Sponsoer by :

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Engadget News

Sponsored

Engadget News

US Cellular announces 4G, plans to light up LTE by end of year

Posted: 07 May 2011 10:55 AM PDT

Just when we're finally basking in the warmth of spring and picking May flowers, US Cellular finds a reason for us to look forward to the cold and dark winter to come. The carrier announced plans to deploy its own LTE network, intent on blanketing two dozen markets (representing 25 percent of its customer base) with blazing-fast 4G service in time for the holiday season. And the party ain't stopping just because the mistletoe comes down and the decorations are put away; the holiday deployment will only be the first phase, with US Cellular continuing its 4G expansion efforts through 2012. Full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
U.S. CELLULAR TO LAUNCH 4G LTE SERVICE AND DEVICES IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

CHICAGO (May 6, 2011) – U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM), in conjunction with its partnership with King Street Wireless, announced today that it will deliver high-speed 4G LTE services and 4G-enabled devices to more than 25 percent of its customers across two dozen markets in time for the holiday season. U.S. Cellular customers with 4G LTE devices and service will experience significantly faster data speeds when browsing the web, accessing e-mail, playing games and viewing and streaming videos.

The initial rollout of 4G LTE service for U.S. Cellular, which has the highest call quality and network satisfaction of any national carrier, is planned for selected cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, Maine, North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma. These include some of U.S. Cellular's leading markets such as Milwaukee, Madison and Racine, Wis.; Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Iowa; Portland and Bangor, Maine; and Greenville, N.C.

"With 4G LTE, our customers will have faster connections to the people, information and entertainment that enhance their lives and help them stay organized," said Mary N. Dillon, president and CEO of U.S. Cellular. "In addition to our line-up of cutting-edge devices, customers who switch to U.S. Cellular get unique benefits like faster phone upgrades without continuously signing contracts, and join the happiest customers in wireless."

U.S. Cellular plans to introduce a portfolio of 4G-enabled devices during the first phase of its 4G LTE deployment and will continue to expand its offering through 2012. The rollout builds on the 3G data services that U.S. Cellular customers already enjoy on the carrier's high-quality nationwide network. More details on the next phases of the company's 4G LTE deployment will be announced at a later date.

Microsoft patent details a 3D desktop interface with a room for your windows

Posted: 07 May 2011 09:51 AM PDT

Many have tried and failed to bring a 3D desktop interface to an otherwise 2D operating system, but that certainly hasn't stopped others from trying. The latest example to crop up comes courtesy of none other than Microsoft, which recently received a patent for what it describes as a "method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional task gallery computer interface." In other words, it's an interface intended to help you better manage multiple tasks, which the patent suggests could be done in a 3D environment with a floor, walls and a ceiling. Apparently, you'd be able to group multiple windows at various spots in the "room," which would let you rely on your spatial memory to easily find a given task -- with the room getting deeper and deeper to accommodate more tasks. In the patent's claims, the only means described for navigating around that room is a set of icons that would adjust to suit the 3D environment, although it certainly seems like it could easily be adapted to accommodate gesture controls as well. Hit up the source link below for plenty more line drawings where this one came from.

Rand McNally's TripMaker RVND 5510 promises RV-easy navigation, Robin Williams at extra charge

Posted: 07 May 2011 08:47 AM PDT

Are you a mild-mannered California beverage executive tired of having your family vacations degenerate into antics? Do you feel like every time you try to clean the sewage system of your Recreational Vehicle, some (admittedly hilarious) fecal-matter-related mishap occurs? Well, we can't help you with that, honestly, but we can point you toward Rand McNally's TripMaker RVND 5510 -- "the first navigation device designed specifically for RVers." This isn't for supervans or campers: it's for RVs, son, whether they be an Airstream, a Monaco, a sweet South Korean custom job or a hippified veggie-RV. The 5510 features RV-easy GPS routing, keeping you safe and legal on the road. It also has over 14 million points of interest, helping you find everything from campsites to the nearest animal hospital. And its Best of the Road feature threatens to turn your trip into a memorable adventure. The TripMaker RVND 5510 retails for $350 and ships to North America in June (just in time for road trip season) and yes, includes support for Canadian French.
Show full PR text
RAND MCNALLY UNVEILS THE FIRST GPS FOR RVers

Navigation device provides RV-specific routing, amenities, and things to do along the way

Skokie, Ill., May 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - After extensive research and beta testing in the RVing community, Rand McNally has released the TripMaker® RVND™ 5510 – the first navigation device designed specifically for RVers.

"We've listened carefully to members of the RVing community, who told us overwhelmingly that they would be interested in purchasing a GPS if it provided RV-specific routing, stops and amenities that RVers need while on the road, and things to see and do along the way. Our new TripMaker® RVND™ line will solidly deliver on these expectations," said Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally.

The TripMaker® RVND™ features:

RV-easy Routing
Starting with a base of award-winning navigation from Rand McNally, the TripMaker® RVND™ 5510 layers on all the information needed to have an enjoyable and safe trip in an RV. The routing includes legal (including propane and other RV-only), height and weight restrictions, right or left-turn preference based on eleven different RV types, and a quick reference to the Rand McNally Road Atlas. Turn-by-turn spoken and text directions keep the driver focused on the road ahead.

RV-critical Information
The TripMaker® RVND™ features more than 14 million points of interest – including festivals, and National, State, and Regional Parks. Other key information includes:

RV Campgrounds, RV Dealers and Service, Parking and Rest Areas, Travel Centers with detailed amenities such as dump stations, propane availability and more.

Detailed exit information and available amenities on upcoming interstate exits.

RVer Tools such as Checklists for set up and take down, Maintenance Logs, Trails back to your campsite, and Quick Mileage Calculators.

Pet friendly locations including parks, animal hospitals, and beaches.

Things to see and do along the way
In addition to routing and tools critical to RVers, the TripMaker® RVND™ features Rand McNally Editor's Pick Content – proprietary data provided by our editorial staff with video and photos! The content includes:

Best of the Road® – three-to-four day adventures including unique stops, photos of the locations, maps and more to plan a memorable adventure.

Regional Trips, Scenic Tours, Weekend Getaways, and City Trips.

12,000 researched locations that will make any trip exciting and unique.

The Rand McNally Best of the Road® program is also being featured this month in a promotion with USA TODAY (for more information, visit www.BestOfTheRoad.com), and in the recently released 2012 Road Atlas.

The TripMaker® RVND™ 5510, available in North America in June, is fully operational in English, Canadian French, and Spanish.

For more information, visit www.randmcnally.com/rvgps.


###


About Rand McNally – Rand McNally is the most trusted source for maps, directions, and travel content. Rand McNally's products and services include: Interactive travel service, Tripology; America's #1 Road Atlas; Award-winning IntelliRoute® truck routing software and GPS devices; TruckPC mobile communications solutions for the transportation industry; and the leading geography-based educational resources for the classroom. Consumers, businesses, truckers, and educators depend upon Rand McNally to help navigate today's world. www.RandMcNally.com

Rand McNally, TripMaker, and Best of the Road are registered trademarks of Rand McNally.

Visit us –
www.randmcnally.com

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/randmcnally

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/randmcnally

Travel Blog:
http://ontheroad.randmcnally.com

BeBook Live tablet delivers the goods for Froyo diehards

Posted: 07 May 2011 07:42 AM PDT

It's pretty fitting that BeBook chose the word "Live" for its new product, because until we got a note from a member of its staff earlier today, we weren't entirely sure it was still kicking. The company has followed up its solid, if pricey, black and white e-reader with, get this, an Android tablet. The BeBook Live tablet has a seven-inch multitouch color screen, a 2MP front facing camera, 1080p HDMI out, Flash support, and 4GB of built-in memory. Weirdly, the device's "tablet OS" is actually Android 2.2, which will no doubt feel downright antiquated when it launches in June for $279 -- which, to the company's credit, is significantly cheaper than its lower tech predecessor. Video after the break that may or may not be narrated by the Moviefone guy.

Acer Aspire One 722 caught in the wild (video)

Posted: 07 May 2011 06:37 AM PDT

If that offbeat Acer Aspire One 722 we told you about last month caught your fancy, well, we still don't know when you'll be able to buy it or how many pretty pennies it'll cost. In the meantime, the folks at NewGadgets, at least, got to spend some time with one and gave it the full hands-on treatment, including a video (embedded below for your viewing pleasure) and gallery of close-up shots. So if you like your netbooks blue, dented, and loaded with AMD innards, head on past the break to get your eyeful. Now if only this had a release date to go with it...

