| Soundcast's OutCast 3.4 multi-room speaker is so fresh and so clean, clean Posted: 12 Jun 2011 11:25 AM PDT Hard to say if there's any real connection between the thing you see getting washed up in the image above and the Dirty South, but does it really matter? The OutCast 3.4 multi-room, multi-source wireless speaker might not be the sexiest driver in the shed, but given that it goes where the party goes, we're willing to bestow forgiveness. We're told that it's capable of shedding at some amount of water (obviously), and the unit itself touts an integrated subwoofer, internal battery pack (good for 10 to 20 hours) and a backlit top-panel keypad. Mum's the word on pricing, but the rest of the skinny is embedded just after the break. Ya heard? Show full PR text SOUNDCAST'S FIRST MULTI-ROOM WIRELESS SPEAKER SYSTEM - Audio 'In' Crowd to Demand the OutCast 3.4
Chula Vista, CA (June 10, 2011) – Wait till the music lovers hear this. Soundcast Systems, developer of high performance wireless audio systems and products, announces its new OutCast 3.4 multi-room, multi-source wireless speaker system with subwoofer just in time for summertime home and outdoor entertaining. Your music affordably enjoyed wherever you are-with no wires!
Wireless is in. Affordable is in. Portable is in. iPod/iPhone access and control is in. So Outcast 3.4 is in! The new system is destined to be the most utilized speaker you'll ever own, and Soundcast is happy to shout its hefty claim.
OutCast 3.4's technology lets you easily access and enjoy up to 3-sources of your favorite music in up to 4 separate areas of your home or business. Heck yes, listen both in and outdoors!
The OutCast 3.4 has a powerful wireless broadcast range of up to 300-feet. Clear, precise transmissions easily travel through walls, doors, floors, ceilings and roofs. You enjoy rich, multi-directional, uninterrupted sound anywhere and anytime.
Additional features include:
* Tri-amplified, high-definition audio reproduction w/DSP
* Long-range, interference-free wireless technology
* Internal battery provides 10-to-20 hours of wireless music (+/- power level)
* Easy to use backlit top panel keypad for control
You set the stage and command performance with the built-in smart control system. In addition to allowing 3-source music selection and control for your iPod/iPhone/MP3/PC or Mac personal music library, take advantage of Pandora, Rhapsody, iTunes, Radio, HD Radio, Cable Music and even legacy audio sources for the receivers' zone 2 output. Like magic, music you choose is sent to each Soundcast 3.4-equipped listening area (zone).
Mal Hollombe, president of Soundcast Systems, said, "We've tested the product, and the verdict on Outcast 3.4 is in-it's a winner. Outcast 3.4 wireless is the smart way to go. It's an affordable, perfect solution for music everywhere without wires. And, once the customer has experienced the sound performance, it will be a deal-closer."
Visit Soundcast Systems website to view the complete line-up of multi-room, multi-source 3.4 wireless products at www.soundcastsystems.com.
ABOUT SOUNDCAST SYSTEMS
Located in Chula Vista, California, Soundcast is a market innovator and leader in wireless audio systems for consumer residential and commercial development applications. Soundcast uses the renowned high-tech frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) bulletproof technology that continually searches for open channels and connects instantly to avoid interference from other products. Soundcast wireless products perfectly deliver a far-reaching (up to a 350-foot range) of pure, clean and crisp audio transmission through walls, doors, floors, ceilings and even outdoors. With Soundcast Systems, don't' let the party stop where the wires end. |
| HTC Flyer drops by the FCC again, this time with T-Mobile friendly GSM bands Posted: 12 Jun 2011 10:21 AM PDT The WiFi-only HTC Flyer tablet touched down last month without a peep from Carly and pals, but those magenta-tinted marketing plans are looking far more likely now -- a GSM-based Flyer just hit the FCC with support for T-Mobile's 3G bands. Visually and functionally, it looks like the same savory slate we saw tested in April, except with the all-important 1700MHz frequency commonly used by T-Mobile for HSPA cellular data. There's still no word on pricing or availability, but we've heard Sprint's EVO View 4G variant pegged for June 24th, and rumor has it that T-Mobile could release the Flyer on the sixth of next month. |
