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Sunday, July 17, 2011

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Singbox SV-606's MP3 milkshake brings the portable audio love to your yard

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 10:13 AM PDT

See that line up of multi-colored, chromatic doodads above? Those are not, in fact, a host of shiny USB-powered kazoos. Le sigh, we know -- maybe next time. What are they, then? Try the super spiffy-looking Korean line of Singbox SV-606 speaker / MP3 players that pack an FM radio, microSD card reader and headphone jack into an 85mm by 35mm bullet shell-shaped design. While these digital audio players won't be useful in slaying any rainbow-obsessed werewolves, they will probably help get a few heads-a-turning as you strut your Saturday Night Fever stuff down the boulevard. Hit the source for a translated view of these sold-out beauties.

Toshiba Thrive experiencing sleep / wake / reboot issues?

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 09:02 AM PDT

Toshiba's Android-powered Thrive just started shipping to end users during the past couple of weeks, but already we're seeing an alarming amount of bug reports crop up over at the outfit's own site. Specifically, legions of users are suggesting that their Thrive is having a whale of a time coming out of Sleep mode without a full, hard reboot, and some are even suggesting that it'll turn on by its lonesome on occasion. Hard to say if this is something that could be remedied via a future firmware update, but here's hoping, right? Let us know if you're seeing the same troubles in comments below -- we haven't seen any of this in the handful of days we've been testing our own, but we'll be sure to report more thoroughly in our upcoming review.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

ViewSonic ViewPad 10Pro hits the FCC, feds don't mind its split personality

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 08:01 AM PDT

Who ever said multiple personality disorder was a bad thing? Certainly not ViewSonic, whose Oak Trail powered ViewPad 10Pro -- which does the dual OS dance with Windows 7 and virtualized Android 2.2 -- just made its way through the FCC. The government's stamp of approval on its WiFi and AT&T-friendly WCDMA radios means it won't fry our brains, and it shouldn't be long before we see the 10Pro in stores. Of course, we still don't know the price of this device... or the psychiatric costs of its OS switching ways.

Windows Phone 7 Connector now puts your Home Server in your hand

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 07:08 AM PDT

Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector
Ok, Windows Server Solutions Phone Connector doesn't exactly sound exciting but, if you're one of the few people out there rocking a Windows Home Server 2011 machine and a WP7 handset, you're probably gonna want to get this set up ASAP. The combination of server-side plug-in and phone app lets you remotely control your server -- triggering backups, managing users, and viewing alerts. It also lets you pull up media files stored on your server, though you can't copy them locally for your later viewing or listening pleasure. It's not just for home users either. The plug-in works with Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials and Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials, for smaller companies that rely on Microsoft-powered mobiles. You can download the server add-on at the more coverage link, and the smartphone app from the Zune Marketplace.

Apple leaks Cinema Display refresh, teases dual-monitor Thunderbolt setup?

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 06:04 AM PDT

The cat Apple is out of the bag, apparently. Thanks to a leak on its website, there's evidence that Cupertino's readying a formal introduction of Thunderbolt to more devices. Keen eyes from MacRumors have spotted products on the site now sporting OSX Lion backgrounds, notably, what appears to be T-bolt connected Cinema Displays. The images showing the hook-up no longer appear to be listed, but the dual-setup above sure looks nifty. Considering Lion's got about two weeks left to rear its head and meet that July release, we'd surmise it won't be long until you'll be able to opt for a similar rig. Now can we please just get an anti-glare option?

[Thanks, Trey]

Acer TravelMate 8481 lands late August, £700 price tag in tow

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 03:34 AM PDT

Back in May, we caught a glimpse of Acer's TravelMate 8481, rocking an extra thin bezel and up to 13 nine hours of battery life for the road-weary sojourner. At the time, Acer was touting a mid-June launch, but we've just received word that the Core i7-packing notebook won't make it into carry-ons until late August. As of now, we've only got UK pricing -- £699, to be exact -- leading us to wonder when the thing will make the journey stateside. As per usual, we will keep you abreast of the details as they roll in. Until then, you can peep the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Acer TravelMate 8481
The ultimate road-smart companion

London, 15th July 2011 – Professionals spending most of their working life on the go need a notebook that is up to any challenge. A notebook capable of combining top performance with optimal security and extended battery life. Add to the mix a slim and light design and you have the TravelMate 8481, a true road warrior.