Smithsonian announces titles for Art of Video Games exhibit, snubs Mario Paint

Posted: 07 May 2011 05:34 AM PDT

GoldenEye 007 is certainly a fun way to waste your childhood...but is it art? According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, yes. The game was one of 80 selected for an upcoming exhibit, The Art of Video Games, and the the venerable museum drew on fan expertise, using online voting to winnow the field of 240 nominees. The selections span the last four decades (!) of gaming, from the days of the Atari VCS and ColecoVision all the way to today's modern time-sinks like Portal and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The exhibit won't open until next spring, but in the meantime check out the source link to argue about who got left out.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 priced at £1,293 by Amazon, shipping May 20th

Posted: 07 May 2011 03:57 AM PDT

The leaks should've already told you most of everything you need to know about the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, but here's some affirmation of perhaps the most relevant bit of info, the release date. Amazon has listed the ultraslim 13.3-inch laptop for pre-order, giving it the extremely specific price of £1,292.52 ($2,120) and a shipping date of May 20th. That's a heftier price tag than you'll find on Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air, however Lenovo will provide you with the latest generation of Intel processor -- in the shape of the 2.5GHz Core i5-2520M -- 4GB of RAM, 320GB of HDD storage, a backlit keyboard, and a promised eight hours of battery life. You don't need us to tell you that there hasn't yet been a laptop that's combined the thinness, processing power and battery endurance on offer from the X1. We'll be keen to check these mighty specs out for ourselves when it launches, but if you're already convinced, hit up the source link to get your pre-order in.

[Thanks, Raj]

Robots learn to march / spell, still not capable of love (video)

Posted: 07 May 2011 02:02 AM PDT

Here's hoping there's more than a few military-style marches standing between us and a complete robotic takeover. If not, we've got some dire news: these are not simply miniature Roombas as they may appear, but 15 so-called Khepera bots capable of spelling out GRITS (for Georgia Robotics and Intelligent Systems) to demonstrate grad student Edward Macdonald's Master's thesis for the department. The diminutive robots aren't told where to go in the letters -- instead, they determine their spots via a control algorithm, positioning themselves relative to their fellow rolling machines, so that if one is removed from the equation, they quickly reform the letter without it. Fortunately, they haven't learned to spell "KILL." Yet. Get to know your new robotic overlords a little bit better in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Ted]

Sony misses promised PlayStation Network and Qriocity restoration date, begs for more patience

Posted: 07 May 2011 12:18 AM PDT

Whoops. If you'll recall, Sony held what can only be described as an emergency press event in Japan a week ago in order to issue a number of assurances about the resumption of service as it relates to the PlayStation Network and Qriocity. Seven days later, things are still as dead as they were pre-Cinco de Mayo. This evening, the company's Senior Director of Corporate Communications Patrick Seybold punched out a quick update to let the world know that they could actually leave the house and find something else to entertain 'em -- like it or not, PSN isn't coming back online today. The reason? On May 1st, Sony was apparently "unaware of the extent of the attack on Sony Online Entertainment servers," and now, it's spinning its wheels in order to restore security on the network and "ensure" that user data is safe. Mr. Seybold seems to understand that you're overly anxious about getting back into the swing of things, and he's even going so far as to ask your trust that Sony's doing "everything [it] can" to get the lights blinking once more. Oh, and if you were planning on visiting that source link just to find the new ETA... don't. Sony's planning to update you "as soon as it can."

[Thanks, Alex]

Pix4D turns your 2D aerial photographs into 3D maps on the fly (video)

Posted: 06 May 2011 09:02 PM PDT

Assuming you own a Sensefly Swinglet CAM or some other high-res camera-equipped UAV, you could be just minutes away from turning your plain old 2D aerial photos into comprehensive 3D maps. Pix4D, a new software program coming out of EPFL -- the same institute that brought us this race of altruistic robots -- takes images shot using an aerial drone to render 3D maps in the cloud in just 30 minutes. Users upload images taken with their flying machines, at which point Pix4D kicks into action, defining high contrast points in the phots and pasting them together based on those points. It then renders a 3D model, overlays the graphics, and spits out a Google Earth-style map. So what's with this 4D business? Well, its developers claim that users can easily see the progression of any model by deploying their Sensefly drone whenever they see fit, throwing the added layer of time into the mix. You can see the fruits of Pix4D's labor in the video after the break.

Ask Engadget: best mini stereo for use with AirPort Express

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:29 PM PDT

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Gaurav, who can't seem to contain his excitement for cord-free audio. And we can't blame him. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"Pretty simple: I am looking to purchase a small stereo system which can fit on a side table, and can connect to AirPort Express. Something stylish, but more importantly, reliable. Thanks!"
Any of you kitchen thrashers care to spill the beans on your preferred system? If so, comments are welcoming one and all down below.

Eight-core Intel Sandy Bridge E chips listed on, pulled from eBay

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:27 PM PDT

What's this? A listing for an unreleased Intel chip on eBay? This purported eight-core, hyper-threaded Sandy Bridge E-series processor is apparently a third party tester unit, hence the cloak and dagger "Intel Confidential" stamped in the middle of the thing. The "E" as previously stated, stands for "Enthusiast," especially fitting in the case of a $1,360 dollar piece of near-future tech with a strict no refund / return policy. Not surprisingly, the sale has been shutdown prematurely. Whether it was pulled by the seller or at the strong urging of Intel will have to remain a mystery for now, as will those blazingly fast speeds we've read so much about -- at least until it pops up again on Craigslist.

[Thanks, Lars]

Visualized: Google searches around the globe

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:55 PM PDT

You've already seen Android activations mapped around the globe over time, now how about some Google search volumes? Using WebGL and different color crayons for each language, the coders at Mountain View have put together the above Search Globe, which presents a single day's worth of Google queries in a beautiful, skyscraper-infused visualization. Jacking yourself into the source link below (your browser can handle WebGL, right?) will let you twist and turn the model world for a closer exploration of global Google use. And if you get tired of that, there's an alternative map showing world populations over 1990s -- that's available at the second link.

Johnny Depp, star of 3D 'Pirates' movie, can only see 2D

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:13 PM PDT

Johnny Depp's eccentricities extend beyond a propensity to show up at British elementary schools dressed in pirate garb. The actor is part of a small segment of the population that can't process three-dimensional effects in movies, a malady he refers to by its formal name: "weird eye." In fact, he's likely to skip tomorrow's global premiere for the fourth Pirates installment (aka Stranger Tides), which was filmed in 3D. A pity, since shooting films with multiple cameras (a prerequisite for 3D) reportedly makes nailing shots all the more challenging. At least he can take comfort in the fact that he'll never suffer the pangs of a 3D-induced headache while watching his bank account swell.

Comcast launches Xfinity 3G / 4G MiFi for $25

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:11 PM PDT

Comcast teamed up with Clearwire to bring WiMAX to the masses a couple of years ago, and now the company is jumping on the bandwidth-sharing bandwagon by offering a mobile hotspot. It's the same Novatel 3G/4G MiFi from Sprint that's been putting internet access in our pockets for a month, only this one sports an Xfinity badge and cheaper price tag. While the Now Network version costs $80, Comcast's Internet 2go customers get the device for $25 on a one-year contract. Plus service is only $40 a month for the same Clearwire coverage that costs $50 from Sprint. Sounds like a winning WiMAX combination to us.
Show full PR text
Comcast Launches Personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot with Xfinity Internet 2go

Introducing Superfast 4G Mobile Broadband Connectivity While On-the-Go

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) today announced the launch of its personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot, also known as the MiFi® 4082 by Novatel Wireless Inc., that allows users to simultaneously connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Internet while on-the-go. Sleek and compact in design, the pocket-sized device is a Wi-Fi router that uses Xfinity® Internet 2go service to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and provide superfast Internet speeds within a 4G coverage area.

"This new product gives customers the flexibility to instantly create their own secure hotspot everywhere they go," said Tom Nagel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Services for Comcast. "Consumers want mobile Internet access for Wi-Fi-enabled devices like iPads, laptops and smartphones, and with this offering they can share their connection with family, friends or colleagues and can even watch TV and movies on-the-go."

Comcast's 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot offers a reliable Internet connection and fast download speeds of up to 6 Mbps with 4G service and up to 1.4 Mbps with 3G service. Within the 4G network, which reaches 119 million Americans, the 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot provides superfast 4G speed. Outside of 4G coverage, the device connects to the nationwide 3G network. A rechargeable battery provides hours of Internet access when power outlets are not available. In addition, the device supports industry-standard Wi-Fi security, providing safety for customers since users are prompted to enter their password before being able to connect to a Mobile Hotspot.

The personal 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot is available in Xfinity Internet 2go markets with 4G service, which includes many of the major markets across the U.S. To view a map of areas where customers can use Xfinity Internet 2go and the 4G/3G Mobile Hotspot, visit: http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Learn/xfinity/4g-3g-wireless-coverage-map.html

New Xfinity Internet 2go customers can get the hotspot for a $25 one-time fee with a qualifying Xfinity Internet 2go service plan. For more information about Xfinity Internet 2go service or the personal Mobile Hotspot, visit www.comcast.com/2go.

Google and Sprint respond to Google Voice integration issues

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:10 PM PDT


You may recall from yesterday that early adopters were having a variety of issues after activating (or attempting to activate) Sprint's new Google Voice integration feature. Well, a full day has passed, and we've had several calls with GV lead Vincent Paquet as well as Brian Smith, Sprint's director of product development. Both executives have said that their respective companies have been hard at work on resolutions to each of the issues we outlined Thursday night, and some customers we spoke to yesterday are now back online. Jump past the break for a quick summary of what's been fixed, and what remains on the to-do list.

