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- Dropbox celebrates version 1.0, throws selective sync into the mix
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread's source code now available
- Fanatec Porsche 911 GT2 racing wheel steers its way into online availability
- Dungeon Defenders: First Wave brings Unreal Engine to Android this month
- Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Tablets
- Mi Casa Verde Vera review: Home automation, simplified
- Self-sterilizing door handle looks perfect for hypochondriacs, is as real as their ailments
- Verizon's Palm Pre 2 shown briefly in pulled eBay auction?
- Keepin' it real fake: iPhone 5 provides foresight to a falsified future (video)
- Minimal Studios iPod nano watch kits raise a million dollars on Kickstarter, yes, a million dollars
- Researchers find weak point in lithium-ion batteries, suggest better nanowires could be the answer
- LaCie Float concept combines external HDD with trackpad, ingenuity with fantasy
- Yahoo! Messenger and ooVoo Mobile do video chat on Android, but only for a lucky few
- Sharp investing $1.2b in expanding smartphone LCD production, Apple fingered as the major client
- Flipboard updated, finally does Google Reader and Flickr right
- Pleo RB robosaur now on sale for $469, Christmas now cleared to take place
- Sega Toylets lets you game with your boy bits (video)
- Xbox 360 gets a limited edition orange Tron controller, because wired gamers need love too
- Creative's 7-inch ZiiO Android 2.1 tablet now on sale for $250
- Kindle for Android updated with periodicals and integrated web store, can be installed on SD card
- Razer Scarab has regular mousepad looks, precision gaming DNA
- Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)
- RepRap prints transistors, but fabs have little to fear
- Iriver teases out U100, P100, and D2000 portable media players
- Volkswagen's London Taxi Concept: smaller, prettier, more electric than the real thing
- BlockBuster Express to distribute Warner Bros DVD rentals 28 days after release
- BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.0 for Mac OS brings WiFi music sync, broader iPhoto / iTunes support
- GenosTV sets a date with CES, plans to demo Cyclops universal remote
- Hitachi's 7mm-thick hard drives grow to 500GB, keep slimline profile
- Paramount rolls out Silverlight-enhanced movies for Windows Phone 7
- GammaTech stuffs Core i5 into rugged, rigid D12C convertible laptop
- Synology introduces DiskStation DS211+, review finds the plus stands for performance
- Word Lens augmented reality app instantly translates whatever you point it at
- BlackBerry PlayBook will ship in March, assuming inertial momentum
- HTC Aria gets Android 2.2 update... but not on AT&T yet
- Ask Engadget: best latex-free mouse and keyboard solution?
- Dell Venue Pro gets FCC certification -- with AT&T 3G
- Apple looking to patent sharable apps, considers calling them 'seeds'
- Thanko's monitor hub takes all your desk clutter and hangs it from your LCD
- Tron: Legacy gets its very own interactive halfpipe (video)
| Dropbox celebrates version 1.0, throws selective sync into the mix Posted: 17 Dec 2010 10:01 AM PST  If you're like us, you've probably come to rely on Dropbox quite a bit in your day-to-day activities. Hell, our crowd-sourced fan sequel to The Social Network about that "Tom from MySpace" guy would never have got off the ground without it! Well, if you're as enthusiastic about cloud storage solutions as we are, you'll be more than excited to know that Dropbox 1.0 has just been announced. Among the new features that we're most looking forward to putting to the test are Selective Sync (choose which folders get downloaded to which computers) and Extended Attribute Sync (improved support for Mac apps like Quicken and Quark whose resource forks bedevil most sync applications and corrupt data in the process). But that ain't all! Hit the source link to get started. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Android 2.3 Gingerbread's source code now available Posted: 17 Dec 2010 09:26 AM PST  Want to dig through 2.3 and see what all the fuss is about for yourself? Well, you're in luck, because Gingerbread has just hit the Android Open Source Project's repository, which means you can set up your machine to download the code. It's great news for hardware companies that don't care to get Google's certification to include Android Market access -- but it's also great news for casual and serious hackers alike who are looking to craft some seriously wild, wacky custom ROMs. So, what are you waiting for? Get to it, folks.[Thanks, Mike] Update: Eager coders are being asked to "wait a few hours or a few days" before downloading to balance out the server load -- and while you're probably not interested in doing that, it's probably in your best interest to heed the advice. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fanatec Porsche 911 GT2 racing wheel steers its way into online availability Posted: 17 Dec 2010 09:02 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dungeon Defenders: First Wave brings Unreal Engine to Android this month Posted: 17 Dec 2010 08:37 AM PST  Dungeon Defenders: First Wave ushers Unreal Engine Tech onto Android Shores Tower Defense Action RPG brings Unreal Engine 3 Technology to the Android Platform on December 23, 2010 Device Requirements & Compatibility List Below Gainesville, FL – 17 December 2010 – Trendy Entertainment will release their highly anticipated title Dungeon Defenders: First Wave for Android systems on December 23, 2010, just one week after its release on the iOS App Store. This title will be the first to bring the Unreal Engine technology, which powers the best-selling Infinity Blade, to the Android platform. Gamers can purchase this tower defense online action-RPG on the Android Marketplace for $2.99. It includes an epic on and off-line campaign, challenge missions, leaderboards, and robust 4 player co-op play via GameSpy. The game is available in multiple languages - English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. It carries an ESRB rating of "Everyone: 10+" and a PEGI Rating of 12+. It runs best on Nvidia Tegra, but device requirements are as follows: Basic Requirements: 512 MB RAM GPU capable of OpenGL ES 2.0 Android 2.1 Eclair 800 Mhz CPU or greater recommended SD card with at least 400 MB free storage Specifically Tested Compatibility List All Tegra 2 Based Devices: Fully Compatible (DD:FW runs best on these devices) Nexus S: Fully Compatible Samsung Galaxy Tab: Fully Compatible Samsung Galaxy based Cell Phones: Fully Compatible on all with 100 MB RAM free Droid 2: Fully Compatible Droid X: Fully Compatible HTC Evo 4G: Fully Compatible HTC Incredible: Fully Compatible myTouch 4G: Mostly compatible, have some occasional stability issue T-Mobile G2: Fully compatible Dell Streak: Fully compatible HTC Desire: Fully compatible Nexus One: Fully compatible "The game runs by far best on Tegra 2 out of any mobile device we've put the title onto. It's nearly a portable PC level of graphics capability. So while the game doesn't require Tegra 2, we do prefer to play it that way here, which provides an HD resolution, the highest quality textures, and a set of levels that simply could not be rendered on the lower-spec devices." - Jeremy Stieglitz, Development Director | ||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's Holiday Gift Guide: Tablets Posted: 17 Dec 2010 08:16 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.  Stocking stuffers... sort of
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We highly doubt you need an introduction to the iPad -- Apple's 9.7-inch tablet basically transformed the gadget world in the last year. But, while the hardware itself is stunning, the appeal really comes in its snappy operating system and plethora of apps. With thousands of iPad apps now in the App Store (including our very own!) and iOS 4.2 bringing multitasking to the platform, there's no arguing that it's the best tablet on the market. The WiFi / 16GB version may be the lowest end model, but there's really nothing low end about it. |
| | |
We can't afford the rent now, can we?
