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Thursday, August 4, 2011

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Canon X Mark I Mouse Lite hands-on impressions

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 10:40 AM PDT


It's a calculator. It's a wireless mouse. It's a Bluetooth numeric keypad. It's... really bizarre. Canon's X Mark I Mouse Lite takes everyone's favorite desktop rodent and tries to make it all fancy like, filling that wasted space below the mouse buttons with a calculator -- monochrome LCD and all. Except that the unused space below the mouse buttons isn't wasted at all -- it was designed for resting palms, not poking fingertips. The result is a mediocre mouse paired with a mediocre calculator, for $60. Sadly, it's not nearly as elegant of a solution as it may appear to be, and after a couple days of use, we were ready to switch back to our boring old single-function mouse. So what exactly left us so unimpressed? Jump past the break to find out.
Canon X Mark I Mouse Lite


Hardware

Ignoring the rather large full-function calculator taking up two-thirds of the X Mark I's front face, the mouse itself is rather boxy and oddly flat, lacking the curved top that makes other mice much more comfortable to use. The mouse pairs with your Mac or Windows machine using Bluetooth, which is also how your computer will recognize entries from the numeric keypad, located just below the left and right mouse buttons. There's also a scroll wheel with click functionality on the front, and a recessed Bluetooth pairing button on the back. Below the pairing button, you'll notice a dual-mode power button, with positions for "PC" and "Mac." Both positions worked just fine when pairing with our MacBook. The mouse is available in black or white, and is powered by a pair of AAA batteries -- there's a compartment just to the left of the pairing button.

If you have average-size hands, half your palm will float freely over the numeric keypad. Not 'hey look, we're on top of the world' freely, but rather 'it's really about time I had somewhere to rest' freely. We didn't get tired using the mouse, necessarily, but we definitely longed for a smooth, curved face on which to rest our sweaty palms. As a mouse, it felt accurate and fairly responsive, though not as smooth as the standard mice we've become accustomed to.



Calculator

Like most desk jockeys, we spend a fair amount of time doing random calculations. A $12 receipt plus a $17 receipt equals a rather unpleasant $29 roundtrip in a taxi for a meeting across town -- that kind of thing. We usually use a software calculator for this brain-busting basic math, however, and found it more convenient to continue doing so even with a shiny new 10-digit calc sitting right there in the middle of our mouse. When we did use the combo cruncher, we found it more comfortable to lift up the mouse and place it directly in front of us, rather than repositioning over the mousepad. Since we often do calculations and move the cursor simultaneously, we found it awkward and counterproductive to use the device as both a calculator and mouse.

Considering that you can buy a calculator for a dollar in some parts of the world, a $60 calc better get the job done at least as well. Fortunately, it does, but that doesn't exactly leave us impressed. The Mark I (a very, very distant cousin to the Mark II) does pull off a pretty neat trick: tapping the "KP" button (for KeyPad) forces the mouse out of calculator mode and into numeric input device mode, letting you type numbers on the mouse just as you would on a standard numeric keyboard. This may be an acceptable option if you don't have a dedicated number pad nearby, but with small, crowded keys, you're not going to enjoy using it for long.



Wrap-up

As you may have ascertained, we're not really sold on this hybrid mouse / calculator concept. Half-baked or not, we just don't see the point. We imagine that this was a fun little project for Canon's design team, but we'll be sticking to our separate mouse (and virtual calculator) for now, and forever.

SnapX lets your Macs share a single Cinema Display

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 10:10 AM PDT

SnapX

Got a pair of Macs laying around, but don't want to shell out for two Apple Cinema Displays? We don't blame you, those things are expensive. A little company called Kanex has a solution for you though, the SnapX. SnapX is, at it's heart, simply a port switcher that lets you connect two DisplayPort-equipped Macs to a single Cinema Display. But, the glossy $70 adapter does have a few neat features, like USB pass through for firing up the iSight camera and a clip for securing it to the base of the monitor. The SnapX is available for pre-order now and starts shipping to Apple devotees in September. One more pic and some PR await after the break.

SnapX
Show full PR text
Kanex Unveils SnapX – Two Port Switcher for Apple LED Cinema Display
Connect two Mac computers to one Apple Cinema Display

Brea, CA - August 3, 2011 – Kanex, maker of audio-visual solutions for Apple computers, is excited to unveil the new SnapX two port switcher designed specifically for 24 and 27 inch Apple LED Cinema Displays (ACD). The compact and USB powered SnapX allows users to easily toggle between two different Mac computers including iMac, Macbook Air, Mac mini, Macbook Pro, and new Mac models with Thunderbolt through the ACD.

The plug and play SnapX features two mini DisplayPorts and two USB ports. Simply plug in both Mac computers to the built-in 5ft mini DisplayPort and USB cables. Users then plug in the ACD native display cables to the SnapX. Once linked, users are able to utilize the iSight camera and direct the audio of the connected computers through the ACD speakers without altering the audio or video quality. The user friendly one button design allows users to effortlessly switch between both sources.

The SnapX features an ergonomic, sleek, clip-on design which fits snuggly on the bottom of the ACD stand. Additionally, the SnapX organizes all wires neatly behind the display providing a clutter-free environment. This also reduces stress on the connectors preventing intermittent signal loss due to loose cable connections.

The SnapX is available now for pre-order and will begins shipping in September for $69 at KanexLive.com/SnapX.

For the latest on the SnapX and other Kanex products, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Kanex
Kanex offers an extensive selection of product solutions that specifically designed to provide new and exciting ways to connect devices and displays in a rapidly changing technological world. For more information about Kanex and its products, go to www.KanexLive.com.

Kanex is a trademark or registered trademarks of Apogee Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. Apple, Mac, and Apple Cinema Display are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries.

Time Inc. aims to please advertisers and your eyes, making all mags tablet-friendly by year's end

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 09:45 AM PDT

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/time-inc-aims-to-please-advertisers-and-your-eyes-making-all-m/Do you love reading Time magazine on your tablet, but wish you had the same luxury with all of its related offerings? Oh boy, do we have fantastic news for you. As it stands, select Time Inc. publications are supported on the iPad, Android Marketplace, TouchPad, and Next Issue Media's store, but now the company has announced plans to make all 21 of its mags available on tablets by the year's end. Furthermore, support for the Nook Color will be added by the end of August with digital versions of Time, Sports Illustrated, People, and Fortune. Current subscribers to the print editions won't be left out either when it all rolls out, as they'll be able to opt-in for free upgrades with digital access. The decision is apparently tied to increasing "digital reach" for advertisers, but hey, ad-support isn't totally lame. Right? Full PR just past the break.
Show full PR text
Time Inc. to Launch Tablet Editions for Its Entire U.S. Portfolio of 21 Titles by Year End

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of Time Inc.'s industry-leading effort to deliver its iconic brands everywhere consumers want them, the company today announced that all 21 of its U.S. titles will be available as tablet editions by the end of 2011. Time Inc. will be the first major U.S. magazine publisher to make all of its titles available on all leading tablet platforms, with products designed specifically for this medium.

"Having our entire portfolio available on tablets will create a significant new digital reach for our advertisers."

Brands including INSTYLE, REAL SIMPLE and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY will now join PEOPLE, TIME, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED and FORTUNE with digital tablet versions. To date, Time Inc.'s digital magazine and other content apps have been downloaded more than 11 million times. Hundreds of thousands of current print subscribers have upgraded their subscriptions to include the tablet editions at no extra cost, with thousands more being added each week. Time Inc. has also sold more than 600,000 digital single copies of those four titles.

"Now is the time for us to make this bold commitment. In the coming year, there will clearly be many more consumers using tablets, accelerating demand for content and driving advertiser interest. We are putting ourselves in a great position to take advantage of these opportunities," said Maurice Edelson, EVP and a member of Time Inc.'s interim management committee. "Having our entire portfolio available on tablets will create a significant new digital reach for our advertisers."

Today, the company also announced an agreement with Barnes & Noble to sell digital subscriptions and single-copy issues of FORTUNE, PEOPLE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED and TIME on the NOOK Color starting later this month, with the rest of the portfolio to follow by year-end. The Barnes & Noble agreement adds the NOOK Color to a growing list of platforms where Time Inc. distributes its digital titles, including Apple iPad, Android Marketplace, HP TouchPad and Next Issue Media's store.

Time Inc. offers consumers an All Access approach that includes print and digital subscriptions, as well as digital-only subscriptions and the ability to purchase single copies. Additionally, each of Time Inc.'s 28 million print subscribers will have the option to upgrade their subscription to include the digital edition at no additional cost. The digital editions will be presented using reader software that is native to each platform.

Print ads will be incorporated into the tablet editions. The company plans to report digital sales and subscriber information to ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulations) beginning in January 2012. Time Inc. research shows consumers place a high value on digital editions that include ads.

About Time Inc.

Time Inc., a division of Time Warner, is one of the largest branded media companies in the world. The company's magazines reach more than 110 million Americans each month, and its websites attract nearly 50 million unique visitors each month. With influential brands such as TIME, PEOPLE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, INSTYLE, and REAL SIMPLE, Time Inc. is home to celebrated events and franchises including the FORTUNE 500, TIME 100, PEOPLE's Most Beautiful and SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S Sportsman of the Year.

Lenovo IdeaPad K1 review

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Let's do a roll call, shall we? Who doesn't have a Honeycomb tablet to shill in the states? Acer, ASUS, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba all have something to their names, with Dell possibly bringing its China-only Dell Streak 10 Pro here too. Until now, Lenovo was one glaring exception. The company already had a head start selling the LePad tablet in China, but it was only last month that it announced not one, but two Honeycomb slates for the US market: the IdeaPad K1 for mainstream consumers, and the ThinkPad Tablet for business users (and a fair share of geeks, too). Now, we could easily roll our eyes at how saturated the market for Android tablets is becoming, but Lenovo isn't just any old OEM. The brand has won such an avid following that we bet the company could have essentially slapped its name on a plain-Jane black slab and waited for loyal fans to line up.

In fact, though, you're in for a bit more than name recognition. The K1 goes after mainstream consumers with a winsome design, sure, but also a software package designed to make Honeycomb easier to use, and to help ensure that flummoxed, low-tech users don't have to spend too much time downloading apps out of the box. What's more, it ships with Android 3.1 and has a two-cell battery that promises up to ten hours of battery life. Oh, and the 32GB model rings in $499, undercutting the 32GB iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 by $100. But is that enough for it to stand out? Let's see.
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 review

Hardware


Even though this tablet falls under Lenovo's IdeaPad brand, which isn't nearly as iconic as ThinkPad, it still looks like something Lenovo would make, a distant cousin to all those laptops you know and love -- not to mention, the LePad. Although the K1 comes in basic black, it's also available in white and red (our personal favorite) -- a trio of colors that subconsciously invokes other Lenovo products. Though the body is made of matte aluminum, there's a glossy panel on the back that sits off center, taking up about three quarters of the back side. We didn't fully appreciate that multi-layered design when we first saw the tablet last month, but now that we think about it a bit more, the effect of seeing the glossy piece sitting atop the smooth metal is visually interesting in a way that's playful, but not tacky.

At 1.65 pounds (0.7kg), the K1 is heavier than most tablets, and on par with the 1.66-pound Toshiba Thrive and HP's 1.65-pound TouchPad. It's also chunky at 10.39 x 7.44 x 0.52 inches (264 x 189 x 13.3mm), though not as meaty as the Thrive, which measures .62 inches deep. In any case, it feels solid in the hands, and perhaps not as dense as you'd expect. Overall, the build quality is up to snuff, though it's not exactly premium either. We say that mainly because that back cover is a veritable fingerprint magnet, and your digits might well slip on the slick surface. As chintzy as the Thrive is, its textured back at least makes it easier to grip.


If you hold the K1 in landscape mode, you'll see the 2 megapixel front-facing camera sits discreetly in the upper bezel, while the 5 megapixel rear cam sits on the back side, tucked in a corner. That back camera has an ovular shape and a thin metal ring around it -- a combination that surely helps make the K1 look as sporty as it does (the ruby red paint doesn't hurt either). We found, too, that the camera is placed high enough on the back lid that you're unlikely to obscure the lens with your finger while shooting. If you keep imagining for a minute that you're cradling the tablet that way, you'll find a power button, twin volume keys, a screen lock switch, and a microSD slot on the left side. Annoyingly, the microSD slot comes with a metal cover that you can only pop out by inserting a paper clip into a tiny hole next to it -- that's right, just like a tray-loading optical drive. Quaint, huh?