With the TravelMate 8481 there is no need to make compromises. First of all, it deliver all the power required for serious business on-the-go via the 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors that not only allows to run business productivity applications 60% faster than the previous generation, but it delivers smart performance that adapts to the task at hand, enabling more responsive multitasking while ensuring energy efficiency.

Furthermore, thanks to Intel® HD Graphics 3000 the new model provides an impressive visual performance for sharper images and richer color. Using Intel® Wireless Display technology, it can share presentations or videos on HD displays or TVs via an easy to set up wireless connection. Smooth HD video playback and exceptionally clear image and sound will make any presentation really impressive.

The TravelMate 8481 is also available with discreet graphic options. Featuring NVIDIA® Optimus™ technology, NVIDIA GPUs boost graphic performance without impacting on battery life. In addition, multi-monitor support takes productivity to the next level, allowing easier multitasking.

In terms of storage, this laptop can be equipped with a standard HDD with up to 320 GB of space and a Solid State Drive (mSata) with up to 64GB of capacity, a combination that can be used as boot/OS partition to boost the system. The integrated multi-in-1 card reader supporting the most used formats, simplifies data sharing and provides more storage options.The TravelMate 8481 can also count on up to 8 GB of advanced DDR3 memory that dramatically increases data bandwidths allowing faster multitasking and lowers power consumption.

Besides performance, long lasting battery life is another highly sought after feature. The TravelMate 8481 can offer up to 9 hours battery life, so that it won't let you down in the middle of something important. What's more, it features Acer PowerSmart long cycle battery, that ensures up to 3 times longer battery life cycles (1000 vs. 300 cycles) and maintain 80% capacity after 1000 cycle count. The battery will last longer, reducing the need to replace it.

The TravelMate 8481 comes with a 35.6 cm (14.0 inch) Acer ComfyView LCD LED backlit display, with HD (1366x768) resolution and a 16:9 aspect ratio offering clear visuals down to the latest detail. The super-slim, frameless display fits into a 13-inch footprint, thus increasing the screen area by 15% for enhanced productivity on one side and improved portability on the other. The ultra-thin design – only 2.2 cm (0.87 inches) at its highest point – combine with the ultra-light weight, 1.5 kg (3.306 lbs.) with 4-cell battery pack to create an extremely portable system.

Not only the TravelMate 8481 comes with a complete range of reliable connectivity options such as Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, or high-speed wired access via Gigabit Ethernet - to be able to reach critical business information or have communication with customers anytime and anywhere - it also offers a fast way to check important information via Acer InstantView. Acer InstantView is a Linux based light OS designed for fast boot up. Starting up in only 8 seconds, it allows Calendar, Documents, Email contacts to be launched almost immediately to quickly review information and increase business productivity.

With the USB 3.0 port users can transfer data to and from external devices 10 times faster than before. In addition, this laptop uses the Power-Off USB Charging technology, to let you charge your smartphone or other USB devices even without turning the computer on. As your laptop becomes your charging station you can travel even lighter because there is no need to carry additional power adapters.

Data protection, both from physical accidents or from unauthorized access to the system, is critical for business users. This is why Acer professional notebook are thoroughly protected. Starting with the outside, the TravelMate 8481 comes with a resilient case design with a Magnesium-Aluminium cage to uniformly distribute all external forces and withstand extreme pressure. The metal alloy hinge comes with a reinforced coil for maximum hold strength, while the Autolock feature ensure your notebook lid is tightly secured for LCD protection.

