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Monday, July 25, 2011

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Mac mini review (mid 2011)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 10:55 AM PDT

For those familiar with last year's Mac mini, what you're peering at above isn't likely to strike you as jarring. Heck, it may even seem somewhat vanilla at this point. In truth, Apple did exceedingly little in terms of design changes with the mid 2011 Mac mini, but given the relatively recent cosmetic overhaul, it's not like we were genuinely expecting anything above a top-to-bottom spec bump. And that, friends, is exactly what we've received. The mini remains quite the curious beast in Cupertino's line -- it's the almost-HTPC that living room junkies are longing for, yet it's still a country mile from being the headless mid-tower that Apple steadfastly refuses to build. It's hardly a PC for the simpleton (given that it's on you to hunt down a mouse, keyboard and monitor), and it's actually taking a giant leap backwards on one particularly important front. Care to hear more? You'll find our full review just past the break.
Apple Core i5 Mac mini unboxing (mid 2011)

Hardware and design
Make no mistake about it -- the mini is just gorgeous to look at. As with the prior model, this 2.7 pound slab of aluminum looks nicer than its price tag indicates, and it honestly feels more like a decoration than a computer. It's sized at 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches, exactly the same as its predecessor, and outside of the chromed Apple logo on the top, a matte black strip of ports on the rear and a similarly hued lid on the bottom, it's a clean sweep of brushed silver. It'll sit nicely on its edge for those contemplating a vertical installation, but the protruding lid on the bottom makes it a little less elegant for those applications.

Speaking of the rear, the dozen connectors found there aren't cosmetically different than those on the last build. From left to right, you'll find an AC input, gigabit Ethernet jack, FireWire 800 port, HDMI (full-size), Thunderbolt, four USB 2.0 sockets, an SDXC slot, an audio input and a 3.5mm headphone port. Funny enough, last year's DisplayPort socket looks identical to this year's Thunderbolt connector, and not surprisingly, DisplayPort monitors and peripherals will happily fit themselves in with no adapters needed. For what it's worth, Apple does include an HDMI-to-DVI adapter, but oddly, no Thunderbolt dongle. Sure, we know those cables are laced in gold, but what better way to encourage adoption of a new I/O port than to toss in an appendage for newcomers? Even a DisplayPort / Thunderbolt-to-HDMI or DVI cable would've been greatly appreciated -- making it simple to hook up dual displays right from the get-go would have seriously tickled our fancy.


Tinkerers are bound to love that bottom lid... and then grow frustrated by what's underneath; a simple twist reveals a WiFi module, cooling fan, two SODIMM slots and plenty of other, not-easily-accessible components. Our test unit came with a pair of 1GB memory modules, but even the greenest DIYer could swap those out with more sizable ones -- a couple of snaps and a tug is all it took. Unfortunately, we're still miffed at Apple's decision to keep the HDD away from a user's fingertips. If we had our druthers, the RAM wouldn't be the only thing that's just a few clips away, but alas, we're stuck with what we've got.

We shouldn't have to chide Intel and Apple (and whoever else wants to claim responsibility) for not having USB 3.0 on Macs in the year 2011, but regretfully, we are. A foursome of USB 2.0 ports are cute, but when sub-$400 netbooks are boasting SuperSpeed USB ports... well, let's just say it's about time Apple took notice. Unfortunately, Steve Jobs still seems to think that the newest iteration of the world's most popular port isn't going anywhere fast, so we're apt to see Thunderbolt pushed as the true USB 2.0 replacement. That doesn't mean we have to like it, though.


Given that it's the only new port onboard, it's worth mentioning that Thunderbolt is a fantastic addition to the array. The ability to daisy-chain monitors and peripherals off of it enables the bantam desktop to play grown-up in a few key ways. It'll handle vast display resolutions (up to 2,560 x 1,600; the HDMI socket tops out at 1,920 x 1,200) and outlandish storage solutions, and thanks to the revised CPU, it can more easily handle 'em with poise (more on that in a bit). It's also worth pointing out that the power supply is still internalized (huzzah!), leaving you with nary a power brick to fiddle with. Let's all breathe a simultaneous sigh of relief, cool?

Performance
We tested out the base mini -- a $599 rig with a 2.3GHz dual-core Core i5, 2GB of 1333MHz DDR3 memory, a 500GB (5,400RPM) hard drive and Intel's HD Graphics 3000 processor with 288MB of DDR3 SDRAM, which is shared with main memory. All things considered, that's a halfway decent spread for an MSRP that's $100 less than the base model of 2010, but alas, there's no optical drive to pay for, either. Whisking about Lion and handling mundane tasks (we're looking at you, Office) was a breeze, though we confess to getting a little impatient when waiting for heavier applications to load for the first time. Bootup routinely took right around 45 seconds from off to usable, and there's no question that an SSD swap would do wonders for the general snappiness of the system.


We also noticed a bit of slowdown after having Photoshop, Word, Firefox, Chrome, TweetDeck and Lightroom open for around three hours. We're pinning that on the lowly 2GB of RAM; granted, we were intentionally pushing it, but those hoping to get creative work done on a mini will certainly want to invest in a few more gigs (and a speedier disk drive). Thankfully, 2GB proved plenty when playing back 1080p files, YouTube HD clips and anything we could find in Boxee / Hulu.

On the gaming front, the results were downright impressive. We fired up Half Life 2: Episode 2, turned the details to "High" and cranked the resolution to 1,920 x 1,200 to natively fill our 24-inch panel. The result? A consistent 31 frames per second. Granted, that title isn't exactly the newest in the stack, but this at least confirms that light-duty gaming with your favorites from yesteryear is indeed possible. Turning to XBench and Geekbench -- staples in the world of OS X benchmarking -- we found similarly impressive stats. This particular system scored 291.21 (overall) / 228.84 (CPU) / 400.30 (Thread Test) on the former, while notching 5,919 on the latter. For comparison's sake, the mid 2010 Mac mini scored 3385 on Geekbench, proving that the Core i5-infused newcomer is leaps and bounds more powerful in terms of raw number crunching.

The so-called HTPC factor...
Like it or not (Apple's firmly on the 'not' side from what we can gather), the Mac mini looks like it'd be the ideal home theater PC. It's tiny, beautiful, and it supports insanely high resolutions and just about any HDTV / monitor you could think of. It's also a dream come true for heavy Boxee users and iPhone owners; just toss up the overlay and allow your phone to handle the controls. It couldn't be simpler, and if you're able to find an easy solution like this that negates the need for a dedicated mouse and keyboard, you might be just in heaven. It's also worth noting that regardless of how hard we pushed this thing, it simply refused to get even a notch above 'warm,' and the fan noise was practically inaudible from ten feet out.

But here's the rub. While we're able to forgive the mini for not having room for a TV tuner (internally, at least), the sudden and unwarranted departure of the optical drive is downright baffling. We know -- too many people will simply write this off without a second thought, rationalizing it as Apple just killing off something that's on the way out, but it's a decision that we wholeheartedly disagree with. Losing the floppy drive when you have a smattering of other options is one thing; but spiking the optical drive? On a desktop computer? It's a terrible, terrible decision, and the truly ludicrous part is that Apple didn't even shrink the size the chassis to make up for it. As much as Apple would love to have you believe that nothing worthwhile will ever ship on a physical disc again, the HTPC argument alone rebukes that. Having access to Hulu, Boxee, iTunes and Netflix is just half of the story -- there aren't too many HTPC owners that never pay their local Redbox a visit.