On the bottom, meanwhile, there's a 30-pin docking connector, which you'll use to connect the tab to the bundled AC adapter or your PC via an included USB cable. (Or you can plug it into the compatible dock that Lenovo's selling separately for $45.) Also on the bottom, there's a micro-HDMI socket and a 3.5mm headphone jack. And, trippiest of all, Lenovo tossed in a home button on the right side of the bezel (that could below the screen, if you hold it in portrait mode). It's so blatantly iPad-esque, and frankly, it's something that most Android tablets have not borrowed from Steve Jobs' magical slate. And we can see why. If you're accustomed to Android, then you're most likely not used to pressing a physical button when you want to return to the home screen. As it is, Lenovo told us it's going after mainstream consumers by pre-installing lots of popular apps and adding a skin on top of Honeycomb that's supposed to make it more user-friendly. We have to wonder if there's a similar rationale behind the home button, if maybe it's meant to make iPhone users feel more at home with their first Android product. If that's the case, fair enough, though having a physical home button and a soft one onscreen feels redundant.

You can use that touch button as an optical trackpad for limited gestures, but it works so poorly that you can't fairly call it a shortcut. We were able to swipe between home screens, for instance, but the movement looked janky onscreen and it took us a few tries to pull the gesture off. (You'll know you're on the right track if two LED lights near the button start glowing white.) We had more luck swiping to the left to navigate backward in the browser, though be warned that you'll have to apply more pressure to the button than you would the display.

Then again, there's at least one practical use case for that home button. The K1 makes it easy to take screenshots -- normally, a big bowl of tedium for Android users. Similar to what you'd do with an iPhone or iPad, just press the home key and the volume down button at the same time to take a snapshot of what's on the screen. Not a huge selling point, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.

Display and sound

The 10.1-inch (1280 x 800) display has viewing angles comparable to other tablets we've seen, which is to say you can get away with watching a movie from the side or with the tab face-up on a table, but the glare from the screen might make it a not-so-pleasant experience. And while the resolution is on par with pretty much any other 10-inch slate, the panel doesn't seem quite as bright as some others. The Galaxy Tab 10.1's screen, for instance, has the same size and resolution screen, but it's noticeably more vibrant. The K1's looks murky by comparison.


The small speakers, which sit on the back side of the device, deliver decently loud sound, though as you might expect, music has a tinny, metallic quality to it. Still, it's no worse than other tablets on the market (or some laptops, for that matter).

Performance and battery life

Like so many other Honeycomb tablets, the K1 packs a 1GHz NVIDIA Tegra 2 SoC. Mainstream consumers might look at us cockeyed if we told them the performance could be zippier -- for those folks, the performance should be plenty fast. But more discerning techies will likely notice some lags when minimizing and opening apps. The screen was also often slow to switch orientations as we flipped from landscape mode to portrait and back, and more than once the display was unresponsive, leaving us tapping multiple times before the tablet did what we wanted it to. In general, we tend to say that all Tegra 2 tablets have some obvious performance limitations, but the K1 felt pokier than others we've tested. Indeed, its score of 1,448 in the Quadrant benchmark falls short of the 1,546 and 1,584 that the Thrive and 10.1 notched. And while we try not to put too much stock in benchmarks, we think these numbers are telling, given our anecdotal experience with the device.

Also, not to beat a dead horse, but at some point during our testing, we took a break to play with the 10.1, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief. It's hard to tell how much of that was the 10.1's solid-yet-lighter build, the bright display, or the quick performance, but boy, did we miss it. The 10.1 is markedly faster, and the difference becomes painfully obvious when you play with the two side by side. The 10.1 is quicker to respond to taps and swipes, its screen rotates faster, and it opens and minimizes apps more briskly.

Benchmark Score
Quadrant 1,448
Linpack 32.77 MFLOPS (single thread) / 61.33 MFLOPS (multi-thread)
Nenamark 1 30.1 fps
Nenamark 2 19.6 fps
Vellamo 945

The K1 has a 2-cell, 7400mAh battery that promises up to ten hours of battery life -- the same claim made by the iPad 2. In our standard battery rundown test (movie looping, WiFi on), it lasted eight hours and twenty minutes, matching the Motorola Xoom and falling about ten minutes short of the TouchPad. But it doesn't approach the Galaxy Tab 10.1's ten hours nor the iPad 2's ten and a half, which seems like a problem given that the K1 is markedly chunkier. If a tablet's going to be bigger, we want it to make up for it with longer battery life and / or more robust performance. The K1 doesn't quite do that on the longevity front, though it did have a much better showing than the Thrive, which lasted just six and a half hours in the same test.


Battery Life
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 8:20
Apple iPad 2 10:26
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 9:55
Apple iPad 9:33
HP TouchPad 8:33
Motorola Xoom 8:20
T-Mobile G-Slate 8:18
Archos 101 7:20
RIM BlackBerry PlayBook 7:01
Toshiba Thrive 6:25
Samsung Galaxy Tab 6:09
ASUS EeePad Transformer Ran a different test

Cameras

The K1 has a 5 megapixel camera in the back and a 2 megapixel one on the front -- pretty standard fare for tablets these days. To tell the truth, we never have high hopes for tablet cameras -- they too often feel like an afterthought, and almost all of them struggle in dimly and harshly lit shooting conditions. The K1 is no exception, though we had a rougher time getting crisp images than with other tabs we've tested (in retrospect, we got pretty spoiled by the HTC Flyer / EVO View 4G). If you peek at our gallery of pics taken with the rear camera, you'll see that we sometimes had to try multiple times to get a usable macro shot. Even then, we couldn't get that close to our subject and the background was often blown out to heavenly whiteness, as you can see in that photo above. It's a shame, because the colors were fairly true-to-life, if sometimes lacking in punch.
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 sample shots (rear-facing camera)
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 (front-facing camera)

The K1's 720p video isn't half bad. You can see some faint ghosting as cars and other moving objects hurdle across the screen, but the motion is actually fairly fluid.


Software
Lenovo IdeaPad K1 screenshots

The K1 comes with Android 3.1 on board, and though Lenovo has put its own spin on the OS, the customization is at least pretty moderate as far as skins go. The usual back and home icons are white, not blue, which looks alright by itself, but then you notice that the navigation bar doesn't match the clock in the lower right corner, which still glows blue.

Beyond that, the biggest cosmetic change is a five-way app launcher sitting smack dab in the middle of the home screen. By default, it includes shortcuts to email and the browser, along with more task-oriented icons labeled "Watch," "Listen," and "Read." Now, before you start getting resentful that Lenovo's trying to tell you what to do, know that you can customize those shortcuts so that "Watch" redirects to YouTube instead of, say, Gallery. Or, you can scrap those preset categories all together and add shortcuts to any other application instead. The concept kind of reminds us of what Dell was trying to accomplish with Dell Dock, which seems to assume that a row of larger, glossier icons is easier to use than the Start Menu, the traditional Windows desktop, or even pinned programs in Windows 7. In either case, that extra option isn't annoying so much as superfluous.

That centerpiece also includes a shortcut to the tablet's settings -- another design choice aimed at low-tech users who'd rather not dig around the apps menu. Some of us have parents who might prefer a dumbed-down tablet, though we're not convinced they'd know what to do in the settings once they got there, so this could be a moot point for some people. Regardless, Lenovo's skin is pretty harmless -- it's not like the company mucked around with the stock Honeycomb keyboard or loaded any widgets you can't remove. You can even delete that conspicuous launcher if you like, though you'll have to tap through an "are you sure?" dialog box first.

The launcher also offers the option of so-called Lenovo Messages, including tips for using the device and -- buzz word alert -- "special offers." Just heed our advice and don't enable them. What you'll see are ads, and who needs those in a product you are most certainly not getting for free?


By the way, when we talk about widgets, we mean AccuWeather, and also SocialTouch, an app created by Lenovo that at first glance looks like a skinned version of Google Calendar. Actually, though, it aggregates Facebook and Twitter updates, in addition to email and calendar entries. On the whole, it's nice to be able to scroll through it all at once, though we do have some suggestions: one, linking your Twitter account is probably a mistake -- at least if the luminaries you follow are as update-happy as the people in our circles. Also, SocialTouch has a demarcation indicating when you're crossing into emails / appointments / tweets / what-have-you from a different day, and at the top of each day's list there's a stack of calendar appointments. Since these appointments live in that specific place, you'll shove them off-screen as soon as you start scrolling. We think the software would have been smarter if the app kept these calendar entries locked in their own pane.


Look closer and you'll see a few more tweaks to garden-variety Honeycomb. For one thing, this take on the OS makes it easy to kill apps you forgot you had open. Lenovo added an "X" mark to the vertical, pop-up menu of open apps, allowing you to shutter them in a pinch. Also in that row, there's an icon that looks like a talk bubble but is actually yet another app launcher. This one presents a select few favorites in a carousel in the lower right corner of the screen -- a list that you can customize by dragging and dropping favorites.

Apps


Depending on your point of view, Lenovo either saddled this thing with bloatware or did you the thoughtful, generous favor of bundling apps you might actually find useful. Out of the box, you'll find AccuWeather, Amazon Kindle, Arcade by Kongregate, 4GB of free storage through ArcSync, the IM client eBuddy, Documents to Go 3.0, File Mgmt., Movie Story, Movie Studio, mSpot and mSpot Movies, Norton Security, ooVoo for video chats, PhotoStudio, PokeTalk, and a raft of games that includes Angry Birds HD, GOF2THD, backgammon, euchre, hearts, solitaire, spades, and NFS Shift. As Toshiba did with the Thrive, Lenovo also threw in the excellent PrinterShare for printing web pages, emails, and photos using a WiFi-enabled printer on the same network.

The tablet also comes with Netflix pre-installed, which lets you stream movies over WiFi, of course, as well as play them on a larger set via the HDMI connection. Alas, if you'll recall, a previous report that certain tablets would be able to store these movies offline as DRM-protected files was untrue.


And what tablet would be complete without its own proprietary app store? As it is, the K1 lets you install apps from unknown sources, but Lenovo has also bundled its aptly named Lenovo App Shop. What you'll find here is a curated experience, with selections dispersed across 13 broad categories (some, such as entertainment, have a bunch of subsections). As with other custom app stores, such as Toshiba's, the selection is limited, with just a single app in some categories. Still, the store is nicely designed, from a splashy home page with featured selections to a drop down menu of categories. The apps themselves look useful, too. A quick perusal brought us VLC Player and RpnCalc, a financial calculator. The thing is, you can download these in Android Market for the same price. The real benefit, as we see it, is that apps might be easier to discover in the App Shop -- a boon for people like our parents who don't have much experience researching and sizing up apps, and who might feel overwhelmed by Android Market's sprawling selection. Somehow, though, we don't think that describes the typical Engadget reader.

As an added twee touch, there's also a social component whereby you can see what your friends are buying, though in order for that to happen they'd also have to be happy Lenovo tablet owners with a penchant for monitoring other people's Golf Solitaire downloads. Womp womp.

Configurations and the competition


Although the K1 will soon ship with 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of storage, as of this writing only that mid-range version is available. According to Lenovo, the 16GB and 64GB flavors will ship in three to four weeks for $449 and $599, respectively. The company's also been crystal clear that the K1 will eventually make its way to US carriers, though right now we don't know anything about pricing or availability.

And though we haven't reviewed it yet, we suspect the K1 will have some competition from none other than its big brother, the ThinkPad Tablet. This guy's more expensive, with a starting price of $479 for 16GB ($589 for 32GB), plus an extra $30 for the dual digitzer pen. Even so, geeks might prefer its more ThinkPad-y design, complete with a red-tipped stylus, as well as its full-sized USB port and accompanying case that has a USB-powered keyboard built in. Again, we'll reserve judgment for our full review -- for all we know, the ThinkPad Tablet could be a huge dud -- but if we're just talking hype, we can see diehard Lenovo fans getting more amped up about the ThinkPad. The K1 is a less expensive tablet more worthy of mainstream consumers, and according to conversations we've had with Lenovo, that's precisely the split the company was going for.

And then there's, you know, every other Android tab on the market. If Honeycomb is what you're after (and why wouldn't it be?) you'll certainly pay more for either the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, though you'll get longer battery life and slimmer, more compelling designs. The 10.1, if you'll recall, costs $599 for the 32GB model -- a $100 premium -- whereas the 32GB ASUS Eee Pad Transformer also costs $499 without the $150 docking station. (There's also a $399 16GB configuration.) If you're also considering an iPad -- and we suspect many mainstream consumers are -- you'll be making a similar trade-off as you would with the 10.1: it's $100 more expensive, but also offers battery life, along with more sex appeal.

