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• Rogers puts Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Arc up for pre-order
• Peel Fruit and iOS app review: channel surfing of the future
• Time Warner Cable's app adds new live TV channels to watch on your iPad
• TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America
• Full-on electric drum kit shoved within a pair of jeans, subway musicians celebrate (video)
• Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review
• IEEE approves next generation WiMAX standard, invites you to meet 802.16m
• Netflix adds more Fox content to streaming including Glee S1, Ally McBeal
• Skype in the Classroom tears down geographic walls, connects pupils the world over
• MSI slips AMD's Fusion into 13-inch X370 ultraportable, hopes you'll notice
• Microsoft removes Imagewind from Marketplace, WP7 gets first bitter taste of rejection
• Kia Naimo concept EV debuts: 93mph, 124-mile range, and suicide doors
• LG's dual-core Optimus 2X superphone now available from Expansys
• Kinect quadrocopter gets a new mission: 3D mapping (video)
• Scientists propose a 'journey to the mantle of the Earth'
• Rogers' Xperia Arc and Xperia Play launch details leaked
• April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition (updated)
• Sony's XDR-S16DBP wakes up from the DAB+ doldrums
• Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video)
• New Acer will be more like Apple, less like HP
• Surgical robot builds tiny paper airplane (video)
• RadioShack to get T-Mobile Sidekick 4G on April 20th
• iRobot, QinetiQ machines to assist in Japan relief effort
• Sony's Music Unlimited streaming service coming to NGP, will hit Xperia Play this year and PSP 'in a matter of weeks'
• Skype wants the people to fix Skype 5 for Mac, will you answer the call?
• Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics
• Zdenek Kalal's object tracking algorithm learns on the fly, likely to make next 007 flick (video)
• Ask Engadget: best USB headset for Skype calls and on-the-go podcasting?
• Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video)
• SIM-Drive's SIM-LEI electric car achieves 207-mile driving range in Japan
• Nanogenerators produce electricity by squeezing your fingers together, while you dance
• Mercedes' A-Class E-Cell gets taken for a test drive
• Apogee rolls out Duet 2 pro audio interface for Macs
• BlackBerry Touch / Monaco gets manhandled, said to get official in May
• Images leak out of Pentax NC mirrorless camera system, makes us long for summertime
• Time Warner removes channels from iPad app while Cablevision prepares one of its own
• Intel posts a short film about SSDs and the folly of not using them
• Hercules re-invents the netbook again, launches 10-inch Linux- and A8-powered eCAFE
• Native Instruments rolls out Traktor 2, Maschine 1.6 update
• DirecTV, Comcast, Vudu could start offering 'premium VOD' $30 movie rentals in April

Rogers puts Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Arc up for pre-order Posted: 01 Apr 2011 11:32 AM PDT Well, it's not yet confirming the "late April" launch date that leaked out yesterday, but Rogers has now just started accepting pre-orders for both the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Xperia Arc, each of which will run you $99.99 on a three-year contract (there's no indication of off-contract pricing). It does say, however, that the current "offer" will expire on May 2nd, which could possibly be an indication of an actual release date, or just the beginning of a different offer. What's more, Rogers has also revealed a small surprise of another sort -- it turns out that it will be carrying both the black and white versions of the Xperia Play. Hit up the link below to get your order in if you're interested. [Thanks, Caleb]

Peel Fruit and iOS app review: channel surfing of the future Posted: 01 Apr 2011 11:00 AM PDT There's no shortage of devices that aim to replace your always-missing remote control with your always-present smartphone, and the Peel is one of the more recent and unique entries into the space. A software / hardware combination consisting of a "Peel Fruit" and accompanying iOS app, the package brings a new approach to finding what to watch -- and it's unlike most other smartphone-IR options we've encountered so far. Does it all come together, or are we left wishing for more? Read on past the break to find out! Peel Fruit iPhone remote control system Hardware The hardware half of the Peel system consists of the Peel Fruit and accompanying Peel Cable. Designed by Yves Behar, the Fruit resembles a pear, and represents the IR-blasting component of the remote controlling pair. It's meant to sit on a coffee table within a recommended 10-15 foot range away from your TV, all-the-while emitting the necessary commands to perform other control functions issued from the companion Peel app. The Fruit takes a single C battery, and has a purported battery life of about six months -- thanks to its use of the ZigBee communication protocol instead of traditional WiFi. The Peel Cable plugs into an Ethernet port on your router and into a standard power outlet as well. Since the entire hardware communicates via ZigBee, there should be virtually no network setup needed once your router assigns an IP address to the Peel system. We had some problems getting this to happen at first, but plugging in the Ethernet cable with the router off, and then powering it up seemed to remedy the connectivity issues. In general though, we definitely appreciate the ease of setup that comes with using ZigBee as opposed to dealing with user-unfriendly things like IP addresses and port-forwarding (we're looking at you, Sling). Software Once the hardware's in place, it's time to load up the Peel app on your i-device and link your Peel Fruit. The process is pretty straightforward, and involves typing in a five-digit identifier into the app and walking through a quick setup procedure. This is where we hit our first speed bump -- there was no suitable IR code for the Sanyo TV we're using for the review. Subsequently, we had to fake the app into thinking it had a correct TV before it would even let us configure our set-top-box. Thankfully, we didn't have the missing codes problem with our Comcast DVR, and the app pulled in the correct channel lineup for us in Philadelphia. We asked the Peel crew what the procedure would be for folks whose devices weren't supported, and they say they'll add the IR codes to their database within about 24 hours after you give them a call. True to their word, our Sanyo model sprung to life just a few hours later after we received an email from support notifying us that the code had been added. The Peel app is interesting for what it does -- and what it doesn't. The product's tagline -- "there's something on" -- demonstrates the company's view on content coordination. Rather than providing you with a familiar number pad or even channel up / down buttons, the main screen of the app has smaller frames showcasing programs it thinks you may like. By favoriting and blocking shows and channels, it attempts to build on your tastes over time to more accurately suggest content that you might like. We like the fact that it makes suggestions, and found ourselves watching shows on channels we wouldn't normally have tuned to. Still, the lack of choice is a major setback -- at least with this version of the software. We can't help but wonder why there's no straight up program guide, since it's clearly pulling in that data already. The app's main screen consists of "top picks," which are presumably coordinated by the demographic information you enter (or choose to opt-out of) during setup. Selecting the 19-24 male group gave us top picks like "Jersey Shore" and "Bones", and we'd imagine that these picks will get better as more and more folks start using the service. The app further breaks down content into TV shows, movies, and sports. Each of these categories is further divided by genre, so you can swipe through and try to find something that suits your mood. The only annoyance when browsing is that it seems to be contextual menu after contextual menu, especially when trying to change channels. There's a handy "Last 5 Channels" button, but only when the controller is toggled into "Playback" mode (as opposed to "Navigation" mode), but we wish that was available in more screens. We also like the option to set reminders from right within the app, so you don't have to worry about missing an upcoming episode or special. The content discovery options here are certainly robust, but many folks will be perturbed by the fact that it lacks a full representation of the remote control it aims to replace. We got to speak to the Peel guys and raise some of our concerns with the app as it is now, and we have to give them credit for having some good responses to our biggest issues. They told us that 99.9% of the core functionality used on a daily basis is present in the current version of the app, and that oddball buttons like PIP and A, B, C are rarely used. According to them, the app is really designed for tuning to programs and controlling DVR'd content -- and for those two functions it definitely does a good job. When we asked why there was no channel up or down button, or if there were plans to add a regular program guide, they told us that "it's the show you care about, not the channel number." They do have a point, but we were assured that future releases will address some of these issues (we weren't given specifics). We did find out that an iPad app is in the works, as are apps for Android and Honeycomb specifically, so the Peel won't be iOS only forever. Finally, social sharing options will most likely get beefed up as the app matures. We're envisioning beefed up Twitter and Facebook sharing as well as possible friend following, which will hopefully help refine the suggestions even further. Wrap-up The Peel -- at this point in time at least -- is a great concept for folks who don't know what they want to watch, but those who enjoy channel surfing in its current form may find it to be limited. That's not to say it's not useful when you don't know what to watch, but as power TV watchers, we'd like to have some more options. Still, the concept is definitely unique and we're all about finding new interesting stuff instead of watching DVR'ed episodes of "Gossip Girl." Overall, we like the current iteration of the Peel, and we're excited to see what's in store as the little orb starts to invade coffee tables everywhere.