 |
Sure, there are more affordable WiFi versions of the iPad, but nothing says "I really care" like some more storage and 3G. Whether you spring for the iPad and a MiFi or go for the integrated AT&T 3G version, you can give the gift of ubiquitous web connectivity in a beautiful aluminum tablet form factor. Believe us, they'll never forget this one... especially when they have to pay the monthly data charges. |
 If you're shopping for someone in search of a tablet with Windows 7, the HP Slate is your best bet at the moment. The 8.9-inch capacitive display has an active digitizer, which means you can use a finger to navigate but also take notes with the included stylus. It also boasts a VGA front-facing camera and a 3 megapixel one on the back. HP is not promising that orders will ship in time for the holidays, so be prepared to deliver an IOU. |  We can't say we're completely sold on any of the 10-inch or 11.6-inch Windows 7 tablets we've seen -- mostly because of the weak Atom performance and battery life -- but the Tega v2 has a very solid aluminum build, 32GB of flash storage, 2GB of RAM, and dual boots Android 1.6 and Windows 7 Home Premium. The software layer is a bit slow, but pick up a a Bluetooth keyboard and stand, and it could be a decent netbook alternative. |
Mi Casa Verde Vera review: Home automation, simplified
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 07:49 AM PST
How is this possible given all the advances we've seen? Wireless and sensor technology has advanced far beyond what's required to automate a home. Just look at smartphones, for example, that now ship standard with 3G (and even 4G) data, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS radios in addition to sensors for motion, temperature, moisture, proximity, and even direction. We don't have the answer to home automation's dilema -- to dig into that topic we'd require a few thousand more words, at least. All we know for sure is that the biggie consumer electronics companies are reluctant to sort it out. As such, dozens of small companies are left to deal with a mess created by an industry incapable of coalescing around a set of interoperable home automation standards.
One such company is Mi Casa Verde. A tiny startup that launched its linux-based Vera home automation server back in 2008 with a renewed promise to make home automation setup and control as easy for novices as it is robust for techies and enthusiasts. We've been using a recently launched second generation Vera 2 for a few weeks now. Sure, we haven't quite reached one-button nirvana, but as home automation newbies we're proud to say that we've automated a few helpful in-home lighting situations while skirting the clutches of the Dark Angel sequestered within our fuse box. Better yet, we can control it all from an iPhone -- including the Christmas tree. Click through to see how we did it.
Hardware
Of course, Z-Wave isn't the only home automation "standard." Far from it. X-10 has been around forever while relatively new options like ZigBee and Insteon prove yet again that the best part about standards is that there are so many to choose from. Vera really shines in its ability to handle a wide swath of home automation protocols. So in addition to Z-Wave, Vera supports Insteon and X10 devices. Vera also works with TED, AEON, and RCS energy meters giving you a real-time view of your energy consumption. As if that wasn't enough, Vera supports control of any UPnP device and many serial devices like infrared controllers. As first time home automators, we wanted to keep things simple so we only tested Vera with a handful of Z-Wave devices including two light dimmers that wire into the home wiring like conventional wall switches, a battery-powered three-in-one sensor (motion, temperature, and illumination), and two plug-in socket switches allowing you to automate the power delivery to any household device with a plug.
How It Works
The Z-Wave Alliance, established in 2005, claims more than 160 manufacturing partners -- most of whom you've never heard of -- creating a variety of "interoperable" devices built around Zensys (owned by Sigma Designs) chipsets. Unfortunately, Z-Wave devices operate on different frequencies depending upon the region sold. So for example, European Z-Wave devices operate at 868.42MHz making them incompatible with their US equivalents operating at 908.42MHz -- a very real pitfall that can easily trip you up when shopping for the best deal on Z-Wave devices on-line. Even then, it's best to choose tried and true combinations of Z-Wave devices to ensure interoperability. It's also worth noting that you won't find any powerhouse consumer names selling iSwitches or Nexus Sensors at your local big box retail centers. Home automation is still in the hands of specialty manufacturers and on-line shops unless you're willing to throw around some serious cash for a propriety, professionally installed solution.
Each device has to be "paired" or "included" in the Z-Wave network before it can be controlled. Adding devices to Mi Casa Verde's Vera 2 is pretty straight forward. A browser-based wizard can be used to add portable Z-Wave devices like battery-powered remote controls, sensor and switches -- devices that you can hold within three feet of the Vera 2 for low-power inclusion. Things get a bit more complicated when adding fixed Z-Wave modules like built-in wall dimmers and switches wired into your home's circuitry. Fortunately, Mi Casa Verde includes a small rechargeable battery pack that allows you to power the Vera 2 long enough to add modules in different rooms of the house. In this mode, you must tap the Z-Wave button on the back of the Vera to put it into "include" mode causing the Z-Wave light to flash slowly on the front panel. You can then add each Z-Wave module by triple-tapping (usually, this can vary by device) the appropriate button on the device. Tap Vera's Z-Wave button again when done to save the devices added. You can then reconnect Vera's power and Ethernet cables and begin configuring the newly discovered devices.
Our setup
In addition to the $249 Vera 2 controller running version 1.1.1047 (UI4) of the MiOS firmware, our Z-Wave test network consists of the following devices scattered throughout the house in the master suite, kitchen, and hallway:
- 2x Interact wall dimmer inserts (€61 each)
- 2x Interact Plugin Switches (€49.50 each)
- 1x EZMotion 3-in-1 multisensor (€100)
One thing that makes Vera so compelling to home automators is the free web service that gives you full, "secure" access to Vera from any internet connected device with a browser. It'll even send you email notifications when something happens, like, say, a door is unlocked or a motion sensor is tripped -- it just depends how you configure it. iPhone and iPod touch owners can download a free version of the iVera app to control two lights and two scenes. A whopping $29.99 update gives you full control over all of your devices. There's also the more comprehensive (and complex) SQ Remote app that expands control beyond Vera to any MiOS device (we're told that more are coming from OEMs) and to home entertainment systems via an IR blaster (sold separately). Again, it starts with a limited free version that can be expanded and highly customized for a $29.99 in app purchase. Otherwise, you can always access the Flash-free Vera dashboard from most any smartphone browser or install the custom-built WAP or Smartphone Web Interface Vera plugins from the integrated MiOS Marketplace -- a small app store of sorts. There you'll find interfaces for both generic and Panasonic IP surveillance cameras and Somfy blind controllers and alarm panels. There's even a Squeezebox plugin that gives you the ability to control and monitor your music as long as you're willing to live with the beta classification. But we digress. After testing all of the iPhone access methods we decided to bite the bullet and purchase the $29.99 iVera option as it was the easiest option to setup and use.
Finally, after automating only a very small portion of our home it's clear that an IT background is only half the battle when it comes to automating it. It also helps to have some plumbing, HVAC, and electrical wiring skills in order to stay safe and not destroy the house or the humanity contained within. We've all but given up on attempting to replace a pair of switches wired into a three-way and we're not about to tackle a soldering job just to fit a modern Danfoss RA plus Z-Wave thermostat to an old bathroom radiator. Some jobs are best left to the pros, assuming you can even find one locally experienced with these niche home automation devices.
Wrap up
We also think that Mi Casa Verde's small, yet enthusiastic user community deserves recognition for the value it adds to the Vera experience. The forums are full of active users that include Mi Casa Verde's own employees and affiliates who are more than happy to offer advice or even lend a hand with some advanced scripting for those who are ready for it. And it won't be too long before you shed those tentative ways with Vera 2. True, those first steps will be frustrating and retrofitting the entire house with Z-Wave devices will be costly. So pick a few small projects and build over time. Just don't give up. Seeing the delight in your child's eyes the first time you switch on the christmas tree lights from your cellphone will make it all worthwhile. And safely switching them off again while out of the house will go a long way towards justifying the cost to a reticent spouse. Besides, this hobby is way cheaper than a jetpack.
Special thanks to zwave4u.com for the Z-Wave test gear.