Our primary concern yesterday was a voicemail security bug that inadvertently granted management-level access to people that one user called from the Google Voice web app. Google is not commenting on this vulnerability, but has confirmed that it's not a threat today. The second issue was that some GV customers who were up and running with Sprint integration suddenly found themselves unable to use the service. This issue has been pegged to the removal of an accounting code -- GGLVOICE -- that some Sprint reps have accidentally removed. The carrier is working to prevent this from occurring in the future, and those already affected should soon be able to call in for support. Next up, some international calls were being processed through Sprint, rather than through GV, even after users activated their integration. This has been tied to the accidental removal of the same accounting code, and Google has offered to reimburse affected individuals (see the update on yesterday's post for full details).

Finally, many users -- notably those on personal accounts with corporate discounts -- have been unable to activate GV integration. Sprint has promised a mid-May resolution, and we'll certainly keep you updated. Users with these issues are still being instructed to share their concerns on the Google Voice Forum, which as of now is finally getting the attention it needs. You can also post a comment below, as both companies have been monitoring here, too. Things are looking much better today than they were yesterday, but our position remains unchanged: Unless you've already activated Sprint/Google Voice integration, please stand by until both companies have had a chance to work out these (very significant) kinks. You've been able to hold out this long -- what's another few weeks?

Update: Sprint customers on corporate and government accounts (paid for by your employer) are currently not eligible for integration. Eventually, Sprint will enable integration for some of these companies on a case-by-case basis.

MSI CR650 review

Posted: 06 May 2011 01:11 PM PDT

It was a long time coming, but when it finally arrived, AMD's highly anticipated Fusion APU ripped through the laptop market like a bull on steroids. Just this month, the chipmaker announced that the platform made up nearly half its notebook shipments, and no doubt contributed heavily to its $1.61 billion in Q1 revenues. In the past four months, we've seen its superior integrated graphics working on a slew of smaller machines, but it seems Fusion wanted more.

Back in January, Toshiba announced that it would bring the E-240 APU to a 15.6-inch budget notebook, and just a few weeks later MSI followed suit with its own announcement, saying it planned to put a Zacate E-350 APU, incorporating Radeon HD 6310 graphics, in its CR650. We've spent some time with Lenovo's ThinkPad X120e and HP's Pavilion dm1z, both sporting 11.6-inch screens and E-350 APUs, but we've yet to experience the force of Fusion on a larger device. Naturally, when the opportunity presented itself, we jumped on the chance to find out how a big rig like the CR650 would stack up against its dainty predecessors. Will Fusion's wonder chip offer the same performance in a $500, 15.6-inch laptop? Or will it fail to bring its beastly force to a big budget machine? Hop on past the break to find out.
MSI CR650 Review

Look and feel

Right out of the lime green box, the CR650 comes across as a rather imposing machine. Weighing in at 5.3 pounds and measuring 15 x 9.8 x 1.4 inches, it's actually pretty standard compared to similarly appointed devices, but there's something deceiving about its proportions. Let's just say, in this case, black is not a slimming color. Unfortunately, MSI decided to couple this bulky design with a glossy coating -- a practice we've grown mighty tired of. It does have a subtle, sparkly grid pattern beneath that shiny coating, but with the finish as-is, an added layer of fingerprints can obscure the stylish touch. That pattern is continued on the interior, approaching the base of the island-style keyboard, adding a little extra flavor under the hood.

Speaking of hoods, this one's especially sticky -- the stiff hinges kept the screen propped up at any angle, but made it unnecessarily difficult to open. The big-boy body is flanked on either side by multiple points of connection: the right side features a DVD burner, USB, VGA, and Ethernet ports, and on the left side you'll find mic and headphone jacks, HDMI, two more USB ports, and a heat vent. An SD card reader can be found tucked discreetly beneath the front lip.

Keyboard, touchpad, and screen

As we've come to expect from an MSI machine, the CR650 packs a perfectly suitable chiclet keyboard, but this one's got a few extra bells and whistles -- most of which we could do without. The keys themselves, which have a very slight curvature and a nice bounce, provide for comfortable typing most of the time. It was the positioning of those keys, however, that gave us some problems. We were happy to find a dedicated number pad, but since we don't do a whole lot of one-handed calculating, we would have been even happier if they'd used the extra space to spread things out. In particular, the right shift key is cut in about half, which caused us to miss our mark on a number of occasions. We found it took a couple of days to get used to the closeness, and even then, our typo count was way above average. Just above the keyboard sit a number of dedicated keys that offer shortcuts for battery settings, powering down, and accessing media files. While we're all for easy access, we would at least liked to have seen dedicated volume controls, instead of having them relegated to the arrow keys.

We found the textured touchpad made for easy multitouch control -- despite its comparatively small dimensions -- but hitting the mouse bar was another story. The black glossy strip is clearly distinguished from the rest of the touchpad, but the lack of separation between right and left controls proved a bit frustrating. What's more, the bar was just plain stiff. We ended up hitting the dedicated touchpad kill-switch (just above the pad itself) and plugged in a USB mouse. That was fine when we were at our desk, but we ended up cursing the thing when we took it out for a cup of coffee.

In terms of display, the 1366 x 768-resolution screen provided for pretty crisp viewing up close -- a 1080p trailer for Thor looked nice and sharp, in fact. We experienced slight color distortion when the screen was tilted anywhere beyond just a tick back, but it didn't prove all that distracting or surprising, for that matter. The CR650 did, however, deliver decent horizontal viewing angles: the colors were only a tad washed out when viewed from a seat away. As is the case with most glossy displays, the CR650's screen was prone to a decent amount of glare, but, again, it wasn't a deal-breaker. The real shocker here came by way of the two SRS-powered speakers flanking the dedicated buttons above the keyboard. We were pleasantly surprised by the sound quality when we fired up WoW: Cataclysm, and equally impressed with what they did with Esquivell's psychedelic lounge sounds. We could clearly make out the lyrics to Aqua de Beber from two rooms away when we cranked it up to full blast.

Performance and graphics

In the performance department, the CR650's 1.6GHz E-350 processor and 3GB of RAM fared pretty well against the other two Fusion rigs, but came up just a little short at the finish line. As you can see from the chart below, however, it didn't do so well when pitted against other laptops in its class. The CR650 pulled in 2315 on PCMarkVantage, falling 2469 behind the Intel Core i3 in Gateway's NV5933u, and even scored 372 less than the Intel Core 2 Duo in Dell's Vostro V13. None of this would have mattered if the CR650 lived up to the numbers, but after a week with us it was definitely the worse for wear. In fact, it became so herky jerky while running Skype, Notepad, Pidgin, and Firefox (with eight tabs open) simultaneously that we had to switch machines just to get a day's work done.

PCMarkVantage 3DMark06
Battery Life
MSI CR650 (AMD Zacate E-350) 2315 2242 3:10
Lenovo ThinkPad X120e (AMD Zacate E-350) 2465 2080 4:56
HP Pavilion dm1z (AMD Zacate E-350)
2510 2213 5:02
Gateway NV5933u (Intel Core i3-330M) 4784 1725 2:35
Acer TimelineX 4820T (Intel Core i3-350M) 4926 1724 5:04
Dell Vostro V13 (Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300) 2687 556 2:39

So, it failed to meet our workaday expectations, but we're not exactly easy on our machines, and Fusion's real appeal is in the graphics. As evidenced by the chart above, the CR650 beat out its netbook brethren by a small margin, schooled Intel's integrated HD graphics by about 500, and killed the GMA 4500MHD inside Dell's Vostro V13. But numbers are just numbers -- what really matters is how it performs in the real world. As far as picture quality is concerned, it handled 1080p video with ease and precision. We found it did become a bit stilted while streaming First Orbit from YouTube with other applications open, but it played uninterrupted when it only had Skype to contend with. Overall, it exceeded our expectations while playing high-res video -- it even made a low-res version of Raquel Welch Space Dance look good in full screen.

When we took a break for a little play, on the other hand, the CR650 proved its chops. We found our little gnome had a pretty smooth run through WoW: Cataclysm at native resolution, bringing in 26fps. Of course, that wasn't the case when we fired up Batman: Arkham Asylum. We had to take the resolution down a few notches to 800 x 600 to hit a solid 30fps, but that wasn't exactly astonishing. So the CR650 probably won't be any serious gamer's laptop of choice, but it suited our needs just fine.

Battery life and heat

If you ask MSI, one of the CR650's big selling points is battery life; the machine comes equipped with a dedicated button for selecting different energy modes via its proprietary Eco Engine power management system. The special setup lets you switch between gaming, movie, presentation, and office mode, but as is evidenced by the chart above, it's not exactly energy efficient when set to default. We suspected that it would fall behind the 11.6-inch Fusion netbooks, but were frankly astonished by the separation. This 15-incher only stayed juiced for three hours and ten minutes -- that's a difference of almost two hours when compared to the HP Pavilion dm1z and Lenovo ThinkPad X120e. Despite it's claims of efficiency, the CR650 only managed to run 35 minutes longer than its weakest competitor, Gateway's NV5933u. So it didn't live up to MSI's battery claims, but this big boy is nice and cool -- an attribute that can be credited to the side-facing vent. We spent a week with the thing, and never once suspected our future babies were in danger.

