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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

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Astro MixAmp 5.8 review

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 11:09 AM PDT

We all know that cabled cans are king when it comes to tonal accuracy. The convenience of cord cutting can't be denied, however, and there are ways to free your headphones from their physical bonds. Astro's Mixamp 5.8 is a system designed to make your wired 'phones wireless, but does it sacrifice sound quality for the sake of convenience? And is it worth $130? Click on through to find out.
Astro MixAmp 5.8

First Impressions / Setup

First impressions are important, and Astro's Mixamp 5.8 doesn't disappoint. Both the device and its packaging have a premium look and feel -- which makes sense considering how much going wireless the Astro way costs. A box covered in graffiti and gaming graphics broadcasts Astro's street-chic design aesthetic, and it unfolds to reveal the Mixamp TX (transmitter), Mixamp RX (receiver), and a couple of compartments holding all the accoutrement you'll need to get started.

The TX base station is about four inches square (roughly the size of a 2nd gen Apple TV) and its glossy black topside attracts fingerprints like it was designed to do so. Power and Dolby Headphone on/off buttons and the company logo are all that break up the onyx facade. Around back, there's optical input and output ports, a power plug, two USB ports, and an auxiliary 3.5mm connection for a PS3 chat adaptor cable (sold separately). The RX unit is four by two inches (a bit bigger than a beefy flip phone), and also rocks a shiny black faceplate with a volume knob, a smaller dial to adjust audio / comm channel mixing, and power and bass boost buttons. The back and bezel of the RX are slathered in velvety smooth soft touch plastic (as is the belt clip attachment), and there's a 3.5mm headphone jack, mini USB port, and a 2.5mm Xbox chat cable connection as well.

Setting up the system's a breeze. Simply hook the TX up to your preferred audio source with the included optical cable, plug in the power adaptor, pop some batteries in the RX, and you're good to go. Three AAA disposables are included to power the receiver, but there's also a rechargeable power pack sold separately for $20 -- though for a $130 system, we feel it should have been included. The two devices come pre-paired, but if it isn't working out of the box, a simple press-and-hold of the power button on each unit syncs them up in a matter of seconds. Plug in your favorite pair of earbuds or headphones to the RX and you can commence to wandering with wireless audio.

User Experience

We used the Mixamp 5.8 while sashaying around our abode, and must say its 5.8GHz technology kept our audio crystal clear in most instances despite our abode being bathed in 2.4GHz and 5GHz waves of WiFi from a dual-band router. Using a pair of Grado SR60s and Astro's own A30 headphones for testing, we found that sound was faithfully reproduced as long as we were within range of the TX. As for the system's range, signal began to break up once we were 25 feet from the TX unit, and at 30 feet the signal cut out completely (though range was increased by another ten feet with our in-house WiFi switched off). We also had issues if we walked into another room (about 20 feet from the TX with two walls in between) and turned the RX at just the right (or wrong) angle. The system generally worked well, with only the occasional hiccup as we strolled throughout our one-bedroom apartment. When lounging on the couch within ten feet of the transmitter we had nary an issue and the sound delivered really was top-notch. So, in our experience the Mixamp was best suited for sedentary use, but you can still move to the music when the mood strikes.

In addition to cutting the cord, the system has a Bass Expander mode and delivers Dolby Headphone surround sound audio. We didn't get much use out of Bass Expander mode, however. Astro says it injects a "subtle subwoofer effect," but while watching TV, movies, or listening to tunes with the bass boost on, we could only percieve low-end aural enhancements when the volume was cranked well past 50 percent, which was too loud for our listening tastes. With the dial turned up it did provide rounder bass tones, but at lower volume levels we simply couldn't discern a difference. Though given the number of live shows we've been to, perhaps our ears simply weren't up to the task.

Dolby Headphone technology gives listeners the illusion of 5.1 or 7.1 channels of sound in stereo headphones, and its simulated surround sound does deliver richer audio and more realistic imaging while watching movies than standard stereo affords. But, it's still no substitute for a true 5.1 or 7.1 channel setup. We also wished we could easily disable Dolby while we were watching talking heads on SportsCenter -- their voices sounded better in stereo than they did with Dolby's software doing its thing -- but the on/off button was on the TX unit sitting under our TV instead of next to the bass boost button on the RX where it belongs. We also had an OG Astro Mixamp on hand to compare it with its wireless brethren, and can report that the sound quality is nigh indistinguishable between the two (though the original can crank up the volume louder than the 5.8).


Wrap-up

Overall, Astro's Mixamp 5.8 works as advertised -- you get to use your corded cans without having wires stretched across your living room. Plus, it's compatible with consoles, computers, cable boxes, and pretty much anything else putting out audio through a standard Toslink connector. It delivers great audio, but in return it requires strapping something the size of a 90's flip phone to your waist to work. And it doesn't rid you of the cord dangling from your ears, either. There are alternatives to Astro's solution, like Turtle Beach's PX5 or Logitech's G930 headsets, which deliver quality sound sans wires, but they're for consoles and PCs only, respectively. So, for folks reluctant to trade in their high end wired headphones for a wireless set, but still want the convenience of (relatively) cordless sound, the Mixamp 5.8 will do the job quite nicely.

Google announces Search by Image, Search by Voice for desktop, revamped mobile search

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:32 AM PDT

Google's done a ton of talking about search at its Inside Search event today, and two of the biggest new developments are on the desktop. It's just announced that Android-style Search by Voice is headed to desktop web browsers (with support for English only, initially), and that it will be joined by a new Search by Image feature. To use that latter, you simply drag and drop an image or cut and paste an image URL in the search box, and then Google tries its best to recognize it and deliver relevant results -- including identifying the location in an old vacation photo, for instance (though Google notes it isn't doing face recognition). Both features will be rolling out over the next few days, and they'll each require Chrome (or a Firefox extension in the case of Search by Image). Head on past the break for a pair of videos demoing each feature.

In other news, Google's announced Instant Pages (also demoed after the break), which promises to speed up browsing by prerendering results when its "confident you're going to click them." It's available in the latest developer version of Chrome today, and will also be included in the next public beta. Lastly, Google took the wraps off a number of revisions to its mobile search offerings, including a new set of icons and enhanced local features when browsing on a phone, as well as some revamped search and image results that have been specifically tailored to tablets.

Developing...






New York Times, OpinionLab sue Lodsys seeking declaratory judgement

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 10:26 AM PDT


Indie developers turned to the Web hours after receiving warning letters from Lodsys last month, but larger devs took a more traditional approach, leaving the communication and finger-pointing to lawyers instead. Two such companies, the New York Times and OpinionLabs, came to light after filing suit against the patent troll yesterday, seeking declaratory judgements to invalidate Lodsys's patents. A nine-page complaint filed by NYT lists four Lodsys patents, including 7,222,078, which had previously been used to target smaller developers. NYT's ad click-through system and OpinionLabs' surveys were both also targeted, and if the suits are successful, Lodsys would be responsible for all legal expenses, and wouldn't be allowed to collect on its patents in the future.

We spoke with Julie Samuels of the EFF, who explained that filing for a declaratory judgment could theoretically enable NYT and OpinionLabs to have trials held in California and Illinois, where the declaratory judgments were filed, instead of the Eastern District of Texas -- the notoriously plaintiff-friendly court where Lodsys filed its suit against seven devs on May 31st. Other devs who received letters but have not yet been sued can also do the same. The suits brought by NYT and OpinionLabs formally call the validity of Lodsys's patents into question, but unfortunately don't change the game for devs Lodsys already sued, who would still be responsible for licensing fees and other damages if the court determines the patents to be valid (and their apps to be infringing).

HTC Desire tries to catch Gingerbread, can't keep up

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 09:53 AM PDT

After months attempting to bring the Desire up to speed with Android 2.3, HTC is throwing in the towel, and it doesn't have much more than a comments section full of disappointed handset owners to show for it. The UK branch of the phone manufacturer announced via its Facebook page that attempts to upgrade the Nexus One-esque smartphone to Gingerbread have proven fruitless, due to a lack of internal memory on the device. According to the company, the promised update just won't play nicely with its Sense UI. Those desiring less official methods can always check out the leaked 2.3.3 ROM. Everyone else will have to suffer through the Froyo brain freeze.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Wii U has last-gen Radeon inside, still more advanced than PS3 and Xbox 360

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 09:24 AM PDT

Wii U Crysis
Slowly, but surely, we're starting to piece together what's going on inside that mysterious white box known as the Wii U. IBM was a little coy about the multi-core CPU it was providing, but did tantalize us by mentioning the name "Watson" in describing some of its underlying tech. Now details about the custom Radeon GPU are starting to surface and, while certainly capable, it's not exactly cutting edge. At its heart is a chip similar to the R770 found in AMD's last-gen cards like the 4890 and, before you dismiss the it, remember the PS3 and Xbox 360 are still capable of pumping out impressive visuals while packing five-year-old silicon (The 360 is essentially running a souped up ATI X1900). The custom core also supports Direct X 10.1 (Microsoft runs out of steam with Direct X 9) and Eyefinity-like multi-display tech for up to four SD video streams -- though it'll be up to Nintendo and developers to put that to good use. In case you're still not convinced of the Wii U's graphical prowess, Crytek has said its advanced CryEngine is "pretty much" up and running on Nintendo's upcoming console -- and, if it's good enough for Crysis, it should be good enough for you.

USB power pot uses excess heat to charge your gadgets

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 08:59 AM PDT

Most stoves produce heat that far exceeds the temperature necessary to boil water, but TES NewEnergy has found a way to convert that excess energy into power, which can subsequently be used to charge your USB gadgets. Released yesterday in Japan, the Hitochaja HC-5 USB power pot can generate up to 400mAh of juice -- enough to charge your iPhone in three to five hours. Considering it needs a constant heat source to generate electricity, the ¥23,000 pot (about $285, before tax) is even less practical than last week's C-type battery laptop charger, but if you want to expand the service offerings at your local soup kitchen, this double-duty cooking vessel may be the solution you've been looking for.

Arris' cable technology teases us with 4.5Gbps download speeds

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 08:29 AM PDT

Think your cable connection's fast? Arris thinks it could be a lot faster. At today's NCTA Cable Show in Chicago, the company will demo a new system that can support download speeds of 4.5Gbps, and upload rates of 575Mbps. To achieve this, Arris devoted more of its DOCSIS 3.0 cable channels to broadband (128 downstream, 24 upstream), sourced through a C4 cable module (pictured on the left). Of course, this would leave less space for conventional TV channels, but we're guessing the accelerated streaming speeds would more than make up for it. Unfortunately, the prototype is still in the proof-of-concept phase, so it may be a while before you reap its benefits. Head past the break for the full PR.
Show full PR text
ARRIS C4® CMTS Demo to Transmit 4.5 Gbps DOCSIS® Downstream Bandwidth Over 128 Downstream Channels Into a Single Fiber Node at NCTA 2011

SUWANEE, Ga., June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

ARRIS (Nasdaq: ARRS)todayannounced that it will demonstrate two DOCSIS "firsts" at NCTA 2011, in Chicago, June 14-16, 2011.

The demonstration will show real file transfer throughput of 4.5 Gbps of DOCSIS downstream traffic being transmitted over 128 DOCSIS downstream channels into a single Fiber Node. In the demo, an ARRIS C4 CMTS will be configured using four newly-released 32 Downstream Cable Access Modules (32D CAMs) to source the 128 DOCSIS downstream channels into the Fiber Node. The Bandwidth Monitor will illustrate that the total downstream bandwidth sent into the Fiber Node remains fairly constant at about 4.5 Gbps. These record-breaking bandwidth levels may be required for large-scale IP Video systems in the future.

