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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

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RIM exec talks PlayBook, App World, QNX on phones, and more

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:36 AM PST

While we wait for the PlayBook to released in its WiFi- and WiMAX-equipped forms over the next few months, RIM's taking every opportunity it can to talk about the platform -- and the latest comes from an interview between FierceDeveloper and the company's veep of developer relations, Tyler Lessard, who played a prominent role at BlackBerry DevCon '10 a while back where the PlayBook was first announced. When asked about RIM's decision to partner up with Sprint and deliver a WiMAX version first before looking at bigger carriers with more broadly-used technologies, Lessard says that they "were really excited about was Sprint's interest and excitement in coming to the table and working with us on a product like that" -- which we take as code for either "they paid us the most" or "no one else bit." Either way, interesting verbiage to say the least -- though he does say that there are other versions in the pipe.

On App World, Lessard notes that BlackBerry's third-party app platform has taken in some 5,000 apps in the last couple months alone -- not a big number, necessarily, until you consider that they're only up to 17,000 total, so they're definitely seeing some nice growth percentages there. Turning the attention to the perennial question of when QNX will come to smartphones, he basically echoes a sentiment first shared by bossman Lazaridis back at D: Dive Into Mobile: dual-core processors are key, so the new platform won't filter down until the hardware gets beefier. He says that "we really want to make sure we don't back-step from that and offer a degraded experience because hardware is not ready or the performance isn't there," which is arguably odd wording considering that BlackBerry 6 is already well behind the curve -- how much worse could QNX on a single-core 1GHz-plus processor really be?

[Thanks, Ben]

AMD announces Fusion-based Embedded G-Series platform

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 10:13 AM PST

We've just seen what AMD's Fusion platform can do for a laptop, and it looks like we'll soon also be seeing it in a lot more devices -- AMD has just announced its new Fusion-based Embedded G-Series platform, which can be used for things like set-top boxes, in-car computers, small form factor PCs, and more. That platform include the low-power x86 "Bobcat" core we've seen all along and a "world-class" DirectX 11-capable GPU, which AMD says adds up to a level of advanced computing that simply isn't available in the embedded market today. Among the first products based on the platform to be announced are a pair of Mini-ATX boards from Fujitsu and three SFF systems from Kontron, which will be joined by a range of other products from various manufacturers that are expected to launch in the "coming weeks." Head on past the break for the complete press release, plus a video of a G-Series-based car computer that AMD was demoing at CES.


Show full PR text
AMD Delivers the World's First and Only APU for Embedded Systems

-The low-power AMD Embedded G-Series platform uniquely meets today's market trends, provides embedded market a brand new x86 core integrated with GPU and DirectX® 11 support-


SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Jan. 19, 2011 - AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced immediate availability of the new AMD Embedded G-Series processor, the world's first and only Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) for embedded systems. The AMD Embedded G-Series, based on AMD Fusion technology, delivers a complete, full-featured embedded platform and incorporates the new low-power, x86 CPU based on the "Bobcat" core with a world-class DirectX® 11-capable GPU and parallel processing engine on a single piece of silicon.



· This new class of accelerated processor combines more compute capabilities on a single die than any processor in the history of computing and represents opportunity for major advancements in embedded systems.

· No solution with this level of advanced computing is available for the embedded market today.

· Numerous embedded systems based on the AMD Embedded G-Series are available today or expected to launch in the coming weeks from companies including Advansus, Compulab, Congatec, Fujitsu, Haier, iEi, Kontron, Mitec, Quixant, Sintrones, Starnet, WebDT, Wyse, and many others.


· Expected products include graphics-intensive solutions like digital signage, internet-ready set top boxes, mobile and desktop thin clients, casino gaming machines, point-of-sale kiosks, and small form factor PCs, as well as numerous single board computers (SBCs).

· Shane Rau, research director of Computing and Storage Semiconductors at IDC, expects shipments of processors for embedded systems to increase at a double digit rate each year for the next five years.

· This brand new platform continues AMD's mission to lower power, shrink physical component area, and reduce the costs of designing and producing x86 embedded systems.



"AMD's commitment is to ensure the game-changing technologies we develop for consumers and the enterprise are also available for the vast and growing embedded market," said Patrick Patla, corporate vice president and general manager, Server and Embedded Division, AMD. "Today, we have a record number of embedded launch partners. They are using the unique advancements of the AMD Embedded G-Series APU to develop a brand new generation of highly differentiated, energy-efficient, small form-factor embedded systems that can deliver the vivid visual experience expected in our always-connected world."



AMD has assessed many of the trends shaping today's embedded market, including the ever-pressing need for power efficiency and a small footprint, along with high CPU performance, full feature sets, and a strong graphics solution. The embedded market is one where differentiation can be critical to the long-term success of a design. The AMD Embedded G-Series APU provides a small, open and flexible platform where system designers can be creative yet still meet strict requirements around development cost.




Design and Development Support

· The open development ecosystem for the AMD Embedded G-Series platform includes multiple BIOS options, support for various Microsoft Windows®, Linux, and real-time operating systems, the integrated OpenCLTM programming environment, and source-level debug tools.

· AMD provides a dedicated design support team to help customers create distinctive new products and bring them to market quickly.

· Online resources include an embedded developer portal, AMD embedded product selection guide and customer-submitted details on available boards and complete systems.



AMD Embedded G-Series APU Specifications

• 1 or 2 x86 "Bobcat" CPU cores with 1MB L2 cache, 64-bit Floating Point Unit

• Up to 1.6GHz

• 9W and 18W TDP

• Array of SIMD Engines

· DirectX® 11 capable graphics

· Industry-leading 3D and graphics processing

• 3rd Generation Unified Video Decoder

• Power management features, including C6 and power gating

• DDR3 800-1066 memory with support for 64 bit channel and 2 DIMMs

• Ball Grid Array (BGA) package

• 890mm² physical footprint, including the AMD Fusion I/O Controller Hub

Nintendo 3DS in-depth preview, slight return (update: more video)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:41 AM PST

Immediately following its big 3DS price and release date unveiling, Nintendo had on hand dozens of new titles playing on what we'd surmise is final hardware (or at least near-final, given its February 27th Japanese launch). Our first hands-on experience was just over six months ago during E3, at which point we were very impressed with what we saw. Did this playthrough garner the same excitement? Have our decidedly older but not much wiser selves become jaded by the novelty of it all? Venture on after the break to find out.
Nintendo 3DS hands-on and impressions


Hardware: the more things change...

The build quality of the 3DS units today were much more put-together than our last experience and definitely feel like a mass production unit. The Start / Select / Home buttons have just the right amount of clickiness, and the new analog nub was sturdy and comfortable against our thumb. The exterior is shiny but does look like it could take a beating (note: we didn't test this). We welcome the metallic stylus over the previous plastic ones, but after years of using smartphones with capacitive touchscreens to pinch-and-zoom our way around a virtual space, it's also a painful reminder of technology's past. Overall, it's the DS form factor (no surprise) that we've come to know since 2006's Lite model, for better and for worse. Familiar, yes, but perhaps just a bit too thick for our pockets.


As for the screen, in 2D mode the colors stand out and it's pretty crisp, but even a slight nudge on the 3D depth slider makes for a whole different experience. The viewing angle, which we actually commend during its two-dimensional presentation, drops to single-degree acceptability when the parallax display is put to use -- moving even just a little would cause the screen the flicker and the 3D effect to be lost or too muddled to enjoy. Expect to keep your arms locked in place while playing, and we'd advise against anyone trying to look over your shoulder to follow along. What's more, there's no instruction or guidance on how to adjust the depth slider for your eyes, and each game requires a seemingly different setting, so you end up fiddling with it a lot -- to what can be quite painful results. Our own Nilay Patel has had a headache since this morning's playing session, as has columnist-at-large Michael Gartenberg. We'd suggest Nintendo require each game to pop up a calibration screen with some saved settings that disable the slider -- otherwise we can see a lot of players just disabling 3D entirely.