Next generation DASP (Disk Anti-Shock Protection) provides all around suspension of the hard disk inside an Mg-Al enclosure to guarantee the physical integrity of your data. HDD is also soft-mounted onto the system to provide extra cushionig. The result is a significant improvement in preventing HDD failure and higher MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure).

To keep the system cool while performing faster, the TravelMate 8481 features the innovative Acer DustDefender technology, designed to prevent the accumulation of dust inside the system. A smart reversing mechanism in the cooling fan can push the dust out.

Acer BioProtection Fingerprint solution featuring pre-booth authentication prevents unauthorized access to your system by recognizing your unique fingerprint. It combines with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) solution to guarantee the integrity of the client platform. TPM also allow a secure storage and reporting of security relevant metrics. Plus, it detects changes to previous configurations.

The TravelMate 8481 is the result of careful design and utmost attention to details. The next generation Acer FineTouch keyboard offers an extra-comfortable typing experience for better productivity. The oversized touchpad offers more precise control and next generation multi-touch permits to perform more functions without switching to the keyboard. Together with more responsive touchpad buttons, it offers more precise control. Productivity hotkeys are designed to efficiently access frequently-used functions such as microphone mute, backup, InstantView and programmable key.

To ensure the utmost dependability and lower TCO, Acer professional notebooks are submitted to a series of reliability tests and are compliant with the most stringent criteria of the industry. Furthermore they offer Energy Star® 5.0 compliancy together with EPEAT® Silver criteria, guaranteeing energy savings and longer battery life.

All Acer notebooks come with a standard 1 year Carry In (International travellers warranty - ITW) which can be extended to 3 years' cover with the Acer Advantage service that also covers accidental damage to the notebook.

The Acer TravelMate 8481 will be available at the end of August with an RRP of £699 ex Vat.

Vitamin Water bus-stop ad lets devices juice-up before the commute

Posted: 17 Jul 2011 12:27 AM PDT

Battery running low during the rush-hour commute? Glacéau's Vitamin Water Energy Bus Shelter by Crispin Porter & Bogusky wants to help you get charged while you're waiting to board. The new billboards feature a bottle of the vitamin / caffeine-packing drink, sporting a triple-USB port, which you can plug your devices into for some extra juice. Apparently, you'll be seeing these if your daily public-transit hustle takes you through the fine cities of Boston, New York, Chicago or Los Angeles -- we'd imagine owners of HTC's Thunderbolt will find them very useful.

Aquapulse heart rate monitor finally ships, misses out on Michael Phelps fervor

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 09:22 PM PDT

It's not often that a product takes two full years to go from announced to shipped, but such is the case with Finis' Aquapulse. For those who weren't exactly paying attention in April of 2009, the aforementioned company busted out a head-mounted device that relies on an Infrared sensor to monitor heart rate via your earlobe. Said rate is then communicated to you in real time through bone conduction technology. Naturally, it's fully capable of heading underwater for swimmers and heavy sweaters, but is understanding just how hard your hardest working muscle is working worth $149.99 to you? Hit the source link once you've made up your mind.
Show full PR text
Livermore, CA – (July 12, 2011) FINIS, a world leader in technical swimming products that maximize your fitness potential and technique, announces the immediate availability of the AquaPulse™ Heart Rate Monitor, an audible heart rate monitor for swimmers and water fitness enthusiasts. The AquaPulse™ Heart Rate Monitor is a small workout accessory built for swimmers looking to get the most out of their workout through heart rate training.

Simply slip the AquaPulse™ Heart Rate Monitor inside your goggle strap, attach the soft rubber clip to your earlobe, and start swimming. Using an infrared sensor, your heart beat is detected through your earlobe by capillary activity. The heart rate is then audibly communicated to you in real time, where the information is transmitted directly to your inner ear via Bone Conduction Technology. No ear buds, no cumbersome chest straps and no watch device is needed. You will never have to stop to check your heart rate again. The AquaPulse™ Heart Rate Monitor is now available for $149.99 MSRP at www.FINISInc.com.