Time Warner Cable's app adds new live TV channels to watch on your iPad Posted: 01 Apr 2011 10:34 AM PDT Disputes with Fox, Viacom and Discovery caused Time Warner to pull 11 of the 32 original channels from its live TV streaming TWCable TV app yesterday, but as promised it has brought in some new ones to replace them. Among the 17 channels added are several networks from the ABC/Disney group including ABC Family, Disney, Disney XD and ESPNnews, plus NBC Universal selections like MSNBC, Syfy and USA as well as the curious addition of Fox News. We're still not convinced watching TV on our tablet is a more useful development than using it as a remote / couch companion but until those features arrive or it the app gets out of existence, that's what this one does. Check the full list of new channels after the break or on the TWCable Untangled blog. Channels added today: A&E ABC Family AMC Bravo CNBC CNBCW CNN CSPAN CSPAN2 CSPAN3 Chiller Disney Disney XD E ESPNnews Food Fox News G4 Gala HGTV HLN Hallmark History HSN IFC Jewelry LMN MSNBC NY1Noticias* NY1* QVC Sleuth Soap Style Syfy Golf Travel USA We YNN Austin* (*Available based on user channel entitlements)

TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America Posted: 01 Apr 2011 10:05 AM PDT Remember that line of VIA navigators we peeked back at CES? Looks like today's your lucky day if you were holding off to procure one. TomTom just announced retail availability of the VIA 1505, 1535, 1405 and 1435 in North America, and all of 'em can also be picked up with lifetime maps and / or lifetime traffic. The 14xx models will be boasting a 4.3-inch panel, while the 15xx editions gain a 5-inch display; the whole lot includes the company's new fold-and-go EasyPort mount, and variants do seem to be available with Bluetooth and advanced voice recognition. Look for the gang to start populating shelves this weekend for $169 and up... if you can manage to find your local Best Buy, that is. Show full PR text TomTom Announces Availability of VIA Series in North America New Series Introduces Important Safety-Enhancing Features to Mid-Range Models Concord, MA, April 1, 2011 – TomTom, the world's leading provider of location and navigation products and services, today announced the availability of the VIA Series in the United States and Canada. The new TomTom VIA navigation devices, previously announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, offer consumers a powerful navigation experience with a sleek new design, an enhanced software platform, and premium safety-enhancing features such as Intuitive Voice Recognition and Bluetooth® Hands-Free Calling. Offering even more choices for drivers, the new VIA Series features a range of models, including the 4.3" VIA 1405 and 1435, as well as the 5" VIA 1505 and 1535. Consumers will also have the option to purchase these models with Lifetime Maps and/or Lifetime Traffic**. New Design Drivers will travel in style with TomTom VIA's super-slim design and its new, integrated and innovative fold-and-go EasyPort® mount. This convenient mounting system allows for easy positioning of the device either on the windshield or the dash and the device orients the display with a useful flip-screen feature. The devices will be offered in two finishes – the VIA 1435 and 1535 features a contemporary brushed-aluminum finish, while the VIA 1405 and 1505 range offers a classic, black finish. Premium Safety-Enhancing Features The VIA 1435 and 1535 range offers drivers a suite of premium safety-enhancing features, including Intuitive Voice Control and Bluetooth Hands-Free calling, that allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The new and improved Intuitive Voice Recognition on the VIA 1435 and 1535 allows drivers to utilize voice commands that can be spoken naturally, in one simple step. For instance, drivers can now say "Take me to 55 Main Street, Anywhere, USA" in one simple step rather than breaking up the address by city, state, street and street number. Smart User Interface The VIA products will include the newest version of TomTom's acclaimed, new navigation software to offer drivers a world-class navigation experience. Drivers will be able to plan routes easily and quickly with faster route-planning and a bright touch-screen. Features Overview - Intuitive Voice Recognition (optional) - Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling* (optional) - Integrated Mount with flip-screen - Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus - Expanded driving view on 4.3" or 5" touch screens - Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates** (optional) - Spoken Street Names - Advanced Lane Guidance Availability and Pricing The VIA will be available at retail locations starting April 1. MSRP begins at $169.

Full-on electric drum kit shoved within a pair of jeans, subway musicians celebrate (video) Posted: 01 Apr 2011 09:39 AM PDT It's a natural progression, really. Way back in the heyday that was 2008, we saw a fully-functional keyboard worked into a pair of jeans. Three years later, those characters have morphed into something far more raucous. The University of Hull's own Aseem Mishra has just nabbed an prized engineering award for his recent musical work -- specifically, for integrating eight sensors into an otherwise ordinary set of trousers. For now, the wearer has to connect their legs into a speaker-filled backpack in order to be heard, but he's working on a wireless version that'll transmit to far larger sound systems. There's also hope that version 2.0 will include more sensors for more sounds, and if a manufacturer decides to start shoving these into your local Hot Topic, we're guessing they'll be available in a rainbow's worth of hues. Vid's below for those who'd fancy having a listen themselves.

Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset review Posted: 01 Apr 2011 09:10 AM PDT When a product takes well over a full year to go from introduction to release, it's natural for consumer expectations to amp themselves up a notch or two. Such is the case with Razer's Chimaera, an Xbox 360-centric wireless gaming headset that was initially teased at CES 2010, and just started shipping to end users early this year. The company's been in the gaming headset business for some time now -- if you'll recall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the (wired) Carcharias headset right around two years back. This 2.1 system promises to give Xbox Live yappers exactly what they've been waiting for, but is it really worth the $129.99 entry fee? Head on past the break for our take. Razer Chimaera wireless Xbox 360 headset hands-on For all intents and purposes, the Chimaera is a pretty simple product. There's a wireless base station with a 3.5mm audio input jack, a 3.5mm microphone output port, a sync button (not unlike the Wiimote situation you deal with on a daily basis) and a standby button. Upon unboxing 'em, you'll probably spend the first ten minutes trying to figure out where a pair of rechargeable AAA batteries (included, phew!) are to be inserted. Here's a tip: rip the panel from the earcup that lacks a microphone. You'll thank us. The sync process is a lot easier, and while the charging stand is hardly childproof (a simple bump will have your headset tumbling), it serves the purpose without being too unsightly. The headset itself, unfortunately, is both heavy and intimidating. And by that, we mean large. Having ample padding around the top edge and on the ear cups is certainly appreciated, but unless you have a rather sizable noggin, you'll most likely wonder how on Earth to adjust the band down. We've never had any issues with the sizing on any prior headset, but the Chimaera essentially swallowed our head, and with no way to extend the band tighter (there's only ten notches of extension -- you know, for Goliath's intense gaming sessions), we were left in an uncomfortable pinch. In all seriousness, we'd recommend stopping by a retail shop and trying these on before buying -- it's hard to imagine them not being too large for a huge swath of people. In an attempt to make the most of it, we kept 'em loosely draped around our skull for a bit of gaming, and while the wireless performance was stellar, we found the 3.5mm headphone input to be (also) a bit on the large side. We tried three different cables, and all of them just felt a wee bit loose. No connection troubles were noticed, but it still managed to get under our skin. Audio quality was above-average for wireless gaming headsets, but these certainly won't be your go-to cans when it comes time to sink back into a sofa and enjoy an album. The lows were definitely accentuated, likely to enhance explosions often felt in first-person shooters, and we're guessing that everything's equalized to best suit movies and games, not music. The fold-down boom mic was perfectly positioned, and our chats soared through loud and clear; we couldn't help but long for a USB connection option in order to use this as a Skype headset in a pinch, but alas, no such luck. All told, the Chimaera feels like a solid product that wasn't exactly executed to perfection -- the large, bulky design turned us off right away, and the shoddy 3.5mm input didn't do much to rebuild that lost confidence. At $129.99, you've simply too many other options from the likes of Turtle Beach and SteelSeries (just to name a couple), and unless your cranium is larger than most, you'll probably have no choice but to pass this one by.

IEEE approves next generation WiMAX standard, invites you to meet 802.16m Posted: 01 Apr 2011 08:46 AM PDT It's a term (and a technology) that has been bandied about for around four years now, but after waiting far too long for the next next best thing, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has just given its oh-so-coveted stamp of approval to 802.16m. For those unfamiliar with such a term, that's the standard for next generation WiMAX, which may end up being capable of handling downstream rates of over 300Mbps. 'Course, those that were around during CEATEC last year know that Samsung already hit that in testing, but we're starting to feel as if that 1Gbps theoretical maximum that we were teased with in 2007 (and again last year) won't ever breach reality. It's tough to say what this approval means on the consumer front -- over the past four years, a tremendous amount of carriers have switched their allegiance to LTE, and even if WiMAX 2.0 finds itself ready for public consumption in the near future, it'll take a serious operator commitment before you'll ever enjoy the spoils. So Sprint, you feeling froggy? Show full PR text IEEE Approves IEEE 802.16mTM Advanced Mobile Broadband Wireless Standard The WirelessMAN-Advanced Air Interface, already approved by ITU-R as an IMT-Advanced technology, provides a future evolution path for existing IEEE 802.16TM service providers PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IEEE, the world's largest professional association advancing technology for humanity, today announced that the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) Standards Board has approved IEEE 802.16mTM ("Amendment to IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks, Part 16: Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems - Advanced Air Interface"). "We are delighted that IEEE has recognized the completion of this comprehensive technical effort that has involved hundreds of creative and diligent professionals from over twenty countries during the last four years" IEEE 802.16m provides the performance improvements necessary to support future advanced services and applications for next generation broadband mobile communications. In October 2010, ITU-R agreed to incorporate this technology into its IMT-Advanced Recommendation specifying systems that support low to high mobility applications, a wide range of data rates in multiple user environments, high-quality multimedia applications, and significant improvements in performance and quality of service. A globally relevant standard, IEEE 802.16m incorporates innovative communications technologies such as multi-user MIMO, multicarrier operation, and cooperative communications. It supports femto-cells, self-organizing networks, and relays. Major worldwide governmental and industrial organizations, including ARIB, TTA, and the WiMAX Forum, are adopting this standard. "We are delighted that IEEE has recognized the completion of this comprehensive technical effort that has involved hundreds of creative and diligent professionals from over twenty countries during the last four years," said Dr. Roger Marks, Chair of the IEEE 802.16 Working Group. "Our organization was able to efficiently harmonize these innovative technologies into a clear set of specifications guiding the future development of the mobile broadband marketplace."