Not all 3D is created equal



We'll let our friends at Joystiq handle the in-depth hands-on with every single game, so for now, here are some quick thoughts on the games we played:
  • Kid Icarus: Uprising. His first headlining game in two decades, the control scheme -- left hand on the analog stick, right hand with a stylus -- made it easy to maneuver and aim. It's essentially an on-rails shooter, fun and visually sharp, but we found it a bit harder to keep the system stable. Which means the 3D effect kept flickering in and out as we progressed through the level, to the point where we had to switch back to the more classic display.
  • Mii Creator. Since the app boasts facial construction care of image, we were surprised just how many options we had to input before being photographed (skin tone, eye color, hair color, and hair style). Once we presented our visage, the nose and mouth it chose didn't quite seem to fit with how we've come to create or Miis, nor does it seem to pick up peripheral features like a beard or glasses. We ended up re-selecting our features manually anyway, making the camera element more a time-waster than something actually neat.
  • AR Games. A glorified tech demo for augmented reality that's actually pretty fun. The system will come bundled with playing cards that's used as a reference point for various shooting games. There's a lot of moving around involved, and while some of the effects are fun to watch (most notably the terraforming table that undulates later in the game), it's better to think of this as a platform to imagine what could be, as opposed to something you'll spend more than five minutes playing.
  • Face Raiders. Another built-in diversion. Take a picture of yourself or your (un)loved ones and shoot them up as you twist 360 degrees in an AR-esque shooter. It won't shake the "tech demo" vibe either, but given its free in-bundle status, we can't complain. Also helps that we spent the entire time blasting away Nilay's face, only have "boss Nilay" grow an afro upon defeat.
  • Steeldiver. Actually one of the more interesting launch titles, since it makes use of the 3DS's gyroscope. You turn your body to locate ships through a periscope, and then you fire upon them. One of the better-looking 3D games, for sure, although the effect isn't used for anything -- it's just there.
  • Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D and Street Fighter IV 3D Edition. Both games boast impressive graphics, and even 3D mode was well done -- we don't think it really added anything, but it certainly didn't distract. The games themselves were smart, fleshed-out recreations of their respective console equivalents, and the touch screen options were large enough that we could use our fingernails just fine for quickly changing weapons / activating super combos.
  • Madden NFL. We can't explain why, but the 3D effect here was just jarring. We couldn't seem to focus no matter how we twisted and adjusted the system, our eyes ever-suffering.
Overall, the visuals were markedly improved from generations past and the framerates smooth, but we're pretty sure a vast majority of our time will be kept to 2D mode.

Wrap-up

Listening to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime's talking points today, we couldn't help but think we were caught smack dab in between its two target demographics: schoolchildren and nostalgic parents. In some ways that feels analogous to 3DS as a device. It, too, is caught between two sides of the technological spectrum. On one end, the device is burdened by a resistive screen and its dependency on a stylus -- hard to stomach in a world where it's just as easy to take a smartphone from our pockets and thumb a few rounds of whathaveyou while sitting on a train or in the back of a car. On the other end, its parallax 3D display is pushing boundaries not yet optimized for consumer use, with a trick that's only effective under very strict conditions.

Make no mistake, the 3DS is a strong evolutionary step in the right direction and its catalog of titles already looking strong from the get-go -- taken as a 2D device, it's hands-down a very compelling piece. Is Nintendo pushing the 3D thing too hard? We can't wait to get some quality time on a review unit and really find out.

HP files for 'HP Touchpad' trademark -- a possible name for the webOS tablet?

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 09:21 AM PST

We can't conclusively link this to the upcoming Palm tablets, but HP just filed for a trademark on "HP Touchpad" across a wide variety of products and services ranging from memory cards to -- dun dun dun -- "tablet computers." We're liking it as a tablet name, though -- we've been getting the sense that the Palm name is on the way out, and "HP Touchpad" jibes nicely with the conspicuous lack of Palm branding on the invite for HP's Feburary 9th webOS event. What's more, HP's already invested heavily in branding its laptop trackpads with the ClickPad name, so this seems like something else entirely. We've definitely come across headfake trademark registrations in the past, so we'll see what's going on here -- and whether this slow trickle of leaks ever turns into a flood.

Dell 'means business,' schedules San Francisco event for February 8th

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:59 AM PST

Sandwiched rather tightly between Sprint on the 7th and HP / Palm on the 9th, Dell just sent out an email blast that it's planning an event out in the City by the Bay for the 8th of next month. Hard to say whether this'll be tablets or just buttoned-up laptops and PCs, though, because the graphics starts out with "Dell Means Business" and goes on to say that they'll be showing off "a new generation of business computing solutions." Needless to say, we'll be there to find out.

Compulab fit-PC3 offers dual-core AMD power in a case less than an inch thick

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:49 AM PST

Compulab fit-PC3 offers dual-core AMD power in a case less than an inch thick
Think tablets will kill off the nettop like they're doing with the netbook? Think again -- well, for now, at least. Compulab has released details of its latest little powerhouse, and this one's faster than ever despite being less than an inch thick and about six inches across. Maximum spec sees the insertion of an AMD G-series T56N processor, aka the Fusion Zacate, offering dual cores at 1.6GHz while pulling down 18W TDP, paired with a Radeon HD 6310, the two running cool enough to not need a single fan. (It's the same basic setup found in the HP Pavilion dm1z we recently reviewed.) There's up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, room for a 2.5-inch HDD, HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, a whopping six USB 2.0 ports, and even dual eSATA if you need external storage. No word on price just yet but it's said to be "competitive" compared to its predecessors, like the PC2, which currently costs between $300 and $700 depending on configuration.

Wheego's so-called Whip LiFe delayed, supposedly still coming soon

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 08:22 AM PST

Wheego
We'd thought the thing were on their way, scoring EPA certification back in December and, in theory, almost ready to roll. Turns out Department of Transportation approval is taking a little longer than anticipated, and so the $32,995, 65mph, 100 mile range cars still aren't fully road legal. The company has indicated it's received 500 orders for the things, orders which it hopes to start shipping by the end of this month. Given how many X's we have on our calendar this month that may prove to be optimistic as well, but still probably more realistic than your chances of getting a Leaf this year.

Nanoscale ropes braid themselves, tiny sailors still needed to tie tiny knots

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 07:58 AM PST

Nanoscale ropes braid themselves, tiny sailors needed to tie tiny knots
While perhaps not being quite as useful as towels, ropes are might handy things to have. With them you can attach things to other things and, well, that's really their primary use. But what if those things are small? Really small. You need nanoropes of the sort created at the Molecular Foundry, braids that measure just 600 nanometers in diameter. A sheet of paper? About 100,000 nanometers thick. Perhaps even more interesting than their scale is how they were constructed, formed of polypeptoids that self-assemble into the coiling double helix you see above. Possible uses? Right now this is a part of experiments to create more complex nanoscale structures, but we could totally see them being used to, you know, tie tiny things together.

T-Mobile intros DriveSmart Plus service to block texting while driving, FamilyWhere to track down your kids

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 07:30 AM PST

The texting-while-driving epidemic is starting to get a lot of carrier attention, and T-Mobile's taking it to the next level today by throwing its weight behind a new subscription-based upgrade to the DriveSmart app that's been available on the LG Optimus T since launch. DriveSmart Plus runs $4.99 a month for all lines on your account (provided the lines are attached to compatible devices) and upgrades the basic DriveSmart app by automatically detecting when your car's in motion -- no need to enable it by hand -- at which point incoming calls are automatically sent to voicemail and incoming text messages are met with an automatic response that the recipient is currently driving. Naturally, there's an emergency override built-in -- but to make sure young drivers aren't abusing it, DriveSmart offers parents the option of being contacted by text or email when it's overridden and can let them monitor overall phone usage through a web interface. The service is only available on the Optimus T initially, but more hardware support is "coming soon."

On a related note, T-Mobile is also introducing FamilyWhere, matching similar services already offered by Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint by letting parents see where their young'uns are and set up customized alerts by location and time; it's apparently compatible with "nearly any type" of phone on the T-Mobile network, so you shouldn't need to equip the tykes with superphones just to get this action set up. It runs $9.99 a month and covers all the lines on your account; follow the break for both press releases.
Show full PR text
Location Labs Launches First Carrier-Grade Solution to Help T-Mobile Customers Prevent Texting While Driving

Leader in Mobile Personal Safety and Communication Products Attacks Distracted Driving Epidemic by Launching DriveSmart Plus with automatic driving detections

San Francisco, California – January 19, 2010 – Location Labs, the leading provider of mobile location-as-a-service infrastructure and applications, today announced the launch of its DriveSmart™ Plus application on T-Mobile® devices, the industry's first carrier-grade service to help prevent texting while driving, specifically designed for T-Mobile customers with Android™ smartphones.

DriveSmart Plus is a subscription-based, opt-in service that automatically detects when a handset user is driving and sets the phone into a 'Driving Mode'. Once this service is activated, it disables most texting and calling features to the handset while the car is in motion, ultimately decreasing the possibility of unsafe, distracted driving.

"With our blazing fast network speeds, T-Mobile customers can do more on their phones than ever before while on the go," said Torrie Dorrell, vice president of applications, content and games, T-Mobile USA. "We feel strongly that with this freedom comes the responsibility to use their phones only when it is safe to do so. The T-Mobile DriveSmart Plus application is designed to keep our customers, their loved ones and the road safe."

"We continue to invest heavily in mobile personal safety services, for which we are seeing huge demand from consumers and families," said Tasso Roumeliotis, CEO of Location Labs. "We are thrilled to launch DriveSmart Plus on T-Mobile with our patent-pending drive-detection technology to help address the national crisis of distracted driving."


DriveSmart Plus
The industry's first carrier-branded service to help prevent texting while driving, DriveSmart Plus, automatically detects when a user may be driving and sets the phone into 'Driving Mode', sending incoming calls directly to voicemail and preventing access to text messages, except through applications specified by the customer. Additionally, an auto-response text message is sent to the person who phoned or texted alerting them the recipient is driving and unavailable to receive calls or messages.

In the event of an emergency or if the user is a passenger in a car, DriveSmart Plus allows the user to override 'Driving Mode'. Parents can choose to be notified by text message or e-mail when the override occurs and can view phone usage during the override from the DriveSmart Web interface.