Last year's mini could easily play back any DVD rental (read: the only reasonable way to get newer movies at home), install applications that shipped on physical discs, rip your CD collection, and even burn back content and homemade movies. For whatever reason, Apple has decided that you won't need to do any of that with this year's mini, and the only consolation prize is a $100 discount at the register. Gee, thanks for the option. In reality, Apple spiraled off in the wrong direction here. Instead of downgrading the mini from optical drive to slotless, it should've swallowed its misplaced disdain for Blu-ray and finally offered the clear next-gen format victor as a build-to-order option. We can pay $600 (!) to swap in a 256GB SSD in what amounts to a mid-level desktop with no expansion options, but we can't pay $100 to throw in a Blu-ray drive in what's obviously a made-for-HTPC machine? It's not only senseless, it's laughable.


In case it's not crystal clear, Apple has made it effectively impossible for us to recommend this as a media PC, but those dead-set on making it one will be glad to find that multichannel audio output is supported over HDMI, and finding the proper resolution to fit one's TV is a lesson in simplicity. So, for those content with a streaming-only HTPC option, this one's about as gorgeous as they come, but we'd definitely recommend a phone-based remote option. Apple doesn't make a combination mouse / keyboard, and even the best of those tend to feel awkward in use. In all honesty, HTPC diehards are better off dropping $99 on an Apple TV and bidding the hassle adieu -- without an optical drive, we're struggling to see why one would pay an extra $500 for something that'll never leave the den.

Wrap-up
It's not often that Apple products take a turn for the worse when a new revision comes out, but there's no question that the design of 2010's mini is superior to the design of this guy. Sure, the revised edition is a heck of a lot more powerful and $100 cheaper, but it's in the same infelicitous spot that it's always been in: by the time you invest in a halfway decent keyboard, mouse and monitor, you're pushing $850+ for a mid-level machine with a sluggish hard drive, the bare minimum amount of RAM that we'd recommend for Lion, no USB 3.0 and no optical drive. For whatever reason, Apple's made the new mini even less useful than the last, and while a Benjamin off the sticker is appreciated, it hardly puts it in a new class in terms of value.

On the upside, OS X Lion is a superbly polished operating system, and the mini itself is easily the most stunning SFF PC on the market today. It's also eerily quiet, power efficient and cool, and it's everything the average college student or studio apartment dweller needs. Handling 1080p multimedia, basic video / photo editing and even gaming is no problem, but we just can't get over the paradoxes here. Apple dumbs down the back panel so the DIYers among us can't access the hard drive, but selling a computer without three essential peripherals (monitor, keyboard and mouse) ensures that the target market will be one that's at least remotely familiar with technobabble.


In isolation, the Mac mini is a fine computer. It's quick on its feet, and it's happy both beside your TV or in the office. As with all Macs, there's an elusive premium that comes with the overall software experience, and those placing a high value on OS X and the bundled iLife suite may find the compromises here acceptable. But imagining how stellar this bundle of joy could have been with a Blu-ray drive (or any drive) is an impossible vision to shake. Perhaps it's just getting more difficult to logically recommend a Mac desktop, particularly one that's underpowered for serious AV work and near impossible to upgrade. Apple has fine-tuned its laptop options in such a way that makes the revamped mini look underwhelming -- grandiose thoughts of an entry-level MacBook Air docked to a (reasonably priced) 27-inch Thunderbolt Display continue to find their way into our brains.

If you're still fixated on the beauty here, our honest recommendation is to pick up last year's model as it inevitably drops in price (and in turn, increases in value). We've been looking long and hard for an ideal use-case for this guy, and sadly, we've yet to find it.

ASUS Eee Pad SL101 slides through the FCC, still misses promised May release

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 10:36 AM PDT


Sure, it's not unusual for gadgets to miss their shipping targets, suffering months-long delays as they jump through the varies hoops necessary before a release. Fortunately, ASUS can now check FCC approval off the Eee Pad Slider's to do list, with the Honeycomb QWERTY tablet receiving a green light from the feds late last week. ASUS has already confirmed August availability in the UK (after previously promising a May ship date), so we can only hope that the same timeframe applies stateside as well. We're also curious to see whether or not ASUS was able to use this unexpected delay to beef up supplies, so the Slide doesn't suffer a hangup similar to that of its Transformer cousin. The company has yet to confirm Slider pricing in the U.S., though we imagine those details will be revealed along with a shipping date within the next few weeks.

PSA: Apple using slower SSDs in some MacBook Air models (video)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 10:17 AM PDT

When you head to Apple's online store to configure your MacBook Air, you'll find options to increase processor speed or SSD capacity -- depending on the model you select, of course. There's no mention of flash drive speed, however, though it's now clear that not all SSDs are created equal at Apple -- not only when it comes to capacity, but also performance. Jonathan over at TLD discovered a fairly significant discrepancy when benchmarking both MacBook Air models over the weekend. The 128GB Samsung SSD in his 11-inch Air was able to achieve 246 MB/s write and 264 MB/s read speeds. When he switched to the 13-inch model, however, speeds dropped to 156 MB/s and 208 MB/s, respectively, using that notebook's 128GB Toshiba SSD. We compared speeds on two generations of 13-inch models, and confirmed Jonathan's findings. During our tests, the 256GB Samsung drive in our older model achieved 214 MB/s write and 251 MB/s read speeds, while the 128GB Toshiba drive in the new MacBook Air scored 184 MB/s and 203 MB/s during write and read tests, respectively. Overall, you're not likely to notice a significant difference during normal usage, though it's certainly an interesting find, nonetheless.

[Thanks, Larry]

Gigabyte G1 Assassin motherboard is a last-gen gamer's dream come true

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 09:56 AM PDT

Gigabyte G1 Assasin
For a motherboard, the G1 Assassin from Gigabyte sure is gaudy and actually rather interesting. First off, that Killer E2100 networking solution from Bigfoot has been integrated into the board, as has Creative's X-Fi audio. The three-year-old X58 chipset at its heart is starting to look a little long in the tooth but, with support for three-way SLI or four-way CrossFireX, 24GB of RAM, and Intel's Extreme Edition processors, you probably won't miss Sandy Bridge too much. Starting at around $450 the Assassin isn't for everyone, but hardcore gamers determined to squeeze every ounce of performance from of their setup will not be disappointed. The one unfortunate fault of the G1 is timing -- the next-gen of high-end performance parts from Chipzilla are right around the corner. Though, that banana clip-shaped heat sink has to count for something. We know you like benchmarks, so check out the reviews below.

Read - HotHardware
Read - Legit Reviews
Read - Overclock 3D
Read - TechRadar

MacBook Air review (mid 2011)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 09:00 AM PDT

There comes a time when that giant, corporate-issued laptop stops fitting into your lifestyle. When dragging around a Kensington roller case just won't do. When you start to hear the siren lilt of something thinner, lighter, and maybe a bit more alluring. For years the MacBook Air has been that svelte temptress hollering your name, but it's always been a bit too slow -- all show and no go. It didn't have the power and the longevity to make it a serious contender for your serious affections.