But in addition to talking about our favorite tabs at the moment, we also feel the need to stack up the K1 against other relatively chunky models -- because admit it, you know you're curious. Long story short, the K1 does a half-hearted job of justifying its extra ounces. Its battery life is roughly on par with the HP TouchPad, another thick slate, which means both offer good-but-not-amazing longevity. It's not like either tablet is packing a battery so large it can surpass or even match the ten and a half hours we squeezed out of the iPad 2. Still, the K1's battery life is certainly an improvement over the Thrive's six and a half hours and its build quality is more solid, too. We still say the Thrive is mainly worth it for people who are either sold on the $429 starting price or the fact that it has full-sized HDMI and USB ports and an SD slot. Unless you're dead-set on them, these sockets don't fully make up for its shortcomings. At the same time, when we reviewed the TouchPad we dinged it, in part, for offering a buggy user experience. That simply wasn't the case with the K1, although the TouchPad has since received an update meant to boost both speed and performance.

Wrap-up

The IdeaPad K1 is cute, (relatively) affordable, and easy to use, and we know it'll be a sensible choice for some shoppers. We're just not sure that's you, our dear, tech-savvy readers. See, the K1 has two big strengths: one, it's aggressively priced, starting at $449 for 16GB (granted, that version's not on sale, so if you buy today, it's going to be the $499 32GB model). The other major thing the K1 has going for it is simplicity. Lenovo's tweaked Android 3.1 so that settings are easier to find and apps are a cinch to kill. It also comes with an array of popular apps (or bloatware, if you're cynical). Factor in the attractive design, and we can recommend this, particularly for people with budget constraints, or those looking to give a techie gift to a not-so-techie person. Those things aside, the K1 is heavier than most tablets, and doesn't justify its heft with additional ports, extraordinary battery life or even zippy performance. If you didn't want ports anyway, and know your way around Honeycomb without Lenovo's help (thank you very much), why not just get something thinner, faster, and longer-lasting? Or, you know, at least stick around and see how Lenovo's geekier ThinkPad Tablet fares.

AT&T users in New York City suffering partial phone outage (update: restored)

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 08:42 AM PDT

We've been inundated with a flood of tips from Big Applers this morning, and we just confirmed ourselves -- a large sect of AT&T users in New York City aren't receiving calls. Even the ones who aren't just holding it wrong. It seems as if outgoing calls operate just fine, but folks trying to dial in are greeted with eternal ringing. As in, it doesn't even go to voicemail. We're assuming the engineers at Ma Bell are all over this as we speak, but be sure to let us know how wrecked your Big City life is due to this in comments below.

Update: Right on cue, AT&T pinged us to say everything should be back to normal. The formal quote is below: "Wireless voice service has been restored and is back to normal now after a software issue occurred during routine maintenance which caused some customers on Long Island and in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan to experience voice service disruptions this morning. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

External Thunderbolt graphics card for Macs to be developed soon, thanks to Facebook poll

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 08:39 AM PDT

Have you ever let your Facebook friends determine a new product development decision for your company? Well, Village Instruments has, via an online poll in order to gauge interest in an external Thunderbolt PCI Express graphics card enclosure. Dubbed the ViDock Thunderbolt, this device will soon begin to dramatically improve the performance of today's Apple machines. Running at speeds of up to 10Gb/second, the new T-Bolt model can move data much faster than the company's current Express Card-connected external GPU. So if you're rocking the new MBP model, but you've got a hankering for more power out of your graphics card, you better start saving your Benjamins.

Screen Grabs: BlackBerry PlayBook pops up on 'White Collar'

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 08:20 AM PDT

Screen Grabs chronicles the uses (and misuses) of real-world gadgets in today's movies and TV. Send in your sightings (with screen grab!) to screengrabs at engadget dot com.

You know those pictures of smiling people and happy families that come with frames when you buy them from department stores? We'd like to submit this image from USA Network's White Collar to RIM as a possible preloaded wallpaper, should it ever want to go in a dramatically different direction with its marketing for the PlayBook. Standard business customers are only so exciting. But white collar criminals and the people tasked with stopping them -- now that's where the action is. Side note to the gentleman on screen: you're holding it wrong.

[Thanks, Imdad]

Sharp Elite LED LCD TV hands-on (video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 07:52 AM PDT


Earlier today, Sharp and Pioneer re-launched the Elite brand, with its Pro-60X5FD and Pro-70X5FD LED LCD TVs. Both models cater to the high-end home entertainment crowd, with pricing set at $6,000 and $8,500, for the 60-inch and 70-inch sets, respectively. We had a chance to take a look at the larger model at an event in New York City this morning, and were certainly impressed with its high contrast and excellent deep black levels. Set against a black wall, it was nearly impossible to distinguish a black image from the TV's brushed aluminum bezel or the wall behind it when viewed in a pitch-black room. Plasma TVs, such as Pioneer's discontinued Kuro, have been able to achieve deep black levels for years, but LCD TVs like the Elite we saw today historically suffer from light bleeding, which causes black images to appear gray.

The Elite TV also includes built-in speakers, which sounded fine in a noisy room, but considering that you'll be spending north of $6,000 for the smaller set, we imagine you'll be pairing either model with some external speakers as well. Internet connectivity alone certainly isn't going to motivate anyone to spend this much to outfit their home theater with a high-end set, but streaming is important nonetheless, so we were happy to see that Sharp included a somewhat diverse offering of services. The TVs ship with apps for Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, YouTube, along with Facebook and Twitter -- there's also a dedicated Netflix button on the remote, letting you access the movie streaming service without clicking through several menu levels. Overall, we were impressed with the Elite during today's brief demonstration, but we'll need to wait for the full review before we can determine whether Sharp can justify those sky-high price tags.
Sharp Elite LED LCD TVs Hands-On

Apple's inductive charging patent application finally puts its earbuds to good use

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 07:16 AM PDT

How seriously is Apple considering the possibility of adding inductive charging to its line of iOS devices? Seriously enough to submit some crudely drawn images to the USPTO, at least. The company's application for "Using an Audio Cable as an Inductive Charging Coil" surfaced today, featuring some interesting solutions to the problem of inductive charging. The first looks a bit like an iPhone scratching post. It's a big monolith you wrap an audio cord around several times, effectively turning the cable into an inductive receiving coil. The earphones in the example have a metal mesh that serve as a contact for charging the device.

Another proposed system also puts the earphones to work -- though without the need for that giant charging post. Instead the headphones slip into an acoustic charger, which cause their speakers to vibrate, creating a current that charges the device. As ever, just because a patent application surfaces doesn't mean a final product will ever see the light of day -- and these methods (particularly that big charging post) do seem like a long way to go to shave off the precious millimeters that inductive charging traditionally brings. But hey, Apple's all about the svelte devices, and stranger things have certainly happened.
Apple inductive charging patent surfaces

Sharp and Pioneer resurrect Elite with line of LED LCD TVs, pricing starts at $6,000

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:40 AM PDT


Remember Pioneer's Kuro brand of HDTVs? The high-end plasma line became the benchmark for the home theater market, leaving a rather large void in the hearts of the HD obsessive after it kicked the bucket two years ago. Now, Sharp and Pioneer are bringing back some of the technology used in that line, while leaving the Kuro name to rest in peace. The Elite branding will remain, however, with the new line of LED LCD TVs. Available in 60-inch and 70-inch flavors, the new Elites will only be available through high-end retailers, and will be priced at $6,000 and $8,500, respectively. The Pro-60X5FD will ship in the US next week, and the Pro-70X5FD will hit stores later this month.

Among the sets' features, Sharp promises excellent contrast ratios, high color fidelity, and very low black levels, thanks to zone-based local dimming. The company claims a frame rate of "about 720hz," thanks to 240Hz quadrupling and scanning backlight technology. The TVs also include Sharp's quad-pixel technology, complementing the typical RGB pixel arrangement with a fourth, yellow sub-pixel. This sounds similar to the company's Quattron technology, though Sharp doesn't appear to be using that name with its new Elite line. There's also 3D functionality, and Internet connectivity, with pre-loaded Netflix, Vudu, and social media apps. The TVs also include Elite Advantage Live, for real-time remote technical support. We're at the Elite event in New York City, so stay tuned for more details and a full hands-on later this morning.
Show full PR text
SHARP® INTRODUCES ELITE® LED LCD TVs

Available in 60"class (60 1/32" diagonal) and 70"class (69 1/2" diagonal) screen sizes, Elite TVs will set new standards in ultra high end televisions

NEW YORK, N.Y. (August 4, 2011) – Sharp is bringing back an iconic name in television by introducing Elite LED LCD TVs. Providing the highest caliber picture quality and technology available, Elite TVs are designed for discerning consumers who want the best home entertainment experience.

"Over the past 25 years the Elite brand has developed a loyal and avid fan base of audiophiles and videophiles," said Tom Evans, Sharp's associate vice president and general manager of Product & Marketing for Elite televisions. "We are confident that our new line of Elite LCD TVs will appeal to the Elite purists who expect the highest picture quality and experience as well as today's luxury technology enthusiasts looking for the most innovative products to outfit their digitally connected homes."

Elite LED LCD TVs will be available in 60" class (60 1/32" diagonal), and 70" class (69 1/2" diagonal) screen sizes in late August. Elite LED LCD TVs feature the most innovative video technologies available on the market.

UNIQUE COMBINATION OF FEATURES

Elite LED LCD TVs are designed to provide a superior picture quality to other LCD TVs currently on the market. A unique combination of features and technology developed specifically for Elite televisions deliver deep black levels, depth of color, high brightness and smooth images to achieve an astonishing picture.

Elite LCD televisions incorporate proprietary RGB+Y technology, which adds a yellow sub-pixel to the standard red/green/blue color palette. The addition of the yellow sub-pixel enables the reproduction of a much broader range of colors. RGB+Y technology creates higher brightness using less power and more accurately depicts vivid yellows and vibrant golds. RGB+Y technology makes possible Precision Color Plus, four sub-pixels composed of smaller dots, creating more than 8 million dots per screen for a much smoother, more appealing detailed image.

Elite Televisions feature:

• FluidMotion, which combines an advanced frame creation system with Elite's unique scanning backlight technology creating a greater than 240 Hz effect, improves picture clarity and smoothness;
• Full Array LED, which includes a full array of Light Emitting Diodes, evenly dispersed behind a diffuser resulting in more uniform and brighter lighting versus traditional edge-lit LEDs;
• Local Dimming which allows specific groups of LEDs to be dimmed for greater control of brightness and darkness in different areas of the screen for outstanding black levels;

INTELLIGENT VARIABLE CONTRAST

But what makes Elite televisions Elite is Intelligent Variable Contrast. Developed specifically for Elite Televisions, Intelligent Variable Contrast technology works with all of the other Elite technologies to automatically control brightness and backlight to create depth of color, brilliance, detail and dark areas. The result is a television beyond compare that sets new standards in picture quality.

Additional features complete the state-of-the art engineering and design:

• Elegant form factor, with fine, brushed aluminum finish, precision cut mitered bezel and slim cabinet depth round out the television's premium design
• Connectivity to Netflix®, VUDU™, CinemaNow™, YouTube®, and others;
• 3-D Functionality including two sets of active shutter 3-D glasses;
• Elite Advantage LiveSM, which offers an unprecedented level of support via Internet connectivity where a personal advisor can remotely connect to the TV and provide a variety of services such as setup, picture adjustment, or basic calibration.
• THX® Certified display – reserved for TVs with best in class picture quality, THX Certified displays deliver movie experiences with the same stunning color and detail found in the filmmaker's studio.
• ISF® (Imaging Science Foundation) certification
• Variety of AV modes including Elite Pure Mode, a mode that replicates the settings of previous Elite TVs
• Skype™ ready (Skype camera kit sold separately)

Elite LCD HDTVs will only be available at select high-end retailers and via custom installation companies that have the knowledge and experience to represent the finest TVs on the market. The Elite LED LCD TV 60" class (60 1/32" diagonal) carries an MSRP of $5,999.99, and the Elite LED LCD TV 70" class (69 1/2" diagonal) carries an MSRP of $8,499.99.

Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC) and Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., two of the leading U.S. audio/video product companies, joined together in a unique marketing collaboration to launch the first Elite LED LCD TVs. For 25 years the Elite brand has provided audiophiles and videophiles with an amazing entertainment experience and a number of high-end audio/video receivers, Blu-ray Disc™ players and speakers made by Pioneer. Sharp has licensed the Elite brand and Elite LCD LED TVs will be sold through the Pioneer authorized Elite dealer network.