The demo will also show a proof-of-concept implementation of a 5-200 MHz high-split DOCSIS upstream system with 575 Mbps of DOCSIS upstream bandwidth being transmitted over 24 DOCSIS Upstream channels out of a single Fiber Node. This demo uses a single ARRIS 24U CAM to receive the high-split 5-200 MHz upstream spectrum from a Fiber Node. This record-breaking upstream bandwidth is intended to help the industry explore the future frequency allocations of HFC to protect its value and viability for many years to come.

The demonstration is designed to illustrate three key points:

* to show the incredible capacity of the current HFC network
* to illustrate the ability of the ARRIS C4 CMTS to capitalize on the HFC network's immense capacity
* to display the latent flexibility of future DOCSIS CMTS systems that can capitalize on the HFC network's upstream capacity as well

In Iceland, constitutions are written on Facebook

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:44 AM PDT

Ah, Iceland -- home to the Blue Lagoon, Sigur Rós and, most recently, crowdsourced constitutionalism. With its economy still reeling from the 2009 financial crisis, the country has begun hammering away at a brand new constitution, and is asking its online citizenry for help. The draft is being prepared by a democratically elected, 25-member council, but any Icelanders with an internet connection can add their own suggestions, engage in online debates, or follow the proceedings in real-time on Facebook. All suggestions are moderated to weed out the really dumb ones ("FEWER VOLCANOES"), and those approved by the board will be directly added to the draft, due to be completed at the end of this month. It's a fascinating social experiment, but one that could probably only happen in a place where nearly 90 percent of all households have a broadband connection, two-thirds of the entire population is on Facebook -- meaning their politicians are always within poke's reach.

Batcopter UAV observes anti-collision bat behavior, crashes into ground (video)

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:07 AM PDT


If you wander out into a gaggle of fellow humans in total darkness, chances are you're going to bump into one or two. Such is not the case for bats, which do much of their hunting after the sun sets. Boston University's Intelligent Mechatronics Lab launched operation Batcopter to better understand how bats can fly in clusters large enough to be detected by radar without colliding. Equipped with a GoPro 3D HD camera, GPS, and OpenPilot's CopterControl system, the 1.8-pound quadcopter UAV joined Brazilian free-tailed bats in the skies of South Texas, capturing some pretty cool footage along the way. A trio of high-speed infrared cameras positioned on the ground photographed the aircraft's interactions with the flying mammals, which seemed to maneuver around the man-made intruder without incident, until a rotor failure resulted in a Batcopter inversion and subsequent ground collision. Even so, the craft still managed to take to the skies. Jump past the break to see the crippled UAV in action, and hit up the source link for some awesome infrared footage and stills.

Sony tears down Bloggie 3D, iFixit helps (video)

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 06:26 AM PDT

We all knew it would come to this, right? Tech corporations have apparently taken a cue from the blogosphere and started tearing down their own devices for all the world to see. Sony's in-house gadget site SGNL opened up the company's Bloggie 3D pocket camcorder, thankfully enlisting the supervision of Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit. But while he does seem genuinely intrigued at taking apart and explaining the way the 3D camera works, there's not much in the way of the depth we've come to expect from the site, and Sony manages to make the whole thing a not-so-subtle plug for a newish device. Now who wants to buy a disassembled camcorder? I hear Sony's selling one cheap.

Toshiba's Camileo P100 and B10 continue their world tour, arrive stateside

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 05:57 AM PDT

We're pretty sure that most of the attention Toshiba receives today will center around the handful of laptops it unveiled this morning (particularly this handsome devil). But the outfit also managed to slip in some camcorder news -- those Camileo P100 and B10 models it announced for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East are now on sale in the US. If you recall, both camcorders shoot 1080p video and snap 16 megapixel stills, though the pistol-shaped P100 adds 5X optical zoom -- still an uncommon spec for pocket cam. The P100 is available now for $180, while the Flip-inspired B10 can be had for $120. PR after the break.
Show full PR text
TOSHIBA INTRODUCES TWO NEW FULL HD DIGITAL CAMCORDERS

Priced Under $200, CAMILEO P100 and CAMILEO B10 Offer Superior Zoom Capabilities without Comprising Quality

IRVINE, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today introduced the CAMILEO™ P100 and CAMILEO B10, two highly affordable and ultraportable 1080p full HD camcorders. Compatible with Windows®-based and Mac OS systems, both camcorders offer impressive zoom capabilities and double as 16-megapixel still cameras with dedicated recording buttons, enabling consumers to carry around a single device to capture all of life's moments in the highest quality videos and photos. These camcorders also have a host of features that include motion detection, time-lapse, face tracking and webcam mode.

CAMILEO P100: Zoom In – Without Losing Focus
The pistol-shaped CAMILEO P100 is extremely portable, weighing a mere 4.7 ounces . The device also features superior zoom capabilities as both a camcorder and camera. The P100 offers a 5x optical zoom and a 16-megapixel photo resolution that leverages real-time interpolation when in camera mode. When being used as a camcorder, users can take advantage of the 8x advanced zoom to crisply capture details found in far-off scenes. Advanced zoom extends optical zoom to create a superior image than traditional digital zoom. This model also includes pause recording that allows the user to pause and resume during recording, creating one continuous file instead of multiple files for easier uploads to social networking sites. Designed with image stabilization that supports up to 1920x1080p, the CAMILEO P100 creates brilliant videos that can be comfortably viewed on its swiveling three-inch diagonal LCD touchscreen display , all for a starting price of $179.99 MSRP .

CAMILEO B10: HD Value
The CAMILEO B10 is equipped with a two-inch diagonal LCD screen2 on the back of its candy bar shape and weighs a mere 3.0 ounces1, making it ideal to slip in a back pocket or evening clutch. The 16x digital zoom allows consumer to get right in on the action. This camcorder is ideal for the person who wants a compact, full HD camcorder that takes beautiful still photos but doesn't cost a fortune, starting at $119.99 MSRP3.

"We've received great consumer response to our CAMILEO line which has encouraged us to continue expanding the line," said Paul Collas, director of accessory marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Life Products and Services. "Toshiba prides itself on creating products packed with key features that meet consumers every day needs and are available at all price ranges, and the CAMILEO P100 and CAMILEO B10 are prime examples of just that."

Both the camcorders allow consumers to conveniently view videos and still photos directly on an HDTV via the HDMI® port. Another key feature found in both camcorders is the Internet Upload Button (for Windows-based systems), which allows users to easily and quickly share their videos and photos on YouTube™, Facebook®, Twitter and Picasa®.

Kobo eReader Touch does more than words, handles Sudoku and web browsing on the side (video)

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 05:28 AM PDT

The Nook WiFi may have been rooted to play Angry Birds, but Kobo's competing eReader Touch Edition can apparently show off its gaming capabilities with factory settings. It turns out that aside from the Nook-like embedded web browser we uncovered in our review, the e-reader also comes pre-loaded with Sudoku -- perfect for some pattern deducing fun between reads. YouTube user codystheory has posted a video showing the quick sequence of taps needed to access the game, and we can definitely say it looks much easier than installing a custom ROM. We've placed the short clip after the break if you'd like to see for yourself.

[Thanks, Nate]

Blake Griffin gets Vizio Tablet before you can, proves famous people get special treatment

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 04:59 AM PDT


Being Blake Griffin has its perks -- he's NBA Rookie of the Year and a millionaire, plus he's got the adoration of millions and the ability to posterize fools with prodigious power dunks. He also got the Vizio tablet before it goes on sale to the general public, and posted a video showing off his new VIA Plus-equipped slate. We're glad that Blake Superior's enjoying the tablet's portrait and landscape stereo speakers and its universal remote function... really, we are. But, we'd rather be watching him catch alley-oops and throw down windmills on a tablet of our very own -- c'mon Vizio, quit playing favorites.

[Thanks, Ben]

Huawei MediaPad debuts in weird, confusing video ad

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 04:09 AM PDT


There's a fine balance to be struck when you want to drum up interest in a device but not release too much information before its official launch. Huawei did that very nicely with its first MediaPad teaser image last week, showing us only the tablet lounging casually atop the desk of a surely sophisticated businessman. Today we've come across a followup video that also lets us peek the pad's rear -- which looks just about identical to the one on the company's Ideos S7 Pro -- but also confuses the hell out of us with its, erm, narrative. You'll have to just jump beyond the break and be befuddled with us. The MediaPad should get its proper launch in just under a week, on June 20th, though Huawei's Facebook page already shows an Android Honeycomb screenshot on it and our rough estimation from the video places the screen size at 7 inches. Not that we ever get to see it, cursed uninformative teasers!

Comcast invites Skype into its cable boxes, mobile apps

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 03:48 AM PDT

The latest announcement at the 2011 Cable Show comes from the seemingly unlikely pairing of Comcast and Skype, who have arranged to enable video calls through the cable box. All it takes is a camera, adapter and 'specially-designed remote' to turn HDMI-equipped Comcast boxes into Skype-on-TV machines when they start trials in the next few months. Senior Comcast VP Cathy Avgiris tells the Seattle Times that video will max out at 720p to start but will be ugraded to 1080p eventually. The tie-in will also means Skype features for the Comcast Xfinity apps on tablets and phones, but according to Avgiris it won't "necessarily be limited to triple-play" (TV, phone and internet) customers only. Skype has already partnered with several TV manufacturers for HD calling in the living room, but working through cable boxes means a much greater prospective installed base. Beyond the still-unanswered questions of pricing and release dates, we've already seen enough Cable Show demos that didn't amount to much (*cough* tru2way) so this will goes on the shelf with the others until it's spotted in the wild.


Show full PR text
COMCAST AND SKYPE ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO BRING A NEW HD VIDEO CALLING EXPERIENCE TO THE TELEVISION

Partnership Will Enable Comcast Customers To Bring Family And Friends Together Via Clear, Widescreen Skype Video Calls Using Their Existing HD Television and Broadband Connection

PHILADELPHIA and LUXEMBOURG – June 14, 2011 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and Skype today announced that the companies have entered into a strategic partnership that
will enable Comcast customers to communicate with family and friends through HD video calling on their television. They will soon be able to make and receive Skype video calls from their television, whether
their friends and family use Skype on their home TVs, PCs, compatible smartphones or tablets.

Through this arrangement, Comcast customers will be able to experience widescreen HD video calling that is immersive and natural. With Skype, they can share in the excitement of a big game,
a birthday party or holiday, a bedtime story, or a casual conversation with loved ones, and have the ability to communicate with hundreds of millions of Skype users across the globe. As real-time video
communication becomes a more integral part of the way people connect, Skype and Comcast will bring a simple, affordable, high-quality video calling experience to millions of homes.

"Our unique relationship with Skype not only will change how our customers interact with their TV, but also will create new and meaningful ways to bring our customers closer to the people they care about,"
said Neil Smit, President, Comcast Cable. "TV has evolved into a social experience, and Comcast and Skype will be delivering a product that personalizes the TV experience even more, and brings friends and
family together through the biggest screen in their homes."

Tony Bates, CEO, Skype, said, "We are pleased to announce this partnership with Comcast. By combining Comcast's broad living room reach with Skype's innovative communications platform and
worldwide community of users, we can bring video calling into the heart of the home allowing people to share life's experiences both big and small."