Self-sterilizing door handle looks perfect for hypochondriacs, is as real as their ailments
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 07:27 AM PST
Verizon's Palm Pre 2 shown briefly in pulled eBay auction?
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 07:06 AM PST
Keepin' it real fake: iPhone 5 provides foresight to a falsified future (video)
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 06:43 AM PST
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Minimal Studios iPod nano watch kits raise a million dollars on Kickstarter, yes, a million dollars
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 06:20 AM PST
Well that didn't take long. Less than a month after we reported on the TikTok and LunaTik concept iPod nano watches hitting Kickstarter the company behind them, Minimal Studios, has met its goal -- and then some. Way then some. The project has clocked in nearly $1,000,000 in funding, helped in large part by a $25 pledge getting you first in line for a $35 MSRP TikTok watch kit, while $50 scored you the metallic LunaTik, which will go for $70. If you missed your chance to pile on the money you can now pre-order officially, with an expected shipment date in January. Again we're not particularly keen on the whole nano as a watch thing, but obviously ya'll have your own ideas, and we say more power to you -- and to Minimal Studios founder Scott Wilson.Researchers find weak point in lithium-ion batteries, suggest better nanowires could be the answer
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 05:57 AM PST
We've seen countless attempts to build a better lithium-ion battery, but there's been far fewer research efforts devoted solely to figuring out why lithium-ion batteries don't last longer. A team of scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have been doing just that, however, and they're now sharing some of their findings. The main culprit, they say, are the nano-sized wires made of bulk tin oxide used in the batteries, which can expand and deform considerably over time, eventually rendering the battery useless. What's more, while the research was focused primarily on examining the cause of battery aging, the researchers do naturally have a few suggestions on how to improve them -- namely, to replace those wires made of bulk tin oxide with finer tin oxide nanowires. As lead scientist Chongmin Wang explains, that would effectively amount to winding together "thinner wires rather than making one thick rope," which is of course easier said than done. Head on past the break for the complete press release.
Charging makes nano-sized electrodes swell, elongate and spiral
December 09, 2010
High-resolution video shows how batteries wear out over time
RICHLAND, Wash. – New high resolution images of electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries shows them contorting as they become charged with electricity. The thin, nano-sized wires writhe and fatten as lithium ions flow in during charging, according to a paper in this week's issue of the journal Science. The work suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for building better batteries.
Battery developers know that recharging and using lithium batteries over and over damages the electrode materials, but these images at nanometer scale offer a real-life glimpse into how. Thin wires of tin oxide, which serve as the negative electrode, fatten by a third and stretch twice as long due to lithium ions coursing in. In addition, the lithium ions change the tin oxide from a neatly arranged crystal to an amorphous glassy material.
"Nanowires of tin oxide were able to withstand the deformations associated with electrical flow better than bulk tin oxide, which is a brittle ceramic," said Chongmin Wang, a materials scientist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "It reminds me of making a rope from steel - you wind together thinner wires rather than making one thick rope."
In one of the videos, shown here, the nanowire appears like a straw, while the lithium ions seem like a beverage being sucked up through it. Repeated shape changes could damage the electrode materials by introducing tiny defects that accumulate over time.
Chasing Electrons
In previous work at DOE's Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory on the PNNL campus, Wang, PNNL chemist Wu Xu and other colleagues succeeded in taking a snapshot of a larger nanowire of about one micrometer - or one-hundredth the width of a human hair - that had been partially charged. But the experimental set-up didn't show charging in action.
To view the dynamics of an electrode being charged, Wang and Xu teamed up with Jianyu Huang at DOE's Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico and others. The team used a specially outfitted transmission electron microscope to set up a miniature battery. This instrument allowed them to image smaller wires of about 200 nanometers in diameter (about a fifth the width of the previous nanowires) while charging it.
Rechargeable lithium ion batteries work because lithium ions love electrons. Positively charged lithium ions normally hang out in the positive electrode, where a metal oxide shares its electrons with lithium. But charging a battery pumps free electrons into the negative electrode, which sits across a lake of electrolytes through which lithium ions can swim but electrons can't. The lithium desires the electrons on the negative side of the lake more than the electrons it shares with the metal oxide on the positive side. So lithium ions flow from the positive to the negative electrode, pairing up with free electrons there.
But electrons are fickle. Using a battery in a device allows the electrons to slip out of the negative electrode, leaving the lithium ions behind. So without free electron companions, the lithium ions return to the positive electrode and the metal oxide's embrace.
Wang's miniature battery included a positive electrode of lithium cobalt oxide and a negative electrode made from thin nanowires of tin oxide. Between the two electrodes, an electrolyte provided a conduit for lithium ions and a barrier for electrons. The electrolyte was specially designed to withstand the conditions in the microscope.
When the team charged the miniature battery at a constant voltage, lithium ions wicked up through the tin oxide wire, drawn by the electrons at the negative electrode. The wire fattened and lengthened by about 250 percent in total volume, and twisted like a snake.
In addition, the microscopy showed that the wire started out in a crystalline form. But the lithium ions changed the tin oxide to a glassy material, in which atoms are arranged more randomly than in a crystal. The researchers concluded the amount of deformation occurring during charging and use might wear down battery materials after a while. Even so, the tin oxide appeared to fare better as a nanowire than in its larger, bulk form.
"We think this work will stimulate new thinking for energy storage in general," said Wang. "This is just the beginning, and we hope with continued work it will show us how to design a better battery."
Future work will include imaging what happens when such a miniature battery is repeatedly charged and discharged. When a battery gets used, the lithium ions must run back through the tin oxide wire and across the electrolyte to the positive electrode. How much structural damage the receding lithium leaves in its wake will help researchers understand why rechargeable batteries stop working after being recharged so many times.
The researchers would also like to develop a fully functioning nano-sized rechargeable battery.
Reference: Jian Yu Huang, Li Zhong, Chong Min Wang, John P. Sullivan, Wu Xu, Li Qiang Zhang, Scott X. Mao, Nicholas S. Hudak, Xiao Hua Liu, Arunkumar Subramanian, Hong You Fan, Liang Qi, Akihiro Kushima, Ju Li, In situ observation of the electrochemical lithiation of a single SnO2 nanowire electrode, Dec. 10, 2010, Science, DOI 10.1126/science.1195628.
This work was supported by EMSL and the Department of Energy Office of Science.
Tags: Energy, Fundamental Science, EMSL, Batteries
EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, is a national scientific user facility sponsored by the Department of Energy's Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research program that is located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. EMSL offers an open, collaborative environment for scientific discovery to researchers around the world. EMSL's technical experts and suite of custom and advanced instruments are unmatched. Its integrated computational and experimental capabilities enable researchers to realize fundamental scientific insights and create new technologies. Follow EMSL on Facebook.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory where interdisciplinary teams advance science and technology and deliver solutions to America's most intractable problems in energy, the environment and national security. PNNL employs 4,900 staff, has an annual budget of nearly $1.1 billion, and has been managed by Ohio-based Battelle since the lab's inception in 1965. Follow PNNL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
December 09, 2010
High-resolution video shows how batteries wear out over time
RICHLAND, Wash. – New high resolution images of electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries shows them contorting as they become charged with electricity. The thin, nano-sized wires writhe and fatten as lithium ions flow in during charging, according to a paper in this week's issue of the journal Science. The work suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for building better batteries.
Battery developers know that recharging and using lithium batteries over and over damages the electrode materials, but these images at nanometer scale offer a real-life glimpse into how. Thin wires of tin oxide, which serve as the negative electrode, fatten by a third and stretch twice as long due to lithium ions coursing in. In addition, the lithium ions change the tin oxide from a neatly arranged crystal to an amorphous glassy material.