For the past decade heart rate training has been utilized by top athletes in all sports to improve their training levels. As an accurate measurement of your intensity or exertion level a heart rate monitor is the easiest and most precise way to continuously measure your heart rate. By understanding and monitoring your ideal heart rate zone while training, you are able to consistently train your body at the optimum fitness levels. Knowing the work zone for your heart prevents over-training, under-training, and encourages correct pacing. As a result heart rate monitors (HRM's) can show you when you're dehydrated, running out of nutrition, or not recovered from a previous day's workout.

"As a fitness or competitive swimmer you should know your maximum heart rate and train in your zone to optimize your workout," says John Mix, President of FINIS. "Current heart rate monitors are meant for running and dryland training, but are awkward in the water as athletes are hindered by slipping straps and delayed information on watches. Our heart rate monitor features a design that provides an audible heart rate announcement while you swim, eliminating the need to stop and calculate your heart rate or look at your watch. Because you don't have to stop you will have a more accurate heart rate calculation and no down time, thus maximizing your workout."

"As an elite swimmer, the more I know about my body, the better I can train," says Jason Lezak, seven time Olympic Medalist. "I use the AquaPulse ™ Heart Rate Monitor consistently during my training practices because it's more accurate and easier than stopping to take my pulse. I do heart rate specific training sets in addition to monitoring my heart rate when I train. I can also hear my heart rate instantly at a press of a button whenever I need it."

Features and Benefits include:

* Audible Heart Rate in Real Time – Heart rate is announced while you move; no need to pause and look at a watch

* Bone Conduction Audio Announcement – Verbally conveys your heart rate through your cheekbone into your inner ear; no ear buds needed (Humans normally hear through air conduction, but because there is no air underneath the water, bone conduction provides the clearest sound quality possible)

* Infrared Sensor Technology – The Infrared sensor measures the light pulses due to capillary blood flow in the skin and calculates the number of beats per minute (b/m) that the body is working

* Instant Heart Rate Button – Push the "Instant Heart Rate" button to hear your last recorded heart rate reading

* Heart Rate Fluctuation Monitoring – Audible updates given at selected time increments; if there is no change in your heart rate you will not hear an update
* Announcement Increments – Set the device to announce every 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes or 5 minutes

* Waterproof - Made for swimmers by swimmers; all buttons are waterproof
* Easy Attachment – No chest strap or watches needed; just slip inside your goggle strap
* Lithium-Ion Battery – Lasts from 5 to 8+ hours depending on interval setting; gives an audible low battery announcement when low
* USB Charging – To recharge, plug the AquaPulse™ Heart Rate Monitor directly into the USB port on a computer or USB wall charger

For more information visit FINISinc.com

Ask Engadget: best dumbphone on the market?

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 07:19 PM PDT

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Jibben, who isn't exactly hip with shelling out each month for a tiered data plan. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"My upgrade on AT&T is coming up soon, and I only want a new phone if it is something that can best my Samsung Impression. You guys talk a whole lot about smartphones and such, but I just don't have enough money to swing a data plan. I want my phone to have a full keyboard and a touchscreen. So what would you recommend for a dumbphone?"

Man, the simpler days. We know this fellow isn't the only one looking to stay disconnected from their email on the go, so what's the landscape looking like these days? And is there really a reason to stick with AT&T if you don't have a smartphone in mind?

Alienware M14x review roundup: a lovely blend of poise and power

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 06:02 PM PDT

Know what happens when you split the difference between an M18x and an M11x? The M14x, of course! We managed a bit of hands-on time with Alienware's middleman back in April, and now the web at large has had a chance to spit their opinions on it. By and large, critics were overwhelmingly pleased with performance, and hardly anyone could find too many griping points. Hot Hardware dished out an Editor's Choice badge, noting that the 14-incher exhibited a near-perfect blend of portability and power -- it's not often that a machine capable of running today's latest 3D titles can also get four hours of battery life. Having Optimus onboard is certainly a boon, but just about everyone also suggested springing for an SSD to really round things out. Folks also seemed to love the apparent lack of bloatware, and while the $2,000+ price tag was certainly steep, the top-tier numbers it delivered definitely helped soften the blow. The long and short of it? Folks looking for a nice balance of mobility and raw horsepower need look no further, but you can humor yourself anyway by digging into the links below.

