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Engadget News |
- Acer Iconia Tab A500 review
- Origin EON17-S gaming laptop overclocked to 4.5GHz, up for order
- BPG Werks DTV Shredder test-ride (video)
- HP's 3105m is the Pavilion dm1z, rebadged for the business set
- Rugged Casio G'zOne Commando official, coming to Verizon on April 28th for $200
- Kokuyo's X-VIZ designer calculator is tailor-made for one-armed accountants
- Nissan Leaf entered in 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, can feel free to just coast back down again
- Researchers take one step closer to neural-controlled bionic legs for safer mobility
- Verizon officially announces HTC Droid Incredible 2: available April 28th for $200
- Toshiba reveals 7-inch LCD with integrated touch, just 1mm thick
- Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200
- Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon roadmap leaks, exhibits great expectations (updated)
- Apple gets its white iPhone 4 ducks in a row ahead of launch
- CE-Oh no he didn't!: BMW exec says electric vehicles 'won't work,' but would love to sell you one anyway
- Don-8r the panhandling robot set to make the homeless obsolete (video)
- LG licenses ARM Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 graphics, starts scheming up mobile processors of its own
- Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative
- ASUS Eee Pad Transformer goes on sale in US, immediately sells out at Amazon
- Visualized: ring around the world of data center power usage
- Chicago's Adler Planetarium to start projecting 8K by 8K images from this July, put cinema screens to shame
- Want a PlayBook that runs Android 3.0? You can get one at MacMall!
- Vibratron plays impossible music with ball bearings, is your new master (video)
- Sony S1 and S2 dual-screen Honeycomb tablets get official (video)
- YouTube ready to start renting video on-demand movies from major studios?
- ChargePoint lets you reserve electric charging stations, cuts down on alternative fueling fistfights
- Lego-inspired helmet concept protects your brain, reads comics so you don't have to
- Leica i9 concept pairs $1,000 camera with $200 iPhone
- Asahi's new slim glass substrate for touchscreen displays gives smartphones svelte silhouettes
- Researchers build synthetic synapse circuit, prosthetic brains still decades away
- Purdue's Celeritas car scores 2,200MPG from the sun, wins Shell Eco-marathon
- Shocker! Instant messaging gains popularity as TXTing declines, BBM to blame
- White iPhone 4 coming to Best Buy on Wednesday?
- iMac rumor mill suggests new models could be coming next week
- Keepin' it real fake: Nckia's N-Gage knockoff harkens back to a simpler, side-talkin' era
- Yahoo buys TV companion app developer IntoNow and its database of sounds
- Caption contest: Spike Lee asks Obama to smile for the camera
- Today marks 50th anniversary of first silicon integrated circuit patent (and the entire computing industry)
- Dell Precision M4600 and M6600 specs emerge in leaked manual
- Lenovo 7-inch Honeycomb tablet coming Q4 according to leaked PDF, Le OS genetics in tow
- T-Mobile's Bobsled temporarily suspends service in first week (updated)
| Posted: 26 Apr 2011 11:01 AM PDT  Hardware Like most Android Honeycomb tablets, the Iconia Tab's front is all bezel and screen (and a tiny front-facing cam), intentionally designed without any buttons to let you hold and use the slate in any orientation. However, unlike most of its competitors the Iconia Tab has an orientation lock switch (on its "top" edge) to save you the trouble of digging through a software menu. There's also a volume rocker up top, which performs a neat orientation trick of its own -- it's contextual, meaning the switch changes volume up or down depending on how the tablet is held. Sadly, both of these buttons are made of cheap plastic, sunk into the aluminum frame, and rather difficult to press, which somewhat detracts from the generally classy feeling of the Iconia Tab. There's also a plastic flap right next to the buttons, where you can insert a microSD card (yes, they work out of the box) and a blank space where we expect the AT&T model (or perhaps, the Verizon LTE version that disappeared into the ether) would store its SIM slot. Moving onto the left side, we have the translucent power button, which doubles as the charging light, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a mini-HDMI port. We're slightly miffed that Acer couldn't cram a full-size HDMI socket in the copious space here, or at least include a mini-HDMI cable in the box. Regardless, the video connection works fairly well, performing full, responsive display mirroring at 720p resolution, albeit suffering from a bit of overscan. (Acer says 1080p video-out will be supported in a Q2 update.) On the bottom, there's just a docking connector for the optional charging dock with infrared remote, and on the right side you'll find the dedicated power jack and a pair of USB slots: one micro-USB to transfer data to the tablet, and one full-size USB port which connects with both your storage drives and keyboards right out of the box. (Again, you'll need to wait for an Acer update to enable USB mouse support.) Last but not least, the back has the Iconia Tab's ho-hum five megapixel camera with a single LED flash in the upper-right-hand corner -- more on that in a bit -- and a pair of silvery stereo speakers along the bottom edge.  Display Performance and battery life Sure enough, the slate seemed slightly speedier in our benchmark suite, as where the Xoom pulled down 1,801 in the general-purpose Quadrant test (and the T-Mobile G-Slate did 1,879) the Iconia Tab pulled ahead of the pack with a score of 2,228 and pushed 2,300 several times. The A500 also regularly delivered over 42 MFLOPS in Linpack -- recall that it took a overclocked 1.5GHz Xoom to blaze through 47 MFLOPS. The A500 even pulled slightly ahead in the SunSpider Javascript benchmark, completing a run in just 1,988ms, where the Xoom took 2,042ms. Still, those aren't terribly significant differences, and in real-world testing we didn't see a noticible impact -- in fact, if anything, the graphical performance had a couple niggles on our Acer review unit. The A500 plays 720p (H.264) video like a charm (though not 1080p) and does well in Android 3.0's handful of graphically intensive games, but on rare occasions we noticed some graphical corruption when playing certain videos in RockPlayer or scrolling Android menus, the likes of which never cropped up in our Xoom testing. No, our only genuine disappointment with the Acer Iconia Tab A500 was its sustained battery life.