| US funds shadow networks, builds 'internet in a suitcase' for repressed protesters Posted: 12 Jun 2011 09:18 AM PDT Whether a repressive government, a buggy DNS server or a little old lady is behind your internet outage, it can't be much fun, but the US government sympathizes with your plight if you're dealing with reason number one. The New York Times reports that the US State Department will have spent upwards of $70 million on "shadow networks" which would allow protesters to communicate even if powers that be pull the traditional plug -- so far, it's spent at least $50 million on a independent cell phone network for Afghanistan, and given a $2 million grant to members of the New America Foundation creating the "internet in a suitcase" pictured above. It's a batch of mesh networking equipment designed to be spirited into a country to set up a private network. Last we'd heard, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had pledged $25 million for just this sort of internet freedom, and the New America Foundation had applied for some of those bucks -- see our more coverage links below -- but it sounds like the money is flowing fast, and in multiple directions now. |
| Post-it sized computer does dual HD decoding (video) Posted: 12 Jun 2011 08:11 AM PDT  We've seen some tiny PCs, but the ( deep breath) Habey SOM-6670 E6XX Tunnel Creek QSeven computer module ( phew...) has managed to impress even this crew of jaded tech bloggers. The tiny, Post-it sized board carries an embedded E600 series Atom processor which features the GMA600 integrated GPU -- the same HD video decoding core at work in the Boxee Box and Logitech Revue. This little guy is capable of handling not one, but two 1080p videos at once. Don't believe us? check out the video after the break -- then apologize to Habey for doubting them. On the downside, to actually put some ports on this thing and connect it to a display, hard drive, keyboard, and mouse you'll need a carrier board that adds quite a bit of bulk. Don't concern yourself with it too much though, the SOM6670 isn't exactly aimed at consumers. PR after the break. [Thanks, Bin]
Show full PR text Post-It Sized E6XX Atom Computer displaying dual full screen HD video
LOS ANGELES - June 9, 2011
Habey USA has announce the new post-it sized SOM-6670 E6XX Tunnel Creek QSeven computer module, which manages to fit a fair amount in a rather small package. Just 70 x 70mm in size, the module carries the newest Intel Atom E6XX processors (the same found in the HABEY's BIS-6622), ranging in speed of .6GHz to 1.6 GHz with low power consumption of 3.3 – 7 Watts, respectively. The integrated GMA600 graphics is based on a 400 MHz PowerVR SGX mobile GPU (same IP of the iPad2 GPU) with hardware high definition video encoding and decoding capability. Paired with its mini-ITX carrier board, the SOM-6670 with up to 2GB DDR2 on board memory supports six USB 2.0 ports, two gigabit Ethernet, two serial ports, one CAN Bus, two Serial ATA ports, one SD card reader, one mini-PCIe slot and a PCIe x1 slots; scalable for highly-compact, rich I/O embedded applications. The board supports for Windows Embedded Standard 2009/7/POS Ready 2009/CE 6.0 R3, Windows XP SP3/7, Fedora Core 11 Linux*, MeeGo 1.0, QNX Neutrino, Wind River VxWorks
Product Highlight
Netbooks may be disregarded for their lack of horsepower, but what if this not-quite extraordinary computer posted dual display HD video at the size of a post-it? Taking advantage of the new Tunnel Creek Atom's integrated 3D graphics, memory control, and display controllers, The SOM-6670 displays on dual independent screens both HD encoding of MPEG2 and H.264 in addition with hardware-accelerated HD decoding of OpenGL ES2.0, OpenGL 2.1, OpenVG, MPEG-2, H.264, VC-1, WMV. The new Tunnel Creek Atom performs all video encoding/decoding via hardware acceleration with support up to a 1920x1080 external display over VGA as well as 1280x768 through LVDS.