Software

The CR650 comes with a pretty hefty array of software loaded on the Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) desktop. Alongside the ever-present Norton fare are a series of Magix media programs -- including Photo Manager, Video Easy, and Music Maker -- Nuance PDF Reader, and a handful of MSI-branded titles. Both the preloaded facial recognition program, EasyFace, and EasyViewer, a simple photo organizing and light editing tool, failed to live up to their names. EasyViewer was slow to load and even slower to perform any real tasks, and while we like the idea of logging on to our computer with a little face time, EasyFace isn't big on subtle changes. It failed to recognize our striking good looks when we ditched the glasses and parted our hair in the opposite direction. In fact, we found that even slight variations in lighting could throw the thing off. In the end, we ditched the facial recognition, opting for the standard password login instead. MSI's CameraRecorder was similarly disappointing, as the 720p camera produced grainy video with muddy colors.

The company did get one thing right in the software department, though, with the rather simple and useful S-Bar utility manager. The little blue star at the top of the screen acts as a more graphically driven Start Menu, with shortcuts to utility controls like the aforementioned Eco Engine and access to a handful of programs like EasyFace. For the most part, we avoided the little stellar icon, but more out of habit than indifference.

Wrap-up

As it turns out, size does matter -- at least in the case of the CR650. We were excited to see what a Fusion packing 15.6-inch system could muster, but ultimately found its performance puny by comparison. We're not entirely ready to write this one off, however, because despite a bulky body and occasionally clunky performance, MSI's latest laptop is light on the wallet. It's also a powerful player in the sound department, and follows through on its promise of superior graphics. If you're in the market for a low cost notebook that can play video like a pricier PC, then the $500 CR650 is probably a safe bet, but if it's a big machine that delivers big results you're looking for, then it might behoove you to hold out until Llano lands.

Lenovo-funded eBox gaming console renamed iSec, still can't shake Kinect comparisons

Posted: 06 May 2011 12:44 PM PDT

Coverage of Eedoo's eBox has thus far largely focused on the China-only game console's similarity to Microsoft's Kinect. Perhaps seeking to shift in perception, the system this week was reintroduced to the world as the Apple-esque iSec -- that's short for "Sports Entertainment Center," highlighting its exercise-centric approach to gaming, with martial arts, skateboarding, and good old-fashioned monster fighting titles having already been demoed. The console will also support wireless controllers of some sort, for those sick of all of that pesky exercise. After an initial delay, the iSec is set to hit China at some point in the second half of this year, though the company has no international sales plan -- at least until they move one million units domestically. At the moment, the iSec doesn't have much official competition, since the Wii, Xbox, and PS3 aren't legally available in China, though we're told that they're also not too hard to get your hands on -- for those who are still using their hands for stuff.

App review: Planetary for iPad

Posted: 06 May 2011 12:14 PM PDT

The iPad's music player hasn't changed much since its debut, and unlike its desktop counterpart, it also lacks a built-in music visualizer for your mesmerization. Luckily, for the folks who are seeking ways to spice up their iPad music experience, you now have a new option: Planetary, by Bloom Studio. As you can tell by the name and the screenshot above, what we have here is a visually compelling app for exploring your tablet's music library. It's very straightforward: each artist or band is shown as a star, surrounded by albums in the form of orbiting planets, and then you have individual tracks displayed as moons orbiting each album.

During playback, each track leaves behind a trail on its orbit to indicate its play time, though you can hide the orbit lines (and labels) if you them too distracting. To choose other albums or artists, the good old pinch-to-zoom or the simple tapping on other 3D objects will move you between the moons and constellations, or you can just tap on the bottom-center button to jump straight to the letter selector for artists. Obviously, the former's more fun within the first few hours, but after awhile we found ourselves preferring the quicker option to skip the mellow animation. Head past the break for our full impression and demo video.
App review: Planetary for iPad

Like we said, Planetary is essentially a very simple app, and perhaps it's a bit too simple in some aspects: we certainly appreciate the standard set of playback controls integrated here, but it could also use some shuffle options -- right now we have to jump into the iPod app to enable shuffle or Genius, which isn't very convenient. Our wish list also includes a search box for even quicker access to our desired music, along with an option to stop the iPad's display from sleeping. As far as performance goes, we haven't had many problems on our iPad 2 except for a couple of minor bugs: scrubbing could be a lot smoother, and the app's failure to automatically go into landscape mode at launch is starting to annoy us. Still, as a free app, Planetary offers plenty of fun for the buck and is definitely worth a try -- here's hoping that Bloom Studio will also port this to other tablets as well.


P.S. It's worth noting that Bloom Studio's Creative Director, Robert Hodgin, is the co-founder of The Barbarian Group which designed Magnetosphere, the music visualizer in iTunes. Small world, eh?

[Thanks, Lance A.]

Sleek Audio terminates agreement with 50 Cent, puts over-the-ear plans on hold

Posted: 06 May 2011 11:49 AM PDT

You may remember our brief run-in with 50 Cent back at CES, where he announced a partnership with Sleek Audio for Sleek by 50, a pair of "wireless hybrid" headphones with built-in Kleer technology. Today the company revealed that it has terminated its agreement with G-Unit Brands, 50's licensing company, and that it will be "re-evaluating our Wireless Hybrid over-the-ear headphones at a later date." There's no word on why the collboration went awry, and the company only indicates that it has decided to focus on its in-ear offerings instead. Of course, we've got way more than 21 questions about what made the relationship go sour, but hate it or love it, Sleek by 50 is no more. Disheartening PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Sleek Audio and G-Unit Brands, Inc, 50 Cent's Licensing Company, Cancel Plans to Develop Products Under the "Sleek by 50" Brand

Palmetto, Fl. May 6th, 2011 – Sleek Audio today announced the termination of the Brand License Agreement between Sleek Audio LLC ("Sleek") and G-Unit Brands, Inc. ("G-Unit"), 50 Cent's licensing company. In addition, the Brand License Agreement, including video production, between TV Goods, Inc, Sleek and G-Unit has also been terminated.

"We will be re-evaluating our Wireless Hybrid over-the-ear headphones at a later date. Currently we are working to bring our new, U.S.-made in-ear products to the market," said Mark Krywko, CEO of Sleek Audio.

Sleek Audio is in production of the highly anticipated, U.S.-made SA6-R Wireless Hybrid earphone and award-winning SA7 earphone, which earned the Best of Innovations title in the headphone category at CES 2011. Sleek is also producing its acclaimed PRO Series comprised of hand-made, Wireless Hybrid custom earphones including the CT6 and all-new CT7.

About Sleek Audio

Sleek Audio is a personal audio company dedicated to creating "music in tune with you.™" Sleek Audio, creators of the first ever acoustically customizable earphones, is driven from decades of experience in the custom hearing aid and audio industry. Sleek Audio products are designed for high-performance use with all MP3 players including iPod® and Zune®. For more information, visit the company website at www.sleekaudio.com www.facebook.com/sleekaudio

Impossible announces PX 680 Color Shade film for Polaroid 600 cameras, shows Instagram how it's really done

Posted: 06 May 2011 11:34 AM PDT

Fortunately for photography buffs, Impossible's mission to revive Instant Integral film hasn't proven, well, impossible. And the company's latest film stock, PX 680 Color Shade, reminds us of those Hipstamatic and Instagram shots the kids like so much these days. Except, you know -- the aforementioned apps simulate old school photographic processes and equipment, while the new film achieves the same effect by using time-honored methods that remind us of the new school smartphone apps that ape time-honored photographic processes and equipment. Just thinking about it makes our heads hurt! If you've been waiting your whole life for the perfect Polaroid 600 color film, it's available now for $22. Hit the source link for more info (and some pretty awesome sample shots).

Editorial: A less tactile future, and how to avoid it

Posted: 06 May 2011 11:02 AM PDT

For the past few weeks, I've been doing most of my typing on a Matias Tactile Pro 3 -- a mechanical keyboard that's much like the original Apple Extended or IBM Model M keyboards, in function, if not appearance. If you're not old enough to remember those, that means it relies on mechanical key switches instead of the rubber membrane used by most keyboards these days. You feel, and hear every key press -- and, after you've used one for a while, you'll be much more aware of the mushy alternative hiding under other keyboards, and likely find them quite unsatisfying.

Mechanical keyboards have seen a slight resurgence as of late among gamers, who value their accuracy, but they mostly remain a niche product for folks like me -- writers who might also happen to collect manual typewriters, or coders who honed their skills to their familiar clickety-clack sound in the 80s and 90s. I bring this up because it's not just keyboards that have gotten less "tactile" in recent years, but computing and consumer electronics in general -- and that includes cellphones.

