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Engadget News

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• Adobe's Edge tool promises Flash-like animation through HTML5
• Verizon Wireless to tie American Express' Serve into mobile numbers, keep your credit card holstered
• University of Southern Mississippi hands out Galaxy Tabs to honors students (video)
• Apple TV streams purchased TV shows -- not just rentals -- from the cloud after update
• Engadget's back to school guide 2011
• Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video)
• Engadget's back to school guide 2011: digital cameras
• Nintendo 3DS titles to get in-game purchasing later this year
• PhoneGap 1.0 lets devs write apps for seven platforms (video)
• Nokia goes with a numbers-only naming scheme, thinks the alphabet is hard
• Sony Ericsson's tiny Xperia Mini and Mini Pro on sale now in Taiwan and Hong Kong
• Seagate's GoFlex Satellite HDD invites Android users to its media streaming party
• Vinci tablet for babies goes up for pre-order, prepares to be hurled across the playroom
• Bedphones put tunes in your ears, won't come between you and your pillow
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales halted in Australia by Apple suit
• ViewSonic reveals 24-inch V3D245 3D monitor, ships this month for $500
• Xcom Global's Euro SIM solves your European data conundrum: $13 per day, works in 40 countries
• Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB 3.0 hard drives add color to your otherwise drab storage needs
• HTC Desire Gingerbread update available, excludes US and comes with long list of caveats
• Foxconn wants one million new workers, must be robotic
• Wireless snooping WASP drone knows you want extra jalapeños, no sliced tomato
• ASUS Eee Slider update: 32GB model in September, 3G edition in 2012
• PlayStation Vita out in October, says Blockbuster UK flyer
• Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from $395 to $295
• Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo
• Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update bringing WiFi calling, NFC support? (update: sadly not)
• How would you change RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook?
• WD's 9.5mm Scorpio Blue 1TB laptop hard drive gets benchmarked
• Inhabitat's Week in Green: photovoltaic trees, a mind-reading Prius bike and solar-powered garb
• Switched On: Desktop divergence
• Rovi hits Hulu with patent infringement lawsuit
• Microsoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitless

Adobe's Edge tool promises Flash-like animation through HTML5 Posted: 01 Aug 2011 11:29 AM PDT Even as plenty have declared HTML5 adoption the beginning of the end for Adobe's once ubiquitous Flash platform, the company has embraced the web standard, through properties like its Creative Suite and Wallaby. Adobe will be taking things a step further with Edge, an HTML5 design tool that promises to let "web designers to bring animation, similar to that created in Flash Professional, to websites." The software is currently in public preview mode, available a free download for web designers, in hopes of getting some feedback that will help shape its final release. Show full PR text Adobe Releases Early Preview of New HTML5 Web Motion and Interaction Design Tool SAN JOSE, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the first public preview release of Adobe® Edge, a new HTML5 web motion and interaction design tool that allows web designers to bring animation, similar to that created in Flash® Professional, to websites using standards likes HTML, JavaScript and CSS. Because of rapid changes around HTML5, the company is adopting an open development methodology for Adobe Edge and is releasing the software on the Adobe Labs site much earlier than normal in the development process – before it even reaches beta – in order to allow user feedback to help shape the final product. "Over the last year Adobe has delivered on several significant HTML5 milestones including contributions to jQuery, submitting code to WebKit, and enhanced HTML5 output in Creative Suite® 5.5" While in public preview, Adobe Edge will be a no-charge download that web designers are encouraged to explore and provide feedback on, to help shape future preview releases. To download the software, visit www.labs.adobe.com. Adobe Edge, first shown at Adobe MAX 2010, is ideal for designers who want an efficient way to leverage Web standards like HTML to create Web content with motion and transitions. Adobe Edge is being designed as a fast and lightweight professional-grade tool that complements Adobe's existing Web tools, such as Adobe Dreamweaver® CS5.5, Adobe Flash Professional CS5.5 and Adobe Flash Builder® 4.5 software. "Over the last year Adobe has delivered on several significant HTML5 milestones including contributions to jQuery, submitting code to WebKit, and enhanced HTML5 output in Creative Suite® 5.5," said Paul Gubbay, vice president of Design and Web Engineering, Adobe. "Now, with Adobe Edge, we're taking our HTML5 tooling to a whole new level and look forward to getting some really useful feedback from the community over the next few months, as we refine the product." The Adobe Edge preview works natively with HTML. It enables users to add motion to existing HTML documents without hampering design integrity of CSS-based layouts, and it also enables users to easily create visually rich content from scratch, using familiar drawing tools that produce HTML elements styled with CSS3. Users can import standard Web graphics assets such as SVG, PNG, JPG and GIF files and style them using CSS3. The design stage utilizes WebKit to enable design, preview and manipulation of content with incredible fidelity. The innovative timeline feature is both familiar for creative professionals and breaks new ground in animation productivity to enable users to define and customize motion applied to HTML elements with extreme precision. Content created with Edge is designed to work on modern browsers including those on Android, BlackBerry Playbook™, iOS , HP webOS and other smartphone mobile devices as well as Firefox™, Google Chrome™, Safari™ and Internet Explorer 9™. This Adobe Edge public preview is available today on Adobe Labs as a no-charge download for anyone wanting to explore adding motion and animation to their HTML workflow or HTML animation to their skill set. Creative professionals are encouraged to dive into the public preview and provide their feedback at www.labs.adobe.com. The Adobe Edge preview is expected to be updated regularly as new functionality is added. This summer Adobe is sponsoring the Expressive Web Tour HTML5 Camps in cities that include San Francisco, Tokyo, New York City and London to continue providing further support to people interested in HTML5. In addition, Adobe has launched a new online resource showcasing some of the newest and most expressive HTML5 and CSS3 features being added to the modern Web. The new site, which was released today in beta, was created using new HTML5 and CSS3 features.