Roland TR-808 flash drive takes synth style, leaves music to the pros (video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 06:25 AM PDT

Roland TR-808 flash drive takes synth style, leaves music to the pros
Still trying to convince your friends that you're a mad scientist DJ with a shrink ray? Show those heretic doubters you've still got some (miniaturized) old-school cred with this 8GB TR-808 flash drive. This snappy Roland replica won't actually lay down your mad beats, it only stores them, and the privilege of pre-ordering that trendy track storage will set you back $40. If you actually want to sound awesome, you could always satiate your portable mixing lust with the Korg Monotron, which actually, you know, makes noise. Hit the break for a peek at what a real TR-808 can do, and dream the dream that only a true novelty flash drive / synth enthusiast can.

Germany challenges Facebook on facial recognition, citing EU privacy laws

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 05:50 AM PDT

Facebook's facial recognition feature probably won't find too many smiles in Germany, where federal regulators are challenging the social network to change its ways, or face the consequences. On Tuesday, Hamburg's Data Protection Authority (DPA) sent a letter to the company, advising it to obtain user permission before harvesting biometric data, as outlined by EU privacy laws that require consumer consent. As it stands right now, users can opt-out of the photo-tagging function by tinkering with their privacy settings, but the DPA claims that's still too invasive, and has "repeatedly" asked Facebook to shut down the feature altogether. Zuckerberg & Co. now have two weeks to respond to the letter, and could face a fine of up to €300,000 (about $427,000) if a compromise isn't reached. In a statement, company spokeswoman Tina Kulow said, "We will consider the points the Hamburg Data Protection Authority have made... but firmly reject any claim that we are not meeting our obligations under European Union data protection law."

7-inch Sharp Galapagos A01SH tablet sees formal introduction, hitting the US 'this year'

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 05:27 AM PDT

How much is that tablet in the window? The one with the 7-inch screen and Android 3.2? Hard to say, but it might be the Sharp Galapagos A01SH you're looking at. The slate, announced in earnest today, should fit comfortably betwixt the 5.5- and 10.8-inch variants of the lineup that are also expected to arrive sometime before the end of the year. The A01SH is accompanied by an NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz dual-core CPU with 1GB of RAM, a WSVGA display with 1,024 x 600 resolution, 8GB of internal memory alongside microSD support, 5MP / 2MP cameras along the back and front, and 7.5 hours of battery life. At a thickness of 12.9mm, it's not as thin as the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but it's no Toshiba Thrive, either. The tablet should reach stores in Japan by the end of the month, but the only timeframe given for a US release is before the ball drops in Times Square -- perfect timing for anyone who wants to ring in 2012 snuggled up to a new gadget.

CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED monitors

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 05:00 AM PDT

CTL intros new line of 'super-slim' LED Monitors
Last we heard from CTL, the Portland-based company was pushing the rather underwhelming 2goPad SL10. We may not have been impressed then, but CTL's attempting to win us over again, this time with a set of three new LED monitors. Available in small, medium, and large, the 22-inch LP2151, 24-inch LP2361, and 27-inch LP2701 all offer 1920 x 1080 displays, 1000:1 contrast ratios (5000000:1 dynamic), two millisecond response times, and HDMI and DVI inputs. They also sport a helpful anti-glare coating and are apparently a quarter of the thickness of "traditional LCD monitors" -- whatever that means. Not exactly earth-shattering specs, but at $216, $258, and $330, we suppose they're not insanely priced, either. Hit the source links for more info, and check out the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
CTL Introduces New LED Monitors

Portland, OR (PRWEB) August 1, 2011 - CTL today announced their plans to add three new LED monitors to their display line. The 22" class LP2151, the 24" class LP2361 and 27" LP2701 will join the 22" LP2150 and the 23" LP2300 in CTL's LED monitor lineup.

These state of the art monitors feature the same image quality as an HDTV, with a 16:9 display ratio, 1000:1 contrast ratio and 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution as well as HDMI, DVI and analog inputs. The LP2151, LP2361 and LP2701 are Energy Star rated and Epeat certified making them environmentally friendly, and they use just 40% of the energy a standard monitor would.

With a professional finish and anti-glare coating, the LP2151, LP2361 and LP2701 are versatile monitors for any environment. And these monitors present a super-slim design with a profile about 1/4 the size of traditional LCD monitors, allowing users to save space while creating a clean modern look. Additionally, these new LED monitors are all VESA mountable increasing their functionality.

For more information about CTL and their new LED monitors the LP2151, LP2361 and LP2701 please visit www.ctlcorp.com.

$1 chip tests for HIV in 15 minutes flat, fits in your wallet

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 04:32 AM PDT

Getting tested for STDs used to mean a doctor's visit, vials of blood, and days, weeks, or even months of anxiously waiting for results. mChip aims to change all that, while simultaneously ridding your brain of viable excuses not to get tested. It works as such: one drop of blood goes on the microfluidics-based optical chip, 15 minutes pass, and boom, the AmEx-sized device will confirm whether or not you have syphilis and / or HIV. The bantam gizmo is practically foolproof, as reading the results doesn't require any human interpretation whatsoever. Plus, it's cheap -- cheaper than a coffee at Starbucks. One dollar cheap. Researchers at Columbia University claim the mChip has a 100 percent detection rate, although there's a four to six percent chance of getting a false positive -- a stat similar to traditional lab tests. As you'd likely expect, there's hope that the inexpensive mChip will help testing efforts in places like Africa to detect HIV before it turns into AIDS. Next stop: the self-service pharmacy at CVS?

T-Mobile loses 50,000 customers in Q2 2011, revenue dips slightly

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 04:00 AM PDT

T-Mobile USA issued its Q2 earnings statement today and, while the outlook isn't quite as bleak as it was during the first quarter of this year, there's still some cause for concern up in Bellevue. According to the report, the carrier lost a total of 50,000 customers last quarter, which is actually an encouraging sign, considering it dropped a whopping 99,000 during Q1, and 93,000 during the second quarter of 2010. Total revenues, however, dipped slightly to $5.1 billion from the $5.2 billion reported for the previous quarter, with service revenues holding firm at $4.6 billion -- a 1.7 percent decrease from Q2 2010. President and CEO Philipp Humm blamed the numbers on a "challenging market," but was quick to point out the brighter aspects of T-Mobile's statement, including the carrier's expanded 4G coverage, and the fact that a full 29 percent of its customers are using 3G or 4G smartphones -- an "all-time high." Skip past the break for more numbers and acronyms.
Show full PR text
T-Mobile USA Reports Second Quarter of 2011 Results

Adjusted OIBDA of $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2011, up from $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2011 but down from $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2010

Service revenues in the second quarter of 2011 of $4.6 billion, consistent with the first quarter of 2011, but down 1.7% from $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2010

Contract ARPU of $53 in the second quarter of 2011, up from $52 in the first quarter of 2011 and each of the previous four quarters

Data ARPU of $13.60 in the second quarter of 2011, up $2.00 or 17.2% from the second quarter of 2010

Net customer losses of 50,000, an improvement from 99,000 net customer losses in the first quarter of 2011 and 93,000 net customer losses in the second quarter of 2010

Nearly 10 million customers using 3G/4G smartphones as of the second quarter of 2011, an increase of 50% from the second quarter of 2010

America's Largest 4G Network™ currently covers over 200 million people in over 190 markets and is being upgraded to even faster speeds (HSPA+ 42), which now covers more than 170 million people in over 100 markets

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile USA") today reported second quarter 2011 results. For the second quarter of 2011, T-Mobile USA reported service revenues of $4.6 billion, consistent with service revenues in the first quarter of 2011, and adjusted OIBDA of $1.3 billion, up from $1.2 billion reported in the first quarter of 2011. The number of Americans covered by our 4G network and the number of our customers using 3G/4G smartphones both continued to increase significantly during the quarter, driving growth in data ARPU. Additionally, net customer losses were 50,000 in the second quarter of 2011, nearly a 50% improvement from the 99,000 net customer losses in the first quarter of 2011.

"In a challenging market, we are seeing some encouraging trends in the quarter, particularly with our prepaid product growth and our year-on-year contract ARPU increase, thanks to all-time high of 29% of our customer base using 3G/4G smartphones. While contract churn continues to be high, we are focused on upgrading our customers to higher quality products and concentrating on retaining our loyal customers," said Philipp Humm, President and CEO of T-Mobile USA. "We also continue to focus on customer value through further network upgrades where we now reach more than 170 million Americans with even faster speeds, through our large 4G Android device portfolio, and by offering affordable unlimited rate plans."

"The United States remains a difficult market for Deutsche Telekom, but we see improvements compared to the first quarter of 2011. T-Mobile USA will continue its strategy with the extended HSPA+ 42 coverage and continued data growth," said René Obermann, CEO of Deutsche Telekom.

Customers

T-Mobile USA served 33.6 million customers (as defined in Note 1 to the Selected Data, below) at the end of the second quarter of 2011, generally consistent with the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2010.

In the second quarter of 2011, net customer losses were 50,000, compared to net losses of 99,000 in the first quarter of 2011 and 93,000 in the second quarter of 2010.

In the second quarter of 2011, partner branded customers, representing our Wal-Mart Family Mobile business, were reclassified to the contract category from prepaid as the hybrid product, introduced in the third quarter of 2010, has demonstrated product characteristics more closely associated with T-Mobile USA's other contract products. Prior quarter amounts have been restated to conform to current period customer reporting classifications.

Contract net customer losses were 281,000 in the second quarter of 2011, an improvement of 26% from the 382,000 net contract customer losses in the first quarter of 2011, but a decline from the 106,000 net contract customer additions in the second quarter of 2010.

Sequentially, the improvement in net contract customer losses was driven primarily by the introduction of new unlimited rate plans in the second quarter and faster growth in our connected device business.

The decline in contract customers in the second quarter 2011 when compared to the second quarter of 2010 was due to intense competitive pressures in the US wireless marketplace and the implementation of strengthened credit standards as part of T-Mobile USA's focus on improving customer quality.

Additionally, connected device net customer additions, included within contract customers (as defined in Note 1 to the Selected Data, below), were 256,000 in the second quarter of 2011, an improvement of 33% compared to 192,000 in the first quarter of 2011 and 27% compared to 202,000 in the second quarter of 2010. Connected device customers totaled 2.3 million at June 30, 2011.

Prepaid net customer additions, including MVNO customers (as defined in Note 1 to the Selected Data, below), were 231,000 in the second quarter of 2011, down 18% compared to 283,000 in the first quarter of 2011 and up substantially from the 199,000 net losses in the second quarter of 2010.

The sequential decline in prepaid net customer additions was due primarily to fewer FlexPay non-contract gross customer additions which were offset in part by customer growth in traditional prepaid plans.

Year-on-year, prepaid net customer additions increased primarily due to the growth in customers including MVNOs, purchasing prepaid monthly unlimited plans.

MVNO customers continued to grow in the second quarter of 2011, totaling 3.5 million as of June 30, 2011.

Churn

Blended churn (as defined in Note 3 to the Selected Data, below), reflecting both contract and prepaid customers, decreased to 3.3% in the second quarter of 2011 from 3.4% in both the first quarter of 2011 and the second quarter of 2010.

The sequential and year-on-year decrease in blended churn was primarily driven by lower churn from T-Mobile USA branded customers (excluding MVNO and connected devices).

Contract churn was 2.4% in the second quarter of 2011, consistent with the first quarter of 2011 but up from 2.2% in the second quarter of 2010.

The year-on-year increase in contract churn was primarily driven by competitive pressures in the US wireless industry which have continued to negatively impact T-Mobile USA's contract customer base.

Prepaid churn decreased in the second quarter of 2011 to 6.6%, from 6.7% in the first quarter of 2011 and 7.6% in the second quarter of 2010.

The sequential decrease in prepaid churn was driven by a shift in the customer base towards traditional prepaid products, which was partially offset by higher MVNO churn.

Year-on-year, prepaid churn decreased due to lower traditional prepaid product churn resulting from the success of T-Mobile USA's recently introduced prepaid monthly unlimited plans.

Adjusted OIBDA and Net Income

T-Mobile USA reported adjusted OIBDA (as defined in Note 8 to the Selected Data, below) of $1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2011 and $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

OIBDA was adjusted in the second quarter of 2011, to exclude AT&T transaction-related costs of $13 million, primarily consisting of employee-related expenses.

Sequentially, adjusted OIBDA increased due to lower handset subsidies and upgrade expenses in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the first quarter of 2011, which included more costly customer loyalty initiatives.

Year-on-year, second quarter adjusted OIBDA decreased as a result of lower service revenue as described above. Additionally, higher network expenses related to the continued investment in T-Mobile USA's 4G network were offset in part by lower volume-driven commission expenses and lower expenses resulting from T-Mobile USA's Reinvent cost saving initiative program.

