| Verizon targeting mid-summer for tiered data plans, doesn't yet know what kinds of tiers they'll be Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:31 AM PST Verizon's made no secret of the fact that $30 unlimited smartphone data wouldn't last forever, but CFO Fran Shammo just made things a little more interesting today at the same Morgan Stanley conference Sanjay Jha rocked yesterday: turns out they're targeting "mid-summer" to rearrange the carrier's data pricing. Interestingly, Shammo says they're still working through the details and that they don't yet know whether the tiers will be based on speed, bit buckets, or some combination of the two. Of course, Verizon's already dipped its toes in the tiered game with a $15 / 150MB option that evaporated around the time that the CDMA iPhone launched. Speaking of the iPhone, Shammo notes that the unlimited data plan was kept around to draw users into the iPhone fold -- iPhone users tend to consume a lot of data, after all -- so it'd seem that they might comfortable with that one-time conquest before parting ways with unlimited for good. |
| Amazon Appstore for Android launching this month? Posted: 01 Mar 2011 10:08 AM PST We've already had some indication that Amazon's own app store for Android devices would be launching fairly shortly, and it now looks like it could be coming as soon as this month. That word comes from the seemingly in-the-know ad network Millennial Media, which tweeted earlier today that the Amazon Appstore for Android is "launching this month," and linked to a blog post that details what's in store for developers. Unfortunately, that post doesn't actually contain a ton of specific details, but the ad network apparently sees the store as a "great opportunity," particularly when it comes to the additional exposure apps would get through Amazon.com. In case you weren't aware, Amazon's also been maintaining an official developer blog for the Appstore (yeah, it's all one word), which does provide quite a few technical details for those interested -- check it out at the link below. |
| Panasonic puts pricetags on 2011 Blu-ray players, HTIB & soundbars Posted: 01 Mar 2011 09:46 AM PST Of course, it's not all about new TVs, as Panasonic also took the opportunity today to bust out MSRPs for a slew of other home theater products. As it mentioned at CES, the connected features of its 2011 Blu-ray players are taking center stage, with Skype access through Viera Cast, while they also claim to feature the industry's fastest playback, measuring at half the booting and loading time of the 2010 lineup. One other key feature is the ability to use an iPhone as a WiFi connected remote and load movies, music or pictures onto the phone then play them on the HDTV. The top of the line DMP-BDT310 should arrive in May while the rest are already making their way to store shelves, check the press releases after the break for full details on those, a soundbar and a few HTIB systems. Show full PR text PANASONIC'S 2011 BLU-RAY LINE UP FOCUSES ON HIGH-QUALITY PICTURE AND SOUND, EASE-OF-USE, CONNECTIVITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND INTRODUCTION OF SKYPE™
Skype Video and Voice Calls Supported by freetalk® Conference Camera
SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Panasonic , a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray format, recently introduced an expanded Blu-ray disc player lineup with three new Full HD 3D models – the DMP-BDT310, DMP-BDT210, DMP-BDT110 – and a new 2D model, the DMP-BD75.
The BDT310, BDT210 and BDT110 are all high-quality Blu-ray Disc players with 2D-to-3D up-conversion, which can convert 2D images from DVDs and Blu-ray discs into 3D with natural depth perception. With the 3D Enhancer and Depth Controller (allows user to adjust amount of depth when viewing 3D), these players produce movie theater-style 3D effects. Also contributing to higher picture quality is the new UniPhier chip, which simultaneously lowers power consumption. Vertical color data has also been increased by 1.5 times, to express fine details and nuances in movie scenes with the PHL Reference Chroma Processor 2. The new HDMI Jitter Purifier improves sound quality, delivering pure and robust bass sound reproduction with minimal noise compared to previous models.
The newest addition to VIERA Cast™, Panasonic's IPTV solution, on the BDT310, BDT210 and BDT110 is Skype™ video and voice calling. Skype, along with the freetalk conference camera , lets users easily and affordably engage in long distance video conversations with family and friends by transforming their existing TV into a two-way communications device. The freetalk conference camera, with a wide-angle lens and beam-forming microphones, provides High Definition 720p resolution and will be available in March at major retailers and on-line at www.panasonic.com, with a SRP of $99.
Panasonic has made it even easier to access Skype through the Blu-ray Disc player with a devoted Skype button on the remote control. Other features of Skype include Standby Mode, which allows users to personalize ring tones, Answering Message, which allows users to create a personalized message when away, and SD Voice Mail which automatically records messages left onto an SD card. These three models are also DLNA-certified, allowing users to enjoy content on their Blu-ray player, from a computer or other DLNA compatible device.
In addition to the inclusion of Skype, VIERA Cast provides access to such entertainment, social media and business apps as Netflix™, Amazon VOD™, CinemaNow, Vudu, YouTube™, Twitter, Pandora®, Picassa™ Web Album and Bloomberg.
"Panasonic's 2011 Blu-ray Player lineup incorporates the successes of its 2010 line, while adding innovative features that meet the demand of consumers and new trends in technology," said Richard Simone, Director, Panasonic, Entertainment Group. "Features such as the touchless sensor, homescreen customization and Skype allow consumers to easily personalize their entertainment experience to fit their lifestyle. And now the consumer can enjoy the benefits of Skype from any HDTV."
The BDT310, BDT210, BDT110 and BD75 each feature a unique updated design, making operation simple with icons and text indications. They also have ultra-quick playback, the industry's fastest, with half the booting and loading time as 2010 models. The BDT310 and BDT210 feature a touchless sensor to open and close the disc tray for smooth operation, perfect for dark rooms. Additionally, each of these 3D Blu-ray Disc players works with an iPhone as a remote. Movies, photos and music can be loaded from a computer, to the iPhone, and then played back through the Blu-ray Disc player on your TV.
New networking capabilities are among the highlight features of the new 2011 Blu-ray Disc player lineup. All four players allow users to customize their own home screen using your favorite photo or wallpaper. Simply insert an SD card into the Blu-ray player to transfer over the image. The BDT310 and BDT210 feature a built-in WiFi System, while the BDT110 includes a wireless adaptor for local area network connections.
Energy efficiency and sustainability are also important to the overall design and functionality of these models. All four models have compact slim designs and packaging reduction (50% less from 2010 models), significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The BDT310, BDT210 and BDT110 have an energy-saving design which saves on electricity bills and natural resources with a 37 % power reduction.
The Panasonic DMP-BDT210, DMP-BDT110 and DMP-BD75 are currently available, while the DMP-BDT310 ships in May.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/.
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PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR NEW BLU-RAY 3D HOME THEATER SYSTEMS
SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Panasonic, a leader in Full HD 3D technology, today announced pricing of its new Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc™ home theater systems which employ advanced technologies to reproduce immersive 3D with superb picture quality, cinema-like surround sound and boast 3D Effect Controller, Universal Dock for iPod®/iPhone® and Skype™1 compatibility. All models from entry-level up feature built-in WiFi connectivity.
The new models, SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270 deliver advanced sound quality that complements the dynamic 3D images. Based on the concept of reproducing an ideal cinema-like surround sound environment, Panasonic's proprietary technology, called Cinema Surround Plus, compensates for the lack of a surround effect to provide natural smooth surround sound and offers an enhanced surround effect from above and around.
Featuring Panasonic's renowned Full HD 3D Playback, the new systems not only deliver powerful 3D images with dramatic effects, enhanced depth, luster and texture, but allow the user to tailor the image display as desired. The 3D Effect Controller adjusts the amount of the depth effect for more expansive images and enables the viewer to enjoy 3D movies with exactly the preferred level of 3D effects.
For space-saving elegance, the sleek, ultra-slim main component measures only a mere 1.5 inches high. The systems are designed to ideally match a flat panel display. The new table-top design of the SC-BTT370 offers easy set-up and will add style to any home setting.
The SC-BTT770 is equipped with rear wireless speakers and wireless kit so there is no need for unsightly wires across the room. The SC-BTT370 is wireless-ready and can be upgraded to provide wireless rear audio with the addition of the optional SH-FX71 wireless kit for rear speakers ($129.95).
The top two models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 feature VIERA CAST™ with Skype™ a new function which allows users to connect with friends and family around the world on any compatible TV. And when they are not home, a convenient Auto Answering Video Message feature answers incoming calls and records video voicemail messages.
Models SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370 include a down-firing subwoofer, which achieves powerful bass by releasing the sound downward from the speaker unit and port and utilizes the sound reflected from the floor. These models are equipped with one HDMI output and two HDMI inputs with Standby Pass through for HD and 3D gaming and set-top box connections. Since they feature a Standby Pass Through function, signals from the connected devices can pass through the unit even when the home theater system is turned off.
All of the home theater systems feature Audio Return Channel (ARC*), which makes it possible to receive audio signals from the TV, on top of the preexisting HDMI function of sending audio/video signals to the TV with just one cable. This feature simplifies connection by eliminating the audio cable connection between the TV audio output and the main unit's audio input.
All of the new systems feature a Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone** which employs a digital connection to minimize sound degradation. This lets the user play music and video downloads and enjoy high quality sound from an iPod/iPhone.
The new models boast improved easy-to-use features, such as an internal wireless LAN system so IP content, such as VIERA CAST2 and BD-Live, can be enjoyed without having a LAN cable*** connection. VIERA CAST has been further enhanced with CinemaNow and Vudu, allowing viewers to stream movies. Other content can also be accessed from the special VIERA CAST screen to check weather, stocks and other information.
Panasonic's Blu-ray 3D home theater systems bring a new dimension to home entertainment and will be available in April 2011. The SC-BTT770 will carry a suggested retail price (SRP) of $599.99. The SC-BTT370 will have an SRP of $499.99, and the SC-BTT270 will have an SRP of $399.99.
1 Skype video calling requires access to a broadband Internet connection as well as a Skype-compatible camera available from Panasonic, sold separately, to make video calls.
2 Not all VIERA CAST features are available on both VIERA Connect-enabled VIERA® HDTVs and VIERA CAST-enabled Blu-ray DiscTM players due to specific requirements necessary to activate certain applications. Specific app availabilities and compatibilities will be announced at a later date. Access to a broadband Internet connection is required to access VIERA CAST features. There is no fee to use the VIERA CAST functionality however some VIERA CAST services such as Netflix and Amazon VOD have a separate fee structure.
* An ARC compatible TV is required.
** "Made for iPod" and "Made for iPhone" mean that an electronic accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod or iPhone respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with iPod or iPhone may affect wireless performance. iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
***A wireless LAN environment is required.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICE OF SLIM BAR AUDIO SYSTEM
WITH WIRELESS SUBWOOFER AND 3D PASS THROUGH
SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) -- Panasonic today announced pricing of its new slim bar home theater speaker system, SC-HTB520, which will be available next month. The elegant system neatly mounts on a wall by a TV and offers an easy-to-install, stylish alternative to a conventional home theater sound system. The SC-HTB520 supports Stream Out for 3D image signals and Audio Return Channel, making it easy to configure a FULL HD 3D home theater system by combining it with a 3D Blu-ray DiscTM player and 3D VIERA TV. The SC-HTB520 ideally matches large panel displays 42-inches and above and includes a separate, wireless Down Firing subwoofer.
The front of the SC-HTB520 features a black stainless mesh material with a luxurious mirror finish and a special coating that resists dust and fingerprints. A unique design concept boosts the ambience of the SC-HTB520's high-quality sounds by making the speaker units partially visible through the mesh, so listeners can almost visualize the sound.
The SC-HTB520 system delivers dialog that is crisp and clear. This is made possible by the Clear-Mode Dialog, which makes the sound seem like it is coming from the center of the TV display. With more precise linking of the picture and the sound, the result is clean, pure sound for dialog voices on video and vocals on music. Virtual surround technology also reproduces surround sounds from the front speakers that seem to wrap around the listening position. And dynamic, deep bass sounds are achieved by the Down Firing Subwoofer. The subwoofer is equipped with a wireless system, so there is no need to connect it to the main unit by cables. Lack of wiring keeps the room interior uncluttered and enables a simple and flexible layout.