Verizon Wireless to tie American Express' Serve into mobile numbers, keep your credit card holstered Posted: 01 Aug 2011 11:04 AM PDT Good news online shopaholics, your tchotchke-buying ways are getting a couple of enablers in the form of American Express and Verizon Wireless. The two titans of industry have teamed up to integrate AMEX's PayPal-like Serve platform into the operator's phones and tablets in the next few months. The service will work by linking your existing mobile number to a Serve account, speeding up the checkout process and ensuring you never second-guess that impulse buy. Sure, this isn't the NFC-chipped, Isis future Big Red promised, but it's a good stopgap for virtual spendthrifts. Show full PR text Verizon to Integrate American Express' Serve on Wireless Phones and Tablets Verizon Wireless customers to have access to simple and easy mobile payments powered by Serve, American Express' new digital payment platform NEW YORK and BASKING RIDGE, NJ, August 1, 2011 -- American Express and Verizon Wireless today announced they will integrate Serve, a next-generation digital payment and commerce platform, on many Verizon mobile phones and tablets. Over the coming months, Verizon Wireless customers will be able to establish Serve accounts that will enable them to make payments and redeem offers for goods and services directly from their mobile phones and tablets using Serve. Serve simplifies the online checkout experience by authenticating a mobile number, then allowing a customer to make a purchase on-screen. Verizon Wireless customers who use Serve can expect to buy goods and services on their mobile phone in just a few clicks. Merchants who accept Serve mobile payments will enjoy a streamlined option for processing and settlement. The Serve card is currently accepted by the millions of merchants in the United States who accept American Express. American Express and Verizon Wireless will also collaborate to source, distribute and simplify redemption of online and mobile offers with participating merchants through the use of the Serve account. For example, as customers redeem certain offers or coupons using their mobile phones, the credit may automatically appear in their Serve account. The two companies are also working with Payfone to support Serve checkout on Verizon Wireless devices. Payfone's pre-authorization and intelligent routing features will help Verizon Wireless customers who use the Serve application make mobile payments simply and securely. "Our collaboration with Verizon highlights the speed at which Serve is evolving to reach a wide audience," said Dan Schulman, group president, Enterprise Growth, American Express. "Verizon Wireless customers will soon be able to complement their busy lifestyle with a trusted payment platform that delivers a fast, flexible and secure way to manage their day-to-day mobile purchases, and together we're taking the necessary steps to make mobile commerce a reality." Greg Haller, president, Enterprise & Government for Verizon Wireless, said, "Serve provides a quick and intuitive way for our customers to use their mobile service in a refreshingly convenient way. Our commitment to building the entire mobile payments ecosystem, through our Isis joint venture and now with Serve, gives customers incredible new ways to use their mobile devices." Merchants who are interested in accepting mobile payments through Serve and Verizon can learn more at serve.com/billmyphone.

University of Southern Mississippi hands out Galaxy Tabs to honors students (video) Posted: 01 Aug 2011 10:41 AM PDT Being an honors student at the University of Southern Mississippi just got a little more awesome. The college is hooking up its highest performers with brand new Galaxy Tab 10.1s, pre-loaded with software from the popular (and widely loathed) Blackboard educational portal. As you'd expect, syllabi, textbooks, and grades can all be easily pulled up by students in the Honors College, McNair Scholars, Southern Style, and Gulf Coast programs. With only a 1,000 going out now, the initiative stops shy of similar pushes by the Webb School and Seton Hill where everybody gets an iPad. And, while the educational value of tablets is still debatable, at least they'll be able to read Engadget in style. Check out Sammy's guitar-laden promo video after the break.

Apple TV streams purchased TV shows -- not just rentals -- from the cloud after update Posted: 01 Aug 2011 10:17 AM PDT Don't think Apple's forgotten about its little hobby, as the second generation Apple TV is getting an update today that lets users buy TV shows and stream them (in high definition) directly to the device, with the additional bonus of streaming access to previously purchased shows. That brings a new feeling of permanence -- already available from others like Zune and Vudu -- to the cloud atmosphere around Apple's hockey puck, but it also means being $2.99 invested in rewatching that episode of Leverage down the road instead of opting for for a 99-cent rental. The other new feature listed for this update is access to the streaming site Vimeo, but since the official support site is still only listing info for the 4.2.2 version posted in May, any other details are unknown so far. Update: The official notes for v4.3 are on the support page now, and yep, that's all there is.

Engadget's back to school guide 2011 Posted: 01 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT Welcome to Engadget's Back to School hub! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. You've stumbled upon our main hub page, and we're glad you're here. Each week through September we'll be adding three new product guides to our home page, and we'll collect them all here as well. And after the final guide hits the web on September 2nd, we'll be drawing names for Engadget's biggest giveaway to date. You'll hear more about that very soon, but for now, click on over to our available category pages, and stay tuned for those to come -- identified by a faded graphic for now. Accessories Bags and Cases Desktops Cameras . . . . Docks and Clocks E-readers Fun Stuff! Gaming . . . . Headphones Laptops Printers Smartphones . . . . Tablets TVs / Displays

Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video) Posted: 01 Aug 2011 09:30 AM PDT There's a good reason why My Little Pony wasn't marketed to boys. Shown off at the 2011 Maker Faire in Detroit, this animatronic, fire-breathing horsie got to spread a little heat thanks to the Louisville, KY-based modding duo, LVL1. The partially Wiimote-controlled mechanical filly is the result of the duo's Hackerspace efforts, and plans are already underway to loose this steed into the great, fully wireless open. Also on deck for the hot-mouthed stallion: a flame-spewing cabbage patch doll riding companion. How's that for a DIY-perversion of your precious 80s youth? Peep the full pyromania-tinged project after the break.

Engadget's back to school guide 2011: digital cameras Posted: 01 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got our optical viewfinders set firmly on digital cameras -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! Welcome to Digital Cameras 101. This single-lecture class will feature a handful of top cams for every budget, and since you're just getting back from a summer of wild shooting, we'll try to keep things brief this time around, giving you one last chance to enjoy that crisp natural light. There won't be a pop quiz, but if you're feeling lucky and don't mind following our simple instructions, we may just be able to send you home with your very own Sony NEX-C3. So wipe off the glasses, grab your clicker, and get ready to jump past the break for a top-level overview of this year's picks for back to school. On the cheap Samsung EC-SH100 We imagine that the DualView feature that Samsung included on its 2010 models came in handy at many a frat party last year, but the EC-SH100 expands on that concept, letting you use the display on your Galaxy S Android phone to control the camera over WiFi. Set it down on a table to zoom and fire the shutter during remote group shots, or help guide that stranger that you flagged down on the street. There's also a 3-inch touchscreen, 26mm wide-angle lens, and a price tag that won't require an interest-free loan from mom and dad. Key specs: 14.2-megapixel CCD sensor, 5x optical zoom, 720p / 30fps HD video. Price: $139 on Amazon You might also like... Olympus Stylus-5010 On a tight budget? Like, $100 tight? Last year's Stylus may not pack fancy features, but its 14-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, and 720p movie mode should get the job done, and leave enough money for you to practice your macro photography while eating a real meal. $86 from Amazon Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS You generally can't go wrong with a PowerShot. This model has a 12-megapixel CCD, 4x optical zoom, and full 1080p video. Canon's HS system promises high quality images in low-light, letting you shoot at parties without the flash. $179 from Amazon Mid-range Canon S95 Canon's S95 may look small, but boy does it pack a punch. That 3.8x optical zoom lens features an f/2.0 wide-angle aperture, letting you shoot crisp photos in low light, and with shallow depth of field. There's also RAW and full manual shooting, stereo 720p video, and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12,800. Key specs: 10-megapixel CMOS sensor, 3.8x optical zoom, f/2.0 lens, 720p / 24fps HD video. Price: $379 on Amazon You might also like... Nikon Coolpix S8100 This 12.1-megapixel point-and-shoot doesn't have the high-ISO sensitivity of its Canon counterpart, but it also costs $150 less, so we're not complaining. There's also a high-res 3-inch display, and full 1080p video capture at 30fps. $225 on Amazon Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Planning to enroll in Scuba 101 for an "easy A?" You'll probably want a waterproof camera, and while you can't take this ruggedized cam more than 40 feet down, it'll do just fine at the campus pool, or on sprint break. $308 on Amazon Interchangeable lens Sony Alpha NEX-C3 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens Sony's NEX-C3 delivers DSLR image quality in a much smaller body, packing the same size APS-C sensor found in many larger (and much pricier) digital SLRs. The camera's tilt-enabled 3-inch display lets you shoot overhead at concerts or parties, and its full manual control and interchangeable lenses make it a perfect fit for your next photography class. It won't be shipping until later this month, but we promise that it's worth the wait. Key specs: 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, 720p video, 3-inch articulating LCD. Price: $650 on Amazon You might also like... Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens If you're looking to step up to a full-size DSLR and you already own (or have access to) some quality Nikon lenses, the 16.2-megapixel D7000 should do the trick. It offers 1080p video capture, 39-point autofocus, a wide-view 3-inch LCD, and a top ISO sensitivty of ISO 25,600. $1,470 on Amazon Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 24-105mm f/4 L lens Sure, it might be fast approaching its third birthday, but the 21.1-megapixel Canon 5D Mark II is still our go-to cam for liveblogs and product shoots. Its full-frame image sensor means top-notch image quality, phenomenal low-light sensitivity, and gorgeous bokeh. We just wish it didn't cost so much. $3,299 on Amazon

