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Friday, April 22, 2011

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'3D Towers' double disk storage capacity, don't require glasses

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 11:09 AM PDT

Here's some exciting news for all you data storage enthusiasts and academics out there: researchers in France have found a way to double the storage capacity of magnetic disk drives by constructing "3D towers" of information. The team from SPINTEC created these pillars out of bit-patterned media -- separated magnetic nanodots, each of which carries one bit of data. By layering the dots in specific formations, the team created a "multilevel magnetic recording device" with an areal density of two bits per dot -- twice what it started with. According to researcher Jerome Moritz, these findings could provide IT companies with a new way to circumvent physical limitations to their data storage capacities, allowing them to build up and over the vaunted one Tbit per square inch barrier. The team's full findings were recently published in the American Institute of Physics' Journal of Applied Physics. You can read the full article at the source link or, if you're afraid of paywalls, just check out the PR below.
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'3-D towers' of information double data storage areal density

College Park, MD (April 19, 2011) -- Using well-known patterned media, a team of researchers in France has figured out a way to double the areal density of information by essentially cutting the magnetic media into small pieces and building a "3D tower" out of it.

This greatly enhances the amount of data that can be stored in a magnetic storage device and provides a method to reach beyond a wall of physical limits that the currently used technology is hitting. The team presents their findings in the American Institute of Physics' Journal of Applied Physics.

"Over the past 50 years, with the rise of multimedia devices, the worldwide Internet, and the general growth in demand for greater data storage capacity, the areal density of information in magnetic hard disk drives has exponentially increased by 7 orders of magnitude," says Jerome Moritz, a researcher at SPINTEC, in Grenoble. "This areal density is now about 500Gbit/in2, and the technology presently used involves writing the information on a granular magnetic material. This technology is now reaching some physical limits because the grains are becoming so small that their magnetization becomes unstable and the information written on them is gradually lost."

Therefore, new approaches are needed for magnetic data storage densities exceeding 1Tbit/in2.

"Our new approach involves using bit-patterned media, which are made of arrays of physically separated magnetic nanodots, with each nanodot carrying one bit of information. To further extend the storage density, it's possible to increase the number of bits per dots by stacking several magnetic layers to obtain a multilevel magnetic recording device," explains Moritz.

In that context, Moritz and colleagues were able to demonstrate that the best way to achieve a 2-bit-per-dot media involves stacking in-plane and perpendicular-to-plane magnetic media atop each dot. The perpendicularly magnetized layer can be read right above the dot, whereas the in-plane magnetized layer can be read between dots. This enables doubling of the areal density for a given dot size by taking better advantage of the whole patterned media area.

Sony NEX-3 successor NEX-C3, Alpha A35 images leaked?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 10:05 AM PDT

We were a bit unsettled when Sony suddenly discontinued the NEX-3 after just eight months on the street, but if these leaked images are in fact authentic, then we might just have a worthy successor on our hands. The NEX-C3 is rumored to include the same 16.2 megapixel image sensor used in the Sony Alpha A55 DSLR, as well as HD video capture (as expected) and the new flash seen in the image above. Leaked photos on Sony Alpha Rumors reveal an LCD with the same tilt capability we love on the NEX-3, as well as minor adjustments to the controls. The blog also got its hands on some leaked images of the Sony Alpha A35 DSLR (added after the break), but details on that camera are a bit spotty. Rumor has it Sony originally intended to announce both cameras earlier in the month, but plans were delayed in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake in Japan. No word on cost or availability, but we'd expect to see pricing on the NEX-C3 in line with last year's model -- around $500, with lens.

[Thanks Andrea!]

NSA wants $896.5 million to build new supercomputing complex

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 09:44 AM PDT

The federal government may be cutting corners left and right, but that hasn't stopped the NSA from requesting nearly $900 million to help beef up its supercomputing capabilities. According to budget documents released by the Department of Defense yesterday, the NSA is looking to construct a massive new High Performance Computing Center in Maryland, designed to harness plenty of supercomputing muscle within an energy efficient framework. As with many other data centers, the NSA's $896.5 million complex would feature raised floors, chilled water systems and advanced alarm mechanisms, but it would also need about 60 megawatts of power -- the same amount that powers Microsoft's gargantuan, 700,000 square-foot data center in Chicago. According to the DoD, however, the NSA would use that juice judiciously, in the hopes of conserving enough water, energy and building materials to obtain LEED Silver certification. Another chunk of the funding, not surprisingly, would go toward fortifying the facility. The NSA is hoping to pour more than $35 million into building security and perimeter control, which would include a cargo inspection facility, advanced surveillance, and systems designed to detect any radiological, nuclear, or chemical threats. If all goes to plan, construction would wrap up by December 2015.

Microsoft patent application shows custom Kinect gestures, roaming user profiles

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:59 AM PDT

Since Kinect entered the world, modders have been hacking it for everything from playing Tetris to controlling a web browser. And really, Microsoft never seemed to mind. In case it wasn't obvious how much the company wants you to help find new uses for the technology, the folks in Redmond have filed a patent application for custom profiles. We can see that having implications for gaming and even Windows shortcuts, but for now Microsoft expects it to improve Kinect's accuracy by learning how you move -- after all, no one jumps or points or apes Lady Gaga's dance moves in exactly the same fashion, right? In other cases, the system might note that you prefer to make an "X" sign instead of a checkmark when selecting an object onscreen. And those personalized settings can roam over a network, shadowing you as you switch devices. Personally, we're stoked about the idea of making our best Julian Assange dance a bona fide gesture, but we'll be happy enough if Kinect can make up for our natural ungainliness.

US Army developing Android-based smartphone framework and apps

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 08:19 AM PDT

The US Army is calling upon Android app developers to help make military life a little less stressful -- and, perhaps, a lot safer. Under a new Army framework known as the Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (CE), third-party developers will be able to create and submit tactical Android apps, using the military's CE Product Developer's Kit. The framework, originally prototyped by the folks over at MITRE, represents the latest phase in the Army's ongoing campaign to incorporate smartphone technology on the battlefield. Any app operating under the CE system will be interoperable across all command systems, and, as you'd expect, will be tightly secured. The kit won't be released to developers until July, but the Army has already begun tinkering with its baseline suite of Mission Command apps, which includes tools designed to facilitate mapping, blue force tracking, and Tactical Ground Reporting. On the hardware side of the equation, the Army is planning to deploy a new handheld known as the Joint Battle Command-Platform, or JBC-P. The two-pound JBC-P is essentially a military-friendly smartphone designed to run on a variety of existing radio networks, while supporting the full suite of forthcoming apps. The JBC-P will be tested this October, and will likely be issued on a wider basis in 2013.

Logitech's Squeezebox Controller app makes the transition from Android to iOS

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 07:41 AM PDT

After launching the Squeezebox Controller app on Android last month, what could Logitech do next other than release a version for your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. The features and interface appear to be identical, letting users control any or all Squeezeboxes on the WiFi network complete with metadata and album art. iOS equipped owners of the 'boxes can get their AirPlay-free distributed audio lifestyle going by clicking the link below to download the free app (and see how it compares to the existing $9.99 third party iPeng remote app) from iTunes.