DriveSmart Plus, powered by Location Labs, is available for download onto the LG Optimus T™, with support for more devices coming soon. T-Mobile subscribers can also visit http://www.my.t-mobile.com to learn more about the service.

-----

Location Labs Launches T-Mobile FamilyWhere™

New Family Safety Service Available to All T-Mobile Customers

San Francisco, Calif. – January 19, 2010 – Location Labs, the leading provider of mobile personal security applications, today announced the launch of T-Mobile FamilyWhere™. Powered by Location Labs, FamilyWhere is a service that allows parents to access location information for their child or other family members from a computer or their own mobile phone.

Leveraging Location Labs' technology, the T-Mobile FamilyWhere service can locate nearly any type of phone using the T-Mobile network, providing peace of mind to parents trying to keep up with their kids regardless of what phone they're using. Parents can also set up scheduled alerts, for example, to provide and update when their child arrives at school or an elderly parent arrives home safely after an appointment. The service is able to locate other phones within a T-Mobile family plan and location information is accessible through a customer's password protected account at http://www.my.t-mobile.com.

"We're excited to launch T-Mobile FamilyWhere, powered by Location Labs" said Torrie Dorrell, vice president of applications, content and games, T-Mobile USA. "As we continue to enhance our customers' lives with faster, richer connections, T-Mobile will take every smart opportunity to provide value-added services that help families stay in touch and stay safe. FamilyWhere is the latest T-Mobile service that gives families peace of mind."

T-Mobile FamilyWhere™, powered by Location Labs:
• Provides parents with a Web and mobile safety net that provides real-time location information and the option to receive location alerts via the Web, text message or e-mail.
• The FamilyWhere mobile application is also available on a wide selection of Android-powered smartphones from T-Mobile for easy access to a child's location information while parents are on-the-go.
• Allows parents to create scheduled alerts to help ensure a loved one is at home by curfew or arrived at school or other predefined location on time.
• Provides parents with a history of locations visited and other customizable alerts with a real-time Family Feed.
• Helps ensures parents are prepared in the event of an emergency; FamilyWhere's emergency profile pages allow parents to store critical information about their children including physical description and photo, allergies, family member contact details, child care or school location and contact details, all within the FamilyWhere environment.

"More than ever, family safety is top of mind for parents," said Tasso Roumeliotis, CEO of Location Labs. "We are proud to launch the T-Mobile FamilyWhere service, bringing peace of mind to the millions of families on the T-Mobile network. We continue to invest heavily in building solutions that improve communication among families and are on an aggressive path to expand our suite of products and services again in the near future."

Availability
Eligible T-Mobile customers can subscribe to FamilyWhere by visiting http://www.my.t-mobile.com or by downloading the T-Mobile FamilyWhere application from Android Market™.

HP / Palm tablet to feature Touchstone dock, cloud storage, Beats audio and Tap-to-Share smartphone integration

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 07:28 AM PST

Now that the kitty's out of the gemstone bag, we're slowly starting to connect the dots that obscure the details of Palm's soon to be announced "Topaz" and "Opal" tablets. First up is information from one of our original trusted sources who claims that the Opal will measure 180 x 144 x 13mm (making it a bit shorter and wider than the 190.1 x 120.5 x 12-mm Galaxy Tab) and feature a 1,024 x 768 pixel TFT LCD display. We're told that the bigger Topaz tablet will ship about three months before Opal and measures in at 241 x 190 x 13mm (making it nearly identical to the 242.8 x 189.7 x 13.4-mm iPad) with a pixel resolution that could be the same as the Opal (our source wasn't 100 percent on this). We're also hearing that the "premium audio" we saw on that leaked marketing slide will indeed be powered by HP's Beats audio processing, and that the tablets will be provided with "tens of gigabytes" of cloud storage -- so much that it dwarfs the local storage on the devices. Good, because you're going to need it from the looks of some additional information we just received. Click through for the detail.

Our HP / Palm webOS tablets exclusive prompted a tipster (who wishes to remain anonymous) to send us a consumer survey conducted very recently by GfK Custom Research North America, a company HP has used before (Google it) to gain insight into consumer interests. While the survey doesn't mention Palm or HP by name, it's rife with trademarked terms like "Synergy" used in the descriptions of the "different things this new tablet computer can do." In other words, the features described already exist in the tablet(s) and the survey is attempting to gauge interest, presumably in an attempt to fine tune the promotional materials and marketing approach. One such feature mentioned is "Touchstone," where the survey asks the respondent how interested they are in a programmable wireless charging dock that transforms the tablet into an alarm clock, digital photo frame, and GPS unit -- sounds like webOS 2.0 Exhibition to us. This is corroborated by a trusted source who confirmed to us that inductive charging will, in fact, be a feature of the HP / Palm tablets.

The survey also mentions "Tap-to-Share." A feature that lets users easily transfer a website, document, or song from the phone to the tablet (or vice versa) simply by tapping the two devices together -- something previously hinted at in the last bullet on this slide which describes an ability to seamlessly move app and content experiences from phone or PC to slate. We're also told that HP will be providing a huge amount of cloud storage for webOS devices, and that apps, app states, and saved documents may even be able to run from the cloud -- if it's true, you'll be able to seamlessly switch from device to device with no interruption, just like our continuous client proposal. The ultimate goal, we're told, is to make the "laptop the new desktop" and for consumers to leave them sitting at home while they take tablets on the go.

The detail that nearly closes the loop of confidence for us is the mention of the tablet's "professional-grade sound" which jibes with the "premium audio" feature we already heard about -- a feature that our sources say will almost certainly be powered by (and branded with) HP's Beats audio collaboration. Mind you, we can't (yet) say for sure that the features mentioned in the survey are coming, but they do align nicely with everything that we've heard.

Other features we should expect, according to the survey:
  • Flash support (natch, it's included in webOS 2.0) -- web browsing without restrictions faced by "other tablets" (eh hem)
  • Phone-to-Tablet communication -- if your smartphone rings it can be answered on the tablet or phone
  • Music -- access to your entire music library from WiFi or 3G data connections (presumably with an assist from your cloud storage)
  • "True multitasking" (another verbatim webOS 2.0 feature) -- the ability to run "up to 20 applications simultaneously"
Our tipster also says that the company will launch handsets (note, more than one), but he claims that what he's seen is "nothing too amazing" -- disappointing if true, but we won't know for sure until HP's February 9th webOS event. Excited? We certainly are. Let's just hope these devices ship sooner rather than later.

Nilay Patel contributed to this report.

App review: AirView

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 06:55 AM PST

We just came across a neat little iOS app called AirView which, as you can probably tell from the name, transforms your iOS devices into AirPlay video receivers. And since iOS can also output video via AirPlay, this means you can use AirView to either grab AirPlay streams from your computer's iTunes, or you can stream videos from one iOS device to another (provided that they are both running iOS 4.2 and above, of course). Theoretically, little work is required to get the ball rolling -- just launch the app, then play your desired video clip from the source, and finally pick your client device using the AirPlay button.

We say theoretically, because it took us awhile to figure out that none of our purchased videos worked, even though AirPlay supports DRM content -- the assumption is that AirView lacks the component for receiving authorization key. Alas, we stuck with our, ahem, homemade videos which actually worked very well over both iTunes-to-iOS and iOS-to-iOS connections, although sometimes we had to relaunch AirView and the iPod app to start a new stream. Perhaps some folks will have better luck than us, so feel free to give this app a go -- it is free, after all. Video demo after the break.

Kinect support for Windows in the works, SDK release this summer?

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 06:34 AM PST

WinRumors, citing anonymous sources, reports that the official software developers kit (SDK) for Kinect is currently in the works and will be released in beta some time in the next few months. Apparently, support for the device will become a part of Microsoft's XNA Game Studio and also be integrated into Windows 8 in a big way. These details come hot on the heels of CEO Steve Ballmer's statement at CES that the good folks in Redmond would eventually support the device's use on computers, but he set no timetable for the SDKs release. We can't confirm the story, but given the level of detail in the report and the author's confidence in the info, we won't be surprised if Microsoft gives all you Kinect hackers something to cheer about very soon.

Nintendo 3DS launches detailed, coming to US March 27 for $249.99, Europe on March 25 (update: video)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 06:11 AM PST

We've known about the 3DS for what seems like ages but now, finally, we have US launch details, courtesy of dueling press events in New York and Amsterdam. The price for Americans is $249.99 and the release date is March 27, while Europeans will get it a few days earlier, on March 25. European pricing, however, will be decided by retailers, which leaves us feeling a little bit unfulfilled.

Nintendo is promising "30+" games to be available in the US during the launch window, more than 25 in Europe, with that window spanning between the actual launches in March and E3 in June. Sadly we're still in the dark regarding which games exactly will be available when the system drops in March. Many games were discussed, including Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, Dead or Alive Dimensions, Rabbids 3D, Resident Evil: Revelations, a new Paper Mario, and an obligatory Madden game too. There are plenty more mentioned in PR below. This is in addition to titles we already knew about, like Pilotwings Resort and Kid Icarus: Uprising. We're also told that remakes of classic GameBoy and GameBoy Color titles will be hitting the Virtual Console.