Key Advantages:
- Tiny form factor for space-constrained applications
- New Intel Atom E6xx Tunel Creek Processor 1.0 GHz
- Ultra low power consumption at 3.3 TDP
- Hardware accelerated decoding up to 1080p and encoding of MPEG2, H.264 up to 720p
- Onboard 1GB DDR2 memory
- Supports 3xPCIex1, 1xLPC, 1xSDIO, 2xSATA
- Supports 6xUSB, and 2 Gb Ethernet
- Supports Windows Embedded Standard 2009/7/POS Ready 2009/CE 6.0 R3, Windows XP SP3/7, Fedora Core 11 Linux*, MeeGo 1.0, QNX Neutrino, Wind River VxWorks |
| Spotify signs UMG, only Warner stands in the way of US invasion? Posted: 12 Jun 2011 06:07 AM PDT Six months ago, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek couldn't tell us when his subscription streaming music service might launch in the United States, and that won't change today, but apparently there's not much left keeping $10 unlimited monthly music away. All Things D reports that Spotify has signed Universal Music Group to a US distribution deal, the third of the four largest labels to agree, and anonymous sources say the last remaining holdout, Warner Music, may also soon cave. Mind you, one of Spotify's most intriguing new features just got shown up by iTunes in the Cloud, but when it comes to extra competition and consumer choice, we won't look a gift horse in the mouth. |
| Verizon teams with Payfone for one-click mobile web purchases Posted: 12 Jun 2011 04:07 AM PDT  Verizon's already partnered with AT&T and T-Mobile on the Isis network, but it has fingers in another mobile payment pie -- the Wall Street Journal reports that the carrier's working with Payfone to let you put internet purchases right on your cell phone bill. Mind you, a previous partnership with BilltoMobile already did much the same thing, but Payfone should add more purchase possibilities and generally expand the potential offerings. Yes, perhaps direct carrier billing isn't quite as exciting as Google Wallet's brand of full-on NFC, but while you're waiting for the world to catch up with the latest in payment technology, it's something. |
| Virgin Mobile lets Android run Blur-free on the Motorola Triumph Posted: 12 Jun 2011 01:01 AM PDT Motorola hopes to rescue its tarnished MOTOBLUR UI with a name-change. We, however, think the rust runs deeper than that -- and it seems we're not alone. Virgin Mobile has decided to give its prepaid customers the "true Android experience" from now on, which means you'll find no proprietary shell whatsoever sitting atop its new Motorola Triumph handset. Aside from a few bits of Virgin bloatware, the Triumph escapes with a relatively standard install of Android 2.2. Meanwhile, MOTOBLUR will still be foisted on pay-monthly customers who buy a Photon 4G or XPRT from Sprint, Virgin Mobile's parent company. Some of them might like the shell and its add-ons, but others will be better off without such OS contamination. |
| iCloud Communications sues Apple for obvious reasons Posted: 11 Jun 2011 10:10 PM PDT You probably know the drill by now -- Cupertino introduces a new product with a name that ostensibly belongs to someone else, and for better or worse that someone decides to take Apple to court. Today, it's iCloud Communications charging out of the left corner to sock Apple's iCloud square in the wallet. Arizona-based iCloud Communications appears to be a VoIP equipment and service provider, though in court documents it claims to be a cloud computing company as well, and says that it's been using the term iCloud (and the above logo) to sell such services since 2005. It's asking the court to destroy all of Apple's iCloud marketing materials, pay damages and even invalidate the iCloud trademark that Apple bought from Xcerion -- the only registered iCloud trademark so far -- but what's probably going to actually happen here is a nice little settlement out of court. We'll let you know if there's any reason to break out the popcorn. [Thanks, Tamaine M.] |
| Ask Engadget: best (non-gaming) wireless headphones? Posted: 11 Jun 2011 08:25 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 reader Conception, who has a pretty hilarious story to tell. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "What is the best wireless headphones on the market (non-gaming headset -- no need for microphone) for the cheapest dollar while listening to music / TV around my household and yard. One caveat is that I do not own an iPod, so they just need to work with a normal 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. What is really important to me is the fidelity of the sound, and hopefully distance away from the transmitter. It would seem to me that 900MHz is so last year, and I am tired of listening to my neighbor complain about her marriage when the unit I'm currently using picks up her phone calls. I am not afraid of paying $300 to $400 if need be but of course, the least expensive option is preferred." Look, this man needs help. He needs headphones that play back music, not angered divorce calls. Please help by dropping some knowledge in comments below. Thank you. Thank you. |
| Apple boots Sandy Bridge-based MacBook Air into mass production? (update) Posted: 11 Jun 2011 07:02 PM PDT Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is starting to build a bit of a reputation for accurate Apple rumors, so you may be able to take this with a slightly smaller dose of NaCl: Kuo told AppleInsider that Cupertino's allegedly ordered 380,000 of those new MacBook Air models with Intel's Sandy Bridge processors on board, to be completed within the month. Of course, if Apple's got its heart set on distributing silica scaffolding, it has to phase the existing Core 2 Duo variants out, and so the company's reportedly finishing a final production run of 80,000 units now. If you happen to notice that your entire state is out of aluminum-clad ultralights, you know who to call! Update: iPhone hacker Chronic claims the MacBook Air refresh could appear as soon as Wednesday morning. |