Nintendo 3DS titles to get in-game purchasing later this year Posted: 01 Aug 2011 08:40 AM PDT Nintendo needs to milk more out of its revenue-generating units -- er, that's us -- in order to reassure anxious investors. Hence Satoru Iwata's mention at a financial Q&A of plans to allow in-game premium DLC on 3DS titles by the end of this year. He said he was wary that the Nintendo brand could be damaged by low-quality DLC, but was nevertheless keen to offer 3DS customers a way to purchase extra levels or features that extend the life of a game. It's about time Nintendo spruced up its online offerings, but we'd rather spend our arcade money on this.

PhoneGap 1.0 lets devs write apps for seven platforms (video) Posted: 01 Aug 2011 08:20 AM PDT Until now, mobile app developers have followed a pretty predictable MO: develop for iOS first, Android second, and everyone else after that. Since last year, many of you code monkeys out there have been tapping into Nitobi's PhoneGap, a project that makes it easier to churn out apps for almost every OS, all at once. It's been picking up steam, with about 40,000 downloads per month, 600,000 in total, and a steady stream of donations. That all culminated this weekend with the release of PhoneGap 1.0, which lets devs use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to write and deploy apps for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, webOS, Bada, and Symbian. That's a long list indeed, but we see one glaring omission: Windows Phone 7. Hit the source link to download it for free and check out the promo video below for an oh-so quick overview. Update: Oops! Looks like WP7 is included! Our apologies, and feel free to celebrate accordingly.

Nokia goes with a numbers-only naming scheme, thinks the alphabet is hard Posted: 01 Aug 2011 08:00 AM PDT There had been rumblings that Nokia was going to switch up its naming scheme and ditch the letter prefixes. Today, with the launch of the Nokia 500 (previously known as the Fate) that shift in convention has finally taken effect. The all-number nomenclature is brilliantly simple -- the higher the number, the higher-end the handset, and the higher the price. So, if and when Nokia unveils the 790 (which the Finnish company denies exists with a wink), you'll immediately know it will be costlier and more powerful than the 500 or the 670. Now we can all stop wondering what the "C" and "X" in C7 and X7 are supposed to tell us about our choice in Symbian handset and, by extension, ourselves.

Sony Ericsson's tiny Xperia Mini and Mini Pro on sale now in Taiwan and Hong Kong Posted: 01 Aug 2011 07:40 AM PDT They've been announced, manhandled (by us and the FCC), and now they're finally on sale... in Taiwan and Hong Kong. That's right, some of the first folks to put Sony Ericsson's latest Android phones in their pockets will be the citizens around HTC's very own turf. According to VR-Zone and our brethren over at Engadget Chinese, both the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro are on shelves now for NT$7990 / HK$2,098 (about US$270) and NT$8990 (US$310) / HK$2,198 (US$280) respectively. It probably won't be much longer now till these pair of itty-bitty, 3-inch Gingerbread phones hit the states but, if you're impatient, those two cities are only about a 13-hour flight away.

Seagate's GoFlex Satellite HDD invites Android users to its media streaming party Posted: 01 Aug 2011 07:18 AM PDT When we took a look at Seagate's GoFlex Satellite back in May, we recommended that non-iOS buyers hold off until the company rolled out an app for different operating systems. Android users take note, the storage company today took the wraps off of an app that lets users wirelessly stream content like HD videos from the external hard drive to devices running their favorite dessert-themed mobile OS. No internet connection is required to stream, you just need to be in range of the drive. The 500GB GoFlex Satellite has a built-in battery that can stream video for up to five hours. The drive will run you $200, but the Android app is decidedly more free. Check the relevant press info below. Show full PR text Seagate GoFlex Media App is Now Available From the Android Market CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seagate (NASDAQ:STX) today unveiled a new app for Android operated mobile devices that will provide a seamless wireless connection to 500GB of storage to stream up to 300 HD videos. Introduced in May of this year, GoFlex Satellite™ mobile wireless storage is the first battery-powered external hard drive to wirelessly extend the storage capacity of any Wi-Fi enabled mobile device. Although previously compatible with Android tablets and phones by using the device's browser, the experience with GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage will now be enhanced through the seamless connectivity and added features of the GoFlex Media™ App for Android. Devices are wirelessly connected directly to the GoFlex Satellite drive by use of the free GoFlex Media App-available now on Android Market and iTunes for iOS devices-or a web browser. GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage is currently available worldwide for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199.99 USD. "Seagate's line of GoFlex® external storage has always been about enabling flexibility and part of this flexibility is being OS agnostic," said Patrick Connolly, vice president and general manager for Seagate retail product group. "Seagate GoFlex Satellite™ mobile wireless storage continues with this theme of flexibility by providing added storage to mobile devices where there may not be a physical port to connect a cable. An Android supported app had been part of our development plans for the product from the very start. We are now pleased to offer the new GoFlex Media™ App from the Android Market." The perfect companion for your mobile devices, GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage is capable of providing hours of entertainment for up to three connections. With a stand-by battery life of up to 25 hours, the powerful lithium polymer battery delivers up to 5 hours of continuously streaming video. To help with extending battery life, the free GoFlex Media App provides a progressive download feature, which temporarily loads the video on to the Android device it is being streamed to, allowing the drive to go into stand-by mode. In addition to extending the battery life, the GoFlex Media App for Android will deliver the following features: Access your media library stored on the GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage device wherever you are – no Internet or wires required. Stream HD videos and begin playback in an instant. Enjoy music and video collections, photo albums, and even review documents. GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage allows you to take it all with you. Automatically organizes all your digital media into videos, photos, music, and document folders. The GoFlex Media App for GoFlex Satellite mobile wireless storage and Android mobile devices is available to download for free from the Android Market.