Meanwhile, European gamers are going to be getting a taste of exclusive 3D video content from a variety of partners, most notable being EuroSport, which will be serve up depth-enabled sports footage to portable consoles. We're also told episodes of Shaun the Sheep, a new series from Wallace & Gromit creators Aardman, will be available as well. For now these deals look Europe-only, but here's to hoping American folks will get something similar.

We have European and American press releases embedded below for your reading enjoyment.

Update: HMV has released its pricing in the UK: £229.99, which if you run it through a currency converter equates to over $100 more than an American unit. Of course, that includes VAT, but still... ouch!

Update 2: Courtesy of our chums at Joystiq we have another UK price -- well, it's the same UK price, this time at Game.co.uk. So, it looks like £229.99 is the going rate in the UK, while Europe is looking at €249.99.

Update 3: Want to re-live the event like you were actually there in person? We've embedded some video after the break.



Show full PR text
Nintendo 3DS Brings a Dimensional Shift to the World of Entertainment on March 27

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features at Suggested Retail Price of $249.99
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The company that changed the world of video games with touch-screen gaming in 2004 and motion-controlled gaming in 2006 now pioneers the next dimensional shift. On March 27, Nintendo introduces portable entertainment in 3D – without the need for special glasses. The Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in either Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue, and will have a suggested retail price of $249.99. Pricing outside the United States will be established by the local markets, but offer similar consumer value.

"Nintendo 3DS is a category of one – the experience simply doesn't exist anywhere else," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "You have to see Nintendo 3DS to believe it. And it's like nothing you've ever seen before."

Nintendo 3DS includes two screens. The bottom touch screen makes use of a telescoping stylus that is stored in the unit itself. The top screen displays 3D visuals to the naked eye. Looking at the screen is like peering through a window into a world where characters and objects have true depth. The system also has a 3D Depth Slider that lets players select the level of 3D they enjoy the most. The 3D effect can be ratcheted up to the highest level, scaled back to a more moderate setting or even turned off completely, depending on the preference of the user.

In addition to the familiar + Control Pad and button controls found on previous Nintendo hand-helds, Nintendo 3DS now also includes a Circle Pad, which provides a full 360 degrees of direction, giving it the freedom and precision needed to play games in 3D worlds. It brings the same degree of responsiveness that gamers enjoyed when Nintendo introduced an analog control stick to navigate Mario™ through Super Mario 64™ on the Nintendo 64™ system.

A built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor can react to the motion and tilt of the system, so whether players are twisting their systems side to side or moving them up and down, their motion-compatible Nintendo 3DS games respond instantly. No other system includes so many tools for game developers to create new and fun experiences for players.

Two features will allow owners to stay connected in new ways. Both deliver bonus content to owners as they move around during their daily lives, so users might open up their systems at any moment to find new surprises. For owners who choose to activate it, the StreetPass™ feature is capable of exchanging game information with other Nintendo 3DS systems as owners pass one another. Small packets of information can be exchanged using this data-transfer method, such as Mii™ character data, maps for games or high scores and custom character data for different games. The SpotPass™ feature can connect to compatible public hotspots and through a wireless broadband Internet connection at home, even if the system is in Sleep Mode. Once connected, the Nintendo 3DS system will receive new content and updates on a regular basis.

Each Nintendo 3DS system comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun games, applications and features, such as Nintendo 3DS Camera. Nintendo 3DS has three cameras. One camera points at the user, while two additional cameras point outward. These two outer cameras take photos in 3D. The fun, built-in game Face Raiders™ asks users to shoot at funny depictions of their own faces. Nintendo 3DS, when put into Sleep Mode, can act as a pedometer, while letting users earn Play Coins for the steps they take that can then be traded in for additional content in compatible games and applications. By accessing the Activity Log, users can check their steps as well as their play time. With Nintendo 3DS Sound, users can enjoy sound-manipulation tools or rock out while listening to their MP3 or AAC music files. An upgraded Internet browser will also be available via a system update.

The Mii Maker™ application gives users new tools to create Mii™ characters even more easily: Users can either import Mii characters from their Wii systems using an SD memory card or use the camera to take a picture of a person and have an automatic Mii character created. Users can even save their Mii characters to an SD card as pictures, which enables them to be used any way a digital photo would for personal use, such as a profile picture on social-networking sites.

The Nintendo eShop, through a system update, will offer access to downloadable games, including Nintendo DSiWare™ and ones specifically made for Nintendo 3DS. Also, just as the Virtual Console service on Wii makes retro games available for download, the Virtual Console games on Nintendo 3DS will be pulled from classic Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color games. Players will be able to view game videos, download demos for select games and see how other consumers rated the games. The Nintendo eShop will use a cash-based system. Users can either input credit card information in the shop or purchase a Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card at retail locations.

Nintendo 3DS comes with six augmented-reality cards, called AR cards. When the two outer cameras are pointed at the cards, they read the cards and superimpose images and animations onto the scene. So users shouldn't be surprised if they see a dragon popping out of their kitchen tables. Developers can also use this technology to add creative new experiences to their games.

Built-in parental controls can be used to limit Internet access or some of the wireless functions. By using a PIN code, parents also can turn off the 3D function altogether, or limit the ratings of the games that their kids can play.

Fans of online play will be happy to learn that the friend codes for Nintendo 3DS are specific to each Nintendo 3DS system, not each game. Once friends trade hardware codes, at any time they can check their friends list to see which of their friends are online and what they are playing.

Nintendo 3DS can also play Nintendo DS game cards with their original 2D visuals. The system also includes a slot for an SD memory card. To help users get started, every system comes with a 2GB SD memory card (though owners can provide whatever size they like). Using a service that will be provided after the hardware's launch, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ owners will be able to transfer games downloaded from the Nintendo DSi Shop onto their new Nintendo 3DS systems.

During the launch window (between the March 27 launch date and the E3 Expo in early June) more than 30 games will be available to Nintendo 3DS owners. These include Nintendo-created games like Pilotwings Resort™, which has players soaring acrobatically over iconic Wuhu Island; nintendogs™ + cats, a new version of the Nintendo DS classic with a feline enhancement; and Steel Diver™, a side-scrolling submarine adventure that gives the illusion that the player is peering into an aquarium. Other Nintendo 3DS games in the works include The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, Star Fox 64™ 3D, Kid Icarus™: Uprising and new installments in the Mario Kart™, Animal Crossing™ and Paper Mario™ series.

Nintendo 3DS also enjoys some of the strongest third-party support of any system launch. A partial list of titles coming soon to Nintendo 3DS includes Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked from Atlus; Super Street Fighter® IV 3D Edition and Resident Evil®: The Mercenaries 3D from Capcom; Madden NFL Football from EA SPORTS; The Sims™ 3 from Electronic Arts; Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D from Konami; LEGO® Star Wars® III: The Clone Wars™ from LucasArts™; Ridge Racer® 3D and Dual Pen Sports™ from Namco Bandai Games America Inc.; Super Monkey Ball™ 3D, Thor™: God of Thunder and CRUSH™ 3D from SEGA; BUST-A-MOVE™ UNIVERSE from Square Enix, Inc.; Samurai Warriors® Chronicles and Dead or Alive® Dimensions from Tecmo Koei America Corp.; and Asphalt™ 3D, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Shadow Wars, Combat of Giants™: Dinosaurs 3D, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® 3D, Rayman® 3D and Rabbids® Travel in Time from Ubisoft.

For more information about Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.nintendo3ds.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.5 billion video games and more than 577 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Show full PR text
NINTENDO 3DS BRINGS A DIMENSIONAL SHIFT

TO THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT ON MARCH 25

Glasses-Free 3D Gaming System Comes Packed with Features


Nintendo today announces details of the Nintendo 3DS including launch date, key features and the games available for launch. All media materials can be downloaded here:

Amsterdam, Jan. 19, 2011 – The company that changed the world of video games with touch-screen gaming in 2004 and motion-controlled gaming in 2006 now pioneers the next dimensional shift. On March 25, Nintendo introduces portable entertainment in 3D – without the need for special glasses. The Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in either Cosmos Black or Aqua Blue.



"Nintendo 3DS is not just about being able to watch and play in 3D without glasses – it also offers unique social experiences" said Laurent Fischer, Nintendo of Europe's Managing Director of Marketing & PR. "In the way Wii brought families together, Nintendo 3DS will appeal to a broad range of people."



Nintendo 3DS includes two screens. The bottom touch screen makes use of a telescoping stylus that is stored in the unit itself. The top screen displays 3D visuals to the naked eye. Looking at the screen is like peering through a window into a world where characters and objects have true depth. The system also has a 3D Depth Slider that lets players select the level of 3D they enjoy the most. The 3D effect can be increased up to the highest level, scaled back to a more moderate setting or even turned off completely, depending on the preference of the user.



In addition to the familiar + Control Pad and button controls found on previous Nintendo handhelds, Nintendo 3DS now also includes a Circle Pad, which provides a full 360 degrees of direction, giving it the freedom and precision needed to play games in 3D worlds. It brings the same degree of responsiveness that gamers enjoyed when Nintendo introduced an analog control stick to navigate Mario™ through Super Mario 64™ on the Nintendo 64™ system.



