verizon flips the switch on LTE -- today, its joint venture with Clearwire is launching WiMAX in the City of Angels a day ahead of schedule. Lest you think Los Angeles is getting special treatment, five other cellular markets can now also get a taste of 5Mbps to 7Mbps download speeds, including Miami, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. That brings the total number of regions where you'll get some mileage out of that $10 surcharge up to 68, in case you're keeping track. What's next? If the press release after the break is correct, San Francisco will finally satisfy its need for speed on December 28th. Not that any of these locales haven't been secretly enjoying 4G already, of course. Show full PR text Sprint 4G Rolls Out in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio Sprint Expands the Power and Immediacy of 4G to 68 Markets Nationwide San Francisco Market expected to launch 4G Service on Dec. 28 OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE:S) today officially unleashed the power of 4G – enabling fast mobile downloads, wireless video chat and turbo-charged mobile Web browsing up to 10 times faster than 3G service1 – in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Customers in these metropolitan areas can now take full advantage of the Sprint 4G network using a wide range of 4G-capable devices. With the addition of these six markets, Sprint 4G is now available in 68 markets2 across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York City. Additionally, the wireless carrier announced that it expects to launch the San Francisco market – home to Silicon Valley and thousands of tech enthusiasts – on Dec. 28. "We are proud to deliver on our commitment to serve our customers and deliver 4G to more major metropolitan areas in 2010." How will 4G benefit Sprint customers in these areas? With the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, a visitor to Washington, D.C., (including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland) can connect to the Internet with a laptop or any Wi-Fi enabled device to check the news at speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G. A hungry tourist in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach can search for the best food truck in their vicinity using one of the food-truck applications in the Android™ Market on Samsung Epic™ 4G. If sports fans in Cleveland, Cincinnati or Columbus are looking for up-to-date scores, no problem – it's easy and quick to find on HTC EVO™ 4G. And, surfers in Los Angeles can forgo the waves and surf the Internet on-the-go using the first 3G/4G-embedded netbook and notebook from Sprint – the Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 (1012) netbook and Dell™ Inspiron™ 11z notebook. "We have witnessed a great demand from our customers for 4G speeds, power and capabilities in these cities already and today they officially have it," said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. "We are proud to deliver on our commitment to serve our customers and deliver 4G to more major metropolitan areas in 2010." Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and since then has delivered a comprehensive consumer, business and public sector strategy and a robust portfolio of devices, consisting of phones, USB aircards, notebook/netbook products, mobile hotspots and routers, that are being used by satisfied consumers and businesses. To get an insider's view about how Sprint is making sure that 4G is ready for its customers, visit the YouTube Web video series "Wiring Up 4G." Videos are available for Los Angeles and New York City. Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Comcast internet down across parts of the eastern seaboard, fix on the way Posted: 28 Nov 2010 07:16 PM PST Twitter's abuzz with angry Comcast customers tonight, as internet service is down in Boston and parts of the eastern United States, a situation the company's since confirmed at its official Twitter account. Comcast's calling it an unexpected outage and says that "engineers are finalizing the correction" as we speak, though it's admittedly been a couple of hours since that tweet. Meanwhile, Twitter at large seems to have figured out it's a Comcast DNS issue, and have had some luck switching to alternate servers like Google's at 8.8.4.4. and 8.8.8.8. Let us know if those work in comments after the break... assuming you manage to find this post in the first place given the present state of your connection. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

MIT developing smart adaptive LED lighting system to reduce energy use by up to 90 percent Posted: 28 Nov 2010 07:01 PM PST It's very well that manufacturers are constantly pushing for more efficient LEDs, but we can do better than that: what if we could have an LED lighting system that pumps out just the right amount of juice to suit our changing environment? That's exactly what the tree huggers at MIT are working on right now. Said adaptive system relies on a small box that not only acts as a position tracker, calibrator and sensor for the dimmable overhead LED fixtures, but also lets the user set the desired tone and light intensity for the room. In other words: no matter how sunny or cloudy it is outside, you'll still be comfortably basking in the same steady shine in your room, while also saving up to 90 percent of energy. Our guess is that Philips -- the project's sponsor -- will eventually release a product based on this technology, but for now, you can see the system in action after the break (from 1:07).