| Russian ATM uses voice analysis to tell when you're lying Posted: 11 Jun 2011 05:37 PM PDT  Credit card applications via automated teller are all the rage abroad these days. That's why Russia's Sberbank is using Speech Technology Center's voice recognition system in its new ATM to tell when you fudge your financials to get approved. Like a polygraph, the technology senses involuntary stress cues to ferret out fib-filled statements -- only instead of using wired sensors, it listens to your angst-ridden voice. Designed using samples from Russian police interrogation recordings where subjects were found to be lying, the system is able to detect the changes in speech patterns when a person isn't telling the truth. Of course, it's not completely accurate, so the biometric voice data is combined with credit history and other info before the ATM can crush an applicant's credit dreams. And to assuage the public's privacy concerns, patrons' voice prints will be kept on chips in their credit cards instead of a bank database. So, we don't have to worry about hackers stealing our biometric info, but we're slightly concerned that we'll no longer be able to deceive our robot overlords should the need arise. |
| Heart-rate monitoring belt marks Bluetooth 4.0 milestone, stops to rest for Bluetooth 4.0 phones Posted: 11 Jun 2011 04:31 PM PDT Some firsts represent truly monumental achievements. Others, like the world's first production-ready Bluetooth Low Energy heart-rate chest belt, are just a mouthful. This little black belt claims to be the very first of its kind, and promises to "spur the development of a whole new range of... health and fitness apps," by harnessing the power of Bluetooth Low Energy to pump heart rate stats to your mobile phone. Of course, that deluge of new fitness apps will have to wait until a Bluetooth 4.0-compatible phone hits the market. In the meantime, we wouldn't expect the black chest strap to pioneer any new fashion trends. |
| Apple returns a few Verizon iPad 2s to sender (updated: some got through) Posted: 11 Jun 2011 03:11 PM PDT Several 9to5Mac readers noticed a rather peculiar phenomenon this last week -- their freshly-ordered Verizon iPad 2 units shipped all the way from China just fine, only to boomerang back to sender right before delivery time. Now, Reuters has the official word: Apple's recalling an "extremely small number" of Verizon iPad 2s which were flashed with a duplicate MEID code. Should they have been delivered, users would probably have found themselves unable to connect to 3G, or booted off before long, as Verizon reportedly can only have one device with that unique identifier on the network at once. We're not sure whether to applaud, but it's good to see manufacturers taking responsibility for their hardware before it hits shelves. Update: We spoke with Apple about this, who wouldn't give us much beyond the official quote -- which is, for the record: "Duplicate MEID codes were flashed onto an extremely small number of iPad units for the Verizon 3G network." That said, we were able to confirm that a few of these 3G iPad 2s sneaked through and got into the hands of customers. Apple is, of course, replacing those free of charge, so if you're in possession of a brand new iPad that was never able to get on 3G... you know who to call. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Detroit DIYer cooks up stronger, lighter steel, shames scientists Posted: 11 Jun 2011 02:02 PM PDT You'd be forgiven for dismissing an amateur metallurgist if he claimed to have improved upon the presumably perfected technology of steel making. But Flash Bainite, the creation of Detroit entrepreneur Gary Cola, wowed a team of Ohio State University engineers by turning centuries of alloy processing on its head. Instead of heating the metal for hours or days, this well-equipped DIYer boosted the temperature -- quickly baking, then cooling sheets of steel that are 7-percent stronger than other forms and tougher than some titanium alloys. Flash Bainite is also more ductile than other steels, allowing it to crumple more before breaking -- perfect for absorbing impacts. Obviously this means stronger and lighter cars, laptops, and armored vehicles but, since the process takes all of about 10 seconds, it's also more energy efficient and cheaper than traditional steel making. Now, who has the number for the Nobel Prize committee? |
| Chevy drops Volt base price by $1,000 for 2012, makes saving the world slightly more affordable Posted: 11 Jun 2011 01:04 PM PDT Chevy wants to know what it can do to get you into one of its plug-in hybrids today. A $1,000 price drop? You got it. The carmaker announced this week that the 2012 Volt base price will come in a grand lower than its predecessor, thanks to the sorts of additional configurations that come with increased availability. The 2011 version was available in seven states and the District of Columbia and came in three configurations -- 2012's Volt is available nationwide in seven different packages, ranging from $39,995 to $46,265. And keep in mind that those prices don't factor in potential tax credits. The latest version of the plug-in vehicle is available now for order and offers up features like MyLink media streaming, OnStar driving directions, and passive locking (though the new base model does strip away a couple of features found in its predecessor). Also there's the whole lessening your dependence on gasoline, if you're into that sort of thing. Show full PR text Chevrolet Begins Taking Orders Nationwide for 2012 Volt
DETROIT – Chevrolet dealers in all 50 states will begin taking orders for the 2012 Chevrolet Volt electric car today.