US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 04:24 PM PDT

US Army runs smartphone trial, could see 'limited deployment' later this year
Sure, the US Army could continue to develop expensive proprietary gadgets for use in the field, or they could make the switch to (relatively) inexpensive off-the-shelf smartphones. It's a change that's been considered for some time, and the Army is now at the tail end of a six-week trial of more than 300 Android, iPhone, and Windows Phone devices for military use. The results have been promising, according to program director Michael McCarthy, stating that younger soldiers who grew up with smartphones and handhelds are very comfortable using them for military purposes.

Soldiers in the field can text GPS coordinates, send pictures of their surroundings, or file common reports directly from their phone. Despite positive results, the Army still has some hurdles to jump before taking the plunge -- some of the phones had OS bugs, others (specifically, iPhones running on AT&T) couldn't get signal in the New Mexico and Texas testing areas, and none of the devices were secure enough for use in overseas operations. The Army is considering tying the phones to tactical radios to help encrypt transmissions, and are testing self contained "cell tower in a suitcase" equipment to ensure coverage in sensitive locations. The Military hopes to push out limited deployment this year, and Army program director Ed Mazzanti has stated that they expect to select two mobile operating systems for official use, noting that "iPhone and Android have been very well received." Sure, using multiple platforms may help protect soldiers against cyber attacks, but we can't be the only ones worried the Army is unintentionally breeding a generation of fanboys with guns, can we?

Android trash can robot begs the question: 'Why are you hitting yourself?' (video)

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 03:01 PM PDT

We've seen robots that look like they've had one too many, but we're pretty sure this little guy needs to check into rehab. Despite its absolutely adorable appearance, this Android seems hell-bent on destruction, literally beating itself up, and eventually falling on its face. Built using the requisite Arduino, a trash can, some LEDs, and a slew of other components, this little guy was apparently created in three days on a budget just barely exceeding $100. You can see a video of the waste-bin bot hitting rock bottom at the source link below, but please refrain from laughing; Android alcoholism is a serious issue.

Fujitsu to launch first Windows Phone Mango handset in... August?

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 01:51 PM PDT

Say it ain't so -- not only is a phone not delayed, it's actually planning to come out earlier than its quoted launch window? This particular miracle is the exception much more than the rule, but Microsoft's latest Windows Phone OS (nicknamed "Mango,") might come out prior to the anticipated fall release. According to Nikkei, Fujitsu will offer the very first Mango device, a waterproof phone called the IS12T, on KDDI "as early as late next month." The phone is to be sold for 30,000 - 40,000 yen ($378 - 505), a reasonable amount of coin for what will likely be a higher-end device. And -- if it's the same handset showcased at this week's Worldwide Partner Conference -- a pink version will be on sale. So, what's more enticing: a Hello Kitty-flavored Windows Phone, or a Samsung Galaxy S II lookalike running Mango? It's a tough call.

Shaw Cable's Netflix competitor bypasses bandwidth caps on its way to the TV

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 12:44 PM PDT

While US residents seethe over increases in Netflix's pricing, our neighbors in Canada are upset by the competing Movie Club package Shaw Cable is offering. The $12 per month service offers unlimited access to "hundreds of the best Hollywood movies" and plans to have high definition feeds later this summer for an additional $5 (cable companies in the US have a similar scheme under the name Vutopia.) Causing the issue are promises that "the only limit is the number of hours in your day" unlike bandwidth capped streaming from unnamed services like Netflix. While Movie Club viewing over the internet on a PC, tablet or other device is capped just like any other service, access via the cable box is not metered. That distinction doesn't sit well with subscribers and consumer groups arguing for net neutrality, particularly as the CRTC is in the midst of hearings over usage-based internet billing. While that case hasn't been decided, our own ruling is already in and is firmly against Shaw, or anyone else, advertising based on advantages that exist only due to policies it created in the first place.
Show full PR text
The Best Titles Available With the New Shaw Movie Club