"Nanowires of tin oxide were able to withstand the deformations associated with electrical flow better than bulk tin oxide, which is a brittle ceramic," said Chongmin Wang, a materials scientist at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. "It reminds me of making a rope from steel - you wind together thinner wires rather than making one thick rope."
In one of the videos, shown here, the nanowire appears like a straw, while the lithium ions seem like a beverage being sucked up through it. Repeated shape changes could damage the electrode materials by introducing tiny defects that accumulate over time.
Chasing Electrons
In previous work at DOE's Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory on the PNNL campus, Wang, PNNL chemist Wu Xu and other colleagues succeeded in taking a snapshot of a larger nanowire of about one micrometer - or one-hundredth the width of a human hair - that had been partially charged. But the experimental set-up didn't show charging in action.
To view the dynamics of an electrode being charged, Wang and Xu teamed up with Jianyu Huang at DOE's Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico and others. The team used a specially outfitted transmission electron microscope to set up a miniature battery. This instrument allowed them to image smaller wires of about 200 nanometers in diameter (about a fifth the width of the previous nanowires) while charging it.
Rechargeable lithium ion batteries work because lithium ions love electrons. Positively charged lithium ions normally hang out in the positive electrode, where a metal oxide shares its electrons with lithium. But charging a battery pumps free electrons into the negative electrode, which sits across a lake of electrolytes through which lithium ions can swim but electrons can't. The lithium desires the electrons on the negative side of the lake more than the electrons it shares with the metal oxide on the positive side. So lithium ions flow from the positive to the negative electrode, pairing up with free electrons there.
But electrons are fickle. Using a battery in a device allows the electrons to slip out of the negative electrode, leaving the lithium ions behind. So without free electron companions, the lithium ions return to the positive electrode and the metal oxide's embrace.
Wang's miniature battery included a positive electrode of lithium cobalt oxide and a negative electrode made from thin nanowires of tin oxide. Between the two electrodes, an electrolyte provided a conduit for lithium ions and a barrier for electrons. The electrolyte was specially designed to withstand the conditions in the microscope.
When the team charged the miniature battery at a constant voltage, lithium ions wicked up through the tin oxide wire, drawn by the electrons at the negative electrode. The wire fattened and lengthened by about 250 percent in total volume, and twisted like a snake.
In addition, the microscopy showed that the wire started out in a crystalline form. But the lithium ions changed the tin oxide to a glassy material, in which atoms are arranged more randomly than in a crystal. The researchers concluded the amount of deformation occurring during charging and use might wear down battery materials after a while. Even so, the tin oxide appeared to fare better as a nanowire than in its larger, bulk form.
"We think this work will stimulate new thinking for energy storage in general," said Wang. "This is just the beginning, and we hope with continued work it will show us how to design a better battery."
Future work will include imaging what happens when such a miniature battery is repeatedly charged and discharged. When a battery gets used, the lithium ions must run back through the tin oxide wire and across the electrolyte to the positive electrode. How much structural damage the receding lithium leaves in its wake will help researchers understand why rechargeable batteries stop working after being recharged so many times.
The researchers would also like to develop a fully functioning nano-sized rechargeable battery.
Reference: Jian Yu Huang, Li Zhong, Chong Min Wang, John P. Sullivan, Wu Xu, Li Qiang Zhang, Scott X. Mao, Nicholas S. Hudak, Xiao Hua Liu, Arunkumar Subramanian, Hong You Fan, Liang Qi, Akihiro Kushima, Ju Li, In situ observation of the electrochemical lithiation of a single SnO2 nanowire electrode, Dec. 10, 2010, Science, DOI 10.1126/science.1195628.
This work was supported by EMSL and the Department of Energy Office of Science.
Tags: Energy, Fundamental Science, EMSL, Batteries
EMSL, the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, is a national scientific user facility sponsored by the Department of Energy's Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research program that is located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. EMSL offers an open, collaborative environment for scientific discovery to researchers around the world. EMSL's technical experts and suite of custom and advanced instruments are unmatched. Its integrated computational and experimental capabilities enable researchers to realize fundamental scientific insights and create new technologies. Follow EMSL on Facebook.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory where interdisciplinary teams advance science and technology and deliver solutions to America's most intractable problems in energy, the environment and national security. PNNL employs 4,900 staff, has an annual budget of nearly $1.1 billion, and has been managed by Ohio-based Battelle since the lab's inception in 1965. Follow PNNL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
LaCie Float concept combines external HDD with trackpad, ingenuity with fantasy
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 05:36 AM PST
Yahoo! Messenger and ooVoo Mobile do video chat on Android, but only for a lucky few
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 05:14 AM PST
Update: We're told that Paltalk has also recently released an Android app to the Marketplace, giving you yet another way to say "hey."
OOVOO LAUNCHES THE FIRST 4G MOBILE VIDEO CHAT SERVICE
THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY CONNECTS SMARTPHONE, PC AND MAC USERS
Users can now experience high quality mobile video chat by downloading the
ooVoo Mobile application for their WiFi or 4G-enabled smartphones
New York, NY (December 15, 2010) – Today ooVoo announced the launch of ooVoo Mobile, a mobile video chat service on the Android marketplace. With 20 million people worldwide already using ooVoo on their PCs or Macs, ooVoo breaks new ground in mobile video chat by allowing up to six users to simultaneously participate on a video call without compromising the high quality video experience.
People want mobile video chat, and ooVoo is actively connecting best-in-class technology with a cool user experience. ooVoo Mobile users download and get started in seconds making calls to friends, family and colleagues on PCs, Macs, tablets and other mobile phones. And it works over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G networks so service is sure to be covered wherever they are.
As well as 6-way video chat and proven quality standard, ooVoo Mobile also features free ooVoo-to-ooVoo voice calls, text chat, contact list integration and video calls to any person not on ooVoo via a web browser. Available immediately on the Android Market for the HTC Evo and Samsung Epic, ooVoo plans to support new devices every day as well as Apple iPhone, iTouch and iPad devices in early 2011.
"Not only is ooVoo bringing essential features to the mobile video chat marketplace that have been missing until now, but we've also expanded our already famous high quality video to the world of mobile communication," said Philippe Schwartz, CEO of ooVoo. "The existing video chat apps do not support mobile, or they support inferior quality. We believe that ooVoo over the emerging Verizon LTE or the Sprint Wimax networks will surpass all competition and will even provide better quality than sitting at your desktop."