Connection and installation could not be easier, thanks to the system's compatibility with ARC* (Audio Return Channel), which allows receiving audio signals from the TV. Simply place it by the television or wall mount for a custom installation (via supplied wall mounts) and connect it with just one HDMI cable.
The SC-HTB520 will be available in April 2011 with a suggested retail price of $399.99.
* An ARC-compatible TV is required.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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| Survey finds a quarter of adults in the US and UK are 'avid' mobile gamers Posted: 01 Mar 2011 09:23 AM PST Just how many cellphone users can be considered gamers these days? According to a new survey from PopCap Games and Information Solutions Group, about a quarter of adults in the US and UK have played a game on their phone in the past week, which makes them an "avid" gamer in their eyes, while about a third have played a game in the past month. If you dial things down to just mobile gamers with a smartphone, however, the number of avid gamers jumps to a hefty 83 percent, with 45 percent saying they play on a daily basis. What's perhaps most telling, though, is that 55 percent of smartphone users say they play games in general most often on their on their phone, compared to just 22 percent who play most often on their desktop or laptop computer, and 20 percent who opt for game console. Hit up the link below to check out the complete results in PDF form. Show full PR text Survey: One Third of U.S. and U.K. Adults Are Mobile Phone Gamers
New Survey Finds Significant Increase in Appetite for Games on Phones; Handsets Now Surpass Consoles and Computers as the Top Gaming Device for Many
SEATTLE, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PopCap Games, the worldwide leader in casual video games, today announced the results of a new survey which found large increases in overall usage and frequency of mobile game playing among U.S. and U.K. adults. The survey, conducted by Information Solutions Group, also found that among mobile phone gamers, the mobile phone is now the primary gaming device of choice, leapfrogging video game consoles and personal computers in less than two years. Further, "smartphone" owners (the fastest-growing mobile segment) are by far the most avid consumers of mobile phone games. These and other purchase and consumption trends identified in the survey suggest significant growth in the mobile games sector will continue for the foreseeable future.
Overall, more than half (52%) of the 2,425 survey respondents said they had played a game on a mobile phone at some time in the past; 73% of U.K. respondents said they had played a mobile phone game at least once, compared to 44% of U.S. residents surveyed. A portion of those U.K. respondents appear to have been one-time users, as most other usage data found similar activity and trends across the countries. 33.6% of all adults in America and the United Kingdom have played a game on their mobile phone handset in the past month, qualifying them as "mobile phone gamers" for the purposes of the survey, and nearly a quarter (24.6%) have played in the past week, qualifying them as "avid mobile phone gamers." Fully 83% of mobile phone gamers who own a smartphone said they'd played in the past week.
"Mobile games are, along with social games, the hottest sector of the video game industry by far," stated Dennis Ryan, EVP of Worldwide Publishing at PopCap, which derives nearly a third of its overall revenues from sales of mobile mega-hits like Bejeweled® and Plants vs. Zombies™. "As more people purchase smartphones and the entire process of finding, purchasing and playing mobile games becomes as simple as browsing the internet, the mobile games market is going to accelerate even more."
In May 2009, ISG conducted a similar study of mobile gamers on behalf of PopCap, specifically targeting AT&T mobile customers; where applicable, historical data from that earlier survey is presented below along with data from the newly completed survey. Complete results of the new survey can be found at: www.infosolutionsgroup.com/popcapmobile2011
Among the other survey findings,
* 84% of all mobile phone gamers, and 97% of avid mobile phone gamers say they play games on their phone at least once a week; 92% of smartphone owners who play mobile games say they play at least once a week, and 45% say they play daily (compared to 35% of all mobile phone gamers). In the 2009 survey, only 13% of mobile phone gamers said they played daily, and 40% said they played weekly or more often.
* Among all mobile phone gamers, 50% said that the amount of time they spend playing games on their handset has increased over the past year, and among smartphone owners the figure climbs to 63%; in the 2009 survey, only 20% of mobile gamers indicated their consumption of mobile games had increased.
* Among all mobile phone gamers, 78% indicated that playing mobile phone games had become a regular part of their weekly activities, and more than half (59%) indicated that they saw such games as a regular part of their daily activities; for smartphone owners the figures were 84% and 68%, respectively.
* When asked which gaming-capable device they play games on most often, 44% of mobile phone gamers chose their phones, catapulting handsets past video game consoles (21%) and computers (30%) to the top of the list. 51% of avid mobile gamers and 55% of those mobile gamers who own smartphones indicated they played games most often on their phones. This compares to just 17% of mobile gamers who chose their handset as their most frequently used gaming device in the 2009 survey.
* 43% of all mobile gamers, and 49% of smartphone gamers, said they had upgraded a free trial game to the full (paid) version in the past year; more than a quarter (27%) of all mobile gamers, and a third (34%) of smartphone gamers, said they had paid for additional content for an originally free game in the past year.
* Among mobile phone gamers, the average smartphone owner purchased nearly twice as many games as those with other types of phones (5.4 games vs. 2.9 games) in 2010, and spent almost $10 more ($25.57 vs. $15.70) on phone games.
* 19% of all mobile phone gamers said they played one or more social networking games via their phone daily, and more than a third (37%) said they play a social networking game via their phone at least once a week.
* Among all mobile phone gamers, 23% of all mobile phone device usage time (excluding phone calls) is spent playing games.
Survey Methodology
This international research was conducted by Information Solutions Group (ISG; www.infosolutionsgroup.com) exclusively for PopCap Games. The results are based on 2,425 online surveys completed by members of the world's largest online ePanel (Toluna) in the United States and United Kingdom between January 25 and January 31, 2011.
To qualify for participation in the survey, individuals had to own and use a mobile phone. Among these mobile phone owners, 814 were identified as mobile gamers (those who played a game on their mobile phone in the past month). In addition 597 of the mobile gamers were identified as avid mobile gamers (those who played a game on their mobile phone within the past week). Finally, 495 of the mobile phone owners were also identified as smartphone owners. In theory, in 19 cases out of 20, the results will differ by no more than 2.4 percentage points from what would have been obtained by seeking out and polling all US and UK mobile phone owners age 18 and over. Smaller subgroups reflect larger margins of sampling error. Other sources of error, such as variations in the order of questions or the wording within the questionnaire, may also contribute to different results.
About PopCap
PopCap Games is the leading global developer, publisher and operator of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to all ages across PC, mobile, social and other platforms. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of more than 400 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, Seoul, Shanghai and Tokyo. PopCap's games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship franchise, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 50 million units.
The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed at www.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used for the benefit of those owners.
SOURCE PopCap Games |
| Panasonic celebrates higher plasma TV sales for 2010, sets prices for 2011 Posted: 01 Mar 2011 09:01 AM PST After setting its LED pricing for the year to come, Panasonic has finally set its plasma HDTV info in stone. Again matching the information leaked from retailers, the MSRPs (before any retailer discounts) range from the 65-inch TC-P65VT30 sticking at $4,299 down to the $599 720p TC-P42X3. Also of note is the inclusion of not only the previously announced S30 series without 3D technology or the new Infinite Black 2 panel (unlike the step-up ST30 models) but there will also apparently be a V30 line without the 3D fittings, although there's no specs, prices or ship dates mentioned. Last year the only top of the line model available was the VT25, although there was a 2D only V20-series plasma available in Australia and other regions. 3D or no, things appear to be looking up for plasma TVs, with shipments jumping nine percent last year. Check the press release after the break for all the details, but we'll have to wait until the TVs to arrive to find out if Panasonic is going to be able to hold onto its crown again. Show full PR text PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR ITS AWARD WINNING 2011 PLASMA MODEL LINE
Plasma Sales Show Growth, Pointing To Bright Future
SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011) – Driving the resurgence of Plasma HDTVs, Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry and technology leader in High Definition and Full HD 3D televisions, recently announced pricing and availability for its award winning 2011 Viera Plasma line-up. This announcement coincides with Display Search's recent analysis and conclusion that 2010 was a great year for Plasma TV panels, with shipments growing on a Year/Year basis every quarter since Q4 '09. NPD also produced data showing a growth in Plasma sales.
In a February 3, 2011 report – Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report, Display Search reported:
* Q4 '10 Plasma TV panel shipments grew 1% Q/Q (Quarter-Quarter) and 9% Y/Y
* After falling from 15.1 million in 2008 to 14.8 million in 2009, Plasma TV panel shipments jumped to 19.1 million in 2010
* Panasonic was a top panel supplier in 2010, with a 22% Y/Y (Year-Year) growth on a unit basis
The report further stated that "Plasma TVs were well-suited for consumer's purchasing habits in 2010, providing the most affordable large flat panel TVs for many consumers. In addition the strong industry push for 3D TV helped, as some reviewers and consumers concluded that Plasma TV had superior 3D performance compared to LCD TV, at least in terms of flicker."
Ken Park, Display Search Senior Analyst for Korea TV Market Research added "With 3D functionality, Plasma can re-position itself as a lasting technology in the TV industry."
The NPD Group also reported that Plasma sales were on the rise. The Port Washington, N.Y. based market research firm reports that the Green Bay Packers weren't the only big winners of the Super Bowl: Sales of plasma TVs jumped 45% in units, and 11% in dollars during Super Bowl week, compared to the same period last year. About half of those sales were of 50-inch plasma sets, with an average price of $670, down $170 from last year. The average price of 42-inch plasmas fell $100 to $451, according to NPD.
Panasonic's 2011 Plasma line-up features TVs in the following screen sizes- 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally); 46-inch class (46" measured diagonally); 50-inch class (49.9" measured diagonally); 55-inch class (55.1" measured diagonally); 60-inch class (60.1" measured diagonally) and 65-inch class (64.7" measured diagonally). Following on the critical success of last years Full HD 3D Plasmas (named best in show at the 2010 CES Convention), Panasonic introduced three full HD 3D model lines for 2011- the VT30, GT30 and ST30. In addition, Panasonic offers the S30 and V30 series in traditional 2D 1080p technology, for a total of 19 Plasma screens available in 2011.