Husqvarna lawnmower remote for iOS: a lot less fun than we'd hoped

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 07:03 AM PDT

Sure, we've been living in a series of safe houses and seedy motels since 1968, but that doesn't mean that you can't have nice things. A two-car garage, white picket fence, and a healthy lawn: that's the American Dream, right there. But with all that middle class comfort comes responsibility -- and how are you going to find the time to keep the grass under control when you're working three jobs to keep up with the mortgage on your McMansion? Friends, that's where Husqvarna's My Automower app comes in. That's right: rather than sending SMS messages to your GPS-enabled Automower, all of its functions (starting, stopping, tracking the thing's progress via GPS) can now be handled from the safety of your iOS device. What it will not do, however, is transform your robot lawnmower into a semi-autonomous, blade-wielding backyard defender (hopefully the company addresses that in a software update). PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Use Your iPhone for Lawn Mowing

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Husqvarna Global Garden Report 2011, 40 percent of consumers around the world say they don't have enough time to take care of their homes and gardens. Therefore robotic mowers have been a welcome aid for stressed homeowners. Now it gets even easier with the new iPhone app for Husqvarna Automower®, available for free at App Store.

With the new iPhone app you can mow the lawn without even being at home. Any Automower® robotic lawnmower equipped with a GPS Communication Unit can be remotely started and stopped, as well as being tracked on your iPhone screen. The app also has installation movies, a buying guide and FAQs.

"We all want a well-kept lawn, but few are willing to invest the time needed. With the help of Automower® we made life a little easier for house owners. With the iPhone app we take gardening one step further. With its help you take control of your lawn as easily as making a phone call," says Stefan Axelsson, Business Development Manager at Husqvarna.
The GPS Communication Unit is available for most of the Automower® range and from 2011 it comes as standard for the 260 ACX model. The GPS Communications Unit also enables GPS theft tracker and SMS alert.

The Husqvarna Group is the world's largest producer of outdoor power products including chainsaws, trimmers, lawn mowers and garden tractors. The Group is also the European leader in consumer watering products and one of the world leaders in cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. The product offering includes products for both consumers and professional users. The Group's products are sold via dealers and retailers in more than 100 countries. Net sales in 2010 amounted to SEK 32 billion, and the average number of employees was approximately 15,000.

SOURCE The Husqvarna Group

T-Mobile willing to knock $100 off G-Slate, if you ask nicely

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:21 AM PDT

G-Slate Discount
Here's a little secret that T-Mobile didn't really intend for public consumption: if you give the company a ring you can nab an extra $100 off a G-Slate. The discount was emailed out to those who signed up for a special promotional offer T-Mo teased recently. Like most things, though, the internet got ahold of this juicy morsel and we're happy to tell you it's open to everyone. Just reference promo code GSLATE100 and you can pick up a shiny new Honeycomb tablet for $430 -- provided you have an existing voice plan or sign up for one, are willing to commit to a two-year data contract on top of that, and don't mind dealing with a mail-in rebate. If those caveats don't scare you off, go ahead and call. Just act quick, the offer ends April 27th. Check out the larger image after the break for full instructions.

G-Slate Discount Full

DS Lite discontinued at GameStop

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 06:06 AM PDT

We caught wind of an internal GameStop memo this morning announcing the discontinuation of Nintendo's DS Lite. The memo (pictured above) asks employees to remove displays of Crimson, Black, and Metallic Rose models, once they've burned through their stock -- we've since confirmed the fact with an employee of the gaming chain. Not a huge shocker, of course, given the fact that the five-year-old system has since been eclipsed by 2009's DSi and, more recently, the company's glasses-free 3D portable, the 3DS. We have reached out to Nintendo for comment on the matter and will update this post with official word once received.

Update: We heard back from Nintendo, receiving the usual "Nintendo doesn't comment on rumor and speculation."

Walmart to Sell Samsung Infuse 4G in May for $178.88?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 05:48 AM PDT

The Samsung Infuse 4G has yet to make its way to market, but when it does, you might be able to find it at Walmart. Rumor has it that the retail giant has been sending around circulars indicating that the Infuse and its 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display will hit shelves sometime next month. The notices also mention that the device will be sold for $178.88, which would likely be bundled with a two-year AT&T contract. There hasn't been any confirmation from Samsung, which unveiled the ultra-thin smartphone way back in January, but we'll let you know as soon as we get word.

[Thanks, John]

Self-healing polymer serves up quick fixes under UV rays (video)

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 04:44 AM PDT

As many self-healing polymers as we've seen roll across our screens, we never really tire of them -- chalk it up to our unending quest for perfection, but we like our gadgets devoid of nicks and scratches. Lucky for us, a team of scientists that shares our need for clean has produced a material that fixes its imperfections in a mere 60 seconds when exposed to UV light. The typically rigid material basically melts down when exposed to rays of a specific wavelength, allowing it to fill in any nicks or dings. When the light is lifted, the polymer goes back to its original form, and voila -- the surface is like new. Its creators say the material could be used on everything from cars to dining room tables, but we've already come up with laundry list of devices that could do with a truly scratch resistant surface. Video of the stuff in action after the break.

AMD collects half a billion in Q1 profit, Fusion APUs now account for half of its laptop shipments

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 03:48 AM PDT

AMD's net income for the past quarter was $510 million, generated from $1.61 billion in total revenues. That should make happy reading for a company that's been raising similar gross revenues previously but finding itself losing cash -- though the more intriguing figures are a little deeper in its latest disclosure. CFO and interim CEO Thomas Seifert has noted that AMD "tripled" its Fusion APU shipments relative to last quarter -- meaning that at least 3.9 million units have made their way out to OEM partners in Q1 -- which now account for "roughly half" of the company's notebook shipments. In less upbeat news, average selling prices in both the microprocessor and graphics divisions were down sequentially, with AMD having to react to pressure from its traditional foes Intel and NVIDIA. You might surmise that with the mainstream Llano APU out and shipping to computer makers, AMD might have a happier second quarter, but the company's guidance is for revenues to be flat or slightly down. A final note of pride is reserved for the Radeon HD 6490M and HD 6750M GPUs, which figured prominently in Apple's latest MacBook Pro refresh and mark a bit of a coup for AMD, who's now responsible for all of Apple's discrete graphics across the MacBook Pro and iMac computing lines. Click the links below for even more intel on Advanced Micro Devices.
Show full PR text
AMD Reports First Quarter Results

SUNNYVALE, CA, Apr 21, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --

AMD (NYSE: AMD)

-- AMD revenue $1.61 billion, 2 percent sequential decrease and 2 percent increase year-over-year
-- Net income $510 million, earnings per share $0.68, operating income $54 million
-- Non-GAAP(1),(2) net income $56 million, earnings per share $0.08, operating income $92 million
-- Gross margin 43 percent, non-GAAP gross margin 45 percent

AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced revenue for the first quarter of 2011 of $1.61 billion, net income of $510 million, or $0.68 per share, and operating income of $54 million. The company reported non-GAAP net income of $56 million, or $0.08 per share, and non-GAAP operating income of $92 million.

"First quarter operating results were highlighted by strong demand for our first generation of AMD Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs)," said Thomas Seifert, CFO and interim CEO. "APU unit shipments greatly exceeded our expectations, and we are excited to build on that momentum now that we are shipping our 'Llano' APU."

