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- AMD Llano desktop APU gets reviewed: the best integrated graphics in town
- Hanako 2 robot acts like a human dental patient, makes us say 'aah' (video)
- Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it
- Microsoft: European cloud data may not be immune to the Patriot Act
- Sprint updating the Samsung Galaxy Tab with Gingerbread on July 5
- Apple Thunderbolt cable gutted, a dozen other things found within
- Samsung announces 32GB microSD card capable of 12MBps write speeds
- Nokia shutters online and retail stores in UK, US web store
- Moto mysteries abound: Droid HD posts to Flickr, new blurry cam pics
- VeriFone's new Payware Mobile Enterprise for Tablets looks a little Square
- Wii Cyberbike gives you a workout, costs more than the system itself
- Olympus PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 hands-on
- HTC Eternity leaked: 1.5GHz processor, 4.7-inch display, front-facing camera
- Google+ for Android app (hands-on)
- Sony intros G-Series micro HiFi iPhone / iPod systems, blends retro looks with modern features
- LED Moon shines message of hope, no dark side to see
- HP TouchPad torn asunder, no palms found hiding within
- Acer announces Aspire One Happy 2 netbook for the US market, shows its commitment to pastels
- HP TouchPad going on sale in UK on July 15th starting at £399
- Roku 2 HD struts its stuff in the wild along with a new remote
- MacBook in short supply, stirs rumors of imminent refresh, rebirth of white plastic?
- 1996 Corvette converted into a 2011 electric odyssey (video)
- Skype 2.0 brings two-way video calling to Nexus S, Desire S, Xperia Neo and Xperia Pro
- Wimbledon NetMix lets you turn down on-court grunts in favor of staid commentary
- Nokia's N950 demos MeeGo Harmattan in marathon video
- HTC EVO 3D gets Netflix under the table courtesy of EVO 4G's APK
- Yamaha's TNR-i app lights up iOS with its musical stylings, dashing looks
- Best Buy sucks at product recognition: Wireless Keyboard for TouchPad, iPad sold separately
- Specific Media buys MySpace, already has one friend named Tom
- Olympus reveals PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 interchangeable lens cameras
- US Army testing haptic belt that nudges soldiers in the right direction
- IBM develops 'instantaneous' memory, 100x faster than flash
- Game Gear mod has five-inch screen, rechargable batteries, two pounds worth of memories
- Olympus E-PM1's petite frame outed before launch
- Google+ users can now send email invites, brag about being into the service before it was cool
- Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Velocity Micro -- sound familiar?
- Panasonic Lumix GF3: sample photos and video
- Samsung Galaxy S II gets official for Canada on Bell, Virgin Mobile and SaskTel
- HP TouchPad review
- Windows Phone Mango ripe for developers to sink their teeth into
| AMD Llano desktop APU gets reviewed: the best integrated graphics in town Posted: 30 Jun 2011 11:00 AM PDT  However, the superlatives quickly evaporated once reviewers shifted their focus to the CPU. TechReport spotted that pure CPU performance per dollar was actually lower than what you'd get from a lowly i3. Moreover, it reckoned you'd only have to spend an extra $70 to buy a much more powerful CPU and a separate graphics card -- an option that comes "awfully close to making the A8-3850 seem irrelevant." Ouch. Nevertheless, if an affordable processor with integrated graphics is what you're after, then it's fair to say this one sets the standard. Click the source links below for full reviews. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanako 2 robot acts like a human dental patient, makes us say 'aah' (video) Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:43 AM PDT  No, she's not in a state of shock, nor is she hunting for plankton -- she's simply waiting for the dentist to polish her pearly whites, just like any other conscientious robot. Known as the Showa Hanako 2, this humanoid was originally developed last year as a tool for dentists looking to practice new procedures. Now, engineers at Japan's Showa University have updated their dental denizen, adding a motorized head and replacing her PVC skin with a more realistic silicon coating. She also boasts speech recognition capabilities and can execute freakishly natural movements, including blinking, sneezing, coughing and, under more unsavory circumstances, even choking. See her in action for yourself, after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel-electric hybrid air car wants to take flight, needs funding to do it Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:25 AM PDT  It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a... fuel-electric hybrid air car? Well, yes actually, but right now it's more ready-to-go concept than airborne reality. This brainchild of Trek Aerospace designer Michael Moshier and test-pilot Robert Bulaga employs the same ducted-fan tech the duo used in their DARPA-funded, NASA design-assisted, Popular Science 'Invention of the Year' winning SoloTrek. Like its predecessor, this hybrid air car is ideal for those close-quartered take-off and landing situations thanks to its enclosed propulsion system -- good news for birds, trees and even human heads everywhere. Though still in the design phase, the pair hopes a generous round of funding will propel this 1960s Jetsons promise into a world-class fleet. While we can't see the DMV rushing to approve licenses of this sort for the common joe, the copter-car should prove beneficial in roadless third-world nations, and maybe even lend a covered-propeller hand to first-world emergency service units. Pay attention billionaires of the world, this flying car's got your bank account written all over it. PR for the deep-pocketed after the break.[Image credit via Michael Moshier/Robert Bulaga] Silicon Valley Team Creating First Hybrid 'Air Car' Philanthropists and Sponsors to Support Prototype Development in USA Fuel-electric Hybrid Air Car Los Altos, CA (PRWEB) June 28, 2011 A new company in formation invites financial benefactors to become involved with its history-making project. Join forces with well-known aircraft designer, engineer, inventor, and visionary Michael Moshier, and renowned, senior aerospace engineer, aircraft designer and test-pilot Robert Bulaga, in the development of the world's first, fuel-electric hybrid air car. Moshier, Bulaga, and their innovative engineering team previously developed and successfully flight-tested a revolutionary ducted-fan-powered, one-man VTOL [1] aircraft named SoloTrek™. This critical work, supported in part by $5 million in funding from DARPA [2], along with collaborative design assistance and wind-tunnel testing facilities at NASA Ames, resulted in world-wide recognition and accolades, including Popular Science's Invention of the Year Award for the team's innovative aircraft [3]. Click link to see SoloTrek prototype flight test video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUs8riw9Afo&feature=related Today, using the same, proven ducted-fan technology, plus new technological advances in materials & electronics, the company is ready to begin development and testing of its hybrid, multi-passenger air car concept vehicle immediately once adequate funding has been secured. "Ever since the Jetsons, we've been promised that an air car is just around the corner," says Moshier, "but the technologies and knowledge necessary to build such a machine have not been available – until now! And it will be developed here in the USA!" Bulaga adds, "It is no longer a question of if it can be done. We have the proven technology, key development partners, and operational experience to be successful with this project." For many third-world countries with no established transportation infrastructure, a vehicle that can takeoff and land anywhere, and travel from point A to B at high-speed, could fulfill many critical needs. In more developed countries, the hybrid air car could provide a unique solution to normal day-to-day and emergency transportation challenges resulting from metropolitan gridlock. The air car would also have numerous specialized applications such as search and rescue, police patrol, medivac, and many others. To learn more about individual or corporate philanthropic and sponsorship opportunities, contact Mr. Moshier [by email only] to request the PDF document: Hybrid Air Car Development Overview and Funding Plan. Please be sure to include relevant background information on yourself and/or your organization. Benefactor anonymity and privacy are assured. No information about respondents will be divulged without their permission. [1] VTOL: Vertical Take-Off and Landing. [2] DARPA: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. [3] The original SoloTrek aircraft prototype remains on permanent display at the Hiller Aircraft Museum in San Carlos, CA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft: European cloud data may not be immune to the Patriot Act Posted: 30 Jun 2011 10:05 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sprint updating the Samsung Galaxy Tab with Gingerbread on July 5 Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:45 AM PDT  It's hard out there for a Samsung Galaxy Tab owner, watching Honeycomb slates hit the market by the bushel, with a lucky few stepping up to Android 3.1 and its resizeable widgets. Sprint, at least, is still giving the 'ol Tab some love -- according to an anonymous tipster, the Now Network will push out an update to Gingerbread, something Tab owners overseas have already been enjoying. The upgrade's expected to roll out starting July 5th, and will include not just Android 2.3, but a step up to HID Bluetooth as well. Oh, and while it's at it, Sprint will also release a fix for a bug in the Samsung Transform that has interfered with PRL and data profile updates. Sounds like as fine a way as any to beat the post-holiday weekend blues. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple Thunderbolt cable gutted, a dozen other things found within Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:22 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung announces 32GB microSD card capable of 12MBps write speeds Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:02 AM PDT  Go shopping online for a microSDHC card and you'll find that while manufacturers don't hide the speed specs, they're not exactly crowing about 'em either. Make no mistake, though: Samsung is mighty proud of its new 32GB number, which boasts a class 10 speed rating and read / write rates of 24MBps and 12MBps -- ideal numbers for those of you who plan on making good use of your phone's 1080p camera. If you're a storage buff, you know that class 10 is the highest speed category for SD cards at the moment, and that it sits above classes 4 and 6 -- the tiers covering many other microSDHCs on the market. No word just yet on pricing, but we think it's safe to say you'll be dishing out a premium. Samsung Launches Faster High-performance Memory Cards for 4G Smartphones | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia shutters online and retail stores in UK, US web store Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:44 AM PDT  Nokia will be entering Q3 free of any direct-to-consumer sales channels in the US and UK. The Finnish smartphone maker shuttered its remaining UK retail stores earlier this month (with the exception of Heathrow Airport, which remains open), and also discontinued sales on its US and UK online stores -- joining France, Spain, and The Netherlands, which all went offline last month. We spoke to a former Nokia UK retail employee, who cited poor marketing, high prices, slowing traffic and a high product return rate as a few of the reasons that the stores closed -- returns of the N8 and E7 dominated other handsets, with customers complaining of device crashes and corruption, hardware failures, and usability issues. He reports that the stores were also only able to sell devices on Vodafone and T-Mobile, and only Vodafone allowed customers to upgrade in a Nokia store. The majority of customers came into the store for support, rather than to make a purchase. We imagine pricing played a large role in the decision to close the UK and US online stores, just as it did with UK retail and online stores in other countries. Both country's online stores have been replaced with a closure notice, with the US store directing customers to Amazon, and the UK store referring visitors to eight retail partners, instead. [Thanks, Karl] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moto mysteries abound: Droid HD posts to Flickr, new blurry cam pics Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:22 AM PDT   | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| VeriFone's new Payware Mobile Enterprise for Tablets looks a little Square Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:02 AM PDT  VeriFone added a new wrinkle to its ongoing battle for mobile payment supremacy yesterday, with the announcement of Payware Mobile Enterprise for Tablets -- a peripheral that will allow retailers to process transactions directly from any slate. Much like the company's Payware Mobile system, VeriFone's latest product involves a magnetic card reader and accompanying app that can turn any iPad or Android tablet into a handheld checkout unit. Geared toward larger enterprises, the new device also supports PIN verification for debit cards and NFC payments, rendering it compatible with Google Wallet, though it likely won't see a widespread release until 2012. Perhaps more intriguing is what this move could mean for the company's notoriously heated rivalry with Square. By explicitly targeting bigger retailers, VeriFone seems to be distinguishing itself from the small business-focused Square, despite the fact that its new product looks a lot like one of Jack Dorsey's creations -- or, as some CEOs would call them, "skimming devices." | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wii Cyberbike gives you a workout, costs more than the system itself Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:41 AM PDT  Cyberbike for Nintendo Wii Crosses the Finish Line and is Available Now In North America High Quality Stationary Bike and Game Bundle From Bigben Interactive Pedals Its Way to Consumers San Francisco, CA, June 29, 2011 – Bigben Interactive, global designer, manufacturer and distributor of peripherals, today announced that Cyberbike Magnetic Edition, a stationary bike designed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii™ system, is shipping today in North America. Rated E for Everyone, the Cyberbike Cycling Sports game will be packaged together with the Cyberbike Magnetic Edition bike and sold online with retailers such as ToysRUs.com and Amazon.com for $199.99 (free shipping in the U.S., where available). Cyberbike is the first ever biking-based exergame to be released in North America that includes a high-performance stationary bike, providing endless fun and exercise for the entire family. "With Cyberbike for the Wii, pedaling on a stationary bike is both rewarding and fun, no matter the time of day or temperature outside," said Olivier Veyrac, vice president, North America, Bigben Interactive. "We are pleased to bring Cyberbike to North American consumers, building on the great success that took hold in Europe last year." Already generating positive media preview impressions and consumer interest, FamilyFriendlyVideoGames.com recognized Cyberbike as the "Favorite Educational Game" and "Favorite Exercise Game" at E3 2011. Cyberbike Magnetic Edition The stationary exercise bike connects to the GameCube port on the Nintendo Wii console and is compatible with all Nintendo Wii games playable with a GameCube controller such as Mario Kart™. It features an adjustable, cushioned seat and pivoting handlebars, making it perfect for players of all sizes, up to 286 pounds. Magnetic resistance is set through a tension control knob providing variable and smooth resistance for all fitness levels. Cyberbike Cycling Sports Developed by Eko Software and published by Agetec, Inc., Cyberbike Cycling Sports features three gameplay modes – story, fitness and multiplayer – each with a variety of goals that encourages players to complete the tasks as they burn more calories. For information on how to order Cyberbike Magnetic Edition, visit the official product website at: www.cyberbike-thegame.com. To get the latest Cyberbike news and updates, check out: http://www.facebook.com/CyberbikeWii and for press materials, go to: http://www.cyberbike-thegame.com/press.htm. About Bigben Interactive Founded in 1981, Bigben Interactive designs and distributes high-quality accessories for video game consoles. The company also publishes and distributes video games such as Cyberbike (a video game and exercise bike for the Wii) and My Body Coach (a video game and dumbbells for the Wii). Headquartered in Lesquin, France, Bigben Interactive has sales in more than 25 countries and offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Hong Kong. Bigben Interactive, a global gaming-accessories vendor, is a publicly traded French company that is expanding its presence and leadership in the U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 hands-on Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:20 AM PDT  Earlier today, Olympus announced its loosely veiled PEN E-PM1 (in the image above), along with the PEN E-P3 and PEN E-PL3. Our Chinese bureau had a chance to go hands-on with the trio of Micro Four Thirds cams at an event in Hong Kong, and walked away with some fairly positive impressions. The $900 E-P3 feels solidly built, and did appear to offer excellent autofocus performance, though we weren't able to verify Olympus's rather lofty claims that the new flagship model features "the world's fastest autofocus." We were able to capture an image within a second of tapping the shutter button, including the time required to refocus on a subject. The 3-inch OLED display was sufficiently bright for outdoor use, with noticeable improvements over its predecessor, and the touchscreen was a pleasure to use, offering three straightforward shooting functions -- focus, focus and shoot, and enlarge. We'll have additional details to share after spending more time with all three models, but our hands-on photos in the gallery below should help whet your appetite in the meantime. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC Eternity leaked: 1.5GHz processor, 4.7-inch display, front-facing camera Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:59 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google+ for Android app (hands-on) Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:35 AM PDT  When we downloaded Google+ from the Market, two icons appeared in the app tray: one that bears the same name as the service, and Huddle. Both took us to the same app, but Google+ put us on the program's home screen -- a portal that offers the Stream, Huddle, Photos, Circles, and Profile sections -- while the latter of the two icons bypassed this screen completely and started us in the Huddle service itself. Huddle is the only service in the Google+ suite exclusively offered on the Android app. It uses the same style of messaging as we've come to expect with any standard IM client, and as a result it doesn't bring anything new to the table. It gives you the ability to chat it up with groups or individuals, and you can use other apps as you wait for a response since incoming messages will come in as a regular notification. If most of your friends use Google, this puts Huddle on par with your phone's messaging app. Sounds a lot like Google Talk, but the two services are unfortunately not integrated at all. And while Huddle's considerably mobile-friendly, there's no option to continue chats on your computer as soon as you get home; Huddle is nowhere to be seen on the Google+ home page, and no Chrome extensions or other browser add-ons have been made available for it yet. We'd love to see this get thrown in soon -- we're probably spoiled by our recent run-in with MightyText, but hey...  For the services that can be synced, however, we enjoyed a seamless experience between the app and computer. For instance, the app offers an Instant Upload option which does exactly as the name implies: immediately after a new picture is taken on your phone, the image gets pushed up to a private album, which will appear on Google+ and Picasa simultaneously. Following the upload, we went back to the computer and noticed an option to "share photos from your phone," with our picture sitting there waiting to be shared with everyone or certain circles. The downside? After trying the app out on multiple devices, we determined that uploaded images get downscaled in order to cut down on transfer time and data usage; our high-res photos appeared at a paltry 720x540 on Plus, and 2048x1536 on Picasa -- and it stayed the same when using cameras with varied resolutions. You can also share your location, if desired. The Stream has three screen options that you can swipe left or right to view: your circles, seeing status posts from those in close proximity, and checking out incoming posts. You can view all of your photo albums and choose pictures to share with whichever circles you'd like, look at and edit your Google profile, and invite others into your circles. The absence of the Hangout feature puzzled us. By leaving it out, it feels like we're missing out on the perfect way to take advantage of a phone's front-facing camera -- Of course, it wasn't until Android 2.3.4 that we enjoyed the same functionality for Google Talk on the Nexus S, so it may be something reserved merely for the latest and greatest OS revisions. In all, the Google+ app does a commendable job of bringing the full web experience down to the mobile level, though we can tell the app isn't hitting its full potential by excluding Hangouts and neglecting to sync Huddle with our computers. The program is still under field test status, which means there are some minor bugs that need to be worked out before it's ready for the public -- not to mention a very small user base -- but our sneak peek was a resounding success otherwise. Now, if only we had a few friends to share it with... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony intros G-Series micro HiFi iPhone / iPod systems, blends retro looks with modern features Posted: 30 Jun 2011 06:09 AM PDT  Sony's got a reputation for pumping out forwardly-designed wares, but its new G-Series micro HiFi systems are a blast from the past -- at a glance, anyway. Both rigs are MP3 and iPhone / iPod-compatible via USB and will be available in two different configurations. To start, the CMT-G1BiP / G1iP feature 60 watts of RMS power with DAB packed into the former for those who find only having AM/FM is passé. Next up, the CMT-G2BNiP / G2NiP add WiFi for getting your stream on from the Web or a PC and can be remote-controlled with a free iOS app. The "HiFi" moniker mixed with iPod connectivity might have audiophiles raising a brow to sound quality, but the brushed metal console and its piano-gloss satellites are lookers none-the-less. A single variant is currently listed on the Sony UK site, although there's not a squeak regarding cost or release dates. For now, we'll refer you to the PR after the break. Refined sound and classic style with G Series micro Hi-Fi systems 29 June 2011 Transform listening at home with acoustic excellence, network features and elegant looks · Carefully crafted design delivers crisp, clear sound · Enhance MP3 tracks with easy connection for iPod and iPhone · Play music from a range of sources via USB and Wi-Fi Enjoy a pure sound performance G Series micro Hi-Fi systems have been crafted to deliver a sound quality to impress even the most demanding audio enthusiast. Drawing upon years of expertise developing amplifiers, our G Series micro Hi-Fi systems use innovative geometric grounding technology to minimise amplifier distortion so you hear accurate rhythm and tempo whether you're listening to a thumping rock anthem or a gentle classical track. Compact speakers are designed to handle the high power output of the amp and deliver a natural acoustic balance. Every tiny detail, from grooved internal speaker walls to the woofer and tweeter construction, creates a pure sound which lets you lose yourself in the music performance. Classic looks and a premium finish Simple and elegant, G Series micro Hi-Fi systems recall classic analogue Hi-Fi systems. The main unit is finished in solid aluminium with a hairline finish and retro-look control knobs. The light colour of the aluminium creates a striking contrast with the high-gloss black piano speakers. Design is subtle, understated and always focused on the listening experience. Moving the volume control a millimetre to the right and adding an outer ring adds to the beautiful simple design. Using polyurethane paint rather than cheaper polyester paint in speaker coating minimises unnecessary resonance for a crisp, clear audio performance Choose your music, your way G Series micro Hi-Fi systems offer a variety of ways to play your favourite music. Certified as Made for iPod / iPhone, you can easily connect an iPod or iPhone via USB and give tracks a big audio sound. Or plug an MP3 player or USB memory stick into the USB port and make the most of your digital music library. G Series micro Hi-Fi systems with Wi-Fi (CMT-G2BNiP and CMT-G2NiP) mean you can connect to a wireless home network and play music from your PC or Internet radio channels – with no clutter of cables. Use the Wi-Fi to stream tracks to Wi-Fi devices in other rooms. You can even download a free iPhone app and control a G Series Hi-Fi from anywhere at home. There's DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio too. Enjoy even more music, news and sport in digital quality. DAB means easier tuning, reduced interference, information on artists and tracks and access to a huge range of local and national radio stations. The choice for music connoisseurs "G Series micro Hi-Fi systems have a classic design style but are packed with the latest audio and network innovations," says Yuji Kitayama, Director, Home Entertainment of Europe. "The premium finish and purity of the sound performance will give audio enthusiasts everywhere an exquisite listening experience." For more information see here: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hfs-cd-music-system/cmt-g1bip iPod and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. G Series micro Hi-Fi systems at a glance CMT-G2BNiP Expand your music choice with Wi-Fi and DAB radio · High acoustic performance and premium design · Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming music from PC and Internet · DAB radio, USB connection for iPod/iPhone and MP3 playback CMT-G1iP Stream music from around the home with Wi-Fi ·High acoustic performance and premium design · Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming music from PC and Internet · USB connection for iPod/iPhone and MP3 playback CMT-G1BiP High quality sound for digital music and DAB radio · High acoustic performance and premium design · USB connection for iPod/iPhone and MP3 playback · DAB radio and FM/AM tuner CMT-G1iP High quality sound for your digital music tracks · High acoustic performance and premium design · USB connection for iPod/iPhone and MP3 playback · FM/AM radio tuner | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| LED Moon shines message of hope, no dark side to see Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:43 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HP TouchPad torn asunder, no palms found hiding within Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:21 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acer announces Aspire One Happy 2 netbook for the US market, shows its commitment to pastels Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:00 AM PDT  Given that it's not 2008 and all, it's not every week that we tell you about a new Atom-powered-netbook -- not that any of the usual suspects seem likely to throw in the towel anytime soon. Acer just announced availability for the Acer Aspire Happy 2, that rippled, Easter Egg-colored number that reared its head back in April. As you'd expect, it runs on a dual-core Atom N570 CPU -- a small upgrade over the N450 the last generation offered. And while it still has the usual 10.1-inch display, 250GB hard drive, and WiFi radio, it steps down to 1GB of RAM from 2GB. Aside from the predictable specs, Acer is clearly trying to make dented laptops happen, in case that wasn't already obvious. That and pastels. "Banana Cream," "Blueberry Shake," "Strawberry Yogurt," and "Papaya Milk" sound like your tall glass of crushed fruit? She's available as you read this for $269.99. Acer Introduces New Line of Color-Inspired Netbooks | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HP TouchPad going on sale in UK on July 15th starting at £399 Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:32 AM PDT  It's here! UK launch date confirmed for HP TouchPad with webOS On-sale date of July 15th available from HP Online Shop and high-street retailers London, June 29th: The wait is nearly over! An on-sale date of July 15th has been confirmed for the amazing HP TouchPad powered by webOS. Available from HP.com as well as a range of popular high-street retailers including PC World, Curry's, Amazon, Argos, Comet, & Carphone Warehouse, the HP TouchPad WiFi version will retail at £399 for the 16gb and £479 for the 32gb . "We're really excited to be bringing the HP TouchPad to UK consumers," says Paul Hunter, Vice President, HP Personal Systems Group (PSG) UK&I. "It really is a fantastic device, combining cutting edge hardware with a world class leading operating system. HP is taking the user experience to a new level. Just Type, True multi tasking, HP Synergy and Touch to Share, combine to make an experience that works the way you do. And the TouchPad is just the start. Expect to see more HP products powered by webOS in the very near future." The HP TouchPad works like no other tablet. You can seamlessly move back and forth between apps without losing your place; see related activities grouped together automatically helping you to stay organized; enjoy quality entertainment on the go with built in Beats AudioTM sound system and enjoy a more immersive web experience with full support for Adobe® Flash® Player.6,7 The webOS platform is also launching in the UK with some exciting, exclusive content from partners including The Guardian, LastFM, Warner Bros and Sky News to name but a few. HP is working closely with development partners to make publishing for the platform as easy as possible and consumers can expect to see the launch of many more UK-centric webOS applications optimized for the TouchPad over the coming days and weeks. For more information on the HP TouchPad please visit hp.co.uk/touchpad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roku 2 HD struts its stuff in the wild along with a new remote Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:16 AM PDT  Update: Another anonymous tipster has just sent over this picture of one of the new units next to a Roku XD that gives a good impression of how tiny the new units really are, and another showing the surround sound option. They also noted the new hardware shows improved picture quality, however at this stage the UI isn't different and there aren't any new games available yet. [Thanks, Geraldine] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| MacBook in short supply, stirs rumors of imminent refresh, rebirth of white plastic? Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:51 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1996 Corvette converted into a 2011 electric odyssey (video) Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:13 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Skype 2.0 brings two-way video calling to Nexus S, Desire S, Xperia Neo and Xperia Pro Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:21 AM PDT  [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Update: We've just spent a little quality time with Skype 2.0 and its newfangled video calling. Notably, we couldn't get a video call to work between the Xperia Neo and a desktop version of Skype (update: video chat between the Skype Android app and the desktop client has since been confirmed to work; thanks, David!) -- it was only possible to get video when calling between the Neo and the similarly compatible HTC Desire S. Once we did establish a connection, though, frame rates were smooth and buttery and the UI is simple and unintrusive yet offers quite a few functions. You can mute the call, choose between the front- or rear-facing camera, reposition the small window that shows your video feed anywhere on the screen, or -- with a double tap upon that window -- switch focus so that your own video output dominates the screen and your buddy's feed is relocated to the smaller preview. It's a great looking implementation of video calling, though we did only test it over WiFi, 3G performance may be materially worse. Update 2: Skype's press release and demo video can now be found after the break. Skype brings Video Calling to Android Phones LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skype today announced an updated version of its Skype for Android app – Skype for Android 2.0, bringing Skype Video Calling to the currently fastest growing mobile OS1. "We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Skype for Android app" With the new version, users will be able to make and receive free2 1-to-1 video calls over Skype between their Android phone and other