Most reading this have probably owned a flip phone or two at some point in their cellphone-toting years. Now, I'm not exactly that nostalgic for the days of the Motorola RAZR, but it is certainly more satisfying to end a call by snapping a phone shut than by tapping on a touchscreen, isn't it? For better or worse, phones are now getting even less tactile still, with that last bit of mechanical-ness -- buttons -- being shoved out in favor of flush, capacitive replacements, some of which attempt to make themselves felt with a lackluster bit of haptic feedback.

Of course, "tactile" doesn't just mean keyboards and buttons. Phones, computers, and consumer electronics in general have also by and large been shifting into two different camps in terms of design: the metal and glass approach exemplified by Apple, and the glossy plastic approach favored by the likes of Samsung. Those are two very different schools of thought, but they do both arguably focus on the visual at the expensive of the tactile. This is one area that I think RIM has actually been setting an example worth following.

It became a leader in the business world not just because of push messaging and secure software (although that obviously helped), but also because its products felt like they were meant for some serious work. Heck, the back of a BlackBerry Bold practically feels like an extension of your wallet.

RIM is at least still saying the right things at the moment -- Jim Balsillie claims the Playbook was modeled in part on that most grabbable of objects, the Moleskine notebook -- but that's unfortunately becoming less evident in the products themselves. It didn't exactly succeed in making a touchscreen tactile with the original Storm (something Sony is now also exploring), and it somehow managed to botch something as simple as a power button on the PlayBook -- it offers a long swipe gesture as an alternative, but that's both less intuitive and, yes, less tactile.

Another company that's gotten some things right recently is Lenovo, which released its mold-breaking IdeaPad U260 late last year. It looks like a leather-bound journal and feels like one, with an exterior that's soft to the touch and easy to grip, and a faux leather palm rest that surrounds a polished glass touchpad. Sure, it also has its faults, but imagine what an even more refined version would be like -- maybe even with a keyboard that felt as good as the rest of the laptop.

Unfortunately, the U260 remains an exception to the rule, both for Lenovo and the industry as a whole. Even cameras -- an area where companies like Nikon and Leica have long been setting examples worth following -- are now increasingly treading into less tactile territory.

Of course, I'm not suggesting that all of the progress away from buttons and tactility has been bad. Phones and other devices have gotten sleeker and smaller as a result, and many unquestionably look fantastic. Aesthetics are important. Change is good. What I'm suggesting is that we might be able to learn from what's worked so well in the past, and expand on what's become so natural, rather than simply ignore it. In fact, I'd argue that tactility is now more important than ever as products continue to get thinner and lighter.

I may be in the minority on some of this -- and, indeed, a less tactile future does seem to be where we're headed -- but there are some folks exploring how these ideas might take shape in new ways. PhD student Fabian Hemmert has been trying to answer the question of how to make digital content more "graspable" for the past few years and has come up with a range of possible answers, including a phone that can shift its center of gravity to lead you in one direction or another (without you having to look at it). And designer Guust Hilte has taken a similar no-look approach with his tactile texting device, which could just as easily be incorporated into the back of a cellphone to let you text or perform a range of tasks without requiring your full attention.

Those, of course, are just two small examples that may not ever move far beyond the lab, but they show that the possibilities for a more tactile future are virtually endless. And while they may both be somewhat ambitious approaches, there are also some more modest solutions that could be implemented by manufacturers in the shorter term.

One possible small-scale option, for instance, could be a sort of premium "trim level" for laptops and phones much like automakers offer on cars. Instead of heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, tech manufacturers could offer a laptops with a stylish, easy-to-grip lid or textured accents (perhaps even a higher-end keyboard), or smartphones with a more graspable, less fingerprint-prone enclosure that's as handsome as it is practical. Manufacturers that don't feel up to such an endeavor themselves could even get more tactile-minded companies like J. Crew or Roots to help out, and expand their retail base in the process.

In the case of phones and tablets, an even easier answer could be as simple as a well-designed case that does more than just protect your device. Apple has shown some real innovation in that respect with its Smart Cover for the iPad 2, and I think the response to it shows that people are eager for technology they're truly able to wrap their hands around. Who knows, maybe the next iPhone will have a Smart Cover of its own that you'll be able to flip shut to end a call -- just like that RAZR.

LG trots out XE1 and XE2 USB 3.0 drives for the Korean market

Posted: 06 May 2011 10:34 AM PDT

If you've been on the hunt for a USB 3.0 drive to pair with your newly minted notebook, the list of options just keeps on growing. LG just released the XE1 and XE2, a pair of 2.5-inch HDDs available in 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB sizes. The only difference: the XE1 has a glossy finish and its sibling, a matte one -- both more conservative-looking than what Samsung's been peddling. If you're in Korea, you'll soon be able to snag one in the size and style of your choice for somewhere between â‚©100,000 and â‚©160,000 ($92 to $147).

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 spotted in the wild

Posted: 06 May 2011 10:06 AM PDT

We've already seen it pictured and detailed, but Chinese website Mydrivers.com has now scored what appear to be the very first in-the-wild shots of Lenovo's new super-slim ThinkPad X1. As you can see above and in a few more shots at the source link below, the laptop is indeed pretty thin -- 21.5mm, or 0.85 inches thick, apparently -- but Lenovo still found room to squeeze in a backlit keyboard (check it out after the break), not to mention the ThinkPad's trademark pointing stick. Unfortunately, Lenovo has yet to officially say anything about it itself, so we still only have that rumored May 20th launch date to go on for the time being.

[Thanks, leungxd]

Engadget Podcast 238 - 05.06.2011

Posted: 06 May 2011 09:43 AM PDT

We'll tell you what: if you even blink these days, you're gonna miss a special guest on the Engadget Podcast. This week we've got Joystiq's Chris Grant in the house to shoot the shizzle on Sony's network hurt and the Wii 3D IMAX rumors bubbling up all around us. And we lure Richard Lawler to step out on his old lady, the Engadget HD Podcast, for a romp on the possibly slightly wilder side of the tracks. Let's do it: let's talk tech.

Host: Tim Stevens
Guests: Chris Grant, Brian Heater, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: You Shook Me All Night Long

02:15 - Apple iMac hands-on, with dual 30-inch displays! (video)
03:00 - Apple iMac refresh official: Thunderbolt and next gen quad-core processors
03:45 - AT&T officially announces HP Veer 4G, available May 15th for $100 (update)
04:55 - Star Wars Blu-ray set ships Sept. 12th/16th (world/NA), has 40 hours of special features
06:35 - Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit
07:55 - Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence
09:35 - Droid Charge review
11:16 - Verizon document suggests LG Revolution will have Netflix pre-installed
13:47 - Sony promises 'phased restoration' of PlayStation Network and Qriocity starting this week
20:22 - Sony woes continue as SOE confirms data breach (update: 24.6 million accounts affected)
31:03 - Sony responds to Congress: all 77 million PSN accounts compromised, finger pointed at Anonymous
33:52 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 hands-on (update: video)
34:30 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 (Bold Touch) official
34:45 - BlackBerry Bold Touch makes brief appearance on RIM's website
35:05 - Android apps on PlayBook eyes-on (video)
35:48 - RIM announces BlackBerry 7 OS with better browser and BlackBerry Balance, but no legacy support
38:10 - Nintendo drops Wii price to $150 from May 15th, throws in a free Wii Wheel and copy of Mario Kart
48:05 - Nielsen estimates show first drop in TV ownership in 20 years, Mayans nod approvingly
50:40 - We won some Webby Awards, and now you can win a BlackBerry PlayBook!
51:44 - Listener questions

Hear the podcast

 Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

Contact the podcast

Send your questions to @tim_stevens.

Twitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @chrisgrant @rjcc

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Streaming music breakdown: how Google Music and iCloud will impact today's options

Posted: 06 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Gone are the days of going to the music store, finding a vintage CD or cassette tape, happily unwrapping it and thoroughly perusing the cover art as you listen to your new album for the very first time. In a want-it-now world, that simply takes too long -- and we have the internet to thank for the change in pace. As preferences seem to shift in the music consumption universe, it feels as if tastes are centered around consuming the largest amount of music possible. And thanks to the sudden proliferation of online streaming services, satisfying those desires in record time has become a reality.

Unsurprisingly, competition is mighty fierce -- consumers have options for user-made radio stations, on-demand streaming content, and cloud-based multimedia. But if you've been hearing the word on the street, Apple and Google could soon make their way onto the scene by offering streaming music options of their own. Almost everything these two tech giants touch turns to gold (emphasis on almost -- we don't think Ping and Buzz built the best reputations), so there's reason to believe that these oft-rumored services will become automatic front-runners the day they're released. Head on past the break to see some of the lucky / unlucky contestants planning to give Google and Apple a run for their (near-limitless) money, replete with a breakdown of what they offer and how hard they hit the wallet.