Pricing & Availability
Full HD (1080p) 3D Plasma:
* TC-P65VT30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$4299.95-Available May, 2011
* TC-P55VT30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$2799.95-Available April, 2011
* TC-P65GT30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$3699.95-Available May, 2011
* TC-P60GT30 (60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$2799.95-Available May, 2011
* TC-P55GT30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$2199.95-Available March, 2011
* TC-P50GT30 (50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1899.95-Available March, 2011
* TC-P65ST30 (65-inch class-64.7" measured diagonally)-$3299.95-Available May, 2011
* TC-P60ST30 (60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$2399.95-Available May, 2011
* TC-P55ST30 (55-inch class-55.1" measured diagonally)-$1799.95-Available February, 2011
* TC-P50ST30 (50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1499.95-Available February, 2011
* TC-P46ST30 (46-inch class 46" measured diagonally)-$1299.95-Available February, 2011
* TC-P42ST30 (42-inch class 41.6" measured diagonally)-$1099.95-Available February, 2011
1080p FHD Plasma:
· TC-P60S30 (1080p-60-inch class-60.1" measured diagonally)-$1899.95-Available May, 2011
· TC-P50S30 (1080p-50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$1099.95-Available February, 2011
· TC-P46S30 (1080p-46-inch class-46" measured diagonally)-$949.95-Available February, 2011
· TC-P42S30 (1080p-42-inch class-41.6" measured diagonally)-$799.95-Available February, 2011
720P HD Plasma:
· TC-P50X3 (720p-50-inch class-49.9" measured diagonally)-$799.95- Available February, 2011
· TC-P46X3 (720p-46-inch class-46" measured diagonally)-$699.95-Available March, 2011
· TC-P42X3 (720p-42-inch class-41.6" measured diagonally)-$599.95-Available February, 2011.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company:
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom. |
| Force Dynamics 401cr test drive (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:38 AM PST If you're old enough to have spent any time in an arcade, surely at some point you splurged an extra couple of quarters to play a game in a seat that moved a bit, shook a bit, made some feeble attempt at making you feel like you're really in the game. Kid's play, that stuff (quite literally), but just like people don't stop gaming as they get older so too such motion simulation tech doesn't have to stay for kiddies. Enter Force Dynamics and enter the 401cr: a full-bore motion simulator that can not only generate over a G of acceleration but can spin you right 'round as many times as you like. We took it for a quite a few spins indeed, plus more than one crash, and we think you'll want to check them out the video below. The new 401cr is designed primarily for use with a number of high-end racing simulators, the kind that only come on the PC and that make Gran Turismo look like Rad Racer. We hit the track in iRacing and Live For Speed, though the team at Force Dynamics have cooked up some custom simulators for companies like Ford, even enabling integration with Forza Motorsport for a Microsoft demo. Indeed corporate buyers are the primary target here, and with a price tag measured in many tens of thousands of it's easy to see why. Inside the moving frame is a high-end gaming rig running an Intel Core i7 processor and AMD Eyefinity graphics pumping out to three Dell IPS monitors. That provides the look while the feel comes from a custom wheel and pedal setup that's largely built in-house. In fact much of the device is fabricated in a warehouse outside of Ithaca, New York, some components produced elsewhere and assembled there. This 401cr is the latest model, bettering its predecessors by being able to rotate freely as many times as you like. Power is sent up through a brush connector while networking and everything else is all wireless. The result? One hell of a ride. I'm an okay racer, not the quickest but able to run consistent lap times in iRacing and fight for an upper mid-pack finish. Strap into the 401cr, however, and things get very, very different. The G-force is brutal and, with the integrated Logitech soundsystem dialed up to 11, the effect is hugely immersive. There's plenty enough shaking to be disorienting and indeed I had a hard time making it more than a few laps without finding some wall or another -- despite driving in cars and tracks I knew well. It didn't help that the unit we were testing with was being a bit fussy , the second computer system built inside that handled the motion actuators freaking out whenever a big bump was sent through the chassis -- likely a loose connector or dying power supply, the result of thousands of miles of testing in this the company's mule. After any big shunt the system would just start spinning, having to be reset and recalibrated, a process that definitely slowed things down.  So, I never really got comfortable in the thing, never really got up to speed, but damn if I didn't have a lot of fun trying. Sadly this will live well outside the means of even the most comfortably funded sim racers, but if you were pondering dropping $100,000 or so on a real race car but are having second thoughts about dealing with the constant repairs, time, and headaches required to keep it on the track, this might just be a compelling alternative. After all, it's a lot easier to lace up your racing booties and walk to the basement than it is to load up your car on the trailer and schlep it down to the track. |
| AMD compares upcoming Llano Fusion APU with Intel Core i7, puts the heat on Sandy Bridge (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 08:15 AM PST So far, AMD's new Fusion chips have been all about the low-end, whether you're talking in terms of price, performance or power consumption, but the company has a vision for its future that has these new Accelerated Processing Units dominating every segment of the market. In order to do that, AMD will need to overcome Intel's latest generation of mainstream processors, the Core 2011 family we're more familiar with under the Sandy Bridge codename. Before you rush past the break and watch AMD's own comparison between said Intel hardware and the forthcoming quad-core Llano APU, be aware that processor performance can rarely be generalized from a single test alone and the one we're witnessing is specifically geared to highlight the Fusion chip's strengths. All that said, the workload demonstrated by AMD -- a 3D game, HD video playback ( plus post-processing on the Llano rig), Excel calculations, and some 3D modeling, all running simultaneously -- is handled most impressively by the A8-3510MX APU, which even manages to use less power than Intel's 2GHz Core i7-2630QM. See the video after the break. [Thanks, Vygantas]
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| ASUS Eee PC 1015B and 1215B hands-on Posted: 01 Mar 2011 07:52 AM PST Okay, picture an ASUS Eee PC 1015. Got it? Good -- now picture it with AMD Fusion internals. Boom: the 1015B is born. We spied versions in both white and black trim here at CeBIT, promising 1080p output in your choice of 1.2GHz single-core and 1GHz dual-core APUs, both with ATI Radeon HD 6250 graphics, 1GB of RAM (expandable to 2), and Bluetooth 3.0 along with 802.11b/g/n WiFi. If you're looking for something a little beefier, ASUS has a Fusion remake of the 1215, too -- the 1215B -- with many of the same features but the added benefit of a larger 12.1-inch WXGA LCD, an optional 1.6GHz AMD E350 dual-core processor, and up to 4GB of RAM. No word on when these will be in retail channels, but by all appearances, these are production or very-near-production models on display here at the show, so we imagine they'll be popping up any time now. |
| Xtreamer Ultra HTPC hands-on -- and Prodigy eyes-on Posted: 01 Mar 2011 07:31 AM PST First, the good news: Xtreamer has its lovely little Ultra HTPC out and hooked up here at CeBIT. Now, the bad: the considerably more beautiful Prodigy streamer is under lock and key, and they won't be doing any demos. Ah, well -- may as well make the best of the situation, right? In brief, the Ultra might be the baddest little HTPC we've seen here at the show -- Xtreamer seems to have nailed the equation with the small size and the price point. It doesn't look cheap, either; we imagine it's a little overbuilt-looking with those faux heat sink fins for some living rooms, but you can plug in an IR extender and bury the actual box in a cabinet if you like. The company's staying very media platform-agnostic, shipping with Boxee and XBMC among others on a 2GB USB flash drive that houses the entire operating system. And at a shipping price of €200 (about $277), it puts the hurt on the Boxee Box. Look for it in early April. Turning our attention to the Prodigy, this thing is seriously gorgeous for one reason: a large curved sheet of metal covering the top and sides. Functionality is another matter entirely, though, and as we mentioned before, Xtreamer isn't demoing it here. On paper, at least, it should take care of business thanks to USB 3.0 and AirPlay support along with an internal 3.5-inch hard drive bay -- and the company is currently taking pre-orders for €50 (about $69), which seems dirt cheap for what you're getting. Like the Ultra, Xtreamer expects to ship it in early April. |
| Fujitsu and partners show off cord-free display using SUPA wireless power (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 07:10 AM PST Cords suck. They tangle, they get lost, they're never long enough, and you never have the kind you need. Indeed, wireless displays are nothing new -- but when you hear "wireless display," you typically think that they've managed to cut the video cable alone. Well, Fujitsu's taken it one step further here at CeBIT this week, throwing together what it claims to be the world's first totally wireless desktop display -- no video, no power. The imagery is handled via wireless USB and can connect to any appropriately-equipped PC, while the juice is sucked in using a newly-minted proposed standard for wireless power delivery called SUPA (developed with the likes of Fraunhofer) that can function over wide surface areas -- in this case, an entire desk. Right now it's just the display, but it's easy to imagine how phones, laptops, tablets, and anything else that requires continuous power or a quick, convenient recharge could benefit from this arrangement rather than needing a special mat (which is, of course, corded) lying around. Fujitsu tells us that SUPA can deliver about 25 watts in its current incarnation, which isn't going to keep your gaming PC going -- but it'll certainly handle your typical handheld device (or, in this case, a 22-inch monitor). The demo we saw was a little glitchy; the first time we visited the booth, Fujitsu was having a hard time getting the WUSB connection to light up, but it was up and running the second time we dropped by. We got the impression there wasn't quite enough bandwidth to deliver smooth video at this color depth and resolution, but it was good enough for data entry tasks. Likewise, the monitor appeared to flicker from time to time, suggesting that it was either right on the edge of that 25W maximum or just experiencing typical prototype hiccups. On a couple occasions, they lifted the monitor to reset it, and it only required 2-3 inches of lift before power was lost -- so this isn't the kind of thing where you can get up and wander around with a device and expect it to magically continue to charge (we'd be awfully concerned about being turned into beef jerky at those energy levels, anyway). All told, we're excited about this technology, assuming SUPA can gain enough critical mass in the marketplace to be relevant. They're expecting the first commercial applications next year... so in the meantime, enjoy our pictures and videos while you plan how you're going to rearrange your workspace once you don't have to worry about power cords. |
| Panasonic GF2 crashes the Engadget reader meetup, collects a gallery of memories / sample images Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:49 AM PST Our reader meetup this past Friday in San Francisco was infiltrated by a somewhat unusual assailant, Panasonic's GF2 Micro Four Thirds shooter. Sporting a new, significantly thinner, pancake lens primed at 14mm with a maximum F2.5 aperture, this eminently portable camera managed to sneak into the building while concealed inside one of our editors' jacket pockets. As we've said before, the major difference between the GF2 and the GF1 for us is that the new model really feels like a compact point-and-shoot, to the point of making us forget that it has a DSLR-sized sensor within it. We've put together the following galleries, which were mostly shot in the fully automatic mode, to give you a taste of how Panasonic's latest handles the challenges of a poorly lit nighttime scene, on the one hand, and a gorgeous sunny day, on the other. Enjoy! |
| Xperia Play goes back to the FCC, this time with GSM (update) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:27 AM PST We're all familiar with this handset by now, but what we weren't suspecting (although we have yet to finish our first cup of coffee) to see a GSM version of the Xperia Play come through the FCC this sunny Tuesday morning. While we know that Verizon won't be the sole carrier of the phone in the states (we heard that from Sony Ericsson CTO Jan Uddenfeldt himself), there is yet to be another carrier confirmed. So maybe this is an indication of another possible future? Or, most likely, this is just one of those "north of the border" jobs -- as you know, the FCC gets its look at all Canada-bound phones, and this particular phone is exclusive to Rogers. Get a closer look after the break. Update: Further examination of the docs reveal that this bad boy has global GSM bands and 900 / 2100MHz 3G, which is primarily used in Europe and Asia. |
| Timescape Sci-Fi watch makes you work for the time of day, looks good doing it (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 06:08 AM PST If you're like us, you don't mind working that grey matter to tell the time, especially if the watch your wearing looks and acts like something ripped from the U.S.S. Enterprise. The Timescape Sci-Fi watch, thus named for its cryptic time telling interface, sports a chrome exterior and uses a series of blue LEDs to illuminate a rectangular grid, giving you unique temporal readouts. Each line contains a series of dots representing minutes or hours, with the vertical lines displaying hours, the first three horizontal lines showing five-minute increments, and the last row offering exact minutes. Sound complicated? Well it is, but sometimes looking good takes a little work -- you think Uhura rolls out of bed looking like that? The Timescape Sci-Fi watch is now on sale exclusively from Gadgets and Gear for $70, but if you just like staring at shiny flashy things, we've got a video of the timepiece after the jump. |
| NVIDIA Tegra Zone officially launched, takes Android to new dual-core heights Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:42 AM PST It's the first of March, which in NVIDIA land means no longer just talking about Tegra Zone, but actually activating it and letting users see what all the fuss is about. For those who've not yet heard of it, the Tegra Zone is an Android application that curates and highlights content that would most benefit from having the dual-core power of that Tegra 2 chip within your device. At launch, that means a hand-picked selection of games whose makers have gone the extra mile and thrown in additional geometric detail, heavier computation loads, and higher-resolution textures specifically for Tegra 2 smartphones and tablets. The snazzier, more interactive games will still be sourced from the Android Market, the Tegra Zone is no more than a portal unto the vast world of Android content, but it's hoped that its presence will help convey the full value of owning a dual-core mobile device. Even if that value will go down considerably when NVIDIA introduces its quad-core SOC in August -- but, one super chip at a time! Show full PR text New Tegra Zone App Is Your Destination for the Best Mobile Games Optimized for Tegra
Free App Ties Into Google Android Market, Provides Quick Access to Richest Games for Tegra-Powered Super Phones and Tablets
Tegra Zone app is the destination to find the richest games for Tegra-powered super phones and tablets
SANTA CLARA, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/01/2011 -- NVIDIA announced today that the Tegra Zone™ app is now live on the Android Market, providing a one-stop destination for consumers seeking the richest games for their super phone or tablet powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile super chip.