CALGARY, ALBERTA, Jul 15, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- The next step in delivering value and flexibility to customers is here with the Shaw Movie Club /quotes/zigman/18053 CA:SJR.B +0.69% /quotes/zigman/18033/quotes/nls/sjr SJR -0.29% . This new service gives Shaw customers access to hundreds of movie titles for only $12 per month and is part of Shaw's ongoing commitment to provide more content on demand.

The Shaw Movie Club features unlimited access to hundreds of titles like The Expendables, Burlesque and Red. Unlike similar programs, customers who subscribe to the Shaw Movie Club will have access to newer movie titles that are updated monthly to watch streaming online or directly on your TV.

Customers can also get their Movie Club content in High Definition later this summer. For an additional $5 per month, all titles will be available to customers with the stunning quality of Shaw HD, thanks to the Movie Club HD Pass.

"The Shaw Movie Club is the result of listening to our customers and delivering products that fit their needs and the way they use technology," said Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications Inc. "The Shaw Movie Club brings our customers more choice and value - they get the best titles available to enjoy whenever, wherever they want."

The Movie Club launches on the heels of Shaw's new Internet packages, which provide customers with dramatically increased data levels and speed. Customers can access the Shaw Movie Club through several platforms:


-- Through the Shaw Gateway - available to Calgary and Edmonton customers,
with Vancouver and national dates to follow through the summer


www.VOD.SHAW.CA log in with their customer care identification or Shaw email. They can
then search for titles available with the Movie Club subscription - a
select number of titles are available for streaming online, or to order
to their Digital Box

-- Searching for titles on the VOD App for iPhone and Android - search and
order titles to customers' Digital Box to enjoy in the comfort of their
own homes


Movie Club can be added to customers' entertainment packages through the Shaw Plan Personalizer, which enables all customers to customize their home entertainment services by choosing the features they love and want.

Customers can sign up for the Shaw Movie Club at www.VOD.SHAW.ca and take a guided tour of the Shaw Plan Personalizer.

For more information please visit www.shaw.ca .

About Shaw Communications Inc.

Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications and media company, providing consumers with broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Home Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business), satellite direct-to-home services (through Shaw Direct) and engaging programming content (through Shaw Media). Shaw serves 3.4 million customers, through a reliable and extensive fibre network. Shaw Media operates one of the largest conventional television networks in Canada, Global Television, and 18 specialty networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, History Television and Showcase. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index /quotes/zigman/18053 CA:SJR.B +0.69% /quotes/zigman/18033/quotes/nls/sjr SJR -0.29% . For more information about Shaw, please visit www.shaw.ca .

Orange UK offers daily 30MB for £3 roaming option for fee weary travelers

Posted: 16 Jul 2011 11:41 AM PDT

OrangeOh Orange UK customers, you lucky dogs, your carrier is giving you a bit of a break as we enter globe-trotting season. No longer are you chained to absurd per-MB roaming charges or unnecessary monthly plans. Instead, you can shell out £3-a-day (about $5) for 30MB of data -- which is plenty for checking e-mail and doing some light browsing. If you don't use any data then you don't get charged (sweet!), but go over that limit and you're back to the normal £3.07-per-MB rate (not so sweet). It's a perfect option for the traveler who only spends a week or two abroad at a time, and it closes the gap with fellow UK provider Vodafone, which offers a £2-per-day, 25MB option. Now, if only others (especially our friends here in the US) would offer sensible roaming plans of their own.
at 11:28 AM

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