Device: Pandora Slacker MOG Rhapsody
Price: $36/year $4.99/month ($3.99 annual pass) $9.99/month $9.99/month (1 device); $14.99 for 3
Trial: 40 free hours/month Freemium model 14 days free 14 days free
Type of Streaming: Radio stations Radio stations On-demand, radio stations On-demand
What you pay for: Ad-free, higher bit rate, desktop app Ad-free, unlimited song skips, lyrics, offline caching Unlimited song streaming, downloads for offline listening Unlimited song streaming, downloads
Mobile reach: iOS, Android, BlackBerry, WebOS iOS, Android, BlackBerry, WebOS, WP7 iOS, Android iOS, Android, BlackBerry, WP7
Unique features: Thumbs up/down See which artist is up next in the queue Personalized radio based off existing queue Option to stream on 3 mobile devices



Device: Rdio Napster Amazon Cloud Player Zune Pass
Price: $4.99/month on desktop web; $9.99 on mobile $5/month web-only; $10 mobile and web Between $20/year for 20 GB and $1,000/year for 1 TB $15/month
Trial 7 days 7 days 5 GB free storage 14 days
Type of streaming: On-demand On-demand Cloud On-demand
What you pay for: Unlimited song access, sync mobile to desktop Unlimited song access Additional storage capacity Unlimited access, 10 free downloads per month
Mobile reach: iOS, Android, BlackBerry iOS, Android, BlackBerry Android only WP7, Zune Marketplace
Unique Features: Can be used on Sonos and Roku Military discount of 30% off subscription services Access to Amazon's MP3 store Option to keep 10 downloads per month


This list represents the most popular streaming music services available, and obviously it's just the tip of the iceberg. Here are a couple we considered putting on the list and earned honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Spotify: Any American who has heard of Spotify knows all too well the mystery surrounding the service on this side of the Atlantic. The company has made clear that it's working hard toward a US launch, but for now only European users are able to enjoy the spoils. Premium members get unlimited song support ad-free, full offline playlists, high-quality audio at a bitrate of 320kbps, and new albums before they're released. Sounds lovely for £4.99 / €4.99 per month (for browser-only; mobile support costs £9.99), but everyone on the west side of the pond will have to continue patiently waiting for the service to come knockin' at the front door.

AudioGalaxy: Those of you who used Simplify Media (and are still on the prowl for a free alternative on your iPhone or Android), you have a new friend waiting at Audiogalaxy.com. Load all of the music on your computer onto a desktop client, download a smartphone app (iOS and Android for now) and the program will play any song from your library, from anywhere. The only downer is that your computer has to be powered on -- and the broadband needs to be coursing through it -- in order to talk to your mobile device, but the outfit's impressive limit of 200,000 songs might just be enough to consider using the free service.

So many choices

Much like snowflakes and unicorns, no two music streaming services are exactly alike. Judging by the options we detailed earlier, each program has a specific style and niche to fill. Pandora and Slacker are playlist-based radio stations generated by your specific tastes, and give you the chance to vote on your favorite songs; Mog and Napster are examples of on-demand services, letting you eat from a buffet of thousands of artists and albums any time you want; and Amazon and Audiogalaxy are cloud-based services that let you upload your computer's music library and play it on your mobile 24 / 7. If you're that guy / gal who'd rather be surprised at what's on deck (or just want to listen to the freshest jams for free), choose Pandora or Slacker. If you know exactly what you want and like choice, choose an on-demand or cloud-based subscription. Any of the listed services would be acceptable to use, but much like the prevention of forest fires, only you can determine which model suits your needs the most.

All that's well and good, but the nascent music streaming arena could be in for a serious shakeup as early as next week. Should Apple and Google move forward with their rumored cloud services, it'll be frighteningly easy for them to completely outshine the to-be little guys populating the market today. Their phones and tablets have infiltrated millions upon millions of homes, and they have almost limitless piles of money to throw in to grab exclusive rights to artists and albums (Beatles, anyone?). Beyond that, there's the invaluable mindshare aspect -- a great many consumers are already entrenched in an Apple or Google-powered ecosystem, and staying in said ditches is far easier than climbing out and finding a new one to call home. Is it really that hard to imagine a world where Google and Apple's cloud music services instantly begin to dominate the existing players jockeying for position today? Will all of said players still be in the running a dozen months from now?

None of them will go down without a fight. Take Pandora, for instance: barely staying afloat for years, it renegotiated royalty fees with SoundExchange and expanded its service out to mobile, TV widgets, Roku Players, even cars. Pandora thought outside the box and got more creative in expanding its business, and two outcomes came as a result: consumers benefited from having more ways to enjoy the service, and Pandora thrived.

Google Music and iCloud: Beginnings

To know how to compete and survive the upcoming doomsday, our minor players in this story must accurately predict the direction both Google and Apple plan to take in their approach. Will they only use cloud-based services or encompass multiple genres? Shocking though it may be, the history books are a good place to look for a little foreshadowing.

Last year's I/O conference brought thrills as Google put out a demo showing off WiFi iTunes syncing and the ability to purchase and transfer music from the Android Market to your phone. It also announced the company's purchase of Simplify Media, which gave iOS users the opportunity to stream their iTunes library directly into their phones -- as long as the computer was turned on. These were rather clear indications toward some type of music integration service down the road, but all of the hubub was followed by eleven months of radio silence (besides the occasional leak). That all changed three weeks ago, when Google officialized a rumored $25m acquisition of PushLife, a service that offered push syncing with iTunes or Windows Media Player as well its own integrated music store. Sensing a pattern yet?

These moves show Google shifting in the same direction as Amazon, which already offers a music store and online storage that's accessible from any Android device. It appears that the Music service will be some sort of hybrid cloud-based locker / digital download store that will focus on purchasing songs or albums from the Android Market, offering online storage space, and automatic syncing between desktop and mobile by way of WiFi. Earlier leaks show this service both streaming your library and downloading songs direct to the device, all courtesy of your local WiFi network. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a more detailed demonstration and announcement at this year's I/O -- we'll be on the scene bringing you the blow by blow, of course.

As for Apple's intentions, the company set its sights on "iCloud," not a surprise in the slightest considering the company's usual naming structure. Apple also built a massive data center in North Carolina and purchased popular streaming music service Lala last year. To intensify things further, the news that Warner Music and at least one other major label have signed on to the iCloud idea has been whispered to us, and we're cautiously optimistic that we'll hear much more at WWDC. The iCloud will likely offer its own online locker service combined with wireless iTunes syncing, cloud-based storage of preferences and possibly even files, and we're hearing that Apple will be allowed to keep the master track of a song on its servers and then share that track with multiple users -- this means that when you purchase a song through iTunes, you'll be able to listen to it on multiple devices. Apple's agreement with record labels leads us to believe that quite a bit of exclusive content will be made available, but given that said scenario is already playing itself out within iTunes, we'll just have to feign surprise.

The Future of Music Streaming

Our take on what'll happen to the landscape here? Google will dominate the Android music scene. Apple will be master of its own domain with iTunes. Microsoft will be king of its Zune Marketplace castle (and perhaps the cloud-centric Windows 8 castle), and Pandora will continue to be the jack of all trades that has brilliantly snuck its way into every conceivable consumer electronic device. Where does that leave everyone else, besides trying to pick up the scraps? Sure, there's a long and winding road up ahead for most of the smaller companies, but it's nothing a little tweaking and exercising of the creative juices can't get past. With Google, Apple, and Amazon all competing for cloud storage victory, there's still plenty of room in the market for the other styles. And thank goodness for that -- the last thing we want to see emerge out of this is a duopoly.

It won't be easy. Most streaming music services are posting losses, but we're holding out hope. Will Google and Apple run clean over the competition? In the cloud, perhaps, but it's vital to remember that not every consumer has a huge music collection that they need to access from everywhere. There's still a niche to be explored in the on-demand space, and there should always (thankfully) be a few options out there for those who simply don't need or trust the cloud to handle their musical appetites.

Algorithm places September 11th victims next to friends at 9/11 Memorial

Posted: 06 May 2011 08:37 AM PDT


This year marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The brilliant memorial (partially shown above) to be unveiled that day is radical not only as a result of on-site electronics, but also thanks to a computer algorithm, responsible for resting fallen victims next to each other based on affiliation, not the alphabet. Victims will be grouped by employer, but also by their friendships -- before the towers fell, and now for generations to come.

OtherOS++ brings Linux back to the PS3, taunts Sony

Posted: 06 May 2011 08:15 AM PDT

Linux returns to PS3Mourn no more PS3 owners: what Sony hath taken away, the hacker community has given right back. The team at Gitbrew.org have returned Linux to the Cell-based gaming console with OtherOS++, which boasts a number of benefits over Sony's official stab at supporting other operating systems. For one, Linux is no longer relegated to a performance-degrading virtual machine and has full access to the PS3 hardware, and two, it works on both old-school "fat" models and the newer "slim" ones. We warn you, though -- this install is not for the faint of heart, and some older models that use NAND flash instead of VFLASH aren't compatible (check against this list). If you're undeterred, hit up the source link for downloads, instructions, and (most importantly) to stick it to the man.