A built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor can react to the motion and tilt of the system, so whether players are twisting their systems side to side or moving them up and down, their motion-compatible Nintendo 3DS games respond instantly. No other system includes so many tools for game developers to create new and fun experiences for players.



Two features will allow owners to stay connected in new ways. Both deliver bonus content to owners as they move around during their daily lives, so users might open up their systems at any moment to find new surprises. For owners who choose to activate it, the StreetPass™ feature is capable of exchanging game information with other Nintendo 3DS systems as owners pass one another during the day. Small packets of information can be exchanged using this data-transfer method, such as Mii™ character data, maps for games or high scores and custom character data for different games. The SpotPass™ feature can connect to compatible public hotspots and through a wireless broadband Internet connection at home, even if the system is in Sleep Mode. Once connected, the Nintendo 3DS system will receive new content and updates on a regular basis.



Nintendo of Europe has partnered with a number of organisations to deliver this content including Eurosport, Europe's leading sports entertainment group, to bring engaging 3D sports video to the Nintendo 3DS and Aardman Animations to provide a series of original Shaun the Sheep short movies in 3D. Nintendo is also in discussion with partners at a country level, in the UK for instance, Nintendo has partnered with British Sky Broadcasting to provide short-form content from Sky 3D to Nintendo 3DS.

To ensure broad access to compatible public hotspots, Nintendo of Europe are in contact with a number of potential partners across Europe including tmn, METEOR, Guglielmo, Linkem, KPN, Deutsche Telekom and BTFON.



Each Nintendo 3DS system comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun games, applications and features, such as Nintendo 3DS Camera. Nintendo 3DS has three cameras. One camera points at the user, while two additional cameras point outward. These two outer cameras take photos in 3D. The fun, built-in game Face Raiders™ asks users to shoot at funny depictions of their own faces. Nintendo 3DS, when put into Sleep Mode, can act as a pedometer, while letting users earn Play Coins for the steps they take that can then be traded in for additional content in compatible games and applications. By accessing the Activity Log, users can check their steps as well as their play time. With Nintendo 3DS Sound, users can enjoy sound-manipulation tools or enjoy listening to their MP3 or AAC music files. An upgraded Internet browser will also be available via a system update.



The Mii Maker™ application gives users new tools to create Mii™ characters even more easily: Users can either import Mii characters from their Wii systems using an SD Memory Card or use the camera to take a picture of a person and have an automatic Mii character created. Users can even save their Mii characters to an SD Memory Card as pictures, which enables them to be used any way a digital photo would for personal use, such as a profile picture on social-networking sites.



The Nintendo eShop, through a system update, will offer access to downloadable games, including Nintendo DSiWare™ and ones specifically made for Nintendo 3DS. Also, just as the Virtual Console service on Wii makes retro games available for download, the Virtual Console games on Nintendo 3DS will be pulled from classic Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color games. Players will be able to view game videos, download demos for select games and see how other consumers rated the games. The Nintendo eShop will use a cash-based system. Users can either input credit card information in the shop or purchase a Nintendo 3DS e-Shop card at retail locations.



Nintendo 3DS comes with six augmented-reality cards, called AR cards. When the two outer cameras are pointed at the cards, they read the cards and superimpose images and animations onto the scene. So users shouldn't be surprised if they see a dragon popping out of their kitchen tables. Developers can also use this technology to add creative new experiences to their games.



Built-in parental controls can be used to limit Internet access or some of the wireless functions. By using a PIN code, parents also can turn off the 3D function altogether, or limit the ratings of the games that their kids can play.



Fans of online play will be happy to learn that the friend codes for Nintendo 3DS are specific to each Nintendo 3DS system, not each game. Once friends trade hardware codes, at any time they can check their friends list to see which of their friends are online and what they are playing.



Nintendo 3DS can also play Nintendo DS game cards with their original 2D visuals. The system also includes a slot for an SD Memory Card. To help users get started, every system comes with a 2GB SD Memory Card (though owners can provide whatever size they like). Using a service that will be provided after the hardware's launch, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ owners will be able to transfer games downloaded from the Nintendo DSi Shop onto their new Nintendo 3DS systems.



During the launch window (between the March 25 launch date and the E3 Expo in early June) more than 30 games will be available to Nintendo 3DS owners. These include Nintendo-created games like Pilotwings Resort™, which has players soaring acrobatically over iconic Wuhu Island; nintendogs™ + cats, a new version of the Nintendo DS classic with a feline enhancement; and Steel Diver™, a side-scrolling submarine adventure that gives the illusion that the player is peering into an aquarium. Other Nintendo 3DS games in the works include The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, Star Fox 64™ 3D, Kid Icarus™: Uprising and new installments in the Mario Kart™, Animal Crossing™ and Paper Mario™ series.



Nintendo 3DS also enjoys some of the strongest third-party support of any system launch. A partial list of titles coming soon to Nintendo 3DS includes Super Street Fighter® IV 3D Edition and Resident Evil®: The Mercenaries 3D Edition from Capcom; The Sims™ 3 and Madden NFL Football from Electronic Arts; PES 2011 3D – Pro Evolution Soccer from Konami; LEGO® Star Wars™ III The Clone Wars™ from LucasArts™; Ridge Racer ™3D from Namco Bandai; Super Monkey Ball™ 3D, Crush™ 3D, Thor™ : God of Thunder, from SEGA; Puzzle Bobble Universe™ from Square Enix, Co., Ltd; Samurai Warriors: Chronicles and DEAD OR ALIVE® Dimensions from Tecmo Koei.Europe Ltd.; Tom Clancy's™ Ghost Recon® Shadow Wars, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell ® 3D, Rayman® 3D, Asphalt™ 3D, Combat of Giants™ Dinosaurs 3D, James Noir's Hollywood Crimes™, Driver® Renegade and Rabbids® 3D from Ubisoft.

Nintendo 3DS gets new friend code system, finds beauty in unification

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 05:39 AM PST

Ever try to do multiplayer on a DS game? We're really sorry to hear that. It's a mess of lengthy friend codes that does more to discourage online play than enable it. That's going away with the 3DS. At Nintendo's 3DS press event in New York the company announced a new system where there's only a single code, assigned per-console and registered only once. You'll have a single group of friends and, when they pop online in a new game, you'll see them there. No need for multiple multiple lists and, we hope, less of a need for Tylenol.

Live from Nintendo's 3DS preview with Reggie Fils-Aime

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 04:45 AM PST


9:39AM And that's it! We're going to go play some games and get some impressions here.


9:39AM "Nintendo 3DS is 3D games, plus 3D video, plus 3D photography. No special glasses or skills to enjoy it. It's a breakthrough -- there's nothing else like it. It's a category of one."


9:38AM On retail shelves March 27.


9:37AM MSRP: $249.99

9:37AM Okay -- when, and how much. Testers said 3DS was worth between $300 and $400, but they're going lower.

9:37AM "The key to everything Nintendo has to offer, is hands-on testing. We're embarking on one of the most ambitious experiential marketing plans in history. 5000 interactive units in the field, augmented by mobile units. More than a million Americans will experience 3DS first hand through the summer."


9:36AM Nintendo e-shop will make Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles available. Showing off using the store to grab all sorts of content, including the original Super Mario Land.



9:35AM "In addition, Spot Pass makes contact with wireless broadband so you can get new content. This happens during gameplay and in sleep mode, but no transfers occur unless you want them to."


9:34AM "Community building can happen automatically -- Streetpass connects automatically. The local wireless connection connects in sleep mode or while you're playing a game."


9:33AM Some of the new features will become operational with online system updates. There's also a new friend code system -- one code necessary, and you only need to register it once. When friends are registered over local wireless, it's instantaneous, with no code input needed.


9:32AM Enhanced internet browser, and the same great sound as the DSi.


9:32AM AR Games is a suite of augmented reality games -- one of the most popular features with testers.


9:31AM FaceRaiders takes your face and puts it in a... shooting gallery? Reggie's right, we're hoping to be surprised.


9:31AM Miis will be swapped from 3DS to 3DS over Streetpass.


9:30AM "Next is a Mii-maker, similar to the Wii. You can use the camera to take your photo and the hardware will create your own player, and you can make fine adjustments." We'd heard about this.

9:30AM "Let's detail the software that comes with the system. Activity log that tracks both physical movement and action. Keeps track of what games you play and how long, as well as a pedometer that encourages you to get up and walk to earn coins."


9:29AM In the period between the launch and E3, they expect consumers to choose from more than 30 3DS games, in sports, action, shooter, fighter, family, racing, and RPG. All available at or near launch day.


9:28AM Reggie's back to "fill in the blanks." Here we go.


9:27AM SSF4 will have a fight request mode that lets players find challengers wirelessly and jump right into games, as well as a spectator mode that lets people watch. There's also WiFi gaming for multiplayer around the world.


9:26AM Reggie: "Perhaps no title has been as ambitious as integrating additional features as Super Street Fighter 4 -- with Street Pass you can win a battle without even knowing it." Sounds fun!