The free app delivers a curated selection of Tegra processor-optimized games, as well as professional game reviews, high-res screenshots, HD video trailers, gameplay videos and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Sale and delivery of users' selected games are completed using Google's Android Market.
Games on Tegra Zone apps are especially enhanced for Tegra 2 super chip-powered devices, and are more realistic and interactive. Among those selected as launch titles are Dungeon Defenders: First Wave Deluxe HD, the first game available for Android that's built on Unreal Engine 3; Samurai II: Vengeance; and Galaxy on Fire 2 THD. A complete list is provided below.
Introduced over the past several months in a variety of super phones and tablets, the Tegra 2 super chip is finding a growing market, particularly among those interested in console-quality gaming on their mobile device. It is built with the world's first mobile dual-core CPU -- which unleashes the best Web experience, with up two-times faster browsing and support for full Adobe® Flash® Player hardware GPU acceleration, plus unprecedented multitasking capabilities. It also includes an NVIDIA GeForce® GPU -- which provides stunningly rich visual experiences and console-quality gaming.
Tegra Zone Highlights:
The first Tegra super chip-enhanced games include:
* Samurai II: Vengeance, by MADFINGER Games: A hack-and-slash action game with stylized manga graphics and quick, bloody gameplay. On par with console 3D brawlers, Samurai II: Vengeance takes advantage of the raw processing power of Tegra 2 with four times more texture resolution on characters, increased geometry for more realism, and completely redesigned knockdown moves.
* Dungeon Defenders: First Wave Deluxe HD, by Trendy Entertainment: Combines the depth of strategic gaming with the satisfying action of RPG character building, in a beautifully stylized cartoon fantasy setting. The Tegra-enhanced version includes dynamic lighting schemes and advanced post-processing effects, as well as the same number of maps and game play levels on PC and Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) versions. Due to the graphics capabilities of the Tegra 2 processor, players can join in multiplayer, cross-platform games across super phones, tablets, PCs and the PS3.
* Galaxy on Fire 2 THD, by Fishlabs: Epic sci-fi adventure with spectacular action, compelling story and a free gameplay unparalleled in depth and complexity, available for the first time on Android. The Tegra super chip-enhanced version renders the action at a consistently smooth frame rate, and includes more detailed spaceships with much higher quality textures.
* Backbreaker THD, by Natural Motion: An intense, arcade football experience that looks even better and is more interactive when enhanced on a Tegra 2 processor. This version features high-quality textures on the characters, field and stadium and more rendered content, such as real-time action replay on the "Jumbotron" scoreboard. Also look for realistic shadow effects and dynamic lighting effects such as lens flares.
* Fruit Ninja THD, by Halfbrick Studios: A juicy action game with squishy, splatty and satisfying fruit carnage. The Tegra 2 super chip-enhanced version is the definitive version of the best-selling game and adds special graphic detail and effects, including smoother edges on the fruit models, more geometry and realistic shading and lighting.
* Vendetta Online, by Guild Software: 3D space combat, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that permits thousands of players to interact as the pilots of spaceships in a vast universe, available for the first time on a mobile device. The Tegra super chip-enhanced version is the first cross-platform space MMO and allows gamers to play against PC players and other mobile players in the same universe.
* Monster Madness, by SouthPeak Games: A top-down action/shooting game where players fight off the monster invasion in four-player melee action. This game takes advantage of NVIDIA PhysX® technology for realistic in-game physics effects. The Tegra processor-enhanced version is graphically identical to the console version in every way.
* Hardwood Solitaire IV, by Silver Creek Entertainment: A beautiful rendition of 10 classic solitaire games. Ported from the PC and Xbox 360 versions, the Tegra 2 super chip version incorporates real-time lighting and shadows in their game environments and adds new 1080p high-resolution textures for the card faces and backs.
NVIDIA has worked closely with game developers to enhance games for the Tegra 2 super chip, bringing such features as:
* More realism: Increased geometry detail, higher resolution textures and complex shaders, lighting, and shadows
* More interactivity: Larger number of characters on screen and more instances of independent animations
* Extra challenging: Advanced artificial intelligence processing, complex world and player management
* Improved game play: More levels to tackle and more equipment for gaming characters to use
* Better game play and an enhanced shopping experience |
| Chord Electronics builds a Google boombox you can't buy, but wish you could Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:24 AM PST Do you find yourself uninspired by the staid and predictable aesthetics of today's boomboxes? Well, if you dig the red, yellow, green, and blue look, the folks at Chord Electronics have delivered a Google-fied custom portable stereo. Chord pimped out its Chordette Carry -- which has Bluetooth connectivity, USB, optical and digital coax inputs, a four input preamp, and a 40W amp -- with a Google-approved-and-ordered paint job. We don't know if the Mountain View version has the exact same innards as the standard Carry or what exactly El Goog plans to do with this little sonic gem, but we do know that it isn't going on sale to the public. Too bad, that Google branding would have given us mad cred on the streets, yo. |
| iPad gets approval from FAA to replace paper flight charts and maps Posted: 01 Mar 2011 05:03 AM PST The Federal Aviation Administration is moving with the times, it would seem, as it has just granted the first approval for the use of iPads instead of paper charts for informing airline pilots while on duty. There are already a number of EFB (electronic flight bag) devices in use, however the iPad is by far the cheapest and most portable one that's been validated yet. Executive Jet Management, a charter flight operator, went through three months of testing with the iPad, wherein it was used by 55 pilots on 250 flights, in order to obtain its FAA license to rely exclusively on the Apple tablet for its in-flight mapping data. Other airlines will have to go through the same process in order to dump their big stacks of paper charts for a slinky slate, but the important thing is that the precedent has been set. As to redundancies in case of failure or a software crash, the likeliest scenario is that pilots will carry a spare iPad with them, though there wasn't even a single (software) crash during the trial period -- which also included rapid decompression and electronic interference testing. So there you have it, the iPad's found itself a grown-up job just in time to retire from its throne as consumer sales leader. [Thanks, Andrew] |
| Panasonic confirms pricing, ship dates for 2011 LCD TV models Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:43 AM PST Even while its newest plasmas are starting to show up on store shelves Panasonic so far is only issuing a press release with pricing and availability for its 2011 LCD HDTVs so far, confirming much of the retailer info leaked to HDGuru recently. While the 37- and 32-inch DT30 (pictured above) will both ship in April for $1,299 and $1,199, respectively and include the newly upgraded Viera Connect (now with Hulu Plus) smart TV platform, 3D features and more, some of the lower end lines like the E3 and X30 series will make do with a stripped-down Easy IPTV package featuring just the basics -- Netflix, Amazon VOD, Napster, Pandora, Facebook and CinemaNow. Check the full release after the break for all the details, we'll just be waiting around for the big boy VT and GT plasma TVs to make landfall in the coming weeks assuming the rest of the early info holds true. Show full PR text PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILITY FOR ITS EXPANDED 2011 VIERA® LCD/LED LINE-UP
LED Full HD 3D TVs Debut
SECAUCUS, NJ (March 1, 2011)- Panasonic Corporation of North America, the industry and technology leader in High Definition and Full HD 3D technology, recently announced pricing and availability for its 2011 LCD/LED models. At the same time, Panasonic heralded the introduction of two LED Full HD 3D TVs to its expanded LCD/LED 2011 line-up. With a total of eight LED models in the VIERA LCD/LED line-up, the 2011 model array provides internet access via its proprietary VIERA Connect service, found on three models and Easy IPTV, a web entertainment solution that is available on five models.
Full HD 3D LCD-LED
For the 2011 Viera Full HD 3D line-up, Panasonic extended the immersive 3D technology to its LCD-LED line, with two models, the TC-L37DT30, a 37-inch class (37"measured diagonally) and the TC-L32DT30, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally). Both models benefit from an IPS Alpha LED panel – assuring a wide viewing angle and improved motion picture response; VIERA Connect featuring such robust entertainment, social media and interactive apps as Netflix™, Amazon VOD™, CinemaNow, Hulu Plus, Napster, Pandora, Facebook, Gameloft and access to sports sites MLB, NBA, NHL and MLS and more; Wi-Fi ready (includes LAN Adaptor); Viera Image Viewer to view JPEG digital photos and HD video recorded on an SD Memory card; DLNA compatibility; Viera link, making it possible to operate Audio/Video components from a single remote; four HDMI connections; three USB ports; a PC input; ISF Pro Setting Menu; 240Hz with Motion Picture Pro 5, providing fast motion picture response necessary to produce crisp, cross-talk free 3D images and a lower power consumption. The TC-L37DT30 will be available in April, with a SRP of $1299.95. The TC-L32DT30 will also be available in April, with a SRP of $1199.95.
LCD/LED
The E3 series presents three screen sizes- the 32-inch class TC-L32E3 (31.5" measured diagonally), available in March ($699.95); the 37-inch class TC-L37E3 (37" measured diagonally), available in February ($799.95) and the 42-inch class TC-L42E3 (41.6" measured diagonally), available in March ($949.95). In addition to the IPS LED panel; the E3 series provides the consumer with four HDMI connections; two USB ports; DLNA connectivity and a PC input. The three E3 televisions utilize 60Hz technology with 1080p resolution. To further enhance the entertainment experience, the E3 series introduces Easy IPTV, a web entertainment solution offering 3 Movie sites – CinemaNow, Netflix, and Amazon; 2 Music sites - Napster and Pandora; 1 Social Networking site – Facebook. Also, the inclusion of Viera Image Viewer allows the user to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card.
The E30 series features the TC-L42E30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally) HDTV featuring an IPS Alpha panel with LED backlighting and 120 Hz Motion Picture Pro 4, for fast motion response speeds. In addition, the TC-L42E30 also offers Easy IPTV providing multiple entertainment solutions for the customer. The TC-L42E30 easily connects to other CE devices by offering four HDMI inputs, two USB ports, DLNA connectivity and a PC input. The Viera Image Viewer allows the user to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recorded on a SD Memory Card.
The TC-L42E30 also features a clear panel to enhance contrast and reduce ambient light reflections. The model will be available in February with a SRP of $1099.95.
The top of the line LCD/LED TC-L42D30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally), available in April ($1149.95) features a 1080p IPS Alpha panel with 120Hz Motion Picture Pro 4 technology contributing to the set's overall pristine picture quality. In addition, the new flush glass design adds a sleek, fresh cosmetic to the TV. To enhance and expand the entertainment quotient, Panasonic's proprietary IPTV solution VIERA Connect is featured. The TC-L42D30 also includes the Viera Image Viewer, providing the consumer with an easy method to view digital still photos and H.264 HD video recoded on a SD Memory Card.
The TC-L19C30, a 19-inch class (19" measured diagonally), is a 720p IPS Alpha panel that will be available in May with a SRP of $249.95.
HD LCD
The TC-L32C3, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV is a 720p HDTV with the IPS Alpha Panel. In addition, the LCD TV features two HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link. The TC-L32C3 will be available in March, 2011, with a SRP of $399.95. The TC-L24C3 is a 24 –inch class (24" measured diagonally) featuring Viera link and Viera Image Viewer, and will be available in June with a SRP of $299.95.
The LCD U3 series includes two models, the 37-inch class (37" measured diagonally) TC-L37U3, currently available ($599.95) and the TC-L32U3, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally) HDTV, available in March with a SRP of $499.95. These two LCD HDTVs deliver 1080p Full HD resolution with a 60Hz IPS Alpha Panel and include three HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Image Viewer and Viera Link.