GAAP Financial Results

Q1-11 Q4-10 Q1-10
----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue $1.61B $1.65B $1.57B
Operating income $54M $413M $182M
Net income / Earnings per share $510M/$0.68 $375M/$0.50 $257M/$0.35


Non-GAAP Financial Results(1)

Q1-11 Q4-10 Q1-10
----------- ----------- -----------
Revenue $1.61B $1.65B $1.57B
Operating income $92M $141M $130M
Net income / Earnings per share $56M/$0.08 $106M/$0.14 $63M/$0.09

Quarterly Summary

-- Gross margin was 43 percent.
-- Non-GAAP gross margin was 45 percent, flat sequentially.
-- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities balance at the end of the quarter was $1.75 billion.
-- Computing Solutions segment revenue decreased 2 percent sequentially and increased 3 percent year-over-year. The sequential decrease was driven primarily by lower average selling price (ASP) partially offset by higher desktop microprocessor sales. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by strong microprocessor unit sales in the
channel.
-- Operating income was $100 million, compared with $91 million in Q410 and $146 million in Q110.
-- Microprocessor ASP decreased sequentially and year-over-year.
-- AMD commenced revenue shipments of AMD's first Fusion APU for mainstream notebooks (codenamed "Llano") that combines discrete-class graphics capabilities, personal supercomputing performance and AMD AllDay(TM) power.
-- Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Sony and Toshiba shipped sleek new thin-and-light notebooks based on AMD's low-power APUs capable of delivering high definition visual experiences and extended battery life.
-- More than 50 applications from software companies including Adobe, ArcSoft, Corel, CyberLink and Microsoft take advantage of the incredible compute power found in AMD's APUs and GPUs to dramatically improve application performance and power efficiency.
-- AMD launched the world's first APU specifically designed for embedded systems with a record number of embedded partners for the company. Fujitsu, Kontron, Quixant and Congatec announced APU-based solutions for graphics-intensive markets like digital signage, Internet-ready set top boxes, casino gaming machines and point-of-sale kiosks. Acer, Cray, Dell, HP, SGI and other server manufacturers launched new or updated systems based on five newly introduced AMD Opteron(TM) 6100 series processors.
-- In the high performance computing market (HPC), AMD Opteron-based solutions continue to gain traction based on their greater scalability. New customer wins include Lockheed Martin's cluster for the US Department of Defense, and the University of Sao Paulo's cluster to enable advanced scientific astronomical research.
-- AMD expanded its enthusiast desktop offerings with the introduction of its fastest four-core processor, the AMD Phenom(TM) II X4 975 Black Edition.
-- Graphics segment revenue decreased 3 percent sequentially and was flat year-over-year. The sequential decrease was driven primarily by a seasonal decline in royalties received in connection with the sale of game console systems.
-- Operating income was $19 million, compared with $68 million in Q410 and $47 million in Q110.
-- GPU ASP decreased sequentially and year-over-year.
-- AMD maintained its graphics performance leadership position with the launch of the world's fastest graphics card, the AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6990.
-- Apple refreshed its Macbook Pro line-up with the new AMD Radeon HD 6490M and HD 6750M graphics chips. AMD now provides discrete graphics solutions across Apple's iMac and Macbook Pro product lines.
-- Strong industry adoption of AMD's mobile graphics continued, as HP and Dell launched new designs powered by the new AMD Radeon(TM) HD6000M family of graphics processors.

Current Outlook
AMD's outlook statements are based on current expectations. The following statements are forward looking, and actual results could differ materially depending on market conditions and the factors set forth under "Cautionary Statement" below.

AMD expects revenue to be flat to slightly down sequentially for the second quarter of 2011.

For additional detail regarding AMD's results and outlook please see the CFO commentary posted at quarterlyearnings.amd.com.

AMD Teleconference AMD will hold a conference call for the financial community at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) today to discuss its first quarter financial results. AMD will provide a real-time audio broadcast of the teleconference on the Investor Relations page of its Web site at AMD. The webcast will be available for 10 days after the conference call.

Next generation Wii controller to feature 6.2-inch display, turn living room into giant DS?

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:47 AM PDT

E3 is getting close, just two months away now. As such the next-gen Wii console rumors have heated to a boil. One of the most interesting bits of tattle originates from Kotaku. The gaming site's sources claim (with impressive specificity) that the new 8-button controller features a screen pushing a whopping 6.2 inches, two analog sticks, and a camera. The new Wii console (sometimes called the Wii 2, Wii HD, or simply "Project Cafe") is said to support the new controller in addition to Wii Remote-style controllers for backward compatibility with existing Wii games -- at the moment, however, it's not clear if that implies support for existing Wiimotes. But why the giant display? Here's Kotaku's take:
The 6.2-inch screen will receive data wirelessly from the Nintendo console and presents an array of options, from putting the player's inventory or map on the controller screen, to allowing players to combine it with the controller's camera to snap photos that could be imported into a game or even turning it into some sort of glorified viewfinder (we're unclear about whether the camera on the controller points at the player or can be outward-facing; we've heard both - maybe it swivels?).
In other words, you can think of the new contoller-plus-console combination as a modern Dreamcast system or "glorified mega-DS," as Kotaku puts it, where the TV is the top screen and the handheld controller is the lower touchscreen. If true then we'll likely hear the official first word at E3 which kicks off on June 7th.

Update: IGN has its own set of "sources" confirming many of these details. Could this be a Nintendo rumor that pans out, for once? We should know in just over a month.

Fujitsu LifeBook S761/C and P771/C replace optical drives with pico projectors, past with future

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 02:01 AM PDT

Optical disc drives may be passé nowadays, but the enclosures usually reserved for them in laptops need not go to waste. Fujitsu has just rolled out its latest line of portables and a pair of them pack a pretty awesome new extra: an integrated pico projector. The 13.3-inch LifeBook S761/C and 12.1-inch P771/C both fill their ODD slots with a small visualizer, and while the specs of its actual output aren't clear, the two machines have been fully specced and priced. The S761/C can offer you a Core i5-2520M CPU, a (presumably upgradeable) 1GB of RAM, 160GB of storage, and a 1366 x 768 resolution for a price of ¥219,450 ($2,675). Moving down in size class but up in price, the P771/C matches those specs, but for a squarer 1280 x 800 resolution, and asks for ¥255,150 ($3,110). Both will be available in Japan in mid-May, which is also when Fujitsu will release its LifeBook E741/C, whose claim to fame is the ability to authenticate users by reading the veins in their palms. Sexy!

SA Photonics high-res digital night vision system makes you look like Hello Kitty's cyborg cousin

Posted: 22 Apr 2011 12:48 AM PDT

Given, it might make you look like the love child of Robocop and a cartoon kitten, but SA Photonics' High Resolution Night Vision System (HRNVS) could mean smoother night flights for the US military. The light weight head mounted display couples high resolution imagery and an impressive 82.5 degree field of vision -- previous devices offered a range of only 40 degrees. What's more, it provides clearer peripheral vision, virtually non-existent halo effects, digital image enhancement, and night vision recording. The headset was designed in collaboration with the US Army and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which means these robo Sanrio helmets might actually get some play. Full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
SA Photonics Develops an Advanced Digital Night Vision System

LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SA Photonics has developed the High Resolution Night Vision System (HRNVS), a wide field of view digital night vision head mounted display for use by commercial and military pilots of fixed-wing airplanes and rotorcraft.

"HRNVS advances the state of the art of night vision goggles and head mounted displays and will provide a significant improvement in nighttime situational awareness."

Night vision has been a key enabling technology for the U.S. military for more than 30 years, allowing U.S. pilots to "own the night" and fly after dark missions in relative safety. This dominance of the nighttime environment has often been the decisive factor in battlefield victory. Yet there remain substantial shortcomings to night vision systems, including low resolution digital displays and constrained field of view. Surveys of U.S. Air Force pilots have found that the most frequently requested improvement for night vision goggles is a larger field of view.

SA Photonics, a leading developer of optics solutions for the military, is leveraging its experience with night vision and head mounted displays with the HRNVS, which provides pilots high resolution night vision imagery and over 82.5 degree field of view, more than double the field of view of most existing night vision systems. The HRNVS has other advantages compared to existing systems, such as reduced peripheral obscuration, reduced forward projection and swept volume, zero-halo, and the capabilities for digital image enhancement, recording night vision imagery and overlaying symbology.

"At SA Photonics, we are serious about improving pilot safety while increasing performance in both commercial and military cockpits," said Dr. Michael Browne, SA Photonics' Vice President of Product Development. "HRNVS advances the state of the art of night vision goggles and head mounted displays and will provide a significant improvement in nighttime situational awareness."