9:25AM "We very excited to bring Madden NFL to the 3DS, we've optimized the experience." What's funny about this is that they can't show any game screenshots here, because the projectors aren't 3D. Oops.


9:24AM Reggie again. "One thing that developers understand is that the greater the depth in the game, the greater the impact of 3D visuals." Introducing Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer and EA's new Madden game. Video of Peter Moore from EA now.



9:22AM Dead or Alive Dimensions. "It's not just fighting, it's crashing your rival through a 3D background." A video of Yosuke Koyashi to introduce the game. "Jumping off a high cliff, you know just how high it is."


9:21AM Reps from seven different publishers here to show off third parties. Reggie says there's not way to give proper credit to all the titles here today.


9:21AM Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, and Kid Icarus Uprising. Kid Icarus apparently has a prototypical targeting and shooting experience.

9:20AM Showing off a new title called Steeldiver, which is a submarine game. We're going to look through a periscope -- you rotate your body to aim and target with the gyroscope.



9:19AM "The puppies and kittens can find you -- they're remember your face. If you get close enough, they may even lick you." Is that a threat? An adorable, adorable threat?


9:18AM "The early title with the broadest appeal is Ninendogs and Cats. Just like real life, the puppies will beg for attention and affection, while you'll have to work harder for the love of your kitten."

9:18AM Opening with PilotWings Resort. "The same whoo-hoo island that you know from Wii Fit and Wii Sports Resort. What makes all of this new is going airborne in full 3D."

9:16AM Reggie's back. "For most Nintendo fans, games are the bottom line. Launch support from both Nintendo and third parties is robust."




9:15AM The system is packaged with it's own charging cradle, so it can remain in sleep mode indefinitely. There's also the new home button that takes you to the home screen, and a new notification light.


9:12AM 2GB SD card comes bundled, and can be upgraded.




9:11AM Two colors at launch -- aqua blue and obsidian black.


9:11AM Today they're announcing titles, launch date, launch titles and other important news. But first, we're running through an intro video.

9:10AM "Wouldn't it be great to have a realistic 3D picture of your child, and play it back on the same device for years?" Honestly, we don't know. Would that be great?


9:09AM "There are three immediate payoff to 3D, and the first is games. While Nintendo is recognized first as a video games company, we see ourselves as part of the entertainment industry... that's because second, it can do 3D video playback. Third, it can do 3D photography, and offer 3D display of those pictures."



9:08AM "What you'll recognize is that this is a different kind of 3D -- you haven't experienced this before, not in theaters, not at trade shows." Of course, Sony just had all kinds of portable glasses-free 3D products at CES, but we'll let Reggie roll with it.



9:07AM Era two arrived with the DS -- and the third era was 2006 with the Wii. "Not only were the characters moving, but the players were as well."


9:06AM "Many believe the so-called modern era of videogames was launched in the Biltmore Hotel at LA in 1996 when Westerners got their first glimpse of Super Mario 64."

9:06AM "Some of the game names may be familiar to you, but the experience is a game-changer."


9:05AM Reggie's working off notes because his prompter TVs are broken. Whoops. "Welcome -- today is going to be a big day for Nintendo... and for you."


9:05AM And Reggie Fils-Aime is on screen! He was actually sitting next to us just now, but we didn't notice because of the furious, furious typing. That was odd.



9:04AM 3D photos on your 3D screen? The guys from CNBC's head is going to explooooooooode.


9:03AM And we're off -- they're playing news clips from E3. Did you know various hilarious old media news outlets thought the 3DS was super amazing?



9:02AM Lights going down here -- looks like we're starting imminently.

9:00AM They're jamming some Muse. We are both depressed and uplifted at the same time.

8:57AM Okay, music fading out -- presentation in five minutes. We're trying to convince Chris Grant that Nintendo is actually about to launch a new netbook.

8:53AM There's coffee, too? And here we're toiling away in the liveblog mines. For you. Just for you.

8:49AM Andrew Yoon has acquired what appears to be a simply delightful yogurt parfait. If only someone had told us.


8:39AM Nintendo's bumping some hip jams, and they've got a row of human podiums with 3DS demo units attached to them off to the side of the stage, just like E3.

8:38AM We're here and sitting down in the front row... next to Chris Grant and Andrew Yoon from Joystiq, who are also liveblogging. This is war, people.
We're here live in NYC at Nintendo's 3DS press preview event, where Reggie Fils-Aime is scheduled to give a short presentation to kick things off. We're hoping to learn some pricing and availability details -- and possibly hear a word or two about 3D and the eyesight of younger gamers. After that, it's time to party, right? We'll find out.

Fisker Karma now set for production in March, deliveries this spring -- maybe

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 04:35 AM PST

Fisker Karma now set for production in March, deliveries this spring -- maybe
Still hanging on to your Fisker Karma pre-order slip despite the decidedly sizeable boost in MSRP, up to $95,900? Well, we now have an idea of when you might actually have a chance of getting a car. The most recent estimates we heard indicated deliveries starting in late 2010, but that obviously didn't happen. Now Fisker is indicating that full production is set to begin in March, about two months from now, with people getting their rides "soon after." Initial examples of the car are to be produced in Europe, Finland to be exact, and they'll need the services of a fairly substantial boat to get across the Atlantic before they become available here. But, still, a potential release date just a few months away is a reasonably encouraging thing -- and you can't deny the car is still quite a looker.

DIY 3D volumetric display / Kinect hack spices up the Fortress of Solitude's kitchenette

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 04:34 AM PST

Here's another one for the "things we wish we had in our kitchen" file. Taha Bintahir has put together a homebrew 3D volumetric display that can -- you guessed it -- display 3D rendered images in all their free-floating glory. And if that wasn't enough, our man added gesture controls via the Kinect so he doesn't have to circle the object to view the whole thing. According to Hack A Day, Bintahir designed and built the prism itself, rendered the object he wanted to display (in this case the Superman logo) from four different camera angles, and projected the images on the four walls of the prism to create the 3D object in the center. Oh, and he distorted each of the images to match the angle of the prism's walls. Pretty insane, right? Hit the source link for more detail on the project -- but not before you see it in action after the break.

HP Slate orders still delayed, still blaming 'high volume of orders'

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 04:06 AM PST

Oh sure, it looks like some glorious Palm / HP Web OS tablets are headed our way (even if we are hearing it won't be until late summer / early fall), but you know what has been supposedly headed our way for over two months now? The HP Slate 500. Yep, HP's seemingly-abandoned Windows 7 tablet is still suffering from major delays, and according to our sources and an HP customer support rep, a "material shortage" combined with a "high volume of orders" are causing these tablets to be held up. We don't have any real details on the numbers -- although, last month we had heard they received about 9,000 orders thus far -- but we do know that our very own HP Slate, which we ordered back on November 9th, still hasn't shipped and is now slated to ship out on January 22nd. And we're definitely not the only ones still patiently waiting -- a look through the TabletPC Review forums reveals that a number of irate customers are still longing for their 8.9-inch, Atom-powered tablets -- although, many of them were offered a $100 discount in exchange for not having their tablets in time for the holidays. We've reached out to HP for further comment on this, but in the meantime, we'll be refreshing our account page and hoping our Slate finally ships out before the end of the month or, you know, at least before HP starts announcing new ones in early February.

Sanyo PLC-WL2503 ultra-short-throw projector does built-in interactivity a tad cheaper

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 03:29 AM PST

The Sanyo PLC-WL2503 isn't the first whiteboard-less whiteboard solution we've seen -- in fact multi-surface projector interaction dates back at least as far as 2007. As for a projector with built-in interactive capabilities, well, Epson's BrightLink 450Wi has been on the job since last year, albeit at a much higher price: the Epson projector costs $2,200 while this Sanyo comes in at about $500 less. Both tout short-range projection: the BrightLink provides 80-inch displays from two feet, while the PLC-WL2503 requires at least 34 inches to do the same. They pack identical WXGA 1280x800 resolution and 2500 lumens of brightness, and they both use IR pens to communicate with front-facing cameras built into the projector for multi-surface interactivity. Really, the only thing separating these two on paper is price. If the BrightLink is just too rich for your blood, and you can wait a little while longer, the Sanyo PLC-WL2503 can have you writing on walls by the end of January.

MegaReader brings true multitasking to the iPhone, lets you walk and read at the same time (video)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 02:51 AM PST

Galaxy S owners will already be familiar with the awesome power of overlaying text on a live view of their phone's camera feed, but now their iPhone counterparts get to join in the fun as well. MegaReader, an e-reading app that's survived the cutthroat App Store waters long enough to reach version 2.1, has just added a "Heads Up Display" feature to its list of attributes. Its function is to make your iPhone appear transparent, which is achieved by relaying camera images of what's behind the phone to its front. A real life saver, a mere gimmick, or a golden opportunity for a hilarious promo video? Why not all three?