Acer includes a pair of 3260mAh batteries under that shiny rear cover, and for the most part they worked just fine. The battery meter still read 80 percent after a day of idling, and had only dipped to 53 percent by the time we woke up the next morning -- with two push email accounts constantly running over WiFi the whole while. After charging up once again, and with moderate use of email, web, a smidgen of video and gaming, and plenty of music playback during a second day, we hit the pillow with 32 percent of battery life remaining. However, when it came time for our standard battery drain test (where we loop the same standard-definition video with the screen at roughly 65 percent brightness, and WiFi on) the A500's lithium-ion cells gave us only 6 hours and 55 minutes of playback, a good sight worse than any 10-inch Honeycomb tablet we've tested thus far. Mind you, that's still enough oomph to last you a transcontinental flight, but it's a little weak compared to the alternatives here, and that's surprising considering both the underlying silicon and batteries here are supposedly identical to the immediate Android competition. Software Here's the basic rundown: LumiRead is a simple e-book reader that redirects you to the web browser to actually grab any books, an odd addition when Google's own Books is a tap away; SocialJogger is a Twitter and Facebook status update browser with oversized fonts and a painfully slow UI that could be replaced with the likes of TweetDeck in an instant. There's also NemoPlayer, an ugly (but speedy) photo, video and music navigator that pales in comparison to Honeycomb's fast and stylish Gallery and Music apps; Clear.Fi, another multimedia browsers that's slightly slower but prettier; and MusicA, a Shazam-alike that somehow had difficulty recognizing a number of pop hits. The two positive additions here are Acer's Media Server, which lets the A500 stream content to networked computers and DLNA-capable rigs, and Photo Browser 3D, which uses the tablet's inertial sensors to flip through graphically pleasing digital scrapbooks of your camera images. Camera Speaking of video, we're sorry to say it's far worse than the stills. As you can see in our sample video above, the Acer Iconia Tab A500 is technically capable of 720p recording, but we'd be hard-pressed to call it high-definition here -- only in a small window on a webpage and with the tablet held perfectly still does it even look even passable. Compression artifacting crops up when making any rapid motion, and the short focus rears its head again, blurring everything more than a few feet away from the slate's sensor. Audio is also problematic. Even the wind generated by simply walking outdoors muffled most everything else. Wrap-up | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin EON17-S gaming laptop overclocked to 4.5GHz, up for order Posted: 26 Apr 2011 10:42 AM PDT  You won't need to compromise much with Origin's EON17-S gaming notebook, though a $3,000 dent in your wallet could severely compromise your purchasing power for the next few months. That's the starting price for this gaming laptop, with a 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-2920XM Quad-Core processor factory overclocked to 4.5GHz, and maxing the system out with 32GB of RAM, dual 480GB SSD's, and a 2GB NVidia GeForce GTX 485M GPU will send the price tag north of $10,000. Small price to pay for months of geek cred at your neighborhood LAN party, right? We'd rather use the money as a down payment on a Tesla Roadster, but if helping to rebuild the economy with the best, brightest and heaviest (at 8.6 pounds) computing monster sitting on your lap is just what you need, then look for yours in the mail come May 17th. The Highest Mobile Processor Clock Speed in the World Miami, FL – April 25, 2011 – ORIGIN PC announced today the availability of overclocked processors in the EON17-S. Featuring 2nd generation INTEL "Sandybridge" processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 485M graphics cards, the laptops are the most powerful ORIGIN laptops available with mobile processors. The EON17-S laptops have updated B3 stepping motherboards and feature overclocking and Turbo Boost technology allowing ORIGIN engineers to successfully increase the speed and power of the processor without impacting system stability or longevity. EON17-S laptops with overclocking are fully covered by ORIGIN's unsurpassed warranty featuring free part replacement, free shipping, and free lifetime support. EON17-S Features and Technology: * 17.3 Full HD Widescreen, LED Backlit, 16.9, 1920 x 1080 (1080p) * Customizable ORIGIN top cover * 2nd Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 Processors * Overclocking up to 4.5GHz with Turbo Boost on Core i7 Extreme Edition processors * NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB or GTX485M 2GB * FOUR Memory Slots for up to 32GB Dual Channel DDR3 1333Mhz or 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz * Bluray burner & reader, Hybrid and SSD drive with RAID options * Full size keyboard with numeric pad * HDMI Out; Optical Digital Out, up to 7.1 HD Audio with THX TruStudio support * Built-In 802.11n & Bluetooth Support * Bluetooth 3.0 & Wireless Video options * Built-In TVtuner support * Built-in USB 3.0 & E-SATA ports * (W)16.22″ x (D)10.87″ x (H)1.65″ – 1.79" * 8.6 lbs with the battery "The EON17-S laptops are remarkably portable and with 2nd generation Intel processors overclocked to 4.5GHz, they are the fastest ORIGIN laptops ever built on an Intel mobile platform" said Kevin Wasielewski ORIGIN CEO and co-founder. ORIGIN systems feature a 1 to 3 year free shipping and free part replacement warranty backed with the best in class integration, quality testing and support. ORIGIN offers a free life-time phone and online service guarantee and each customer has a dedicated support team and free life-time labor for upgrade needs. About ORIGIN: ORIGIN builds custom, high-performance desktops and laptops for hardware enthusiasts, professionals, and gamers. ORIGIN PCs are hand built, tested, and serviced by knowledgeable gaming enthusiasts, industry veterans, and award winning system integrators. Their staff is comprised of award-winning, experienced experts in the gaming and PC markets who want to share their passion with other enthusiasts. ORIGIN is located in Miami, FL and ships worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ORIGINPC.com or call 1-877-ORIGIN-Ø. (674-4460) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| BPG Werks DTV Shredder test-ride (video) Posted: 26 Apr 2011 10:01 AM PDT  HardwareThere are two separate Shredder devices, but they're obviously quite closely related, love children of a Segway and an Abrams tank -- Johnny 5 with a skate deck. They're both jet skis for the sand, but one is rather more menacing than the other. The "Sport" edition is powered by a 250cc engine ripped from a go-kart and situated beneath an over-sized skate deck, complete with grip tape. That engine is connected to the company's patented dual-CVT differential, which evenly splits power between the two treads. Unlike a tank you don't have to brake the inside strap to turn, so there's no loss of power. Good thing, as there's not a lot on offer, between 15 and 20hp depending on who you ask. That pretty light, even for a 250cc motor, but thankfully it doesn't have much weight to move: just 160 pounds -- plus your sorry self. The lack of power helps to make it all rather easier to ride, a good thing for those who don't like broken arms and scraped up knees. Step up to the big boy military version and it all gets a bit more serious. Despite a carbon fiber deck and composite construction it's 90 pounds heavier, for one thing, a slew of batteries and electronics adding their heft. The drivetrain here is completely different from the Sport, relying on a small rotary engine that again comes from a kart. Here it's been fuel-injected and turbocharged, putting down about 30 horsepower.  But, that doesn't go to the treads. It's instead used to charge the onboard battery packs, which in turn provide the juice to dual 20kW motors, one per tread. This has a few crucial improvements, most notable being that the machine can now power each tread completely independently. It also means the thing can run purely on battery power and, while the team still doesn't know just how far it can go, they estimate about an hour's worth of silent running is possible. If you don't care about making noise the rotary engine can be spun up to recharge the batteries. Or, for when you absolutely have to get out of Dodge ASAP, electricity coming from the rotary engine and the batteries can both be directed to the motors to provide more power -- and more danger to the occupant. All that is controlled by an Arduino Mega board, which handles the throttle and steering inputs. This is a pure fly-by-wire ride, killing the mechanical connection between what you're doing and how the system behaves. That's a good or a bad thing depending on how well you trust the machines, but it does enable the device to drive itself and even follow somebody around. That, again, is good or bad depending on that level of trust. The ride The team of braniacs from BPG Werks and Air Force Academy cadets were gathered in New Mexico ahead of a military competition in which the Shredder would be competing for a contract. The device had been hauled down from its home base in the Toronto, Ontario area. Some customs confusion caused a delay in arrival, in which a border patrol guard did what he thought was right by preventing what could only be the beginning of a Terminator invasion from reaching American shores. He was eventually satisfied but the delay meant time was precious. The Military version was still being bolted and soldered together when we took the Sport out to some dunes to play. For a few hours we crashed over jumps, buzzed around dry riverbeds, and in general caused confusion amongst the many ATV and dirt bike riders. Riding the Shredder Sport is definitely an odd sensation, a bit like a harsh stand-up jetski with a somewhat more painful penalty for falling. Thankfully it's generally easy to just hop off the side when it all starts to get weird, which it did a few times.  