Vinci tablet for babies goes up for pre-order, prepares to be hurled across the playroom Posted: 01 Aug 2011 06:54 AM PDT When some of us were tots, there was one family computer, and we were lucky if we got our sticky little fingers on it while we were still in diapers. Times have changed, though, and for some parents, sharing the 'ol iPad or 10.1 with curious babies just won't do. Enter Rullingnet's Vinci tablet, that ruggedized tablet for toddlers we played with back in January. It's up for pre-order now, and though it's not exactly the modded Galaxy Tab we saw demoed, it's a very similar piece of hardware with a 7-inch (800 x 480) display, rugged casing, a 3 megapixel camera and Froyo on board. If you'll recall, it's missing any wireless radios (you know, to keep littles ones from being exposed to radiation), but parents can update apps via microUSB. Aside from the kid-proof caging, though, the hook here is that the tab comes pre-loaded with educational content such as 3D games, music videos, and animated storybooks -- a package overseen by the company's founder, herself a mother to young kids. With a starting price of $389, it's slightly less expensive than other Android tablets, though there's also a version with a more grown-up $479 price tag that doubles the battery life to six hours and comes loaded with more educational goodies. Hit the source links to pre-order, and remember that the tab's intended for kids ages three and under, so if yours is already forming sentences, well, your investment should be good for at least a year.

Bedphones put tunes in your ears, won't come between you and your pillow Posted: 01 Aug 2011 06:28 AM PDT There are two types of people in this world -- those who need absolute silence to sleep, and those who need background noise to carry them off to sleepy land. Unfortunately, when these people share a room or, worse yet, a bed, wars can ensue. Sleeping with a pair of headphones on is, at best, uncomfortable. That is, unless you happen to own a pair of Bedphones -- or so its creator Eric Dubs claims. These ear-hook style buds are extremely thin and held in place by a length of moldable memory wire. There's even a Bedphones app that can turn the screen of your Android phone into a giant play/pause button, slowly lower the volume as a timer counts down, or shut off completely when you fall asleep (as determined by how much you move) in "smart mode." We wouldn't expect this tiny pair of phones to produce the greatest sound, but they're probably more than adequate for drifting off to an audiobook or podcast. They're available at the source link for $30.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales halted in Australia by Apple suit Posted: 01 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT The latest twist in the on-going Apple / Samsung patent soap opera is a doozy, particularly for Android fans Down Under. Samsung will not be advertising or selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia, at least until the Korean company gets court approval to do so -- or until the suit is resolved. Due to differences between the US and Australian versions of the Android tablet, Samsung is required to present the device to Apple at least seven days before its planned launch. Apple claims that the US version of the tablet infringes on ten of the company's patents.

ViewSonic reveals 24-inch V3D245 3D monitor, ships this month for $500 Posted: 01 Aug 2011 05:00 AM PDT Still lookin' for that perfect 3D display, are you? ViewSonic would be absolutely thrilled to make your short list, with the 24-inch V3D245 making its debut this morning. Unsurprisingly, this one's arriving with a 1080p LED-backlit panel, and it'll be joined by an inbuilt NVIDIA 3D Vision wireless emitter and a pair of 3D Vision glasses. You'll also get a 120Hz refresh rate, two millisecond response time, HDMI 1.4 socket and 300 nits of brightness, and the three-year limited warranty should help quell any fears about longevity. Of course, NVIDIA would prefer that focused on the 550 (and growing) 3D titles available on its Vision Live website, but at least you've got until "mid-to-late August" to determine if the whole shebang is worth your $499. Show full PR text ViewSonic Drives Display Innovation with New 3D Vision LED Monitor ViewSonic's V3D245 monitor includes NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ wireless glasses and built-in 3D Vision emitter to enable a new era of 3D entertainment WALNUT, Calif. – August 1, 2011 – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today continues its leadership in display innovation with the new V3D245 – a 24-inch 3D, full HD (1080p) LED monitor that includes a built-in NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ wireless emitter and NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses. Combining world-leading LED technology with extraordinary power-saving performance, this 24-inch (23.6-inch vis.) monitor offers a stunning 120Hz frame refresh rate and ultra-fast 2ms video response time, and HDMI 1.4 input making it ideal for delivering a truly immersive 2D and 3D entertainment and gaming experience. Paired with a 1920x1080 full HD resolution, 20,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 300 nits high brightness, users can expect great color accuracy and picture detail for unsurpassed 3D image quality. The integrated NVIDIA 3D Vision wireless emitter gives users the flexibility to connect to an NVIDIA® GeForce®-equipped PC to play more than 550 3D games in full 1080p, 60 fps resolution, view 3D videos and photos, and stream 3D web content. Users could also choose to connect directly to the latest Blu-ray® 3D players or PS3 consoles via the standard built-in HDMI 1.4 input. Additionally, the integrated two-watt SRS® Premium Sound™ audio speakers provides consumers the ultimate multimedia entertainment display. "Gamers, movie buffs and photo enthusiasts will love moving up to 3D. And there's no better way to do so than with ViewSonic's V3D245 3D monitor, with its built-in NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, which produces the most immersive and crystal clear 3D images," said Phil Eisler, general manager of 3D Vision at NVIDIA. "Set-up is quick and easy. Simply connect the monitor to your NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, put on the included NVIDIA 3D Vision glasses, and start enjoying games, videos and photos in a whole new way." NVIDIA's 3D Vision drivers support more than 550 video games in 3D, with more being continually added. In addition, 3DVisionLive.com hosts hundreds of 3D videos and thousands of 3D photos that can be seen with a free web browser and a 3D Vision system. YouTube also supports 3D Vision, with thousands of videos now available for viewing in stereoscopic 3D. "Whether for work, play or media enjoyment, our new V3D245 monitor offers the highest level of compatibility with both PC- and console-based 3D content, and is ideal for delivering an incredible 3D experience," said Erik Willey, LCD monitor and PC product marketing manager, ViewSonic. "By pairing our exclusive 120Hz, LED-based 3D technology with NVIDIA 3D Vision technology, we are able to deliver a new world-class level of performance that will shape the future of 3D gaming and entertainment." The V3D245 comes standard with ViewSonic's strongest pixel performance guarantee and 3-year limited warranty. ViewSonic's V3D245 3D monitor and included pair of NVIDIA 3D Vision active stereo 3D glasses and will be available in North America during mid-to-late August for an ESP of $499.