The U30 series features one 1080p model – the TC-L42U30, a 42-inch class (41.6" measured diagonally). Featuring an IPS Panel; three HDMI connectors; a PC Input; Viera Link and Viera Image Viewer, the TC-L42U30 introduces 120Hz with Motion Picture Pro 4 to the LCD line. The TC-L42U30 is currently available with a SRP of $799.95.
The TC-L32X30, a 32-inch class (31.5" measured diagonally), 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV with the IPS Alpha Panel, continues to offer the popular iPod/iPhone Entertainment kit, allowing the user to connect their device directly to the TV. The TC-L32X30 also includes Easy IPTV; DLNA compatibility; Viera Image Viewer H.264, providing the consumer with ability to view digital still photos and H.264 HD movies recorded on a SD Memory card; Viera Link; three HDMI connectors; a USB port and a PC Input. The TC-L32X30 will be available in March. SRP is $499.95.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth's natural resources and protect our environment through the company's Eco Ideas programs. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/.
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| Steve Jobs' knighthood rejected by Gordon Brown? Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:16 AM PST As a loyal iPod user, you'd have thought that Queen Elizabeth II would have seen fit to bestow an honorary knighthood on a certain Steven Paul Jobs by now. After all, Sir Bill received his back in 2005 even though his company couldn't quite get its cellphone or tablet strategies to stick with consumers. According to an anonymous senior Labour MP who left Parliament in the last election, Jobs had reached the final stages of approval for "services to technology" only to be rejected in 2009 by the then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Why? Well, according to The Telegraph, Jobs had the audacity to turn down an offer to speak at Labour's annual conference. In retaliation we hear that Apple is holding Jony Ive -- himself, an honorary Commander of the British Empire -- hostage in an infinitely looping orange grove somewhere in northern California. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Bigfoot brings Killer bandwidth management to laptops via Wireless N module Posted: 01 Mar 2011 04:00 AM PST Good news for the Bigfoot faithful -- the bandwidth management technology that's been making your desktop gaming experience smoother for years is just about ready for the laptop sector. When we spoke with the company's leadership back at Computex, they hinted strongly that infiltrating the mobile gaming space was a top priority, and it seems as if the stars have finally aligned for that to happen. The company's new Killer Wireless-N 1103 and 1102 half-size mini-PCIe adapters are suited for use in pretty much any laptop on the market, with the primary difference between two being available streams: the former utilizes three-stream MIMO for data rates as high as 450Mbps, while the latter relies on a two-stream MIMO setup capable of pushing 300Mbps. Both units will have Advanced Stream Detect and Visual Bandwidth Control, which should make your wireless gaming and videocall sessions smoother, more reliable and more predictable, regardless of what the network situation is. We're still waiting in tense anticipation for who Bigfoot plans to partner with here, but we're guessing that the gaming mainstays will be all over this in no time flat. Keep it locked for more as we get it. Update: Looks like Bigfoot has come clean with its partner lineup. Killer Wireless-N adapters will be introduced this month inside gaming and media notebook PCs from leading vendors including AVA Direct, CyberPower, iBuyPower, Maingear, Origin PC, Sager, The V-Machine, Velocity Micro and others. Show full PR text BIGFOOT NETWORKS KILLER™ WIRELESS-N ADAPTERS DELIVER
BREAKTHROUGH WI-FI® PERFORMANCE FOR NOTEBOOKS
Killer™ Wireless-N Pushes Boundaries of Wi-Fi® for Online Games, HD Video and High-Quality Audio
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 1, 2011 – Bigfoot Networks, the technology company behind the Killer™ line of networking products for online games, today introduced its new Killer™ Wireless-N family of high-performance Wi-Fi® adapters. Leveraging Bigfoot Networks' exclusive Killer™ Wireless Technology and the latest 802.11n features, Killer Wireless-N adapters perform up to five times faster than competing products, combining superior wireless networking speeds with intelligence and control. Bringing unprecedented networking capabilities, Bigfoot Networks delivers the optimal experience to the notebook PC for online games, HD video and high-quality audio.
Killer Wireless-N adapters are designed to fulfill consumers' growing appetite for online gaming, on-demand media and other time-sensitive applications. Recent studies forecast that worldwide consumer Internet traffic related to online gaming, IP communications, online video and audio will grow 500% by 2014 . 47.5 million people already play online games in the United States , and online video viewing is up 45% over last year . Skype, meanwhile, expects users to spend 190 billion minutes per year on online communications, with 40% of those calls using video .
The popularity of online applications is pushing existing network solutions to the limit, which results in freezing, stuttering, lower-quality audio and video and a generally poor user experience. Killer Wireless-N adapters tackle these challenges with technology Bigfoot Networks perfected for the demanding and competitive PC gaming market.
"Popular online applications like gaming, Voice over IP (VoIP) and HD video are some of the most sensitive to latency and packet loss over Wi-Fi connections," said Bigfoot Networks CEO Michael Howse. "With our innovative networking technology and advanced 802.11n hardware, Killer Wireless-N adapters not only accelerate performance for online games, they also reduce stuttering, excessive buffering and other annoyances in video chat and on-demand entertainment services. You can watch Internet TV, listen to streaming music or play a first-person shooter while downloading a huge e-mail attachment, and not miss a thing. It's a powerful new online experience for notebook users."
Killer Wireless-N adapters support IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n standards, operate on 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequency bands and come in a half-size mini-PCIe form factor for integration with the latest notebook models from leading PC manufacturers. Killer Wireless-N 1103 and 1102 adapters deliver industry-leading data rates of up to 450 Mbps and 300 Mbps, respectively, using range-enhancing 802.11n technologies that yield higher data throughput rates over longer distances. Killer Wireless-N adapters also offer reduced power consumption and Wi-Fi Direct™ peer-to-peer technology to ensure heightened flexibility for today's mobile lifestyle.
Exclusive Killer™ Wireless Technology optimizations give Killer Wireless-N adapters the unique ability to adapt to flows of data from different applications. Advanced Stream Detect™ technology automatically classifies and prioritizes latency-sensitive network traffic for online games, HD video and high-quality audio, providing better control and fewer interruptions. Teamed with Bigfoot Networks' Visual Bandwidth Control™ technology, it enables users to view and control network traffic for each application in real time using a simple, intuitive interface. The result is an unrivalled online media solution for notebook computers.
Key technology features include:
• Cutting-Edge 11n Performance – Up to five times better latency than leading competitors and enhanced rate-over-range performance. 3-stream MIMO on the Killer Wireless-N 1103 adapter enables data rates up to 450 Mbps . 2-stream MIMO on the Killer Wireless-N 1102 adapter enables data rates up to 300 Mbps .
• Advanced Stream Detect™ – Automatically classifies and prioritizes online games, HD video and high-quality audio for better quality and fewer interruptions in your online experience.
• Visual Bandwidth Control™ – Lets users see which applications are hogging bandwidth and tune performance for each, so they don't interfere with online gameplay or multimedia applications. Offers the freedom to download files or watch a video or browse the web simultaneously.
• PC Monitor™ – Monitor and manage wireless notebook PC health and performance with graphical displays and detailed logging via an intuitive user interface.
About Bigfoot Networks
Bigfoot Networks is a leading networking technology company that develops hardware and software solutions that significantly improve the online gaming experience. Its products are designed to provide maximum network performance for online gaming and other real time applications. To learn more, visit Bigfoot Networks at http://www.bigfootnetworks.com. |
| Scientists figure out how to see through walls, sort of Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:32 AM PST We all know that light can't exactly pass through solid objects -- unless of course, you're using a laser or something. Yes, X-rays allow us to look into suitcases at the airport and broken bones in our bodies, but there's a new kid on the block that claims to have done the impossible in a novel fashion. Jochen Aulbach and his colleagues of the FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics out in Amsterdam have developed a technology that allows scrambled light to remain focused as it passes through ultra-thin layers of paint. You see, when light is sent through opaque material, it becomes muddled and lost in the space-time continuum. Aulbach and his crew used a spatial light modulator, or SMT, to control a 64-femtosecond long laser pulse that's passed through a thin layer of paint. The SMT emits pulses that last long enough for only a machine to see and the data is sent to a computer for calibration. NewScientist claims that with this technology, it might be possible to hone in on cancerous cells and blast them to oblivion without damaging the healthy tissue surrounding them. |
| MSI's Radeon HD 6990-based graphics card looks the part (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 03:02 AM PST If you've got a desktop case with a view, we can't think of a better thing to put on prominent display than a giant, red-trimmed graphics card -- and that's exactly what MSI's new Radeon HD 6990-based unit provides. The dual-GPU card is lined up to be AMD's 2011 flagship, and MSI proudly proclaims that it's "the most powerful" unit around on the accompanying placard. Interestingly, this is just about the only card MSI's got at its booth that isn't available to handle outside of a case -- we're guessing these prototypes are still pretty rare, and really, they look prettier when they're running at full clip on a motherboard with a ridiculous cooling unit anyhow. Follow the break for a quick video panorama. |
| Shuttle H7 Pro, H3, and XG41 HTPC hands-on Posted: 01 Mar 2011 02:37 AM PST Shuttle's diving headlong into Sandy Bridge to shore up its ever-expanding line of barebones HTPC systems at CeBIT this week, showing off the H3 model (pictured above) featuring support for up to 16GB of DDR3-1333 RAM alongside one PCI Express x16 slot, one x1 slot, and another mini-PCI Express x1 slot -- but considering that you've got HDMI and eight-channel HD audio on board, you won't likely use all three. Moving on, they've got a re-upped version of the H7 -- aptly named the H7 Pro -- with two built-in USB 3.0 ports and a pair of 6Gbps SATA connectors. Finally, there's the slim, sexy XG41, though it's on the aging G41 Express chipset; needless to say, it's the lowest-power (both in terms of electricity and capability) of the three. See galleries of all three models below! |
| Panasonic abandons Jungle portable gaming project, probably scared off by the NGP Posted: 01 Mar 2011 02:06 AM PST Panasonic has decided to discontinue development of its audacious Jungle portable gaming console, citing "changes in the market and in our own strategic direction" as the reasons. If we had to guess, we'd say those market changes mostly relate to Sony announcing the utterly spectacular NGP, whose release probably coincided too closely with what Panasonic had on its Jungle roadmap, and so the latter company decided to cut its losses and run home. Panasonic also engaged in some early testing with US consumers late last year, which now seems likely to have born unsatisfactory results. It's a shame, we were sincerely looking forward to another competitor in the portable gaming arena, but we suppose it's better for a bad product to never see the light of day than to depress us all with its woefulness. |
| Tobii and Lenovo show off prototype eye-controlled laptop, we go eyes-on (video) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:44 AM PST A lot of companies -- including heavyweights like Microsoft -- believe that motion control is the future of the human-machine interface. But it's an awful lot of work to wave your hands around every time you want to change windows, isn't it? Swedish firm Tobii, which specializes in eye control, teamed up with Lenovo to craft a run of 20 prototype Windows 7 laptops with eye control sensors built-in, and we had a chance to check out the setup here at CeBIT today. The verdict? It works extraordinarily well -- Tobii clearly knows what it's doing, because even with our sloppy calibration at the start of the session, the system still detected where we were looking with pinpoint precision. One demo the company had set up was an Expose-style layout of all open windows, and we were able to target the smallest of the bunch (Calculator in this case) consistently and naturally -- we never felt like we were "staring" to make something happen. Clearly this is a capability that'll require some UX thought and research, because you don't want the computer to just start doing things as you look around; most of the eye-controlled capabilities they'd baked into the laptop here were triggered with a key command, though one feature we really liked -- a quick bar to access frequently-used media -- was pulled up just by looking beyond the left side of the screen. It also worked very well and never came up when we didn't want it to. The level of precision was further verified with a simple game they've created where you blow up asteroids before they impact Earth just by looking at them; the smallest rocks were only a few pixels wide, and we could consistently blast 'em. As for commercialization, they're still a ways off -- they're thinking two years if they can team up with the right partner. Tobii says that there's a trade-off between sensor size and accuracy; the prototype has a sizable hump on the back and a roughly inch-wide strip running directly below the display, both of which are pretty impractical for a truly portable machine. The sensor must be below the display, we're told, though it could be made quite a bit thinner -- no wider than the bezel you've got below your notebook's current display. Follow the break for a full video demo! Show full PR text Tobii unveils the world's first eye-controlled laptop
Stockholm, Sweden, Hannover, Germany-March 1, 2011-Tobii Technology today unveiled the world's first laptop with integrated eye control. The prototype laptop has been developed in collaboration with computer manufacturer Lenovo and will be shown publicly for the first time at CeBIT in Hannover, March 1-5.