The biggest thing to get used to here is that you can't turn without power, which is again like your average jet ski. Here, though, turning is activated by leaning from side to side on the big skate deck. So, you have to hang off and really crank the throttle, which definitely takes some practice. Figure it out we did and, once mastered, we started having a lot of fun. Sure, the brakes don't really work and the throttle cable stuck on us once, which was a little disconcerting. But, despite the lack of grunt, motoring around on this treaded terror is a blast. Mind you, this is still very much a prototype that, by the time it starts showing up at powersports dealers, ought to be far more refined and easier to ride. Our experience on the Military version was, sadly, far more limited. The team did finally get everything affixed into place and compiled into memory in time for us to take it for a quick spin, but we could only run it in "stealth" mode, relying on battery power and at 40 percent maximum power. Plus the steering was still having problems. Basically, we couldn't turn. Still, riding the Military version -- even mostly in alternating straight lines -- was quite an experience. The extra size gives it much more stability and, despite cruising in stealth mode, it felt more powerful and accelerated smoothly than the Sport. It's quiet, too, without the nasty vibrations the other model uses to tenderize your feet and mitts. Wrap-up Even when not running in full-form, the Shredder is an impressive piece of machinery, an opinion echoed by the US armed forces, which granted the BPG Werks team a victory in its competition. What happens next to the brawnier version is entirely up to the whims of the military, but if all goes well it could be on battlefields by the end of the year. We're thinking of enlisting in the hopes of getting another ride, but the safer bet is to wait for the Sport edition to hit powersport dealers. Pricing is expected to be somewhere south of $3,500, but that's liable to change between now and 2012. Sure, you could get yourself a proper dirtbike for that kind of money, but only the Shredder will have you storming into the coming apocalypse with this kind of Mad Max style. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| HP's 3105m is the Pavilion dm1z, rebadged for the business set Posted: 26 Apr 2011 09:41 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugged Casio G'zOne Commando official, coming to Verizon on April 28th for $200 Posted: 26 Apr 2011 09:14 AM PDT 
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| Kokuyo's X-VIZ designer calculator is tailor-made for one-armed accountants Posted: 26 Apr 2011 08:51 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nissan Leaf entered in 2011 Pikes Peak Hill Climb, can feel free to just coast back down again Posted: 26 Apr 2011 08:27 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Researchers take one step closer to neural-controlled bionic legs for safer mobility Posted: 26 Apr 2011 07:59 AM PDT  We've seen our fair share of prosthetic arms and computer interfaces operated with little more than the firing of a synapse, but legs? They're a different story: balancing and propelling a sack of (mostly) flesh and bone is a much more complicated task than simply picking up a sandwich. Thankfully, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Center for Bionic Medicine is now one step closer to thought-controlled lower-limb prosthetics. As pictured here, the researchers' early simulations showed that amputees could control a virtual knee and ankle with 91-percent accuracy, by way of pattern recognition software to interpret electrical signals delivered through nine different muscles in the thigh -- patients think about moving, thus lighting up the nerves in varying patterns to indicate different motions. The ultimate goal is to hook up bionic legs through the same way, which would offer a greater range of motion than existing prosthetics, making tasks like walking up and down stairs safer. Now all we need is a quadruple amputee willing to pick up a badge and slap on an eye-tracking microdisplay. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Announces Preliminary Results Demonstrating Neural Control in Lower Limb Amputees Research published in the JAMA marks the first significant step towards RIC's future development of a neural-controlled CHICAGO (April 20, 2011) – The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), ranked the "#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America" by U.S. News & World Report since 1991, announced today preliminary results demonstrating real-time neural control of knee and ankle motions for lower limb amputees. Results from the early-stage research, authored by Dr. Levi Hargrove of RIC's Center for Bionic Medicine, were published in the April 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Prosthetic Leg"Our preliminary results demonstrate successful neural control of both the ankle and knee joints and represent a significant step in our efforts to develop a neural-controlled prosthetic leg for the millions of people living with lower limb loss worldwide," said Dr. Levi Hargrove, PhD, Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "There is much work to be done, but what we have found is a meaningful sign for a future of more advanced prosthetic control and artificial limbs for lower limb amputees." More than one million American's live with lower limb amputations with more than 130,000 new lower limb amputations occurring each year – almost six times the number of upper limb amputations.1 With lower limb amputees forming a large portion of the amputee population, there is a significant unmet need for the development of a neural-controlled prosthetic leg. However, there are challenges in transitioning the current bionic technology for upper limbs to lower limbs due to some inconsistencies in recording neural, or electromyographic (EMG), signals. While research to-date has provided some insight into overcoming these challenges, additional studies are needed to evaluate and develop a novel lower limb neural interface.2 Dr. Hargrove's research published in JAMA investigates real-time neural control in four lower limb amputees and four non-amputee control participants, measuring the EMG signals in nine lower limb muscle sites during lower limb movement. Through real-time tests, all participants were instructed to move a virtual lower limb through a variety of motion patterns on a computer screen. Metrics were based on accuracy of movement, the time it took to complete the motion and the percentage of successfully completed motions. Results from the trial showed all participants were able to control their knee and ankle from neural information measured in the thigh. The average motion completion rate for knee and ankle movements (knee flexion/extension and ankle dorsi-flexion/plantar flexion) was high at 97.2 percent for amputee patients and 95.1 percent for control participants. The average motion completion times for knee and ankle movements were 2.53 seconds for amputee patients and 1.94 seconds for control participants. The average accuracy of movement rates were 91 percent for amputee patients and 89 percent for control participants. Findings from Dr. Hargrove's study complement RIC's continued success in providing upper limb amputees with neural control of prostheses, through its Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) procedure and development of the world's first neural-controlled bionic arm. TMR, pioneered by Todd A. Kuiken, M.D., Ph.D. of the RIC in 2002, is an innovative surgical procedure that re-routes brain signals from nerves severed during amputation to intact muscles, allowing patients to control their robotic prosthetic devices by merely thinking about the action they want to perform. The procedure has benefitted, to date, more than 50 upper limb amputees worldwide. "These findings in JAMA also showed that real-time ankle control was attainable by only using EMG signals from the thigh muscles, leading me and my colleagues to believe that TMR surgery may not be necessary for amputees to regain control of knee and ankle movements with prostheses," said Dr. Hargrove. "We look forward to applying these findings to our continued research investigating neural control in lower limb amputees and the future development of advanced physical knee and ankle prostheses." About The Bionic Arm RIC's Center for Bionic Medicine, led by Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD, pioneered a procedure called Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR), in which the amputee's own nerves that once went to their arm and hand are reconnected to healthy muscles, allowing the neural information to be used to control a computerized prosthesis more naturally-the user simply thinks about what they want the arm to do. The "Bionic Arm," or neural-controlled myoelectric arm, is driven using electrical signals from the reinnervated muscles, now activated by the user's own thought-generated nerve impulses. These impulses are sensed, via surface electrodes, from the reinnervated muscles and carried through to the mechanical arm, causing the arm to move. RIC's "Bionic Arm" technology has been very successful in more than 50 patients worldwide, including several U.S. service members who lost limbs in combat. About The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is the nation's #1 ranked provider of comprehensive physical medicine and rehabilitation care to patients from around the world and is the leader in research and development of the most cutting-edge treatments and technology in its field. Through aggressive medical protocols, RIC guides the patient care process toward a better patient outcome-involving repair, regeneration, and recovery of brain, spinal cord, and musculoskeletal function. RIC holds an unparalleled market distinction with a record six federal research designations awarded and funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Educations' National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research in the areas of spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, neurological rehabilitation, outcomes research, and rehabilitation engineering research. RIC, founded in 1954, has been designated the "#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America" by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1991 and attributes its leading standard of care in part to its innovative research and discovery, particularly in the areas of bionic medicine, robotics, neural regeneration, pain care, and better outcomes. RIC operates its 165-bed flagship hospital in downtown Chicago, as well as a network of 30 sites of care located throughout the city and surrounding suburbs that provide additional inpatient care, day rehabilitation, and outpatient services. RIC also maintains strategic alliances with leading healthcare providers throughout the state of Illinois and Indiana. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon officially announces HTC Droid Incredible 2: available April 28th for $200 Posted: 26 Apr 2011 07:36 AM PDT  [Thanks, Shane] The Next Generation Of Incredible: DROID Incredible 2 By HTC Delivers Style And Performance To Verizon Wireless DROID Incredible 2 by HTC Available Beginning April 28 BASKING RIDGE, NJ - Verizon Wireless and HTC today announced that DROID Incredible 2 by HTC, exclusively from Verizon Wireless, will be available beginning April 28 in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $199.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. DROID Incredible 2 by HTC follows in the footsteps of the popular DROID Incredible by HTC and features the Android™ 2.2 platform, a crisp 4-inch super LCD display, next-generation 1 GHz Qualcomm® Snapdragon® processor and 3G Mobile Hotspot that can connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. Equipped with the hallmark HTC Sense™ experience, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC offers advanced personalization options, consolidated email capability and unique camera effects and filters. With its sleek, all-black design, DROID Incredible 2 by HTC combines functionality and speed into one stylish package. DROID Incredible 2 by HTC is a global-ready Android smartphone, allowing customers to enjoy wireless voice and data service in more than 200 countries, with more than 125 with 3G speeds. Additional features include: 8.0-megapixel main camera with dual LED flash 1.3-megapixel front facing camera 720p HD video capture plus DLNA® to share multimedia content with a compatible TV Adobe® Flash® Player SRS WOWHD™ surround sound Automatic face detection for more accurate pictures Integrated noise-cancellation technology Verizon Wireless customers that purchase DROID Incredible 2 by HTC will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan and a smartphone data package. Nationwide Talk plans begin at $39.99 for monthly access and an unlimited smartphone data plan is $29.99 for monthly access. Verizon Wireless customers traveling outside of the United States should contact Verizon Wireless' global customer support team at 1-800-922-0204 before embarking on their trip to ensure their phones have the right features for global usage. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com. About Verizon Wireless Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest, most advanced 4G network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 104 million total wireless connections, including more than 88 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 85,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia. About HTC HTC Corporation (HTC) is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile phone industry. By putting people at the center of everything it does, HTC creates innovative smartphones that better serve the lives and needs of individuals. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Toshiba reveals 7-inch LCD with integrated touch, just 1mm thick Posted: 26 Apr 2011 07:17 AM PDT  Toshiba Mobile Display (TMD) has developed a 7.0-inch LTPS TFT LCD panel as a demonstration of its integrated in-cell touch panel technology - Features capacitive multi-touch input function integrated in the liquid crystal cell - Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd. (President: Makoto Kubo) has developed a 7.0-inch low-temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal display (LCD) for vehicle-mounted and industrial uses that enables multi-touch input on the display screen without the need for additional installation of a touch panel as a demonstration of its new touch panel technology. The technology enables an integrated touch panel function by forming the display pixel electrodes and TFT within the LCD panel using LTPS TFT technology and creating a detecting circuit for electrostatic capacitance changes between the electrodes and the peripheral object. Compared to conventional LCDs with an external touch panel, the thickness is reduced by 57 percent to approximately 1 millimeter, the weight is reduced by 48 percent to 225 grams and the surface reflection ratio is reduced by 10 percent. Its smaller size enables the design of more compact products for mobile applications, reduces the impact on the environment by saving resources and power, provides crisp and clear images with minimal reflection of natural light even in a bright environment, and features intuitive multi-touch input. Recently, an increasing number of smartphones, cellular phones, in-vehicle car navigation systems, tablet-type PCs and other equipment for mobile applications have been designed around a capacitive-type touch panel1 integrated LCD, thereby facilitating the rapid spread of products that feature a low-profile and reduced-weight design, and intuitive, easy and simple touch input. TMD has developed this technology in response to the increasing demand for in-cell touch panel2 LCDs with the touch panel function integrated in the LCD panel for further reduction of thickness, weight and environmental impact. The capacitive-type touch panel is designed to form transparent electrodes on the touch panel and detect changes in electrostatic capacitance between the electrodes and the user's fingers with high accuracy, thereby enabling the screen panel to respond easily to light finger touches. To integrate this feature in the LCD panel it is essential to suppress possible interference with various signals in the LCD panel. To address the problem, TMD has developed a proprietary sensor circuit, taking advantage of LTPS TFT technology. Specifically, an amplifier circuit is formed in the pixels to amplify the signals, which are then detected by the sensor for output, providing a configuration to precisely transmit sensor signals to the outside of LCD panel. This helps achieve consistent and fast-responding touch panel operation. This technology will be exhibited in the Toshiba booth #1119 at SID 2011 International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition to be held from May 17 to May 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, Calif., USA. Product specifications Screen size (diagonal) - 17.8 cm (7.0-inch) Number of pixels - 1,024 ( x RGB) x 600 Display - Transmissive LCD Touch panel - In-cell design, allowing multi-touch input Notes 1. "Capacitive-type touch panel" A touch panel detecting system which determines the location of the input touch based on the change in electrostatic capacitance between the user's finger and the touch panel's conductive layer. As the user's finger approaches the touch panel, electrostatic coupling between the finger and the conductive layer changes, allowing detection of the location of the input touch. Existing LCD panels with a built-in touch panel have an independent touch panel mounted on the surface layer of the LCD panel as an independent separate component. 2. "In-cell touch panel" The "in-cell touch panel" refers to the configuration with the touch panel function integrated into the LCD panel. It is commercially available in several designs, including one which incorporates an optical sensor to detect the finger images through an external or an internal light source, and another which detects electrical changes caused by pressing and deforming the two (2) glass substrates of the LCD panel. This newly developed product is based on TMD's proprietary design that enables detection of changes in electrostatic capacitance caused by a touch of the finger without additional installation of any light source for optical sensor or such larger pressing forces which deflect the LCD panel. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200 Posted: 26 Apr 2011 06:50 AM PDT  Nexus S 4G from Google and Samsung with Android 2.3 for a Pure Google Experience Available to Sprint Customers in the U.S. on May 8 for $199.99 The highly anticipated Nexus S™ 4G1 from Google™ goes on sale in all Sprint channels, including www.sprint.com, on Sunday, May 8, for $199.99 (plus tax) with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement. Extending the company's 4G device leadership yet again, it is the fourth 4G phone available and 20th 4G device announced from Sprint. Manufactured by Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), a leading global mobile phone provider and the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States2, Nexus S 4G is the only Nexus S phone with 4G and provides a pure Google experience with Android™ 2.3, Gingerbread, the fastest version of Android available for smartphones. With its pure Google experience, Sprint Nexus S 4G customers will be among the first to receive Android software upgrades and new Google mobile apps, and in many cases, the device will get the updates and new apps as soon as they are available. Critics praise Nexus S 4G: "Whether you're an Android fanboy (or girl) or not, it's tough to avoid drooling over the Nexus S 4G. The device has similar specs to its T-Mobile counterpart – the Nexus S – but it will take advantage of Sprint's super fast 4G data network." – MSNBC Technology "It's probably our pick of Android phones now on Sprint – the Evo is nearly a year old, and the major advantage of the Nexus S is that it'll be on the bleeding edge of Android updates." – Gizmodo "So, what makes the (Nexus S) 4G different? WiMAX 4G. – IntoMobile It is powered by a 1GHz Samsung application processor that produces rich 3D-like graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content along with a dedicated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to make playing mobile games, browsing the Web and watching videos a fast, fluid and smooth experience. Designed with Samsung's brilliant Super AMOLED™ touchscreen technology, Nexus S 4G's 4-inch Contour Display features a curved design for a more comfortable look and feel in the user's hand or along the side of the face. Its higher color contrast means colors are incredibly vibrant and text is crisp at any size and produces less glare than on other smartphone displays when outdoors, so videos, pictures and games look their best and the sun won't wash them out. Nexus S 4G features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera. In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user tilts the device up or down or pans the phone to the left or right. Additional key features include: 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot capability, supporting up to six Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously Android Market™ for access to more than 150,000 applications, widgets and games available for download to customize the experience Google mobile services such as Google Search™, Gmail™, Google Maps™ with Navigation, syncing with Google Calendar™, Voice Actions and YouTube™ Corporate email (Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync®), personal (POP & IMAP) email and instant messaging Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, which allows the device to read information from everyday objects, like stickers and posters embedded with NFC chips 16GB Internal Memory (ROM)/512MB (RAM) Wi-Fi® – 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth® 2.1 + EDR Integrated GPS 1500 mAh Lithium-ion battery Nexus S 4G from Google will be available from Sprint for $199.99 with a new line or eligible upgrade and two-year service agreement (taxes not included) in all Sprint retail channels, including the Web (www.sprint.com), Telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) and Best Buy. Nexus S 4G requires activation on one of Sprint's Everything Data plans, plus a required $10 Premium Data add-on charge for smartphones. Sprint's Everything Data plan with Any Mobile, AnytimeSM includes unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network, starting at just $69.99 per month plus required $10 Premium Data add-on charge – a savings of $39.99 per month versus Verizon's comparable plan with unlimited talk, text and Web (excluding Verizon's Southern California plan; pricing excludes surcharges and taxes). | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon roadmap leaks, exhibits great expectations (updated) Posted: 26 Apr 2011 06:28 AM PDT  [Thanks, Mike] Update: Qualcomm got in touch to correct the timing here. The company's 3G/LTE MSM8960 chipset remains on track to sample in this quarter, as promised in the company's latest earnings report. The other two parts were already expected to come later, so there's no delay to speak of. Just juicy specs. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple gets its white iPhone 4 ducks in a row ahead of launch Posted: 26 Apr 2011 05:57 AM PDT   | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 26 Apr 2011 05:27 AM PDT  O'Donnell went on to say he's "far more optimistic" about diesel's chances of increasing BMW's US market share -- because, you know, it's not like the oil industry gets any tax breaks, or anything. And it's not like diverting some money away from oil subsidies and putting it toward EV technology would create the "level playing field" that O'Donnell and his company so desperately need. No siree, the US energy market is just as pure and fair as it's always been -- and it certainly doesn't deserve to be corrupted by an EV tax credit pestilence. That said, O'Donnell would still really appreciate it if we buy the battery-powered i3 when it launches in 2013. Who knows? He may even throw in a free bridge, too. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Don-8r the panhandling robot set to make the homeless obsolete (video) Posted: 26 Apr 2011 04:34 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| LG licenses ARM Cortex-A15 and Mali-T604 graphics, starts scheming up mobile processors of its own Posted: 26 Apr 2011 03:28 AM PDT  LG Electronics Licenses ARM Processor Technology to Drive Platform Strategy in Home and Mobile Markets Comprehensive license agreement reinforces strategic partnership with access to latest semiconductor IP, including ARM® Cortex-A15 MPCore™ processor and ARM® Mali™-T604 Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ARM today announced a new licensing agreement with LG Electronics that provides access to the high performance, low-power ARM® Cortex™ processor and ARM® Mali™ GPU families. This includes the Cortex-A15 MPCore and Cortex-A9 MPCore processors, as well as the ARM Mali-T604 GPU and ARM CoreLink™ interconnect and system IP. The comprehensive license will reinforce LG Electronics' already strong technology leadership and will be used to drive the company's platform strategy in applications that include digital TV, set top boxes (STB), mobile phones, tablets and smart grids. "LG's relationship with ARM over a number of years has provided significant value to our overall business. In addition, the ARM ecosystem has provided LG with partners to help differentiate our product offering," said Boik Sohn, VP and Head of System IC Center, LG Electronics. "The scalability of ARM processing solutions combined with the software ecosystem will enable smart, open platform systems, and drive connectivity and web enabled interactions. This new licensing agreement will provide LG with the next generation processor technology that will allow us to maintain leadership in display enabled connected devices, such as smart digital TV's and smart phones, and drive our platform strategy." LG, who first licensed ARM technology in 1995, has incorporated ARM processors across its product lines, from handsets to Digital TVs. "Working with technology leaders, such as LG Electronics, has helped ARM to develop the most advanced, energy efficient processors for use in key markets, such as home and mobile computing," said Ian Drew, Executive Vice President of Marketing, ARM. "With access to the latest ARM IP, LG will be well positioned to maintain its technology leadership and drive innovation in display technology and smart connected devices." About LG Electronics, Inc. LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 80,000 people working in over 115 operations around the world. With 2009 global sales of 55.5 trillion Korean won (USD 43.4 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning and Energy Solution. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula 1™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lg.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Coalition of companies creates WebM Community Cross License initiative Posted: 26 Apr 2011 02:41 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ASUS Eee Pad Transformer goes on sale in US, immediately sells out at Amazon Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:56 AM PDT  [Thanks, Noah] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Visualized: ring around the world of data center power usage Posted: 26 Apr 2011 01:24 AM PDT  Facebook may have recently boasted about how energy efficient its data centers are, but it is still Facebook, and that means it consumes plenty of power regardless -- more than anyone else, in fact, according to Peer1's recent survey of the world's most visited websites. As you can see above, that bit of data has also been conveniently visualized by the company in a colorful chart (with a noticeable lack of green), and there's plenty more details where that came from for you to dive into in the infographic linked below. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 26 Apr 2011 12:43 AM PDT  This Summer, Adler Planetarium Unveils the Grainger Sky Theater, the Most Technologically Advanced Theater in the World ADLER PLANETARIUM SPACE ADVENTURE On July 8, 2011, take off on a Deep Space Adventure at Chicago's Adler Planetarium! The centerpiece of Deep Space Adventure is the new Grainger Sky Theater, which offers audiences the most immersive, technologically enhanced theater experience ever developed. Featuring space imagery in the highest resolution and quality possible, audiences will encounter the Universe at a level of realism that can only be surpassed by actual space travel. Prepare to come aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship for the ultimate visual and auditory experience! Visitors take off on a Deep Space Adventure for a one-of-a-kind immersive experience CHICAGO, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, July 8, the Adler Planetarium will reveal a new, immersive space experience like no other in the world! Deep Space Adventure takes you aboard the observation deck of a futuristic starship where you will be surrounded by the larger-than-life phenomena of our dynamic Universe. The centerpiece of Deep Space Adventure is the Grainger Sky Theater, which offers audiences the most immersive, technologically enhanced theater experience ever developed. Visitors become space adventurers and set off on a journey to discover our Universe in a way never done before. The theater was specifically designed with leading-edge technologies that enable visitors to explore space as if they were there. The Grainger Sky Theater will project the largest single seamless digital image in the world with an ultra high definition screen resolution of more than 8k x 8k pixels. This far surpasses the cinematic standard of 2k x 4k pixels, presenting a level of realism that can only be surpassed by actual space travel. Vivid images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects are shown in the highest resolution and quality possible to evoke the feeling of being in deep space. The on-screen imagery will expand beyond the traditional 180-degree dome and surround the visitor. Special lighting effects in the floor complete the 360-degree experience. "Deep Space Adventure is a revolutionary way to explore the Universe," said Paul H. Knappenberger Jr., PhD, president of the Adler Planetarium. "Using the most advanced technology available in our completely transformed Grainger Sky Theater, and partnering with leading scientists, engineers and designers, we have created a thrilling adventure to inspire visitors to explore our Universe. Whether you are a novice or veteran space explorer, the Adler's goal is to stimulate your curiosity and motivate further discovery. We invite you to be the first explorers to join us on this maiden voyage to deep space." Begin Your Deep Space Adventure! Clark Family Welcome Gallery Visitors begin their Deep Space Adventure in the Clark Family Welcome Gallery. Multimedia interactive exhibits feature greetings from some of today's prominent space explorers who have personal ties to Chicago. They will prepare museum visitors to explore space by encouraging them to ask intriguing questions and to build exploration skills. The out-of-this-world gallery features futuristic architecture, colorful lights and video presentations, creating a dynamic and constantly changing environment. The Grainger Sky Theater The adventure continues as visitors are drawn through a space portal to the new Grainger Sky Theater. Fashioned as the observation deck of a starship, the theater invites visitors to come aboard for the ultimate journey into deep space. Prepare for lift off as your adventure continues in the Grainger Sky Theater's premier show The Searcher. Featuring scientific simulations from the most powerful supercomputers, and observations from the most advanced telescopes in existence, breathtaking visualizations capture the audience's attention and bring you up close to the action. Watch as a star is torn apart by a black hole; witness the collision of two massive galaxies; view the formation of the large-scale structure of the Universe; and encounter a dramatic supernova explosion. "The theater technology and computational power used to store and access celestial images differentiates Deep Space Adventure from anything out there," said Doug Roberts, PhD, Adler associate vice president for digital technology and project director for the new Grainger Sky Theater. "Using 20 separate projectors - powered by 45 computers - to create one seamless image is unprecedented. With the ability to create and present scientific data using images that are as good as the human eye can perceive, Adler visitors can explore deep space as if they were there." Exhibitions Once they return to Earth, visitors continue their exploration in the Adler's exhibit galleries and other theaters. Building on information introduced in the show, visitors can discover more about the Universe and the science behind the mesmerizing simulations featured in Deep Space Adventure. Science Content and Visualization Partners The production of Deep Space Adventure was a collaborative effort between the Adler Planetarium and the world's leading scientists and visualizers. This unique partnership created an experience heretofore unavailable to the public. Some of the science, simulation and visualization partners include: the University of California Santa Cruz; the Advanced Visualization Laboratory, National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana; the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Division at NASA Ames Research Center; New Mexico State University; and the Astrophysics Institute Potsdam. Recognition The Adler Planetarium gratefully acknowledges The Grainger Foundation for its leadership in transforming the historic Sky Theater. Additional major support has been contributed by: the Donald C. Clark Family, Illinois Tool Works Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Polk Bros. Foundation and Public Museum Capital Grants Program – Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, Illinois State Museum. Support for technology in the Grainger Sky Theater was provided by IBM and CDW. About the Adler The Adler Planetarium - America's First Planetarium - was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. A recognized leader in public learning, the Adler inspires young people - particularly women and minorities - to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Scientists, historians and educators at the museum inspire the next generation of explorers. Learn more at www.adlerplanetarium.org. Location and Travel Information The Adler Planetarium is located at 1300 South Lake Shore Drive on the shores of Lake Michigan on Chicago's beautiful Museum Campus. Exit Lake Shore Drive at 18th Drive, continue north on Museum Campus Drive. Then veer right onto Solidarity Drive. Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Adler for $16. Check www.soldierfieldparking.com for information about large Museum Campus events that may impact parking availability. The Adler is serviced daily by CTA #146 bus. Metra Electric and South Shore trains stop at nearby Roosevelt Road station. CTA Red, Green and Orange lines are approximately a one-mile walk from the Museum Campus. SOURCE Adler Planetarium | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Want a PlayBook that runs Android 3.0? You can get one at MacMall! Posted: 25 Apr 2011 11:31 PM PDT  [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Vibratron plays impossible music with ball bearings, is your new master (video) Posted: 25 Apr 2011 10:38 PM PDT First they came for Jeopardy!, then they came for our vibraphones. We still own baseball, but the "humans only" list has grown one shorter now that the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Club has birthed Vibratron, a robotic vibraphone. Vibratron's Arduino Mega controls 30 solenoid gates that drop steel balls onto the vibration keys, producing a note; an Archimedes screw recycles the bearings, turning them once more into sweet, sweet music. We should also note that Vibratron doesn't put decent, salt-of-the-earth vibraphonists out of work. That cacophony in the video is "Circus Galop," written for two player pianos and impossible for humans to perform -- and still pretty hard for humans to listen to. See, Vibratron is here to help you, fellow humans. At least for now. Click the video above to get acquainted. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony S1 and S2 dual-screen Honeycomb tablets get official (video) Posted: 25 Apr 2011 09:11 PM PDT  The second tablet is the dual-screen S2 clamshell with its pair of 5.5-inch 1,024 x 480 pixel displays, Tegra 2 SoC, and camera. While it sounds bulky, Kunimasa Suzuki just pulled the hinged tablet from his jacket pocket on stage. Sony takes advantage of the two screens with a custom book-style UI layout for its e-reader app, split keyboard and messaging displays for email, and split display and game controllers for PS One gaming. Both the S1 and S2 are PlayStation Certified, support DLNA, and are WiFi and 3G/4G "compatible" according to Sony. See the Sony tablets codenamed "S1" and "S2" in action after the break on their way to a global release in the fall -- possibly sooner in the US. P.S. While the company isn't ready to talk prices yet, our sources told us back in February that Sony was considering a $599 MSRP on the S1 while the S2 would likely come in at $699. Still no word on the Windows 7 slider but with the other two leaks official, it's now only a matter of time. Sony Announces Optimally Designed "Sony Tablet" with Android 3.0 that Complements Network Services for an Immersive Entertainment Experience -Also strengthening VAIO in expanding PC markets- Sony Corporation ("Sony"), announces "Sony Tablet" that delivers the perfect combination of hardware, content and network with seamless usability for a high-quality, engaging entertainment experience. Based on decades of engineering heritage, Sony is developing two tablets with unprecedented design, including S1 (codename) which is optimized for rich media entertainment and S2 (codename) which is ideal for mobile communication and entertainment. "Sony Tablet" will become available in the global market starting in fall 2011. "Sony Tablet" is equipped with the latest Android 3.0 which is designed for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. Both tablets are WiFi and WAN (3G/4G) compatible and users can not only browse the internet or check e-mail but they can also smoothly access digital content including videos, games and books through Sony's premium network services and more, on-the-go at any time. S1 has a 9.4-inch display for enjoying the web and rich content on a large screen. Its off-center of gravity design realizes stability and ease of grip as well as a sense