No more. With its latest refresh, Apple has taken what was once a manilla-clad curiosity and turned it into a legitimate machine, not just a sultry looker. Good thing, too, because the death of the plastic-clad MacBook means the Air is now Apple's entry-level portable. Weary traveler looking for a laptop that will lighten your load and, it must be said, your wallet too? This might just be it.
MacBook Air Review
Hardware


The outside of this 2011 refresh of the MacBook Air is virtually indistinguishable from that which came before it. Yes, that means compromises. On the 13-inch model you'll still have to make do with but one USB port on the left and one on the right, but now that latter one is flanked by a Thunderbolt connector, Apple's implementation of Intel's Light Peak standard. This 10Gb/sec interconnect has become standard fare on all new machines coming out of Cupertino, a fact that should help to accelerate the so-far tardy uptake in support from accessory manufacturers.

The 11-inch model is likewise emblazoned, but sadly has still not been granted an SD reader, something restricted to the bigger 13. On the left you'll find a 3.5mm headphone jack, the MagSafe power connector and... nothing else. All other ports have been deemed unnecessary by Apple's designers and therefore relegated to myriad USB adapters for things like Ethernet -- though if you start relying on those you'll likely need to start packing a USB hub as well.

Like before, the omission of these ports leaves the Air free to pinch down to a delicious taper beneath the keyboard, thin enough to make for a decent cleaver when no proper blade can be found -- or when you just can't be bothered to find one. Even on the fat end it measures a mere .68-inches (17mm) thick. Or thin, rather.


So what has changed? The touchpad, surprisingly. It's still big and glassy and situated in the middle of the full-sized palm rest like on the chunkier Pro. Now, though, it's subtly quieter, with a more refined sound and feel as you click away. The previous generation almost feels hollow and has an annoying resonance that's been banished.

The keyboard above, too, has a better feel. Keys are more springy than before, more solid and responsive than the somewhat loose, flappy ones on the last generation. But the biggest change here is what's lurking beneath the keys: a backlight. Yes, you'll now be able to do things like adjust volume, change track, and hit that damned ^ character in the dark. And, thanks to the ambient light sensor hidden in the bezel, you won't have to worry about those keys blinding you in bed.

Internals / Display


Step inside the case and you'll find the most important changes here: new Intel Core i5 and i7 ULV processors. The backlit keyboard is nice, and the addition of Thunderbolt could be a boon in 12 months or so, but its the new selection of processors that really turn the Air into a serious machine, as you'll see when we talk benchmarks in a bit.

On the memory front, 4GB of DDR3 memory is found on all but the base 11-inch model, which gets by with half that. SSDs are standard across the board, starting at 64GB for the 11 and going up to 256GB for the top-shelf 13-inch. Intel HD 3000 graphics power the lot and stock processors include 1.6GHz and 1.7GHz Core i5's, though a 1.8GHz Core i7 is available for $100 more.

When it comes to displays nothing has changed: the 13-inch model features a 1440 x 900 glossy, LED-backlit panel while the 11 still does 1366 x 768. We spent our time testing the 13-incher and, as before, it continues to impress when it comes to contrast, brightness, and viewing angles, which are plenty wide enough to enable two-person, coach-class viewing of that latest episode of Top Gear. Contrast is helped by the glossy sheen here -- and no, you still can't option out a matte unit.

We still found its resolution to be more than adequate for most tasks but just a bit limiting for anyone working on photos or doing anything where pixels really count. Honestly, that wasn't much of a concern before thanks to the lack of power, but now...

Performance / Battery life


When it comes time to actually use the thing, when the Air isn't just dead weight in your bag that you want as little of as possible, how does it actually perform? This is when the previous models faltered, and this is where the new Air excels.

When last we tested an Air, the 13-inch model with a 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo processor scored a 2,717 on the GeekBench benchmark. This new 13, configured with the default 1.7GHz Core i5 and paired with 4GB of DDR3 and a 128GB SSD, nearly doubled that: 5,373. No, that won't threaten the full-bore 15-inch MacBook Pro for sheer speed, but double the performance in nine months is a welcome improvement, living up to Apple's 2x promises here, and from what we've seen elsewhere the 11-inch lives up to its 2.5x promises as well.

OS X Benchmarks Geekbench Xbench OpenGL
 Battery Life
MacBook Air (mid 2011) (1.7GHz Core i5-2557M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 5373 unavailable 5:32
MacBook Pro (early 2011) (2.2GHz Core i7-2720QM, Radeon HD 6750M / Intel Graphics 3000) 9647 340.1 (Radeon) / 157.78 (Intel) 7:27
MacBook Pro (early 2010) (2.66GHz Core i7-620M, GeForce GT 330M) 5395 228.22 5:18
iMac (mid 2010) (3.06GHz Core i3-540, Radeon HD 4670) 5789 unavailable n/a
iMac (late 2009) (2.8GHz Core i7-860, Radeon HD 4850)
 8312 191.08 n/a
MacBook Air (late 2010) (1.83GHz Core 2 Duo, GeForce 320M) 2717 117.38 4:34

We also threw Windows 7 on there, Boot Camp making it easy, and ran through a further suite of benchmarks to see how it fares there. PCMark Vantage clocked in at 9,484, actually higher than the 15-inch Pro's 8,041 when we tested it, though the Air's 3DMark 06 score was considerably lower thanks to the limited graphics prowess here, just 4,223. So, it's still no gaming rig, but it is the sort of machine you wouldn't think twice about trying to do some serious business on.


Now, as we all know benchmarks only tell a part of the story, but we're happy to report that the numbers really do fall in line with our impressions here. This machine boots to a Lion login screen in a snappy 15 seconds, apps load quickly, batch photo jobs finish much more promptly, and overall in our time with this machine we did a lot less waiting and a lot more working. But, just like before, be prepared to listen to the thing's internal cooling fan register its complaints whenever utilization rates start climbing.

Windows Benchmarks PCMarkVantage 3DMark06
 Battery Life
MacBook Air (mid 2011) (1.7GHz Core i5-2557M, Intel HD Graphics 3000, Under Windows 7) 9484 4223 4:12
MacBook Pro (early 2011) (2.2GHz Core i7-2720QM, Radeon HD 6750M, under Windows 7) 8041 10,262 unknown
HP Envy 14 (Core i5-450M, Radeon HD 5650) 6038 1928 / 6899 3:51
Toshiba Portege R705 (Core i3-350M) 5024 1739 / 3686 4:25
Sony VAIO Z (Core i5-450M, NVIDIA 330M) 9949 6,193 unknown
Samsung Series 9 (Core i5-2537M) 7582 2240 4:20
Dell XPS 14 (Core i5-460M, NVIDIA 420M) 5796 1955 / 6827 2:58
Notes: For 3DMark06, the first number reflects score with the discrete GPU off (if possible), the second with it on.

Despite that, we had no issues with battery life. On our standard rundown test, where we'll loop a video until the machine calls it quits, the new Air clocked in at just over five and a half hours. That's well more than the Lenovo X1 recently managed on the same test and actually about an hour more than last year's model managed when we dusted it off and ran it through the same wringer. Even running Windows the Air managed 4:12 on the same rundown test, on par with the Samsung Series 9.

In standard usage, surfing and typing and Facebooking and such, you should be able to do much better. The Air routinely beat our expectations -- and its own estimates -- for battery life. The seven hours Apple advertises for the 13 (five for the 11) is well within reach if you're not doing anything too taxing. And of course that's a good thing, because you won't be replacing the battery here without a screwdriver.