Netflix adds more Fox content to streaming including Glee S1, Ally McBeal Posted: 01 Apr 2011 08:22 AM PDT In a nice rebound from last week, Netflix is expanding its non-exclusive agreement with Fox for content, bringing older shows Ally McBeal and The Wonder Years to Watch Instantly for the first time. Also arriving are the first season of Glee and the first two seasons of Sons of Anarchy from FX, with additional seasons to be added annually, as well as "a number of library movies" after their premium pay-tv windows subside. Its not exactly the cable TV competing type of deal that it just locked up with Paramount in Canada, but for fans of those shows have a few more reasons to hang on to the service. Beyond the announcement a slew of new content popped up on the service today including the just-aired premiere episode of Body of Proof, BBC stuff like Top Gear and Luther, a few James Bond flicks and anime like Inuyasha and Bleach, so even if you're not a gleek (and disappointed because if Netflix and Fox are talking, the only topics of discussion should be commissioning new seasons of Firefly and Terriers) there's plenty of reasons to update that queue today. Show full PR text TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX AND NETFLIX ANNOUNCE DISTRIBUTION DEAL WHICH MAKES "GLEE" AND "SONS OF ANARCHY" AVAILABLE TO WATCH INSTANTLY FROM NETFLIX STARTING APRIL 1 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – April 1, 2011- Twentieth Century Fox (Fox) and Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] today announced that the companies have amended and expanded their non-exclusive digital distribution agreement, adding additional titles from Fox's extensive television and movie library. This new multi-year agreement allows Netflix to provide its members with instant access to a greater variety of programming, including additional television series such as the first season of the Emmy-award winning "Glee" and the first two seasons of the cult favorite "Sons of Anarchy" beginning on April 1, with additional seasons being added annually. In addition, library series such as "Ally McBeal" and "The Wonder Years" will stream instantly for the first time from Netflix. Fox will also make a number of library movies available to Netflix after their premium pay television license periods conclude. "Our expanded non-exclusive streaming arrangement with Netflix maintains Fox's flexibility to effectively manage both the content we offer, and the appropriate window of availability relative to our other distribution partnerships," said Peter Levinsohn, president of new media and digital distribution for Fox Filmed Entertainment. "We look forward to working with Netflix and our other partners to further enhance the choices available to audiences." "We've worked closely with Fox for the last year to provide our members access to some of the studio's greatest TV franchises and library of both contemporary and classic movies," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. "Our members love TV shows, and making such pop-culture hits like 'Glee' and 'Sons of Anarchy' available to watch instantly reinforces our commitment to provide them a wider selection of programs." Previously, the streaming agreement with Fox made a wide variety of prior seasons of hit TV shows available instantly from Netflix, including "Lie to Me," "24," "Prison Break," "Arrested Development," "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," "X-Files" and many more. Now in its sophomore season, "Glee" is a biting musical comedy about a group of eager and ambitious students who strive to outshine their singing competition to win Nationals, while navigating the cruel halls of McKinley High. The show boasts critical acclaim, a loyal fan base of "GLEEks," two Platinum and two Gold albums, more than 21 million song downloads, the record for the most titles on the Billboard Hot 100 by a non-solo act, an incredible 19 Emmy nominations and four Emmy Awards. "Sons of Anarchy," an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones, explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club's desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that. Charming. "SOA" is now in its third season on FX. About Fox Filmed Entertainment: One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures and television shows, Fox Filmed Entertainment produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of FFE: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions and Twentieth Century Fox Animation. About Netflix: With more than 20 million members in the United States and Canada, Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX] is the world's leading Internet subscription service for enjoying movies and TV shows. For $7.99 a month, Netflix members can instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed over the Internet to PCs, Macs and TVs. Among the large and expanding base of devices streaming from Netflix are Microsoft's Xbox 360, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PS3. consoles; an array of Blu-ray disc players, Internet-connected TVs, home theater systems, digital video recorders and Internet video players; Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, as well as Apple TV and Google TV. In all, more than 200 devices that stream from Netflix are available in the U.S. and a growing number are available in Canada.

Skype in the Classroom tears down geographic walls, connects pupils the world over Posted: 01 Apr 2011 08:05 AM PDT Cisco's doing it in the boardroom, and soon, your children may be taking notes from kiddos situated in a different continent. Skype in the Classroom is a new online platform that aims to make it easier for teachers to find other teachers who are utilizing Skype within their classes, and already there are 3,900+ taking advantage. The goal here is to enable professors to easily reach out and find like-minded individuals who are covering complementary topics, and with a quick email, the two could be cooking up joint lesson plans a dozen time zones apart. As of now, 99 countries have teachers that are signed on, and we're guessing it's only a matter of time before a couple more join and push that into triple digits. Next step? Logging into first period from home. Or Fiji. Show full PR text Skype Connects Teachers and Classrooms across the Globe LUXEMBOURG, March 30th, 2011 - School teachers and students everywhere now have an easy way to find each other for collaborative projects and shared learning through a new online platform provided by Skype. Skype in the classroom is a free global community created in response to, and in consultation with, the growing number of teachers using Skype to help their students learn. Teachers can use the tool to collaborate with other teachers, and find partner classes and guest speakers. Skype in the classroom is designed to help like-minded teachers find each other and relevant projects according to search criteria such as the age groups they teach, location and subjects of interest; and teaching resources can be easily shared and found. In the past, many teachers have found that the biggest challenge to using Skype in their classrooms has been finding similar classes to pair with. Skype in the classroom presents a solution by bringing like-minded teachers together online and making it easy for them to share skills and ideas. Today more and more teachers all over the world use Skype to make learning more exciting, interactive and memorable. From language studies and geography lessons to virtual field trips and expert speakers joining classes from afar, Skype video offers an immediate way to help students discover new cultures, languages and ideas, all without leaving the classroom. In addition, teachers are being encouraged to do more to share their expertise and experiences systematically in ways that go beyond the mere exchange of information. It is also reported that teachers who exchange ideas and information and co-ordinate their practices with other teachers report more positive teacher-student relations at their own schools.* The platform, which has been in beta since the end of December, already has a community of more than 3900 teachers, across 99 countries. Kara Cornejo, who teaches a 5th grade class in Missouri, USA, and is an avid Skype user, found five schools around the world to collaborate with on an international weather project within just one day of joining. "Skype in the classroom is an amazing resource to find teachers to collaborate with and to bring people into your classroom that you would never have been able to." The Global Learning Exchange, a program designed to create borderless classrooms and allow students to learn about other cultures seamlessly has been using Skype video for four years. Regular exchanges between Jurong West primary school children in Singapore and Bill Williams Elementary school students in California, USA "has helped all 260 students from both schools build relationships with one another and facilitated learning that is not limited by geographical borders," said co-founder Manuel Rose Delema. "Skype makes learning fun and engaging as children look forward to meeting their global friends and asking questions." In a similar way, Skype is also used to connect 9-10 year old students at Lakanal school in Lille, France with their peers in Prince Edouard Island, Canada. "Before arranging the first video call, our students exchanged letters and emails but we decided to bring the two classes together face-to-face over Skype video to enrich their relationship," said Christophe Fetat, the teacher at Lakanal school. "The result was amazing. Students were really engaged to discuss different topics. It is really a simple and effective way to exchange ideas, learn and bring other cultures into the class." "Skype is committed to removing the barriers to communications and enabling conversations around the world with technology that is easy to use and affordable," said Tony Bates, Skype Chief Executive Officer. "Skype in the classroom has been developed for a specific community of people who have a shared interest and are passionate about using technology in inventive ways in their classroom. We've received positive feedback from teachers and are keen to continue developing the site to meet their needs and help school children around the world work together in wonderful ways never thought possible." To join Skype in the classroom, teachers should: 1. Sign up at education.skype.com using their Skype account details 2. Create a profile which includes their interests, location and the age groups they teach 3. Explore the directory to find projects, teachers and resources that match their skills, needs or interests Skype in the classroom is a members-only community. Once teachers find someone they want to connect with they can add that person as a Skype contact or send them a message through the site. To find projects, teachers, resources, and inspiration visit education.skype.com * According to the last Background Report for the International Summit on the Teaching Profession - OCDE 2011

MSI slips AMD's Fusion into 13-inch X370 ultraportable, hopes you'll notice Posted: 01 Apr 2011 07:42 AM PDT Tired of Intel's Core i5 taking a beating on your X-Slim X360's battery life? Join the crowd. For those less concerned with playing Crysis 2 and more concerned with a solid overall machine, MSI's new X370 looks to strike a lovely balance. The 13.4-inch ultraportable gets a 1366 x 768 resolution display, AMD's hot-off-of-the-presses Zacate E-350 APU, Radeon HD 6310 graphics, HDMI / VGA outputs, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, an internal card reader, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, gigabit Ethernet, a 1.3 megapixel camera and (nearly) as much DDR3 memory as you can stuff into it. You'll also get a 320/500/640GB hard drive, a 4- or 8-cell battery and a chassis that weighs 3.08 pounds with the smaller of the two cells. Naturally, Windows 7 (64-bit) is the OS of choice, but the company's stopping short of providing a hard price or release date -- here's hoping it falls somewhere between "cheap" and "price mistake."