Xcom Global's Euro SIM solves your European data conundrum: $13 per day, works in 40 countries Posted: 01 Aug 2011 05:00 AM PDT Say it with us: Hallelujah! It's a problem that BMW European Delivery owners (not to mention gap-year backpackers and generic business travelers) have had for eons, and while the EU seems to have the whole "one currency" thing under control, the lack of a "one data plan" has continued to break the backs of connected travelers. No more. Xcom Global -- the company that revolutionized the art of staying connected abroad -- has just done the same thing for those planning their next Eurotrip. The newly-launched Euro SIM enables US-based jetsetters to rent a single device that'll provide unlimited data access in a staggering 40 nations across the pond. Everywhere from Iceland to San Marino is covered, including 20 extra countries that weren't covered even last week. Folks can pick up a MiFi for $14.95 per day (and yeah, that covers all 40 countries!) or a USB WWAN model for $12.95 a day, and if you happen to scoot over to a locale in Europe that isn't covered, you'll still be able to get online at a cost of one cent per KB. Hit the source link to find out more, and ping your best friend's travel agent to set those long-backburnered plans in motion. Show full PR text XCom Global Announces the Availability of a Euro SIM and the Addition of Over 20 European Countries to its Wireless Internet Rental Coverage – International travelers have low-cost international 3G WiFi access available to them across a rapidly expanding coverage area that now includes more than 60 countries – SAN DIEGO, Calif. – August 1, 2011 – XCom Global, Inc., a leading provider of low cost wireless Internet access rental services for international travelers, announced today the availability of a Euro SIM card which will enable travelers heading for multiple European destinations to rent a single device. This new SIM card will provide coverage in most major European countries: http://www.xcomglobal.com/europe40/ The cost will be the same as a standard daily rental with the added convenience of one device providing coverage for every country on a traveler's European itinerary. In addition, 20 more European countries are now covered under the company's Unlimited aXcess plan. Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Hungary and Portugal are among the destinations that were added. "Thousands have experienced the no-hassle Internet access that XCom Global can provide while traveling overseas," said Seiji Nishimura, founder and CEO, XCom Global, Inc. "If you have a need or desire to stay connected, once you've tried our rental service, you won't want to travel any other way. International roaming charges, exceeding your data plan's data limit, or seeking out specific locations like a hotspot or hotel business center for access will no longer be an issue. We make it easy – easy to rent, easy to understand your costs, easy to use. And now for travelers heading to Europe with multiple-country itineraries, we're offering an easy single-device solution." XCom Global's high-speed Internet access rental service provides international travelers unlimited data usage and the freedom to wirelessly roam abroad at fixed rates starting at $12.95/per day in over 60 selected countries including Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico and the United Kingdom. A complete list of countries can be found on the website: http://www.xcomglobal.com/coverage/ Long term (over 14 days), multiple country, and student discounts are also available. http://xcomglobal.com/plans/ Bundled with the Unlimited aXcess plan, the XCom Global's MiFi Hotspot rental unit enables instant access to a personal mobile hotspot, so travelers can stay connected wherever they are. Up to five WiFi-enabled devices can use the unit simultaneously allowing the MiFi Hotspot to be shared with traveling companions and saving on multiple usage charges. http://xcomglobal.com/devices/

Verbatim Store 'n' Go USB 3.0 hard drives add color to your otherwise drab storage needs Posted: 01 Aug 2011 04:19 AM PDT Our parents always taught us that it's what's on the inside that counts -- and that's why we don't ever take them hard drive shopping with us. Sure these Store 'n' Go drives are pretty standard 500GB HDDs, but hey, they come in Caribbean blue and hot pink, so they should fit in nicely with that neon fanny pack we just picked up to haul around our computer peripherals. The drives sport USB 3.0 and come loaded with Nero BackItUp software. You can pick them up for $100 from Verbatim's site -- they shouldn't be too hard to spot. Decidedly less colorful press information after the break. Show full PR text Verbatim Unveils Color Splashed Store 'n' Go SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drives Charlotte, NC, July, 28 2011 – Verbatim, the global leader in data storage technology including portable hard drives, USB flash drives, CDs, Blu-ray discs and memory cards, has added a splash of color to its SuperSpeed USB 3.0 portable hard drive offerings with two new eye-popping options: Caribbean Blue and Hot Pink. "As a pioneer in data storage solutions, we've made it our goal to deliver what our customers crave without sacrificing a thing," said Charles Klinker, Verbatim's Director of Marketing, HDD Products. "Whether it's faster transfer speeds, more reliable back-up capabilities, or sleek aesthetics, we deliver on all fronts, and this compact USB 3.0 hard drive is no exception!" This compact 500GB hard drive not only impresses users with its lightning fast transfer speeds and its ability to reliably back-up and transfer files anytime, anywhere – but also seduces the visual senses for users looking get the best of the best in both form and function. It's the perfect way to save, store and share your favorite videos, photos, music and more. Plus it doubles as a colorful accessory to any outfit. Compatible with all USB ports, this sleek portable hard drive includes Nero BackItUp & Burn Essentials software that provides full system backup and restore functions, the ability to schedule automatic backup by date/time and an encrypted backup option with password control. Additional optional software includes the Green Button software software that offers three sleep/suspend settings to save energy when the drive is not in use and Formatter Software that software to easily change the format of the drive from FAT32 to NTFS or HFS+, offering maximum flexibility to a wider scope of users. Product Features and Specifications: • Caribbean Blue and Hot Pink • SuperSpeed USB 3.0 • 100% compatible with all USB ports • High-capacity storage: 500GB • Nero BackItUp & Burn Essentials software • Green Button software allows user to save energy when not in use • Industry-leading 7-year limited warranty Verbatim's 500GB Store 'n' Go USB 3.0 portable hard drives are available at Verbatim.com for just $99.99.

HTC Desire Gingerbread update available, excludes US and comes with long list of caveats Posted: 01 Aug 2011 03:16 AM PDT First off, if you own the North American variant of this handset then you're out of luck. Likewise, Japanese, South Korean and some German handsets are also excluded. Still here? Okay then, but you might not like what comes next. We already knew that either the Sense UI or some pre-installed apps would be cleared out to make room in the Gingerbread house, but now it seems the update is so unstable that HTC is only prepared to release it as a ROM via its developer site. That means a factory reset of your device, a bunch of worries about SMS and MMS not working properly, and a cold disclaimer in the event of things going wrong. Still, at least HTC gave (some of) us the choice. Visit the source link below for deliberately spooky instructions. [Thanks to everybody who sent this in]

Foxconn wants one million new workers, must be robotic Posted: 01 Aug 2011 02:15 AM PDT We saw this coming when we met FRIDA, and now it's apparently happening. According to Xinhuanet, Foxconn's founder and chairman chose a workers' party last Friday night to reveal plans for a surge in the company's robot contingent. There'll be 300,000 robots in operation by next year and a swarm-like 1,000,000 within three years -- versus just 10,000 today. The bots will be required to spray, weld and not kill themselves. We can only imagine how this news went down at the party, but soon stuff like that will hardly matter.

Wireless snooping WASP drone knows you want extra jalapeños, no sliced tomato Posted: 01 Aug 2011 02:01 AM PDT This fearsome contraption is the handiwork of a couple of amateur DEFCON-types who reckoned that any self-respecting spy plane ought to be able to impersonate cellphone towers. And that's exactly what the Wireless Aerial Surveillance Platform does -- it tricks AT&T and T-Mobile handsets into connecting to it, then re-routes the incoming calls via VOIP so they don't drop, while simultaneously recording all conversations to 32GB of onboard storage. It can also handle a bit of WiFi snooping on the side, thanks to a Linux-based hacking toolkit and a 340 million word dictionary for guessing passwords. What's more, the WASP apparently achieves all of this without breaking a single FCC regulation. So, er, that's fine then. Oh yeah, and we don't want any of that stuffed crust nonsense, you hear?