Skype contacts on the iPhone, Mac, Windows PCs and even TVs3. Skype for Android with video works over Wi-Fi or 3G data connections and can be downloaded for free from the Android Market or Skype.com/m using any phone browser. "We are committed to bring Skype Video Calling to as many platforms as possible and are delighted to deliver on this with our new updated Skype for Android app," said Neil Stevens, Skype's vice president and general manager for product and marketing. "With approximately 30 million concurrent users logging into Skype at any given time4 and making up to half a million simultaneous video calls5, Skype for Android with video makes it even easier for users to share moments with their contacts wherever they are." In addition to video calls, users can also make calls to landlines and mobiles around the world, as well as send SMS's to friends and family anywhere in the world at great Skype rates. All this comes with a complete redesign of the Skype for Android user interface. There's a new main menu on the Skype app for Android where users can navigate easily through their contacts, access their Skype profile to change personal details or see the balance of their Skype Credit. Finally a new mood message box at the top of the Skype app menu makes it easier than ever for users to share how they are feeling, what they've seen, or what they're up to. For this first phase of launch, handsets that support video calling include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wimbledon NetMix lets you turn down on-court grunts in favor of staid commentary Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:41 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia's N950 demos MeeGo Harmattan in marathon video Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:18 AM PDT Still obsessing about Nokia's N950 -- you know, the sexy developer-only MeeGo device you can't have? Before you let Elop rain on your parade, indulge yourself with an exhaustive 17 minute video from Thailand, dutifully documenting every nook and cranny of Espoo's ill-fated OS. The long-winded film tours the dialer, browser, and gives a peek at a plethora of camera settings -- like ISO, aspect ratio, and timers -- that we didn't get to see on the N9. Also making an appearance are maps with turn-by-turn navigation, what appears to be a document viewer, and a Facebook app. Go on, have a gander, and dream about a luscious MeeGo future that might have been. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC EVO 3D gets Netflix under the table courtesy of EVO 4G's APK Posted: 30 Jun 2011 12:42 AM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yamaha's TNR-i app lights up iOS with its musical stylings, dashing looks Posted: 29 Jun 2011 11:59 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best Buy sucks at product recognition: Wireless Keyboard for TouchPad, iPad sold separately Posted: 29 Jun 2011 11:35 PM PDT  [Thanks, Kevin]  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Media buys MySpace, already has one friend named Tom Posted: 29 Jun 2011 11:07 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus reveals PEN E-P3, PEN E-PL3, and PEN E-PM1 interchangeable lens cameras Posted: 29 Jun 2011 10:20 PM PDT  Update: We got hands-on with these guys, and you can check it out right here. Not One, Not Two, But Three New Olympus PEN Cameras Bring Your Creative Vision to Life Compact Portable Bodies Deliver Incredible Image Quality, Speed and In-Camera Creativity CENTER VALLEY, Pa., June 30, 2011 – Today Olympus launches three new PEN compact system cameras designed to help inspiration-seekers capture their unique visions and share their stories in brilliant still images and high-definition (HD) video. The Olympus PEN family combines the portability of a point-and-shoot with features found on bulkier cameras or camcorders to deliver amazing image quality and lightning fast speed. With a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic™ VI Image Processor, high ISO of 12,800, a reengineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters and built-in creative features, these powerfully simple cameras offer advanced capabilities without the complexity of a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. In addition to these great shared capabilities, each new model offers unique features: * PEN E-P3: Also announced today, the flagship Olympus PEN with a classic, all-metal design and the world's fastest autofocus**. A body portable enough to travel the world without sacrificing DSLR image quality and control that experienced photographers expect. It features a bright, 614,000 pixel, high-resolution, OLED touchscreen to easily navigate and control the camera at the touch of a finger. * PEN E-PL3: This powerful camera is perfect for photographers who want their memories to reflect incredible, professional image quality. Easy-to-use creative technologies are packed in its versatile body – the size of a small, portable point-and-shoot camera, but with the versatility of interchangeable lenses. A clever, tilting three-inch LCD empowers photographers to go head-and-shoulders above the crowd to capture graduations, easily stoop to eye-level as babies take their first steps or even lower to the ground to get an adorable shot of the family pet. * PEN E-PM1: The smallest and lightest Olympus PEN is available in six stylish colors (purple, pink, brown, white, silver and black) and features a new and simplified user interface as well as a streamlined button structure for superior ease of use. Its small size and portability make it the ideal camera to document life's fun and spontaneous moments. Superior Image Quality A large 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor delivers the highest quality images. Take great photos in low-light environments thanks to the Olympus PEN E-P3 camera's built-in flash and the E-PL3 and E-PM1 cameras' bundled accessory flash. Each camera comes equipped with an AF illuminator and ISO up to 12,800. To improve color and speed, the new Olympus PEN cameras feature the new TruePic VI Image Processing Engine. Photos and HD videos will be crisp and clear thanks to three modes of in-body image stabilization and the award-winning Olympus Dust Reduction System. Blazing FAST AF Speed The new Olympus PEN cameras use a variety of features to achieve speed rivaling that of the professional Olympus E-5 DSLR. Focus and shoot faster with the new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor and new frequency acceleration sensor technology (FAST) autofocus system. The FAST AF Tracking System features 35 separate focus points spread over nearly the entire sensor, enabling pin-point focusing accuracy on small subjects wherever they appear in the frame. Selectable 3x3 groups within the 35-point area are especially effective when shooting active subjects. The cameras' fast shutter response times ensure you will never miss a shot, even in the toughest shooting environments. Creative Freedom Olympus PEN series cameras bring a new level of creative freedom to the shooting experience and enable instant experimentation and gratification. The new PEN Series features full 1080 60i high-definition video. Push the direct HD video button to instantly start filming in either AVCHD or AVI formats with uncompressed CD-quality. In-camera creative features such as Art Filters, Multiple Exposure, Aspect Ratios and In-Camera Editing allow photographers to capture the world as they see it. Art Filters set Olympus PEN images and videos apart from the pack. Since they're built into the camera, Art Filters can achieve dramatic results on the go without the need for a computer or editing software. All filters can be applied to both still shots and HD movies. The Olympus PEN family offers several ways to capture artistic visions. Apply up to 10 Art Filters (Depending upon model: Diorama, Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia and Dramatic Tone) in the camera while shooting. Vary images by mixing and matching Art Filters to achieve your creative vision or by applying effects, including the new Star Light and White Edge to frame photos the way you want after capture. These Olympus PEN cameras add a new dimension to photographs by shooting dynamic 3D photos in any situation from macro to landscape. Simply select the 3D Photo Mode, release the shutter and slowly pan until the camera automatically takes a second image from a slightly different perspective. The 3D data is processed in-camera, resulting in an .MPO file, the universal industry 3D format for easy display on 3D televisions or laptops. Easy to Use with New User Interfaces, Menu Structures and Button Layouts All three Olympus PEN cameras have a 3-inch, high-resolution display. Controlling the E-P3 is simple to use with its three-inch, touch-sensitive 614,000 pixel OLED, consuming much less energy than the traditional LCD. The display has a wide 176-degree angle of view and is bright enough to compose images even in harsh midday light. The intuitive and practical touchscreen makes it easy to navigate the camera's new menus and graphic user interface. Going through a day's photos is easy by scrolling through and enlarging photos with the tap of a finger. The E-PL3 features a tilting 3-inch 460,000 pixel LCD screen that offers the flexibility to capture moments from a variety of angles. The E-PM1 features a 3-inch 460,000 pixel display. All three cameras feature a newly designed Graphical User Interface. The font and graphics used in the menus offer improved visibility and quality to render elegant graphical menus that are attractive and easy-to-use. The E-P3 incorporates a rotational dial and sub-dial on the back of the camera. With just their thumb, users can fine-tune aperture and exposure time in an instant – without the need to switch between menus. Fans of hands-on shooting will love the three customizable buttons that can be assigned to the user's favorite functions. All of the Olympus PEN cameras are compatible with SDHC, SDXC and UHS-1 memory cards for greater speed and capacity and can work with Eye-Fi cards for instant uploads. New Lenses and Accessories for Every Shooting Challenge Today Olympus is proud to announce several new Movie & Still Compatible (MSC) lenses with high-speed lens drive mechanisms delivering near-silent autofocus during still shooting and high-definition (HD) video capture. New accessories include optional body grips and the FL-300R external flash to complement the PEN series perfectly and broaden the creative horizons for any photographer. The growing Olympus PEN MICRO Four Thirds family now features eight fully-compatible MICRO Four Thirds lenses. The legendary Olympus Zuiko® Digital Four Thirds range of 27 high-quality lenses, OM-series and other manufacturers' lenses can be attached to Olympus PEN cameras with optional adapters. Each new PEN comes packaged with the re-sculpted M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 II R zoom lens (28mm-84mm equivalent) or the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm f2.8 prime lens. Designed with Movie & Still Compatibility (MSC), experience near-silent operation, enabling you to shoot HD movies in stereo with amazing clarity. * M.Zuiko Digital ED 12m f2.0 lens: This high-speed, single-focal-length, wide-angle lens is ideal for shooting everything from high-quality, dramatic landscapes in low-light conditions to hard-to-get, spontaneous street shots. It has a beautiful full-metal body and a snap focus ring that allows photographers to pan focus with a distance indicator. * M.Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f1.8 lens: This single focal length portrait lens has a beautiful shallow depth of field, which allows for background blurring effects that are not possible with previous kit lenses. The MSC mechanism is great for tracking a moving child or pet, and provides a quick and silent focus mechanism for movies and still photography. * FL-300R Compact Flash: This flash functions on all three PEN cameras as a bounce flash as well as a wireless remote flash with enough power for most every shooting situation. It is designed in silver to match the new PEN lineup. U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations Olympus PEN E-P3 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price: $899.99 Olympus PEN E-P3 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m17mm f2.8 Prime Lens Estimated Street Price: $899.99 Olympus PEN E-PM1 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price to be announced Olympus PEN E-PL3 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m14-42mm II R f3.5/5.6 Zoom Lens Estimated Street Price to be announced Olympus PEN E-PL3 Body with MSC M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED m17mm f2.8 Prime Lens Estimated Street Price to be announced Journalists interested in more information, review units and high-resolution images of the Olympus PEN cameras and PEN lenses and accessories should contact Keith Gordon, Mullen Public Relations, 212-885-3218, keith.gordon@mullen.com, or Jennifer Colucci, Olympus Imaging America Inc., 484-896-5719, jennifer.colucci@olympus.com, or visit the Olympus website: http://www.getolympus.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Army testing haptic belt that nudges soldiers in the right direction Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:52 PM PDT  Haptic belts and other wearable devices that can guide you may not exactly be a new idea -- we've even seen some DIY attempts -- but the US Army testing them? Well, that's something worth noting. As New Scientist reports, the Army Research Office in North Carolina is now working on just such a device (likely more advanced than the one pictured here), and hopes that the belts could eventually be used to remotely guide soldiers on the battlefield. That's done with a combination of GPS, an accelerometer and a compass -- and, of course, the haptic part of the equation, which vibrates or pulses to point the soldier in the right direction, or indicate when they're nearing their target. The idea there being to reduce the need for any handheld devices (at least until thought helmets become a reality), which can both take the soldiers' eyes off the battlefield and potentially reveal their position at night. There's still no indication as to when the belts might actually see use in the field, but early tests show that they're at least as accurate as a handheld GPS, and the soldiers say they actually prefer it.[Image credit: Sreekar Krishna] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| IBM develops 'instantaneous' memory, 100x faster than flash Posted: 29 Jun 2011 09:01 PM PDT  Made in IBM Labs: IBM Scientists Demonstrate Memory Breakthrough for the First Time • Reliable multi-bit phase-change memory technology demonstrated • Scientists achieved a 100 times performance increase in write latency compared to Flash • Enables a paradigm shift for enterprise IT and storage systems, including cloud computing by 2016 ZURICH, June 30, 2011 – For the first time, scientists at IBM Research have demonstrated that a relatively new memory technology, known as phase-change memory (PCM), can reliably store multiple data bits per cell over extended periods of time. This significant improvement advances the development of low-cost, faster and more durable memory applications for consumer devices, including mobile phones and cloud storage, as well as high-performance applications, such as enterprise data storage. With a combination of speed, endurance, non-volatility and density, PCM can enable a paradigm shift for enterprise IT and storage systems within the next five years. Scientists have long been searching for a universal, non-volatile memory technology with far superior performance than Flash – today's most ubiquitous non-volatile memory technology. The benefits of such a memory technology would allow computers and servers to boot instantaneously and significantly enhance the overall performance of IT systems. A promising contender is PCM that can write and retrieve data 100 times faster than Flash, enable high storage capacities and not lose data when the power is turned off. Unlike Flash, PCM is also very durable and can endure at least 10 million write cycles, compared to current enterprise-class Flash at 30,000 cycles or consumer-class Flash at 3,000 cycles. While 3,000 cycles will out live many consumer devices, 30,000 cycles are orders of magnitude too low to be suitable for enterprise applications. (see chart for comparisons). "As organizations and consumers increasingly embrace cloud-computing models and services, whereby most of the data is stored and processed in the cloud, ever more powerful and efficient, yet affordable storage technologies are needed," states Dr. Haris Pozidis, Manager of Memory and Probe Technologies at IBM Research – Zurich. "By demonstrating a multi-bit phase-change memory technology which achieves for the first time reliability levels akin to those required for enterprise applications, we made a big step towards enabling practical memory devices based on multi-bit PCM." Multi-level Phase Change Memory Breakthrough To achieve this breakthrough demonstration IBM scientists in Zurich used advanced modulation coding techniques to mitigate the problem of short-term drift in multi-bit PCM, which causes the stored resistance levels to shift over time, which in turn creates read errors. Up to now, reliable retention of data has only been shown for single bit-per-cell PCM, whereas no such results on multi-bit PCM have been reported. PCM leverages the resistance change that occurs in the material -- an alloy of various elements -- when it changes its phase from crystalline – featuring low resistance – to amorphous – featuring high resistance – to store data bits. In a PCM cell, where a phase-change material is deposited between a top and a bottom electrode, phase change can controllably be induced by applying voltage or current pulses of different strengths. These heat up the material and when distinct temperature thresholds are reached cause the material to change from crystalline to amorphous or vice versa. In addition, depending on the voltage, more or less material between the electrodes will undergo a phase change, which directly affects the cell's resistance. Scientists exploit that aspect to store not only one bit, but multiple bits per cell. In the present work, IBM scientists used four distinct resistance levels to store the bit combinations "00", "01" 10" and "11". To achieve the demonstrated reliability, crucial technical advancements in the "read" and "write" process were necessary. The scientists implemented an iterative "write" process to overcome deviations in the resistance due to inherent variability in the memory cells and the phase-change materials: "We apply a voltage pulse based on the deviation from the desired level and then measure the resistance. If the desired level of resistance is not achieved, we apply another voltage pulse and measure again – until we achieve the exact level," explains Pozidis. Despite using the iterative process, the scientists achieved a worst-case write latency of about 10 microseconds, which represents a 100x performance increase over even the most advanced Flash memory on the market today. For demonstrating reliable read-out of data bits, the scientists needed to tackle the problem of resistance drift. Because of structural relaxation of the atoms in the amorphous state, the resistance increases over time after the phase change, eventually causing errors in the read-out. To overcome that issue, the IBM scientists applied an advanced modulation coding technique that is inherently drift-tolerant. The modulation coding technique is based on the fact that, on average, the relative order of programmed cells with different resistance levels does not change due to drift. Using that technique, the IBM scientists were able to mitigate drift and demonstrate long- term retention of bits stored in a subarray of 200,000 cells of their PCM test chip, fabricated in 90-nanometer CMOS technology. The PCM test chip was designed and fabricated by scientists and engineers located in Burlington, Vermont; Yorktown Heights, New York and in Zurich. This retention experiment has been under way for more than five months, indicating that multi-bit PCM can achieve a level of reliability that is suitable for practical applications. The PCM research project at IBM Research – Zurich will continue to be studied at the recently opened Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center. The center, which is jointly operated by IBM and ETH Zurich as part of a strategic partnership in nanosciences, offers a cutting-edge infrastructure, including a large cleanroom for micro- and nanofabrication as well as six "noise-free" labs, especially shielded laboratories for highly sensitive experiments. The paper "Drift-tolerant Multilevel Phase-Change Memory" by N. Papandreou, H. Pozidis, T. Mittelholzer, G.F. Close, M. Breitwisch, C. Lam and E. Eleftheriou, was recently presented by Haris Pozidis at the 3rd IEEE International Memory Workshop in Monterey, CA. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Game Gear mod has five-inch screen, rechargable batteries, two pounds worth of memories Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:19 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympus E-PM1's petite frame outed before launch Posted: 29 Jun 2011 07:34 PM PDT  | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google+ users can now send email invites, brag about being into the service before it was cool Posted: 29 Jun 2011 06:48 PM PDT  Google's exclusive little club just got a little less exclusive. As promised, the search giant's shiny new social network Google+ has opened up, giving users the ability to invite friends via email. (If it's not working on your system yet, trying logging out and then logging back in.) Existing users, it's time to start building out those Circles to avoid the sort of accidental social networking shenanigans Google is working so hard to curb. Everyone else, we're sure you'll be getting one in your Gmail inbox soon enough. In the meantime, how about prepping yourself by reading our detailed hands-on? Update: Looks like they've been shut down again. It was fun while it lasted! [Thanks, Ryan] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft inks Android patent deal with Velocity Micro -- sound familiar? Posted: 29 Jun 2011 06:08 PM PDT  Update: Looks like Onkyo's playing nice, too. Microsoft and Velocity Micro, Inc., Sign Patent Agreement Covering Android-Based Devices Agreement provides broad coverage of Microsoft's patent portfolio. REDMOND, Wash. - June 29, 2011 - Microsoft Corp. and Velocity Micro, Inc., have signed a patent agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft's patent portfolio for Velocity Micro Inc. Android-based devices, including Velocity Micro, Inc.'s Cruz™ Tablet. Although the contents of the agreement have not been disclosed, the parties indicate that Microsoft will receive royalties from Velocity Micro, Inc., under the agreement. "We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Velocity Micro, Inc., to address and secure IP rights for its Android-based Cruz™ tablet devices," said Horacio Gutierrez, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel of Intellectual Property and Licensing at Microsoft. Randy Copeland, CEO of Velocity Micro, Inc., said, "By entering into this agreement with Microsoft, Velocity Micro, Inc., will be able to better meet the needs of our customers with the introduction of exciting new Cruz™ tablets having increased performance and functionality." Microsoft's Commitment to Licensing Intellectual Property The patent agreement is another example of the important role intellectual property (IP) plays in ensuring a healthy and vibrant IT ecosystem. Since Microsoft launched its IP licensing program in December 2003, the company has entered into more than 700 licensing agreements and continues to develop programs that make it possible for customers, partners and competitors to access its IP portfolio. The program was developed to open access to Microsoft's significant R&D investments and its growing, broad patent and IP portfolio. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panasonic Lumix GF3: sample photos and video Posted: 29 Jun 2011 05:35 PM PDT  We already gave you some hands-on impressions of Panasonic's new Lumix GF3, but we just had a chance to shoot video and stills with the Micro Four Thirds cam at an event in NYC, leaving with a couple hundred photos and a small handful of video clips. There's no question that this GF2 successor was designed with interchangeable lens camera (ILC) newbies in mind, with no dedicated mode dial, a touchscreen display, and a boatload of auto settings, along with the usual spattering of effects modes. Panasonic chose a mock wedding scene as the centerpiece of its demo today, complete with bride, groom, and celebrity cake designer (a rather enthusiastic Ron Ben-Israel). Weddings mean colorful flowers, well-dressed subjects, and food -- but also dim lighting and chaos -- a perfect environment for showing off a camera's strengths shooting in low-light, assuming it can actually deliver. The GF3 probably won't be the camera of choice for our next celebration, however. First up was a balcony shot with bride and groom. As expected, the backlit scene presented an incredible challenge for the GF3, which had trouble focusing and compensating exposure to properly light our subjects -- even the professional wedding photographer on hand had difficulty focusing his GF3 at times. The position-adjustable flash allowed us to light our subjects at an angle, or to bounce light off the ceiling, which didn't seem to work well in the cavernous room. As we progressed through the morning, additional scenes highlighted new shortcomings. Jump past the break for a sample video and more impressions, or check out the gallery above for sample images -- the first four shots highlight different positions with the adjustable flash. As we walked towards the dance floor (luckily no dancing ensued), the lights came up for a cake decorating demo. We tried out a variety of lenses, including the new 25mm f/1.4, Shooting 1080i video is as simple as hitting record, just to the right of the shutter button. Remembering not to accidentally cover the microphone, however, was more of a challenge. Internal mechanical noises dominated the first few minutes of our first video -- our subject picked up volume significantly after we adjusted our grip, creating a free path to the mic. You'll find a video sample below, beginning just after we exposed the microphone. Still, both sound and image quality pale in comparison to what we've been able to capture with the Sony NEX-C3. As Panasonic reps kept reminding us, we were shooting with a pre-production model, so hopefully some of these kinks can be worked out within the next few weeks. It's also entirely possible that the camera would have yielded far superior samples in an outdoor or better-lit environment. We'll revisit the Lumix GF3 just as soon as a production-ready sample hits our front door, but we'll let the completely untouched photos and video speak for themselves until then. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy S II gets official for Canada on Bell, Virgin Mobile and SaskTel Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:57 PM PDT  We've already had some indication of where and when the Galaxy S II would land in Canada, and three carriers have now finally made things fully official (even if they haven't yet got completely specific). That includes Bell and Virgin Mobile -- neither of which are confirming a price at the moment -- plus regional carrier SaskTel, which plans to offer the phone for $79.99 on a three-year contract. SaskTel and Virgin Mobile both also say that the phone will be available in the coming weeks, while Bell isn't offering much more than a chance to win the phone in a contest that ends July 19th -- we've previously heard that the phone will be hitting Bell on July 14th. Perhaps not surprisingly, it's looking like the phone will also alternatively be known as the "Galaxy S II" or "Galaxy S II 4G" depending on the carrier. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:55 PM PDT  Its weapon is the TouchPad, a 9.7-inch tablet from HP that got official back in February and will be available July 1st (if you don't manage to find it earlier) -- $499.99 for the 16GB model, $599.99 for 32GB. That's exactly on parity with the WiFi iPad 2 and Galaxy Tab 10.1, current kings of the tablet court. Does this plus-sized Palm progeny really have what it takes to hang at that price point, or is this just a chubby pretender that's outgrown its britches? Read on to find out. HardwareThe TouchPad slides out of its cardboard box with a lot of resistance, a precise paper seal creating a vacuum that does its best to keep its tablet firmly ensconced within. Keep pulling and the pressure equalizes, the box yields, and you're granted access to what can only be called a somewhat chunky tablet. It weighs in at 1.65 pounds (750 grams), heavier than the 1.3 pound (600 gram) iPad 2, heavier than the 1.26 pound (570 gram) Galaxy Tab 10.1, and heavier even than the 1.6 pound (730 gram) Motorola Xoom -- which is itself hardly a delicate flower. Its back is black plastic, glossy with a piano-like finish. It's reminiscent of the early, similarly sheen PS3 consoles -- cool to touch and nice to look at, but an astonishingly effective fingerprint magnet. A concave shape makes it comfortable to hold for those of us with bigger hands, more so than the flat profiles of those more slender machines mentioned above, but that comes at the expense of it feeling a bit hollow. The iPad or the Tab give impressions of solidity, of devices with not a hint of room to spare (despite that not necessarily being the case), but the TouchPad feels like there's plenty of space in there for, well, more stuff. That said, the tablet's dark, simple design doesn't make room for many externally defining characteristics, making figuring out which way is "up" a bit of a challenge. But, get it turned the right way 'round and you'll find a petite chrome power button on the right side of the upper edge. A similarly bright volume rocker lies just around the corner, and if you move further down the right edge you'll find a little blanked-out spot that could make room for a SIM in future iterations. Continuing clockwise around, a micro-USB port divides the bottom edge, while on the left two inset speaker grilles lurk beneath holes cut from the side of the case. They do provide comprehensively good audio for a tablet, meaning all that Beats talk Jon Rubenstein gave us wasn't completely PR fluff. That said, the sharp ridges left around these recessed tweeters aren't exactly friendly to the hands. No, the TouchPad won't leave you with bloody palms (which would be delightfully tragic) but literal rough edges like this are surprising on a device that's been in development for this long. Back up top again you'll find the 3.5mm headphone jack on the left side, while a small microphone sits between that and the power button. Around the front is a 9.7-inch, 1,024 x 768 display, matching the iPad and, again like Apple's tablet, that display sits above a small Home button. It's in almost exactly the same place and serves almost exactly the same functionality: push this to pop out of your current app and get back to the system menu, but more about that in a bit. Performance and battery life We're having a bit of a hard time quantifying the performance of the TouchPad because, well, it should be fast with its 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor paired with 1GB of RAM, but too often left us waiting. Bootup, for example, takes 1:15, which is an eon compared to 30 seconds or so on both the Galaxy Tab and the iPad 2. Similarly, we ran our freshly-booted TouchPad through the SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark and netted a 3,988ms result. That again compares unfavorably to a 2,213ms on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and a nearly identical 2,173ms on the iPad 2. But numbers aren't everything, unless you're a mathematician or an accountant or an astrologist. So, how does the TouchPad fare in real life? Browsing is reasonably snappy most of the time, but we encountered some pages that just seemed to take a particularly long time to load. Our site, full of graphics and Flash, loads quickly. The Gmail site, however, takes ages and ages... and ages. Online video plays in the browser, but rarely well. Most apps are quick to load and responsive enough, but some, like Weatherbug, are very slow. It's easy enough to blame the developers getting to grips with new hardware at this point, but ultimately we never felt wowed by the performance. Sure, flipping between tasks is quick and snappy, but changing from landscape to portrait is occasionally sluggish and, after about a day or so, we found we had to give it a reboot to regain optimum performance. We're told that an OTA update is in development that will help to address some performance concerns, specifically with web browsing and orientation adjustments. However, we're not sure exactly when this update will be hitting the airwaves. Battery life according to HP is 9 hours for continuous video playback, and in our test (WiFi on, Bluetooth off, video looping) we came close to that: just over eight and a half hours. That puts it slightly ahead of the Motorola Xoom but again behind the Tab and iPad 2. Ultimately this means the tablet will comfortably give you a day of serious use, or multiple days of more casual tapping.