British man convicted for riding Segway on the sidewalk, can't ride on the street either

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 02:17 AM PST

The United Kingdom's Department for Transport passed regulations making Segways subject to road traffic laws four and a half years ago, which effectively banned their use on Britain's sidewalks. And now, after years of apparent non-enforcement, UK's Highway Act of 1835 has finally claimed its first Segway-riding victim. An unemployed factory worker was convicted of riding a motor vehicle on a "pavement", which apparently is another word for sidewalk in the Queen's English, and was ordered to pay a total of £340 ($540) when the court found that Segways qualify as motor vehicles under the 176 year-old law. Given that Segways don't meet the safety standards required to be legally used on UK roads, it looks like Brits who own Woz's preferred mode of transport are exclusively limited to tooling around on private property lest they risk similar governmental retribution.

ASUS Eee PC 1015PW 'Sirocco' was not worth the fuss (video)

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 01:33 AM PST

Egads, ASUS, has it really come to this? The company synonymous with netbooks needs to seriously rethink its product strategy if it believes that its Eee PC "Sirocco" truly deserved a teaser and launch event -- two marketing ploys typically reserved for items of high consumer interest. Turns out that its "making waves" tag line was (as we feared) just a coat of texturized purple, gold, or pink paint applied to the company's otherwise bland 10.1-inch Eee PC 1015PEM netbook that runs Windows 7 Starter on a dual-core Atom N550 CPU. An embarrassing slab of meh in the age of Fusion. Even worse, we already saw the "new" Eee PC 1015PW announced in some official capacity back in October. Apparently, when you offer over 30 models of 10-inch Eee PCs this is the only way to get any attention. Click through for a quick video overview shot behind closed doors at CES by our friends over at NewGadgets. Otherwise hit up Mobile + Notebook who've been burdened with bringing you the live coverage of something that's already happened.

Starbucks lets you pay for that Trenta with the iPhone in your shaking, overcaffeinated hands

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 01:12 AM PST

Expanding a trial that had already been underway in a few markets, Starbucks is now rolling out its Starbucks Card mobile app nationally with payment capability built-in, meaning you needn't reach into your wallet, pocketbook, or purse just because you're jonesing for that midday caffeine fix. Instead, you can fire up the app -- which supports the iPhone, iPod touch, and a number of BlackBerry models -- and hold up a barcode on the screen to a scanner in the store, at which point monies will be automagically deducted from your Starbucks Card account and transferred back to the mothership in exchange for high-octane brew. The circle of life, as it were. Follow the break for the full press release.

Show full PR text
Mobile Payment Debuts Nationally at Starbucks

The Starbucks Card Mobile App offers customers with BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone and iPod touch the fastest way to pay at nearly 6,800 U.S. company-operated Starbucks stores

SEATTLE, January 19, 2011 – Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) today announced the launch of mobile payment in all U.S. company-operated stores, allowing customers to pay for in-store purchases with select smartphones. Building on the earlier introduction of Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry® smartphones, iPhone® and iPod® touch and a successful mobile payment test program, customers now have access to the largest mobile payment program in the U.S and the fastest way to pay at Starbucks. This national program now includes nearly 6,800 company-operated stores and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target locations.

In addition to engaging a loyal base of several million cardholders with the offering, Starbucks anticipates mobile payment will be a draw for customers looking to experience the speed, ease and convenience of paying with their mobile phone. "Today, one in five Starbucks transactions is made using a Starbucks Card and mobile payment will extend the way our customers experience and use their Starbucks Card," said Brady Brewer, vice president Starbucks Card and Brand Loyalty. "With mobile payment, the Starbucks Card platform further elevates the customer experience by delivering convenience, rewarding loyalty and continuing to build an emotional connection with our customers."

To experience mobile payment at Starbucks, customers just need to download the free Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry smartphones, iPhone or iPod touch mobile devices. More than one-third of U.S. Starbucks customers use smartphones, of which nearly three quarters use BlackBerry smartphone or iPhone mobile devices. In addition to the mobile payment capability, the app allows customers to manage their Starbucks Card account, check their card balance, reload their card with any major credit card (iPhone users can also use the PayPal feature), check their My Starbucks Rewards status and find a nearby Starbucks store with the store locator feature.

Customers can pay with their smartphone by holding their mobile device in front of a scanner on the countertop and scan the Starbucks Card Mobile App's on-screen barcode to make a purchase. Customers have successfully adopted this technology in test markets in Seattle, Northern California, New York and more than 1,000 Starbucks in U.S. Target stores.

Mobile payment is built on the Starbucks Card platform, which continues to experience significant customer adoption. Customers loaded more than $1.5 billion on Starbucks Cards in 2010, an increase of 21 percent over 2009, driven in part by the My Starbucks Rewards program which provides benefits to customers who pay with a registered Starbucks Card at participating stores. With the introduction of the quick and easy Starbucks Card Mobile App and the mobile payment feature, customer will find yet another reason to use their Starbucks Card for payment.

"Mobile payment is just one example of how we're continually innovating on behalf of our customers to enhance the Starbucks Experience," said Brewer. "A growing segment of our customers use smartphones, and through the Starbucks Card Mobile App, we're providing them with the fastest way to pay."

To download the Starbucks Card Mobile App and check out mobile payment, BlackBerry smartphone users can text the word "GO" to 70845 or visit http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps/starbucks-card-mobile-bb from their device (Standard message and data rates apply.). It's available for a variety of BlackBerry smartphones including BlackBerry® 8800 series; BlackBerry® Bold series; BlackBerry® Curve™ series; BlackBerry® Storm™; BlackBerry® Storm2™ and BlackBerry® Tour™.

iPhone and iPod touch users can download the app from the App Store at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

Visit www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps for more information about the Starbucks Card Mobile app and payment system for select BlackBerry smartphones and Apple® iPhone®, iPod® touch.

HP's first webOS tablet may start shipping in March, fulfill longstanding promise

Posted: 19 Jan 2011 12:24 AM PST

Way back in August of last year, when temperatures were above zero and Honeycomb was still a great unknown, HP promised us the first webOS tablet will come "in early 2011." Just yesterday, however, our noteworthy exposure of the vanguard members of the webOS tablet family led us to believe that at least one of them, the Opal, would take until September to arrive. That may still be the case, but DigiTimes is bringing us back around to HP's original pledge, with word that Inventec has received instructions from HP to start producing and shipping a webOS slate (most probably the Topaz) in March. As usual, this comes from the (in)famous insider sources that tend to miss as often as they hit, but it does make sense for HP to follow up its February event with a relatively rapid product rollout.

Nokia puts E7 up for pre-order in Finland, planning on delivering in February

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 11:48 PM PST

One of the most delicious phones the consumer world hasn't had a chance to taste yet is firming up plans to finally make its way out to retail. Nokia's Finnish store has put the E7 up for a €599 pre-order, which is expected to get the all-business device to your door some time in February. That matches the last word from Nokia on the subject of the E7's release and should reassure anyone who's made use of Amazon's early pre-orders for this handset that the wait won't last much longer.

[Thanks, Esko]

Notion Ink Adam ships today

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 11:10 PM PST

Well, what do you know: Notion Ink just announced that it will begin shipping its FCC and CE certified Adam tablet starting tomorrow today. If you pre-ordered, then you should see your delivery status update soon to the last week of January. That's a lot better than February and much, much better than never which is always the risk when David takes on the Goliaths. Now we'll see how it holds up to real-world usage -- here's hoping for some of that good JooJoo.

P.S. For what it's worth, we're still not seeing the shipping version of Adam -- product NI3421A01 with guarantee code Y2G -- in the FCC database. Anyone else?

[Thanks, Anthony]

Visualized: the fate of the most ambitious Soviet-era space exploration project

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 10:55 PM PST

Project Buran was the USSR's answer to NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia. Unlike its highly decorated American counterpart, however, this child of the 1970s produced only one unmanned space flight during its operation and was ignominiously shut down by Russian authorities in 1993. The remains of this most ambitious (and expensive) effort are still around, however, and have now taken on a layer of rust, weeds and general decay that would make any post-apocalyptic set designer swoon with admiration. It's as beautiful as it is sad, this gallery of failed human endeavor, and you can see it in full at the link below.

Playboy Magazine coming to iPad in its uncensored form in March, including full back catalog

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 10:38 PM PST

From its very first issue in 1953 to its latest incarnation, the full catalog of Playboy Magazine is coming to the iPad this March. And not only that, it'll be faithful to its original form by arriving to your Apple slate uncensored. Such is the word direct from the man responsible for that first copy, one Mr. Hugh Hefner. Anyone who's followed Apple's App Store rulings and Steve Jobs' forthright comments on the subject of keeping adult material off mobile devices will surely find this a bemusing, if not entirely inconsistent, decision. The details of how this slice of software will be delivered to the iPad (and what restrictions it may come with) will be most intriguing indeed.