The HRNVS system was developed in a partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Army's Night Vision Laboratory and Vision Systems International. Dr. Browne is presenting the HRNVS at the 2011 SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing Symposium in Orlando on Thursday, April 28th.

AT&T's MiFi 2372 gets DLNA update, streams media even without 3G connectivity

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:52 PM PDT

Novatel 2372 MiFi owners could always stream tunes from the web, but now they can do it from microSD -- after downloading Maintenance Release 1.0, that is, which finally brings DLNA server functionality. DLNA support means your mobile hotspot can share music, video and other content to devices over the network from an inserted flash card, even when the router can't serve up 3G -- especially useful on AT&T devices, which, you know, tend to suffer from occasional network congestion and data caps. The update also includes a new Customer Care Widget and a more intuitive MiFi OS web interface, so even average consumers might be able to configure one of these without consulting tech support. Sounds like a win for everybody.

HTC Thunderbolt drops to $130 for new Verizon customers at Amazon over the weekend

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 10:57 PM PDT

If the Droid Charge has you thinking that Verizon LTE phones have to cost an arm, a leg, and an extra $100, you'll want to take a look at this. Amazon Wireless is chopping the Thunderbolt, Verizon's original 4G bad boy, down to the extremely palatable price of $130 on contract, valid for new Verizon subscribers who buy the phone between now and midnight Pacific Time on Monday. The 4.3-inch, Android 2.2 smartphone from HTC impressed us greatly with the 4G speeds it was able to pull down in our review, and while those might not remain quite so spectacular once that network starts loading up more customers, a price like the present one makes it an excellent proposition in the short term. The source link is where you'll find it.

Google I/O attendees asked to give their old Android phones to charity

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 10:38 PM PDT

Steve Jobs might not think much of Google's old "don't be evil" mantra, but it's hard to fault a company for using its products' popularity for the common good. In what seems to be a spiritual successor to last year's Chrome for a Cause drive, Google is asking I/O 2011 attendees for their unwanted, unlocked Android smartphones in a campaign dubbed "Android for Good." Donated devices collected at the event will be put to use at charities in developing nations -- for instance, your old phone could save elephants from poachers, or help remote villages get healthcare. We aren't saying hording your old G1 is evil per se, but what good is it doing in your junk drawer?

Microsoft patents apps that let you buy things, Ballmer to go on licensing spree?

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 09:36 PM PDT

Many of us use apps to buy stuff these days, whether its grabbing the latest e-book from Amazon, or a Groupon for a day of pampering at the local spa. Seems obvious now, but it wasn't (at least according to the USPTO) in 2004, when Microsoft filed a patent application for the idea -- and that application was recently granted. The patent claims a way to make purchases through an network-connected portal with a "streamlined interface" (to "streamline" the process of parting you from your money, no doubt). The portal maintains a list of selling sites and exchanges info as needed to let buyers pick up what the seller's putting down. Now, we aren't intimately familiar with the ways shopping apps work, but the patent language appears broad enough to cover apps that make internet purchases without using a full-on web browser -- though only a federal court can say for sure. The only other question is, what are Ballmer and his boys going to do with these newly granted IP powers?

Samsung strikes back at Apple with ten patent infringement claims

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 08:08 PM PDT

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone: in the latest chapter of the Apple-Samsung dispute over their smartphones' resemblance, the latter company has just retaliated by filing lawsuits against Apple in three countries. Sammy's load of ammo includes five patent infringements in South Korea, two in Japan, and three in Germany, though we've yet to hear more details about these claims. Now we just sit back and enjoy the show -- popcorn, anyone?

[Thanks, Jake L.]

Update: Reuters has shed some light on the actual patents Samsung is alleging are being infringed. The news organization reports they relate to "power reduction during data transmission, 3G technology for reducing errors during data transmission, and wireless data communication technology."

Google ordered to pay $5 million in Linux patent infringement suit (updated)

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 07:43 PM PDT

An East Texas jury recently awarded a relatively small computer firm patent troll a pretty hefty settlement (in you and me dollars) in a patent infringement suit that named Google, Yahoo, Amazon, AOL, and Myspace as defendants. The jury awarded Bedrock Computer Technologies LLC $5 million for a patent concerning the Linux kernel found in the software behind Google's servers. The patent in question is described as a "method and apparatus for information storage and retrieval using a hashing technique with external chaining and on-the-fly removal of expired data." It appears Google is the first of the defendants to face a judgement, but we have a feeling this decision might have set a precedent. Of course, no infringement suit would be complete without a healthy helping of appeals -- and considering the decision came from a district court, we can almost guarantee this case is no exception. You didn't expect the big guys to stay down for the count, did you?

Update: As it turns out, the plaintiff in question here, Bedrock Computer Technologies, is actually owned by David Garrod, a lawyer and patent reform activist. Ars Technica profiled Garrod following the initial suit, pointing to the clear contradiction between his trolling and reform efforts. What's more, Bedrock sued Google and the rest of the defendants in June 2009. Just six months later, Bedrock was back in the courtroom, but this time it was on the receiving end. Red Hat, the company supplying the OS behind Google's search engine services, was suing Bedrock for patent invalidity.

AT&T tells FCC just how important T-Mobile is, in 381-page redacted document

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 06:56 PM PDT

AT&T has many strategies for trying to convince the US government to let it buy T-Mobile, but the one it emphasized was this -- it would attempt to make remaining carriers Verizon, Sprint and even a handful of rural entities look like "intense competition." Well, it seems that tack hasn't quite had the impact that the board of directors was hoping for, because it just delivered a gigantic new document to the FCC, which portrays itself as the victim of its own success. AT&T says it had to deliver 8,000 times percent more mobile data in 2010 than it did three years prior -- over 10 petabytes per month these days -- and foresees that it will deliver that same amount of data "in just the first five to seven weeks of 2015."

Meanwhile, T-Mobile is the knight in shining magenta armor to save AT&T from those "severe capacity constraints," but since AT&T can't let regulators think that T-Mobile's departure from the arena will result in less competition, Ma Bell simultaneously bashes its prospective conquest for having a "diminished market role" in the telecom industry and "no clear path to deploy LTE" -- even as it says that acquiring T-Mobile would result in the means to spread speedy Long Term Evolution across 97.3 percent of the general population. In case you're keeping track, that's up from the 95 percent the company last prognosticated. The seeming contradictions here are certainly amusing, but we have to admit the promised giant LTE network tempts us quite a bit. But is it worth building a GSM monopoly to do it? Envision the repercussions for yourself -- both good and ill -- by studying the following links.

Update: Fixed a few math errors -- AT&T processed over 10 petabytes per month (not year) in 2010, and that was 8,000 percent (not times) the amount of mobile data it carried in 2007. For comparison's sake, the entirety of YouTube was said to have streamed 31 petabytes per month in 2008, and Hulu did 17 petabytes per month over the same time period, according to a Cisco study.
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AT&T Files Public Interest Statement with FCC on T-Mobile Acquisition

DALLAS, Texas - April 21, 2011- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today filed with the Federal Communications Commission its Public Interest Statement regarding its proposed acquisition of T-Mobile USA. The filing demonstrates the numerous benefits of the merger, including the deployment of 4G LTE network technology to more than 97 percent of the population. When the parties announced this transaction in March 2011, AT&T initially stated that it would deploy LTE to 95 percent of the U.S. population. After conducting a more refined analysis of the combined network, AT&T is increasing the scope of this commitment to 97.3 percent. This deployment will help fulfill this Administration's pledge to connect every part of America to the digital age, and it will create new jobs and economic growth in the small towns and rural communities that need them most.