Adjusted OIBDA margin (as defined in Note 9 to the Selected Data, below) was 28% in the second quarter of 2011, up from 26% in the first quarter of 2011 but down from 30% in the second quarter of 2010.

Net income in the second quarter of 2011 was $212 million, up 57% when compared to $135 million in the first quarter of 2011 and down 48% from the $404 million reported in the second quarter of 2010.

Sequentially and year-on-year, the changes in net income were driven by the same factors impacting adjusted OIBDA, as described above. Additionally, certain fair value adjustments related to our financial instruments impacted Other expense, net, contributing to the changes in net income.

Revenue

Service revenues (as defined in Note 4 to the Selected Data, below) were $4.6 billion in the second quarter of 2011, consistent with $4.6 billion in the first quarter of 2011 and down 1.7% from $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

Service revenues in the second quarter of 2011 were positively impacted by data revenue growth, driven by increased adoption of mobile broadband data and unlimited text plans by our customers, seasonally higher roaming revenue and higher prepaid revenues from the growth in monthly unlimited plan adoption. These revenue growth drivers were more than offset by voice revenue declines related to net losses of branded customers, compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Year-on-year, quarterly service revenues decreased primarily due to contract customer losses, which were partially offset by the increased adoption of data plans in our contract and prepaid customer base and from T-Mobile USA directly providing handset insurance services to its customers.

Total revenues, including service, equipment, and other revenues were $5.1 billion in the second quarter of 2011, down from $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2011 and $5.4 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

Equipment revenues decreased sequentially and year-on-year due primarily to lower handset sales volumes.

ARPU

Blended Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU" as defined in Note 4 to the Selected Data, below) was $46 in the second quarter of 2011, consistent with the first quarter of 2011, but lower than $47 in the second quarter of 2010 driven by a shift in the customer base towards prepaid plans.

Contract ARPU was $53 in the second quarter of 2011, up from $52 in the first quarter of 2011 and each of the previous four quarters.

Sequentially and year-on-year, contract ARPU increased as data revenue growth more than offset lower voice revenue. In addition, the year-on-year increase benefitted from handset insurance contract revenues due to the launch of the directly-provided T-Mobile Personal Handset Protection insurance and warranty program in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Prepaid ARPU was $18 in the second quarter of 2011, consistent with both the first quarter of 2011 and second quarter of 2010.

Data service revenues (as defined in Note 4 to the Selected Data, below) were $1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2011, up 17% from the second quarter of 2010. Data service revenues in the second quarter of 2011 represented 30% of blended ARPU, or $13.60 per customer, up from 29% of blended ARPU, or $13.10 per customer in the first quarter of 2011, and 25% of blended ARPU, or $11.60 per customer in the second quarter of 2010.

In the second quarter of 2011, the increase in the number of customers using smartphones and the continued upgrade of the 3G and 4G networks drove Internet access revenue growth through the increasing adoption of mobile broadband data plans.

9.8 million customers were using smartphones enabled for the T-Mobile USA 3G/4G network (as defined in Note 12 to the Selected Data, below) such as the T-Mobile® myTouch® 4G, T-Mobile® G2x® with Google™, and the Samsung Galaxy S™ 4G at the end of the second quarter of 2011. This represents a net increase of 50% or nearly 3.3 million customers using smartphones from the second quarter of 2010.

3G/4G smartphone customers now account for 29% of total customers, up from 27% in the first quarter of 2011 and 19% in the second quarter of 2010.

Messaging revenue (as defined in Note 5 to the Selected Data, below) also increased sequentially in the second quarter of 2011 with customers moving towards unlimited plans including messaging. Messaging accounted for approximately 35% of total data revenues, compared to 37% in the second quarter of 2010.

CPGA and CCPU


The average cost of acquiring a customer, Cost Per Gross Add ("CPGA" as defined in Note 7 to the Selected Data, below) was $320 in the second quarter of 2011, up from $300 in the first quarter of 2011, but down from $330 in the second quarter of 2010.

Sequentially, CPGA increased in the second quarter of 2011 primarily due to higher handset subsidies as T-Mobile USA offered a variety of incentives to attract customers.

Compared to the second quarter of 2010, CPGA decreased primarily due to lower commission expenses and a shift in the mix of customer additions towards MVNO and connected device customers.

The average cash cost of serving customers, Cash Cost Per User ("CCPU" as defined in Note 6 to the Selected Data, below), was $23 per customer per month in the second quarter of 2011, down from $25 in the first quarter of 2011 and consistent with the second quarter of 2010.

CCPU decreased in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the first quarter of 2011 due to lower equipment subsidies from customer loyalty initiatives than were offered in the first quarter of 2011.

Capital Expenditures


Cash capital expenditures (as defined in Note 10 to the Selected Data, below) were $688 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $749 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $682 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Sequentially, the decrease in cash capital expenditures was a result of payment timing differences which were partially offset by an increase in incurred capital expenditures during the quarter. In the second quarter of 2011, incurred capital expenditures were the result of the continued build-out of the HSPA+ 21 and HSPA+ 42 networks (as defined in Note 11 to the Selected Data, below).

Compared to the second quarter of 2010, cash capital expenditures were consistent and continued to be incurred to allow for network coverage expansion and the upgrade to HSPA+ 42.

T-Mobile USA currently offers its customers America's Largest 4G Network with HSPA+ 21 service available in over 190 markets reaching over 200 million people.

To further improve the value provided to customers through its 4G mobile broadband network, T-Mobile USA has continued to invest in its HSPA+ 42 network, which reached over 170 million people as of the end of the second quarter of 2011, doubling the theoretical speed of its 4G network to 42 Mbps.

T-Mobile USA Recent Highlights

On March 20, 2011, Deutsche Telekom AG and AT&T Inc. entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash and stock transaction valued at approximately $39 billion, subject to adjustment in accordance with the agreement. The agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of both companies, and is expected to provide an optimal combination of network assets to add capacity and provide an opportunity to improve network quality in the near term for the customers of both companies. In particular, the transaction is important to address spectrum constraints and gives T-Mobile USA customers a clear path to take advantage of new generation LTE (Long Term Evolution) services. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2012, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. As part of the transaction, Deutsche Telekom will receive an equity stake in AT&T that, based on the terms of the agreement, would give Deutsche Telekom an ownership interest in AT&T of approximately 8 percent and one seat on the AT&T Board of Directors.

During the second quarter of 2011, and again in July 2011, T-Mobile USA introduced a series of new "Value" rate plans that provide exceptional value and choice to the wireless consumer, reinforcing a focus on making it more affordable for customers to experience America's Largest 4G Network. These plans include offerings of unlimited talk, text and data services to individuals and families (both with and without handset subsidies).

T-Mobile USA continues to unveil leading devices including the HTC Sensation™ 4G and the myTouch® 4G Slide to leverage America's Largest 4G Network.

In August 2011, T-Mobile USA announced a new partnership with 7-Eleven Stores, Inc. to provide a prepaid no contract handset and service through the retail chain's 7-Eleven® stores.

T-Mobile USA is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCQX: DTEGY). In order to provide comparability with the results of other US wireless carriers, all financial amounts are in US dollars and are based on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). T-Mobile USA results are included in the consolidated results of Deutsche Telekom, but differ from the information contained herein as Deutsche Telekom reports financial results in Euros and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information provided in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations from the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are provided below following Selected Data and the financial statements.

Qbo music player robot responds to hand gestures, challenges DJ Roomba to a dance-off (video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 03:29 AM PDT

What's a good way to impress your friends? With a robot boom box that responds to your every hand movement, that's how. Meet Qbo, TheCorpora's open-source Linux robot who we've gotten to know over the years, even through his awkward phase. Nowadays, this full grown cutie has stereoscopic "eyes" and a face-identifying system that's capable of learning, recognizing faces, and responding. With his new hand gesture recognition skills, Qbo will start playing music the moment you hold up a fist. Putting your hand out in a "halt" position stops the song and pointing left or right jumps to different tracks in your playlist. Giving Qbo the peace sign increases the volume (yeah, seriously!), while pointing the peace sign down tells him to take it down a few notches. The ultimate party mate and wing man is even so kind as to announce the name and title of the track. The video after the break best explains what hanging with this fellow is like, but if you're keen on textual explanations, just imagine yourself awkwardly doing the robot to control your stereo. Go on, we won't look.

Sony PlayStation Vita handheld will miss Christmas in US and Europe

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 02:51 AM PDT

How can this be? Sony's new handheld console already passed through the FCC and was even leaked on a UK Blockbuster flyer that stated an October release date. Yet apparently these clues count for nothing, because Bloomberg reports Kazuo Hirai as saying that the Vita won't launch in the US and Europe until early next year -- with only Japan getting the device before Christmas. Why would Sony be content to miss out on all that festive trade? We have absolutely no idea, but it looks like we'll have to email Santa a revised wish list.

[Thanks, Jerry]

Google search opens SCADA systems to doomsday scenarios

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 02:26 AM PDT

Google, the service so great it became a verb, can now add security risk to its roster of unintended results. The search site played inadvertent host to remotely accessed Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in a Black Hat conference demo led by FusionX's Tom Parker. The security company CTO walked attendees through the steps required to gain control of worldwide utility infrastructure -- power plants, for one -- but stopped short of actually engaging the vulnerable networks. Using a string of code, unique to a Programmable Logic Controller (the computers behind amusement park rides and assembly lines) Parker was able to pull up a water treatment facility's RTU pump, and even found its disaster-welcoming "1234" password -- all through a Google search. Shaking your head in disbelief? We agree, but Parker reassured the crowd these types of outside attacks require a substantial amount of effort and coordination, and "would be extremely challenging to pull off." Panic attack worn off yet? Good, now redirect those fears to the imminent day of robot-helmed reckoning.

Skype two-way video chat finally arrives on more Android handsets

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 01:27 AM PDT

An updated version of Skype just appeared on the Android Market sporting a crucial improvement: it now supports two-way video calling on a wide range of current Android handsets, rather than the meager four that had previously received preferential treatment. If you have a recent phone from HTC, Samsung or Sony Ericsson (excluding the Arc), then you're probably in luck. Oh, and LG Revolution (Verizon) and Acer A5 owners can get their vogue on too. Running Gingerbread is a must, though, because Froyo will only let you use your device's rear camera, which is obviously quite difficult to pose for. Check out the source link for the full list of supported handsets and let us know if you run into problems.

[Thanks, Nathan]

Pandigital unveils Nova, Planet and Star Android tablets, 'flagship' device coming next month

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 01:07 AM PDT

It's shaping up to be a busy month for Pandigital. Two days after we spotted the Nova at Best Buy, the astronomically-inclined company has decided to officially unveil the Android tablet alongside the Planet and Star, with a fourth "flagship" device slated for release in September. Each of the three slates is powered by an A9 Cortex processor, and boasts a seven-inch touchscreen display (800x600 resolution on the Planet and Nova and 800x480 on the Star, pictured above). As far as storage goes, both the Planet and the Star offer 2GB of onboard memory, with the Nova packing 4GB, and all three offer WiFi and HDMI connectivity. The slabs also come preloaded with Barnes & Noble's eBookstore app and provide access to GetJar's app download store, rather than the Android Market. Honeycomb enthusiasts, however, should probably look elsewhere, as both the Planet and the Star run Android 2.2 Froyo, while the Nova ships with Gingerbread. But considering their prices, that shortcoming may be easy to overlook. The Planet, available now, will run you $189, as will the Nova, scheduled to ship later this week (though, again, you can also find it on Best Buy, for $170). The Star, meanwhile, will hit stores in mid-August, for a paltry $159. Rocket past the break for some photos of the Nova and Planet, along with more details, in the full press release.




Show full PR text
PANDIGITAL LAUNCHES LINE OF AFFORDABLE, FULL-FEATURED
ANDROID™ MEDIA TABLETS


Advanced features and high-performance Cortex A9 processor at a great price make these tablets the ideal lifestyle companions


DUBLIN, Calif., Aug. 4, 2011 – Pandigital today announced a line of Android™ media tablets that deliver advanced features and functionality, giving consumers a choice in devices that best fit their digital lifestyle. The first three tablets in the line – the Pandigital Planet, Pandigital Nova and Pandigital Star – will be available this month to consumers starting at $159 MSRP. The fourth product in the line, the flagship product, will be announced and available to consumers in Sept.

These powerful new tablets feature Cortex A9 processors with embedded hardware 3D graphics engines, providing fast response times and enhanced performance for consumers, whether watching the latest action movie, playing the hottest video game or watching a recent vacation video.