Lenovo, the world's fourth largest manufacturer of personal computers, has built the world's first eye-controlled laptop, using eye tracking technology from Tobii. The laptop is a fully functional conceptual prototype and an important breakthrough for Tobii in its mission to bring its eye tracking technology to serial production and consumer products.
Eye control – a truly natural interface
Most computer manufacturers today endeavor to enhance their products by adding more and more natural interfaces. Using our eyes to point, select and scroll is completely intuitive and complements traditional control interfaces, such as the mouse and keyboard, in a very natural way.
"More than anything else, the Tobii laptop prototype is proof that our eye tracking technology is mature enough to be used in standard computer interfaces. To reach a state where the technology is part of the average computer, we need to make it smaller and cheaper. We believe that this can be realized in a couple of years by partnering with the right manufacturer," comments Henrik Eskilsson, CEO of Tobii Technology.
The Tobii-Lenovo collaboration
The first batch of eye-controlled laptops consists of 20 units split evenly between Tobii Technology and Lenovo for development and demo purposes.
"On the one hand, we have Lenovo, a great partner, representing industry-leading expertise in computer manufacturing and hardware development. Tobii, on the other hand, has the world's leading eye tracking technology and unique expertise in eye tracking and eye control interfaces. We are very happy with the outcome of this collaboration," Henrik Eskilsson concluded.
Envision eye control in PC's
For users, eye control is thrilling and makes the computer interaction more effective. It is as if the computer understands you; just glance at an icon or gadget and more information will be presented; You can zoom pictures or maps and automatically center on the area you are looking at; The computer can auto-dim and brighten the screen when it recognizes your eyes to increase battery time. Eye control can also speed things up by enabling new and intuitive ways to switch between open windows, and browse your emails and documents.
"We anticipate that people will be extremely excited to be able to control their computer with their eyes," said Barbara Barclay, general manager of Tobii North America. "But what we find most exciting are the opportunities that eye control as part of natural user interfaces offer consumer electronics manufacturers in a range of product categories. We look forward to working with our partners to find many exciting ways to share and integrate this technology to advance their work." |
| Motorola prices WiFi-only Xoom at £450 in the UK (update: €700 in Germany with 3G) Posted: 01 Mar 2011 01:15 AM PST Finally Motorola gives us a chance to say something positive about its pricing of the 10.1-inch, Tegra 2-powered Xoom tablet. UK electronics retailer PC World has just put up its Xoom pre-order page, which will surprise many waking Brits with an extremely reasonable £450 ($730) asking price. That's £60 less than the direct competitor 32GB WiFi-only iPad -- the Xoom only has one storage option of 32GB and the model listed here comes without 3G -- and perhaps more importantly, is only £10 more than the 16GB version of Apple's tablet. It's common knowledge that to take on the iPad empire you'll have to at the very least match its price, and Moto is doing even better than that in the UK. There's only one worrying sign, we haven't been able to place a Xoom into our shopping basket yet, as the "Pre-order today" button seems to be malfunctioning, but we're guessing that's a temporary glitch that will be fixed without the price shooting up skywards. Update: T-Mobile Germany has also revealed its Xoom pricing, this time for the 3G model: €699.95. Distribution will begin at the end of April and T-Mo will have a three-month exclusive on the tablet in its native land. The pricing positions the Xoom a mere 95 Euro cents above the 32GB-equipped iPad WiFi + 3G, meaning that your choice will truly come down to preference and not economics. See T-Mobile's full press release after the break. Update 2: The PC World price and pre-order have been pulled. Gulp. Let's hope they comes back unchanged. [Thanks, John] Show full PR text Motorola Xoom™ with UMTS available for three months exclusively from Telekom
Feb 28, 2011
First tablet PC with Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Supports HPSA with up to 14.4 Mbit/s download capacity
Fast dual-core processor, two 5 and 2 megapixel cameras
From the end of April 2011 Telekom will be offering customers the first tablet PC with Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system: the Motorola Xoom. Android 3.0 is the first version of Android developed by Google specifically for mobile devices with large displays. Some of its key features are the home screen with 3D elements, large widgets with extended interaction options and newly designed notification icons. The Motorola Xoom's full-touch display featuring a 25.6 cm (10.1″) screen and a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels is the ideal platform for surfing on the go. "The Motorola Xoom fits perfectly with our strategy for the best mobile Internet experience," said Niek Jan van Damme, member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom AG and Chairman of the Managing Board of Telekom Deutschland GmbH. "We are pleased to offer the tablet PC with UMTS exclusively for three months to our customers in Germany."
For all applications the Xoom's 1 GHz dual-core processor provides for its multitasking capability. HSPA technology for bandwidths of up to 14.4 Mbit/s enables high-speed mobile surfing and downloading even large files in a matter of seconds within the Telekom network. You can upload videos, photos and other content at up to 5.76 Mbit/s. A 5 megapixel camera with twin LED flash is integrated into the back of the Motorola Xoom. And that is not all: the tablet is equipped with a second 2 megapixel camera on the front. The Motorola Xoom supports HD video recording and playback and multimedia content can be streamed to your television via HDMI. Other features of the device, which is 247 x 167 x 12.4 mm in size and weighs just 700 grams, are a GPS module, a micro SD slot and a micro USB interface.
Telekom Deutschland plans to launch the Motorola Xoom at the end of April 2011 at a price of EUR 699.95. The version featuring UMTS mobile telecommunications technology for mobile data transmission will be available exclusively through Deutsche Telekom for 90 days. |
| Internet Explorer 9 expected on March 14th, definitely released by March 24th Posted: 01 Mar 2011 12:55 AM PST The IE9 Release Candidate came out on February 10th, so you might think it's about time it stepped its game up to a final release and Microsoft seems to be of the same mind. Download Squad reports insider sources have pinpointed the South by Southwest gathering in Austin, Texas, this month as the launch platform for the non-beta, non-RC Internet Explorer 9, with a direct download becoming available around 9PM ET on March 14th. That's highly specific, though still unconfirmed, information. For some more official word on the matter, we have to go to the Indian branch of the Microsoft Developer Network, which has tweeted out the announcement that IE9 will launch on March 24th at Tech.Ed India 2011. We imagine that's a launch party specific to India itself, however it does provide an official date for the latest time we can expect Microsoft to take the training wheels off its newest, shiniest browser. |
| Former Apple employee admits he sold confidential info, cost the company in excess of $2 million Posted: 01 Mar 2011 12:11 AM PST Paul Devine, the man who last August collected a pretty lengthy list of charges against his name from the FBI and IRS -- which collectively amounted to an accusation of " screwing Apple" -- has now admitted his guilt. Specifically, Devine has fessed up to wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, in which he engaged while exchanging confidential information about upcoming Apple products for cold hard cash from interested parts suppliers. He's now having to forfeit $2.28 million in money and property that resulted from his nefarious exploits, with sentencing scheduled for June 6th. Devine's lawyer is quoted as saying he's a "good man who made a mistake, and now he's trying to make amends." Indeed, the mistake of getting caught and the amends of trying not to go to prison. Jump past the break for a full statement on the matter from the US Department of Justice. Show full PR text FORMER APPLE EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY IN KICKBACK SCHEME
Agrees to Forfeit More Than $2.25 Million in Proceeds of Fraud
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Paul Devine pleaded guilty in federal court in San Jose today to wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.
In pleading guilty, Devine admitted to engaging in a scheme to defraud Apple, Inc., of its money or property and its right to his honest services while he was employed with the company from 2005 through 2010. In addition, Devine admitted to transferring the proceeds of the wire fraud between various bank accounts in the U.S. and overseas in order to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership and control of the proceeds; and to conducting financial transactions with criminally-derived property worth more than $10,000.
According to court documents, the fraudulent scheme involved Devine transmitting Apple's confidential information, such as product forecasts, roadmaps, pricing targets, product specifications, and data obtained from Apple's business partners, to suppliers and manufacturers of Apple parts. In return, the suppliers and manufacturers paid Devine kickbacks, including payments determined as a percentage of the business they did with Apple. The scheme enabled the suppliers and manufacturers to, among other things, negotiate more favorable contracts with Apple than they would have been able to obtain without the confidential information. As part of the plea agreement, Devine admitted that the loss attributable to his offenses was $2,409,000.
The investigation began in April 2010, when Apple found evidence of the kickback scheme on Devine's Apple-owned laptop. Devine, 38, of Sunnyvale, Calif., was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on Aug. 11, 2010. He was charged with fifteen counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 1346, one count of wire fraud conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, six counts of money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956, and one count of engaging in transactions with criminally-derived proceeds in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957. Under the plea agreement, Devine pled guilty to one count of each statutory violation.
Devine is currently on pretrial release. Sentencing of Devine is scheduled for June 6, 2011, before Judge James Ware in San Jose. The maximum statutory penalty for each count in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, or 1349 is 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000; for each count in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956 it is 20 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved; and the count in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1957 it is 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the value of the property involved. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
As part of the plea, Devine agreed to pay restitution as ordered by the Court. He has also consented to the forfeiture of money and property worth approximately $2.28 million.
Michelle J. Kane is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Lauri Gomez. The prosecution is the result of an four-month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations. |
| Boston Dynamics Cheetah and Atlas robots get DARPA funding, getting ready to find you Posted: 28 Feb 2011 11:13 PM PST Okay, so it may not look quite as impressive as some other mechanical cheetahs we've seen in the past, but this new one from Boston Dynamics certainly has a lot of potential. That robot, plus a new humanoid called Atlas, have won DARPA contracts and so will be put into at least limited production, much like the company's earlier BigDog. Cheetah is said to run "faster than any existing legged robot and faster than the fastest human runners," while Atlas can "move through difficult terrain using human-like behavior," meaning neither running nor hiding will work. That leaves only fighting, so get ready to buck up. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Penthouse 3D channel to fill European screens with three-dimensional smut, starting today Posted: 28 Feb 2011 10:24 PM PST Penthouse already promised its US audience a 3D channel in the second quarter of this year, but, for whatever reason, it's dishing the goods to Europeans even sooner -- as in, right now. March 1st marks the pan-European launch for Penthouse 3D, an all-new channel that will be composed of "100% Full 3D Native HD" content, which, judging by the preview videos available online, looks like a classic case of passive-glasses 3D. Still, Penthouse says it's been shooting in 3D since last summer in preparation for this launch, so we don't expect there to be a content shortage for those who prefer a little more depth to their adult entertainment. Full press release after the break. Show full PR text PENTHOUSE MAGAZINE LAUNCHES THE WORLD'S FIRST 3D ADULT CHANNEL
Official launch date is March 1st, 2011
(Boca Raton, Florida – February 28, 2011) (Virtual Press Office) - Following its successful 2009 launch of the first linear adult HD channels (PENTHOUSE HD, PENTHOUSE HD1 and PENTHOUSE HD2) Penthouse announces its launch of another first: PENTHOUSE 3D – the first Pan European 3D formatted adult channel. The channel will launch on March 1st, 2011. Highlights include 100% Full 3D Native HD, 30 hours refreshment monthly and programming that includes distinctive hard core and soft core feeds.