Here are a few things customers will be able to do through this offering:
• Make and receive Skype video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a television while watching their favorite TV show at the same time, and accept incoming calls
during a TV show with the help of Caller ID.
• Make and receive video and audio calls, or send instant messages via Skype on a compatible mobile phone or tablet.
• Import friends to their address book from their Facebook, Outlook, Gmail and smartphone contact lists, find them on Skype and see when contacts are online and available to talk.

This service will be delivered on the Comcast customer's HDTV through an adaptor box, a high-quality video camera, and a specially designed remote control that enables customers to text on Skype as well
as control their television. The other calling party does not need any special equipment beyond what is needed to use Skype.

In addition, customers will be able to access mobile features conveniently through Comcast's Xfinity Mobile app, and continue to enjoy conversations by switching from one compatible device (e.g.,
smartphone, tablet or television) to another.

Customer trials for this offering will begin in the coming months, and further product details will be made available later this year.

###

Project Blox is like any other toy that comes with 300 pages of documentation (video)

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 02:57 AM PDT

If your kid (or inner kid) turns their nose up at those delectable Sifteo Cubes, it'll obviously be because they want open source smart building blocks instead. So oblige the budding geek with Project Blox, courtesy of electrical engineering students at the University of Texas at Austin. Every toddler-friendly block has its own LCD and touch panels, plus motion sensors and wireless comms that let it interact with other blocks in weird and wonderful ways -- like the maze game you'll see in the video after the break. Project Blox is still very much a project, unfortunately, but its creators have put all their code and schematics online so baby Einstein can have a go at building his own.

Sony PlayStation Vita's removable memory looks like it's an SD card, but it isn't

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 02:01 AM PDT

Sony's seen fit to tell us many of the PlayStation Vita's specs, how much it'll cost ($249 for WiFi, $299 for 3G), and who gets it (everyone). Amidst all the hullabaloo at E3 2011, however, we missed seeing that Sony was showing off the new handheld's internal memory cards. Good thing an eagle-eyed member of the public snapped a pic of the 4, 8, 16, and 32GB cards on the show floor. They look awfully similar to garden variety SD cards, only there's a little notch in the side confirming they hew to Sony's unfortunate habit of using proprietary storage formats. The cost of the cards remains shrouded in secrecy, but life's more fun when a little mystery's involved, right?

Logitech lets loose HD webcam C615, $80 gets you video chatting in 720p

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 01:12 AM PDT

So, you're looking to up your video chatting game using SkypeHD, but found that little camera in the lid of your laptop can't cut the mustard? Good news, friend, because Logitech's latest HD webcam, the C615, is here to shoot images of your face over the internet in 720p. Like its sibling, the C910, it works with both Macs and PCs and has one-click uploads to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Additionally, the new unit takes 8-megapixel stills and 1080p videos (software limits video chat to 720p), plus it packs a 360-degree swiveling autofocus shooter to make viewing those hard to reach places easy. It's available now in the States for $79.99, and is making its way overseas in September. PR's after the break.
Show full PR text
New Logitech HD Webcam Lets You Shoot Video for Mac, PC On the Go

Logitech HD Webcam C615 Couples Fold-and-go Design with HD Video and Cables to Keep You Connected Anytime, Anywhere

FREMONT, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the portable Logitech® HD Webcam C615 for easy video calling and HD recording on the go – whether you're at a birthday party or on a business trip, on a PC or a Mac. The webcam's fold-and-go design, coupled with autofocus capabilities and a 360-degree swivel rotation, expands the possibilities of what you can capture in full HD video anytime, anywhere.

So you can better stay in touch with your friends, family and coworkers, the Logitech HD Webcam C615 lets you make video calls in HD 720p on Skype™, FaceTime® for Mac, Logitech Vid™ HD and Windows Live™ Messenger, as well as video calls on Yahoo!® Messenger, iChat, AOL® Instant Messenger (AIM®) and other popular instant messaging applications. It also includes one-click HD video and photo upload to Facebook™, as well as HD video upload to YouTube™ and Twitter, so you can easily share your video recordings. To bring you extra flexibility, the webcam comes with a 3-foot USB cable with an extender, and has a tripod-ready design so you can easily capture video from any vantage point.

"We know how important it is for today's travelers to stay connected, whether they're on the road for business or leisure, so we are pleased to offer an HD webcam that simplifies video calling and sharing videos on the go," said Joerg Tewes, vice president and general manager of Logitech's consumer video business unit. "The Logitech HD Webcam C615 is designed for maximum flexibility no matter what your needs may be, with the equipment necessary for HD recordings right in the box and easy-to-use editing features for both Mac and PC users."

The Logitech HD Webcam C615 features built-in autofocus, helping ensure your picture quality will be razor sharp – even in extreme closeups – and a built-in mic that helps make sure background noise won't spoil your video calls. With Logitech's newest webcam, users can also capture software-enhanced 8-megapixel images, while built-in Logitech Fluid Crystal™ Technology gives users smoother video, sharper pictures, richer color and clearer sound in real-world conditions.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech HD Webcam C615 is expected to be available in the U.S. in June for a suggested retail price of $79.99, and expects to be available in Europe and Asia in September. For more information on Logitech webcams and worldwide availability, please visit www.logitech.com/webcams.

Apple starts selling unlocked iPhone 4 for $649

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 12:55 AM PDT

Not that it'll do you much good in the US -- an unlocked iPhone 4 will still only work on AT&T's 3G bands -- but Apple has just started selling its prized smartphone without any carrier partiality on its US online store. The big attraction is, of course, being able to take the phone abroad and switch MicroSIMs to your heart's content, an experience that most other nations are already well accustomed to. Additionally, though the $649 (16GB) and $749 (32GB) levies may seem rather steep for American buyers, they're quite a bit more affordable than the unlocked pricing elsewhere. You can have yours within three business days if black's your color, or three to five if you're after the snow white one.

Airbus' plane of the future will harvest energy from passengers, earn Agent Smith's approval (video)

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 12:44 AM PDT

Airbus has been consulting its crystal ball recently and its findings have now been shared with the world in the shape of a new concept plane. Looking entirely detached from the economic and physical realities we know today, this futuristic people carrier includes auto-morphing seats that adjust to your size and shape and also harvest excess heat you produce. How is this achieved? Smart materials is all we're told, leaving us to use our imagination to fill in the gaping blanks. Eschewing the usual class system, this Airbus concept instead offers three functionally distinct areas: a Smart Tech Zone at the back is the closest to what we're used to today, an Interaction Zone in the middle uses holograms to help you relax or conduct some mission-critical meetings in flight, and a Vitalising Zone up front is where more "bio-morphing" seats will provide you with massage or acupuncture treatments. The ceiling in that front part of the plane can also be turned transparent, letting you soak up the panorama (and get a good tan while you're at it). You can see and hear more about it in the videos after the break.



Toshiba outs blingtastic Qosmio X770 for the US market, new P, C, and L series laptops

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 12:00 AM PDT

See that refined beast? You're looking at the Toshiba Qosmio X770 -- that European gaming behemoth we ogled from afar last month -- and in a matter of weeks, it'll continue its world tour to land on US shores. To recap, the company shrunk the screen from 18.4 inches to a more manageable 17.3, gave it a paint job that ever-so-subtly fades from red to gunmetal gray, and added a matching red backlit keyboard. This beefy guy comes in $1,199 and $1,899 configurations, with the higher-end model packing a 3D display, quad-core Core i7 CPU, and a 1.25TB hybrid hard drive, and the lower end offering a dual-core Core i5 CPU and a 750GB HDD. Either way, though, you'll get NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M graphics, 1.5GB of video memory, and MaxxAudio3 sound enhancement software.

Meanwhile, Toshiba streamlined its consumer laptops for those non-gamers in the back-to-school crowd, axing the A and M lines, and leaving just the P series, for "premium." It'll include 14-, 15.6-, and 17.3-inch models, all decked out in a textured, two-tone Fuxion X2 finish and featuring USB sleep-and-charge ports, HDMI-out, Harman Kardon speakers, and that same MaxxAudio 3 utility. Depending on the configuration, you can also score NVIDIA GeForce GT540M graphics, Intel Wireless Display, a 4G radio, a Blu-ray drive, and a 3D screen (only on the 15-incher). On the inside, you've got your choice of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs or a spankin' new A6-3400M accelerated processing unit from AMD. Look for the 14-inch P745 with a starting price of $699, and 15-inch P755 and the 17-inch P775 for $629 and up.

And, rounding out its portfolio, Toshiba refreshed its budget Satellite L700 series with Core 2011 processors and new AMD A4 and A6 APUs, while the entry-level Satellite C800 gets AMD Fusion C-50 and E-350 APU options. None of these laptops go on sale until later this month, so for now you can content yourself with those up-close-and-personal hands-on shots below.
Toshiba Qosmio X770

Toshiba Satellite P700 Series
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TOSHIBA SERVES UP ELITE MOBILE PERFORMANCE WITH QOSMIO X770 AND QOSMIO X770 3D SERIES LAPTOPS

Enthusiast-class Laptops Equipped With All-new NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M Graphics Deliver Maximum Performance and Features for Gaming, Media Creation and More

IRVINE, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced U.S. retail pricing and availability for the Qosmio® X770 and Qosmio X770 3D series of high-performance laptops. Most ideal for demanding visual tasks like gaming and media creation, these laptops feature a high-performance blend of processor technologies from Intel® and NVIDIA®, while delivering ultra-fast components, entertainment-focused features and 3D technology for consumers looking for maximum mobile performance. Starting at $1,199 MSRP , the Qosmio X770 and Qosmio X770 3D Series are available at participating retailers later this month.

"Qosmio represents Toshiba's ability to make cutting-edge mobile computing technologies more accessible to the mass market," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Digital Products Division. "With the Qosmio X770 and Qosmio X770 3D laptops, gamers, content creators and multimedia enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the latest HD content with amazing audio, even in vivid stereoscopic 3D."

Qosmio X770 – Serious Power for Serious Gaming and HD Media
Qosmio X770 laptops are equipped with powerful processors, ultra-fast components and latest-generation technologies to meet the needs of consumers demanding more performance from their portable PC. One of the first laptops to feature the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560M graphics processor with 1.5GB of discrete graphics memory plus battery-saving Optimus™ technology, the Qosmio X770 is able to handle demanding DirectX® 11 games with ease while delivering plenty of performance for media creation apps. Offering a choice of 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processors , configurations are available with up to 8GB RAM3, plenty of ports, including a USB 3.0 port , plus hard drive storage options scaling up to 1 terabyte .

Featuring a 17.3-inch diagonal HD+ TruBrite® LED backlit display , the Qosmio X770 features built-in premium harman/kardon® speakers and subwoofer tuned with sound enhancement technologies from Dolby® and MaxxAudio 3 by Waves Audio. Dressed in a premium Fusion® X2 finish and a raised-tile keyboard enhanced with red LED backlighting, the Qosmio X770 delivers distinctive and durable styling that is sure to turn heads. The laptop features a full range of Toshiba "Smart" features, including USB Sleep & Charge and Toshiba Sleep & Music , enhancing the laptop's capabilities to power up smartphones and sound to MP3 players while powered down. Additional configuration options include a Blu-ray Disc™ player and Bluetooth v3.0.