Twenty million people rely on ooVoo to stay close to friends and family on the other side of the city or the other side of the world. With our new platform-independent mobile service, ooVoo is committed to making sure users enjoy superior voice and video quality on their PCs and Macs and now on mobile devices across any platform, any network, anywhere.
http://homepage.mac.com/akidess/filechute/ooVoo_UB_v3_High.mov
About ooVoo
Based in New York, ooVoo is the number two video calling service behind Skype. We're committed to be the best at the video experience, and have grown to 20 million users worldwide. We think video communications is cool. We also know that our quality and video experience is at the forefront of this new communications medium. We use ooVoo daily no matter where we are – on the playground, in a conference room, or in the air. Which is why we are connected and engaged to create a community people want to be a part of. We ARE VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS. Download ooVoo at www.ooVoo.com
Sharp investing $1.2b in expanding smartphone LCD production, Apple fingered as the major client
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 04:51 AM PST
Flipboard updated, finally does Google Reader and Flickr right
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 04:28 AM PST
Pleo RB robosaur now on sale for $469, Christmas now cleared to take place
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 04:01 AM PST
Sega Toylets lets you game with your boy bits (video)
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 03:28 AM PST
Xbox 360 gets a limited edition orange Tron controller, because wired gamers need love too
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 03:08 AM PST
Creative's 7-inch ZiiO Android 2.1 tablet now on sale for $250
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 02:39 AM PST
C'mon now, don't act all surprised. This one followed the picture perfect path to shipping: announcement, hands-on, a stop by the FCC's database and now, a formal portal in Creative's webstore. If the Galaxy Tab, eLocity A7, G Tablet and Advent Vega haven't exactly tickled your fancy, there's hardly a chance the 7-inch ZiiO will have what it takes. That said, it's now up for grabs at $249.99, with that sum getting you 8GB of storage ($20 more doubles it to 16GB), an 800x400 resolution display, Android 2.1, a ZiiLABS ZMS-08 HD processor, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a front-facing VGA camera. Unfortunately, this thing has a zero percent chance of revolutionizing your life in the way that the ZiiEagle already has, but perhaps it'll bring you joy in some smaller, less meaningful way.[Thanks, Terrence]
Kindle for Android updated with periodicals and integrated web store, can be installed on SD card
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 02:04 AM PST
Version 2.0 of Amazon's Kindle for Android software has snuck out tonight, bringing with it access to the company's library of newspapers and magazines, the ability to purchase content in-app, and the freedom to choose where you want to store the app itself, which is now happy to reside on your microSD card. Other additions include social networking updates of your reading progress, the appearance of chapter titles in the reader status bar, zoom for images and graphics, and the volume keys doubling up as your page turners should you wish them to do so. The updated app's available in the Market now -- you know what to do with that QR code, right?Razer Scarab has regular mousepad looks, precision gaming DNA
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 01:48 AM PST
RAZER™ RELEASES THE RAZER SCARAB – SEQUEL TO THE REVOLUTIONARY RAZER DESTRUCTOR
The All-New Hard Mouse Mat for High DPI Gaming will be available in December
Carlsbad, Calif. – December 16, 2010 – Most of the time, sequels to great movies suck. Normally, sequels to great books suck. Sometimes, sequels to great games suck. But what doesn't ever suck are sequels to Razer products. They just keep getting better.
Razer, the world's leading high-end precision gaming brand, wants you to know that your gaming doesn't have to suck anymore thanks to the release of the Razer Scarab; the next generation hard gaming mouse mat. Featuring a Razer Fractal 2.0 surface coated in light grey, the long-awaited sequel to the Razer Destructor takes superior tracking to an explosive new level.
"With this sequel, we focused on enhancing the Fractal surface coating so that gamers will improve their game even further. It's all you need to win in life," said Robert "Razerguy" Krakoff, president of Razer USA, "And in PC games of course. The Razer Scarab is for gamers who prefer hard surfaces, high performance areas, effortless swipes and absolute tracking."
Alexey "Cypher" Yanusheuski of Team Serious Gaming, world champion in Quake Live said of the Scarab, "A mat like this makes keeping up with the high intensity of Quake easy. I look forward to further improving my rocket jump technique and upping my frag count."
Olga "Pachella" Pak, Counter-strike 1.6 world champion with Team Mousesports said, "Razer paid special attention to the needs of FPS gamers when developing this; improving accuracy and now the Scarab is an indispensable accessory to complement my high-dpi gaming mouse."
About the Razer Scarab
What makes the Scarab the awesome mat it is comes down to Razer's Fractal 2.0 surface coating. It establishes a highly responsive and uniform tracking system perfect for optical and laser mice sensors. It's been finely-tuned to balance between speed and control to help acquire targets more accurately.
Razer even included a lightweight carrying case that not only protects the Scarab, but is a sweet folio to store documents for your job as a tax accountant by day, l33t gamer by night. It even looks great, guaranteed to turn heads at the next LAN party you destroy.
So go on, get a Razer Scarab and make your high-dpi gaming mouse (it better also be a Razer) happy.
Price: US $39.99; EU €39.99
Availability:
Razerzone Asia Pacific – December 19th, 2010
Razerzone North and South America – December 24th, 2010
Razerzone Europe – December 25th, 2010
Worldwide – December, 2010
Product Features
Fractal 2.0™ surface coating for high performance
Optimal performance for both laser and optical mice
Hard mouse mat providing precise tracking
Improved rubber base for greater stability
Large size suited for most gaming environments: 350(L) x 250(W) x 3(H)mm
Reinforced carrying case for optimal stowing
A feeling of awesomeness during usage
For more information about the Razer Scarab, please visit www.razerzone.com/scarab.
Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 01:19 AM PST
Researchers at Sydney's National ICT Australia (NICTA) have spent the past two years developing an incredibly futuristic invention which could bring relief to those who suffer from chronic pain. What it amounts to is a series of 'smart' chips inserted into biocompatible devices and strung together. These are then sewn into a very small (1.22mm wide) lead made of a polymer yarn and wires, which are then inserted into the spine. The device is them connected to a battery and computer which can measure and gather information about the pain-carrying nerves signalling the brain. The device can also respond by sending 10 volt electrical pulses to block the signals' path to the brain, tricking the brain into thinking there is no pain. There are devices such as this one already in existence, but they are much larger than this new device, and its smaller size increases accuracy as it can be implanted closer to the spine than previous models. The NICTA's device is set to go into human trials next year. Video after the break.
RepRap prints transistors, but fabs have little to fear
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 12:54 AM PST
Iriver teases out U100, P100, and D2000 portable media players
Posted: 17 Dec 2010 12:24 AM PST
Looks like there are more colorful PMPs on the way from Iriver. All we have right now from the company is a teaser video (in Korean, no less) and a few model names: U100, P100, and D2000, to be exact. Hopefully this will tide you over until next year when the things are ready to hit the street. Hit the source link to feel the love (as well as some very moving piano music).
Volkswagen's London Taxi Concept: smaller, prettier, more electric than the real thing
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:56 PM PST
INNOVATIVE VOLKSWAGEN TAXI CONCEPT MAKES ITS DEBUT IN LONDON
14/12/10
A conceptual twist on a British institution has been unveiled in the form of the Volkswagen Taxi Concept – the latest evolution in a series of 'World Taxis' based on the underpinnings of the forthcoming UP! city car.
The man behind the project, Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen, was present in Central London earlier today to unveil the car.
Designed to meet the challenges faced by vehicles in modern cities, with ever tighter restrictions on space and emissions, the Volkswagen Taxi Concept is powered by an electric motor fed by lithium-ion batteries. With a capacity of 45 kW/h the batteries allow the electric motor to generate a maximum power output of 115 PS, translating to a theoretical top speed of 74 mph.
The range of the Volkswagen Taxi Concept is estimated at 186 miles between charges with an 80 per cent charge taking around one hour to complete.
The Concept, which measures 3,730 mm in length, 1,680 mm in width and 1,600 mm in height, is shorter than the current smallest Volkswagen, the Fox. However its long wheelbase and minimal front and rear overhangs allow it to have a spacious cabin with room for two adults to be seated in comfort plus an allocated area for luggage. At the front, the driving environment is similarly spacious, an impression emphasised by the large glass area.
The theme running throughout the vehicle is simplicity, with an elegant, clutter-free look to the interior. The major functions of the vehicle including climate, entertainment and fare information are all grouped onto one touchscreen display mounted next to the driver. In the back a similar screen relays information to the passengers on their route and their immediate environment. Despite its modest size, the Volkswagen Taxi Concept feels luxurious, with use of cream leather and individual, as opposed to bench, seats.