The publicly available filing, with certain portions containing competitively confidential information redacted, is available at www.MobilizeEverything.com.

Additional highlights of the filing include:

AT&T has helped make the United States the global leader in mobile broadband and smartphone sales. AT&T's mobile broadband leadership, however, presents it with unique spectrum and capacity challenges. A smartphone generates 24 times the mobile data traffic of a conventional wireless phone, and the explosively popular iPad and similar tablet devices can generate traffic comparable to or even greater than a smartphone. AT&T's mobile data volumes surged by a staggering 8,000% from 2007 to 2010, and as a result, AT&T faces network capacity constraints more severe than those of any other wireless provider.

AT&T is using up its spectrum at an accelerating rate, and the wireless broadband revolution is just beginning. Over the next five years, data usage on AT&T's network is projected to skyrocket as customers "mobilize" all of their communications activities, from streaming HD video and cloud computing to a range of M2M applications like energy management, fleet tracking, and remote health monitoring. In just the first five-to-seven weeks of 2015, AT&T expects to carry all of the mobile traffic volume it carried during 2010.

This merger provides by far the surest, fastest and most efficient solution to that challenge. The network synergies of this transaction will free up new capacity - the functional equivalent of new spectrum - in the many urban, suburban and rural wireless markets where escalating broadband usage is fast consuming existing capacity.

This transaction will thus benefit consumers by reducing the number of dropped and blocked calls, increasing data speeds, improving in-building coverage, and dramatically expanding deployment of next-generation mobile technology.

The transaction's benefits arise from the uniquely complementary nature of AT&T and T-Mobile's GSM/HSPA+ technologies and spectrum holdings.

The combined company expects to integrate a significant portion of T-Mobile cell sites into the AT&T network. Upon network integration, which will benefit customers in as little as nine months, this will equate to "instant" cell splits - increasing cell density and effectively doubling the amount of network traffic that can be carried using existing spectrum in the areas served by those cell sites.

Groups across the political spectrum, including a broad range of consumer, disability, civil rights, and rural advocacy groups have highlighted the transaction's potential to empower consumers, workers and small businesses to participate more fully in our nation's broadband society.

The U.S. wireless marketplace is fiercely competitive, characterized by escalating usage, product differentiation, rapid innovation, fierce advertising campaigns, new entry, and sharply declining prices for wireless service by unit of consumption (e.g., minutes or megabytes). In fact, the FCC found last year that approximately three-quarters of Americans live in localities contested by at least five facilities-based wireless providers. These other competitors are rapidly growing and investing and will ensure the wireless marketplace remains vibrantly competitive after the transaction.

Razer Hydra motion controller gets summer release, Portal 2 bundle

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 06:23 PM PDT

Remember the Razer Hydra controller that let you materialize portals with a real electromagnetic orb? Those motion sensing sticks will be available for pre-order in May and will go on sale in June, two months after this week's release of Portal 2, the game it was first demoed with. However, Razer'll still charge you for a copy of the murderous robot game if you want the fancy gizmo, as it's pricing the bundle at $140 -- understandably more expensive that the "below $100" price that it was targeting for the controller alone. Two months is a pretty long time to wait to play the already-available title, and Razer isn't offering any info on a standalone version of the Sixense-based magnetic peripheral. On the upside, though, Joystiq got its hands on a list of compatible titles, which includes 122 games on top of the aforementioned sequel. That list and the official press release after the break.
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THANKS TO THE RAZER HYDRA, NOW YOU'RE THINKING WITH MOTION-CONTROL

Razer unleashes the Razer Hydra motion sensing controllers, available standalone or bundled exclusively with Valve's Portal 2

Carlsbad, Calif. – April 21st, 2011 – Razer, the world's leading high-end precision gaming brand announces the Razer Hydra, the world's first gaming-grade motion sensing controllers powered by Sixense, built to draw you deeper into your PC games.

Razer worked closely with Valve and Sixense to create exclusive Portal 2 content to showcase the power of the Razer Hydra in enhancing game immersion. Portal 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to 2007's game of the year. The full version of the game plus the exclusive Portal 2 content will be available in a special edition bundle with the Razer Hydra.

"The Razer Hydra is a significant step forward for the PC gaming industry because it not only affords an almost-physical experience for gamers, but also presents developers an opportunity to innovate and significantly push the boundaries on new forms of gameplay and entertainment," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve.

The Razer Hydra lets you extend your natural body motion directly into your PC games. With Portal 2, this means a breathtaking new way to play when you can intuitively reach out, interact with physics puzzles, shoot portals and leap across wide chasms in complete three dimensions. With Razer's trademark ultra-low latency and highly precise one-to-one tracking to the exact millimeter and degree, experience maximum portal testing immersion.

"We are excited to finally bring full motion control to the PC," said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. "Gamers will be blown away by the pinpoint tracking precision that mirrors every move in-game. They'll also enjoy the exclusive new Portal 2 content created specifically for the Razer Hydra, giving them more bang for their buck."

On top of Portal 2, the Razer Hydra is optimized with over 125 popular PC games out of the box, including titles like Left 4 Dead 2 and World of Goo. Gamers no longer have to wait for scarce motion-compatible games. With the future possibility for more downloadable game configurations and the ability to self-configure motion mapping to your specifications, the Razer Hydra plays virtually every game.

"By working with Razer and Valve, we have established the PC as the best platform for motion gaming," says Amir Rubin, CEO, Sixense. "We developed and optimized 6 Sixense TrueMotion levels for Portal 2 to allow gamers to fully experience the possibilities of motion gaming. Definitely an exciting time to be a PC gamer."

About the Razer Hydra Motion Sensing Controllers
Razer Hydra Motion Sensing Controllers

The Razer Hydra is the first gaming-grade motion sensing controllers to bring a whole new dimension of gameplay and immersion to the PC. With compatibility for over 125 games out of the box, and future support for gamers to self-configure controls for any PC game, the entertainment possibilities are virtually endless. Built to deliver location-orientation tracking exact to the millimeter and degree, along with Razer's trademark ultra-low latency, the precision and speed of the Razer Hydra is unrivalled among its kind.

About the Razer Hydra and Portal 2 Bundle

The Razer Hydra is the first gaming-grade motion sensing controllers to bring a whole new dimension of gameplay and immersion to Portal 2. Shoot portals, throw the Weighted Companion Cube, and avoid death traps as easily and intuitively as eating cake. The Razer Hydra is bundled exclusively with the game and comes with six additional levels specifically designed for more portal testing fun with motion control.

Price:
Razer Hydra and Portal 2 bundle: US$139.99 / EU€139.99

Availability:
Razerzone.com, North America, South America, Europe and most countries in Asia.
Steam support required for Portal 2.
Pre-orders start May 2011.
Razer Hydra to ship in June 2011.