Samsung's Galaxy S is set for an 'evolution' at MWC in February

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 09:52 PM PST

That Samsung intends to bring a Galaxy S successor to MWC 2011 was already a known known, but now the company's turning up the hype machine with an update to its Samsung Unpacked website. There, for the pleasure of your eyes and the tickling of your imagination, Sammy has positioned its familiar super-selling Android smartphone alongside a not-too-cryptic message promising that "evolution is fate." We're smelling a cute play on words here, similar to what LG did with its Revolution handset, potentially implying that the next Galaxy flagship will have LTE (Long Term Evolution) connectivity built in. That, along with the promised dual-core chip within, should easily outshine the Infuse 4G (which has HSPA+ and a single-core Hummingbird inside) recently announced for AT&T in the States. We'll get the next dose of our teasing on February 1st, the site promises, before the full unveil in Barcelona on February 13th. Our hearts are all aflutter already.

[Thanks, Patrick]

HTC ThunderBolt will support simultaneous voice and data in LTE areas

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 09:21 PM PST

At CES, Verizon had mentioned that "some... but not all" of its first LTE handsets would support the simultaneous use of voice and data. That's not news for 3G customers on T-Mobile and AT&T, nor WiMAX customers on Sprint -- but for Verizon subscribers, this is a very novel concept, indeed. Well, we can chalk up the mighty ThunderBolt from HTC as one of the models that'll support it, if leaked training materials for the phone over on Android Central are to be believed. On a related note, the very existence of these materials gives us hope that we'll be seeing it on store shelves before too long; don't get us wrong, the two USB modems Big Red's launched for LTE service so far are all well and good, but we could really use some handsets on these airwaves.

Bloomberg: Sony PSP2 to debut next week, PlayStation Phone at MWC

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 08:46 PM PST

It's nothing that runs counter to the ongoing whispers we've heard so far, but according to Bloomberg and its pair of sources, Sony Computer Entertainment's Tokyo event on January 27th is indeed the platform from which it'll unveil the next PSP, and next month at Mobile World Congress will be where we finally meet -- officially, that is -- the PlayStation Phone. Next week's press conference will also reportedly "outline a strategy to use its networked entertainment services to share games, movies and music among handheld products, TVs and other devices." Not much else to say at this point, so just sit back, relax, and wait for the other guys to do their presentation, first.

Samsung Vibrant 4G for T-Mobile gets FCC clearance?

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 07:16 PM PST

A new Sammy christened SGH-T959V just passed through the FCC, and we've got a good feeling this is the Vibrant 4G that we know is on its way to Big Magenta before too long. Why's that? Well, most notably, SGH-T959 is the model number for the original Vibrant -- and like the Vibrant, this device has support for AWS, which any T-Mobile 3G / 4G device would need. Furthermore, take one look at that outline up there -- certainly looks like a Galaxy S of some sort, doesn't it? More on this soon, we suspect.

Samsung says it isn't charging carriers for Android updates, promises Galaxy S status report

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 06:41 PM PST

Buying a Samsung Galaxy S sounded like a fantastic decision when Android 2.1 was hot stuff, but now that Gingerbread's out of the oven, Fascinate, Captivate, Vibrant and Epic 4G owners are starting to get a little tired of being stuck behind the curve. And while we can think of at least one fairly nasty reason why Samsung might be delaying, we've been hearing all sorts of conspiracy theories, ranging from holding back Froyo to sell more dedicated Gingerbread phones to making the cellular carriers foot the bill for Android updates for every handset sold or else not get the update at all.

Well, it seems that last rumor's gained a little traction, because Samsung's taken it upon itself to squash the story flat. The company gave Phone Scoop the following statement: "No. Samsung is not charging carriers for Froyo updates to Galaxy S. We hope to have more detail on status shortly. Promise!" At this rate, we're wondering if Samsung should just skip Froyo and just start rolling out some Gingerbread men instead.

Microsoft releases OneNote app for iPhone, free for a 'limited time'

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 06:01 PM PST

Well, here's something of a surprise -- Microsoft has just brought its OneNote app to the iPhone, and it's made it available as a free download "for a limited time" to boot. As with the Windows Phone 7 app (previously the only mobile version), the iPhone app will let you manage notes and shopping lists (and even add pictures taken with the iPhone's camera), and then sync those with Windows Live SkyDrive so you can access them in either the Windows desktop application or its web-based counterpart. As ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley notes, however, perhaps just as interesting as the app itself is the question of what else might follow -- a native OneNote app for iPad, perhaps, or even iOS versions of other Office applications? Microsoft unsurprisingly isn't commenting on those possibilities, but it did note that the OneNote app is the culmination of some 18 to 24 months of development from a team of Microsoft Mac Office and OneNote engineers, which is either a sign of some serious slacking or a fairly significant commitment on Microsoft's part. No word on when the "limited" free period will run out (so you'll probably want to grab it while you can), nor is there any world on a worldwide release -- it's currently only available to US users, unfortunately.

[Thanks, Pradeep]

HTML5 gets a brave new logo for this brave new world

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 05:25 PM PST

The lynchpin for all discussions of open web standards, HTML5, has been spruced up with a dedicated logo from its parent organization, the W3C. We'd wax poetic about it, but that job has already been done:
"It stands strong and true, resilient and universal as the markup you write. It shines as bright and as bold as the forward-thinking, dedicated web developers you are. It's the standard's standard, a pennant for progress. And it certainly doesn't use tables for layout."
[Thanks, Matt]

Nintendo 3DS may have region-locked software, continue an unfortunate trend

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 04:47 PM PST

Once upon a time, when handheld game systems were thicker and Nintendo was entirely without peer, the company deigned to allow us to import games without fear. On Game Boy of all shapes and sizes, as well as the Nintendo DS, a Japanese cartridge would let you experience portable wonders years before they hit Europe and the US. Starting in 2008, however, Nintendo made DSi-specific titles region-locked -- and that's the same fate that will likely befall games on Nintendo's new 3D handheld as well. "There is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another," a company statement reads, though it's important to note that region locks are typically a two-party affair -- if game publishers choose to make their stereoscopic software region-free, it might work on your handheld anyhow. So yes, you might still have a chance to get your date sim on.

The (geek) decision: Kinect developer Johnny Chung Lee leaves Microsoft for Google

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 04:01 PM PST

After spending the last two and a half years helping Microsoft develop Kinect (and spending countless hours hacking Wiimotes before that), the illustrious Johnny Chung Lee has decided to take his talents to Mountain View and work for Google. Mr. Lee didn't say exactly what he'll be doing for Google, but we do know that he's joining a special projects team, and his title is "Rapid Evaluator." It's curious that Johnny has seemingly left his gaming roots to work for the search giant, but regardless we look forward to seeing what he's up to at El Goog and wish him the best in his new job. Here's hoping his new duties won't quell his penchant for at-home tinkering.

Apple's invested in a 'very strategic' $3.9b component supply agreement, but what is it?

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 03:16 PM PST

Here's an interesting little note from Apple's record-breaking Q1 2011 financial sales call: according to CFO Peter Oppenheimer and acting CEO / COO Tim Cook, the company's made a two-year, $3.9 billion deal with three suppliers to secure a "very strategic" component for its products. Cook wouldn't identify what the component was, citing competitive reasons, but he did say the arrangement was much like Apple's famous deals to source iPod flash memory that date back to 2005. According to Tim, "We think that was an absolutely fantastic use of Apple's cash, and we constantly look for more of these, and so in the past several quarters we've identified another area... these payments consist of both prepayments and capital for processes and tooling, and similar to the flash agreement, they're focused in an area that we think is very strategic."

Importantly, Apple paid out $650m under its agreements for this mystery part this past quarter, and it's planning to spend another $1.05b in payments next quarter, so this is already happening in a big way -- and frankly, we're dying to know what it is, since Apple has a long history of squeezing the market for components it wants. Our best guess? High-density displays for the iPhone and iPad -- we've heard some rumors of deals with Toshiba and Sharp, but that's just conjecture, and we don't know who the third vendor is. We're digging, but in the meantime listen to Peter and Tim in the clip after the break.

HP calls us out, implies it's got even better scoops at February webOS event

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 02:55 PM PST

Look, let's be real: our Palm tablet scoop today was awesome. For its part, though, HP wants to remind us all that it's got other news in the pipe for its event early next month, going so far as to tease invitees that they haven't seen the latest on Engadget.

Not to say that we won't be trying very, very hard to ensure that our readers do see the latest right here... but point taken, HP. See you in a couple weeks.

Ocean Empire LSV is the self-sufficient superyacht for the super-rich

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 02:36 PM PST

It looks like your luxury extra-national seafaring utopia just got one step closer to reality. The Ocean Empire Life Support Vessel is a 144-foot Catamaran Superyacht manufactured by Sauter Carbon Offset Design, and it features not only "all of the hotel amenities of a luxury global voyager" but two hydroponic farms and fishing facilities and three sustainable power sources: a 400 square meter 70kw solar array, an auxiliary 80 square meter (200kw) automated SkySail that drives the ship to 18+ knots and charges her battery systems, and a Motion Damping Regeneration (MDR) system developed with Maurer Sohnes Gmbh that can produce up to 50kw of electricity as it steadies the ship on rolling seas. How much will it cost you to take yourself, nine of your closest friends, and a crew of eight to the sea -- and remain there indefinitely? About $17 million. Hit the source link to order a couple for yourself. The vessel is built to order and you can have it ready to go in about eighteen months. At least it's cheaper than Saddam's yacht!
at 11:56 AM

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