The styling draws on that of the UP!, Space UP! and Space UP! Blue concept cars and features deliberately tongue-in-cheek details such as the silver Union Jack on the roof and the City of London's coat of arms resplendent on either side of the vehicle as well as on the dashboard.
Elegant daytime running lights mounted within the headlight units are joined by a distinctive 'Taxi' light on the roof. This has two settings – it glows green, indicating when it's free and red when it's not.
At the rear the light units are integrated into the 60:40 split tailgate, behind which are a pair of cubbies to house the belongings of the driver.
While the concept doesn't adhere to current legal requirements regulating taxis in London it does offer an insight into the possibility of a future small, efficient taxi that offers an alternative to conventional fuels.
BlockBuster Express to distribute Warner Bros DVD rentals 28 days after release
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:33 PM PST
It was only a couple of weeks ago that BlockBuster Express and Warner Bros were trialling the release of DVD titles into the former company's rental kiosks on their day of commercial release, but it seems like that's a future we're not going to see any more of. The pair have now announced a partnership whereby NCR's Blockbuster Express will offer WB's new DVD titles for rent 28 days after launch, matching Redbox and Netflix who are also subject to a four-week delay. This follows similar deals being concluded by NCR with Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox, with the major benefits being lower acquisition costs and a direct relationship with the studio.Update: We initially conflated Blockbuster with Blockbuster Express-branded DVD kiosks operated by NCR. The post has now been updated to rectify this unforgivable misguidance.
NCR and Warner Home Video reach new distribution agreement for DVD rental availability at BLOCKBUSTER Express kiosks
December 16, 2010
BLOCKBUSTER Express® to offer Warner Home Video Theatrical new release titles after 28-day window
DULUTH, Georgia – Warner Home Video and NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today announced a new distribution agreement that will make Warner Home Video theatrical new release titles available in NCR's BLOCKBUSTER Express®-branded DVD rental kiosks after a 28-day window. The new arrangement provides NCR with lower acquisition costs, a direct relationship with the Studio, and access to ample quantities of theatrical new release product four weeks after the street date. The agreement also provides Warner Bros. with the opportunity to maximize the sales of new release titles as well as video-on-demand and other forms of digital distribution in the critical first four weeks.
"We are pleased to establish a direct relationship with NCR regarding the availability of new release product," said Mark Horak, president, the Americas, Warner Home Video. "The new agreement allows NCR to continue providing quality DVD rental titles at an affordable price, while providing Warner Bros. with more revenue opportunities when titles are first released."
The new agreement begins with titles scheduled to hit retail stores in January 2011.
"NCR's BLOCKBUSTER Express-branded kiosks continue to offer convenience, affordability and the best in entertainment to consumers, letting us make every night a movie night," said Justin Hotard, vice president and general manager of NCR Entertainment. "Our DVD-rental kiosks are now in more locations than ever before and this new agreement with Warner Home Video ensures that we can continue to provide our customers with the DVD titles they want at the price they want."
NCR – the worldwide leader in self-service consumer experiences – launched its BLOCKBUSTER Express DVD kiosk program in 2009 in thousands of convenient locations and is the only DVD kiosk operator also delivering movies digitally to consumers through its digital download kiosks – such as those being installed at InMotion Entertainment stores.
For a full list of titles available at BLOCKBUSTER Express® kiosks, visit www.blockbusterexpress.com. Consumers can also rent a DVD online from BLOCKBUSTERExpress.com.
BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.0 for Mac OS brings WiFi music sync, broader iPhoto / iTunes support
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 11:05 PM PST
About time, eh? Wintel users have been enjoying the spoils of WiFi music sync on their BlackBerry handsets for the past few months now, but if you're still stickin' with RIM (through the thick and thin), and you just so happen to roll primarily on OS X, there's a new piece of software that you should consider. BlackBerry Desktop Software 2.0 for Mac OS has just been let loose, and it's a pretty substantial update. Aside from supporting WiFi music sync in official fashion, there's also a new device switch wizard and the ability to import and sync photos and videos with iPhoto and iTunes. She's waiting for you there in the source link -- all 39.713 megabytes. You know what to do.GenosTV sets a date with CES, plans to demo Cyclops universal remote
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:40 PM PST
GenosTV to Demo Working Prototypes of Cyclops™ Universal Controller at 2011 Consumer Electronics Show
Company Integrating Control Codes with Major Television Manufacturer
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 14, 2010 -- GenosTV, the first IPTV operator to utilize existing consumer broadband connections to deliver established television programming services to Internet-connected televisions and other consumer electronics devices, today announced that the company will be previewing working prototypes of its Cyclops Multifunction Universal Controller at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, January 7 – 11.
GenosTV also announced that the Cyclops development team has been working with a major international television manufacturer to integrate their requirements and control codes into the Cyclops firmware. GenosTV will also be meeting with other leading television manufacturers at CES to expand the universal control capability.
"We are seeing escalating interest in our Cyclops Controller from entertainment electronics manufacturers, as well as a flood of excitement from consumers, due to its unique design and multifunction capability –universal remote control, keyboard and mouse functionality," said GenosTV co-founder Mike West. "We are looking forward to getting Cyclops front and center with the other leading electronics manufacturers with Cyclops at CES. Cyclops is the perfect complement to the next generation of Internet-connected consumer electronic devices."
In addition, GenosTV CEO and co-founder Rob Shambro will be delivering a keynote address at the inaugural 'Content in the Cloud' Conference within CES on January 7, 2011. Mr. Shambro's presentation, entitled, "Benefits of Cloud-Delivered Content for Consumers: Ubiquity, Cost, Portability Improvements," will take place at 2:00 pm in room N260 of the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall.
The presentation will include the first public exhibition of GenosTV's flagship service, launching in early 2011 and exclusively offering consumers low-cost access to traditional broadcast and cable/satellite television programming over their current home broadband Internet connections, delivering greater choice, convenience, and value than current pay television offerings. GenosTV is the first television service designed to integrate directly into the next generation of Internet-connected televisions and consumer electronics devices.
About GenosTV
GenosTV is a subsidiary of the ShambroWest Corporation, with offices in Las Vegas and Amsterdam. Founded by Rob Shambro, co-founder of SAVVIS Communications, Inc., StreamSearch.com and Infinium Labs, Kevin Bachus, co-creator of the XBOX and Mike West, subject matter expert in consumer electronics and a former technical leader at IBM, GenosTV provides a cost-effective way to access premium linear television programming using existing broadband Internet connections directly on connected televisions and related devices. For more information visit www.genos.tv
Hitachi's 7mm-thick hard drives grow to 500GB, keep slimline profile
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:16 PM PST
Hitachi GST Ships Industry's First, One-Disk, 7mm 500GB Hard Drive
Hitting the Industry Sweet Spot in the 2.5-inch Hard Drive Market, New Thin and Rugged Travelstar™ Z5K500 Drive Enables Innovative Designs for Ultra-portable CE Devices, Laptops and Netbooks, and Compact Industrial Systems;
G-Technology™ G-DRIVE Slim™ Ships with the New Travelstar Z5K500 drive, Making it the Thinnest 500GB, 2.5-inch External Hard Drive in the World
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today announced its new 500GB, 5,400 RPM Travelstar Z5K500 drive – the industry's highest capacity, one-disk, 7 millimeter (mm) z-height hard disk drive (HDD).