Product features:

(Per controller, 2 included in each Hydra set)

* Thumb-ergonomic analog stick for fluid control
* 4 Hyperesponse action buttons
* Rapid-fire trigger and bumper for faster in-game response
* Non-slip satin grip surface
* True six degree-of-freedom magnetic motion tracking
* Lightweight, anti-tangle braided cable



(Base station)

* Low-power magnetic field, low power consumption
* Ultra precise sensor for 1mm and 1 degree tracking
* No line of sight to controllers required
* Low latency feedback

1. A Reckless Disregard for Gravity
2. Alien Swarm
3. Altitude
4. Amnesia
5. And Yet It Moves
6. Assassin's Creed 2
7. Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
8. Audiosurf
9. Batman Arkham Asylum
10. Battlefield Bad Company 2
11. Beat Hazard
12. Beyond Good and Evil
13. Bioshock
14. Bioshock 2
15. Bit Trip Runner
16. Borderlands
17. Braid
18. Bulletstorm
19. Chains
20. Chime
21. Civilization 4
22. Civilization 5
23. COD: Black Ops
24. COD: Modern Warfare
25. COD: Modern Warfare 2
26. COD: World at War
27. Cogs
28. Company of Heroes
29. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
30. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor
31. Crysis 2
32. Darksiders
33. DeathSpank
34. Defense Grid
35. Deus EX
36. Deus EX: Invisible War
37. Dog Fighter
38. Doom 3
39. Eversion
40. Fallout 3
41. Fallout 3: New Vegas
42. Galcon Fusion
43. Grand Theft Auto 3
44. Grand Theft Auto 4
45. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
46. Half Life 2
47. Half-Life
48. Hitman
49. Hitman 2
50. Hoard
51. Just Cause 2
52. Kane & Lynch
53. Kane & Lynch 2
54. Killing Floor
55. Larva Mortus
56. Left 4 Dead
57. Left 4 Dead 2
58. Lego Starwars 3: The Clone Wars
59. Lego: Batman
60. Lego: Harry Potter
61. Lego: Indiana Jones
62. Lego: Star Wars
63. Lucidity
64. Machinarium
65. Magicka
66. Mass Effect
67. Mass Effect 2
68. Max Payne
69. Max Payne 2
70. Metro 2033
71. Mirror's Edge
72. Monday Night Combat
73. Mount & Blade
74. Mount & Blade: Warband
75. Oblivion
76. Obulis
77. Oddworld: Abe's Exodus
78. Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee
79. Osmos
80. Painkiller
81. Painkiller: OVERDOSE
82. Peggle
83. Plain Sight
84. Plants vs Zombies
85. Poker Night at the Inventory
86. Portal
87. Psychonauts
88. Quantz
89. Red Faction 2
90. Red Faction: Guerrilla
91. Resident Evil 5
92. Return to Castle Wolfenstein
93. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3
94. Rush
95. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
96. Sam and Max 101
97. Serious Sam HD
98. Shadowgrounds
99. Shadowgrounds: Survivor
100. Shatter
101. Sims 3
102. Singularity
103. Splinter Cell: Conviction
104. Super Laser Racer
105. Super Meat Boy
106. Swarm Arena
107. Team Fortress 2
108. The Ball
109. The Void
110. The Wonderful End of the World
111. Titan Quest
112. Titan Quest: Immortal Throne
113. Toki Tori
114. Torchlight
115. Trials 2
116. Trine
117. Warhammer 40,000
118. Windosill
119. World of Goo
120. Worms Reloaded
121. Yosumin!
122. Zeno Clash

Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video)

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 05:36 PM PDT

Sarcos
This is Sarcos, a highly-advanced robot capable of balancing on his own two legs. He's also connected to a motion-capture system that allows him to accurately mimic the actions of a human operator. For what grand purpose does his puppet master Benjamin Stephens use these impressive assets? Dancing, of course. Seriously people, they're going to remember this when the time comes for revolution. Video after the break.

Sony Ericsson slaps Walkman logo on X8, renames it W8

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 04:39 PM PDT

Sony Ericsson W8
Take one Xperia X8, add a dash of color, paint a "W" on it and, voilà, you have the first Walkman phone running Android -- the W8. We're not seeing it on the US Sony Ericsson site yet, but a quick visit to the company's German page reveals the decidedly low-end specs: a 3-inch, 320 x 480 touchscreen, a 600MHz processor, 168MB of RAM and Android 2.1. The W8 may not recapture the luster the Walkman brand enjoyed in its TPS-L2 heyday, but at least it'll update your Twitter status. Gallery below.
Sony Ericsson W8

[Thanks, Rich]

T-Hawk UAV enters Fukushima danger zone, returns with video

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 03:48 PM PDT


We'd love to head on down to Fukushima with a DSLR and some iodide pills, but that's obviously not going to happen. Sending in a flying robot seems to be the next best thing, though, and that's exactly what Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) has done. T-Hawk, a US-made MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) commonly used to search for roadside bombs in Iraq, made its Japanese debut last week when it photographed the nuclear plant from above, providing a detailed look at the interior damage a month after iRobot's visit. Small enough to fit in a (rather large) backpack, officially the T-Hawk is named for the tarantula hawk wasp species, but could just as easily have been named for the T. Hawk Street Fighter character, who also swoops in to attack his opponents from above. As expected, things look pretty nasty at ground zero, so head past the break for a video of the damage.

Apple Stores stocking Square credit card readers

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 03:02 PM PDT



Jack Dorsey's über-popular credit card readers got a big thumbs-up from Cupertino this week. Square's devices are hitting Apple's 235 US retail locations and Apple.com for $9.95 a pop -- plus the 2.75 percent that the startup takes off the backend each time you use the reader -- or you can always just sign up for a free one over on Square's site. The iPhone / iPad / iPod touch plug-in accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and yes, even American Express. The CEO of VeriFone will no doubt have plenty to say about the matter.

Update: It turns out you get a $10 redemption code in the box when you buy a Square reader at an Apple store, so it is still technically free (just not, you know, when you buy it).

[Thanks, Michael]

Samson Meteor Mic review

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 02:17 PM PDT

Look at this guy! What a cutie! It's like Elvis' microphone cross-bred with some sort of weird alien USB bumblebee. Samson's Meteor Mic is unquestionably shiny, but its competition is an increasingly attractive bunch as well. Does Lil' Samson's beauty run only grill-deep? Read on to find out!
Samson USB Meteor Mic review

In an ever-widening sea of USB microphones, the differentiating aspect of this diminutive device is its form factor. Three rounded, hinged legs fold up to conform perfectly to the contours of the mic itself, making the whole package slightly smaller than a standard desktop mouse. The foam-padded legs can be adjusted to have the 1-inch cardioid capsule face a (rather limited) range of directions.


Audio-wise, the Meteor's internals perform fine. If you're speaking within 4 to 8 inches of the grill, you'll get good frequency response and a nice built-in p-pop blocking effect, with solid 16-bit / 48kHz recording. The built-in 1/8" headphone monitor, mute button, and headphone volume control all perform exactly as they should.

But these things are kind of givens in the modern world of USB microphones: if you didn't have them, you'd have a failed product, and there are tons of mics out there that deliver these features for less than the $99 Samson is asking for the Meteor. Back to the differentiating point, then: the folding legs, which theoretically function as as an adjustable stand, are kind of useless. We put them on the table next to our laptop -- which we presume would be the most popular location to place it for podcasting -- and were way too far away from the capsule to get good results. In order to use our laptop and the microphone at the same time, we had to lean waaaay in, and the hunchback / craned-neck look isn't quite "in" with our podcast team yet. It also picked up a lot of noise from our laptop fan and typing sounds.



In order for the mic to really function usefully, then, you're going to need a desk- or floor-based stand, which will work just fine with the built-in 5/8" thread mount. But that kind of defeats the point of the differentiating aspect of this microphone... right? We're also actually a little worried that this built-in legs might encourage amateur laptop recorders to NOT buy a stand, place the mics on their desks, and just live with perpetually low-quality recordings without even knowing they're doing anything wrong, which makes us kind of squeamish.

Don't get us wrong: we like the Meteor and would be super-stoked if it could use those sexy legs as wings and fly 4 - 8 inches from our mouths all day long, but unfortunately we don't think that's in the cards 'til at least version 3.0. You could use it to mic other stuff, too, like drums, guitars, or your killer flute jam, but if you're interested in doing a serious recording you won't be using a USB mic anyway, you'd be using a couple XLR microphones and a USB audio interface, probably. Or, if you're looking for a one-device / quick n' dirty recording solution and are going to be mounting it on a stand anyway, you might as well go with something like Samson's own Zoom H2 Handy Recorder, a long-time favorite of ours that has four mics, a built-in display, and memory to record on for less than $150. While the H2 and its ilk aren't as handsome as the Meteor mic, they do a lot more.