Fanscooter is the world's slowest extreme sport (video)

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:53 AM PDT

What do you get when you get when you combine a fan and a scooter? If you said "Scooterfan," you should be ashamed. Really ashamed. The correct answer, clearly, is Fanscooter, the latest project from fighting robot builder / MIT engineering student Charles Guan, the guy who brought the world the similarly named and equally breezy Fankart last summer. What this new DIY vehicle lacks in the ominous ever-forward creep of its predecessor, it makes up in actual vehicular rideability, marking the return of Guan's HFF propeller -- the "h" stands for "holy" and the second "f" stands for "fan" -- which is positioned between two Razor Scooter decks. The whole things is topped off by a power source taped on in a manner that would surely put Homeland Security on high alert. Checkout of some slow-motion Jackass-style video of the project, after the break.

HTC Flyer stylus on sale at Best Buy for $80, because matching gadgets should cost more (updated)

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:31 AM PDT

If you ordered the HTC Flyer because you're keen on scribbling notes and doodling over screenshots, well, today's your lucky day -- the stylus is now on sale by itself for a cool $80. That's fairly outrageous, given that you can buy the HP Slate 500's for well under that tally, and the Fujitsu LifeBook T580's for roughly $22... that is, if you lose the one included in the box. Plus, although these battery-powered pens won't complement your Flyer's aluminum chassis, they should still work with it, as all of these tablets use N-Trig's DuoSense pen / capacitive touch technology. And particularly with a dearth in apps that can take advantage of pen input, you'd better be the next J.K. Rowling if you're looking to get your money's worth.

Update: We've gotten some incredulous comments and emails from folks who can't believe the Flyer doesn't come with a stylus. Well, just to settle that debate once and for all, we reached out to HTC's PR team who confirmed that the stylus is, indeed, sold separately. Sorry to be the bearer repeater of bad news!

Update 2: HTC adds that the Flyer will only come without a pen if you get it at Best Buy.

ASUS: Eee Pad Transformer delays due to demand, not component shortages

Posted: 06 May 2011 07:09 AM PDT

We're sure you heard the rumors when hanging out in your ASUS fanboy haunts, wearing your ASUS logo hats and medallions, talking your crazy ASUS lingo with your fellow ASUS scenesters. Or maybe you thought something was up when Amazon sold out immediately. Either way, there has been plenty of chatter in the gadgetsphere as of late about the Eee Pad Transformer. Why is it so hard to find? Are component shortages to blame? Quality control issues? We've heard plenty of speculation, and now ASUSTek spokesperson David Chang is weighing in on the matter. According to Netbook News, the company has seen overwhelming demand for the device, and is currently planning to put 100,000 units on the street in May, followed by an additional 200,000-plus in June. "If the demand continues to increase substantially," said Chan, "then we will have to continue to ramp up production in order to fulfill our customers' demand." You know, that's exactly what we would do if we were in that situation!

redsn0w untethered jailbreak for iOS 4.3.1 works with 4.3.3, still no iPad 2 support

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:47 AM PDT

Apple released iOS 4.3.3 on Wednesday, but as it did with 4.3.2, neglected to patch the untethered jailbreak exploit in redsn0w 0.9.6rc9 (since updated to rc15). Looks like that's a hat trick for the iPhone Dev Team. The hack works with most devices (even the Apple TV), but there's still no solution for iPad 2 owners -- we're sure that the underground powers that be are hard at work searching for holes that Apple overlooked. Installation instructions remain unchanged, so if you've been eager to get your iPhone tracking fix on without bricking your device, grab the latest IPSW and head over to our source link for the download links.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

World's biggest CMOS sensor could help doctors detect and treat cancer

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:26 AM PDT

Move over, Canon, because scientists at the University of Lincoln have just seized the crown for world's biggest CMOS image sensor with their new Dynamic range Adjustable for Medical Imaging Technology microchip -- or 'DyNAMITe,' for short. Measuring a hefty 12.8 square cm (or about five square inches), DyNAMITe is roughly 200 times bigger than the chips you'd find in most PCs, making it the largest imager ever made on a wafer of standard, eight-inch diameter. This extra girth allows the active pixel sensor to capture images in high detail, with a 100-micrometer pitch boasting 1280 x 1280p aligned next to a 50-micron layer, carrying 2560 x 2560p. DyNAMITe can also run at up to 90fps and withstand high levels of radiation for several years, making it ideal for medical imaging, including radiotherapy and mammography. Researchers say these enhanced images could help doctors detect cancer in its earliest phases, while allowing them to monitor radiotherapy treatments more closely. No word on when we should expect to see DyNAMITe pop up in hospitals (or a Hasselblad back), but physicists at the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital are busy looking for other, potentially life-saving applications. Full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
World's biggest microchip heralds better treatment for cancer patients

Scientists at the University of Lincoln have created the world's biggest microchip designed for medical imaging.

The 12.8 cm square chip means that in future doctors will be able to diagnose cancer and see the impact of radiotherapy treatment far more precisely than ever before.

A consortium led by Nigel Allinson, Distinguished Professor of Image Engineering at Lincoln, created "DynAMITe", the wafer-scale chip that is 200 times larger than the processing chips that lie at the heart of current PCs and laptops.

The images it produces will show very clearly the impact of radiation on tumours as well as aid the detection in the earliest stages. It is also super-strong, being able to survive many years of exposure to radiation.

Prof Allinson said: "DynAMITe was designed for medical imaging, in particular mammography and radiotherapy, so the individual pixels are much larger than those found in consumer digital cameras or mobile phones.

"As it will withstand exposure to very high levels of x-ray and other radiation, it will operate for many years in the adverse environment of cancer diagnosis and treatment instruments; and represents a major advance over the existing technology of amorphous Silicon panels."

The project has been funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and involves medical physicists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden Hospital, who are investigating potential applications for the technology.

"Our clinical work has given us an insight into areas in which the existing technology falls short, and we were very pleased the consortium was able to design a microchip that met our exact specifications for medical imaging," says Professor Phil Evans from the ICR. "We are looking forward to investigating all the potential uses for this chip in cancer research and treatment."

The World's largest radiation-hard monolithic CMOS imager, code named DynAMITe, for medical imaging applications was created by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded MI-3 Plus consortium, led by Nigel Allinson, Distinguished Professor of Image Engineering at the University of Lincoln.

This was one of the challenges set in the Research Council's Roadmap of the major research challenges facing the microelectronics industry. The 12.8 cm square imager is the largest device that can be made on a single industry standard eight inch (20 cm) diameter wafer.

The MI-3 Plus consortium consists of medical /life science physicists and engineers from University College London, Institute of Cancer Research (Royal Marsden Hospital) and the University of Surrey as well as the microelectronics design resources at the University of Lincoln.

The MI-3 Plus Consortium members are Professor Nigel M Allinson, Dr Thalis Anaxagoras (University of Lincoln), Professor Robert Speller (University College, London), Professor Phil Evans (The Institute of Cancer Research), and Dr Kevin Wells and Dr Michela Esposito (University of Surrey).

Funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council under their Basic Technology Translation Grant Scheme (EP/G037671/2)

Jaguar will actually build million-dollar C-X75 hybrid supercar in 2013

Posted: 06 May 2011 06:04 AM PDT

You know how we said that 780bhp electric pipe dream Jaguar had last year wasn't going to be anything more than a concept? Well, we were wrong. Sort of. You see, the British automaker has just announced its intention to produce a limited run of 250 C-X75 supercars in partnership with Formula 1 team Williams, however the retail model will eschew the craziest aspect of the original design -- the twin turbine engines at the back. Those will be replaced with a four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine, which will aid the four electric motors (one attached to each wheel). Don't worry, though, this tweak has actually made the C-X75 accelerate even faster, as it's now rated to go from 0 to 60mph in under three seconds. 2013 is when the earliest production of this road-faring beast is expected to commence, with prices starting at £700,000 ($1.15 million), and there's even a glimmer of hope that a version with the gas turbines will also be built at some point down the line. Crazy, just crazy. Check the C-X75 out on video after the break, where Jay Leno gives you a tour around its dramatic design.

NASA concludes Gravity Probe B space-time experiment, proves Einstein really was a genius

Posted: 06 May 2011 05:29 AM PDT

Well, it looks like Einstein knew what he was talking about, after all. Earlier this week, researchers at NASA and Stanford released the findings from their six-year Gravity Probe B (GP-B) mission, launched to test Einstein's general theory of relativity. To do so, engineers strapped the GP-B satellite with four ultra-precise gyroscopes to measure two pillars of the theory: the geodetic effect (the bending of space and time around a gravitational body) and frame dragging (the extent to which rotating bodies drag space and time with them as they spin on their axes). As they circled the Earth in polar orbit, the GP-B's gyroscopes were pointed squarely at the IM Pegasi guide star, while engineers observed their behavior. In the universe outlined by Einstein's theories, space and time are interwoven to create a four-dimensional web, atop which the Earth and other planetary bodies sit. The Earth's mass, he argued, creates a vortex in this web, implying that all objects orbiting the planet would follow the general curvature of this dimple. If the Earth's gravity had no effect on space and time, then, the position of NASA's gyroscopes would have remained unchanged throughout the orbit. Ultimately, though, researchers noticed small, but quantifiable changes in their spin as they made their way around the globe -- changes that corroborated Einstein's theory. Francis Everitt, a Stanford physicist and principal investigator for the mission, poetically explained the significance of the findings, in a statement:
"Imagine the Earth as if it were immersed in honey. As the planet rotated its axis and orbited the Sun, the honey around it would warp and swirl, and it's the same with space and time. GP-B confirmed two of the most profound predictions of Einstein's universe, having far-reaching implications across astrophysics research. Likewise, the decades of technological innovation behind the mission will have a lasting legacy on Earth and in space."
The GP-B mission was originally conceived more than 50 years ago, when the technology required to realize the experiment still didn't exist. In fact, the experiment didn't actually get off the ground until 2004, when the satellite was launched into orbit 400 miles above Earth. After spending just one year collecting data (and an impressive five years analyzing the information), NASA has finally confirmed something we always quietly suspected: Einstein was smart. Head past the break to see a more in-depth diagram of how the GP-B gathered its data.