Combining performance with design, the Pandigital Planet, Nova and Star allow users to multitask in style. All three Wi-Fi-enabled devices feature 7-inch full-color touchscreen displays enclosed in a light weight, sleek, black housings with a brushed metal-look front bezel. Users can easily read the latest best seller, surf the web, check email, post on the most popular social media sites, catch up on the news or entertainment, check out family vacation photos, and more while at work or play. Additionally, users have the flexibility to personalize their tablet by downloading the Android™ applications that are most interesting to them from the preloaded app store, unleashing the devices' full potential.

"We're excited to share this family of media tablets that feature innovative technology at an incredible value to our customers," said Dean Finnegan, founder and CEO, Pandigital. "We have included many of the features and functionality that consumers have come to expect from much higher priced devices. To further enhance the customer experience, each model also includes several advanced features, such as the ability to browse the Internet, catch up on email, watch movies, and share photos on the family TV from the tablet."

Instant Access to Digital Applications and Content

As digital content becomes more prevalent, consumers want to customize their personal devices to best fit their lifestyle, making it critical to have instant access to the latest applications. The Pandigital Planet, Nova, and Star all offer seamless connectivity to more of the applications consumers want, including:

Barnes & Noble's eStore - Quick and convenient access to more than two million eBooks, newspapers and magazines, a wide variety of free eBooks, and more than half a million free classics. It's easy to browse, sample, buy, and download published content in seconds. Also, customers can lend many eBooks with friends and family for 14 days.

GetJar – Access thousands of applications from the world's largest free app store from categories including Education, Social & Messaging, Entertainment, Finance, Food, Games, Health, Search, Lifestyle, Maps, Music, News & Weather, Photos, Productivity, Religion, Shopping, Sports and Travel.

Built-in Wi-Fi and Browser – Access the Internet and surf the web anywhere a Wi-Fi connection is available.

Email – Stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues using existing email addresses –including support for MS Exchange.

InTouch and Facebook – Quick access to Facebook, Twitter and RSS news feed data.

U-Player – Direct access to popular YouTube videos.

Gallery and Video Player – View and manage photo files, and play and manage MPEG4 video files.

Music – Play and manage music audio files (MP3, WAV and AAC).

Camera – Use front and back cameras (front-facing camera only on Pandigital Star) to take pictures and video.

HDMISwitch – Anything you can experience on your tablet can be viewed on your TV (optional HDMI cable accessory and TV with HDMI input required).

ES File Explorer – View and manage files and apps, and back up files to a microSD card.

OfficeSuite Viewer – Open and view many file formats (DOC, DOCX, TXT, XLS, XLSX, CSV, PPT, PPTX, PPS, PPSX and PDF).

To further enhance the flexibility of the product, all three tablets feature custom-developed applications that provide users with a more intuitive experience. The Wi-Fi Connection Wizard aids in connecting with and monitoring available Wi-Fi networks. Another app provides automated notices of firmware updates and the ability to download them directly to the tablet via the Wi-Fi connection. Other useful apps from Pandigital include InTouch for instant access to social networking sites, a customized calendar, a notes app, a weather app, and an alarm clock.

Powerful Features and Functionality Enhance Usability

The Pandigital Planet, Nova, and Star provide a superior customer experience through advanced features and functionality, combined with a user-friendly interface. All three devices feature the powerful Android™operating system – the Planet and Star are Android™ 2.2 and the Nova is Android™ 2.3. All the tablets are upgradeable to new Android™ operating system versions and will be scheduled for future firmware releases as they become available.

The new tablets offer an excellent viewing experience with 7-inch full-color LCD displays. The Planet and Nova offer a 600x800 resolution, and the Star's thinner width utilizes an 800x480 widescreen resolution and easily fits in one hand. In addition to the back-lit Android™ buttons, the three devices each provide users with a sensitive ActiveTouchTM touchscreen interface with multi-touch support. Additionally, the orientation sensor automatically adjusts between portrait and landscape mode in most applications when the devices are tilted, and the 2-Axis Accelerometer is great for controlling games that need simultaneous steering and acceleration.

The integrated memory (2GB for the Planet and Star, 4GB for the Nova) lets you store hundreds of books, apps, movies, music and more. In addition, the built-in MicroSD card reader accepts up to 32GB memory cards for virtually unlimited storage. The built-in mini-USB On The Go (OTG) port provides a way to connect directly to a computer for easy file transfers (Mac and PC compatible), supports a number of peripherals, such as wired mice and keyboards, or wireless mice and keyboard combinations, and can also be used to re-charge the internal battery.

Each of the tablets has a compact and sleek design measuring approximately 5-inches wide, 7 ½-inches high and 1/2-inch deep, and each weigh less than 14 ounces, making them extremely portable. All three devices come with a rechargeable Li-ion battery and get up to 6 hours of use (performance varies based on use –averaging longer for reading with no Wi-Fi and shorter for continuous streaming video).

Product Availability and Pricing

The three Pandigital Android™ media tablets will be available at leading retailers across the U.S. The Pandigital Planet (R70A200) is currently available for $189 MSRP, the Pandigital Nova (R70F400/ R70F452) will be available this week for $189 MSRP, and the Pandigital Star (R70B200) will be available mid-August for $159 MSRP.

Gone in 43 seconds: Tesla's Model S gets teased on the track (video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2011 12:04 AM PDT

We've already seen a short bit of footage of a single Model S on the road, and now Tesla has released an even briefer video of not one, not two, but three vehicles on the track for some alpha-level testing. No, they're not racing (at least not on the video), but it certainly looks like they're ready for one. See for yourself after the break, and look for things to improve further from here -- Tesla says it's now already applying what it's learned from the testing to its forthcoming beta vehicles.


Visualized: Boeing 747-8 makes its longest flight to date, writes name in the sky

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 11:18 PM PDT

It's always fun to write your name on things -- chalkboards, diplomas, speeding tickets, yellow snow... you know, the usual. The folks at Boeing couldn't agree more, which is why they tasked 747-8 pilots with writing the jet's name in the sky on a flight test across the US. What could be called the "747-8 wuz here" mission is designed to test the outer limits of the jumbo jet in a max endurance operations test. Taking off yesterday morning from Seattle's Paine Field, the jet flew across 18 states in a 747 pattern until it landed on the west coast a little after midnight -- 17 total hours of mayhem. It seems like everything went swimmingly, which means the brand spanking new jet will be sold to Cargolux, a ginormous cargo airline, later this year. The jet writing does somewhat resemble a drunken righty's attempt at left-handed writing, but hey, who are we to judge?

appMobi XDK delivers free cross-platform dev environment to Chrome Web Store

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 10:34 PM PDT

The Chrome Web Store welcomed a new arrival today, and it goes by the name of appMobi XDK. While the addition is targeted squarely at developers, it's entirely free and packs quite a doozy -- cross-platform HTML5 software development from within the web browser. As you might expect, the tool is perfect for making applications to run within Google Chrome, but get this... it's also capable of creating native apps for submission to Apple's App Store and the Android Market. Like any competent development environment, it features a full set of debugging tools, along with the ability to test your apps via on-screen emulation and directly from your target device. Hardware integration is accomplished with JavaScript hardware abstraction, which enables access to the camera, GPS, accelerometer and the like. Further, the platform boasts full compatibility with PhoneGap, which means you can easily transition if you've got a project in the works. If you're already hooked, be sure to check out the PR after the break, which describes such goodies as in-app purchasing and secure user authentication, which are made possible with appMobi's cloud services.
Show full PR text
appMobi Releases its XDK HTML5 Development Tool Stack on the Google Chrome App Store

Use a single HTML5 code base to create Web apps for Chrome App Store, as well as native apps for Android Market or Apple App Store

LANCASTER, Penn. – MobilityWire® – August 3, 2011

appMobi® (www.appmobi.com) today announced the immediate availability in the Google Chrome App Store of its "XDK" cross platform app development tool. For app developers, the XDK replaces numerous platform-specific development tools with a single HTML5-optimized development interface.

appMobi's XDK combats "fragmentation" in the mobile development space by presenting users with a single, HTML5-based emulation, debugging and cross platform build environment for mobile apps. By making the XDK available on the Chrome App Store, appMobi expects to further its dominance of cross platform HTML5-based app development.

"Most developers want to create apps that can easily be deployed to different platforms with a minimum of rewriting," said appMobi CTO, Sam Abadir. "We designed the appMobi XDK to make it very easy for a developer to check how their app will look and feel on diverse hardware platforms."

The appMobi XDK debugging tools allow testing with on-screen emulation, local on-device and remotely anywhere in the world without requiring ad-hoc builds or security certificates.

XDK apps can of course be deployed to websites or the Chrome App Store. Where the XDK delivers an extra treat is the ability to build the same exact HTML5 code base into native apps for placement in the Apple App Store or the Android Market.

"It's clear that HTML5 has become the unifying technology for the mobile space," Abadir continued. "However, creating great HTML5 apps requires great HTML5 tools and that's exactly what the XDK is. As a 'Web app' itself, the XDK can also be used to create the new breed of 'hybrid' Web apps that perform exactly like 'native' apps, but do not require the approval or financial revenue share of the App Stores."

appMobi offers a number of cloud services that provide functions that are common in smartphone ecosystems, but are not part of HTML5. These services include user authentication, in-app payments, rich media push messaging, user analytics and live app updates. The XDK is fully compatible with the PhoneGap HTML5 cross platform development project, providing many features that are missing from the open source project. The XDK runs on either Mac or PC platforms. There is no charge for the XDK development tool, and it is available today in the Google Chrome Store (http://www.appmobi.com/XDKChrome).

Sony support site leaks S1 and S2 tablet screens, may run Honeycomb 3.2 (update: pulled!)

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:49 PM PDT

Ready to shed a little light on those baffling tablet teasers? Well, it looks like someone over at the company's eSupport site uploaded a troubleshooting doc for the yet-to-be released S1 and S2 tablets, and we have the leaked screens to prove it. Listed under the very helpful heading of "How to find the Android Honeycomb operating system version installed on this tablet," conflicting pics of the "About tablet" screen point to both a 3.1 and 3.2 software destiny. Also on board for this illicit peek, is a shot of the slates' space-tastic homescreen, in addition to its app drawer where we can clearly see bundled Sony apps like Chumby, Crash Bandicoot and Crackle. While we're inclined to believe Honeycomb's latest and greatest will ship on the pair of black beauties, the site offered no other confirmation of the OS goods. Head on past the break for an extended look, and place your bets in comments below.

Update: The page has been removed from Sony's site.





Nokia N8 used to shoot world's largest stop-motion film, 'Gulps' up the competition (video)

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 09:10 PM PDT

In today's rapidly evolving smartphone market, the Nokia N8 seems almost... ancient. But if there's any doubts that its camera is still the gold-medal champion of the bunch, "Gulp" will shut up the critics. The video you see below is the world's largest stop-motion movie, filmed on a beach in South Wales using none other than the phone's famed 12 megapixel sensor. Okay, that's not entirely true; it was actually done on three of them, not just one, with the aid of a massively tall crane to lift them up. Everything you see in the flick -- including the fisherman and his boat -- is life-size; the largest scene spans over 11,000 square feet. The Sumo Science production, in all of its 90-second glory, is ready for your viewing pleasure below, as is a short documentary explaining how it all went down. For sure, you're either going to lust after a N8 once again, or vow never to go fishing again.


Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 shows up for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk, ships August 11th

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 08:41 PM PDT

Back when we got word of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 making its British debut on August 4th, Samsung told us that our UK brethren could expect its elusive younger sibling, the 8.9, "later in the year." Well, if its recently minted Amazon page is correct, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 will land across the pond just one week after its big brother, on August 11th. The 3G-sporting Android tablet carries a £605 price tag. Considering its stop off at the FCC in June, and the recent appearance of the Retail Mode app, we hope to see the 8.9 stateside sometime soon. Otherwise, it'll be off to the UK for you die-hard Galaxy fans.

[Thanks, Jules]

Apple offers Find My Mac for beta testing, wants to play Cops and Robbers

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 08:03 PM PDT

Ever misplaced your hard earned MacBook Air or had an entire project vanish at the hands of a dirty thief, only to be gone forever? Well friends, the time is coming soon for the Find My Mac feature to provide a highly sought after sigh of relief, Find My iPhone-style. Apple has released the software into the wild for registered iOS devs, with the only other requirements being OS X Lion and an iCloud subscription. Using WiFi networks to locate your missing appendage via a web browser or iOS device, the location tool offers you a number of anti-theft options -- send a threatening message, lock down the machine remotely, or even wipe the machine's drive clean. Perhaps we will see this security detail launch with iCloud in fall, which was also released in beta form earlier this week.