As x-treme nerds, we're more comfortable hanging out with those who have more going on inside than outside, which the Meteor certainly doesn't. But! When we're looking for a perfectly competent, seriously flawed, drop-dead knockout to take on the town for the evening, it'll probably be the Meteor.

Reuters: Apple set to launch cloud-based music service ahead of Google (update)

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

It's the rumor that wouldn't die, and Reuters is now reporting that Apple is finally set to launch a cloud-based music service -- presumably putting its massive North Carolina data center to some real work at long last. Details are still fairly light beyond that, but Reuters says that Apple's service will actually launch ahead of Google's similar cloud-based option, which it reports is now "stalled," citing "several people familiar with both companies plans." According to Reuters, the service will let folks store their music (and only music, apparently) on Apple's servers and then access it on any device with an internet connection -- and a copy of iTunes, we presume.

Update: Peter Kafka, over at All Things Digital, backs up Reuters' claim with some additional detail. Unlike Amazon's approach with Cloud Player, Apple is actively seeking to license the music for its streaming service before launching. According to Kafka's sources, Apple has already secured deals with two of the big four labels and plans to launch "pretty soon." The deal would allow Apple to store a single master copy of a track on its servers and then share that track with multiple users. As Kafka describes the service, "The idea is that Apple will let users store songs they've purchased from its iTunes store, as well as others songs stored on their hard drives, and listen to them on multiple devices."

iriver Story HD e-reader hits the FCC, US retailers next?

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 01:24 PM PDT

We haven't heard much about iriver's Story HD e-reader since it quite literally landed in our laps at CES back in January, but it looks like it might now finally be nearing a US launch. The e-reader has just turned up at the FCC, where's it's been thoroughly tested and dissected (see the link below for some additional evidence). That's not always a sure sign that a US launch is imminent, but it does seem likely in this case -- especially considering that iriver has already lined up a number of US content partnerships for the device. As for the e-reader itself, it's similar in size to the Kindle and packs a 6-inch 1024 x 768 display, along with an 800MHz Coretx A8 processor, 2GB of internal memory, an SD card slot for expansion, and WiFi connectivity. In other words, it remains unchanged from CES, which means our preview is just as relevant as ever.

Acer's Web Surf Station looks like a monitor, acts like an all-in-one

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 12:56 PM PDT

We'd say we're pretty well-covered when it comes to devices that turn on instantly to let you surf the web, scan your Facebook feed, and browse photos. But if you crave that immediacy and a larger, more comfortable viewing space, Acer's DX241H Web Station might be the product you're looking for. Available in wired and wireless models, this 24-inch monitor has a built-in browser, and can get online without being connected to a PC. While web surfing is clearly the marquee feature, you can also watch movies on its 1080p display by using Acer's clear.fi software to stream video and other media from other devices on the network. Spec-wise, it also boasts DLNA compatibility, VGA and HDMI output, USB ports, and a memory card slot. People in the UK too impatient to wait for an all-in-one to boot up can snag the Web Station for £299 ($495) in May.
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Connect, enjoy and share with DX241H

The Acer Web Surf Station

London, 21st April 2011 – Acer creates the Web Surf Station: the first monitor that lets you surf the web and enjoy your multimedia with no need of a computer!

No more time wasted waiting for the computer to boot when you are in a hurry and all you need to do is a quick web search or communicate with friends. What's more, with the Acer DX241H you can enjoy and share your multimedia files as well as get instant access to your social networks.

Including both wireless and wired connectivity options, The Acer DX241H ensures seamless access to available networks for instant Internet access. With a 61cm (24") panel, this display offers plenty of room to comfortably view all web content and multimedia. And, to make your experience totally effortless it comes with an integrated browser.

To launch the browser, just click on the WWW icon on the Web Surf Station home page. Intuitive and easy to use the Web Surf Station browser makes it simple to navigate the Internet. A bar at the bottom of the browser enables you to easily switch to other functions, set the volume, or return to the Main Menu

Pre-loaded on the DX241H is Acer clear.fi media sharing system, an easy to use solution that allows you to enjoy and share photos, music and videos with other devices in the home network, from Picasa™ or Flickr, or from an external storage device like a USB drive or media card.

Enjoying and sharing your multimedia using Acer clear.fi is easy. Once you have opened clear.fi by clicking ion Photo, Music or video on the Web Surf Station, you can choose the content you want to playback from a list of sources:

• Library contains preloaded samples and files in your device

• Shared Library contains shared files from other devices in your home network

Select the video, music or photo you wish to playback and start having fun. The Media Control Panel lets you control what you're playing, or switch to other functions.

The Acer DX241H is built to DLNA® standards, meaning not only that it can seamlessly work together with other certified devices, but also that has extended capabilities, such as play, render, find and upload content.

Along with all these innovative functions, the Acer Web Surf Station packs high-end monitor features, to ensure the best viewing experience. Available in 61cm (24"), with Full HD resolution (1920x1080) the DX241H drives jaw-dropping cinematic views of the latest high definition content which are ideal for advanced Full HD gaming and multimedia viewing. With a 16:9 aspect ratio, the perfect size to watch every bit of a movie with no black stripes and the same splendour of a theatre screen.

Featuring up to 80,000:1 contrast ratio, optimized by Acer Adaptive Contrast Management, the DX241H display offers a significant improvement of gradation and detail, especially with dim or bright images thus ensuring a superior visual experience. The play-back of simply flawless videos and games is a given thanks to an awesome 2ms response time that along with Overdrive technology reduces deviations in transition time and allows the display to reproduce true to life moving images.

The DX241H offers a range of ports for effortless integration with other devices. VGA for analogue connectivity; HDMI® enables outstanding high-definition viewing and best uncompressed quality video; USB ports which allows easy connection to other devices and allow instant media playback. The monitor also includes a built-in card reader to quickly share and enjoy multimedia files.

A highly sophisticated design compliments the innovative functional features and gives a touch of class to any environment. The graceful base has a transparent ring around for a richer visual impact, while the teardrop-shaped power key adds a cool touch of class.

The Acer DX241H will be available in May with a SRRP of £299 inc Vat.

Amazon updates Kindle app for Honeycomb, shows that tablets really do exist

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 12:27 PM PDT

If you've done any Kindling on your Xoom or your G-Slate or your Transformer or whatever little slice of Honeycomb you're calling home, chances are you've noticed the app isn't exactly optimized for the relatively big screen of your slate. Well, now it has been. As promised, Amazon has just pushed an update to the Kindle app that makes it decidedly more 3.0-friendly. Gone is the ugly list of books, replaced by a lovely grid of titles including cover art. Just tap to start reading. Text itself within the books is higher-res and page turning seems snappier too. Worth the download? For sure -- especially since it's still free.
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Kindle for Android Now Tailored for Tablet Computers

Over 900,000 "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle Books available on the most popular platforms and devices, now including tablets running Android Honeycomb

SEATTLE, April 21, 2011 – (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Today Amazon announced an update to Kindle for Android that brings new features and adds support for tablet computers running Android's Honeycomb, including the Motorola Xoom. The latest version of Kindle for Android includes an integrated immersive shopping experience tailored for tablets, a new layout for newspapers and magazines designed for the unique interface of Honeycomb, and dozens of other new enhancements that take advantage of the larger screens. Like all Kindle apps, Kindle for Android includes Amazon's Whispersync technology, which saves and synchronizes a customer's books and bookmarks across their Kindle, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Android-based phones and tablets. Customers can learn more about Kindle for Android at www.amazon.com/kindleforandroid and download the app from the Amazon Appstore for Android or Android Market.