Microsoft removes Imagewind from Marketplace, WP7 gets first bitter taste of rejection Posted: 01 Apr 2011 07:17 AM PDT Oh, sure, it was easy to pick on Apple for all those frustrating App Store rejections over the years, but Google's had its own run-ins with apps being pulled under unfortunate circumstances, and now it's time for WP7 users to get a taste. Microsoft has pulled is thinking about pulling Imagewind from the Windows Phone Marketplace, an app that basically pulls random images en masse from the Twitter-stream, splaying them all over your touchscreen. MS indicated that, without some sort of filter to weed out seedy images, the app has to go. Somewhat curiously it's actually been chilling in the Marketplace since March 3rd, and it was only upon reviewing a recent update that someone in Redmond said "Hey, waitaminute!" Imagewind is now gone and honestly we can't say that its rejection is completely arbitrary -- displaying all images the all the time is not necessarily a good thing for sensitive eyes -- but it still stings, doesn't it? Update: We got a note from Roger at Smarty Pants Coding to let us know that he's received a "grace period" for the app. It's still available for download, but it could be a limited time thing...

Kia Naimo concept EV debuts: 93mph, 124-mile range, and suicide doors Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:54 AM PDT Kia's really been cranking out the cute little concepts lately, and they unveiled another one today at the Seoul Motor Show. Dubbed the Naimo, this four suicide-door EV is trimmed to the nines with tech, including an "air wiper" -- a powerful air jet at the base of the windshield -- instead of regular squeegees, mini cameras in the A-pillar instead of sideview mirrors, and a transparent OLED instrument panel. Get up and go is provided by an 80kW motor and a 27 kWh Lithium ion polymer battery pack, a combo that hustles you up to 93mph and gets you 124 miles on a charge thanks to some fancy low-drag alloy dubs -- though we're pretty sure it can't do both at the same time. We like the looks of this slick little four-seater, but time will tell if the Naimo ever actually hits the streets. Check the gallery below, and press release after the break. Kia Naimo at Seoul Auto Show 2011 Show full PR text Kia Naimo electric concept stars in Seoul Striking all-electric concept car makes world debut at Seoul Motor Show Kia Naimo expresses sophistication through simplicity of design B-segment electric utility vehicle combines Korean heritage with high-tech innovations (SEOUL) March 31, 2011 – Making its world premiere at the Seoul Motor Show today (Thursday), the Kia Naimo electric concept car combines Korean heritage with innovative modern features. Taking its name from the Korean word "Ne-mo", (pronounced 'Neh-mo', meaning 'square shape'), the Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV) was conceived by Kia's international design team in Seoul, and is characterized principally by its simple lines and solid, muscular stance. The uncomplicated overall design is accentuated by a number of striking key details, such as the wraparound windscreen and asymmetric sunroof design, and the front and rear dot-style LED head- and positioning-lamps. This juxtaposition of simple and complex is a common trait of many traditional Korean arts and crafts. Asian Celadon-style pottery, in particular, was a major influence on the car's styling – with the pottery's asymmetric form lending itself to the sunroof design, and the typical jade coloring giving Naimo its unique exterior finish. Kia's design team also made use of innovative technology features to give the car a premium feel and to ensure the car's exterior remained uncluttered. For example, Naimo has no traditional wiper blade on the windscreen – instead it employs a high-intensity air jet at the base of the windscreen that performs an 'air wiper' function. Conventional door mirrors have also been replaced with miniature cameras installed in the A-pillars. Naimo's interior was designed to evoke a strong sense of tranquility and features hand-crafted materials throughout. Korean oak is used to trim the interior door panels and the entire interior floor, Korean "Han-ji" paper is used for the head lining. Alongside these traditional elements sit modern features such as a TOLED (transparent organic light emitting diode) storming display instrument panel and full device connectivity. "Naimo is a perfect balance of innovation, high-tech and Korean tradition. It was heavily inspired by the purity and grace of traditional Korean arts and crafts, but combines this with cutting edge technologies to deliver a truly premium experience," comments Kia Motors' Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. The third electric vehicle design to be unveiled by Kia Motors Corporation in a year, the 3.9-meter long Naimo concept explores the practicalities of introducing a zero-emissions, five-door, four-seater city car into a future niche market. Measuring 3,890 mm in length, the Naimo's generous wheelbase, width and height (2,647, 1,844 and 1,589 mm respectively) – plus the short overhangs which place a wheel at each corner – ensure that the cabin provides exceptional head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants. The concept car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged rear doors to maximize easy access to the cabin, and a three-way split opening trunk, allows versatile access to the load bay for varying luggage sizes. Power comes from a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with a maximum output of 80 kW (109 ps) and maximum torque of 280 Nm, enabling Naimo to reach a top speed of 150 kph (93 mph). A twin-pack 27 kWh battery is located under the trunk floor and uses innovative LiPoly (Lithium Ion Polymer) technology that offers numerous advantages over other battery types. Equipped with this battery, Naimo provides a driving range of 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. To enhance range, the showcar is fitted with special low-drag 20-inch diameter alloy wheels. Under the quick recharging cycle (50 kW) the Naimo's battery can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 25 minutes. Under the normal cycle (3.3 kW), 100 percent power is attained after five and a half hours. Naimo will join Kia's growing test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles being extensively driven in widely varying conditions to develop future production models with zero or significantly reduced emissions.

LG's dual-core Optimus 2X superphone now available from Expansys Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:29 AM PDT The world's most adored across-the-pond mobile retailer has just received its first batch of LG superphones, a gem by the name of Optimus 2X. As you well know by now, the company's playing this up as the planet's first dual-core smartphone, and while we'd hoped that the Tegra 2-based device would be everywhere by now, at least it's sticking to its scheduled release date over in Europe. Those interested in picking one up can get a SIM-free version headed their way for £449.99, while a free-on-contract affair can be had with T-Mobile, Vodafone and a host of others. Your credit card's been awful naughty of late -- dish out a little punishment by visiting the source link below. [Thanks, Robert]

Kinect quadrocopter gets a new mission: 3D mapping (video) Posted: 01 Apr 2011 06:06 AM PDT In the future, our flying robot overlords won't just navigate terrain autonomously, they'll also report back to base with detailed 3D maps of everything they've seen -- or at least that's what this homebuilt UAV does in a video released this week. In a nutshell, MIT's combined its room-mapping Roomba with the Kinect quadrocopter radar developed at UC Berkeley, resulting in a flying contraption sure to be the envy of topographers everywhere. We're not sure that the world's robot incumbents will be too happy, though -- perhaps MIT should invest in some laser protection next.

Scientists propose a 'journey to the mantle of the Earth' Posted: 01 Apr 2011 05:35 AM PDT This particular "journey" may not involve any humans descending into the Earth, but that doesn't mean it isn't still plenty ambitious -- a pair of scientists are now proposing to drill to the Earth's mantle and bring back some samples, effectively picking up where the first attempt to do so left off some fifty years ago. Of course, the key word here is "proposing," but the scientists, Damon Teagle and Benoît Ildefonse, say that we now have the technology and knowledge necessary to do so, and that drilling could begin by 2020 if everything goes as planned. They're looking to get things underway well before that, however, and are already planning an expedition in the Pacific as soon as next month where they say they will "bore further into the oceanic crust than ever before."

Rogers' Xperia Arc and Xperia Play launch details leaked Posted: 01 Apr 2011 05:02 AM PDT O Canada, we stand on guard for thee -- in this case "we" being the Xperia Arc imaging flagship and Xperia Play gaming handset. We knew this day was coming, but it now looks like Sony Ericsson's hottest new pair of Android smartphones will be available from Rogers "late April" for $99. Of course, you'll have to commit to one of those insane 3-year contracts with a minimum $45 voice and data plan for the privilege, but the Gingerbread toting Xperia Arc and Xperia Play could be yours as soon as April 19-21, which is when the devices are expected to ship to stores. While there's no indication when pre-orders will be starting, folks who pre-order could win a trip to sunny Florida. Just promise to send us pictures of Shamu taken with your new phone if you win, OK?