Twitter.com for iPad eyes-on, now with 100 percent more HTML5

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 07:32 PM PDT

Even if you weren't waiting for it, it's finally here. Next time you grab your iPad and want to check Twitter sans official app, you'll be able to do it in tablet-optimized form. The San Franciscan company just outed a delectable HTML5 redux of its desktop equivalent, carrying over the animated two-pane design of its forebearer, while replicating niceties like pull-to-refresh and scroll bouncing from its native iOS app. Unfortunately, we couldn't get to the goodness from our Galaxy Tab 10.1, but given the open nature of the web, we're hoping an Android compatible version isn't far off. And if you're not seeing the refresh on your iPad yet, sit tight; the company's rolling out access throughout the week. In the meantime, feel free to ogle at the bevy of snaps we grabbed below.
Twitter.com for iPad eyes-on

Microsoft Research's .NET Gadgeteer steps out into the light, shoots daggers at Arduino (video)

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 07:04 PM PDT

Arduino, meet .NET Gadgeteer -- your newest homebrew hacking rival. Born from Microsoft Research engineers' desire to build prototypes quickly and easily, the two-and-a-half-years in the making ARM7-powered mainboard packs 4MB Flash, 16MB RAM, Ethernet, WiFi, an SD card interface and USB ports. Novice mods might wanna put the Netduino down because this homespun alternative also runs atop MS' .NET Micro Framework, and thanks to its IntelliSense feature, makes auto-coding a breeze for first-timers. If you're interested in what Ballmer & co. are offering, you can head to the project's site now to pre-order its GHI-made hardware: a $250 Spider Starter Kit and the $120 Spider Mainboard. Both will be available by the end of September, but if you need a preview of what this burgeoning open source community has to offer, peep the stop-motion making mod after the break.

American Airlines rolls out in-flight Entertainment On Demand, lets you continue watching after you land

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 06:38 PM PDT

American Airlines gives its Boeing 767-200 fleet all the love -- first it sends some 10.1-inch Galaxy Tabs through the gate, and now in-flight streaming videos get the all-clear to board. If you'll recall, AA's been testing Aircell (Gogo) in-flight video streaming, and now the service has gone live on 15 of the transcontinental wide-bodies flying New York to San Francisco or Los Angeles. You won't need to purchase in-flight WiFi to access Entertainment On Demand, but it currently only works on "select laptops," with rentals for television shows priced at $0.99 and movies at $3.99. You'll also be able to access your purchased TV and movie content on your device for 72 or 24 hours, respectively, if your flight soars into its destination ahead of time -- pickins' are quite slim, though, with only around 100 vids to choose from presently. The airline plans to add the service to all of its WiFi-enabled aircraft -- while also expanding device support -- beginning later this year. Fly on for a demo video and press release, parked just past the break.


Show full PR text
American Airlines Becomes the First North American Airline to Offer Inflight Streaming Video Product

American Enhances Onboard Travel Experience with Initial Rollout of Entertainment On Demand to Entire 767-200 Fleet

Plans to Roll Out Entertainment On Demand to Virtually Entire Domestic Fleet

FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, today announced the initial phase of the launch of Entertainment On Demand – an inflight streaming video product – as a brand-new, innovative inflight entertainment option for customers on board its entire fleet of 15 Boeing 767-200 aircraft. American is the first North American airline to offer inflight streaming video, which enables customers to wirelessly stream content such as movies and TV shows from an inflight library to select types of Wi-Fi-enabled laptops during flights.

"We've been deeply involved in developing the concept of streaming video with Gogo, as part of our vision of continuing to elevate the travel experience by pushing the envelope with our inflight entertainment offerings," said Rob Friedman, American's Vice President – Marketing. "We continue to execute this strategy and lead in this space by making prudent investments in innovative, cutting-edge technologies. During this initial phase of launch, Entertainment On Demand allows customers to access content through select personal Wi-Fi-enabled laptops, and in the coming months Gogo intends to make tablets and other devices available for use with the product."

Entertainment On Demand is now available on board American Airlines flights operated by a 767-200 aircraft – primarily transcontinental flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles and JFK and San Francisco – for the introductory price of 99 cents per TV show and $3.99 per movie. Customers do not have to purchase inflight Wi-Fi to utilize Entertainment On Demand. Using their own compatible personal Wi-Fi-enabled laptop, customers simply click on the Entertainment On Demand banner on the inflight Wi-Fi homepage, select a movie or TV show from the popular titles housed in the content library, create an account or log in, enter the form of payment and click "rent." All major credit and debit cards are accepted. To view a demonstration of Entertainment On Demand, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ_HyK-FgzY.

The inflight library features more than 100 movies and TV shows from major Hollywood studios to offer customers a variety of entertainment choices. Customers can sort titles by movie or TV, genre, length of feature, and other categories. Trailers are available for complimentary viewing prior to renting content. Movies and TV shows will remain accessible for viewing after the customer has landed – movies for 24 hours and TV shows for 72 hours. Unexpired rentals will be available for playback on the ground by using the same device and browser used on board.
American began testing the new inflight video system on two Boeing 767-200 aircraft in May and received FAA certification this month. While American is rolling out Entertainment On Demand to its entire fleet of 767-200s for customer use, the product will continue to evolve over time. The airline's goal is to roll out this product on all of American's Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft beginning later this year, pending FAA certifications.

American's Entertainment On Demand is powered by the Gogo system. Movies and TV shows are stored on the onboard server, allowing the air-to-ground connection to be fully available for American's Wi-Fi product. During this initial phase of launch, select personal Wi-Fi- enabled laptops are compatible with Entertainment On Demand. Gogo is currently working to increase the number of compatible devices and intends to make tablets and other devices available for use with Entertainment On Demand in the coming months. For more information, visit http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/entertainmentOnDemand.jsp.

About American Airlines

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

About Gogo

Gogo is fast becoming everyone's favorite part of flying. By allowing travelers to get online, in air, Gogo keeps them connected to life. Using Gogo's exclusive network and services, passengers with laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on select American Airlines flights and many other commercial airlines.

Back on the ground, Gogo's 350+ employees in Itasca, IL and Broomfield, CO are working to continually redefine flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo.

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet. The address is http://www.aa.com

HTC explains official bootloader unlock process, asks you to sign away your warranty

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 05:28 PM PDT

HTC explains official bootloader unlock process, asks you to sign away your warranty
You didn't think HTC was just going let you run wild with an unlocked bootloader and not require some sort of trade-off, did you? Of course not, that's why CEO Peter Chou updated the firm's Facebook page to spill the beans on the devil's deal. Yes, you'll be given the freedom to unlock your bootloader, but only after you accept a disclaimer notifying you that "all or parts" of your warranty may be null and void. After that it's all SDKs, device identifier tokens and unlock keys. It may be a little disappointing to discover that the official unlock procedure lacks complete support, but nobody ever said that freedom was without its risks. Chou reiterated that updates for the HTC Sensation and HTC EVO 3D will come later this month, making them the first devices eligible to lose their warranty use the unlock tool. Hit the source link below to see Chou explain the process on HTC's Facebook page.

Virgin Media to roll out free WiFi in London, bums with iPads rejoice

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 05:12 PM PDT

Fancy some free municipal WiFi, London? Yeah, we know, the service has been promised several times before, but that's not stopping Virgin Media from giving it the ol' college try. In his address to investors, CEO Neil Berkett announced plans to piggyback the gratis service on its existing cable backhaul "in the not too distant future," shoring up the gap left by operators' unreliable 3G coverage. Seems the media conglomerate's cable network runs mostly idle during the day -- a fact revealed during last week's earnings call -- and with only four percent market share, Virgin could certainly handle the extra traffic. The move is a straight shot at BT's similar, albeit partially free offering, and would provide download speeds of 0.5Mbps to the general public, with the truly blazing 10Mbps reserved for the company's own internet subscribers. But don't expect this business extension to break Virgin's bank, costing only a "few million pounds," this free-of-charge WiFi network's just a drop in its two tonne bucket. All that's left is a few permissive nods from the city's councils and you Londoners can keep up with the latest TOWIE drama wherever you go.

ASUS' MeeGo-flavored Eee PC X101H goes under the FCC's knife

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 04:46 PM PDT

Back when we introduced you to the MeeGo-packing ASUS Eee PC X101, we noted that its brother, the X101H, would also be available, albeit with Windows 7 onboard. Well, the X101H has just made its way through the FCC and it looks like ASUS has decided to ditch the brother-from-another-mother scheme, and offer the X101's chubbier -- it's 22mm thick compared to 17.6mm -- sibling with MeeGo, as well. Like it's svelte little bro, the X101H is expected to pack a single-core Intel Atom N435 processor, 1GB DDR3 RAM, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, and a 10.1-inch WSVGA screen. If you like your netbooks with a little extra cushion, check out our gallery of teardown photos below, or hit the source link for a slew of FCC paperwork.
ASUS Eee PC X101H FCC

Vonage Time to Call app lets you make international calls from your iPhone, pay through iTunes

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 04:22 PM PDT

Making international VoIP calls from your iPhone just got slightly less complicated, and slightly more expensive. Vonage's new Time to Call app lets you make short, 15-minute calls to 190 countries with rates ranging from 99 cents to $9.99 per call. Payments are processed through iTunes, so you don't need to create an account with Vonage, giving the app a slight advantage over services from competitors like Skype -- for now, at least. The app works over WiFi everywhere, and 3G in the US and Canada, and you'll pay the same rate when calling both mobile phones and landlines -- so you could save quite a bit if you typically make short calls to mobile numbers. For casual callers, however, the app's most appealing feature is the free call you'll get after installation. We wasted it on a 30-second call to Tokyo that would've cost us three cents to make using Skype, so hopefully you'll be slightly more creative.
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Vonage Announces Global Launch of Pay-Per-Call International App for iPhone with Direct Payment Through iTunes

Free Call to 100 Countries Available with Every Download for a Limited Time

Time to Call™ Provides Dramatic Savings over Major Mobile Carriers for Callers in 87 Countries

HOLMDEL, N.J., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE: VG) is making good on its promise to deliver low-cost, easy-to-use international calling on smartphones around the world. Time to Call™ is the first downloadable app that allows pay-per-call international dialing to more than 190 countries. The app, designed for iPhones, lets consumers make 15-minute international calls at a fraction of the cost of major mobile carriers with easy payment directly through iTunes.

For a limited time, Vonage will provide a free international call, up to 15 minutes, to 100 countries. The free trial is available with any download, with no purchase necessary*. Time to Call launches globally today and is available for download in 87 iTunes stores.

"With the launch of Time to Call, Vonage has simplified the process of making affordable international calls for iPhone users around the globe," said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage. "Not only does this service offer tremendous value for international callers dialing from their home countries, it also provides a great solution for international travelers who want to avoid the bill shock associated with international calls and roaming charges when they call back home. Time to Call requires far less effort than calling card services and other international calling plan options, and is substantially less expensive than dialing direct through a mobile carrier. It's simple, fast and fair."

With Time to Call, there's no ongoing commitment and calling is quick and easy. After downloading the app, customers simply select the country they want to call, touch the Buy button and enter their iTunes credentials, then make the call either from their address book or by directly dialing the number.

Fifteen-minute calls to 100 countries range from $0.99 to $1.99; more than 90 additional countries can be called for flat rates ranging up to $9.99**. Calls to landlines AND mobile phones are the same rate. Time to Call users do not have to be Vonage home phone service subscribers. With easy payment through iTunes, there's no hassle with credit cards, cash payments or going to the store to purchase calling cards.

Time to Call is the second recent offering that extends Vonage beyond home phone service into next-generation products including mobile.

Nearly 50 percent of all international calls worldwide originate from a mobile phone, according to TeleGeography.(1) The market opportunity is huge and growing, and Time to Call meets the need with a simple and affordable pay-per-call service that requires no commitment or advance planning. Later this year, Vonage will introduce an Android(TM) version of the Time to Call app.

The Time to Call service works on Wi-Fi worldwide, and is also available for use on high-quality 3G wireless networks in U.S. and Canada. When used on 3G networks, carrier charges may apply if the user has a limited data plan.

For more information on Time to Call, please go to iTunes or http://www.vonagemobile.com/.

Archaeologists eschewing traditional whip / leather jacket combo for Kinect controllers

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 03:44 PM PDT

The latest must-have piece of technology in the archaeological world? The Kinect. Students from the University of California, San Diego are taking Microsoft's much-hacked peripheral on an archeological dig in Jordan, using the device to help create 3D scans of the site on the cheap. The hack pulls data captured by the Kinect's camera and infrared scanner, turning the information into avatars that can be plugged into virtual worlds. The hack's creator is hoping that it might some day be able to capture information as complex as a buildings or neighborhoods. The first, decidedly less ambitious application is being referred to as "ArKinect," because what's a cool hack without a cool name?