"We've taken all the features customers love about Kindle for Android, and created a beautiful new user interface and a seamless shopping experience tailored to the look and feel of Honeycomb tablets," said Dorothy Nicholls, Director, Amazon Kindle. "As always, Kindle customers 'Buy Once, Read Everywhere,' so Kindle for Android is the perfect companion for the millions of customers who own a Kindle and a way for customers around the world to download and enjoy books on their Android phone or tablet even if they don't yet own a Kindle."

New features of Kindle for Android include:
· Seamless integrated shopping experience tailored for tablets gives you quick access to personalized recommendations, customer reviews, and more
· Refined newspaper and magazine layout including full color images
· Ability to pause, resume download at any time
· Enhanced word look-up capability (for Android-based phones and tablets) with built-in dictionary with over 250,000 entries and definitions.

The Kindle Store offers the largest selection of books people want to read, including 110 of 111 New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases from $9.99. Millions of older, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books are also available to read. Kindle for Android offers customers many features that are unique to the Kindle and Kindle App experience, including:
"Buy Once, Read Everywhere" – sync and read your books, last page read, bookmarks, notes and highlights across Kindle devices and the most popular devices and platforms
Worry-Free Archive – Amazon automatically backs up your books and highlights online in your Kindle library where they can be re-downloaded wirelessly anytime on any Kindle device or app
Unparalleled shopping experience – Get all of the features you love about shopping on Amazon.com, including customer reviews, personalized recommendations, and instant 1-click buying using your Amazon account information

For over two years, Amazon has been building and introducing a wide selection of free "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" Kindle apps for iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Android-based devices that let customers read and sync their reading library, bookmarks, notes, and highlights with the device or platform of their choice. Learn more about Kindle apps at www.amazon.com/kindleapps. Customers can download Kindle for Android from the Amazon Appstore for Android or Android Market.

About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. Kindle, Kindle 3G and Kindle DX are the revolutionary portable readers that wirelessly download books, magazines, newspapers, blogs and personal documents to a crisp, high-resolution electronic ink display that looks and reads like real paper. Kindle 3G and Kindle DX utilize the same 3G wireless technology as advanced cell phones, so users never need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Kindle is the #1 bestselling product across the millions of items sold on Amazon.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, and www.amazon.it. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.

PSP Go to America: I'm not dead (yet)

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 12:06 PM PDT

PSP Go
It looks like proclamations of the PSP Go's demise may have been a bit premature. While it does appear that Japan and Europe are giving up on the downloadable content-only device, Sony of America told our good friends at Joystiq that the UMD-less PSP is still a "go" in North America. Production and sales will continue, presumably until we can get our greasy paws on the NGP this holiday season.

Hair transplant robot gets FDA approval, men with straight brown hair rejoice

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:47 AM PDT

Back in 2007, we told you about Restoration Robotics, an upstart research team using robots to perform hair transplants -- a project whose details (you know, like how it works) were shrouded in secrecy. Four years later, the Artas System has won FDA approval for in-office procedures, with the inviting bot in the above photo harvesting individual hair follicles from the scalp. A few months after this robot operates on your cranium, hair will start growing back, a process that could take a year -- and makes for a more gradual transformation than slapping on a toupee. Still, you'll have to be a certain kind of man to take advantage of this technology -- for now at least, it's only been cleared for men with black or brown straight hair. Looks like the rest of you will have to find other, lower-tech ways to suffer for your beauty.
Show full PR text
ARTAS SYSTEM RECEIVES FDA CLEARANCE FOR GROUND-BREAKING TECHNOLOGY TREATING HAIR LOSS

Restoration Robotics, Inc., a medical device company that pioneered the first robotic follicular unit harvesting system, today announced that it has received FDA 510K clearance for its revolutionary ARTAS System

Mountain View, CA – April 14, 2011 – Restoration Robotics, Inc. a privately-held medical device company, today announced that its revolutionary technology, the ARTAS™ System, has received 510K clearance from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) with black or brown straight hair. The ARTAS™ System was developed in close collaboration with several leading hair restoration physicians to enhance the quality of follicular unit harvesting for the benefit of physicians and their patients.

"We are thrilled to receive FDA clearance, and look forward to rolling out the ARTAS™ System to leading hair restoration physicians," said Jim McCollum, Chief Executive Officer, Restoration Robotics. "Hair loss is a very real issue for millions of men in the United States. We're pleased to offer a powerful new technology for patients who are interested in a safe new way to enhance their quality of life."

ARTAS™ is a physician-controlled, state-of-the-art, interactive, computer-assisted system that enables harvesting of hair follicles during hair restoration procedures. It combines several features including an image-guided robotic arm, special imaging technologies, small dermal punches, and a computer interface. The ARTAS™ System is capable of identifying and harvesting individual follicular units to implement the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique.

The Benefits

"Many patients are seeking less invasive alternatives to the current hair restoration techniques," said Miguel Canales, MD, Medical Director, Restoration Robotics. "There is growing interest in FUE because of its many patient benefits, such as less discomfort and a quicker return to normal activities. The ARTAS™ System solves many of the technical challenges experienced by physicians currently attempting the FUE procedure which gives physicians and patients an exciting new choice."

Hair restoration is performed as an office-based procedure. Implanted hairs develop their own blood supply, begin to grow and new hairs are seen a few months after the procedure. New hair continues to grow over the course of a full year, making the change in the patient's appearance gradually noticeable to others.

"I believe the ARTAS™ system will make hair restoration more attractive to a broader group of patients," said James Harris, MD, of the Hair Sciences Center in Denver, CO. "In my practice, I have seen a significant increase in patients asking for FUE because of its minimally invasive approach. They really liked the rapid healing and lack of a linear scar, which makes this procedure different from the strip method."

Hair Loss By The Numbers

According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)[1], at least 35 million men in the United States are affected by male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. By age 50, approximately 50% of men will experience some degree of appreciable hair loss. Approximately one in four men suffer from male pattern baldness (MPB), which has psychological, professional and social consequences for these patients, such as:

· 68% of men feel helpless about their hair loss

· 73% of balding men feel they are less attractive than they were when they had hair[2]

· 77% of balding men would feel very or somewhat concerned if they were in their 20s, just starting their career and experiencing hair loss[3]

While prescription remedies, such as Propecia® and Rogaine®, offer some benefits to existing hair, hair restoration moves healthy, functioning follicles to the areas of the patient's scalp most impacted by baldness for more dramatic results. Hair restoration is a popular cosmetic procedure, with an estimated number of procedures exceeding 100,000 in the U.S. in 2009. Hair restoration is the only permanent solution for hair loss and can result in a natural, undetectable outcome.

Arbonata Light Table classes up LEDs and dining rooms

Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:24 AM PDT

Arbonata Light Table
Here's a solution for adding a little techno-flare to your furniture that's a bit more subtle than cramming computer parts into a coffee table. The Arbonata Light Table, available from nKcharms at the source link, impregnates stylish slabs of wood with over 1,700 LEDs arranged in the shape of a tree. According to designer Dennis Vetu, it's some sort of metaphor for the circle of life -- as he explains on the Arbonata site, "tree becomes wood, becomes light." Artsy prattle aside, we couldn't imagine sitting down to a ramen dinner on a classier surface. If you're not partial to branches and leaves though, nKcharms will work with customers to create unique designs. We might just order one emblazoned with a glowing Engadget logo. Sadly, there's no price listed, but then again, if you have to ask.... Don't miss the gallery below.

Arbonata Light Table
at 11:54 AM

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