Wrap-up


The 2011 MacBook Air addresses nearly every concern anyone could lob at its predecessor. It's still light on ports, the missing SD slot on the 11-inch model is a drag, and no, it isn't cheap, but this machine is fast, efficient, and not to be underestimated. It's a supermodel with a law degree from Columbia, a hunky motorcycle racer who looks good in leathers yet is also a concert pianist -- whatever your passion it won't disappoint, all while making a lot more room in your bag. More room for what? Well, your life, for starters.

AT&T confirms LG Thrill 4G pricing, release 'in the coming weeks'

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:40 AM PDT


Pricing for the LG Thrill 4G popped up on Radio Shack's corporate systems a few days ago, at $80 with a two-year contract. AT&T just shared its official Thrill pricing, however, with the glasses-free 3D smartphone commanding a healthy $99 at the company's retails stores when it ships "in the coming weeks." That timeframe meshes nicely with the August 7th launch date that a pair of Radio Shack insiders shared with us last week, though until we receive confirmation otherwise, it's within reason to expect that devices will begin to ship before or even after that date. Either way, it doesn't look like you'll need to hold out much longer for your Thrill, with only a few more days of tranquility to go before the excitement begins.

AT&T confirms Gingerbread coming to entire 2011 Android lineup (and Samsung Captivate)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:31 AM PDT

The HTC Status was the only device with Gingerbread on AT&T's lineup for a small slice of time, but that's quickly coming to an end. The carrier has confirmed that Android 2.3 will be pushed to its entire 2011 postpaid lineup, beginning with an OTA rollout of the Motorola Atrix 4G today (though and the HTC Inspire 4G "in the coming weeks." In addition to the phones released this year, Samsung Captivate users will be able to enjoy the upgrade as well. There's no hard details on the timing for everyone else, but at least anyone with a 2011 model can breath a sigh of relief. Full press release can be found after the break.
Show full PR text
Android 2.3 Debuted in the AT&T Portfolio with HTC Status, All Post-paid Android Smartphones Released in 2011 Planned to Receive 2.3 Upgrade

DALLAS, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Key Facts

AT&T* confirmed that upgrades to the Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) platform are planned for all post-paid Android smartphones already introduced this year.
Motorola ATRIX™ 4G users will receive an update to Android 2.3 beginning today and HTC Inspire™ 4G users will receive the update in the coming weeks.
Motorola ATRIX 4G update will also provide the ability to download applications from third-party stores.
HTC Status™ arrived in stores July 17, the first AT&T smartphone running Android 2.3.


Upgrade Details

Customers who purchased an Android smartphone from AT&T introduced in 2011 can expect to receive an update to Android 2.3. All of these devices are planned to be upgraded from Android 2.2 to Android 2.3, also referred to as Gingerbread. In addition, Samsung Captivate™ owners will be able to upgrade to Gingerbread.

Delivery methods will vary by device. Whenever possible, upgrades are delivered over-the-air (OTA), however in some cases the size of the file needed to install the update will require the user to connect via Wi-Fi or connect the phone to a PC to install the update. Factors such as manufacturer-defined software and other device performance improvements result in each device requiring a separate update which will vary in timing.

Beginning today and continuing over the next few weeks, Motorola ATRIX 4G users will be prompted to install the update. To download the update, users must be connected via Wi-Fi. In August, HTC Inspire 4G users will be notified that the update is available and can be downloaded when connected to a Wi-Fi network. AT&T smartphone users can access at any one of the company's more than 26,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at no cost.

The AT&T smartphones planned for a Gingerbread update are:

HTC Inspire™ 4G
LG Phoenix™
Motorola ATRIX™ 4G
Pantech Crossover™
Samsung Captivate™ 4G
Samsung Infuse™ 4G


Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Gingerbread delivers a number of improvements, such as user interface refinements, refined copy/paste functionality and speed enhancements. The upgrade offers improved power management that offers a more active role in managing applications in addition to an improved on-screen keyboard with multi-touch support that makes typing faster and more accurate

Leaked Sprint release table bears a tablet: the unknown ZTE V55

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:20 AM PDT

There's a whole batch of previously unsuspected launch dates on this leaked Sprint document, but our looking glass is drawn to the very bottom of the list. Here you'll spot a red arrow, subtly added by us, pointing at the words "ZTE V55 TABLET." Could it be the very same 10-incher we spotted at CTIA? It certainly could, but there are two irksome discrepancies. Firstly, the CTIA slate was scheduled for the second half of this year, which is earlier than the 2012 date suggested on the leak. Secondly, the CTIA tablet was LTE compatible, whereas Sprint isn't -- at least not yet. Our attempts to make a connection must therefore be abandoned for the time being, leaving our intellectual appetites to dine on a weevil-infested question mark.

Broadband claims another: France Telecom putting the kibosh on Minitel

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 08:00 AM PDT

'Tis a sad, sad day for fans of all things retro. In a developed nation dominated by high-speed connections, near-ubiquitous 3G and sub-$€300 computers, it's more than a little astounding that the Minitel is just now being axed by France Télécom. Originally, the aforesaid machine was ordered by the French government in the 1970s "as part of an initiative to get people to share information and, eventually, reduce the consumption of paper." In a bid to rapidly increase adoption, the terminals -- complete with a monochrome screen and bantam keyboard -- were actually doled out to denizens free of charge, with access billed on a per-minute basis. It obviously required a phone line, and things were kept understandably simple; users rarely did more than shop for train tickets, check the occasional bank account and peruse the phone directory. Astonishingly, France's precursor to the internet still raked in €30 million in revenue last year, but the time has finally come to push existing users onto more sophisticated solutions. As of June 30, 2012, "the Minitel will die." 'Course, the service itself will be the only thing shuttered -- those memories are bound to last a lifetime.

Google Books, Kobo, more get iOS App Store shakedown

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 07:40 AM PDT

Heat waves aside, this last weekend has proven to be a fairly rough one for e-book sellers. In spite of backing off a bit from its initial demands, there have apparently been some major changes afoot in the iOS App Store, with a number of apps scaling back access to their online e-book markets or being pulled from the store altogether. Kobo, one of the former, told The Wall Street Journal (which also reported on its own iOS woes) it was informed on Saturday that it needs to stop selling books through its app. The Google Books app, meanwhile, has been removed altogether, though Google has yet to comment on the matter, possibly revamping the app to comply with the stricter rules. While the adjustments will certainly be a nuisance for the companies involved, selling books through Apple devices will not be an impossibility, so long as customers can still access the markets through Safari.

The Engadget Show returns today, July 25th (update: we're booked out!)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 07:35 AM PDT

After a month-long slumber, the Engadget Show is back! We're taping today, on Monday, July 25th at 6:00pm ET! You can read up on what to expect right here, and if you're looking for plans in just a few hours, we've got a smattering of seats still available. Read below for all the nitty-gritty, and if you're angling to attend, drop an email to darren *at* engadget *dot* com with your name, how many guests you're hoping to bring (if any) and a contact number.

Update: The remaining seats have been claimed! Don't worry, though -- the show will be online soon after it's edited down, and we'll be doing it all again next month.