According to IDC¹, 500GB, mobile 2.5-inch drives represent 22 percent of the market today, with this capacity growing 42 percent annually from 2010 to 2013. Offered in a complete family of 500GB, 320GB and 250GB, which satisfies more than 77 percent of today's capacity needs in the portable PC market¹, these drives are the industry's only second-generation family of 5,400 RPM, 7mm z-height drives, which are designed as a direct replacement for standard 2.5-inch, 9.5mm drives in everything from external drives to laptops, netbooks and blade servers. All this combined puts the new Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 drive family in the industry sweet spot of opportunity in the mobile 2.5-inch market.
With its slim profile and high capacities, the Hitachi Travelstar Z5K500 drive family delivers the best cost per gigabyte and gigabyte per cubic millimeter (GB/mm3) when compared to solid state drives (SSD), and 2.5-inch and 1.8-inch 9.5mm HDDs, offering a compelling value proposition for OEMs and system integrators. With the broadest line of 7,200 and 5,400 RPM 7mm drives now at their fingertips, Hitachi customers can differentiate product lines by utilizing space savings to produce thinner devices, add battery capacity, increase shock robustness, or improve internal airflow – all better uses of the volume in a system than shipping a partially "empty" 9.5mm 2.5-inch hard drive with only one disk.
Delivering the right balance of power and acoustics, the drives feature 1.8 watts (W) read/write power and 0.55W low power idle, and deliver a nearly silent operation at 1.9 idle / 2.1 seek bels, which is quieter than most ambient noise in a household. All Travelstar Z5K500 drives feature an 8MB cache and a Serial ATA 3Gb per second interface. They are also Hitachi's second generation Advanced Format drive, which increases the physical sector size on HDDs from 512 bytes to 4,096 (4K) bytes, thereby improving drive capacity and error correction capabilities.
All Hitachi Z-series 7mm drives feature common connectors and mounting points for standard integration into existing systems, and enable greater design flexibility to differentiate and meet market demands for new thinner, lighter and more robust devices.
Security, Reliability, Availability
Travelstar Z-series family features optional bulk data encryption (BDE) for hard drive level data security. When employing BDE, data is scrambled using a key as it is being written to the disk and then descrambled with the key as it is retrieved. The Travelstar Z5K500 drive family will also be offered in Enhanced Availability (EA) models in capacities of 320GB and 500GB, which are designed and fine-tuned for applications needing "always-on" protection in 24x7, low transaction environments including blade servers, network routers, video surveillance and compact RAID systems.
The Travelstar Z5K500 family will be shipping to select distributors in December.
New 500GB Travelstar Z5K500 Enables Sleek, Elegant G-Technology G-DRIVE slim
The G-Technology G-DRIVE slim leverages the new rugged, 7mm Travelstar Z5K500 drive, making it the thinnest 500GB, 2.5-inch external hard drive in the world. With its ultra thin profile and sleek design that complements the Apple® MacBook®, MacBook™ Pro or MacBook Air™, users now have increased capacity in a stylish footprint to help them move, work and play with their digital content. Now at 500GB, the drive has enough room to store up to 125 hours of high-definition video, 500 hours of standard video, 178 movies, 125,000 4-minute songs or 250 games². Formatted for Macs with simple plug n' play connectivity, the G-DRIVE slim is Time Machine® ready for added backup protection. It is USB-powered, so there is no need to carry around an extra power cord.
The 500GB G-Technology G-DRIVE slim will be shipping to retailers in early Q1 2011. Pricing has not been set.
"Ultra thin and light devices are, without argument, a growing trend. In order for these innovative designs to live up to their true potential, they need rugged, reliable high-capacity hard drives that can withstand the rigors of a portable environment and satisfy the storage demands of their end users, and Hitachi continues to deliver," said Brendan Collins, vice president of product marketing at Hitachi GST. "As the industry's only 500GB one disk product and the only second generation 7mm product family, Hitachi continues to push the bar higher, and is leading the shift from 9.5mm 2.5-inch drives to 7mm 2.5-inch drives across a broad range of market segments."
Paramount rolls out Silverlight-enhanced movies for Windows Phone 7
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 10:02 PM PST
Why simply download a movie when you can download a movie app? That's the thinking at Paramount, at least, which launched it's first Silverlight-enhanced movie app, School of Rock, for Windows Phone 7 devices this week. That's one of an initial batch of ten movies that will be released before the end of the year, which will also include Zoolander, GI JOE: The Rise of Cobra and Waiting for Superman, among other yet-to-be-announced titles. In addition to the movie itself, each of those will come packed with a range of extras including trailers, DVD-style special features, a Scene It? pop-up trivia mode, and the ability to create custom movie clips. As for how much they'll cost, School of Rock currently runs $10, although it's not clear if that will be the standard pricing for all releases.
Paramount Digital Entertainment to Release Paramount Silverlight Enhanced Movies for Windows® Phone 7
Movie Apps Bring Robust Film Experience to Handset
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Digital Entertainment announced today that it will be releasing ten enhanced movie apps of Paramount Pictures' films exclusively for Windows® Phone 7. Paramount Digital Entertainment is launching SCHOOL OF ROCK today in the U.S. and Canadian Windows Phone Marketplace with additional titles to be released in the U.S. and international markets before the end of the year.
The movie apps have been built using Microsoft Silverlight technology and offer the full movie plus menus, bonus features and unique experiences not available on other platforms to deliver a rich connected consumer experience to Windows Phone 7. Other titles coming to Paramount Silverlight Enhanced Movies for Windows Phone include ZOOLANDER, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN and GI JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, with more to be announced.
"Through our relationship with Microsoft, we're able to provide consumers new, enhanced ways to enjoy movies from anywhere on Windows Phone 7," said Geremie Camara, Vice President Product Development for Paramount Digital Entertainment. "Using Silverlight technology and adding interactive and social networking features, our enhanced movie apps transform the movie viewing experience into a true entertainment experience."
Other features in the enhanced movie apps include the ability to create custom clips, view the movie with pop-up trivia powered by 'Scene It?', and a Movie Info feature offering users the ability to identify actors, objects, music, and places in the movie, while providing rich, contextual information, such as bios, descriptions, and even maps to the locations.
"Windows Phone 7 is backed by a rich developer ecosystem that is creating a variety of quality apps and games, like Paramount Entertainment's movie apps, that take advantage of the phone's unique features and design," said Todd Brix, senior director, Windows Phone Marketplace, Microsoft Corp. "We're proud to have these Paramount titles that offer unique experiences for consumers exclusively available on Windows Phone 7 this holiday season," he continued.
Paramount Digital Entertainment developed the movie apps in collaboration with Digitalsmiths, Hypershow and Trailer Park.
The School of Rock movie app is available from the Marketplace hub on all Windows Phone 7 devices, or on the desktop via the free Zune PC software at http://social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=61dc3fe3-56f8-df11-9264-00237de2db9e
About Paramount Digital Entertainment
Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, and emerging technologies.
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution.
SOURCE Paramount Digital Entertainment
Movie Apps Bring Robust Film Experience to Handset
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Digital Entertainment announced today that it will be releasing ten enhanced movie apps of Paramount Pictures' films exclusively for Windows® Phone 7. Paramount Digital Entertainment is launching SCHOOL OF ROCK today in the U.S. and Canadian Windows Phone Marketplace with additional titles to be released in the U.S. and international markets before the end of the year.
The movie apps have been built using Microsoft Silverlight technology and offer the full movie plus menus, bonus features and unique experiences not available on other platforms to deliver a rich connected consumer experience to Windows Phone 7. Other titles coming to Paramount Silverlight Enhanced Movies for Windows Phone include ZOOLANDER, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN and GI JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, with more to be announced.