Sony fires barrage of touchscreen patent applications, only one points at new PSP Posted: 28 Nov 2010 05:55 PM PST Lawyers for Sony Computer Entertainment America must have been mighty busy last October, hatching the wild scheme that came to light this week -- a series of eight intertwining patent applications all describing a single device with an intriguing touchscreen interface. Though it's hard to tell what form the final device might take -- the apps suggest sliders, clamshells and slates -- a few distinct ideas bubble to the surface, and we'll knock them out one by one. First, the inventors seem to be rather particular about having a touchpad that's separate from the main screen -- perhaps even on its back like the rumored PSP2 -- and Sony's trying to patent a way to manipulate objects through the screen as well. Second, there's a lot of mumbo-jumbo about being able to "enhance" or "transform" the user interface in response to different forms of input, which seems to boil down to this: Sony's trying to get some multitouch up in there, especially pinch-to-zoom. Last but not least, the company's looking to cordon off a section of touchscreen buttons, including a 'paste' command, and patent a "prediction engine" that would dynamically change the onscreen layout based on your past behavior. If most of these ideas sound more at home in a new tablet computer rather than a gaming handheld, then great minds think alike. Still, SCEA is Sony's gaming division -- forlorn Linux computing aside -- so consider us stumped for now.

Switched On: Acer's Iconic Keyboard Posted: 28 Nov 2010 05:00 PM PST Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. When Acer announced a slate of new devices at a New York press conference last week, the overarching message was simple -- keyboards are as done as a Thanksgiving turkey. The company introduced an array of tablets, most of which were running Android, with sizes ranging from five- to ten-inches each. That's almost as broad a lineup as Archos, which has dipped down to what most would consider digital audio player turf with a three-inch tablet (tablette?) and a precursor to what is sure to be a merciless barrage of tablets on the slate for CES. The single manifestation of a physical QWERTY text entry device was a keyboard dock designed for a 10-inch tablet running Windows. But as much as Acer's tablet lineup seems poised to flounder in the coming sea of similarity, its Iconia laptop stood out, eschewing a keyboard for a second 14-inch touchscreen to match the main display. Unlike the dual 14-inch hinged Kno device discussed in columns prior, this one is clearly designed to be used in a landscape orientation, and unlike the 7-inch Toshiba Libretto, the Iconia is not being positioned as some kind of limited-edition experiment. If anything, Acer signaled that it would be the first in a series of products that would unfold over the next several years. PC companies have no doubt been inspired to try dual-screen designs featuring soft keyboards given the way consumers have embraced smartphones and the iPad, which make a similar tradeoff. Indeed, with potentially even more real estate to spare in the case of the Iconia, they can theoretically provide an even better virtual keyboard experience than those devices. Indeed, after taking a moment to orient their fingers, touch typists may find themselves very much at home row with the Iconia's software keyboard. Nonetheless, there are a few obstacles that issues that could make the fate of the Iconia less than a touching story. Lack of need. Particularly on smartphones, it has become clear that the extended real estate offered by removing the keyboard from the front of the device can make a big difference in tasks such as Web surfing and watching videos. In contrast, while users of multiple-monitor setups regularly express how such a setup aids their productivity (particularly for multitasking), it isn't yet clear if those benefits extend to monitors that are flat against a surface, particularly for a productivity device such as the PC. On one hand, a lower display could be exploited for mixing software where a QWERTY keyboard could be replaced by a musical one. On the other hand, Acer demonstrated a media player application where the lower screen was mostly wasted by large media control buttons. While users of multi-monitor setups regularly express how they aid productivity, it isn't yet clear if those benefits extend to monitors that are flat against a surface. Lack of flexibility. The Iconia's upper display can open 180 degrees, and lay flat, parallel with the lower display, but more could be done. For example, it could extend to an even greater angle, folding over itself like many traditional tablet PCs or the dual-screened Kno. Or it could stand in an inverted V position with the screens facing out, enabling it to be a more flexible tool for conference room presentations or the ultimate device for digital versions of games like Battleship and Guess Who. But that leads to a third issue. Lack of software. The iPad's game console-like platform uniformity has encouraged third parties to take advantage of such hardware features as the accelerometer. However, while Acer, like Toshiba before it, is introducing useful enhancements to Windows for the dual-screen clamshell design, how many third-party developers will be prepared to exploit such a form factor? In addition, while an initial typing experience on the Iconia seems favorable, that doesn't mean that the Iconia will be suitable for cranking out volumes of text longer than even a finely crafted Engadget column. Dual-screen notebooks could have the best payoff for smaller notebooks – so small that they are not expected to do heavy textual looking, and where the extra screen real estate could really come in handy (taking a cue from smartphones). Ideally, though, they would not be so small as to unduly compromise the typing experience. The Libretto W105, like the original Asus Eee PC, has a 7-inch main display, and the physical keyboard on that Eee was very cramped. The optimal screen size such a product is probably 10 inches, which is also about the minimum size required for a full-sized physical keyboard. Not coincidentally, it has also become the go-to screen size for netbooks. For now, the Libretto W105 may be too small for a great virtual typing experience and the Iconia dimensions generally befit a PC we rely on for more. The industry will continue to pursue Baby Bear's dual-screen laptop to accommodate the would-be digital Goldilocks wandering in from the forest of indistinguishable notebooks, and see how far she gets without any keys -- if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor. Ross Rubin is executive director of industry analysis for consumer technology at market research and analysis firm The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: modernizing the US national grid, not to mention deserts and pyramids Posted: 28 Nov 2010 03:45 PM PST Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. This week at Inhabitat, we were thankful to be able to witness the long-awaited unveiling of the futuristic solar-powered Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi, and we also heard the exciting news that scientists are developing a project that could have us using the Sahara desert to supply 50% of the world's energy by 2050. We were also dazzled by the dynamic "dancing" facade of the Kiefer Technic showroom and this towering greenery-lined pyramid caught our eye with its modern take on ancient Mayan architecture. The world of green tech had a lot to be grateful for too as the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would award $19 million to modernize the national grid and green transportation saw the first flight powered by jatropha-based biofuel. On a lighter note, this solar-powered wheelchair and its designer prepared to embark on a 200 mile journey to showcase its capabilities. For those of you on the hunt for Cyber Monday deals, don't forget to check out our Green Gadget Gift Guide with our picks for the hottest eco-friendly tech out there. We also spotted this ingenious wood speaker system that amplifies music using the properties of the material it's made of and needs no electricity at all.