Qosmio X770 3D - Gaming in the Third Dimension
The Qosmio X770 3D, featuring NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology , offers full stereoscopic 3D entertainment for gaming, movies, photos and more. Featuring a 17.3-inch diagonal 120Hz 3D-ready, 1080p HD TruBrite LED backlit display7, this laptop includes a pair of wireless active shutter glasses for out-of-the-box 3D enjoyment, plus essential components for Blu-ray 3D playback, 2D-to-3D movie conversion , plus output to a 3DTV, the Qosmio X770 3D delivers a full suite of 3D enjoyment.

Offering the same high-end processors, components and styling featured in the Qosmio X770, the Qosmio X770 3D maxes out the platform even further with a 1.25 terabyte hard drive6 with Hybrid Drive technology, plus a Blu-ray Disc™ Rewriteable drive9. The Qosmio X775 3D carries as MSRP of $1,899.99 MSRP1.

Pricing and Availability
The Qosmio X770 Series starts at $1,199.99 MSRP1 and will be available later this month at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com.

Downloadable image gallery available at: http://bit.ly/Q311QosmioX770

Connect with Toshiba on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaUSA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToshibaUS.

TOSHIBA INTRODUCES NEW SATELLITE P700 SERIES LAPTOPS

New Satellite P700 Series Laptops, Available in 14-, 15.6- and 17.3-inch Diagonal Screen Sizes, Offer Robust Performance, High-Def Entertainment and Smart Convenience Features with Premium Styling

IRVINE, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced a new family of premium laptops, the Satellite® P700 Series. Available with Toshiba's textured Fusion® X2 finish in Platinum, the Satellite P745, P755/P755 3D and P775 laptops feature 14-, 15.6- and 17.3-inch diagonal HD TruBrite® LED backlit screens, respectively. These laptops incorporate essential features for multitasking and multimedia, including latest generation of multi-core processor and technology options, plus premium entertainment and convenience features.

Premium Performance, Features and Design
Available with second-generation Intel® Core™ i3, i5 or i7 processors and select configurations feature NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M graphics with battery-saving Optimus™ technology or the all-new AMD® A6-3400M accelerated processing unit with discrete-class AMD Radeon® graphics, Satellite P700 Series laptops offer robust performance for demanding HD tasks. Additional standard features include premium raised tile keyboards, harman/kardon® speakers with sound enhancements from Dolby® and Waves Audio, an HDMI® port and a USB 3.0 port for faster data transfers and storage options up to 750GB . Latest-generation technologies, including Intel Wireless Display , 4G WiMAX™ and a Blu-ray Disc™ player are also available in select models.

"The new Satellite P700 Series laptops offer users the power and features that enable them to do much more than just everyday computing," said Carl Pinto, vice president of product development, Toshiba America Information Systems, Digital Products Division. "With top-of-the-line processors for smooth multitasking, premium audio systems with sound enhancement technology for expansive surround sound and smart usability features that let users take advantage of the speakers and USB ports even when the units are sleeping or off, these laptops have it all."

Smart Features That Let You Do More
The Satellite P700 Series also features Toshiba's full range of "Smart" technologies, including the convenience of USB Sleep & Charge technology and Toshiba Sleep & Music , two technologies that give users the freedom to power up their smartphones and enjoy music from their MP3 players, even while the laptops are powered down. Toshiba's exclusive Resolution+® video upconversion technology breathes new life into standard-def video by seamlessly adjusting color, brightness and contrast to give video a more high-def look and feel. Additional features, including a Hard Drive Impact Sensor, PC Health Monitor and Toshiba's eco Utility™ promote laptop longevity with utilities designed to protect vital components and conserve power.

Step Into 3D
Adding a new dimension to personal home entertainment, the Satellite P750 3D laptop delivers a convenient way to enjoy games, movies, photos and more – in stereoscopic 3D. Equipped with a 15.6-inch diagonal 120Hz, 3D-ready HD TruBrite display and NVIDIA 3D Vision™ technology this laptop includes a pair of wireless active shutter glasses for out-of-the-box 3D enjoyment, plus essential components or Blu-ray 3D playback, 2D-to-3D DVD movie conversion , plus output to a 3D HDTV, the Satellite P750 3D delivers a full suite of 3D enjoyment. The Satellite P750 3D will be available for a starting price of $1,199.99 MSRP .

Pricing & Availability
The Satellite P745 (starting at $699.99 MSRP13), Satellite P755 (starting at $629.99 MSRP) and Satellite P775 (starting at $629.99 MSRP) will be available at major retail outlets, e-tailers and Toshibadirect.com beginning June 21, 2011.

Image Gallery: http://bit.ly/Q311SatelliteP700Series

Connect with Toshiba on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaUSA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToshibaLaptopsUS.

TOSHIBA PROVIDES POWER, PORTABLITY AND STYLE IN LATEST ENTRY AND MAINSTREAM CONSUMER LAPTOPS

Attractive and Affordable Laptops Offer Productivity, Enjoyment and Portability

IRVINE, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced its latest line of smartly equipped yet affordable Satellite® L700 and Satellite C600 Series laptops. Designed for style, versatility and affordability in mind, these laptops deliver the performance needed for everyday computing with prices starting as low as $379.99 MSRP .

Satellite L700 Series: Versatility, Style and Extraordinary Value
Blending fashion, functionality and mobility, Satellite L700 Series of everyday value laptops are ideal for families, students and small business owners looking for a stylish laptop with plenty of power at a reasonable price. Featuring powerful processors from Intel®, including 2nd Generation Intel Core™ processors and AMD, including new dual-core A4 and quad-core A6 Accelerated Processing Units, Satellite L700 Series laptops offer great performance for multitasking, productivity and light gaming. The Satellite L700 Series consists of four model classes: the highly-mobile Satellite L735, featuring a 13.3-inch diagonal widescreen display , the lightweight Satellite L745 with a 14-inch diagonal display, the versatile Satellite L755 with a 15.6-inch diagonal display and the Satellite L775 desktop replacement with a 17.3-inch diagonal display.

Featuring Toshiba's glossy Fusion® Finish with an all-new Matrix pattern in a variety of colors, new models all now feature USB Sleep & Charge technology , enabling users to charge mobile devices even if the laptop is turned off. The laptops will be available in a variety of colors, including Graphite, Silver, White, Red and Brown. Also, for the first time, select models of the Satellite L700 Series will be available in Brushed Aluminum Blue, offering consumers a sophisticated look that also helps resist fingerprints. Certain configurations will also feature a Blu-Ray Disc™ player and HDMI® port.

Satellite C600 Series: Essential Features, Tremendous Affordability
With a textured Trax finish in Charcoal, the entry-level Satellite C600 Series laptops are ideal for price-conscious consumers, students and first-time buyers looking for basic productivity at home or the office. Now available with a new 17.3-inch diagonal widescreen display as well as a 15.6 inch diagonal widescreen display, the Satellite C600 Series includes configurations with the AMD C-50 and E-350 Accelerated Processing Units2 from AMD with on-die graphics that provide rich and vivid colors, sharp images and smooth HD video playback.

Configurations will be available with up to 640GB hard drives , 4GB of DDR3 memory and include two USB 2.0 ports, DVD Super-Multi drives and 802.11n Wi-Fi® .

Pricing and Availability
The Toshiba Satellite L735 Series laptops come equipped with a 13.3-inch diagonal TruBrite® HD widescreen display and start at $499.99 MSRP1.

The Toshiba Satellite L745 Series laptops come equipped with a 14-inch diagonal TruBrite HD display and start at $449.99 MSRP.

The Toshiba Satellite L755 Series laptops come equipped with a 15.6-inch diagonal TruBrite HD widescreen display and start at $483.99 MSRP.

The Toshiba Satellite L775 Series laptops come equipped with a 17.3-inch diagonal TruBrite HD widescreen display and start at $579.99 MSRP.

The Toshiba Satellite C600 Series laptops start at $379.99 MSRP.

The Toshiba Satellite L700 and Satellite C600 Series laptops will be available later this month at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba on toshibadirect.com

Image gallery: http://bit.ly/Q311SatelliteL700C600

Connect with Toshiba on Twitter at twitter.com/ToshibaUSA and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToshibaUS.

HP upgrades 11 Pavilion and ProBook laptops to AMD Llano APUs

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 11:34 PM PDT

Llano laptops are like buses. You wait two years for just one to arrive and then eleven come out at once. Yep, AMD's long-awaited hybrid CPU / GPU has finally gone official today and HP is wasting no time in introducing laptops harnessing its Accelerated Processing powers. On the consumer side, the Pavilion dv (dv4, dv6, dv7) and g (g4, g6, g7) series are both getting in on the action, with the dv models touting fancier additions like Beats Audio and CoolSense as justifications for their dearer pricing. For the more demure or business-oriented AMD fans, ProBook laptops of both b (6465b, 6465b) and s (4535s, 4435s, 4436s) varieties are also getting A-series processor options. Pricing starts out at $600 on the dv line and $450 for the g series, with both expected to ship in July, whereas the ProBook models will be a bit more punctual and arrive on June 27th, provided you have at least $519 to splash out. Ful PR after the break.
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HP Introduces New Notebook Portfolio Powered by AMD

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE:HPQ) today expanded its consumer and business notebook portfolios with 11 new models utilizing AMD's latest VISION Technology for exceptional performance at an affordable price.

Powered by AMD's A-series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that combine leading-edge CPU cores and powerful discrete-graphics onto a single die of silicon, HP's new notebooks offer solutions for consumers, small and midsize businesses (SMBs) and large corporations.

The HP Pavilion dv-series (Pavilion dv4, dv6 and dv7) provides the ultimate entertainment notebook experience and is equipped with innovative features such as HP CoolSense, HP True Vision HD webcam and HP Beats™ Audio (Pavilion metal dv6 and dv7). The dv-series also offers more than two times the graphics performance compared with previous-generation integrated graphics.(1)

The HP Pavilion g-series (Pavilion g4, g6 and g7) balances productivity with efficiency for ideal everyday performance. The addition of AMD technology provides rapid page loads, which can enable programs such as Internet Explorer 9(2) to run even faster.

The HP ProBook b-series (HP ProBook 6465b and ProBook 6565b), featuring AMD VISION Pro technology, offers enhanced security and increased performance, while sporting an attractive new tungsten-colored design with a bead-blasted aluminum display enclosure and smudge- and wear-resistant HP DuraFinish.

The HP ProBook s-series (ProBook 4535s, 4435s and 4436s) combines a durable brushed-aluminum finish in a metallic gray color in addition to a touchpad with gesture support and an integrated high-definition (HD)(3) webcam.

"HP is dedicated to providing customers a choice when it comes to notebook computing," said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Notebook Global Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. "As the worldwide leader in notebook sales, HP continues to develop customizable, reliable and affordable PCs with innovative designs suited for on-the-go consumers to corporate road warriors."

Powered by AMD Fusion APUs, the HP Pavilion dv- and g-series builds upon HP's "MUSE" consumer notebook design philosophy, while the HP ProBook b- and s-series furthers the company's "FORGE" business notebook design framework.

AMD solutions for long-term value and performance

The new notebooks offer AMD A-series APUs, designed to deliver increased processing speed and visual performance with longer battery life.(4) For consumers, HP Pavilion dv- and g-series notebooks offer optional dual graphics, balancing performance with power needs by switching between single- and dual-graphics modes. AMD Image Enhance with AMD Perfect Picture HD(3) also automatically adjusts for dynamic color and contrast, making skin tones appear realistic and video smoother and more vivid.