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Qualcomm acquires gesture recognition IP from GestureTek, aims for Snapdragon integration

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 07:21 AM PDT

What's superior to a shiny new Snapdragon, blazing all sorts of benchmarking trails in your next tablet and / or smartphone? Why, a Snapdragon with a pinch of IP from GestureTek, of course! Qualcomm has today announced its intentions to acquire "certain assets" from GestureTek, a long-standing developer of gesture recognition technology. We've seen the aforementioned outfit touch the mobile (and not-so-mobile) realm before, but now it looks like it'll be more aggressively touching devices with Qualcomm silicon. It's a strange move, indeed, but it could be one that signals a shift in the way chip makers are looking out for themselves. OEMs have long tried to skin their Android devices in a way that'll breed loyalty to a brand (rather than an OS), but loyalty to a CPU? According to Qually (yeah, what of it?), the buy will give it access to "key engineering resources," and while GestureTek will maintain "other assets in continuation of its gesture-controlled public display and digital signage business," we suspect the consumer-facing aspects will soon have a new master. We're told that the tech will be woven into current and next-gen Snapdragon processors, but only time will tell what sort of seamless wizardry will result. Hope your digits are ready.
Show full PR text
Qualcomm Acquires Gesture Recognition Assets from GestureTek

SAN DIEGO – July 25, 2011 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that it has acquired certain assets from GestureTek, a developer of gesture recognition technology. A leader in the gesture recognition field, GestureTek has more than 25 years of experience implementing gesture-based technologies in mobile devices, entertainment facilities, healthcare systems, retail locations, and public and private venues. The acquisition gives Qualcomm ownership of certain intellectual property assets related to gesture recognition, as well as key engineering resources. GestureTek is retaining other assets in continuation of its gesture-controlled public display and digital signage business.

"Applications processors are enabling a range of new ways for consumers to interface with their home entertainment and mobile devices," said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm. "Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm's smartphone product portfolio and enable our customers to launch products with new and compelling user experiences."

Gesture recognition technology will be integrated into Qualcomm's current and next-generation Snapdragon™ processors, giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and home entertainment devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures.

Voomote One turns your iPhone into a well organized universal remote

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 07:00 AM PDT

Voomote One
Ok, so the name isn't great, but the Voomote One is actually kinda neat. It's not the first universal remote adapter we've seen for the iPhone and, unlike the Surc IR case, you probably wouldn't want to leave this bulky add-on attached to your handset when not in use. But, the app does have some convenient features, like the ability to create custom layouts that can easily be switched based on the devices in a particular room. So you can setup a living room profile to control your big screen and cable box, and a separate bed room one for your more modest set and a stereo. You can also create command macros that fire up multiple devices with the tap of a single virtual button. The Voomote app is available for free in the app store, but the actual IR-blasting sleeve will set you back $99. Check out the gallery below and head on after the break for some PR.
Show full PR text
Zero1.tv Introduces the Future of Remote Controls, the VooMote
One for iPhone and iPod Touch

This new, sleek designed device transforms your iPhone and iPod touch into a
fully functioning universal remote

Berlin, Germany (July 25, 2011) – Zero1.tv, leading provider of user interfaces
for home entertainment solutions, is proud to announce its latest creation-
VooMote One. This device, when paired with the free app, effortlessly converts
your iPhone and/or iPod touch into an impressively smart universal remote
control, and offers additional features unlike any other on the market.

The VooMote One slides onto your iPhone with ease, while still allowing full
control of the iPhone itself. Once the device is connected and the app loaded, it
instantly transforms your iPhone into a fully functional universal remote for your
TVs, DVD players, stereo systems, consumer electronics and more, ultimately
eliminating the need to have several remotes to control your consumer
electronics.

What sets the VooMote One apart from the rest is its innovative customization
options, and easy setup. With VooMote One you can utilize the "One View"
feature, which allows the user to create personalized and multiple device remote
control layouts. Meaning you can easily lower the volume on the stereo while
pressing play on your favorite DVD in a matter of seconds. By also using the
"One Touch" feature you can create an entire chain of commands with a single
click. So with the press of one button you can turn on your TV, turn on your DVD
player, and hear all of the action on your surround sound speakers.

The VooMote One setup wizard only entails a few quick steps. Once setup is
complete you have the option to further organize your universal remote with the
"Room Control" feature. This groups all of your electronic devices by location,
such as living room, kitchen, etc. Also, the "Teach-In" feature is accessible
should the VooMote One need to "learn" some of your products, by simply
pointing the device at your original remote control.

The VooMote One automatically captures more than 30,000 infrared codes and
thousands of electronic devices. It recognizes 574 TV brands, 995 Top Box/DVR
brands, and 151 audio and CD brands. The VooMote One code library is also
constantly being update to ensure that virtually all IR (infrared) codes are
available.

VooMote One is also especially easy to set up, no PC necessary. All settings can
be adjusted using the software on your iPhone or iPod touch. The app itself also
automatically updates via iTunes to add the most up to date infrared codes.

"With the abundance, and variety of consumer electronics, we wanted to offer
consumers an incredibly simple and convenient means to control all of their
devices with just ONE remote stemming from a device they likely already have in
their pockets, said Alex Gruber, CEO, Zero1.tv. "Unlike our competitors,
VooMote One is the only like-product on the market right now that makes set up
effortless, reduces clutter, and streamlines the control of all of your devices with
your iPhone."

The VooMote One will be available on August 5th for $99 at www.zero1.tv and
www.BestBuy.com. Additional retailers to be announced soon. The VooMote
One app can also be downloaded for free at the iTunes® store.

For more information on Zero1.tv and its latest innovation, VooMote One, please
contact PR representative Kristen Bean at kristenbean@maxborgesagency.com
or 305-576-1171 ext. 123.

About Zero1.tv
Zero1.tv is a Berlin based company focused on user interfaces for home
entertainment solutions. The company's technological patents provide the
practical expertise to improve remote control and user interface experiences
unlike any other. Zero1.tv is the leading platform provider for smartphone-based
control solutions, with a mission to expand the access of multi-media content,
and enhance user experiences. The company recently developed and
manufactured VooMote One, a universal remote control solution for iPhone and
iPod touch

Leak: future iOS update to introduce Siri-based voice control

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 06:29 AM PDT

Leak: future iOS update to introduce Siri-based voice control
When Apple snatched up Siri back in April, we had to wonder exactly what Cupertino was planning for the voice controlled virtual assistant. The answer, according to a new leak, is unsurprisingly obvious: iOS integration. A screenshot leaked to 9to5Mac flaunts an "Assistant" feature presumably built into a firmware update. To back up the screenshot, the aforesaid site dove into the iOS SDK and uncovered code describing Siri-like use of the iPhone's location, contact list, and song metadata. The code also outlined a "speaker" feature, opening a door for further Nuance integration in Apple products. Sound awesome? Sure it does, but keep it salty: 9to5's source says the assistant feature only just went into testing, and may not be ready in time for Apple's next big handset upgrade. Hit the source link to see the code and conjecture for yourself.

Mac OS X Lion 10.7.2 beta brings iCloud support, no bug fixes

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:58 AM PDT

We know what you're thinking: Mac OS X Lion (10.7) has been out for nearly a week, so why have we yet to hear anything about Snow Lion? Patience friends, Apple will roar soon enough -- but for now, 10.7.2 will have to do. Apple released the beta update to developers over the weekend, eschewing any acknowledgment of 10.7.1, or correcting any of the bugs that have popped up over the last week. Instead, Lion's pending second update (build 11C26) is required for testing the operating system with iCloud -- a feature notably absent in the public version of the OS released last week. The new System Preferences iCloud module enables granular management of select features, letting you choose which accounts and services to sync. Full iCloud support is coming in the fall with the release of iOS 5, so it's probably safe to assume that Apple plans to patch some of those bugs in the meantime -- any day now, we hope.