April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition (updated) Posted: 01 Apr 2011 04:17 AM PDT Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools' Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new "features." We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break. First up, we have several new features from Google, starting with Gmail Motion and Docs Motion which offer "intuitive, ergonomic" gesture control to replace your outdated keyboard-and-mouse combo. But if you're more of a Google Voice person, then you might find the Voice-alyzer handy -- it's simply an anti-drunk calling or texting tool for those special nights out. Come on, we've all been there. Also from Mountain View is a new job listing for a Google Autocompleter. That's right, turns out every single search on Google is actively monitored by human staffers, who are able to provide instant suggestions for your incomplete entries. Have a look at what autocomplete veteran Michael Taylor has to say about his exciting duty. Oh, we're not quite done with Google yet. This year, YouTube's at it again with a new video enhancing feature: a button that transforms any clip to a grainy 1911 motion picture, garnished with classic piano soundtrack. Alas, it appears that only YouTubers in certain countries have such privilege, but the rest of the world can still admire YouTube's very own remix -- as shown above -- for this occasion. Taking us back to the future is Hulu's revamped homepage, albeit in 1996 style. Remember HTML frames? Netscape? Good times. OK, so you want actual products, or at least products that look like they might make it to the shelves. In that case, head over to ThinkGeek, who is again offering a range of timely products for some giggles. One such offer is this PLAYMOBIL Apple Store playset, which lets you create your very own mini line for a mini product launch. If you've got the munchies, perhaps some Angry Birds Pork Rinds might interest you? Comic Sans Pro. No, really. Update: As promised, here's some more LOL time to share with you all: Google's on fire today! Have a go at searching for "Helvetica" or "Comic Sans" on your desktop browser, and also try looking up "kittens" on your Android device. Cute. Another great Google entry: if you have Chrome installed, check out the ChromeLite extension which displays all websites in pure text for the sake of load time. Unlike the aforementioned Google "features," this extension actually works, though the text conversion can take a while on some sites. Google Labs adds a cow to its body browser. xkcd is now xk3d. As you can tell by the name, our favorite webcomic is now more awesome in 3D! Speaking of 3D, Toshiba's just announced the world's first 3D monocle. Now you can let one eye rest while the other one takes the strain. How thoughtful. Here's something for the hardcore gamers: Razer thinks bio-exoskeleton is the way to push your fingers beyond their limit, so check out its Talon glove for some epic pwnage at your next LAN party. Oh, and don't forget the Razer snake oil while you're at it -- chafing is your greatest enemy. Swype takes mobile text input to the next level with Thynk. That's right, swiping is so yesterday; it's all about brain waves these days -- just think and ye shall type. Privacy could be an issue, though. The Linux war is over! Debian, Gentoo, Grml, openSUSE and Arch Linux have finally joined forces to deliver the Canterbury distribution. Roku's about to cash in more advertising money with its new branded remote. Yuck. Astro Gaming announces "The Gold Edition" line of gaming equipment, including an A40 headset, an Xbox 360 controller, a MixAmp 5.8 Rx wireless receiver, and an urban lanyard. 22K solid gold, baby! Kodak's come up with the Relationshiffft app -- a cunning technology that utilises facial recognition and special nano ink pigment, in order to make the offending person disappear in your photos once your relationship status changes. Oh, and Kodak's already working on version 2.0 which will let you restore the photos, in case you and your ex get back together. Razer just introduced the craziest accessory you could ever imagine. Well, sort of.

Sony's XDR-S16DBP wakes up from the DAB+ doldrums Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:40 AM PDT Try as we might, we've never been able to get too worked up over DAB radio -- dab, just saying it rids the body of consciousness. But then we perked up after seeing the image above for Sony's retro-nouveau XDR-S16DBP micro -- a temporary burst of adrenaline nearly stifled by the more mundane XDRâ€'C706DBP clock radio found after the break. Both are compatible with the DAB+ digital broadcasting standard rolling out across Europe and offer ten DAB/DAB+ presets with an additional ten for FM. The £79 XDR-S16DBP portable brings a pair of 0.8W stereo speakers, a 16x2 character LCD display, sleep timer, and headphone jack while the compact XDRâ€'C706DBP is a more traditional DAB+/DAB/FM alarm clock with 0.4W speaker and 4 alarm presets. Both are available now. Show full PR text Sony introduces first DAB+ radios Retro-styled XDR-S16DBP portable radio and XDRâ€'C706DBP clock radio XDR-S16DBP portable radio with superb stereo sound and natural wood cabinet XDR-C706DBP clock radio with large, clear display and four alarm settings Two new DAB/DAB+/FM digital radios from Sony add more style to enjoying your favourite broadcasts. Blending subtly retro looks with outstandingly crisp stereo sound, the ACâ€'powered XDR-S16DBP portable radio offers beautifully simple operation and handy features. There's no excuse for oversleeping with the compact XDRâ€'C706DBP clock radio that features a large, clear display and four alarms. The XDR-S16DBP and XDRâ€'C706DBP are the first micro radios from Sony that offer compatibility with the enhanced DAB+ digital broadcasting standard that's now rolling out across several European countries. Thanks to a more efficient coding scheme, DAB+ lets listeners enjoy an even wider range of radio stations, plus crystal clear, interference free digital sound. Both models offer a generous choice of 10 DAB/DAB+ presets for storing your favourite digital radio stations, plus a further 10 FM presets. XDR-S16DBP portable radio The XDR-S16DBP makes a distinctive design statement with its elegantly rounded natural wood cabinet. Clean, timeless lines emphasize the radio's simple, uncluttered controls that assure easy operation. DAB, DAB+ and FM broadcasts are reproduced with clear stereo sound from the 0.8W+0.8W stereo speakers. The generously-sized 16x2 character LCD display gives a clear readout of DAB/DAB+ channel and programme information. A Sleep Timer switches off the radio after a preset delay, saving power after you're dropped off while listening in bed. There's also a headphone jack for enjoying your favourite radio shows in private without disturbing others. XDR-C706DBP clock radio A smart addition to any bedroom, the compact XDR-C706DBP DAB/DAB+/FM clock radio lets everybody wake up to their favourite sounds in style. The large, clear LCD display ensures you always know the right time. Up to four separate alarm settings can be programmed – ideal if you and your partner keep different schedules. There's also a snooze button and sleep timer. The new XDR-S16DBP DAB/DAB+/FM portable digital radio and XDR-C706DBP DAB/DAB+/FM digital clock radio by Sony are available now.

Donya wish your touchscreen had buttons like these? (video) Posted: 01 Apr 2011 03:03 AM PDT Touchscreen gaming's like cheese pizza -- a generally tasty treat, but significantly improved by an addition or two. Good thing Donya's got some new toppings for your touchy-feely display: a set of physical buttons and D-pads. Available in Japan for ¥999 (about twelve bucks) you get single, dual, and triple button stickers along with two D-pads to bring some much needed physicality to your handheld experience without sacrificing pocketability. We're not sure what marvel of modern science makes these tactile additions cling to your screen, but we do know they make firing off a few Hadoukens quite a bit easier. That plus a few Hurricane Kicks after the break.

New Acer will be more like Apple, less like HP Posted: 01 Apr 2011 02:20 AM PDT The details behind the rift that saw Acer's CEO Gianfranco Lanci (pictured) suddenly resign yesterday are now starting to emerge. Simply put, Acer's board wants the Taiwanese company to be more like Apple and HTC, according to Bloomberg, raking in big profits on fat margins. Lanci's approach, however, was to aggressively increase volumes and using its scale to negotiate cheaper prices from suppliers in a race to steal market share from Dell and HP. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Acer's profit margin in the last fiscal year was just 2.3 percent compared to Apple's 21.5 percent. Daunting, to say the least. With Lanci gone, JT Wang, Acer's chairman and temporary CEO, plans to put more effort into expanding its smartphone and tablet business while broadening efforts around enterprise sales. For Wang, Lanci's departure marks a break with the past, saying, "Recently the iPad [tablet computer] and other new form factors have had a very big impact on the PC market. We have to change our business strategy." While PCs will still be core to the business, Wang said "we won't be in a hurry to change to become the world number one." Unfortunately for Acer, its brand is more closely associated with low-cost laptops than with the premium devices required to significantly expand its profit margins. We'd wish 'em luck but we think Acer will be better served by an innovative CEO and focused R&D.

Surgical robot builds tiny paper airplane (video) Posted: 01 Apr 2011 01:44 AM PDT Like killing elephants, paper airplane construction is a skill passed from father to son generation after generation -- at least until the robots take over. Dr. James Porter knows this and has done us the service of putting together a video showing him manipulating a da Vinci surgical robot to deftly fold a tiny paper airplane. So why not call in the kid and click through the break for all the go-action, daddy. It's not quite as impressive as robotic prostate surgery but hey, at least it's not prostate surgery.