of stability and lightness, offering comfortable use for hours. S2 has two 5.5-inch displays that can be folded for easy portability. In contrast to existing tablets, its unprecedented dual screen presentation and usability allows its displays to be combined and used as a large screen or for different functions such as playing video on one screen while showing control buttons on the other. "'Sony Tablet' delivers an entertainment experience where users can enjoy cloud-based services on-the-go at any time. We're aiming to create a new lifestyle by integrating consumer hardware, including 'Sony Tablet' with content and network," said Kunimasa Suzuki, Corporate Executive, SVP, and Deputy President of Consumer Products & Services Group. "Android 3.0 is a new version of the Android platform with a new holographic user interface that is designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. I'm excited about "Sony Tablet" as it will further spur the development of applications and network offerings which users are looking for." said Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President, Mobile, Google Inc. Also, in the mobile computing category, the market for PCs which realize high productivity is expected to steadily grow, particularly in emerging markets. Therefore, Sony will also remain committed to strengthening its VAIO brand and introduce increasingly compelling products which offer new value propositions to the market. "Sony Tablet" features. Designed for portability and intuitive gripping With its off-center of gravity form factor, the 9.4-inch S1 offers stability and a sense of lightness, offering comfortable use for hours. The dual screen S2 comes with two 5.5-inch displays which can be used together as one large screen to browse websites and more. They can also be used for different functions as users can watch a video on one screen and input commands on the other, or check email on one screen and use the other as a soft keyboard. Seamless Usability and Performance Through Sony's knowhow for combining hardware and software, "Sony Tablet" realizes optimal usability and performance. Because of Sony's rapid response technologies, users can perform smooth, quick touch-screen operations and enjoy fast and efficient website loading. The keyboard arrangement is also optimized for the large screen, making email and SNS communication a breeze. Rich entertainment experiences through various network services Through Qriocity1 music and video services, users can enjoy rich video and music content. Also, through PlayStation®Suite, users can immerse themselves in high quality first generation PlayStation® titles. Additionally, users can easily download ebook content from Reader™Store2 and use both tablets as digital reading devices. The integration with various services allows users to take their entertainment experiences on-the-go. Furthermore, "Sony Tablet" is equipped with functionality that organizes content for easy access. Remote access functionality with AV devices Through "Sony Tablet", users can control home entertainment devices as well as enjoy content in new ways. S1 uses infrared technology and works as universal remote controls for a variety of AV devices starting with . Users can perform functions like turning on their TVs, changing the channel and adjusting the volume. Also, through DLNA functionality on "Sony Tablet", users can "throw" personal content to large screen televisions or music to wireless speakers. In 2010, Sony launched a network platform called "Qriocity" which connects many of Sony's network-enabled devices, and has been expanding its services into global markets. Also, Sony Computer Entertainment has been providing various contents and services for PlayStation users through PlayStation®Network, which now has over 75 million registered accounts (as of March 20, 2011) worldwide. Simultaneously, Sony will continue to announce various devices which leverage these services. Starting in early 2011, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the next-generation portable entertainment system (codename: NGP) while Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications brought "Xperia™PLAY" to the market. Sony is introducing "Sony Tablet" to deliver an entertainment experience which integrates hardware with network services that deliver rich content. With the establishment of Consumer Products and Services Group in April 2011, Sony will focus on accelerating the development of innovative next generation products and aim to deliver a new lifestyle by strengthening the integration of hardware and network services. 1 In markets where service is available 2 In markets where service is available | ||||||||||||||||||||
| YouTube ready to start renting video on-demand movies from major studios? Posted: 25 Apr 2011 07:16 PM PDT  Update: The store currently shows a slew of Weinstein produced movies (Scary Movie 4, Death Proof) and a few Lionsgate flicks (Made, Reservoir Dogs) available for $2.00 or so but most have been up since 2009 so keep an eye on this page for any new flicks. [Thanks, Rocco G.] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ChargePoint lets you reserve electric charging stations, cuts down on alternative fueling fistfights Posted: 25 Apr 2011 06:53 PM PDT  Coulomb Technologies Furthers Innovation on the ChargePoint Network: Announces Industry-First Charging Station Reservation System | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lego-inspired helmet concept protects your brain, reads comics so you don't have to Posted: 25 Apr 2011 06:07 PM PDT   | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Leica i9 concept pairs $1,000 camera with $200 iPhone Posted: 25 Apr 2011 05:44 PM PDT  Compliment without Compromise The Leica i9 Concept for iPhone4 exhibits a new way to combine your camera and smart phone. EL SEGUNDO, CA, April 25th, 2011 – Black Design Associates, LLC announces the Leica i9 Concept Camera for Apple iPhone4. A better camera phone designed for photographers. The Leica i9 concept offers the unmatched brilliance of Leica's professional CMOS image sensor and lens, made specifically for the unparalleled processing, display and sharing capabilities of Apple's iPhone4. The i9 was designed with a "Compliment without Compromise" philosophy. If the best camera is the one that you have on you, then the better camera is the Leica i9 concept. The i9 is the only professional camera that's also an iPhone4 case. The goal was to create a camera system that inspires photographers to shoot and share their photos and videos at anytime and anywhere. The i9 offers an independent professional camera system with an ultra-compact body that doubles as a rugged protective case for your iPhone4. The i9 is a true ready-to-shoot camera with Leica's superior range finder and a 0.3 second start-up. Photos or videos are stored on the i9's internal flash memory (expandable with SD) and then uploaded onto your iPhone4 once the Leica app has launched. The i9 is the ultimate point-and-shoot camera combining the high performance of a Leica (CMOS image sensor with effective 12.1 MP, professional lens with 8x optical zoom and 35 equivalent focal lengths and ready-to-shoot operation) with iPhone4 (retina display, multi-touch interface, extended storage capacity and mobile/wireless connectivity). Beyond camera features, the i9 and iPhone4 can share their independent batteries for extended operation. The i9 takes professional photos and videos and allows you to easily compress and share your content to Email, MMS, Flickr, Facebook and/or YouTube directly from the Leica app. To compliment Leica's timeless design, the i9 includes an interchangeable backing for future generation iPhones. With upgradeable software and a growing list of iPhone features, the possibilities are limitless including a remote voice activated shutter control that as easy as saying, "Cheese!" About BLACK Design Associates, LLC: BLACK Design Associates, LLC is a product development, incubation, and retail marketing strategy consultancy based in El Segundo, California. Our team of creative strategists, designers, and engineers, specialize in new market-disrupting products that have maximum impact in the marketplace. Working with new products constantly pressures us to find customer audiences in new and creative ways. Our clients include: InStyler, Mattel, Jakks Pacific, Dial Corporation, Plantronics, Epson and Disney. For more information, please contact us by phone at: 310-414-9790 or by email at info@blackda.com, or visit us online at www.blackda.com. ©2011 BLACK DESIGN ASSOCIATES, LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. BLACK Design Associates, LLC is an independent consultancy with no affiliations and/or pre-existing relationships with Leica Camera AG or Apple, Inc. Leica and the Leica logo are registered trademarks of Leica Camera AG, Apple and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asahi's new slim glass substrate for touchscreen displays gives smartphones svelte silhouettes Posted: 25 Apr 2011 05:03 PM PDT  AGC Unveils World's Thinnest Glass Substrate for Touchscreens 0.28 mm thickness will enable lighter smartphones and tablet PCs Tokyo, April 21, 2011 - AGC announced today it has developed the world's thinnest soda-lime glass substrate for touchscreens, measuring just 0.28 mm, or 15% less than the currently thinnest commercial substrate at 0.33 mm, as well as being 15% lighter, promising to further shrink smartphones and tablets in the near future. Starting with mass production using the float process later this month, AGC expects annual sales to exceed 10 billion yen (about 120 million USD) in 2013. Glass touchscreens in smartphones and tablets comprise a tough cover material and an underlying layer of substrate material embedded with electrodes. Soda-lime glass is an ideal substrate material for touchscreens because it maintains form when subjected to heat, resists discoloring due to ultraviolet radiation, accepts chemical strengthening and is easily processed. AGC, under its Grow Beyond strategy, is building new foundations for growth through innovative solutions for specialty glass used in displays, including DragontrailTM, a damage-resistant cover glass launched in January this year. AGC forecasts sales of its various, new electronics-related products, including its newly announced soda-lime glass substrate, and other specialty glass for displays, to exceed 100 billion yen (about 1.2 billion USD) in 2013. AGC's soda-lime glass substrate is scheduled to be exhibited during Display Week 2011 of the Society for Information Display (SID) in Los Angeles, California, from May 15. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Researchers build synthetic synapse circuit, prosthetic brains still decades away Posted: 25 Apr 2011 04:24 PM PDT 