Business productivity is improved with AMD VISION Pro Technology and AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics(5) on the ProBook s-series and UMA graphics on the ProBook b-series, enabling optimal multitasking for video-conferencing, web browsing and graphics-intensive applications. Additionally, AMD Turbo Core Technology balances performance and battery life for more efficient computing, while AMD AllDay™ Power allows for extended notebook runtime.(6)

"HP and AMD's relationship continues to evolve as we collaboratively make strides to benefit customers through outstanding technology innovation and improved performance," said Leslie Sobon, corporate vice president, Worldwide Marketing, AMD. "AMD Fusion APUs offer the perfect mix of power, performance and brilliant graphics to enable the next generation of digital experiences, while VISION Technology from AMD simplifies the PC purchasing experience."

Pricing and availability

Pricing and availability varies. Not all models are available in all regions.

The HP Pavilion dv6 starts at $599.99 and the Pavilion dv7 starts at $699.99. The Pavilion dv6 and dv7 are expected to be available in July.
The HP Pavilion g4 starts at $449.99, the Pavilion g6 starts at $498 and the Pavilion g7 starts at $499. The HP Pavilion g-series is expected to be available in July.
The HP ProBook b-series starts at $679. The HP ProBook b-series is expected to be available on June 27.
The HP ProBook s-series starts at $519 and is expected to be available on June 27.

Apple and Nokia patent dispute ends with license agreement, Apple payments

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 10:08 PM PDT


It's over. The patent battle between Nokia and Apple just ended not with an injunction, but with a press release citing a license agreement and payments from Apple to Espoo. The specifics of the agreement are confidential, but Nokia does say that Apple will make a one-time payment followed by on-going royalties. So, while Nokia may be having trouble selling its zombied handsets, at least its IP portfolio can help fill the coffers during the transition to Windows Phone. Read the full press release after the break.
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Nokia enters into patent license agreement with Apple

Apple payments to Nokia settle all litigation and have positive financial impact

Espoo, Finland - Nokia announced that it has signed a patent license agreement with Apple. The agreement will result in settlement of all patent litigation between the companies, including the withdrawal by Nokia and Apple of their respective complaints to the US International Trade Commission.

The financial structure of the agreement consists of a one-time payment payable by Apple and on-going royalties to be paid by Apple to Nokia for the term of the agreement. The specific terms of the contract are confidential.

"We are very pleased to have Apple join the growing number of Nokia licensees," said Stephen Elop, president and chief executive officer of Nokia. "This settlement demonstrates Nokia's industry leading patent portfolio and enables us to focus on further licensing opportunities in the mobile communications market."

During the last two decades, Nokia has invested approximately EUR 43 billion in research and development and built one of the wireless industry's strongest and broadest IPR portfolios, with over 10,000 patent families. Nokia is a world leader in the development of handheld device and mobile communications technologies, which is also demonstrated by Nokia's strong patent position.

This agreement is expected to have a positive financial impact on Nokia's recently revised outlook for the second quarter 2011 of around break-even non-IFRS operating margin for Devices & Services.

Acer intros revamped desktops, 23-inch multitouch display for kids with ginormous dorm rooms

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 09:01 PM PDT

Last week, Acer unveiled a handful of back-to-school laptops, and today, the outfit's showing off gear for kids who've got a teensy bit more room in the dorms. The company just trotted out a pair of desktops, along with the beastly 23-inch T231H multitouch monitor. Both towers have a staid black chassis with Acer's clear.fi media streaming software on board. Of the two, the M series (pictured) is clearly for power users, with Core i3 and quad-core AMD Athlon II x4 processor options, 6GB of RAM, 1TB of hard drive space, optional discrete graphics, and a storage tray on top housing four USB 2.0 sockets and headphone and mic ports. The X series, meanwhile, has a trimmer, more compact design, and a modest spec list featuring Intel Pentium dual-core and AMD Athlon II X4 processors, 4GB of RAM, and integrated graphics. As for that 1080p display, it has an 80,000:1 contrast ratio and tilts between a 5-degree and 60-degree angle -- not unlike that swiveling HP all-in-one that came out earlier this year. They're all up for grabs now, with the M and X series starting at $500 and $398, respectively, and the monitor fetching $330. Full PR after the break.
Acer M and X series desktops

Acer T231H multitouch monitor
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ACER'S CONSUMER DESKTOP MODELS AND TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY SPORT SAVVY NEW AESTHETICS AND SMART ERGONOMICS

Acer M and X Series desktops offer power, performance and expansion in clever chassis designs; T231H 23-inch multi-touch monitor features leading technologies and easily adjusts from 5 to 60 degrees for ideal viewing and comfort

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 14, 2011 – Acer America Corp. has unveiled its new M and X Series desktops and T231H 23-inch multi-touch display that offer more power, practical features and attractive new aesthetics designed to make a versatile addition to a home office, bedroom or dorm. Consumers wanting the power of a desktop and an intuitive touch screen display to serve as a hub for fun, productivity and entertainment will appreciate Acer's latest models.

Acer's refreshed consumer desktops tout a contemporary black design with smooth lines and a glossy finish. They're available in two sizes to address specific customer needs. The M Series is built for those wanting a powerful desktop with expansion. Offering plenty of room for upgrades, it's a workhorse to leverage for years to come. Sleek and compact, the X Series is designed for those looking to conserve space. Both desktops maximize desktop real estate, while providing all the essentials for personal productivity and digital entertainment. Acer's T231H monitor is an ideal companion for computers with Windows® 7. Integrating Microsoft® Touch Pack, it frees users from their mouse by enabling them to interact directly with the PC in an intuitive and fun way.

"Our newest desktop models and touch screen display provide our customers with leading technology in very practical form factors that can serve as an entertainment center for the entire household," said Irene Chan, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. "With the power and performance to deliver beautiful visuals, excellent playback of high-def video, games and audio, they provide maximum entertainment value for years of enjoyment."

Acer M Series – Powerful Performance, Excellent Expansion
Featuring leading technology, components and performance, the new Acer M Series desktops excel at handling the most advanced applications, including rich HD entertainment. The new chassis design has a convenient storage tray on top for easy access to microphone and headphone jacks as well as four USB 2.0 ports for charging smart phones and cameras and backing up data on flash drives.

The handsome all-black Acer M Series desktops tout powerful features, including Intel® Core™ i3 or AMD Athlon™ II x4 Quad Core processors for harnessing speed and efficiency. Combined with up to 6GB DDR3 memory, these systems deliver excellent system response for multitasking and running the latest multi-threaded applications. The series also boasts large 1TB(1) SATA hard drives for archiving a vast library of applications and digital data.

Some models come with discrete graphics, delivering power and functionality for superb playback of high-definition video and games. In addition, high-definition audio with 5.1 channel surround sound delivers crystal clear acoustics for a theater-like experience from the comfort of home. The convenience of a SuperMulti optical drive is provided for movie viewing, burning DVDs and CDs of favorite music, digital photos and videos.

Plenty of expansion for upgrades is afforded by two open PCI-E x1 slots for adding a sound, graphics or RAID card and an available PCI-E x16 slot for a video card. It also has an open 3.5-inch hard disk drive slot. For connecting to a vast array of peripherals and digital devices, there are 12 total USB 2.0 ports.

The Acer M Series desktops are available with manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) beginning at $499.99.

Acer X Series – Sleek Size, Super Smart
Just one-third the size of a traditional PC, the Acer X Series desktops take up little space while providing flexibility and scalability. Perfect for home computing and entertainment, the Acer X Series desktops offer a space-saving form factor and excellent ergonomics. This series sports a mesh black finish for a contemporary look and feel. Frequently used ports, such as audio jacks, USB ports and a multi-in-one card reader, are easily accessible on the front of the machine for transferring photos, music and video from popular digital devices. They're also concealed and protected from dust and potential damage by a translucent door when not in use.

Outfitted with either Intel® Pentium™ Dual Core or AMD Athlon™ II X4 processing power and 4GB DDR3 memory, the Acer X Series delivers quick system response for fast multitasking during work and play. High-definition audio with 5.1 channel audio support brings the power of theater to the home. Up to six USB 2.0 ports are provided for connecting to printers, external storage, digital cameras and more.

A SuperMulti optical drive enables users to backup data, load software and burn discs of favorite music. The Acer X Series also offers either a 500GB(1) or 1TB(1) SATA hard drive for storing a wide collection of applications and data. Providing some room for expansion, these desktops come with open PCI-E x1 and PCI-E x16 slots.

The MSRP begins at $398.00 for the Acer X Series desktops.

Both Series – Handy, Intuitive Software
The new Acer desktops come with Windows® 7 Home Premium and Clear.fi, Acer's new media sharing system. Clear-fi automatically detects Clear.fi-enabled devices connected to the wireless home network and allows all stored digital content to be shared seamlessly using the Clear.fi media interface.

Acer T231H 23-inch Ergonomic Touch Screen
Acer's new T231H 23-inch multi-touch display is the ideal monitor to pair with Acer's desktops. Windows® 7 compatible, the T231H enables users to rotate images, flip pages, pinch and draw on the screen with simple hand gestures.

Ergonomically designed, the monitor can be tilted backward and adjusted from 5 to 60 degrees, ensuring an ideal viewing angle and maximum comfort whether simply viewing content or when using its touch capabilities. The backward tilt capability makes this display ideal for collaborative use, including working on presentations with other people, viewing maps, creating and editing photo albums as well as playing touch-based games. A specially designed hinge mechanism makes the adjustments intuitive and hassle-free. In addition, the monitor's crystal gray stand can be folded in and tucked out of sight, so the monitor can be easily mounted on a wall.

Packed with leading technologies, the T231H is perfect for today's most popular applications, such as Blu-ray Disc console gaming and widescreen cinematic playback. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution makes it perfect for advanced 1080p full HD gaming, and its HDMI interface delivers the highest-quality video and audio currently available. DVI input maximizes connectivity quality between the monitor and other digital sources, such as PC graphics cards and High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) support that allow playing of full-quality DRM-protected entertainment. And with a 50,000:1 contrast ratio and rapid 2ms response time, it delivers a high level of clarity and detail for stunning picture quality.

Available now, the MSRP for the Acer T231H is $329.99.

AMD's Fusion A-Series chips official: 10.5-hour battery life, DirectX 11 graphics, and USB 3.0 support (video)

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 08:43 PM PDT

AMD's Llano platform has been on our radar for more than two years, and finally, the company has come clean with its latest class of hybrid CPU / GPU chips, officially dubbed the Fusion A-Series. Unlike the low-power flavor of Fusion accelerated processing units already on the market, these 32-nanometer APUs were designed with desktops and mainstream laptops in mind, taking direct aim at Intel's Core 2011 processors with the promise of superior processing and discrete-level graphics, and 10-plus hours of battery life.

Aside from the assorted performance and battery life claims the company is making (much more on that in a moment), what this means is that as far as laptops go, AMD is completely stepping away from the standalone-CPU-plus-GPU paradigm. But, the company will still make dedicated Radeon cards, which can be coupled with an APU for a 75 percent boost in graphics performance -- a setup AMD is calling "Dual Graphics." All told, these chips measure just 228 square millimeters. To put this in context, check out the gallery of hands-on shots below, featuring the A-series next to a standalone CPU, discrete graphics card, and, for the sake of scale, the kind of low-power Fusion chip introduced back at CES.