Penthouse 3D will be available on a daily basis from 11:00 pm until 5:00 am (GMT +1) on ASTRA 3B, 23, 5° East. With the launch of Penthouse 3D, Penthouse continues to remain on the cutting edge of technology. And, while today's 3D formats are a relatively new technology, it is simply a matter of time before 3D is a staple format like HD.
"We are very excited about the launch of the Penthouse 3D channel," says Marc Bell, CEO of FriendFinder Networks. "Our goal is always to deliver the latest technology on the world's best platform."
Jacky Wauters, Head of NOA Productions, Penthouse channels' European distribution partner says, "Thanks to the increasing consumer acceptance of 3D, I am delighted to work with Penthouse to be able to satisfy the needs of the consumers and broadcasters alike who demand high quality, cutting edge entertainment backed by a solid and well established brand like Penthouse."
# # #
About Penthouse
Globally recognized as a premier adult entertainment and lifestyle brand, Penthouse is part of FriendFinder Networks Inc. (http://www.FFN.com), a leading Internet-based social networking company operating several of the most heavily visited social networking websites in the world, particularly with respect to its adult-oriented websites. In addition, the FriendFinder Networks family of companies produces and distributes original pictorial and video content, licenses its Penthouse brand to a variety of consumer companies and entertainment venues, and publishes branded men's lifestyle magazines.
About NOA Productions
NOA Productions is the European Leader in Channel placement (http://www.noaproductions.tv) |
| Nexus One Android 2.3.3 update arrives OTA, breaks Google Voice for some Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:56 PM PST We're guessing that most of our readers pounced on the official Android 2.3.3 update just as soon as the links lit up last week. But if you did dawdle, don't dally... the latest Gingerbread update is now rolling out over-the-air. Unfortunately, the update also broke Google Voice on our N1 -- something that we fixed by downloading and installing an old GV.apk and then updating to the latest version in Market per instructions found in Google's support forum left by others suffering from the same issue. Hit up the More Coverage link for details. [Thanks, Tony] |
| iDisplay now ready to turn your Android device into a secondary display Posted: 28 Feb 2011 09:04 PM PST While iPhone and iPad users have been able to use iDisplay to turn their device into a secondary display for some time now (with at least some degree of success), Android users have unfortunately been left to their own devices -- until now, that is. The folks behind the app have finally made an Android version available as well, which is apparently compatible with all Android smartphones and tablets running Android 2.1 or later, and works in both portrait and landscape modes. As with the iOS version, it's also compatible with both Windows and OS X, and it'll set you back the same $4.99. |
| RIP, Danger, 2002 - 2011: Microsoft axing service on May 31st, T-Mobile promises an 'easy transition' Posted: 28 Feb 2011 08:01 PM PST Oh, come on, you saw this coming: Kin represented what was supposed to be Danger's rebirth under Microsoft's half-billion-dollar umbrella -- and when that failed, there wasn't really a future for these guys in the cards. We've received a statement today from T-Mobile breaking the news that Danger's cloud services will be decommissioned after May 31st, and the problem with Sidekicks is that they're more or less paperweights without a connection to Danger's servers... so if you're still using one, you're definitely going to need a new phone. For T-Mobile's part, they're saying that they'll "provide offers... to help make an easy transition" from old phone to new, and they'll be sharing those offers in the coming weeks. If anything, we wouldn't be surprised if the carrier was simply waiting for its all-new, Samsung-made, Android-powered Sidekick to be ready in the hopes that they'll be able to keep folks in the Sidekick fold even though Danger's gone. They're also providing web-based tools and Sidekick apps to get data off the devices, so you can't say they're not doing all the right things in light of the situation. Smart of Microsoft to make sure the statement comes from T-Mobile, too, since it means the carrier can get out ahead of the panic before it starts. See the full statement after the break. "After May 31, 2011, the Danger Service (a subsidiary of Microsoft) used by T-Mobile Sidekick customers for data services will no longer be available on Sidekick devices.
T-Mobile will provide offers for our Sidekick customers before May 31, 2011, to help make an easy transition from their existing Sidekick device to a new device. We will have more information to share about these offers with our customers in the weeks ahead.
To ensure the best possible transition for our loyal Sidekick customers, an enhanced Web tool is available on myT-Mobile.com to easily export their personal data, including contacts, photos, calendar, notes, to-do lists, and bookmarks, from the Danger service to a new device, computer, or a designated e-mail account. An application is also available in the Sidekick Catalog to make it easy to export personal data to the Sidekick's memory card. Many T-Mobile stores can transfer data from that card to a new T-Mobile device if the customer brings in the memory card and Sidekick." |
| Barnes & Noble now selling the Nook Color on eBay for $199 Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:21 PM PST Well, this one strikes us as a little... odd. Barnes & Noble is currently selling its Nook Color on eBay (along with plenty of other things). The truly interesting part, however, is that the price, once a $50 coupon code is applied, is $199, which is of course $50 less than it sells them for in stores or on its own website. We aren't sure what the motivation behind this move is, but we'd guess that the bookseller is attempting to compete with other, unofficial eBay retailers selling B&N's goods. Either way, if you're in the market for a Nook Color, eBay seems to be the place to get one, for now. |
| Comcast CEO talks about the merger, 'cool new devices' like the iPad and why he doesn't fear Netflix Posted: 28 Feb 2011 07:16 PM PST Now that the world has had a few weeks to get used to the new Comcast/NBC collabo (but not that ugly purple logo), CEO Brian Roberts talked to the Wall Street Journal about plans for the future, including his claim that Netflix is actually a good thing for his company. Roberts referred to Netflix as the new version of reruns, and explained his view that it raises the value of NBCUniversal's content while reiterating statements made earlier about lower-than-expected subscriber losses being tied more to the economy than anything else. Beyond the soft jabs, he discounted the possibility that Comcast might launch its own internet video service for non-cable subscribers, pushing the vision of adding internet video streaming options for existing customers and explaining how they'd "be able to use the devices that are cool and new, that they typically purchased themselves, to now control and interact with the device they also love, which is a brand new high def 3-D TV." Of course, it doesn't look like we're closer to choosing our own UI for browsing content, but with nicely designed apps for tablets, phones and connected TVs maybe the platform for future innovation he references has something for us to look forward to after all -- we'd consider new cable boxes that don't suck to be a good start. |
| Microsoft to demo Windows 8 tablet interface in June? Posted: 28 Feb 2011 06:19 PM PST  At this point, the only thing keeping Microsoft in the tablet conversation are rumors of its Windows 8 or Windows Next, and lo and behold we've got another one to add to the pile. While we heard last week that Microsoft could release the beta of Windows 8 for tablets at PDC in September, "sources at Microsoft" have now told Business Insider, that the company is hoping to show a public "design demo" of the operating system's tablet UI as early as June. The timing is interesting -- and it actually lines up very well with Computex, where the company does have a big presence -- but we're also intrigued by the part that says Microsoft's taking "a more Apple-like approach to interface design" and that it will use Metro UI pieces. That's obviously similar to what Microsoft showed us at last year's Computex (picture of that above) -- except it was using Windows Embedded Compact 7 underneath. The article also mentions that it will draw on some Media Center-like styling, which also syncs up with some other whispers we've heard. Yep, there's a lot of rumors, and well, with this talk of summer / fall it looks like we'll be dealing with plenty more before we hear anything official. |
| LG Optimus 2X coming to Europe in March, a little later than planned Posted: 28 Feb 2011 05:26 PM PST European dual-core aficionados were promised their fix way back in January from LG, however the Korean company's delivery schedule evidently slipped a tiny bit as we're today bidding adieu to the month of February. Good news is that LG will definitely, totally, honestly be releasing its Optimus 2X in "key European markets" this March. It'll ship with Froyo on board, however a Gingerbread update is expressly promised, which should allay fears of being left with a very powerful but outdated piece of hardware. Last time we looked, Amazon's German branch had priced this handset, to be known as the Optimus Speed in Deutschland, at just under €500, which sounds about right for its eventual unlocked price. Show full PR text WORLD'S FIRST DUAL-CORE SMARTPHONE COMES TO EUROPE
LG Optimus 2X to Launch in Key European Markets This Month
SEOUL, Mar. 1, 2010 -- LG Electronics (LG) marks another milestone with the international launch of the world's first dual-core smartphone, the LG Optimus 2X, in key European markets. The Optimus 2X, which launched in Korea in January, will be rolled-out in Europe this month.
High-Speed, High-Tech Dual-Core Experience
Powered by the NVIDIA Tegra™ 2 mobile dual-core CPU, the LG Optimus 2X offers clear performance improvements in web browsing and gaming over single-core smartphones running at the same clock speed. Users get all the advantages of seamless multitasking between applications and instantaneous touch response, along with vivid graphics and console-like gaming experience.
"The LG Optimus 2X's enhanced speed, advanced graphics and high-end features such as HDMI mirroring are the kind of high-end features that appeal to European consumers," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. "With the Optimus 2X, we're setting the tone for what will be a huge year for LG's smartphones in Europe and worldwide."
Full HD Entertainment Package
The LG Optimus 2X offers a Full HD multimedia experience with 1080p video recording and playback. Optimized for connectivity and file sharing, the device features HDMI mirroring, which allows content on the phone to be easily viewed on larger TVs or PC monitors with a single cable. And with its gyro sensor, HDMI mirroring lets users play motion-sensitive games on larger screens that rival the quality of today's game consoles.
"The LG Optimus 2X with the Tegra 2 mobile super chip is ushering in a new era of mobile computing," said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA's mobile business. "We're proud of partnering with LG, one of the world's leading mobile brands, to create a device that consumers look to as their computer first and phone second."
The first mobile device to feature 7.1 multi-channel virtual surround sound, the LG Optimus 2X provides the closest thing to theater-quality entertainment on a mobile device. Furthermore, file-sharing is made even easier with DLNA connectivity, which lets users transfer stored content to and from compatible digital devices.
Key Features of LG Optimus 2X
- NVIDIA Tegra 2 Processor with 1GHz Dual-core Processor
- 1080p MPEG-4/H.264 Recording and Playback
- HDMI mirroring
- 4-inch WVGA screen
- 8-megapixel rear camera / 1.3-megapixel front camera
- 7.1 multi-channel virtual surround sound
- 8GB memory
- microSD memory expandability (up to 32GB)
- Micro-USB connectivity
- 1,500 mAh battery
- Supports Adobe Flash Player 10.1
The LG Optimus 2X will be released initially with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and will be upgradeable to 2.3 Gingerbread. The upgrade schedule will be announced in local markets in the near future. |
| Bentley Collection iPad, iPhone, and BlackBerry cases are made of rich, non-Corinthian leather Posted: 28 Feb 2011 04:41 PM PST If you'd like to give your iPad the same cosseting your posterior receives when you slot into the sport buckets in your Continental GT then you, good chap, are in luck. Bentley's "luxury leather partner" Ettinger, which ensures no surface of the vehicles is bereft of animal hide, is releasing a line of gadget cases to cover your iPad, iPhone, or BlackBerry -- though it's unclear exactly which model for the latter. Prices? You're looking at £45 for either of the phone holsters or £89 for the iPad-sized model. That's about $73 and $145, respectively, and a lot of cash for a little hide. If you're still not dissuaded there's another image of the tablet-sized version and a press release below. Those, at least, are free.  Show full PR text GENEVA MOTOR SHOW PRESS RELEASE - THE LUXURY OF LEATHER
The Bentley Collection Spring 2011
Driven by its outstanding heritage of hand-crafted fine leather interiors, Bentley and its luxury leather partner Ettinger have devised a range of modern must-have personal accessories to be launched at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
Inspired by the Beluga and Hotspur interior trim colours of the Bentley Continental Supersports, the capsule collection of leather items in black and red leather with contrast stitching includes keyrings and iPad, iPhone and Blackberry cases.