Display / audio As we said earlier, it's a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 IPS panel up front that matches the iPad 2 pixel-for-pixel and doesn't disappoint when it comes to other important aspects of viewing. Contrast, viewing angles, and brightness all impress, delivering plenty of light for bright or dark rooms and angles wide enough to make sharing with a friend a cinch. The speakers likewise impress -- as you'd hope given the cavernous cut-outs they receive on the side. HP stopped short of slapping a Beats logo on the device but makes no qualms about talking up its branded inclusion in marketing materials. In most ways the speakers deliver, offering (relatively) full sound compared to the tinny mess we're used to. That said, we were surprised to find maximum volume to actually be lower than what the stereo slivers on either side of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 can manage. Software Finally, webOS on the big screen -- or bigger anyway. The TouchPad is HP's first device running webOS 3.0, a more tablet-friendly version of the little mobile operating system that we've come to love over the years. If you're familiar with earlier versions on perhaps a Pre or a Veer you'll be quite comfortable here because, on the outset, not a lot has changed, particularly when it comes to our favorite part of the OS: multitasking. Either tap the physical Home button or just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and you'll get into the patented webOS card view, which has been often imitated but never quite duplicated. Each app gets its own card and, should that program spawn a new window (a new browser instance, say, or a new e-mail) that additional card joins a stack. You can then shuffle through the cards in any given pile, drag them around, or just flick them off the top of the screen to send them to the big garbage collector in the sky. As ever, navigating apps like this is genuinely fun; there's something very satisfying about literally throwing away a window that you no longer want cluttering up your screen or your RAM. And it's all helped by everything in the OS being generally snappy and responsive -- even if the applications themselves are occasionally rather less so. Cycling through running programs and swiping around is quick, but the experience is less gesture-heavy than previous phone versions. In fact, you'll really only be using gestures to switch between tasks. The Gesture Area (the spot on the bezel beneath the display on webOS phones) is no longer there for things like going back and forth in the browser. You'll need to use the buttons in the menu bar at the top of the window for that sort of thing, which is a bit pedestrian and boring. You can still flick up to get the card view, or tap the home button once for that, twice to bring up Launcher. The Just Type feature, where you "just type" to find contacts or documents, hasn't been significantly tweaked, letting you start pecking away at the on-screen keyboard to look up contacts or enter in web URLs. It's a little less instant feeling since you first need to tap on the "Just Type" section of the screen -- unless you pair an optional keyboard -- but it's still handy. Other tweaks include notifications that appear in a top status bar. You'll see an alert should you get a flurry of new e-mails, and you can quickly flick through them before tapping one to view it in the dedicated app. You can also get quick access to toggling the device's various antennae, and of course get the time and a remaining battery life. There's a screen orientation lock here, but we were wishing for a physical switch as we found the TouchPad to be hugely, well, touchy when it came to flipping from portrait to landscape. Finally, there's the unlock screen, which looks a lot like what you'll find on Android Honeycomb. Just grab the lock and drag it away to get in to the tablet. The screen will give you some information about what notifications are waiting for you behind the screen -- the sender and subject of an e-mail, for example -- but rather curiously there's no way to jump right to those items from the lock screen.  The integrated e-mail application is easy and effective, relying on what HP calls Synergy -- a means to tie together multiple accounts and show them all in one view. It'll work with Google, Exchange, Yahoo!, MobileMe, and good 'ol POP3 / SMTP out of the box. We attached our Gmail account and, within a minute or two of watching a spinny indicator do its thing, all our labels appeared as folders and all our e-mails as, well, e-mails. This is probably the best demonstration of the moveable panes UI concept that HP is pushing with the TouchPad. By default, along the left you get a list of folders, in the middle a list of messages within the current folder, and on the right a view of the selected message. But, you can tap below the messages list and drag left to hide the folders, making more room for reading, or tap below the e-mail and drag left to bring that full screen. You can then drag back when you want your lists again. It's intuitive and it works -- except when it doesn't, as we'll see in the Facebook app in just a moment. Ultimately, heavy Gmail users will miss some features available on Android, but this is among the best simple, mobile e-mail clients we've yet sampled. Calendar The Calendar app is similarly easy, again pulling in any related Google information should you be using it. Like with e-mail, Synergy lets you sync with many places, including Facebook, Exchange, and Yahoo!, though we found a few selections in the Catalog that bring their own data to the party -- including a Formula One schedule that's particularly handy with all the back-to-back races this season. Ultimately it isn't particularly more or less exciting than, say, Calendar on Honeycomb, but the ability to easily aggregate multiple calendars from disparate sources makes it a useful addition here. At least, for people who have things to do at set times. Browser The loss of the Gesture Area means you won't be swiping to go back and forward here. You'll instead rely on a rather more traditional looking bar full of buttons. The app will also load the traditional, desktop versions of pages for the most part. There's no tabbed browsing as such, instead you get carded, each new instance added to your stack. You just tap to get to the one you want, or of course flick the ones you don't want off to oblivion. Flash 10.3 is pre-installed and overall browsing performance is reasonably good, but we did notice some odd stops and starts and delays in loading some pages. Full-screen HD video plays, but not particularly smoothly. The same videos were far creamier on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Once loaded, pinching to zoom is quick and responsive, cruising around pages is snappy as can be, and you'll find the familiar "bounce" effect should you try to drag beyond any edge of the screen. In fact, things are very bouncy here. Keyboard The on-screen virtual keyboard is reasonably roomy, giving you the full QWERTY experience with a full row of number keys in either landscape or portrait. The symbol key gives you access to your usual array of special characters, though many of the more popular ones are available right there on the number keys as well. You're also given buttons for each of six smiley faces, including, tragically, the sad crying face and, rather more excitingly, the OMG face. There's also a <3 button, welcome addition for the particularly lazy typist. The TouchPad is quite good at fixing many spelling mistakes and the like, subtly auto-correcting as you go and alerting you when a fix has been made with a small prompt above the word. That's definitely nice, but we do wish the keyboard would automatically insert apostrophes when typing things like "wont" or "dont." HP did, at least, put the apostrophe key right there on the front so you won't have to go digging for it.  The TouchPad gets a custom Facebook app that is better than the Facebook apps on most other mobile platforms because, well, there aren't many that are optimized for tablets -- at least not until that mythical iPad entry launches. This one certainly is optimized and it looks good -- as it should considering that HP handled the development here. Naturally it's focused on giving you a view into the happenings of those you've chosen to indicate you're friendly with on the service. You're given two perspectives: a traditional list view and a less symmetrical grid arrangement that presents boxes of varying sizes corresponding to the size of the update posted by your associate -- and possibly to the volume of their hubris. Both rely on the same sort of sliding panes used in the e-mail application, but when you're in list view here the sliding pane inexplicably doesn't fill the screen after being dragged left. It just moves left, leaving a blank spot on the right. Not the end of the world, but something of an obvious bug. The app also lets you quickly browse through your catalog of associates, view all their birthdays in one handy list, and of course peruse your photo collection. It's a solid addition to the tablet, making social networking easy.  