RadioShack to get T-Mobile Sidekick 4G on April 20th Posted: 01 Apr 2011 01:08 AM PDT While T-Mobile's staying coy about the Sidekick 4G's availability, RadioShack went ahead and gave us the final piece of the puzzle: according to one of its latest tweets, said Android phone is heading to the Shack on April 20th. Oh yes, this just so happens to be the rumored date for the G-Slate and G2X as well. Coincidence? Only time will tell, and let's hope that this doesn't end up being an April Fool's joke -- well, at least the Shack would have something to blame if it actually misheard the information over the phone.

iRobot, QinetiQ machines to assist in Japan relief effort Posted: 01 Apr 2011 12:25 AM PDT A few weeks ago, it looked like robots would play a relatively small role in recovery efforts following the earthquake and subsequent nuclear crisis in Japan, but as concern grows over radiation leaks, robotics companies are positioning their mechanical offspring to do jobs deemed unsafe for humans. We've already heard of Aldebaran's plans for a fleet of rescue bots, and now QinetiQ and iRobot are lending automated assistance to the cause. QinetiQ plans to send in a set of Robotic Applique Kits -- used to convert Bobcat loaders into unmanned vehicles -- along with sensor machines like the TALON and Dragon. Meanwhile, iRobot's enlisted two each of its PackBots and Warriors to help aid in recovery -- the former is used by the US military for bomb disposal. Both companies have already deployed teams to Japan for training.

Sony's Music Unlimited streaming service coming to NGP, will hit Xperia Play this year and PSP 'in a matter of weeks' Posted: 31 Mar 2011 11:40 PM PDT It may sound patently obvious at this point, but there's still cause to celebrate -- Sony's streaming subscription music service, Music Unlimited, is headed to both the PlayStation Portable and its pair of divergent spiritual successors the Next Generation Portable and Sony Ericsson's Xperia Play. Eurogamer sat down with Sony Network Entertainment VP Shawn Layden, who spread the news readily, confirming that the service would be activated (at least in the UK) on PlayStation Portable "in a matter of weeks." Meanwhile, Android phones including the infamous PlayStation handset will get Music Unlimited "this year," and SNE "will make it happen" on the NGP as well, presumably sometime after the company reveals when its beast of a portable game station will actually come out. All in the name of taking your tunes with you wherever you happen to travel -- a concept that's getting rather popular right now.

Skype wants the people to fix Skype 5 for Mac, will you answer the call? Posted: 31 Mar 2011 10:44 PM PDT Skype 5 for Mac leaves something to be desired -- we know it, you know it, and looks like Skype knows it too. That's why our fav VoIP app is soliciting the help of you, the people, to improve its UI. Skype's running a competition to find the one chat style to rule them all, and it starts taking custom CSS submissions April 8th. The contest has three rounds, with one judges' and one people's choice in each, followed by the selection of a grand prize winner from the six finalists. People's champs get an Apple TV and those picked by the judges snag a WiFi iPad 2, and all the winners get a copy of CSS3 for Web Designers and a year's subscription to Skype Unlimited World Extra. The grand prize is an eleven-inch MacBook Air, an iPad2, and the ego boost that comes with knowing your chat style forged in the flames of competition will be included in a coming release of Skype. Up to the challenge? Hit the source link for the full details.

Samsung and Visa join forces to enable NFC mobile payment at 2012 Olympics Posted: 31 Mar 2011 09:43 PM PDT From a gadgeteer's point of view, one of the best things about the Olympics is its tendency to bring in new technologies to the hosting city. Take the 2012 games, for example: not only are the London Underground stations getting WiFi hotspots, but news has it that Samsung and Visa are holding hands to deliver NFC mobile payment solutions to the city. In fact, more than 60,000 locations in London are already geared up with contactless payment systems, and right now Visa is negotiating with banks to get its contactless cards and mobile phones approved. For the latter, one such device will be Samsung's Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset that comes with a Visa-enabled SIM card, and it'll be made available to sponsored athletes as well as various retailers. Furthermore, this alliance will continue after the Olympics, and Visa is rolling out its mobile payment system in many other countries as we speak, so it shouldn't be long before we hear more Visa handset announcements. Show full PR text Samsung & Visa, Two Worldwide Olympic Sponsors, Join Forces to Enable Mobile Payments Pioneering alliance to bring mobile payments to the UK and around the world in the run up to and during London 2012 LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung and Visa today announced plans to bring the latest innovation in payment technology to the market as part of their sponsorships of London 2012, enabling consumers to make mobile payments using the Samsung Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset. Before and during the Games, the innovation will transform the payment experience in London and globally, enabling faster, more convenient payments via mobile phone. "Innovation is a key business driver for Visa and mobile payments are one of the main areas we're focusing on. The Olympic and Paralympic Games enables us to accelerate our business goals and this partnership plays a large role in achieving them" Samsung and Visa's new strategic alliance is designed to leave a lasting legacy in the market post-2012. Samsung Electronics, the Worldwide Olympic Partner for Wireless Communications Equipment, and Visa, the Worldwide Olympic Partner and exclusive Payment Services sponsor are combining their sponsorship assets and leadership in technology to ensure that the Olympic and Paralympic Games mobile handset available to the general public will be equipped with technology that enables mobile payments, Near Field Communications (NFC) and Visa's contactless payment technology. To make payments, customers simply select the Visa mobile contactless application, select pay and hold the phone in front of a contactless reader at the point of purchase. Visa is working with banks and retailers worldwide to roll-out acceptance for Visa contactless cards, as well as mobile phones, as part of an industry wide roll-out of contactless technology. In London there are already more than 60,000 locations where contactless payments are accepted and contactless and electronic card payments will be available in the run-up to and during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the momentum to commercialise mobile payments globally, consumers will be able to make mobile contactless payments in the run up to and during the Games in many countries around the world. Samsung and Visa will work together to provide the contactless enabled Olympics handset to Visa and Samsung sponsored athletes as part of this initiative. Samsung and Visa also plan to make the handset available for consumers to purchase through mobile network operators and other distributors. A Visa-enabled SIM card will be required for use with the device in order to make purchases at retailers who have the contactless payment system. "Visa, like Samsung, shares the vision of leveraging our Olympic and Paralympic Games sponsorship to leave a lasting legacy in the market for banks, retailers, mobile operators and consumers. We are not only breaking new ground for Olympic partnerships, we are committed to enabling consumers to connect with mobile and contactless payments technology for 2012 and beyond," said Peter Ayliffe, CEO of Visa Europe. "We look forward to working with financial institutions and mobile operators alongside Samsung to make this initiative a success." "Innovation is a key business driver for Visa and mobile payments are one of the main areas we're focusing on. The Olympic and Paralympic Games enables us to accelerate our business goals and this partnership plays a large role in achieving them," said Mariano Dima, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Payment Solutions at Visa Europe. Samsung and Visa are committed to enabling consumers to create meaningful connections with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and enjoy a better, smarter life through the leading mobile payment technology. Samsung has demonstrated its leadership in NFC-enabled phone technology, since it launched one of the first commercial NFC phones in France in 2010. It then unveiled the industry's first Android phone equipped with NFC capabilities last year, followed by the NFC-enabled bada smartphone, introduced at the Mobile World Congress 2011. "As a pioneer in mobile technology, Samsung is striving for long term change in the way we use mobile payments. In London next year, we regard the greatest show on earth as the perfect opportunity to showcase how this technology can make a positive difference to people's lives – enabling them to feel closer to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This mobile payment device will be available in the UK initially, and we plan to expand the service to other countries in Europe and around the world where contactless payment facilities are available in the near future," said Seokpil Kim, President & CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe. Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President & Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing, Samsung Electronics added, "This marks the very first partnership between two Worldwide Olympic Partners of the London 2012 Games. We are delighted to be joining forces with Visa to make the Olympic Games more accessible and convenient for everyone. This fits extremely well with our ambition to enable more people to participate in the Games through our smart technology." Visa and Samsung will work with mobile network operators, financial institutions and retailers around the world to bring the convenience, security and reliability of Visa's contactless technology to mobile users worldwide. Currently, Visa mobile payments are being rolled out in countries across the globe including Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the United States.

Zdenek Kalal's object tracking algorithm learns on the fly, likely to make next 007 flick (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 08:40 PM PDT Microsoft's own OneVision Video Recognizer may be novel, but if the folks in Redmond are seriously looking to take things next-level, they should probably cast their gaze across the pond. Zdenek Kalal, a researcher at the University of Surrey, has just created what may be the most sophisticated vision system known to the civilian world. In essence, it takes the mundane task of tracking objects to an entirely new platform, enabling users to select an object on the fly and have the algorithm immediately start tracking something new. Within seconds, it's able to maintain a lock even if your object twists, turns, or leaves / returns. Furthermore, these "objects" could be used as air mice if you force it to track your digits, and if you teach it what your staff looks like, you'll have a fully automated security scanner that can recognize faces and grant / deny access based on its database of white-listed individuals. Frankly, we'd rather you see it for yourself than listen to us extolling its virtues -- vid's after the break, per usual.