Samsung Nexus S reappears at the FCC with a pair of new antennas Posted: 28 Nov 2010 02:46 PM PST Thinking that the not-yet-announced Samsung GT-i9020T (a.k.a. Nexus S) might be delayed due to a last minute addition of a dual-core processor, as recently seen in the seemingly similar i9100? Well, it's looking like that possibility just got a lot less likely -- the GT-i9020T has now turned up yet again at the FCC, with the only changes being a pair of new Bluetooth / WiFi and GPS antennas. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be any more changes, but it does give us a bit more confidence that a GT-i9020T model will actually be released... sometime. [Thanks, John M.]

iPhone 3G, 3GS get iOS 4.2.1 unlock, using risky ultrasn0w workaround Posted: 28 Nov 2010 01:41 PM PST Can't wait another minute for your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS to be carrier-unlocked once more? If and only if you're already running the latest firmware, you can actually pilfer a bit of iPad code to pick the requisite locks -- though there are some serious risks in doing so. The iPhone Dev Team has a new version of PwnageTool that uses the 6.15.00 baseband from iPad firmware 3.2.2, which just so happens to run perfectly on the iPhone 3G and 3GS since both phones and tablets of that era use the same Infineon radio chip. If you know your way around an IPSW and regularly bench-press SHSH blobs, you can download all the software you need right now -- but if you don't, you might want to steer clear of the proceedings for the time being. We spoke about risks a moment ago, and in this case there are quite a few -- like the inability to downgrade from baseband 6.15 or ever do a full restore unless Apple relations improve, and it's fairly likely that Cupertino won't look kindly on your warranty if they find you running iPad software. Them's the breaks, kid.

AMOLED shortage to become a surplus in 2011 Posted: 28 Nov 2010 11:01 AM PST Samsung's beautiful Super AMOLED panels are becoming more and more common in mobile devices, but they're not as common as they could be if there were more of the things flying out of Samsung Mobile Display factories. Predictably that's set to change in 2011, with SMD planning to fulfill its promise and bring another production facility online, while other competitors in Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore will ramp up their own AMOLED facilities in the coming year. Meanwhile, China is said to be working on its OLED supply chain as well, meaning those displays of the passive matrix variety will also be flying off of assembly lines soon. So, 2011 may still not be the year of a chicken in every pot, but it could be the year of glowy organic goo in every smartphone.

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