A-Series-equipped PCs are already shipping, and AMD says we can expect to see at least 150 of them this year. That sounds promising indeed, but we've still got lots of technical details to rehash. Head on past the break for the full spill on what these APUs pledge to do, along with a video of AMD senior product marketing manager Raymond Dumbeck showing off some A-series laptops in action.
AMD Fusion A Series hands-on

The A-Series includes seven laptop APUs across three families, and offers up to 4MB of cache, and clock speeds as high as 1.9GHz in the dual-core A4 chips -- up to 2.5 GHz if you take into account AMD's Turbo Core technology. These chips are also stereoscopic 3D-capable, and support USB 3.0, DirectX 11, OpenCL / OpenGL, AMD Wireless Display, and both 1600MHz DDR3 and low-power 1333MHz DDR3L memory.

Like we said, AMD isn't shying away from direct comparisons with Intel's Sandy Bridge CPUs. The APUs promise more than ten and a half hours of resting battery life with the help of power gating, and AMD makes the pointed claim that its quad-core A8-3510MX APU can last more than three and a half hours longer than a dual-core Core i5-2410M processor. And the explicit one-upmanship doesn't end there. AMD also says that its dual-core A4 chips will compete with Core i3 CPUs, with the quad-core A6 going after i3 and i5, and the quad-core A8 taking on i5 and i7. Systems with the A4, A6, and A8 chips are expected to start around $499, $599, and $699, respectively.

Graphics-wise, the A-Series has up to 400 shader cores, depending on the model, and ushers in two additions to AMD's Vision Engine: AMD Perfect Picture HD, which cleans up 1080p video post-processing, and AMD Steady Video, which compensates for camera shake in movies. As you can imagine, we're impatiently waiting to get our first A-Series laptop in to review so that we can test all these claims, but until then, get your fill of details with the chart, PR, and video below.

Model x86 cores L2 cache
 Shader cores Clock speed (base/max) GPU clock speed
A4-3300M Dual-core 2MB 240 1.9GHz/2.5GHz 444MHz
A4-3310MX Dual-core 2MB 240 2.1GHz/2.5GHz 444MHz
A6-3400M Quad-core 4MB 320 1.4GHz/2.3GHz 400MHz
A6-3410MX Quad-core 4MB 320 1.6GHz/2.3GHz 400MHz
A8-3500M Quad-core 4MB 400 1.5GHz/2.4GHz 444MHz
A8-3510MX Quad-core 4MB 400 1.8GHz/2.5GHz 444MHz
A8-3530MX Quad-core 4MB 400 1.9GHz/2.6GHz 444MHz

Model Radeon graphics TDP Max DDR3/DDR3L
A4-3300M HD 6480G 35W 1333MHz/1333MHZ
A4-3310MX HD 6480G 45W 1333MHz/1333MHZ
A6-3400M HD 6520G 35W 1333MHz/1333MHZ
A6-3410MX HD 6520G 45W 1600MHz/1333MHz
A8-3500M HD 6620G 35W 1333MHz/1333MHZ
A8-3510MX HD 6620G 45W 1600MHz/1333MHz
A8-3530MX HD 6620G 45W 1600MHz/1333MHz


Show full PR text
AMD Ushers in Next Generation of Computing with AMD A-Series APUs
New AMD Fusion APUs enable brilliant graphics, supercomputer-like performance and all day battery life
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - June 14, 2011 - AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the next generation in mainstream consumer computing with the availability of the new high-performance AMD Fusion A-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs). Enabling truly immersive computing experiences in consumer notebooks and desktops, the AMD A-Series APUs enable brilliant HD graphics, supercomputer-like performance and over 10.5 hours of battery life.

In an increasingly digital and visually oriented world, consumers are placing ever-higher priorities on multitasking, vivid graphics, lifelike games, lag-free videos, and ultimate multimedia performance. To meet these needs, the AMD A-Series APUs combine up to four x86 CPU cores with powerful DirectX®11-capable discrete-level graphics and up to 400 RadeonTM cores along with dedicated HD video processing on a single chip. AMD A-Series APUs also allow for advanced capabilities such as gestural interfaces, multi- monitor support, 3D entertainment and real-time image stabilization.

"The AMD A-Series APU represents an inflection point for AMD and is perhaps the industry's biggest architectural change since the invention of the microprocessor," said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, AMD Products Group. "It heralds the arrival of brilliant all-new computing experiences, and enables unprecedented graphics and video performance in notebooks and PCs. Beginning today we are bringing discrete-class graphics to the mainstream."

The AMD A-Series APUs (previously codenamed "Llano") are currently shipping and scheduled to appear in more than 150 notebooks and desktopsiv from leading OEMs throughout the second quarter of 2011 and beyond. Delivering powerful serial and parallel computing capabilities for HD video, 3D rendering and data-intensive workloads in a single-die processor, the AMD A-Series APUs offer software developers unprecedented power and potential in an ever smaller package.

AMD AllDay Power: Battery Life that Lasts
The AMD A-Series APU delivers the power to match how consumers actually use their PCs: all day – without sacrificing performance. Delivering more than 10.5 hours of resting battery life – a more than 50 percent increase compared to the 2010 AMD Mainstream Platform – users can get their work done or watch multiple HD movies on a single chargev. Additionally, AMD dynamic switchable graphics optimize battery life on PCs featuring AMD dual-graphics solutions by intelligently managing power states on the APU and separate discrete AMD RadeonTM GPU.

"The battery life of the AMD A-Series APU is a huge leap forward and will surprise many consumers and commercial customers," said Chris Cloran, Vice President and General Manager, Client Division, AMD. "And the supercomputer-like performance will give people some revolutionary capabilities, like real-time image stabilization –taking out all the shakes and jitters in those hand-held videos on the fly, while you're watching."

Brilliant HD: Every Pixel Matters
People are making, sharing and enjoying more digital content than ever on their PCs, and the AMD VISION Engine - cutting-edge hardware and software featured with every AMD A-Series APU that automatically helps digital content like videos, games and photos look their best. HD video is crystal clear through dedicated video playback technology and dynamic post- processing, and websites render faster with accelerated HTML5 and Direct2D performance. Editing, transferring and viewing HD content is fast and easy with support for advanced connection standards, including HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.1, and USB 3.0, along with native support for multiple monitors.

Also introduced with the AMD A-Series APU is a new feature called AMD Steady Videovi designed to stabilize videos during playback – making unsteady, jumpy content look steady and smooth. The AMD A-Series APU can also enables advanced capabilities like gestural interfaces, 3D gaming and 3D Blu-ray video entertainment – features that are now key to consumer PC experiences and expectations.

Every PC built with an AMD A-Series APU delivers brilliant HD by offering discrete-class DirectX 11-capable graphics – with models available at virtually every price point. Only AMD Fusion APUs offer true AMD Dual Graphics, with up to 75 percent graphics performance boost, when paired with an AMD RadeonTM discrete graphics cardvii. This faster, higher-quality, more vivid and lifelike delivery makes consumers feel fully present in their digital world, especially when gaming.

Personal Supercomputing: Ultimate Performance
Consumers are doing more than ever before with their PCs – from work to play – and with the AMD A-Series APU, even their laptops can keep up, delivering next generation parallel processing. With up to 400 gigaflops for notebook, and up to 500 gigaflops for desktopsviii, AMD A-Series APUs ensure users have the horsepower needed to handle the most demanding applications such as video and image processing, facial recognition, gesture recognition and multitasking scenarios. For the most challenging environments, AMD Fusion A-Series APUs offer AMD Turbo Core Technology, which dynamically optimizes and boosts CPU and GPU performance to power- efficient levels depending on the applications being run.

The Growing AMD Fusion Ecosystem
AMD has seen great momentum in the software developer community since the launch of AMD Fusion APUs in January 2011, with more than 50 leading applications now accelerated by the family of AMD Fusion APUs and advanced browsers like Internet Explorer 9 delivering even more immersive, next generation web experiences when running on an AMD Fusion APU- powered PC. And, the inaugural AMD Fusion Developer Summit, running now through June 16 in Seattle, Washington, is providing a forum for developers, academics and innovators to collaborate around parallel programming and industry standards, like OpenCLTM, helping the software ecosystem build on the promise of the latest computing methodologies.

Swype 3.0 gets Honeycomb support, intense promo video (video)

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 08:01 PM PDT

Swype: Get to da choppa
The folks at Swype sure know how to get our attention. The Android keyboard app has always inspired us to get a bit dramatic, but we had no idea that predictive text and moveable QWERTY pads were this intense. To celebrate the beta release of Swype 3.0 it appears the company hired Doug Liman (or at least some one who has studied the Bourne Identity very closely) to whip up a promo video. Enjoy the thrills of a resizable input area! Be wowed by the Honeycomb support! Get stunned by the auto-correct! Oh, and don't forget to head after the break to watch the clip.

More iOS 5 features get their moment in the beta testing sun

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 07:02 PM PDT

Steve Jobs and co. showed off all kinds of cool new features during the debut of iOS 5 at WWDC earlier this month. We had the chance to take a few of them for a spin, when we tested the beta build of the mobile operating system, and now that more and more folks have tried their hand at iOS 5, more and more features are getting their turn to shine. Here's a list of some of the cooler ones we've seen in the last few weeks.
  • Apple has added the ability to make FaceTime calls over 3G -- though rumor has it that this may be a beta-only feature, which carriers can choose to disable, over obvious data usage concerns.
  • AirPlay Mirroring has been shown off. The feature lets users display video from an iPad 2 on an HDTV, by way of Apple TV, for those times when you just can't keep your tablet content to yourself. (Read)
  • The new software also offers up the ability to sync 1080p video to iOS 5 devices, opening the door to speculation that future iPads and iPhones may be able to play back content at full 1080p. (Read)
  • Like to play your iTunes over your car stereo? Good news, iOS 5 will transfer audio information like album, track, and artist names over Bluetooth. (Read)

[Thanks to everyone who sent in tips]

Nintendo finally sells millionth 3DS unit in Japan, lives in the shadow of older brother

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 06:17 PM PDT

A million in (Japanese) sales is a far cry from failure, but even big daddy Satoru Iwata admits the 3DS isn't quite living up to expectations. Nintendo's tenderfoot handheld finally hit the mark after 13 weeks, a snail's pace when compared to the original dual-screen wunderkind, which reportedly made the grade in a mere four. The 3DS' predecessors will undoubtedly forgive it for being a late bloomer, it's the competition it ought to worry about; the PSP sold its first million in about seven weeks. The 3DS could still plow its way to the top -- but with the PlayStation Vita looming large on the horizon, and the fledgling handheld having already lost a round the PSV's predecessor, Nintendo could be in for a rough ride.

Panasonic plans to expand GF line, return to serious shooter roots

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 05:33 PM PDT

Panasonic GF3
We know some of you have been a little disappointed in Panasonic's GF line of Micro Four Thirds cams as they've shed advanced features and become more "consumer friendly" -- terrifying words for any serious user to hear. But, we've got some good news, at some point in the future the GF line will split with a more professionally-minded model sold alongside the more simplistic GF3. That's straight from the mouth of Ichiro Kitao, the head of Panasonic's camera division, who spoke to PhotoRadar about the company's plans. When the GF1 will finally get a spiritual successor isn't exactly clear, but we're glad to hear the pocketable Micro Four Thirds series will finally get another serious shooter.