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| Purdue's Celeritas car scores 2,200MPG from the sun, wins Shell Eco-marathon Posted: 25 Apr 2011 03:47 PM PDT  With gas prices topping $4.50 per gallon in some parts of the country, a car that costs a fraction of a penny per mile to drive (and looks like it belongs on the road) is sure to get our attention. The 275-pound, 2,200MPG Celeritas appears to be the closest we've come to having a solar-powered car that could one day take to the streets, however, which explains why the vehicle scored first prize in the Urban Concept category in this year's Shell Eco-marathon. While it can only transport a single person (the driver), the car includes headlights, taillights, a trunk and even backup cameras. Notably absent from this version are air conditioning and a license plate -- the latter of which would (naturally) be required before the car becomes street legal. The Purdue University design team chose "Celeritas" (Latin for "swiftness") as the name for this soon-to-be-street-legal roadster, though in a category that's notorious for slower vehicles, we wouldn't expect the prototype to fly past us in the fast lane. Perhaps we can get Celeritas and IVy together for some alone time before we're dropping Hamiltons for a gallon of regular? | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shocker! Instant messaging gains popularity as TXTing declines, BBM to blame Posted: 25 Apr 2011 03:19 PM PDT  Apparently, those young'uns just love their BBM. According to a report by the research group Mobile Youth, young folk (read: those of you between 15 and 24) are increasingly abandoning SMS in favor of instant messaging apps, with texting expected to drop off 20 percent over the next two years. The main culprit? BlackBerry Messenger, which now boasts over 39 million users, many of them living outside the US. In fact, it's in the UK, Indonesia, South Africa, and Brazil -- all popular markets for BBM -- that Mobile Youth expects texting to dwindle the most. And if BBM is to blame, well, that drop-off could be just the beginning. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| White iPhone 4 coming to Best Buy on Wednesday? Posted: 25 Apr 2011 03:01 PM PDT  [Thanks, Anonymous] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| iMac rumor mill suggests new models could be coming next week Posted: 25 Apr 2011 02:48 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Keepin' it real fake: Nckia's N-Gage knockoff harkens back to a simpler, side-talkin' era Posted: 25 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT   | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Yahoo buys TV companion app developer IntoNow and its database of sounds Posted: 25 Apr 2011 02:09 PM PDT  Yahoo! Acquires IntoNow; Technology Allows Users to Find, Discuss and Follow Their Favorite Television Programs SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO), the premier digital media company, today announced the acquisition of IntoNow. Launched in January 2011, IntoNow has built a platform and companion TV application based on real time indexing of television that deepens the connections between audiences, television content and advertisers. IntoNow has indexed more than five years of US based television programming, creating a rich database to build video discovery and programming experiences. IntoNow is able to identify content down to the airing, episode and time within the program as well as provide program information and links associated with it, all within a matter of seconds. "Relying on social channels as a means for discovering content – whether it's on a PC, mobile device, or TV – is rapidly on the rise. IntoNow's technology combines the ability to check-in to what a consumer is watching, engage in conversations, and find related content," said Bill Shaughnessy, SVP of Global Product Management at Yahoo!. "The IntoNow application the team has built clearly demonstrates the opportunities the technology presents across Yahoo!'s network, especially in regards to our video content, search, mobile and Connected TV experiences. We are excited to have the IntoNow team join Yahoo! as we continue to build out these experiences." The addition of IntoNow will enable Yahoo! to provide enhanced media experiences and video programming, bolstering its social engagement across the Yahoo! network and on all screens. IntoNow users are able to easily engage with friends around the shows they enjoy most. IntoNow helps people discover new shows, discuss favorites with friends and learn more about them, and provides recommendations for what is currently airing based on their interests and those they are connected to. The application is also integrated with Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and Netflix to enable more sharing and information gathering. "IntoNow has built a unique way for people to engage with each other around the content they enjoy," said Adam Cahan, CEO of IntoNow. "Companion applications and devices are changing the way we interact with TV in significant ways. The IntoNow team is excited to be joining Yahoo! to help create new consumer experiences and to be part of Yahoo!'s global scale and reach." Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Yahoo! Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO) is the premier digital media company, creating deeply personal digital experiences that keep more than half a billion people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the globe. And Yahoo!'s unique combination of Science + Art + Scale connects advertisers to the consumers who build their businesses. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.com) or the company's blog, Yodel Anecdotal (yodel.yahoo.com). Yahoo! is the trademark and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Caption contest: Spike Lee asks Obama to smile for the camera Posted: 25 Apr 2011 01:51 PM PDT  Just because it can doesn't mean you should... Joe Flatley: "Just a minute, Girl 6 is streaming on Netflix." Richard Lawler: "Give me 20 D Energizers." Terrence: "The only question is: kaleidescope or twirl?" Brian: "I'm not getting any bars. Am I holding this right?" Zach Honig: "Hey Richard Branson, I found your doppelganger!" Michael Gorman: "I'm not sure what's more awkward -- photography with a tablet or the beret / turtleneck fashion combo" Chris Trout: "I was hoping to get Rosie Perez, but I suppose you'll do." Don: "It's still your move in Words With Friends, Mr. President." Tim: "Okay Barack, you distract him while I sneak up and..." Myriam: "Sorry, Mr. President... I just can't stop playing Angry Birds!" | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 25 Apr 2011 01:23 PM PDT  There's little question that the last 50 years have represented the most innovative half-century in human history, and today marks the anniversary of the invention that started it all: the silicon-based integrated circuit. Robert Noyce received the landmark US patent on April 25, 1961, going on to found Intel Corporation with Gordon E. Moore (of Moore's Law fame) in 1968. He wasn't the first to invent the integrated circuit -- the inventor of the pocket calculator Jack Kilby patented a similar technology on a germanium wafer for Texas Instruments a few months prior. Noyce's silicon version stuck, however, and is responsible for Moore's estimated $3.7 billion net worth, not to mention the success of the entire computing industry. Holding 16 other patents and credited as a mentor of Steve Jobs, Noyce was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1987, and continued to shape the computing industry until his death in 1990. If Moore's Law continues to hold true, as we anticipate it will, we expect the next 50 years to be even more exciting than the last. Let's meet back here in 2061. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell Precision M4600 and M6600 specs emerge in leaked manual Posted: 25 Apr 2011 12:49 PM PDT  [Thanks, Wolf] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo 7-inch Honeycomb tablet coming Q4 according to leaked PDF, Le OS genetics in tow Posted: 25 Apr 2011 12:24 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||
| T-Mobile's Bobsled temporarily suspends service in first week (updated) Posted: 25 Apr 2011 11:59 AM PDT  It's a sad day for Bobsled's one-eyed chat bubble monster, as T-Mobile has just announced it's temporarily shuttering the recently launched VoIP service. A statement released on Bobsled's Facebook profile revealed it is "voluntarily and temporarily suspending service" of its week-old app to "ensure that the Bobsled experience is clearly differentiated and is not mistaken for a Facebook created property." The news comes at a particularly inopportune moment, as Vivox [Thanks, Elad] Update: We just received word from Vivox saying its announcement was actually released last Wednesday. In any case, it's safe to say the news is still a downer for the magenta monster.
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