Ask Engadget: best USB headset for Skype calls and on-the-go podcasting? Posted: 31 Mar 2011 07:39 PM PDT We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from yours truly, who managed to destroy his Freetalk Everyman during a rough battle within a piece of carry-on luggage. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I previously owned a Freetalk Everyman, also known as a low-end, $30 USB headset that was ultra handy for making Skype calls and even podcasting in a quiet room. It traveled well, but not well enough. Recently, one of the ear cups were demolished during a turbulent flight back from NYC, and now I need a replacement. I'm too rough on these things to spend more than $40 or $50, so outside of replacing it in kind, what are my options for a USB headset that travels easily? You'll be hearing a lot of me in the months to come, so don't lead me astray. My life, as it were, is in your ever-so-capable hands." Ain't much more to say when the question's not coming from a third-party, so... have fun in comments!

Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video) Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:41 PM PDT You might see a bunch of fake news on the internet tomorrow, but considering what we've seen of Sony's new LA storefront, we're fairly certain this isn't a prank. That's right, Sony's launching a newly branded retail store in the City of Angels Friday, and from the look of things, it spared no expense. The 4,200-square foot space is the first to ditch the Sony Style moniker for the simpler Sony Store, and while the aesthetics are decidedly minimal, the experience is anything but. As you might expect, the shop offers demos of a slew of devices; it's packed full of everything from VAIOs to ray modelers to 3D Handycams, and it's also rocking a fully loaded home theater setup called "The Cube." Considering the outfit's been looking to up its retail cred, we'd say the new spot has the stuff to do the job, even if that bright white modular look does seem strangely familiar. If you're in the LA area, you can check out the new digs starting tomorrow -- if not, hit up the guided video tour above. Show full PR text Sony Opens Doors to Exciting New Shopping Experience at the Century City Mall in Los Angeles LOS ANGELES, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Sony Electronics announced the opening of the first newly branded Sony store in the U.S., which offers an exciting new concept, design and customer experience. It will open its doors to the public on Friday, April 1. Located at the Westfield Century City shopping mall in Los Angeles, the 4,200-square foot Sony store features a world-class architecture and design, making it a unique destination at which consumers can explore the complete Sony experience, including electronics, games, movies, music, network services and future technologies. "Sony's goal is always to exceed customer expectations by providing an exciting, interactive and entertaining shopping experience," said Phil Molyneux, president and COO for Sony Electronics. "Our new store concept gives shoppers an opportunity to interact with trained and knowledgeable staff as well as preview, test, compare and unlock the full potential of Sony's entertainment offerings." "The new store in Century City is a significant step in building a blueprint for future Sony stores, both in the U.S. and around the world," added Kiyoshi Shikano, Global Sales and Marketing Officer, Sony Corporation. "In this store, Sony is eager to test innovative offerings and listen and learn from customer feedback. We will gather opinions so that we can continually evolve and improve our retail experience, both here in the U.S. and around the world. As Sony is increasing its focus on providing its customers with an integrated shopping experience that features all that Sony has to offer, from hardware to content to services, all of its Sony Style stores and websites globally will also be transitioning branding from Sony Style to Sony." Showcase Areas In the spirit of Sony's make.believe brand message, the new store is designed to immediately capture the imagination of customers and engage with all that Sony has to offer, in an integrated, interactive and inspiring way. The front of the new store features, literally, a window into the world of Sony. Inside, consumers will be able to access, experience and make connections with everything Sony, from testing out its network services -- including Music Unlimited and Video on Demand powered by Qriocity -- on network-connected products, to playing PlayStation's GranTurismo 5 on a PS3 and a Sony 3DTV. They will be able to shoot video on a wide range of cameras, get lost in a 3D movie from Sony Pictures, and test headphones while listening to Sony Music artists. The store also provides a place to learn about future and emerging technologies and innovations. For instance, the Century City store will feature Sony's RayModeler, a futuristic 360-degree display prototype that projects a 3D image that can be seen from all angles. Highest Level of Personalized Services With the opening of the new store, Sony is introducing Premium Services to provide customers with an exceptional support experience for all Sony products from set-up to service and repair facilitation. Services include assistance and education by trained staff with setting up all products, activation of wireless services, and technical PC and IT support by certified technicians. Also available are in-home consultation, delivery, and TV, and home audio and video installation by authorized technicians. Grand Opening Weekend In conjunction with Los Angeles' 102.7 KIIS FM radio, the first 102 people to enter the new Sony store each day from April 1-3 will receive a Sony Instant Play Pass for a chance to win one of 102 prizes, including a Sony Internet TV, a Sony VAIO notebook PC, a Reader digital book, a Bloggie camera and a pair of PIIQ headphones. A live performance by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield is scheduled to take place in the store at 4 p.m. on April 2 featuring songs from her new album release called Strip Me. Sponsored by Sony Network Entertainment, this event will include a meet and greet opportunity with Bedingfield as well as hands-on demonstrations of Sony's streaming music service, Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity. Additionally, customers who scan the in-store QR code with their smartphones will be instantly entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to KIIS FM's day-long music festival, Wango Tango. Two sets of four tickets for the store's grand opening weekend and one set of four tickets per week through the end of April will be awarded. Design and Location The new store was designed in collaboration with Klein Dytham architecture (KDa). It features a bright, open, inviting space, with products displayed on tables so that consumers can personally interact and engage with them like they would in a home environment. The layout of the store is flexible, with movable interior walls and changeable color schemes so that it can be adapted and reconfigured to highlight specific products, services, or content to engage and delight customers with fresh experiences each time they return. The Sony Store is located at 10259 Santa Monica Blvd. in the Westfield Century City shopping mall in Los Angeles. Regular store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. A directory of all 30 Sony stores across the U.S. can be found at www.sony.com/sonystore.

SIM-Drive's SIM-LEI electric car achieves 207-mile driving range in Japan Posted: 31 Mar 2011 06:00 PM PDT Manufacturers are constantly optimising the driving range for electric vehicles, and sure enough, a Japanese startup recently made a breakthrough with its first prototype. Dubbed the SIM-LEI, this cute four-seater from SIM-Drive sips juice off a Toshiba 24.9kWh lithium ion battery, and can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.8 seconds, with maximum speed topping at 150km/h (93mph). What's more impressive, though, is that SIM-Drive managed to squeeze out a driving range of 333km (207 miles) on a JC-08 cycle (a standardised test that simulates driving in congested Japanese city traffic), putting the LEI well ahead of its competitors on the chart -- Nissan's Leaf does about 100 miles, for instance. Sadly, mass-production won't kick off until 2013, which should hopefully let the others do a bit of catching up with this remarkable newcomer.

Nanogenerators produce electricity by squeezing your fingers together, while you dance Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:23 PM PDT It's been a while since we last heard about nanogenerators -- you know, those insanely tiny fibers that could potentially be woven into your hoodie to juice up your smartphone. Dr. Zhong Lin Wang of the Georgia Institute of Technology has reported that he and his team of Einsteins constructed nanogenerators with enough energy to potentially power LCDs, LEDs and laser diodes by moving your various limbs. These micro-powerhouses -- strands of piezoelectric zinc oxide, 1 / 500 the width of a single hair strand -- can generate electrical charges when flexed or strained. Wang and his team of researchers shoved a collection of their nanogenerators into a chip 1 / 4 the size of a stamp, stacked five of them on top of one another and can pinch the stack between their fingers to generate the output of two standard AA batteries -- around 3 volts. Although it's not much, we're super excited at this point in development -- imagine how convenient to charge your phone in your pocket sans the bulky battery add-ons. And that's only one application of this technology. Yea, we know. Show full PR text First practical nanogenerator produces electricity with pinch of the fingers ANAHEIM, March 29, 2011 - After six years of intensive effort, scientists are reporting development of the first commercially viable nanogenerator, a flexible chip that can use body movements - a finger pinch now en route to a pulse beat in the future - to generate electricity. Speaking here today at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, they described boosting the device's power output by thousands times and its voltage by 150 times to finally move it out of the lab and toward everyday life. "This development represents a milestone toward producing portable electronics that can be powered by body movements without the use of batteries or electrical outlets," said lead scientist Zhong Lin Wang, Ph.D. "Our nanogenerators are poised to change lives in the future. Their potential is only limited by one's imagination." The latest improvements have resulted in a nanogenerator powerful enough to drive commercial liquid-crystal displays, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes. By storing the generated charges using a capacitor, the output power is capable to periodically drive a sensor and transmit the signal wirelessly. "If we can sustain the rate of improvement, the nanogenerator may find a broad range of other applications that require more power," he added. Wang cited, for example, personal electronic devices powered by footsteps activating nanogenerators inside the sole of a shoe; implanted insulin pumps powered by a heart beat; and environmental sensors powered by nanogenerators flapping in the breeze. Wang and colleagues demonstrated commercial feasibility of the latest nanogenerator by using it to power an LED light and a liquid crystal display like those widely used in many electronic devices, such as calculators and computers. The power came from squeezing the nanogenerator between two fingers. The key to the technology is zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires. ZnO nanowires are piezoelectric - they can generate an electric current when strained or flexed. That movement can be virtually any body movement, such as walking, a heartbeat, or blood flowing through the body. The nanowires can also generate electricity in response to wind, rolling tires, or many other kinds of movement. The diameter of a ZnO nanowire is so small that 500 of the wires can fit inside the width of a single human hair. Wang's group found a way to capture and combine the electrical charges from millions of the nanoscale zinc oxide wires. They also developed an efficient way to deposit the nanowires onto flexible polymer chips, each about a quarter the size of a postage stamp. Five nanogenerators stacked together produce about 1 micro Ampere output current at 3 volts - about the same voltage generated by two regular AA batteries (about 1.5 volts each). "While a few volts may not seem like much, it has grown by leaps and bounds over previous versions of the nanogenerator," said Wang, a scientist at Georgia Institute of Technology. "Additional nanowires and more nanogenerators, stacked together, could produce enough energy for powering larger electronics, such as an iPod or charging a cell phone." Wang said the next step is to further improve the output power of the nanogenerator and find a company to produce the nanogenerator. It could hit the market in three to five years, he estimated. The device's first application is likely to be as a power source for tiny environmental sensors and sensors for infrastructure monitoring.