"Through our relationship with Microsoft, we're able to provide consumers new, enhanced ways to enjoy movies from anywhere on Windows Phone 7," said Geremie Camara, Vice President Product Development for Paramount Digital Entertainment. "Using Silverlight technology and adding interactive and social networking features, our enhanced movie apps transform the movie viewing experience into a true entertainment experience."
Other features in the enhanced movie apps include the ability to create custom clips, view the movie with pop-up trivia powered by 'Scene It?', and a Movie Info feature offering users the ability to identify actors, objects, music, and places in the movie, while providing rich, contextual information, such as bios, descriptions, and even maps to the locations.
"Windows Phone 7 is backed by a rich developer ecosystem that is creating a variety of quality apps and games, like Paramount Entertainment's movie apps, that take advantage of the phone's unique features and design," said Todd Brix, senior director, Windows Phone Marketplace, Microsoft Corp. "We're proud to have these Paramount titles that offer unique experiences for consumers exclusively available on Windows Phone 7 this holiday season," he continued.
Paramount Digital Entertainment developed the movie apps in collaboration with Digitalsmiths, Hypershow and Trailer Park.
The School of Rock movie app is available from the Marketplace hub on all Windows Phone 7 devices, or on the desktop via the free Zune PC software at http://social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=61dc3fe3-56f8-df11-9264-00237de2db9e
About Paramount Digital Entertainment
Paramount Digital Entertainment (PDE) is a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. PDE develops and distributes filmed entertainment across worldwide digital distribution platforms including online, mobile and portable devices, videogames, and emerging technologies.
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution.
SOURCE Paramount Digital Entertainment
GammaTech stuffs Core i5 into rugged, rigid D12C convertible laptop
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 09:29 PM PST
She ain't pretty -- far from it, actually -- but she'll definitely get the job done in uncertain conditions. GammaTech's latest convertible laptop has just been revealed, with the D12C bringing along a 12.1-inch LED-backlit WXGA touchscreen, a Core i5-540UM processor, up to 8GB of memory, a 1.3 megapixel webcam, WiFi, optional Bluetooth / smart card reader and an integrated carry handle. The actual exterior is built much like a tank, meeting stringent MIL-STD-810G requirements surrounding drop and shock resistance. There's also a spill resistant design that sheds water around the keyboard, touchpad, speakers and wireless and power switches, and every last port is fully dust resistant. You'll also find a 2.5-inch slot suitable for your choice of HDD or SSD, and unless you specify otherwise, you'll be getting a fresh copy of Windows 7. Mum's the word on pricing, but as these things tend to go, we're guessing you'll be paying a stiff premium for the rigidity. GammaTech Introduces Its Newest Mobile Rugged, Convertible Notebook Computer
Designed Specifically for People on the Go, Unit Includes 12.1"Touch Screen Display, Web Cam, HD Stereo Audio and Up to 8GB of Memory
Fremont, CA – December 15, 2010 - GammaTech Computer Corp., a major international manufacturer and supplier of innovative notebook and tablet computers, has introduced the newest member to its line of cost-effective, high-performance rugged convertible notebook computers, the D12C. Lightweight for easy mobility, the unit is ideal for on-the-go salespersons, students, and travelers, among others. GammaTech will feature the unit at the upcoming 2011 CES.
"The D12C is designed so it can be easily used virtually anywhere," stated Steven Gau, GammaTech President. "There is no reason why on-the-go individuals should not have access to fully featured, convertible notebook computers that are rugged enough to stand up to the daily grind. The GammaTech D12C is exactly that."
For ultimate flexibility and functionality, the GammaTech D12C is a rugged notebook computer that transforms quickly and easily to a Tablet PC. It is drop and shock resistant and tested to stringent MIL-STD-810G requirements. Its unique spill resistant design protects it from accidental spills, as its spill resistant C-face includes the area around the keyboard, touchpad, speakers and wireless and power switches. All input/output ports are fully dust resistant.
The D12C comes with an Intel® i5-540UM processor and Intel® HM55 chipset. It has up to 8GB of memory capacity. Features include a 12.1" convertible TFT, LED backlit touch screen display, high-definition stereo audio, 1.3 mega-pixel Web camera, and WLAN and WiFi compatibility with optional Bluetooth capability. Contents are kept safe with security features such as BIOS administrator password/Boot password, fingerprint scanner and TPM 1.2 technology. A smart card reader is optional. The built-in handle makes moving the unit from location to location hassle free.
Availability
As with the rest of the GammaTech notebook product line, the D12C is available through authorized resellers nationwide and at http://www.GammaTechUSA.com/java-jsp/gov_index.jsp. Every GammaTech product may be customized to customer specifications.
About GammaTech Computer Corporation
For over two decades, GammaTech Computer Corporation is a leader in the design, manufacturing and sales of rugged and hardened notebook and tablet computers throughout North America. GammaTech promotes its award winning, built-to-order durable mobile computers to businesses, government, healthcare, fire, law enforcement and public safety entities. GammaTech is headquartered in Fremont, California, which provides the final assembly, inventory, service and technical support.
For more information, please visit GammaTech at www.GammaTechUSA.com
Synology introduces DiskStation DS211+, review finds the plus stands for performance
Posted: 16 Dec 2010 09:01 PM PST
Synology Launches Budget-Friendly, Business-Grade NAS DiskStation DS211+
REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Synology America Corp. today launched the DiskStation DS211+, a high-performance and full-featured 2-bay NAS server for office and enthusiast users to share files, centralize backup, and protect data. The latest addition to the professional class of DiskStations comes with Synology's distinctive DiskStation Manager (DSM) 3.0 software to provide an intuitive interface for managing the server.
As part of the revamped design, the DS211+ offers hot-swap drive bays, which will help businesses to minimize downtime in the event of a drive failure. Priced around $400, this is the first DiskStation to offer this feature at this price point. For photographers, it also offers an integrated SD card reader, making for easier transfers to the NAS.
"When you factor in the benefits of the newer hardware on productivity, this is just a great answer to the needs of small businesses," said Jason Bonoan, Product Marketing Manager at Synology America. "With support for 3TB drives, that allows for volumes up to 6TB, plenty of space for many small businesses. This new model just represents a value unmatched by DAS so-called 'solutions.'" In addition to the expected NAS duties, such as file sharing and remote access and management, Surveillance Station 5 allows the DiskStation to become an NVR solution. As a surveillance solution, it supports up to 12 IP channels at once, chosen from a list of over 700 camera models.
With DSM 3.0, it offers business users such features as: ADS integration (with support for domains up to 100,000 users and groups) Enhanced iSCSI support (including persistent reservations) Hardware encryption engine with 256 bit AES share-level encryption Using the intuitive DSM 3.0 interface, it is simple to manage all aspects of the server. Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) allows users to easily create a redundant volume, protecting their data against disk failure without requiring expertise with RAID technology. In addition, the DS211+ is backed by a competitive 2-year warranty and in-house technical support with no extra charge.
Visit http://www.synology.com/us/products/DS211+/index.php for more product information.
About Synology Founded in April of 2000, Synology Inc. is a leader in next-generation Network Attached Storage (NAS) servers for the home and small to medium sized business markets. Specializing in both hardware and software for network attached storage devices; Synology products are feature-rich, easy-to-use, energy-efficient, reliable and affordable. All Synology product investments are enhanced with product warranties, free software upgrades and 24/7 online support. Visit http://www.synology.com for more information Synology has a global presence with regional offices in the US (Redmond, Washington) and the UK (London, England) and Taiwan (Taipei).
Press Contact Doug Self marketing.us@synology.com Synology America Corp.
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[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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