The suggested retail price for the award-winning Volt will start at $39,995 (or $32,495 assuming a full federal tax credit of $7,500, which is subject to the customer's eligibility). The price includes an $850 destination freight charge but excludes tax, title and license fees. The starting price of the 2012 model is more than $1,000 below the 2011 base model.
The lower base price is possible in part because of a wider range of options and configurations that come with the expansion of Volt production for sale nationally. The 2011 model was available in just seven states and the District of Columbia.
For 2012, consumers will be able to choose from a total of seven option packages compared with only three for the 2011 model. A loaded Volt, with leather appointments, backup camera, navigation system and premium paint and wheels is priced at $46,265 including delivery ($38,765 net of full tax credit).
"We are giving consumers greater choice of content as the Volt becomes available nationwide by the end of this year," said Cristi Landy, Volt marketing director. "This gives us the opportunity to be more flexible in our pricing and still provide additional high-tech content to customers who want to purchase it."
The Volt will be available in two additional interior accents (white and spiced red) and two new exterior colors (Summit White and Blue Topaz Metallic).
New features for 2012 include:
Standard keyless access with passive locking; the car automatically locks and unlocks with the key fob in close proximity of vehicle
OnStar Turn by Turn navigation standard for three years, and available in-dash navigation system
Chevrolet MyLink including Bluetooth streaming audio for music and select phones (late availability)
Standard AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback and 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen display
Available 17-inch sport alloy wheels with black inserts (late availability).
Chevrolet will continue to offer an eight-year/100,000-mile* limited warranty on the Volt's 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, plus:
Three-year/36,000-mile* bumper-to-bumper coverage
Five-year/100,000-mile* roadside assistance and courtesy transportation
Five-year/100,000-mile* limited gas engine coverage
Six-year/100,000-mile* corrosion protection coverage.
Customers in all states can visit their nearest participating Chevrolet Volt dealer today to order a 2012 Volt. Once an order is placed, a dedicated Volt advisor will be available to answer questions and keep the customer apprised of the order progress. Nationwide availability will initially be limited as deliveries will occur by phases. Additionally, Chevrolet will have a team of Volt advisors available to answer questions starting today at 1-888-VOLT-4-YOU (1-888-865-8496).
The Volt offers a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions free using a full charge of electricity. When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full change. Chevrolet expects to build up to 45,000 Volts for retail and fleet customers in the United States during calendar year 2012. |
| Samsung to finally roll out flexible AMOLED displays for public consumption in 2012? Posted: 11 Jun 2011 12:01 PM PDT  Samsung's been a frequent source of frustration, teasing us with its fabulous flexible displays for years, while never giving us a date when we could buy one for our very own. However, word on the web suggests that Sammy is finally ready to unleash its pliant panels upon the world in Q2 of 2012. Apparently, the company's mobile display division opened a new manufacturing plant with Ube (who produces the plastic substrate for the screens) last month to mass-produce bendy AMOLEDs for watches and phones. Let the countdown to the ductile display revolution begin. |
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