Andy Pad Pro gets detailed while Andy Pad makes film debut (video)

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:16 AM PDT

Andy Pad
Low-cost Android, actually looking decent? Seems like it. We've caught wind of a few hitting the scene at this point, and there's little question that the Andy Pad folks appear to have something better in mind. The company's been slowly releasing info on Twitter about its 7-inch Andy Pad and Pro variant, and has also recently updated its website; the AP Pro's finally been priced for £179 (about $290) and there's now a full shot of the slates along with specs. While we knew the Pro would have a capacitive touchscreen and front / rear cams, those "additional features" have panned out to be an increased 1024 x 600 screen resolution and Bluetooth connectivity (it seems the 16GB model was this version all along). Still aching to see one in action? AP's also posted a YouTube clip of the base model zipping along and effortlessly hurling Angry Birds through its Gingerbread scented air. It'll still be about month until the duo hit the streets, but for now, you'll find the video past the break.

RIM axes 2000 jobs, changes managers in effort to halt decline

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 05:06 AM PDT

Just a month after a disgruntled employee accused RIM's managers of failing to make bold decisions, the latter have responded by boldly sacking 11 percent of their workforce. The company says it will notify affected employees in North America and some other countries this week. It also announced a number of changes to its executive team, with Thorsten Heins taking on the expanded role of COO, Product and Sales. Other personnel changes were generally confined to sales, marketing and operations, which leaves us wondering what, if anything, will change in the way RIM comes up with new products.

Kinect-driven tactile bodysuit makes you tingle in eight different places

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 04:45 AM PDT

We know the US Army has already experimented with vibrating clothing, and soon it could be our turn. The trendy figure-hugger above is rigged with haptic actuators across the arms and torso, which respond when the wearer's body 'touches' virtual objects created via Microsoft's Kinect platform. The outfit's designers at the University of Aachen spent just a few hundred dollars on components, aside from the cost of the Kinect, so this might well have commercial potential. Click the source link if you're really keen to see a concept video -- although it doesn't consist of much beyond a German dude doing the Hey Macarena in his socks.

[Thanks, Jarod]

HTC Ruby images leak via Flickr, mysteriously disappear

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 04:16 AM PDT

HTC Ruby images leak via Flickr, mysteriously disappear
It looks like someone forgot about the HTC Flyer's glossy screen: a series of shots (now pulled) from Flickr reveal what appears to be the backside of a new HTC smartphone. The photo sharing service outed the shots as being taken by an HTC Ruby, a white-backed smartphone with a dual-flash camera and 3.5mm audio jack. Really, that's all we know. The last phone HTC codenamed "Ruby" turned out to be the HTC Arrive, so maybe this gem will shine with a Mango-tinged hue. Then again, Android is just as likely to use cameras and headphone jacks as any other OS, so really it's anybody's game. Hit the break for a bonus reflecto-shot and tell us what you think this phantom phone ought to run.

Facebook just released a dedicated iPad app, except it didn't

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 03:35 AM PDT

Mark Zuckerberg ruffled some feathers when he said the iPad "isn't mobile" enough to deserve a dedicated Facebook app. But now it's U-turn time. TechCrunch just revealed that not only has Facebook created a fully-fledged iPad app, they've even released it -- albeit in secret. The code lies buried in yesterday's update to the iPhone app and it's entirely executable on jailbroken tablets. What's the software like? Well, TechCrunch reckons the left-sided navigation system and use of overlay menus is "great," as is the ability to chat with buddies while simultaneously doing other Facebook tasks in landscape mode. There's also a ton of screen grabs at the source link which tell much of the story. However, it surely won't be long before we can make our own minds up.

Two more fake Apple Stores spotted by officials in China, two get the smackdown

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 03:15 AM PDT

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but that didn't go down too well with the three KIRF Apple Stores in Kunming, China. In fact, after American expat BirdAbroad made her local stores famous last week, local officials have since been combing through the city's 300-plus gadget shops on behalf of Apple China, and managed to dig up two more "Apple" stores. It's not exactly clear if these new offenders are at the same severity as the ones spotted by BirdAbroad, but the authorities have confirmed that none of the five stores are Apple Authorised Resellers, let alone having its permission to use its logo on their store front.

Additionally, two out of the five stores have since been shut down due to unlicensed retail operation. The fate of the remaining three is still unknown -- the officials have only concluded that no KIRF products have been found in the stores, though details such as the decor and staff uniform are certainly very similar to those of the real deal. Well, we're glad they agree, but this is only just the beginning -- BirdAbroad has since gathered photos of more sketchy Apple stores across the world, so go take a gander. Oh, and for those who have been out of the loop, there's a hands-on video of one of the Kunming stores after the break.

HTC Salsa ditches its Facebook button for Weibo in China

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 02:15 AM PDT

When is a "Facebook phone" not a Facebook phone? When it's in China. While this handset may look like an HTC Salsa at first glace, if you look a little closer you'll notice that the familiar little blue button has been replaced with one for Sina's Weibo social networking service. Lest you think this is just another KIRF, however, you can rest assured this is indeed the real deal, and a fairly big deal for HTC, considering that Weibo has around 150 million total users, and 50 million active monthly users. As for the phone itself, it's remained mostly unchanged otherwise, with it packing an 800MHz processor and a 3.4-inch 480 x 320 display, along with Android 2.3.3 with Sense 2.1 on top. Head on past the break for a video, and hit the source link below for a closer look.


Judge tells Oracle to rethink $2.6 billion claim against Google

Posted: 25 Jul 2011 12:42 AM PDT

Oracle Vs. Google
The war between Google and Oracle is far from over, but the big G keeps racking up tiny victories in what are admittedly modest battles. Now the Redwood Shores-based company has been told to go back to the drawing board with its damages report. Originally Oracle sought $2.6 billion, but its theories were largely dismissed and Judge William Alsup suggested an alternative starting point of roughly $100 million. The company still has an opportunity to present a new report, one that will likely seek much more than the proposed $100 million, but things are looking increasingly tough for the claimant. It wasn't all good news for Goog, though. While the judge told Oracle to narrow its focus from Android as a whole to just specific infringing features, he did agree that related advertising revenue should be included in the theoretical royalty base. He also offered harsh criticism for what he viewed as its "brazen" disregard for intellectual property rights. The trial is still scheduled for October, so we should have a better idea of how this whole thing will play out by Halloween.

Adobe's InMarket to fade into the sunset, AIR marketplace faces similar fate

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 10:53 PM PDT

Remember Adobe's InMarket? You know, that marketplace where devs can publish once, distribute anywhere -- like on Intel's AppUp. If you're still drawing a blank, fret not, as the software giant plans to shutter the service come August 31st, leaving developers with a little over a month to download analytics and revenue reports. Also on the chopping block is the company's AIR Marketplace, which the firm now views as redundant given that AIR apps can be published on Cupertino's App Store, the Android Market and BlackBerry's App World. Got any burning questions? A letter and FAQ await you at the source.