Motorola Televation turns cable TV into IPTV streams for the whole home

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 04:53 PM PDT

Motorola's latest wares are on display at the 2011 Cable Show (we suspect the sluggish cable boxes actually in service right now are rarely mentioned) including this "Live Streaming Device" aka Televation. Functioning as a cable company provided, in-home-only Slingbox, it transcodes the MPEG-2 TV broadcasts into MPEG-4 IP streams for viewing on other devices (Android or iOS tablets, IP-connected TVs, etc) that are on the same local network at whatever bitrate or resolution they can handle. Motorola figures this cuts out legal disputes like those encircling Time Warner's TWCable TV iPad app since it uses existing TV broadcasts. Collaborating on the project were engineers from Comcast, which could make for an existing branch on its existing plans for new boxes, IPTV, and mobile apps. Sling / Echostar has been trying to crack the cable box market with its more flexible solution for years and is expected to announce the new Aria platform tomorrow, so may the best platform -- and not just the one with the cheapest / sweetest deal for the cable company -- win.

Show full PR text
Motorola Mobility Introduces Live Streaming Device For All the Other Screens in the Home

The new Motorola Televation™ product securely streams subscription TV to IP devices connected to the home Wi-Fi network

June 13, 2011

CHICAGO, Ill – June 13, 2011 – Motorola Mobility Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced the availability of Motorola Televation™, a broadband device that works with a Wi-Fi router to allow consumers to watch live TV on a connected IP device anywhere around the home, whether they are preparing food in the kitchen or relaxing in the backyard.

According to Motorola's 2010 Media Engagement Barometer research, Americans watch an average of 21 hours of video content a week and about 86 percent pay for TV service. Furthermore, in May 2011, Motorola conducted focus groups with consumers in the New York and Los Angeles metro markets. In many cases, consumers liked the idea of watching live TV somewhere other than a traditional family room and felt it would allow them to spend more time with loved ones if they had the ability to watch different programs in the same room.

"Consumers love entertainment, and want easy access to TV no matter where they are in the home. Coupled with the explosive popularity of tablet devices, this represents a terrific opportunity for MSOs to increase customer satisfaction while generating new revenue," said John Burke, senior vice president and general manager, Converged Experiences, Motorola Mobility. "Televation gives our customers the ability to launch a new service that puts innovation back into TV, enabling their subscribers to enjoy TV beyond the TV."

Televation employs a 1GHz digital tuner and CableCard to access broadcast TV channels directly from a coax outlet. The device has a high-performance transcoder that translates programming in real-time from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, as well as changing resolution and bit rate to match the capabilities of the consumer's viewing device while maintaining excellent picture quality. The device has an Ethernet jack to plug directly into the home Wi-Fi router so the TV show can be wirelessly streamed over IP to any device connected to the home network. To keep the programming secure while it is being streamed, and to preserve the digital rights associated with the program, Televation utilizes Motorola's SecureMedia IPRM-HN technology. IPRM-HN has been approved by both CableLabs and the DTLA (Digital Transmission Licensing Administrator), giving content owners peace of mind that their valuable asset remains safe.

Motorola provides Software Development Kits (SDKs) for both Android and iOS development environments, so customers can easily develop client applications that enable the subscriber to navigate, discover and select the show they want to watch. Motorola also provides a reference client application for tablet devices that can be easily branded, giving customers an alternative to developing their own application. Motorola worked closely with engineers at Comcast Innovation Labs to develop Televation.

"Motorola shares our focus on developing innovative consumer entertainment experiences, and we're pleased to have been able to work with them on Televation," said Tony Werner, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Comcast. "As the digital home continues to evolve, Televation is one of many tools that MSOs can use to give consumers a more portable TV experience in the home so they can watch anytime and anywhere."

As the developer of the Motorola XOOM™, the award winning tablet powered by Android, and Televation, Motorola is uniquely positioned to provide converged experiences that empower people to enjoy their favorite content where and when they want. Televation will be showcased at the 2011 Cable Show in Motorola's booth #609 and in the Comcast booth #1201, June 14-16, in Chicago, IL.

For more information about Motorola Televation, please visit here.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE:MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Metamaterial printing method inches us closer to invisibility cloaks

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 04:27 PM PDT

MetamaterialIn theory, metamaterials are all kinds of awesome -- they can boost antenna strength, focus lasers, and create invisibility cloaks. But, they've been limited to day dreams lab experiments because producing the light-interfering materials in any practical quantity has been difficult and time consuming. John Rogers, a professor at the University of Illinois has figured out a way to print a layered, nano-scale mesh that bends near-infrared light in much larger amounts than previously possible. The new method, based around a plastic stamp, has been used to create sheets of metamaterial measuring a few square inches, but Rogers is confident he can scale it up to several feet. Who knows, by the time the second installment of The Deathly Hallows hits theaters in July you could get the best Harry Potter costume -- one that lets you sneak in without shelling out $13.

[Thanks, Plum G.]

Samsung Galaxy Tab spreads wings, flies to premium seats on American Airlines

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 03:42 PM PDT

http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/13/samsung-galaxy-tab-spreads-wings-flies-to-premium-seats-on-amer/

Move on over, Delta. The 200 iPads at your JFK terminal may entertain some folks waiting to board, but before the year's out American Airlines will start switching out 6,000 in-flight entertainment systems with Samsung 10.1-inch Galaxy Tabs. Sammy will be customizing the Honeycomb slates with flight related "features" including AA's streaming service mentioned last month, and possibly even adding "expanded memory" for the devices -- no word on how, though. Panasonic's console has some competition it seems. It's notable that these will only be available in "premium cabins" on a handful of long-distance routes, and unless you're flying in a 767-200, WiFi access -- a separate purchase, by the way -- may not be available. We've embedded some PR with the details for all you jet-setting tablet enthusiasts after the break.


Show full PR text
Samsung Mobile Seals Landmark Agreement with American Airlines to Provide Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 for Premium Class In-Flight Entertainment

American Airlines Becomes First North American Airline to Feature Branded Tablets Onboard by Ordering the World's Thinnest Mobile Tablet Currently Available

DALLAS, June 13, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.[1], today announced that American Airlines will offer Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 mobile tablets for premium class in-flight entertainment.

"Earlier this month we made history by launching the world's thinnest large screen tablet currently available and today we unveil another first with American Airlines' selection of the Galaxy Tab 10.1," said Dale Sohn, President of Samsung Mobile.

American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, plans to deploy 6,000 of the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices onboard select flights beginning later this year. The tablets will replace the airline's current personal entertainment device in American's premium cabins on transcontinental flights between New York's JFK and Los Angeles, JFK and San Francisco, and Miami and Los Angeles served with 767-200 and 767-300 aircraft; international flights to and from Europe and South America served with 767-300 aircraft; and transcontinental flights departing from Boston to Los Angeles served with 757 aircraft.

"Our engagement with American Airlines further illustrates the growing interest and demand we're seeing from enterprise customers for the Samsung Galaxy portfolio," said Tim Wagner, vice president and general manager of enterprise sales for Samsung Mobile. "As we continue to grow our enterprise customer base, we're committed to empowering a connected mobile workforce and enabling leading companies like American Airlines to enhance their customers' experience by providing world-class entertainment and enterprise-ready devices."

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 combines the Android platform, ultra-slim, lightweight design, a brilliant 10-inch touchscreen and array of applications enhancing the in-flight entertainment experience for travelers onboard American Airlines.

"Through our agreement with Samsung, American is the first North American airline to offer a branded tablet onboard its aircraft," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer. "We are working hard to revitalize our fleet and invest wisely in new products and services to modernize and enhance the travel experience. Working with Samsung to outfit our premium cabins with the innovative Galaxy Tab will give our premium customers a modern and innovative in-flight entertainment experience."

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a WiFi-enabled tablet that measures at just 8.6 millimeters slim, making it the thinnest large screen tablet currently available in the world. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is powered by the Android™ 3.1 (Honeycomb) platform, offering faster and smoother transitions between different applications, more intuitive navigation to and from home screens and broader support of USB accessories, external keyboards, joysticks and gamepads. Samsung will customize the Galaxy Tab for American's in-flight entertainment needs, including the addition of expanded memory.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WiFi edition is currently available exclusively at the Best Buy Union Square location in New York City. Starting June 17, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available nationwide. Visit www.samsung.com and www.aa.com for additional details.

1 Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q1 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2010 consolidated sales of US$135.8 billion. Employing approximately 190,500 people in 206 offices across 68 countries, the company consists of eight independently operated business units: Visual Display, Mobile Communications, Telecommunication Systems, Digital Appliances, IT Solutions, Digital Imaging, Semiconductor and LCD. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, semiconductor chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own.Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR). Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.

MSI's SteelSeries keyboard-equipped GT780R, GX780 gaming laptops now available

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 03:01 PM PDT

MSI managed to turn a few heads back in April by building a gaming laptop around SteelSeries keyboard with its GX780, and it's now announced that both it and the higher-end GT780R model are available with a list price of $1,550 and $1,750, respectively. In addition to that multicolor backlit keyboard, both models pack a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 display, a Core i7 2630QM processor, a pair of USB 3.0 ports (plus three USB 2.0), 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive. So what's the difference between the two? The big one is GeForce GTX 560M graphics with 1.5GB of GDDR5 RAM on the GT780R, compared to a GT555M with 1GB DDR5 of VRAM on the GX780. Head on past the break for the complete press release, and hit up either Amazon or Newegg if you're ready to place an order (both seem to have knocked $100 of MSI's price).
Show full PR text
MSI Ships New 17" Gaming Laptops with Lethal Combination of Graphics, Power and Design

GT780R and GX780 feature rugged gaming aesthetic and illuminating performance with the latest NVIDIA graphics, a full color SteelSeries keyboard and authentic fidelity Dynaudio speakers for a superior gaming experience

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. – June 13, 2011 – MSI Computer Corp., a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, today announced the first North American shipment of the GT780R and the GX780, two gaming notebooks with keyboards expertly designed in partnership with global leading gaming peripherals manufacturer SteelSeries. The notebooks combine brilliant graphics from the latest NVIDIA© GeForce© graphics processors, along with the second-generation Intel® Core™ i7 Processor, to create a sleek new design with ultimate power that outperforms the competition.

"Serious gamers understand that not all notebooks are created equally," said Andy Tung, vice president of sales, MSI US. "The GT780R and GX780 are built specifically for gamers, with a professionally-designed keyboard, plus top-of-the-line graphics and processing power from NVIDIA and Intel."