Keepin' it real fake: the 1.2GHz Dell Streak that can make phone calls and run Gingerbread

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:56 AM PDT

You know, knockoffs are usually meant to be downgrades from the real deal. In the case of Dell's Streak 7 tablet, its KIRF version actually has a few advantages over the real deal -- it can make phone calls, has a bigger (3000mAh) battery, comes preloaded with Android 2.3, runs at 1.2GHz, and happens to be cheaper at just under $180 unsubsidized. Of course, its 7-inch WVGA screen relies on resistive technology for touch input, it only has one core, and there's no evidence of this Gingerbread installation actually running, but are you really gonna let such trifling details stand in your way? Hit the source link to get an eyefull of this Welldone tabletphone mashup -- it might not be real, but it's definitely red!

Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, and Starwood Hotels reward your loyalty with free WiFi

Posted: 06 May 2011 04:03 AM PDT

Free WiFi is practically a given at coffee shops and motels, yet lots of luxury hotels hit you with an extra $10 - $15 a day to ride their waves of wireless internet. Good news is, well-heeled world travelers won't be paying those fees much longer, because several high-end hotel chains are now giving temporary tenants complimentary wireless internet. Loyalty program members for Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood Hotels get online gratis if they have Gold or Platinum status, while Marriott lets all who sign up for its rewards program get WiFi for free. Seems ridiculous that some folks still pay extra for internet when a room runs several hundred dollars, but a little free websurfing is better than none. We can only hope that towel retention technology will provide a sufficient boost to their bottom lines to eventually allow access for all.

San Francisco backs away from cellphone radiation law, will distribute common sense instead

Posted: 06 May 2011 03:11 AM PDT

Science! It's the heady stuff that keeps the looneys in check and our feet planted on the earth. Back it up with a powerful CTIA lobbying effort and science can even move San Francisco policy. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that The City's law requiring cellphone retailers to label each device's SAR level as tested by the FCC has been put on indefinite hold, with a watered-down version likely taking its place. Surely, this is yet another example of big business and government colluding to the detriment of man? Not really, not this time. As Joel Moskowitz, director at the IC Berkeley Center for Family and Community Health, and even the FCC will tell you, the SAR value is a poor measurement of radiation intake for consumers:
"The specific absorption rate isn't a very useful measure because it's the peak reading on a variety of tests conducted on cell phones to measure their radiation, but doesn't indicate the average amount of radiation a user would generally be exposed to. You could buy a lower SAR phone, but on average it could produce more radiation than a higher SAR phone."
Although changes to the law have not yet been formally introduced, they'll likely result in retailers handing out "tip sheets" to customers that explain how to minimize radiation exposure from their new handsets. Ok, you win this time, reason, but we can still debate image artifacting on certain long-form birth certificates... to the choppa!

Robots learn to share, try to repair bad rep (video)

Posted: 06 May 2011 02:29 AM PDT

Altruistic Robot
We've been told time and time again to fear our mechanical friends, so imagine our relief when we heard that some Swiss scientists had a batch of bots that displayed altruism. What's more, these little two-wheeled foragers weren't programmed to share, they evolved the trait. Researchers at EPFL infused Alice microbots with digital "genes" that mutated over time as well as color sensors that allow them to navigate their environment. The robots were tasked with collecting "food" and given the option to keep it for themselves or split it amongst their silicon-brained relatives. The more they decided to give to others with similar genetic makeup the more those virtual genes were passed on to future generations -- including the one for altruism. The experiment is an example of Hamilton's Rule, an evolutionary model for how the seemingly counter-intuitive trait of selflessness could arise through natural selection. Don't let your guard down just yet, though -- the robots are only sharing with each other for now.

IDC: smartphone market grows 80 percent year-on-year, Samsung shipments rise 350 percent

Posted: 06 May 2011 01:27 AM PDT

Smartphones are getting kind of popular nowadays, in case you hadn't noticed. The latest figures from IDC show a 79.7 percent expansion of the global smartphone market between this time last year and today, which has resulted in 99.6 million such devices being shipped in Q1 of 2011. That growth has mostly been driven by Samsung, which has more than quadrupled its output to 10.8 million shipments in the quarter, and HTC, whose growth has been almost as impressive. The other big gainer is Apple, with 10 million more iPhones shipped, but the truth is that all the top five vendors are showing double-digit growth. In spite of Nokia losing a big chunk of market share and RIM being demoted from second to third in the ranking, both of those old guard manufacturers improved on their quarterly totals. IDC puts this strength in demand down to the relatively unsaturated smartphone marketplace, and believes there's "ample room for several suppliers to comfortably co-exist," before ominously adding, "at least for the short term." And after the short term, our break-dancing robot overlords take over.

Update: IDC has also released data for Western Europe that shows Nokia has lost the top spot both in terms of smartphones, to Apple, and in terms of overall mobile phone shipments, to Samsung.
Show full PR text
Smartphone Market Grows 79.7% Year Over Year in First Quarter of 2011, According to IDC

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The worldwide smartphone market grew 79.7% year over year in the first quarter of 2011 (1Q11), driven by a combination of vendors releasing highly anticipated models, widespread availability of older smartphones at lower prices, and sustained end-user demand. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone vendors shipped a total of 99.6 million units in 1Q11, nearly double from the 55.4 million units in the first quarter of 2010.

"Conditions in the smartphone market are creating a perfect storm for sustained smartphone growth," says Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC's Mobile Phone Technology and Trends team. "First, vendors are increasingly emphasizing smartphones as the key to their own growth. Second, selection has proliferated from mostly high-end devices to include more mid-range and entry-level offerings. Third, pricing has become increasingly competitive, with even high-end devices available at low price points. Finally, users continue to seek greater utility from their mobile phone beyond voice, and smartphones have been the ideal solution. Altogether, these add up to continued smartphone growth throughout the year."

The strong demand for smartphones also means the market will remain highly competitive and fragmented. "The rise of Android as a prominent mobile operating system has allowed several suppliers to gain share quickly," adds Kevin Restivo, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "Also, the relatively nascent state of smartphone adoption globally means there is ample room for several suppliers to comfortably co-exist, at least for the short term."

Top Five Smartphone Vendors

Nokia, despite announcing its intentions to move from Symbian to Windows Phone as its primary smartphone operating system, maintained its leadership position in the smartphone market. Demand for Symbian-powered smartphones remained strong within its traditionally strongest markets of EMEA and Asia/Pacific, and the company continues to announce more devices running on Symbian, including the E6 and the X7. Still, as Nokia transitions from Symbian to Windows Phone, it may find itself in danger of ceding market share as the competition ramps up smartphone production.

Apple reached a new record shipment volume in a single quarter, and inched closer to market leader Nokia with fewer than six million units separating the two companies. The company posted market-beating year-over-year growth and recorded triple-digit growth in two key markets: the United States, with the release of its CDMA-enabled iPhone, and Greater China. Additionally, the company enlisted South Korean Telecom and Saudi Telecom as carrier providers of the iPhone.

Research In Motion remained solidly in third place from the previous quarter, as the company grew its presence outside of its home territory of North America. RIM has launched several 3G devices to the market, and recently announced two new BlackBerry smartphones running on its new BlackBerry 7 OS. Still, the majority of RIM's shipment volumes have been comprised of older, lower-cost devices. The company expects this trend to continue into the following quarter.

Samsung posted the largest year-over-year gain of any other vendor on the list. With a multiple operating system strategy in place, Samsung has been able to grow its smartphone portfolio to meet the needs of a diverse market. Accounting for the majority of its smartphones and driving shipment volumes higher was the continued success of its Android-based smartphones, including the high-end Galaxy S devices and mass-market Galaxy Ace and Galaxy mini devices. Meanwhile, its bada-powered Wave devices and Windows Phone 7 devices continued to gain traction.

HTC posted yet another record shipment volume, nearly surpassing the ten million unit mark for the first time. Like other vendors, HTC announced multiple new devices, including the Facebook-optimized Salsa and ChaCha. In addition, the company launched several new devices, including its Inspire 4G, WiMAX-enabled EVO Shift 4G, and LTE-enabled Thunderbolt. These, along with its investment and developments on hardware, displays, and its HTC Sense layer have helped HTC differentiate itself further in an increasingly crowded market.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.
at 11:27 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

My Blog List