[Thanks, Koiyu]

Sony Cyber-shot TX55 packs 16.2-megapixel sensor, promises 'extremely low' noise in dim light

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 09:00 PM PDT


With point and shoot cameras apparently now up against a megapixel wall, manufacturers are focusing on adding quirky new features to keep you hooked on the upgrade cycle. Sony's new Cyber-shot TX55 includes several such additions, such as 'amazing' 3D image capture, 'extremely low' noise, and a new digital zoom technology called By Pixel Super Resolution, which promises to double the camera's 5x optical zoom range while still capturing 16.2-megapixel images at full quality. We're a bit skeptical about that last one, but if the $350 camera really can deliver on its promise, then we may just have a winner. Sony says there's also high-speed autofocus that can lock onto subjects in 0.1 seconds, optical image stabilization, a 3.3-inch OLED touch-screen, and 1080i AVCHD video. It also includes some features found on the higher-end NEX-C3, such as Picture Effects, and a 42.9-megapixel Sweep Panorama mode. Sony has yet to completely nix the Memory Stick slot, including one with the TX55, though there's also MicroSD support for those who prefer to take advantage of that more affordable memory card standard. We're not yet convinced that all of the point-and-shoot cam's new features perform as well as Sony suggests, but if they do, the TX55 may even be worth its $350 price tag when it hits stores in September.
Show full PR text
SONY'S NEWEST CYBER-SHOT CAMERA EXPANDS RANGE OF CREATIVE OPTIONS

Ultra-thin DSC-TX55 Camera Delivers Full HD Video, 3D and Picture Effect Mode - with up to10x Clear Image Zoom at Maximum Resolution

SAN DIEGO, July 25, 2011 – With an exceptionally slim and stylish design, Sony's new DSC-TX55 Cyber-shot camera makes it easy to capture any moment with high-quality still photos, full high-definition video and amazing 3D images, providing consumers with the ultimate in creative control of their photos and videos.

The DSC-TX55 camera features a range of innovative new technologies, including "By Pixel Super Resolution" technology, which boosts the cameras' zoom range to a virtual 10x without losing quality at the image sensor's maximum resolution (16.2 million pixels). The new model is also the first Cyber-shot camera to offer a "Picture Effect" mode, which expands a shooter's artistic possibilities without the need for editing software.

"Our new DSC-TX55 model redefines what a compact camera can do," said Yosuke Tomoda, director of Sony Electronics' Cyber-shot business. "In addition to the newly developed, ultra-thin chassis design, the camera features an incredible combination of features and performance, putting more creativity at users' fingertips than ever before."

The TX55 boasts a 16.2 megapixel, highly sensitive Exmor R™ CMOS sensor that delivers incredible image detail and ultra-low picture noise in both still images and Full HD video – even in low light conditions. Also the camera's hi-speed auto focus can lock onto subject in as little as 0.1 seconds, letting users grab the most fleeting photo moments with ease.

16 Mega-pixel CMOS Sensor with Clear Image Zoom

Just 12.2mm slim (measurement excludes lens cover), which is smaller than the thickness of a standard AA-size battery, the Cyber-shot TX55 is the world's thinnest camera in its class (among cameras with an optical anti-shake function). The new model captures Full HD AVCHD video clips as well as 16.2 megapixel still images through its innovative and exceptionally thin 5x optical folded zoom lens.

It introduces brand-new 'Clear Image Zoom' that boosts magnification without lowering the pixel count in the final image. Exclusive to Sony, 'By Pixel Super Resolution' processing further extends the camera's 5x optical zoom range, allowing full-resolution 16.2 megapixel images with a maximum 10x zoom.

'By Pixel Super Resolution' technology also significantly boosts still image quality during movie recording. At a touch of the shutter button, 'Dual Rec' grabs detail-packed 12 megapixel-level still photos without interrupting Full HD video shooting.

Further, the camera's back panel is dominated by a super-sized 3.3-inch (8.3cm) Xtra Fine™ OLED wide touch-screen, perfect for showing off photos and movie clips with incredible detail.

Enhanced Creativity and Functionality

The innovative Picture Effect mode broadens the range of artistic options with an exciting palette of in-camera image treatments. Effects can be viewed on the camera screen, allowing users to see the result of a chosen effect instantly rather than during the post-shooting experience.

The full list of seven Picture Effect options includes HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature, Toy Camera, Partial Color, Pop Color and Soft High-key.

Newly enhanced with additional electronic image stabilization for vertical and horizontal handshake correction, SteadyShot® image stabilization with Active Mode compensates for handheld camera movements during Full HD video shooting. Users can enjoy crisp, blur-free movie clips at all zoom settings, even when holding the camera while walking.

Great Results Made Easy

The new DSC-TX55 camera makes it simple for users to easily achieve DSLR-like picture quality. Superior Auto mode recognizes a wide range of shooting situations, adjusting exposure and other settings for high-quality images with low noise and high dynamic range.

Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode also features HR (High Resolution) mode, letting users capture breath-taking up to 42.9 megapixel panoramas. Just sweep the camera, then enjoy the results on a connected HD TV, or zoom in using a PlayStation®3 system to reveal the finest details.
3D Still Image captures dramatic 3D photos without the need for a large, bulky stereoscopic lens. With a single shutter press, the camera takes two shots consecutively, using the first image to estimate depth information to create a dramatic three-dimensional still image. Other 3D shooting options include 3D Sweep Panorama mode and Sweep Multi Angle.

Enabling its incredible slimness, the new TX55 camera includes a slot to accept Memory Stick Micro™ (Mark2) and MicroSD/SDHC flash memory cards. Sony offers a choice of ultra-compact, high quality media in capacities up to 16GB, with Memory Stick Micro™ being enhanced to achieve data transfer speed of up to 15MB/s (fastest among micro memory cards) by carrying the same high performance HX Engine controller used on Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo to fully support the new cameras' features such as 3D and full HD video shooting. All cards come with free PC software (available via download), File Rescue for quick, easy recovery of deleted or damaged photos and files, and x-Pict Story™ that simplifies creation of dazzling slideshows.

Pricing and Availability

The new Sony Cyber-shot™ TX55 camera will be available for about $350 this September at Sony stores, www.sonystyle.com and other authorized retailers throughout the Sony Dealer Network.

The range of Sony Memory Stick Micro™ and MicroSD/SDHC media cards are available now throughout the Sony dealer network and along with an expanded range of coordinating accessories – including the colorful new LCJ-THF camera cover, AC-UD10 AC adaptor and BC-TRN2 fast battery charger.

How would you change the Kyocera Echo?

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 07:35 PM PDT

We get the impression that Kyocera's design team had been hacking away at the Echo for years -- largely due to the blocky corners that remained, despite the current market's affinity for curvation -- and in a way, we're actually relieved that Sprint took a chance with it. We've seen what's to come when looking at dual-screen handsets, and if executed properly, the future seems bright. The Echo itself surprised us with its flexibility, and while it's obviously a niche device, we're certain a few of you have ponied up for one. So, here's your chance to tell us all what you'd do differently the next time around. Would you change the form factor in any way? How's about that slider / locking mechanism? Was Android 2.2 the right choice? Do you wish it were available on a different carrier? Go on and get creative in comments below!