ASUS Eee Slider update: 32GB model in September, 3G edition in 2012 Posted: 01 Aug 2011 12:34 AM PDT You know, it wouldn't even bother us if it didn't look so amazing. But alas, the Eee Slider from ASUS is easily one of the most anticipated Honeycomb tablets around, and our unending love for the since-departed HTC Advantage ensures that the flame for this guy will keep burning, too. Just a few weeks after hearing from ASUS' UK branch that the Slider was being delayed until 'autumn,' in flies word from The Netherlands that we may be able to fix our gaze on September. Based on reports from Tablets Magazine, the 16GB model will be canned altogether in favor of a lone 32 gigger, which should sell for €499 across the pond. As for the 3G-enabled variant? We aren't apt to see that surface until Q1 2012. It's tough to pinpoint the reason for the holdup, but our guess is software -- earlier in the week, a hands-on video emerged showcasing the Slider with Android 3.1, paying particular attention to the newfound USB accessory support. Have a gander at the video just past the break, and feel free to console one another in comments. Update: Seems that ASUS' Polish arm thinks that the 16GB model may ship in that corner of the world. Hmm... maybe these folks should start talking to one another.

PlayStation Vita out in October, says Blockbuster UK flyer Posted: 31 Jul 2011 10:50 PM PDT Blockbuster may have had its share of trouble here in the States, but that doesn't mean its British brother isn't doing well enough to have (and leak) a big-shot release date or two. According to a flyer brandishing the Blockbuster logo and that good 'ol co.uk extension, the PlayStation Vita will land in the United Kingdom on October 28th. That's ominously close to Halloween -- not that we're suggesting anybody is having pre-holiday PSV boot-shakes, or anything -- and the flyer's fall release prediction squares up nicely with Sony's "end of 2011" launch window. As always, we suggest taking rumors and leaks such as this with a grain of salt -- but considering Sony's sinkable record regarding loose lips, we'd understand a low sodium approach. Hit the break to get a peek at the Blockbuster UK flyer -- ready and waiting for your judgement.

Ford bringing SYNC systems to base trim levels, drops from $395 to $295 Posted: 31 Jul 2011 09:01 PM PDT Ford's been pushing SYNC in its autos since 2007, but you wouldn't have known it had you opted for the base trim level on your ride. Thankfully for those who appreciate the basics, that's a-changing. The automaker is aiming to entice more potential owners by offering the voice-activated infotainment systems across all levels for $295 (down from $395, where optional), starting with its 2012 Edge and Explorer models. To sweeten the deal even further, it'll also become standard on SEL variants for the first time -- before, it was a luxury previously reserved for Limited and Sport. Ford plans to roll out the system across its entire lineup in three years time, bringing the 2013 Ford Taurus, Focus, Escape and Flex into the fold. You know, options for all of you who aren't hip on the all-American, gas-guzzling SUV. Full PR past the break. Show full PR text Ford Drops Price of SYNC by $100, Making Hands-Free, Voice-Activated In-Car Connectivity More Affordable, Available to All Ford initiates new pricing strategy for SYNC®, making the hands-free, voice-activated connectivity system more affordable for customers; dropping option price to $295 makes SYNC the most capable and most affordable system on the market Launching first on the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge, SYNC will now be available as optional equipment on base trim levels, marking broader availability and more choice for customers Making hands-free technology more affordable and available comes on the heels of Ford becoming the first automaker to announce its support for a nationwide ban on the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving DEARBORN, Mich., August 1, 2011 – Ford is making hands-free, voice-controlled in-car connectivity even more affordable, announcing both a $100 price drop for Ford SYNC® along with expanded availability by offering it as an option on base trim levels for the first time. "Ford SYNC is making a difference. Our customers love it and recommend it, and our dealers want it on more products," said Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. "SYNC already has brought hands-free, voice-activated in-car connectivity to millions, helping keep drivers' eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Now, Ford is making it even easier for customers to afford exactly what they want." The move marks the company's latest push to make voice control the primary and safest way for customers to access their favorite mobile devices while driving – a capability more and more drivers are clamoring for, according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). In a 2010 study, the CEA found that 55 percent of smartphone owners, for example, prefer voice commands as their primary in-car user interface. SYNC users agree, with internal Ford research showing more than 85 percent say they use voice controls while driving, up from 60 percent in previous studies. This month, Ford became the first automaker to openly support the Safe Drivers Act of 2011, proposed federal legislation for a nationwide ban on the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving. To date, 10 states, including California and New York, have legally banned talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving, with many local municipalities also following suit enacting their own set of restrictions. Text messaging while driving is banned in 34 states. The new SYNC pricing and choice strategy for 2012 ups the ante on how Ford is translating this trend into real-world actions that offer smarter in-vehicle connectivity solutions for customers. "As the list of states banning hand-held calls and texting while driving continues to grow and legislators ponder a nationwide ban, Ford is strengthening its leadership position as the only full-line automaker with plans to offer available hands-free mobile device connectivity on 100 percent of its passenger vehicle lineup," said Czubay. SYNC has been installed already on more than 3 million vehicles since its debut in 2007. The new pricing strategy makes SYNC the most capable and most affordable in-car connectivity system in the industry. The new pricing will be available first on the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge base models. Customers who opt for SYNC will pay only $295 for the award-winning in-car connectivity system, previously priced at $395. In addition, SYNC will now be available on all trim levels, as the availability chart of the 2012 Ford Edge shows: Ford Edge Trim Level 2011 Model SYNC Availability SE: Not available SEL: Optional Limited: Standard Sport: Standard 2012 Model SYNC Availability SE: Optional SEL: Standard Limited: Standard Sport: Standard With the base SYNC package, customers will enjoy the core hands-free features and services that have quickly established SYNC as a must-have technology, with more than 76 percent of current SYNC users saying they would recommend the system to other customers. Those features include: Hands-free, voice-activated calling via a Bluetooth®-connected mobile phone Hands-free, voice-activated control of a USB-connected digital music player 911 Assist™, the automated emergency calling service that is free for the life of the vehicle Vehicle Health Report, the on-demand diagnostic and maintenance information service In addition, customers who choose the base package will have the option to purchase a SYNC Services subscription, which expands voice-controlled features to include a cloud-based network of services. These include turn-by-turn directions, traffic reports, and business search information with available live operator assistance if needed. A SYNC Services subscription costs only $60 a year, besting the telematics services offered by the competition. Ford dealers are excited about the prospect of being able to offer SYNC to a larger population of their customers. James T. Seavitt, president of Village Ford in Dearborn, Mich., says he wouldn't be surprised to see those rates soar even higher with the new SYNC pricing and base model availability. Seavitt admits that approximately 75 percent of the vehicles he currently sells have SYNC. "Customers frequently ask about SYNC in our dealership as they continue to hear more about the benefits and convenience of hands-free connectivity while driving," said Seavitt. "This move from Ford will help dealers put more customers in SYNC-equipped vehicles so they can experience why using their voice to control their favorite mobile devices in the car is a smarter choice." On Edge and Explorer alone, SYNC has already been a big hit on the showroom floor, with current take rates above 80 percent. With the new pricing strategy, SYNC is now expected to be installed on more than 95 percent of models sold. During the next three years, Ford will introduce the new SYNC pricing and choice strategy across the entire North American Ford vehicle lineup. Vehicles next in line after the 2012 Ford Explorer and Edge include the 2013 Ford Taurus, Focus, Escape and Flex. # # # About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo Posted: 31 Jul 2011 09:01 PM PDT Right on schedule, Best Buy's announced it's good and ready to ship two Insignia-branded connected televisions with TiVo's UI -- minus the whole DVR thing, that is. The two 1080p sets, available in 32- and 42-inch flavors, are landing months after the retailer said it was buddying up with TiVo to borrow its user interface -- and only that, there's no indication these will play nicely with Premiere DVRs and their multiroom streaming at launch -- for searching content and also just getting up and running easily. As you'd expect, folks perusing these sets can watch movies from Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube, as well as stream from Pandora and Napster. Rounding out the list of apps are Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket, and Chumby, with more to come, Best Buy tells us. In addition to the easy access to content, the story here is that the UI plays nice with existing cable boxes, making the installation easy even if the person holding the remote doesn't happen to have a lengthy serial number on hand. Look for the 32-inch number for $499, with the 42-incher fetching $699. Find the full PR and some b-roll video after the break, along with a smattering of hands-on shots of what should be an all-too-familiar interface. Insignia TVs with TiVo's UI Show full PR text Insignia Unveils Connected TV with Award-winning TiVo® Design Insignia's Smart TV is first to combine the power of the Internet with acclaimed TiVo user interface, all in stunning HD MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 1, 2011) – Best Buy's own Insignia brand today announced the arrival of the new Insignia Connected TV. Insignia Connected TV customers can simply enjoy broadcast and online movies, shows, and music. Simple, easy entertainment is what customers want in a TV, and Insignia delivers on this through its TiVo® Design partnership, providing award-winning Tivo ease-of-use, all without a paid TiVo subscription. The new Insignia Connected TV will be available in 32- and 42-inch models for $499 and $699 respectively, on BestBuy.com and at Best Buy stores nationwide. Insignia's Connected TV features a breadth of entertainment options from the most desired services, including Netflix, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora and Napster, plus popular entertainment and social media applications from the chumby content network, such as Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket and more. Developed by Insignia from the ground up, including ease of setup and ease of use based on Best Buy customer input, the Insignia Connected TV directly solves the most common challenges consumers face with other, more complicated Smart TVs. In partnering with TiVo, Insignia created a product and interface that offers consumers an experience that is easy to use, easy to connect and easy to find. Easy to Connect: Connecting to broadcast and online entertainment is a snap with an easy step-by-step guided setup. The Insignia Connected TV virtually sets itself up! Easy to Use: Insignia brings the fun back to TV entertainment, with all of the Insignia Connected TVs powerful features at your fingertips through the award-winning TiVo Design interface. Easy to Find: Insignia makes discovering new online entertainment a breeze by allowing customers to search for online movies and shows from the most popular services. "The Insignia Connected TV gives our valued customers a new way to easily set up and access the entertainment they want, when they want it," said Patrick McGinnis, vice president of Exclusive Brands at Best Buy. "We've heard from customers that Smart TVs can be intimidating, and we've put 110% of our energy into making the powerful features of the Insignia Connected TV easy to enjoy." "TiVo has evolved from its roots as the DVR that changed the way consumers interact with entertainment, allowing us to customize and deliver solutions that best meet the needs of our partners like Insignia," said Jim Denney, general manager and vice president of Product Marketing at TiVo Inc."The Insignia Connected TV is the result of great collaboration and we are proud to bring the TiVo experience to this leading consumer electronics brand and innovative product." As part of Insignia's ongoing partnership with leading content platform chumby, the Insignia Connected TV comes preloaded with the most popular chumby applications, including Twitter, Facebook, Photobucket, Accuweather, Reuters News and Sports, Stocks and Traffic. Customers can customize their experience by selecting additional content from the chumby network, which supports hundreds of applications for the Insignia Connected TV. It also benefits from chumby's wide network of developers working on new content, and Insignia will continue to update and add applications to the Connected TV as new, high-demand applications become available. Additional product features and technical enhancements include: LED: Thin, elegant design and energy efficient, a perfect fit for modern households 1080p/120Hz: Stunning picture quality with full HD and clearer fast motion Enhanced audio: Music and dialogue never sounded this good from a flat panel TV, enabled by Audyssey and SRS Rocketboost-ready: Wireless, uncompressed digital audio input to the TV or output to speakers such as the Insignia Soundbar and the Rocketfish Outdoor Speaker More information about the product visit www.bestbuy.com/insigniaconnectedtv.