Though you'll get a highly polished Facebook app out of the box, you're left to your own devices if you want to tweet. You can, of course, use the web interface, but serious users will immediately start trawling through the App Catalog to see what's available -- and sadly it's rather slim pickins. We found only one Twitter app that was fully-functional and optimized for the TouchPad, a beta of an app called Spaz HD, and we must say it's reasonably good. It offers a similar multi-column view that's configurable to list your feed, your mentions, a search, direct messages, you get the picture. These columns lack the dragability and resizeability of the other custom apps, but can at least be rearranged, ala TweetDeck. Bing Maps Google Maps and Earth are definitely two of the most usable apps on Android; here it's Bing Maps attempting to offer the same experience, and doing a reasonably good job at it, too. The app gives a topographical view to start, but you can of course pop over to a satellite imagery view or the service's Birds Eye angle, using multi-touch gestures to get a good view on that potential vacation destination. (Car propped up on cinder blocks out front? Bad sign.) You can save locations, view traffic conditions, and get yourself directions too. We're told the mapping functionality has been exposed to TouchPad devs who want to add a little cartography to their apps, but at this point we're not seeing anybody take Microsoft up on that offer -- including the Weatherbug app, which renders its own maps using Google data and, sadly, offers some of the worst performance we saw on the tablet. QuickOfficeAs was rumored, the TouchPad is unable to create or edit Office-like documents out of the box. It does ship with QuickOffice pre-installed, but that offers read-only views into your pseudo-productivity files, and even that was a feat it couldn't manage for long. After a few days of use the app inexplicably stopped working. It would just never load. Ever. We're told a fix for that is coming "soon" and that document editing will be available by "mid-summer." Epicurious Epicurious brings its culinary delights to the TouchPad with a clean, easy to use app that takes advantage of the surface area here to display recipes, ingredients, and lots of beautiful food photography, ensuring that if you weren't hungry when you tapped the Epicurious icon you will be before you sling it off the top of your screen. You can also create a shopping list if you like directly from any recipe's ingredients, but this tablet's a little too big to be dragging along to the grocery store. PrintingGiven that the TouchPad is manufactured by a company that earned a lot of its consumer cred by becoming nearly synonymous with the word "printer," it should come as no surprise that the TouchPad supports printing out of the box -- assuming you own a compatible printer. But, it should, perhaps, also come as no surprise that the number of printers that are supported is somewhat limited. Any HP-branded network-connected PCL-capable ink jet or laser machine can be connected and printed to by the tablet. This covers the vast majority of HP printers sold over the past five years, but if yours is a little older or, perhaps, a little more generic, you might need to start looking for alternatives. Video calling Skype support is built in to the TouchPad and webOS 3.0, which is good, because otherwise you'd have nothing at all to do with that 1.3 megapixel camera up front. All the contacts on the device are Synergy'd together, which makes for a bit of a mess if you just want to Skype somebody. Also a bit of a mess: what you'll look like to whoever you call. We tried multiple video chats and, while the video going down to the tablet looked okay, that going out looked generally awful despite sitting on a solid 802.11n connection. Just rolled out of bed? No worries, you're good. App Catalog and Pivot The selection in the App Catalog is quite good, but the subset of apps actually optimized to take advantage of the full display here is quite slim. HP pledges to have 300 TouchPad-optimized apps available in the Catalog in time for the launch, and a further 6,200 from phones. Those apps will be mostly unable to make use of the resolution, running in a small picture of a phone, which is a little quaint but also disappointing, especially since you can't even rotate that faux phone from landscape to portrait. Those few apps that have been optimized are good, and the curated Pivot magazine definitely highlights some of the better ones, but ultimately we didn't really find anything here that made us want to hang up our iPad and shut down our Galaxy Tab. That HP-developed Facebook app is really the only piece of software that's genuinely better than what's available elsewhere, and we think we could make do without it. Touch to Share and Pre 3 compatibilityIt's perhaps a little early to get too excited about what the TouchPad can do with the Pre 3, given that it'll be awhile before release. But, should you find yourself in possession of one of HP's next portrait QWERTY sliders rest assured that it'll happily talk to your TouchPad. The two pair over Bluetooth quickly and, once suitably synched, can exchange contact and messaging information. Getting a call on your phone? You can pick it up on your tablet and use it like a gigantic Blueooth headset. Want to send an SMS? Don't squint at the little, rubbery keyboard tucked within the Pre 3, tap away at the expansive, glossy one in the TouchPad.  But, of course, the biggest news here is Touch to Share, which allows you to open a webpage on your phone, tap that phone against your tablet, and have the tablet bring up that page. You can also send URLs the other way or, indeed, swap by just having the browser open on either end. In this way there's obviously not a lot of smarts behind this functionality -- either device just pushes addresses when proximity is detected -- but there's a fair amount of elegance to the process of exchanging information here. Camera We've often downplayed the importance of high-quality rearward-facing cameras on tablets because, well, holding up a big slab of a gadget to take a picture of something is far from easy and equally distant from anything rewarding. That said, we certainly don't hate the things and having one is a standard feature on modern tablets -- and so we're a bit perplexed by the complete omission of a rear-facing camera here. You do get an 1.3 megapixel front-facing shooter, which at this point can only be used within the integrated video chat application -- Skype. Because of this we're unable to give any accurate description of the capabilities of said sensor, simply because we couldn't capture the output from it. Accessories Touchstone Charging Dock The Pre wowed us with its inductive charging built-in, and the TouchPad continues that tradition with its Touchstone Charging Dock, which too features wireless charging and sets the tablet into Exhibition Mode. In the settings you can tell it to display a fancy looking clock, your current agenda, or cycle through photos and videos. Other apps will be available down the road that you can select as well. The dock itself is of a simple construction, with a swivel-out stand that lets you situate the tablet at just about any angle you like, and rubberized feet to keep it from slipping flat. At $80 it's a lot for a glorified dock, though the original Touchstone wasn't exactly good value when it launched for $50. Wireless Keyboard For one to embrace the true post-PC world one must, naturally, give up one's PC. That means the PC's keyboard too, and if writing every last e-mail on a touchscreen doesn't sound particularly utopian you'll want a keyboard. HP would like you to use this one, a $70 wireless unit that connects quickly and easily over Bluetooth and gives you access to a full QWERTY layout plus a number of special keys. Each key is flat, well-spaced, and the feel is almost exactly the same as Apple's wireless keyboard. In fact, almost everything is exactly the same as Apple's unit, which isn't a bad thing. You can turn the tablet's screen on and off with a dedicated power button, switch between apps, adjust the screen brightness, and, most importantly, Just Type by just typing. If you're a heavy tablet user it's very, very nice to have, a light and slim design makes it easy to pack, but a $70 price tag makes for an expensive accessory. Wrap-up Oh, happy day, when one first receives a device that's been eagerly anticipated for months. Sad, sad day when that device fails to live up to one's expectations. We all wanted the TouchPad to really compete, to give us a compelling third party to join the iOS and Android boxes on the ballot. But, alas, this isn't quite it. The shortage of apps is a problem, no doubt, but that will change with time. What won't change is the hardware, and there we're left a little disappointed. Holding this in one hand and either an iPad 2 or a Galaxy Tab 10.1 in the other leaves you wondering why you'd ever be compelled to buy the HP when you could have the thinner, lighter alternative for the same money. Meanwhile, the performance left us occasionally wanting and, well, what is there to say. If the Pre 3 were out today and if the TouchPad were $100 less we could maybe see giving it a go, if only to root for the underdog. But, as it is, you have to put your heart and two decades worth of Palm obsession ahead of any buying rationale. With such compelling alternatives readily available, that's asking rather a lot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Windows Phone Mango ripe for developers to sink their teeth into Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:26 PM PDT  [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Today Brandon Watson, Senior Director of Developer Experience for Windows Phone announced via the Windows Phone Developer Blog the availability of updated Mango developer tools known as Tools Beta 2. Below is just a snapshot of the news Brandon shared in his blog, for more details, I encourage you to check out the full post, Developers Get Goody Basket Full of Mangos. -Exciting new tools - there are a lot of new tools included in the update to help developers begin building apps that take advantage of new Mango features like App Connect, updated Live Tiles, Motion Sensors and sockets -Windows Phone early access program - the new early access program for developers allows registered Windows Phone Developers to begin updating their Windows Phone Developer unlocked retail phones with a build of Mango TODAY -College student challenge – the Windows Phone team has set aside 50 Mango developer phones for students looking to build the next big thing on Windows Phone. Students must be registered with the DreamSpark program and follow the contest guidelines outlined in the blog |
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