Mercedes' A-Class E-Cell gets taken for a test drive Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:41 PM PDT Mercedes-Benz's new A-Class E-Cell may be a limited production vehicle, but it is a production vehicle, which likely means that some folks will be interested in how it actually drives. Thankfully, the folks from PluginCars have now managed to take one for a quick spin, and have delivered a few first impressions. The short of it is that while it's a "nice ride," it's apparently not a very powerful one -- in fact, the site says that the car felt "significantly slower" than the Nissan Leaf, which also of course has the advantage of being cheaper and more widely available. The Mercedes does apparently handle much better, though, and while the floor is a bit higher than a normal car, the interior otherwise seems to be top notch. Unfortunately, the test drive wasn't exactly long enough to truly test the car's Tesla-provided batteries, but the site was at least pleased to see the current state of charge conveniently placed right in the middle of the dashboard.

Apogee rolls out Duet 2 pro audio interface for Macs Posted: 31 Mar 2011 04:04 PM PDT Recently drop $500 on an Apogee Duet audio interface for your Mac after pondering one for all these years? Then we're afraid we've got a bit of bad news for you, as the company has now finally rolled out a successor to the highly-desirable device. Apparently redesigned from the ground up, the new Duet 2 expectedly ditches FireWire in favor of USB, and packs some "completely redesigned" mic preamps and converters, along with two inputs and four outputs, a pair of configurable touch pads, and even an all new OLED display that replaces the basic LED meters on the original. Of course, the one thing that stays the same is the professional-level price -- look for this one to set you back $595 when it's available next month. [Thanks, Maxwell]

BlackBerry Touch / Monaco gets manhandled, said to get official in May Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:29 PM PDT Our interest in the BlackBerry Touch (codename Monaco) was piqued when we first caught wind of the device, and we had a feeling it'd be making its way into the wild ever since one showed up in Verizon red around mid-Feburary. Now, BGR has managed to procure an unreleased prototype, and we've gotta say that we like what we're seeing. According to the pub, it should get official at BlackBerry World in May, and it'll run OS 6.1 underneath that 800 x 480-pixel screen. The new BB6 is said to use a BlackBerry ID in place of a PIN for certain key functions -- a necessary move for non-BB platforms rumored to be getting BBM (a historically PIN-based service). BGR also claims it won't be getting the Storm nomenclature, so we apologize in advance to the SurePress fanboys. Either way, we've got an inkling that we'll be hearing more as we get closer to May, but unfortunately our dreams of a super AMOLED-equipped Torch running stock Android with a BBM app will just remain figments of our imagination.

Images leak out of Pentax NC mirrorless camera system, makes us long for summertime Posted: 31 Mar 2011 03:11 PM PDT At this point, we're guessing that it's just a matter of time before the likes of Pentax and Nikon toss their hat into the ever-expanding mirrorless camera ring, and at least for the former, it looks as if that could come sooner rather than later. If the (predictably grainy) image above is to be believed, the NC-1 is dangerously close to being ready for primetime, and according to leaked materials, it'll be the world's smallest mirrorless camera when it gets official in May / June. Purportedly, we'll find a 14 megapixel sensor and a pair of lenses to choose from -- an 8.5mm f/1.9 prime lens as well as a 5-15mm f/2.8-4.5 standard zoom. Crazier still, the NC system could be followed by a larger system in the summer, with that fellow sporting an APS-C sized sensor and compatibility with K-mount lenses. 'Course, we'd invite you to chase all of this with a dash of salt for now, but you can bet we'll be scrounging for more. [Thanks, Andrea]

Time Warner removes channels from iPad app while Cablevision prepares one of its own Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:49 PM PDT Time Warner Cable was the first party to blink in the battle with programmers over its new live TV streaming TWCable TV iPad app, removing channels from Viacom, Fox and Discovery. The company's official statement indicates its merely choosing to focus on the "enlightened programmers" who support its cause and that it will provide replacement channels (maybe BBC America, since it's in all the screenshots) ASAP, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Expect the legal fight to continue to heat up between Time Warner, which believes it has obtained all the rights necessary to provide these channels on any screen in a customer's home, and the programmers, that think it hasn't. Throwing more gasoline on the fire is word from Cablevision that its new iPad app with TV and video on-demand access was supposed to be out already and is merely awaiting Apple's approval before it launches. According to the Wall Street Journal it will go forward launching the Optimum Link -- formerly PC to TV Media Relay -- product that brings video from their PC to the TV tomorrow. Check out the list of pulled channels after the break or on Time Warner's blog, we'll let you know when or if anything changes. Channels removed: Animal Planet BET CMT Comedy Central Discovery Channel FX MTV National Geographic Nickelodeon Spike VH1 Statement from Cablevision: "We have launched our Optimum App for iPad on Cablevision's campus and in approximately 100 employee homes and it works wonderfully. The application has been submitted to Apple and, upon its approval, will be available to our cable television customers."

Intel posts a short film about SSDs and the folly of not using them Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:23 PM PDT Intel cares about you. It cares that your data is safe and secure in a sturdy storage silo of the solid state variety. In order to enlighten you on the dangers that old and dusty magnetic hard drives pose, it has kindly fashioned out a short film detailing graphically the fate of your 1s and 0s when they're kept on an HDD that suffers an unexpected impact. It's atmospheric, thrilling stuff, which we dare not spoil for you here. We'll just say it ends on a pretty hilarious note and point you to the video below.

Hercules re-invents the netbook again, launches 10-inch Linux- and A8-powered eCAFE Posted: 31 Mar 2011 02:04 PM PDT It's perhaps a little too early to be feeling all retro-nostalgic for the netbook, with much of the industry moving on up to your notbooks and your tablets and such, so we'll just say that Hercules is still kickin' it old school by launching its eCAFE netbooks. There are two models, the Slim HD and EX HD, the former tipping the scales at 1.9lbs and measuring only .8-inches thick, while the EX model is a bit heftier at 2.5lbs and 1.1-inches, managing 13 hours of "real use" battery life. Both are said to smoothly play 720p video on their 10-inch, 1024 x 600 displays or export it over HDMI, running a custom flavor of Linux and powered by an ARM Cortex-A8 processor. Hercules says this "sets a new standard" in netbooks, but 8 or 16GB of flash storage and 512MB of RAM sounds all too familiar to us, and if that cramped, recessed keyboard is the future we're quite happy to stick in the present, thanks. Hercules eCAFE

Native Instruments rolls out Traktor 2, Maschine 1.6 update Posted: 31 Mar 2011 01:46 PM PDT There isn't any hardware that will make you a better (or hell, a good) DJ, although we always seem to forget this whenever we see one of Native Instruments' invariably mind-blowing product demos. If you're a DMC-level DJ, it certainly looks like the newly available Traktor 2 will suit all of your needs nicely. If you're not? Well, you can always enjoy DJ Craze going wild on the video after the break (be advised, however, that the F-bomb drops about a gazillion times on the thing, so this might not be safe for your workplace). And while we're at it, if you own NI's Maschine, the 1.6 software that we first got a look at in early February is available: launch the NI Service Center app to upgrade.

DirecTV, Comcast, Vudu could start offering 'premium VOD' $30 movie rentals in April Posted: 31 Mar 2011 01:27 PM PDT Despite the questionable appeal of watching movies two months after they come out in theaters for $30 a pop, The Hollywood Reporter reports Warner Bros., Sony, Fox and Universal are going ahead with their premium video on-demand scheme. According to the always helpful unnamed insiders, DirecTV will be launch the service nationally at the end of April, with Walmart-backed Vudu and a regional launch by Comcast soon after. Company Town mentions movies like The Adjustment Bureau, Paul, or Just Go With It could be among launch titles. There's no word on DRM although apparently Paramount has taken a pass specifically due to piracy concerns -- theater owners aren't happy either -- so we'll just wait and see if the quality of scene rips suddenly make a jump by this time next month. Either way, expect some new variation of Gregor and his lap giraffe to make an appearance soon.

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