Kyocera Echo Gingerbread update bringing WiFi calling, NFC support? (update: sadly not) Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:27 PM PDT Um, okay? Hot on the heels of rumors that Kyocera's Echo would see its first major Android update on August 1st, in flies an updated page over at the company's own website detailing the impending changes. Unless someone at Kyocera's pulling a fast one, it looks as if the imminent Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) update will bring a downright staggering list of new features, making an already unique handset capable of even rarer feats. Interest piqued? We're told that the refresh will provide pinch-to-zoom support in the browser, gallery, Maps and Sprint Navigation, an improved downloads app and an upgrade to the Swype 3.0 virtual keypad, with Tap Correction and Horizontal Word Choice list. But that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg -- the real kicker is the addition of "internet calling over WiFi" as well as "an NFC reader to interact with posters, advertisements, products, etc." You heard right, WiFi calling and a previously unmentioned NFC chip -- hopefully of the UMA variety, rather than just SIP. As of now, the only major US carrier to support WiFi calling is T-Mobile, and neither Sprint nor Kyocera have mentioned any secretive Near Field Communications module to us. The luckiest of the early adopters should see their over-the-air update swing through as soon as a half-hour, so be sure to let us know if this all proves true in comments below. Naturally, we'll be watching for the update on our own set and updating accordingly. Update: Bah, humbug! A Kyocera rep contacted Brief Mobile and explained that the feature page shown here went up prematurely, and that the WiFi calling and NFC support in particular weren't supposed to be listed. Consider our hopes dashed, and our dreams crushed. [Thanks, Brain_ReCall]

How would you change RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook? Posted: 31 Jul 2011 07:53 PM PDT RIM's 7-inch PlayBook may be lovely to hold, and that gesture area along the bezel is downright genius, but the QNX-powered slate hasn't had the easiest time taking on the likes of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Apple's iPad 2. Still, RIM's following is amongst the most loyal in the industry, and those who wouldn't leave the house sans a BlackBerry handset may have been inclined to give this guy a go. If that's you, we're overly interested in hearing how you'd do things differently. Would you have preferred a larger screen? Android app support right out of the box? A beefier software store? Go on and get creative in comments below -- something tells us RIM isn't exactly in a position to turn a deaf ear.