MSI constructed the 17.3-inch GT780R and GX780 notebooks with invincible gaming hardware optimized for gaming, including:

· SteelSeries Full Color Backlit Keyboard: Expertly designed together with the gaming gurus at SteelSeries, this keyboard features several exclusive gaming designs for ultimate gaming control. Enjoy perfect hand positioning with keys that never get in the way, and a rugged keyboard that offers solid feedback while you slay your enemies. The Power 10 key solution can support 10 keys typing simultaneously so every keystroke counts. And the multicolor LED backlit keyboard features 5 programmable modes so you can sync the color and rhythm of the backlighting to suit your game.
· NVIDIA® GeForce® Graphics: NVIDIA GPUs provide realistic and immersive graphics for both notebooks. The GT780R features NVIDIA's newest GeForce GTX 560M with 1.5GB GDDR5 of high-end, large-capacity display memory for superior performance and vivid graphics. The GX780 boasts NVIDIA's GeForce GT555M with 1GB DDR5 VRAM.
· 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM Processor: The newest energy-efficient processor from Intel supports Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which allocates processor resources to boost core clock speeds and overall performance. Both notebooks boast core clock speeds of 2.00 GHz.
· Sleek New Design: This sleek black notebook features a stylish, brushed aluminum textured body that is sophisticated and subtle. The notebook's modern design compliments the bold stylings of the backlit keyboard.
· 17-Inch Full HD Screen: No gamer can tolerate a small screen, and the GT780R and GX780 notebooks feature a bold, 17.3-inch HD screen with an anti-reflective coating. Enjoy 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 16:9 display ratio for a clear and realistic image rendering.
· MSI's Exclusive Turbo Drive Engine (TDE) Technology: TDE provides a boost in graphics performance to accelerate video decoding and add extra excitement to your gaming.
· USB 3.0: These notebooks feature a plethora of ports so you can customize your setup and achieve the quickest data transfers. With two USB 3.0 ports and three USB 2.0 ports, you're ready to roll.
· Dynaudio Speakers with THX Surround Sound: No gaming experience is complete without booming audio, and MSI collaborated with Dynaudio to build the highest quality speakers plus a built-in subwoofer. Enjoy cinema-quality surround sound with THX TruStudio PRO™.

The new GT780R and has an MSRP of $1,749.99 and the GX780 at $1,549.99. Both models will be available on Newegg and Amazon.com.

For detailed specification and purchasing options, please visit http://www.msimobile.com.

SugarSync adds mobile device management, lets you push digital delights directly to iOS (video)

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 02:45 PM PDT


Apple's iOS is great at displaying content already on a device, but transferring documents from your computer to your iPhone or iPad has traditionally been a tedious, inefficient process. SugarSync's new mobile device management sets out to help change that, allowing you to send files directly to your smartphone or tablet using a simple web interface. After selecting a connected device from the sidebar, you can click to upload content, booting it directly to your handheld. A push notification will appear, prompting you to download any or all of the files you uploaded, which will also remain in the cloud -- so you'll be able to access files synched with the SugarSync app from the Web, even when your device is offline. The feature is rolling out for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch this week, and will be available for Android and BlackBerry soon. It looks like the concept of emailing documents to yourself just to access them on the go is about to follow iTunes sync and tethered updates to a permanent group home in the sky.

$99 Etymotic mc2 earbuds claim market-beating noise isolation, full platform ambivalence

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 02:23 PM PDT

Etymotic specializes in putting inexpensive moving coil drivers inside noise-isolating buds that can, as an optional upgrade, be individually molded via the company's international "Custom-fit" program. Previous models have been iDevice only, at least in terms of their microphone function and button controls, but the new mc2 should also get along happily with Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, WebOS and Symbian smartphones and tablets. It's due for release by the end of the week for $99, which will buy you noise isolation up to a claimed market-beating 42dB, 8mm (0.3-inch) dual-magnet neodymium drivers, an all-important mic and an assortment of ear tips -- Custom-fit costs extra, and substantially so. Listen carefully and you might just hear the PR after the break squeaking for your attention.
Show full PR text
Etymotic Debuts mc2 Headset for BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile Devices

Now, Any Smartphone or Tablet User Can Enjoy Best-in-Class Sound Quality, Comfort and Noise Isolation

CHICAGO, June 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Etymotic Research (www.etymotic.com), an innovator in hearing wellness solutions and the inventor of in-ear technology, today announced the launch of the mc2 universal noise-isolating headset + earphones. Building on the success of the company's mc3 three-button headset for iPhone and iPod touch, the mc2 delivers the same high-accuracy sound, easy control and comfortable fit to users of any smartphone or tablet, including BlackBerry, Android and Windows Mobile devices. The mc2 is priced at $99 MSRP and will be available for purchase at InMotion, Microsoft stores, Amazon.com, Etymotic.com, and other retailers in time for Father's Day.

Like all Etymotic headset and earphone products, the mc2 can be customized through the company's CUSTOM-FIT program for personalized earmolds that provide a perfect fit.


Etymotic's in-ear technology brings to all of the company's earphones and headsets the perfect balance of sound quality and hearing protection. The mc2 joins the company's well-received hf2 product, also engineered to work with non-Apple devices. Now, users of any device have a range of premium priced performance options for listening enjoyment
.
"The proliferation of new devices is driving demand for best-in-class sound solutions at all price points that work with any device," said Mark Karnes, managing director of consumer products at Etymotic. "With the mc2, we are bringing the highest level of sound accuracy, noise isolation, and control to the RIM, Android, and Windows Mobile operating systems to complement our long record of success developing products for Apple devices."

Etymotic's mc2 delivers a host of control and sound features to smartphone and tablet users, including:

• Highly accurate sound reproduction
• High noise isolation, up to 42 dB
• Best comfort, with CUSTOM-FIT option
• Accu·Chamber™ technology
• 8 mm dual-magnet moving coil driver
• Accu·Location™ omni-directional microphone with a universal multifunction control
• Two-year warranty

About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is leading the way through all of its company efforts to educate, advocate, protect, enhance and provide the enjoyment of the listening experience for consumers at all ages and stages of life worldwide. For more information about Etymotic, its hearing wellness mission and its products, please visit www.etymotic.com.

Rotobot mice: the best use of typewriter keys since the typewriter

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 02:01 PM PDT

These fully-functional wireless Rotobot mice from designer Aaron Ristau will make you look seriously cultivated when people drop by your apartment. In our eyes, that means they officially join the esteemed ranks of typewriter-themed Works of Art, but unfortunately it also means they cost $180 -- which might be hard to stomach when you realize that each one is just a non-ergonomically modded $25 Logitech M305. Hey-ho, everybody needs at least one peripheral to be their geeky equivalent to good cutlery. And no, that CSR Elite in the cupboard doesn't count.

Researchers shield implants from hackers with wireless charm of protection

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 01:39 PM PDT

Pacemaker shieldEverything can be hacked -- that's an important detail to keep in mind as we start cramming wireless radios into our bodies attached to medical implants. Researchers have been working on ways to protect devices like pacemakers from ne'er-do-wells looking to cause, not just e-harm, but physical injury or even death. A new system developed jointly by MIT and UMass is much more sophisticated that earlier solutions, can be used with existing implants, and is worn outside the body allowing it to be removed in the event of an emergency. The shield, as it's called, acts as a sort of medical firewall, protecting implants from unauthorized access -- doctors send encrypted instructions to it which are decoded and relayed to device, while it blocks any signals not using the secret key. All that's left to do is figure out what sort of person would mess with someone's defibrillator.

NEC makes content addressable memory that takes data deposits sans power, RAM green with envy

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 01:11 PM PDT

Wouldn't it be great if system memory was super speedy like RAM and non-volatile like flash? Well, NEC and Tohoku University's new content addressable memory (CAM) has accomplished the trick -- it promises five-nanosecond retrieval speeds equal to sticks of DDR3 1600 and can store data even when the power's off. Spintronics logic is what makes the magic happen by setting the spin direction of electrons and using their interaction with magnetic forces to store bits of data. Those spinning attributes are then kept on the circuit even when there's no electricity flowing. The catch? This new CAM big -- 90nm compared to the 30nm DRAM currently available -- despite the fact it's half the size of previous CAM chips, and NEC's not telling how quickly it can write data. Of course, the tech is still in its developmental stages, so we won't getting its zero-power standby mode and instant-on capabilities in our gadgets for some time. PR after the break.
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NEC Develops the World's First Content Addressable Memory That Stores Data Without Using Power

Priya Lopes on 06 13, 2011

Tokyo – NEC Corporation (NEC) and Tohoku University announced today the development of the world's first content addressable memory (CAM) (*1) that both maintains the same high operation speed and non-volatile operation as existing circuits when processing and storing data on a circuit while power is off.

NEC's new CAM is a part of spintronics logic integrated circuit technologies that utilize the negative properties of electrons together with the spin magnetic moment (*2). The new CAM utilizes the vertical magnetization of vertical domain wall elements (*3) in reaction to magnetic substances in order to enable data that is processing within the CAM to be stored on a circuit without using power. This contrasts to conventional technologies that required data to be stored within memory. As a result, data can be saved on circuits even when power is cut from the CAM.

In recent years, the use of ICT equipment has steadily increased due to the widespread growth of cloud computing. Most existing equipment requires a short amount of time to get started and internal circuits remain active when the equipment is in standby mode. Therefore, the growing consumption of power by ICT equipment in standby mode has become a serious concern.

Use of the new CAM in combination with existing nonvolatile memory is related to greater non-volatility of CPU for electronics and other storage devices. Furthermore, use of this new CAM enables the development of electronics that start instantly and consume zero electricity while in standby mode.

Key features of these newly developed technologies are as follows:

High-speed data retrieval
In order for CAM to be both nonvolatile and maintain a high speed, two spintronics devices, spinning in opposite directions to one another, were connected within the same cell. In terms of constructing the circuit, writing is done once by connecting two devices in a series using recently developed three pin particles that separate the current path into writing and reading.
This new process enables cells to become more compact since the number of writing switches per element is reduced by one. Moreover, the new CAM achieve the same level of high-speed data retrieval as current CMOS based CAM that feature 5ns and low power consumption of 9.4mW.

Approximately half the circuit area in comparison to existing technologies
In addition to the vertical domain wall element can connect in series by separating the route of current into reading and writing, the newly developed CAM circuit technologies can reduce the number of transistors from eight to three in every two cells by sharing transistors. This results in a 50% CAM area reduction.

NEC developed nonvolatile particles aiming for both greater convenience and energy conservation. Additionally, NEC and Tohoku University developed a simulation technology for a circuit diagram including spintronics particles in parallel with designing technologies for massively large integrated circuits for developments involving the most advanced spintronics logic integrated circuits.

Looking forward, NEC and Tohoku University will continue to drive the latest developments of integrated circuits that capitalize on spintronics technology.

NEC and Tohoku University will announce their latest results on June 17 at VLSI Circuit Symposium 2011 (June 13-17, Kyoto).

This research was supported by JSPS through its FIRST Program. (R&D of Ultra-low Power Spintronics-based VLSIs, PI: Hideo Ohno).(*4)

Notes:
(*1) Content Addressable Memory (CAM):

CAM is a fast data retrieval circuit where memory and comparison circuits are combined. This compares to conventional memory where data retrieval takes place by addresses within the memory.
(*2)

A small magnetic disposition which electron has negative charged particle.
(*3)

The most optimized element in terms of structure and material for circuits to create magnetization through small magnets positioned vertically to the current. NEC has developed these technologies as a part of the NEDO "Spintroics nonvolatile function technology" project. Devices have been modified for logic integrated circuits.
(*4)

Microsoft job listing hints at annual Windows Phone updates

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 12:46 PM PDT

From the looks of it, a job posting on Microsoft's career site has informally confirmed that Windows Phone is on track to receive "major yearly releases." The idea of pushing a hefty Mango-sized package of features to its phones once a year shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as both iOS and Android aim for the same goal, but it's nice to see that the folks in Redmond have a good feel on exactly where the platform is headed. Now, update fans need not be worried about refreshes only coming once a year; the listing asks for someone to head up work on minor amendments in between these releases, which means we should look forward to NoDo-style maintenance updates on a regular basis. Or it could all amount to absolutely nothing. Your move, Ballmer. Your move. Head to the source link for the job listing.
at 11:26 AM

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