Founded by Gerry Ettinger more than 70 years ago, the company is still family owned and run by his elder son, Robert Ettinger. It is one of the few British luxury leather goods companies still manufacturing in the UK.
The company started working with Bentley more than five years ago to develop the Ettinger for Bentley collection. Robert comments: "The initial collections were made from black English waxy hide on the outside and the distinctive Ettinger colour of panel hide on the inside which has been made and used by Ettingers for over 75 years.
"The collections include everything from purses and wallets, passport cases, luggage labels and portfolios, as well as the iconic Bentley key case."
Ettinger has recently added some of the latest Bentley upholstery hides (fuchsia, yellow and blue) to its range. Everything is handmade in its factory in Birmingham, which uses the same skills that have been handed down for generations.
In 1996, in recognition of the work carried out for the Royal Household, Ettinger of London was appointed with a Royal Warrant to HRH the Prince of Wales.
Key dates:
1930s: Gerry Ettinger founded Ettinger in 1934. Having worked as a film producer in Italy and Germany (where he worked with Marlene Dietrich) he used his extensive contacts in continental Europe and England to create a range of luxury gifts
1940s: Recovery
After a pause in the 1940s during the second world war, he returned to London to reinvigorate and expand his business.
1950s-60s: Growth
In the 1950s Gerry Ettinger acquired a small leather goods manufacturing business, which had been making leather goods in London since the 19th century.
1970s-80s: Consolidation
Gerry Ettinger continued to work in the business until well into his 80s and saw the transformation of the company into one of the most respected leather goods designers and manufacturers in the UK.
1990s: Recognition
In 1990, Robert, his elder son took over and continued the tradition of craftsmanship and quality as well as bringing in some more contemporary designs. He has since further 'internationalised' and developed the business in Asia, Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the US.
1999: James Homer Ltd
In July 1999, Ettinger acquired one of Walsall's oldest leather goods manufacturing companies, James Homer Ltd (established in 1890). Homer is at the heart of Ettinger's hand-made manufacturing process and is home to some of the most skilled leather craftsmen in the UK.
2005: Bentley Collection
The collaboration with Bentley puts a whole new collection on the road.
2007: Showroom Makeover
The London showroom, in Ettinger's Putney Head Office, sets a new standard for the brand.
Pricing:
iPad case - £89.00
iPhone case - £45.00
Blackberry case - £45.00
Keyring - £22.00 |
| Mac OS X Lion hands-on preview Posted: 28 Feb 2011 03:00 PM PST Apple announced Mac OS X Lion with considerable fanfare at its Back to the Mac event last October, and now it's dropped the first developer preview on the world -- giving us a chance to sample some of the big cat's new features and UI concepts. We installed the dev build on one of our MacBook Pros and used it over the weekend, and while we won't be able to see any huge changes in day-to-day workflow until our favorite apps are updated to take advantage of Lion, we did see plenty of interesting system-level features and additions -- and yes, iOS's influence is all over the place. Read on for a full breakdown of what's new! Launchpad Apple's making a big deal out of Launchpad, Lion's new iOS-style app launcher, but we're assuming most power users will stick to the Finder, Dock, and Spotlight for quick access to frequently-used apps. We're guessing less-advanced users will love it, though -- it mimics the successful iOS app interface to a tee, including folder support and direct app installs from the Mac App Store. Full-screen apps Another feature that seems destined to be ignored by power users and beloved by the masses, Apple's pushing hard for developers to build full-screen app views for Lion. It's an idea that fits some apps much better than others -- iPhoto and Safari work well in full-screen mode, but opening iCal fullscreen on our 27-inch iMac was positively silly. Switching an app to full screen opens it in a dedicated space by default, so you can quickly switch between the desktop and open full-screen apps with a three-finger swipe -- a move that mimics the multitasking gestures Apple's been testing in iPad iOS developer builds. Mission Control While Launchpad and the focus on full-screen apps feel aimed at the casual user, Mission Control feels like the exact opposite -- a feature only a power user could love. It's basically a unified management UI for Expose and Spaces that comes up with a three-finger swipe up, and while it works well for what it is, it doesn't really reduce any complexity -- it just makes it all easier to see at once. That's useful enough, we suppose, but the Dock, command-tab app switching, and the multitasking gestures all feel more efficient than dropping into Mission Control thus far. Multitasking and app management One major change Apple's made in Lion is that running apps are no longer denoted by a little "light" in the Dock. Just like iOS, Lion is designed to manage system resources for the user, in an effort to make multitasking completely seamless. That means the system can "freeze" apps in the background, kill processes, and otherwise do whatever it takes to preserve the user experience. It's a nice idea, and we're sure some people will love it, but we'd rather take destiny into our own hands when it comes to managing apps -- so it's a good thing you can always see what apps are running by hitting control-tab or by turning the lights back on in preferences. Gestures Lion introduces a number of new multitouch system gestures that make using the OS with a trackpad much more natural and smooth. We're not sure how these gestures will map to a Magic Mouse (which really only works for single- and two-finger gestures) or a standard mouse, but if there was any reason for desktop users to invest in a Magic Trackpad, Lion is it. Some highlights: Swipes and scrolling Three-finger swipes are everywhere in Lion -- a swipe to the left to switch between Spaces and full-screen apps, a swipe down to show app windows, a swipe up to show Mission Control, a swipe right to show the Dashboard space. You can also pinch in with four-fingers (really, three fingers and your thumb) to bring up Launchpad, and pinch out to show the desktop. All of these can be customized, of course, but it's definitely notable that Apple's enabling multitouch trackpad gestures as a default navigational tool. Two-finger gestures have been slightly changed as well -- horizontal swipes now control back / forward in Safari by default, and scrolling is now inverted by default, as in iOS. (You can switch it back to regular, thankfully.) There's also a new preference that basically rids the system of scroll bars if you're using a trackpad, instead showing an iOS style vanishing scroll indicator. Pinch to zoom Pinch-to-zoom in Safari is now just like Mobile Safari in iOS -- it smoothly zooms the whole page, instead of just bumping sizes at fixed increments. It's interesting, but it feels a bit half-finished -- we caught some stuttering and artifacts here and there. We're assuming Apple will clean this up before release. Versions and Auto Save You might think of Versions and Auto Save as Time Machine for apps -- Lion apps automatically save changes to documents as you work, and then you can browse between saved versions using a variation of the Time Machine interface. It's nifty stuff that worked really well when we tested it in TextEdit, although we'll see how well it performs with heavyweight media files. AirDrop 
One of Lion's niftiest new features is AirDrop, which allows quick and easy file transfers between WiFi-equipped Macs. Opening the AirDrop panel in the Finder makes your machine discoverable to other machines with AirDrop open, and swapping files is as simple as dragging and confirming. Although it uses WiFi, you don't need a router to use it -- the WiFi chips in most newer Macs are able to rapidly switch back and forth between AirDrop and a standard network connection. Apple hasn't said what the oldest machine with AirDrop support is, but we get the feeling even machines that are several years old will be able to use the feature. Resume Another pickup from iOS, apps are now able to save state on exit and pick up right where they left off. This ties in with the new multitasking management -- even if the system exits an app to free up resources, resume means it'll look like nothing ever happened when you open it again. Obviously this strategy has been used to great effect in iOS and Android (and eventually in Windows Phone 7), but we'll see how it plays out on the desktop, where apps use vastly more memory and storage. App updates Apple's redesigned a number of of built-in apps in Lion, and the iOS influence is readily apparent -- run some of these apps full-screen on an 11-inch MacBook Air and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference from an iPad. Some highlights: Mail The venerable OS X Mail app has been given a major UI makeover in Lion, picking up a number of elements from Mail in the iPad. You've got a left column with all your messages and a preview pane on the right -- threaded messages are numbered in the new conversation view, which is a dead-simple idea that works really well. Search has also been dramatically improved with easy query-stacking options, and folders can be added to a new bookmark bar-style Mailbox Bar at the top fo the screen. Address Book The Address Book app now looks like a book, and the cards are much cleaner. It's cute, in its way. iCal iCal has been given a thorough makeover as well, with a new fullscreen mode and some new features, like an availability view that plots out all your free time in a day. QuickTime Snow Leopard's QuickTime X was relatively feature-poor, but almost everything that went missing from QuickTime 7 is back in Lion, including editing support and better export options -- including built-in support for Vimeo, Flickr, Facebook, and Mail. New preferences and other changes Lion has a number of new iOS-inspired options in System Preferences -- nothing major, but some are worth pulling out. Privacy A new addition to the security pref pane -- just like iOS, you can control location services globally or on a per-app level, and you can also turn off reporting crashes to Apple. Internet accounts Just like iOS, you can set up accounts for MobileMe, Gmail, Exchange, Yahoo, and AOL all from a central preference pane -- the settings are used in Mail, iCal, iChat, Address Book, and other apps. Disk Encryption FileVault has been completely re-done in Lion -- it now encrypts the entire disk, not just your home directory. Other changes A couple things we noticed that may or may not make the final release: Front Row appears to have been stricken from Lion, although hints of it still remain in the odd preference dialog, and 9to5 Mac found evidence of multiple-user remote desktop, which would let you log into your machine and control your account's screen while someone else is physically logged in and using their account. That would be pretty slick if it makes the final cut. We've also seen evidence of Yahoo video chat support in iChat, and Preview has the ability to append an image of your signature to PDF files, which sounds like it'll be a godsend if it works. Wrap-up Obviously we've only just scratched the surface of Lion in this preview -- most of Lion's changes come under the hood, and we haven't even touched on things like the lack of Rosetta support, the optional Server package that now comes with every OS X install disc, and the million other features that have been tweaked or added in this release. But even just by skimming the surface, it's obvious that Apple's working hard to bring iOS-style computing to the desktop in a major way, starting with an almost exclusive focus on the multitouch trackpad as an input device and carrying through to how multitasking is implemented and managed by both the user and system. We'll have to wait for a final version to review all these changes in practice and evaluate them as part of an actual workflow, but we've got a feeling we'll see quite a few of these links between iOS and the Mac get drawn in more strongly by the time Lion actually ships -- and we wouldn't be surprised if the next move comes in the developer preview of iOS 5 we're hoping to see on Wednesday. |
| Google restores Gmail access to one-third of affected users Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:22 PM PST If you've been following the seemingly-massive Gmail outage, you'll know that it's actually not as massive as it sounds. Google's revised its estimate again to say that only "0.02% of Google Mail users" -- roughly about 38,000 by our calculations -- were affected by the issue in total, claims that a full third of them have already had access restored, and expects the issue "to be resolved for everyone within 12 hours." As to the fate of years worth of email, Google reps wouldn't say, but promised us that engineers are working "as quickly as possible" to see the data restored as well. Keep hanging on, folks. |
| Samsung's 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab likely to launch at CTIA Posted: 28 Feb 2011 02:10 PM PST Torn between the 7-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab? Well, it looks like Samsung is about to solve that problem for you come March 22nd. According to an invite making the rounds, the Samsung Mobile team is planning to hold a Mobile Unpacked event at CTIA in Orlando, and as the graphic suggests, the focus will be a new sized Tab. We're assuming it will be an 8.9-inch version, since the invite shows an 8 and 9 flanked by a 7 and 10. That sure lines up with what we've heard before, but we have to admit, it does seems like a lot of tablet offerings for one company. For some odd reason, we haven't received this invitation yet, but we're assuming we're invited (obviously, it's not a party without Engadget!) and thus will be there covering all the action live. Stay tuned. |
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