WD's 9.5mm Scorpio Blue 1TB laptop hard drive gets benchmarked Posted: 31 Jul 2011 06:07 PM PDT These days, it's hard to shake the urge to pop a solid state drive into your next laptop, but even if you're down with dropping the requisite coin, the restrictive capacity choices may make it darn near impossible for pack rats to bite. For those fitting squarely into that category, there's Western Digital's newest laptop drive: the 9.5mm 1TB Scorpio Blue. It's one of the first in this form factor (read: the one that slips into most everything smaller than a Clevo) to hit the 1TB milestone, and at just $99, it's a veritable bargain. The benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware threw it through the usual gauntlet of tests, pitting it against a 500GB Scorpio Black and a 640GB Seagate Momentus. As you'd likely expect, the 1TB spinner bested the competition in SiSoftware, ATTO and CrystalDiskMark tests, though not by a tremendous margin. Still, taking performance up a notch while also boasting a full terabyte of space makes it somewhat of a no-brainer for capacity freaks, and you can hit the source for a barrage of charts proving as much.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: photovoltaic trees, a mind-reading Prius bike and solar-powered garb Posted: 31 Jul 2011 04:32 PM PDT The summer sun shined a light on several breakthrough solar technologies this week at Inhabitat as Semprius unveiled a powerful micro photovoltaic cell that can fit on a pinhead, and MIT developed a solar power system that can produce energy without sunlight. We also spotted plans for a shape-shifting solar home with a perforated facade, a series of luminous photovoltaic trees that grow real plants, and Nuon unveiled its super aerodynamic Nuna6 solar-powered racer. Speaking of green transportation, this week President Obama set a goal of 54.5 MPG for all US automakers, BMW unveiled its breakthrough i3 and i8 electric vehicles, and Toyota unveiled a mind-reading Prius bike that can shift gears with just a thought. We also showcased several incredible examples of vehicular architecture - including a prefab house made from recycled Hummers and a shipping container pool set on a barge that purifies water as it floats through france. As temperatures continued to soar this week we brought you seven solar-powered wearables guaranteed to give you a charge, and we saw Japanese citizens turn to air-conditioned clothing to beat the heat during power shortages. We were also relieved to hear a Swiss study announce that cell phone use is not linked to brain tumors in kids, and we showed you the dizzying view from the world's tallest tennis court, which is set atop the Burj al Arab in Dubai.

Switched On: Desktop divergence Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:00 PM PDT Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Last week's Switched On discussed how Lion's feature set could be perceived differently by new users or those coming from an iPad versus those who have used Macs for some time, while a previous Switched On discussed how Microsoft is preparing for a similar transition in Windows 8. Both OS X Lion and Windows 8 seek to mix elements of a tablet UI with elements of a desktop UI or -- putting it another way -- a finger-friendly touch interface with a mouse-driven interface. If Apple and Microsoft could wave a wand and magially have all apps adopt overnight so they could leave a keyboard and mouse behind, they probably would. Since they can't, though, inconsistency prevails. Yet, while the OS X-iOS mashup that is Lion exhibits is share of growing pains, the fall-off effect isn't as pronounced as it appears it will be for Windows 8. The main reasons for this are, in order of increasing importance, legacy, hardware, and Metro. Legacy. Microsoft has an incredibly strong commitment to backward compatibility. As long as Microsoft supports older Windows apps (which will be well into the future), there will be a more pronounced gap between that old user interface and the new. This will likely become more of a difference between Microsoft and Apple over time. For now, however, Apple is also treading lightly, and several of Lion's user interface changes -- including "natural" scrolling directions, Dashboard as a space, and the hiding of the hard drive on the desktop -- can be reversed. Even some of Lion's "full-screen" apps are only a cursor movement away from revealing their menus. Hardware. As Apple continues to keep touchscreens off the Mac, it brings over the look but not the input experience of iPad apps, relying instead on the precision of a mouse or trackpad. Therefore, these Mac apps do not have to embrace finger-friendliness. In contrast, the "tablet" UI of Windows 8 is designed for fingertips and therefore demands a cleaner break with an interface designed for mice (although Microsoft preserves pointer control as well so these apps can be used on PCs without touchscreens). Metro. A late entrant to the gesture-driven touchscreen handset wars, Microsoft sought to differentiate Windows Phone 7 with its panoramic user interface. When Joe Belfiore introduced Windows Phone 7 at Mobile World Congress in 2010, he repeatedly noted that "the phone is not a PC." That's an accurate assessment, and perhaps one worth repeating in light of all the feedback Microsoft ignored over the years in the design of Pocket PC and Windows Mobile. It also of couse holds true beond the user interface for design around context and support of location-based services. But now that the folks in Redmond have created an enjoyable phone interface, have things actually changed? Was it true only that the phone and PC shoud not have the same old Windows interface, or is it also still true that the PC and phone should not have the same new Windows Phone interface? Was it the nature of the user interface itself that was at fault, or the notion of the same user interface across PC and phone regardless of how good it is? There is certainly room for more consistency across PCs, tablets and handsets. However, Microsoft did not just differentiate Windows Phone 7 from iOS and Android, it differentiated it from Windows as well. And that is the main reason why the shift in context between a classic Windows app and a "tablet" Windows 8 app seems more striking at this point than the difference between a classic Mac app and "full screen" Lion app. Lion's full-screen apps could be the new point of crossover with Windows 8's "tablet" user interface mode. Based on what we've seen on the handset side, it is certainly possible for developers to write the same apps for the iPhone and Windows Phone 7, but these are generally simpler apps (and then there are games, which generally ignore most user interface conventions anyway). Apple and Microsoft are both clearly striving for a simpler user experience, but Microsoft is also trying to adapt its desktop OS to a new form factor in the process of doing so. The balancing act for both companies will be making their new combinations of software and hardware (from partners in the case of Microsoft) embrace a new generation of users while minimizing alienation for the existing one. 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.

Rovi hits Hulu with patent infringement lawsuit Posted: 31 Jul 2011 01:38 PM PDT Mo money, mo problems, right Hulu? Seems it, considering the newly up-for-sale content hub has just been slapped with a patent infringement suit. This latest bit of intellectual property beef centers on the online content provider's alleged unlicensed use of Rovi's electronic program guide technology. According to Reuters, the company, which currently powers the streaming likes of Blockbuster On Demand and CinemaNow, is seeking financial compensation for potential "lost license revenue and treble damages," potentially tripling any future settlement award. While Hulu has yet to issue a statement on the matter, we'd be willing to bet those takeover talks are taking a backseat until this gets sorted.

Microsoft crowns 20 winners in Mango app contest, losers go home fruitless Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:01 PM PDT We thought Mango's nectar was already pretty damn sweet, but a group of young developers recently took up the challenge to make the next generation Windows Phone 7 experience even more delicious. Following up on last year's 'Rockstar' competition, Microsoft asked students to submit Mango app prototypes via Twitter, with the promise of developers phones for the top entries. Among the top 20 #WPAppItUp submissions are a program that helps the colorblind figure out what shade of puce they're peeping, and a sadistic alarm clock that requires users to solve puzzles before hitting the snooze button. Apparently, Microsoft still has 30 Windows Phones to give away, and is looking for young devs to offer up America's next top Mango app. Submission guidelines can be found at the source link below. [Thanks, E-Dan]

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