Inhabitat's Week In Green: solar-powered stadium, bipod flying cars and biofueled flights

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 05:59 PM PDT

Groundbreaking green architecture projects popped up around the world this week as Herzog & de Meuron unveiled plans for a solar-powered stadium in Bordeaux and a Korean department store prepared to install a massive iPod-inspired green roof. We also showcased several feats of futuristic architecture -- a skyscraper zoo with a built-in ferris wheel and a shape-shifting solar bridge that purifies the air. As summer hit its peak and the weather heated up we also brought took a look at six awesome parks made from rehabilitated urban structures.

In other news, pedal-powered transportation geared up for the future as we showcased a chain-less hybrid bike with an out-of-this-world design and a molded bamboo bike that is grown from the ground up. We also saw greener transportation take to the skies as Finnair launched the world's longest biofueled commercial flight, Scaled Composites launched its bipod flying car, and the US Air Force announced plans to replace 50 percent of its domestic fuels with biofuels by 2016. Eco transportation charted the ocean blue as well as researchers at Boston University unveiled plans for a fleet of ships that generate energy from the motion of the ocean.

As temperatures soared across the US this week we brought you five eco gadgets to beat the summer heat, and we also learned that solar panels have a cooling effect on buildings. We also got set to hit the beach by checking out the world's first compostable swimsuit, and we spotted a futuristic pair of smart sunglasses that use LCD technology to block out glare. Finally, we covered a set of incredible LEGO creations -- from a life-size Wall-E robot made from Lego Mindstorms to a computer built from plastic bricks and a series of amazing Lego animals that invaded the Bronx Zoo.

Sanya Skypump charges your EV, illuminates parking lots using wind and rays (video)

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 04:24 PM PDT

So you're the first person in town to adopt an electric vehicle (EV), even clearing room for that 240v charging station in the garage. But what do you when you venture far from home, edging past the 200 mile mark on your Tesla Roadster? Well, if the Sanya Skypump ever sees the light of day (from its 150-watt solar panel), the hybrid solar / wind turbine-powered charging station will be making its way to parking lots around the world, pairing with a GE WattStation to juice up your EV as you shop at the mall, or browse a certain tech site from the office. The WattStation can theoretically recharge your EV in four to eight hours, though we're not sure how those figures translate with this particular setup. The Skypump system is based on Sanya's Streetlamp, which you can see in all its twirling glory in the B.o.B. music video remix just past the break.

Switched On: A Three-Headed Lion

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 03:02 PM PDT

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
Kerberos, the hound from Hades that lent its name to an MIT-developed network authentication protocol, is often visualized as having three heads. But if dogs can have multiple heads, why can't other technology species? Many of the features in Lion have impact for different kinds of users, and the value users see in them may well depend on which face they tend to view.

The new user. Lion represents the biggest user interface change to the company's desktop experience since the debut of Mac OS X. With the Mac hard drive hidden by default, full-screen apps that hide the menu bar, and omnipresent scroll arrows put out to pasture, it even dispenses with some user interface conventions that have been around since the original Mac. The focus on multitouch gestures -- while enabling more fluidity in the user interface -- are not as self-evident. Overall, though, the gradual shift away from contrivances such as windows, menus, and cluttered icons should make things less intimidating for new users.

The iPad user. One can only wonder what features the successor to Snow Leopard might have sported had Apple not launched the iPad. The most prominent design theme in Lion has been bringing user experience elements of Apple's tablet to the Mac. This is highlighted best by Launchpad, the iPad-like collection of sliding home screens, and full-screen apps, but also includes support for full-screen apps and bundling of the Mac app store introduced with Snow Leopard.
As on iOS devices, Launchpad helps with the discovery of apps, and Apple has made Launchpad a snap (or really a swipe) to bring to the fore. However, it has somewhat of a disconnected feel from the rest of the OS. For example, Launchpad includes all the apps on your system, but changes to folders in the Finder aren't reflected in Launchpad, and vice versa. On the other hand, apps deleted from Launchpad are deleted from the Mac. (Perhaps it's no accident that the Launchpad grid is a "Matrix" in which an app getting killed in that world kills it in the actual one.")

In part because certain apps such as web browsers have had full-screen modes for some time, system-level support for this kind of presentation blends in better with the Mac user interface. Bringing your cursor to the top of the screen shows the menu bar just as bringing it to the bottom of a screen can reveal a hidden Dock. But here too, Lion is showing some growing pains as what was previously the slick Exposé user interface has been stretched to accommodate the new window or screen types via Mission Control. While Apple has abandoned the more orderly grid of Snow Leopard's Exposé implementation, it now allows one to more closely preview windows by apps (but still doesn't treat browser tabs as documents unlike Windows' Aero Peek).

Mac veterans. Prior releases of Mac OS have brought features such productivity enhancers as Spotlight, the Sidebar, Time Machine, Dashboard and Automator. While Lion has a large number of new features, they are thematically different than those of the past.

Yes, there are a few features that have at least as much appeal to those who may recognize that Lion's new default button shapes -- part of its overall more refined look -- are more like the rounded rectangles of classic Mac OS than the gelcaps of the Aqua era. AirDrop adroitly tackles a too-long unaddressed issues in terms of getting a file from Mac A to Mac B simply, securely and wirelessly, but it will have more impact when it is supported by iPhones and iPads that lack flash drive-supporting USB ports. And few of the mouse-callused would shed a tear at the need to stop saving in order to prevent data loss that autosaving should address or fail to appreciate the Versions user interface that elegantly extends the Time Machine metaphor.

If Snow Leopard represented a technical resetting, Lion represents a user experience resetting. Apple seems to be grappling with where to find the right crossovers between the OS X and iOS and the value that that merging might provide. When Switched On first discussed Lion last November, that column noted that the key was making iPad features work in the right context. While those new to the Mac fold may appreciate them more than those adjusting from longtime use of the platform, there's some work cut out for future big cats that prowl Apple hardware.

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is executive director of industry analysis for consumer technology at market research and analysis firm The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.

Samsung Series 3 laptops crop up on Amazon, 12.1-inch model still AWOL

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 01:29 PM PDT

Samsung's Series 3 laptops deliver more performance-per-dollar than the ultra-thin Series 9, at the expense of -- well, ultra-thinness. That said, the 12.1-inch model hardly struck as megalithic when we went hands-on last month, and we're keen to see it emerge from pre-order status. For those who can't wait, or who prefer a bigger screen and keyboard, then a couple of larger siblings have just become available via third-party retailers at Amazon. There's a 5.5-pound, 15.6-inch variant with an i3 processor, 4GB of DDR3 and a 500GB HDD going for $590. Alternatively, you can pick up a 14-incher for $60 more, with mainly the same specs but a slightly bigger 640GB HDD. As for us, we're holding out for that elusive baby brother, for the sake of its superior i5 processor and our aging knees.

SoftEther's sensor-laden QUMA robot demonstrates poses, intimidates your acting coach (video)

Posted: 24 Jul 2011 12:08 PM PDT

A solution in search of a problem, or a solution to a problem that you were too proud to cop to? SoftEther has just revealed what might be the final blow to Barbie's distinguished career: the sensor-splashed QUMA. So far as we can tell, the human-shaped puppet contains a myriad sensors to pick up precise bends and flexes, and then pipes that information to a screen. Aside from showing your team of ballerinas exactly how their routine should look, we're guessing that the real future here is in far more sophisticated tasks -- things like artificial intelligence, major motion pictures and scientific research. As the saying goes, a video's worth a zillion words, so have a peek for yourself just after the break.

at 11:42 AM

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