BlackBerry Bold 9900 appears in leaked T-Mo docs, reveals August 29th release date and $300 price

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 03:06 PM PDT

If you're an abiding RIM fan who's itching for a new 'Berry addiction, your next fix is soon at hand. After AT&T put its cards on the table -- along with Sprint and US Cellular -- an internal T-Mobile document now suggests the Bold 9900 will arrive at the Magenta-clad carrier on August 29th. Sadly, your patience (and loyalty) is going to cost you, because this touchscreen endeavor carries a $300 price tag, and like Ma Bell's model, it features only 14.4Mbps HSDPA. Sure it's steep, but that's all the better for expensing to the corporate account, no?

Hands-on with TouchWiz UX for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 02:39 PM PDT

Today's Samsung event in New York City was a strange scene -- the company collected Galaxy Tabs from the journalists in attendance and handed back coat check receipts, promising to give the devices back after the press conference ended. One Samsung executive acknowledged the unusual nature of the event, explaining that, "this is the first time we've held a news conference for a software update, and it probably won't be the last."

The event marked the pre-launch of a major software update for Samsung's slate -- one that is set to get wide release on August 5th. Members of the press, however, were given a side-loaded preview of the tablet UI -- as were New York City Galaxy Tab 10.1 owners who showed up to the Samsung store with tablet in-hand. We've been playing around with the update for a bit and have a full hands-on preview for you after the break.
Samsung Galaxy 10.1 TouchWiz UX hands-on



The TouchWiz UX updates are clear from the outset. The Live Panel view is all about widgets -- big, colorful widgets. Samsung refers to the view as "magazine-like," a clear statement for a device looking to fill in the hole left by rapidly closing paper periodicals. The home screen defaults to big windows featuring the time, weather, and an image of your choosing. Clicking the time will bring up a control panel that lets you adjust the clock and set an alarm for yourself. The weather panel links to a full page of information including the week's weather, a weather map, and the ability to switch location. The image, meanwhile, is linked to the device's picture gallery, where it's possible to switch up your default image.

Swiping right will bring up a large rotating visual newsfeed on the left, offering up headlines laid over news images. Below this are two rows of customizable bookmarks. To the right is a shot of your email inbox. The panel can either default to your Gmail account or another service, once you've entered all of the relevant info. The email widget offers two lines for each email -- a name and a subject. Clicking a line will open up that message in the mail app.


Swipe to the left and you'll see your Social Hub, which aggregates updates from various social networks into a single feed. You can add feeds from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as messages from Exchange and the default e-mail app. These feed can be viewed a single social network at a time or with all of the entries populating a single stream. You can also add updates, favorite posts, or share information via email through the app. To the left of the social hub is a scrollable calendar featuring today's events, a Yahoo finance widget, and your manually entered top contacts.

Of course, all of these default widgets are fully customizable. You add and delete as you see fit, just so long as you don't run out of space. Customization occurs by clicking a plus button in the upper right hand of the screen, which brings you to a page featuring Widgets, App Shortcuts, Wallpapers, and More. Clicking a widget will add it to the desktop. Additional widget options include the always handy Advanced Task Killer, Amazon MP3, an analog clock, Google Books, Google Search, Android Market, and YouTube. When you need to remove an app from the screen, simply hold down on it and drag it into the trash can icon that appears in the upper righthand corner of the screen.

The new UI also features a Mini Mode Tray, which can be accessed by tapping a small Up arrow in the middle of the taskbar on the bottom of the screen. Hitting this will pop up "commonly used" applications," including the Task Manager, Calendar, World Clock, Pen Memo (a simple text input application that uses your finger or typing functionality), Calculator, and Music Player. Clicking the right side of the bottom taskbar will bring up a panel that features some basic settings, including WiFi, brightness, and access to your calendar reminders, most recent email message, and additional settings.

The upgrade adds a basic photo editor to the mix, which lets you rotate, resize, crop, adjust colors, and add a few effects (including Blur, Motion, Filter, and Frames). It's certainly not a comprehensive feature set, but the app is actually pretty full for a free tablet photo editor -- akin to the feature sets available in most browser-based editors. The device's copy and paste functionality has been extended as well, now including images and links, which can be shared via social network or email. The virtual keyboard can now be resized and dragged across the screen. Swype functionality can be enabled by clicking the keyboard icon at the bottom of the screen, as well.


The software comes bundled with Samsung Music Hub, the company's 7digital-powered version of iTunes, which gives you access to millions of downloadable tracks, which appear to be mostly priced at between $0.99 to $1.49 a pop. It's a pretty straightforward application that ought prove familiar to anyone who has spent any time shopping in an online music store -- one that competes directly with the pre-loaded Amazon MP3 app.

Media Hub, meanwhile, is an extremely slick entertainment app that gives users access to downloadable video from NBCUniversal, Paramount, Warner Bros., Fox, CBS, and MTV. The selections include movies and next day TV shows. When opened, the app defaults to a scrollable gallery of new content -- the box shot in the center of the screen offers up an abstract for that selection. You can filter content by movies or TV, or you can simply search for a title by clicking the magnifying glass on the top of the screen. Once an account is created for Media Hub, it can be associated with up to five devices, so your content isn't tied to one machine. It's a pretty solid app that's all the more welcome with the arrival of the Galaxy Tab 10.1's newly announced HDMI adapter.

And while the Galaxy Tab is certainly no Cisco Cius tablet, Samsung is stepping up the enterprise functionality on the thing, as well. Upgrades on that front include Cisco VPN and WebEx, device encryption, and Exchange ActiveSynch version 14 support.

In all, there are a lot of solid additions here that certainly warrant an upgrade for TouchWiz users when the update rolls out to the public on the 5th. Of course, there's an important caveat here -- non-TouchWiz users have a lot less to be excited about. While Samsung isn't requiring users to accept the skin on their devices, declining it will block you from future OS upgrades -- i.e., no Ice Cream Sandwich for you if you don't buy into the world of TouchWiz. It's an irritating decision on Samsung's part, particularly given the fact that Galaxy Tab 10.1 units initially came loaded with the standard Android interface, but it's practically par for the course at this point.

Google slams Apple and Microsoft, claims 'hostile, organized campaign' against Android waged through 'bogus patents' (update: Microsoft responds!)

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 02:16 PM PDT

It, as they say, is on. Google's Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, David Drummond, made an appearance on the company's official blog today with a post not-so-subtly-titled "When patents attack Android," which directly addresses what he calls a "hostile, organized campaign against Android by Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and other companies, waged through bogus patents." Drummond then goes on to cite a number of examples of this "organized campaign" from those trying to "strangle" Android, including Apple and Microsoft teaming up to buy Novell and Nortel's old patents "to make sure Google didn't get them," Microsoft seeking $15 licensing fees for each Android device, and lawsuits against the likes of Barnes & Noble, HTC, Motorola, and Samsung.

According to Drummond, those efforts amount to a "tax" that makes Android devices more expensive for consumers and manufacturers alike, and that "instead of competing by building new features or devices, they are fighting through litigation." He further goes on to bemoan the "anti-competitive strategy" that's "escalating the cost of patents way beyond what they're really worth," and closes things out by noting that he's encouraged by Justice Department investigations into the aforementioned Novell and Nortel patent issues. Hit the source link to read the full post yourself.

Update: And now, shots have been fired from both sides. Brad Smith, Microsoft's General Counsel, has shot off the following tweet: "Google says we bought Novell patents to keep them from Google. Really? We asked them to bid jointly with us. They said no." We're guessing the truth lies somewhere in between, as it always does.

Update 2: Hoo boy! The hits just keep comin' out of Redmond. Frank Shaw, lead corporate communications for Microsoft has just tweeted an image of an email between Brad Smith and Kent Walker (Google's General Counsel) that appears to corroborate the claims that Microsoft wanted to team up with El Goog.

Clearwire adding 120Mbps 'LTE Advanced-ready' technology to its holdings, restates commitment to WiMAX

Posted: 03 Aug 2011 01:36 PM PDT

Is it really fall? We can't say for certain that this is what Dan Hesse was referring to when he told us face-to-face that something spectacular would be coming our way a bit later in the year, but Clearwire definitely just announced its intent to add "LTE Advanced-ready" technology to its 4G network. In what'll likely go down as the most shocking mobile news this side of the proposed T-Mobile / AT&T merger, America's biggest WiMAX fan has finally caved to the realities of the next-gen wireless war: LTE's winning, and it's picking up all sorts of steam. Verizon Wireless has been building out LTE at a breakneck pace, and soon enough, Ma Bell (and presumably, T-Mob) will be following suit. According to the bizarrely worded release, Clearwire will be leveraging "deep spectrum resources and an all-IP network to meet long-term mobile broadband demands." Translation? An "unmatched LTE network" capable of serving current and future wholesale / retail customers.

We're told that the initial LTE rollout will target "high-demand areas of current 4G markets," taking advantage of existing 4G infrastructure in order to reduce expenditures. For those curious about transmission rates, you can look forward to download speeds exceeding 120Mbps (or so it says). In a telling quote, Dr. John Saw, Clearwire's Chief Technology Officer, confesses:

"This is the future of mobile broadband. Our extensive trial has clearly shown that our 'LTE Advanced-ready' network design, which leverages our deep spectrum with wide channels, can achieve far greater speeds and capacity than any other network that exists today. Clearwire is the only carrier with the unencumbered spectrum portfolio required to achieve this level of speed and capacity in the United States. In addition, the 2.5GHz spectrum band in which we operate is widely allocated worldwide for 4G deployments, enabling a potentially robust, cost effective and global ecosystem that could serve billions of devices. And, since we currently support millions of customers in the 2.5 GHz band, we know that our LTE network won't present harmful interference issues with GPS or other sensitive spectrum bands."

No doubt, that closer there is a direct shot at the dilemmas faced by LightSquared -- a company that Sprint curiously just inked a partnership deal with. It's hard to envision how this unholy love triangle's going to play out, but the company's making it quite clear that its LTE network will be "LTE-Advanced-ready," enabling it to have a leg-up on the laggards here in the States. The dirty little secret in all of this is that Clearwire's still waiting on "additional funding" to fully implement its LTE desires, which involve the use of multicarrier, or multichannel, wideband radios that will be carrier aggregation capable. As you'd likely expect, the company closed with a restatement of its support to the existing WiMAX network, but it's practically a guarantee that you've seen the last expansion effort on that one. In case you've been looking the other way, Clearwire hasn't produced plans for a new WiMAX market in all of 2011. Now you know why.
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Clearwire Announces Intent to Add LTE to Its Network to Accelerate Wholesale Business

* Company Will Leverage Deep Spectrum Resources and All-IP Network to Meet Long-Term Mobile Broadband Demands
* Unmatched LTE Network Capable of Serving Current and Future Wholesale and Retail Customers
* Initial LTE Rollout Will Target High-Demand Areas of Current 4G Markets, Leverage Existing 4G Infrastructure for Minimal Capital Expense
* Download Speeds Exceed 120 Mbps in Successful Network Technology Trial
* Support for WiMAX 4G Network Technology to Continue

KIRKLAND, Wash, Aug. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq:CLWR), a leading provider of 4G wireless broadband services in the United States, today announced its intent to add "LTE Advanced-ready" technology to its 4G network. The announcement follows the successful completion of 4G technology trials that achieved download speeds exceeding 120 Mbps and demonstrated the potential of Clearwire's unmatched spectrum advantage.

The initial implementation of Clearwire's LTE network would target densely populated, urban areas of Clearwire's existing 4G markets where current 4G usage demands are high. The robust all-IP infrastructure already deployed in these markets can be leveraged to serve the company's LTE needs, delivering significant capital cost savings compared to a similar overlay by other carriers of an existing 3G architecture.

"Clearwire plans to raise the bar again for mobile broadband service in the United States," said John Stanton, Clearwire's Chairman and interim CEO. "Our leadership in launching 4G services forced a major change in the competitive mobile data landscape. Now, we plan to bring our considerable spectrum portfolio to bear to deliver an LTE network capable of meeting the future demands of the market."

"This is the future of mobile broadband," said Dr. John Saw, Clearwire's Chief Technology Officer. "Our extensive trial has clearly shown that our 'LTE Advanced-ready' network design, which leverages our deep spectrum with wide channels, can achieve far greater speeds and capacity than any other network that exists today. Clearwire is the only carrier with the unencumbered spectrum portfolio required to achieve this level of speed and capacity in the United States."

"In addition, the 2.5 GHz spectrum band in which we operate is widely allocated worldwide for 4G deployments, enabling a potentially robust, cost effective and global ecosystem that could serve billions of devices," Saw added. "We anticipate that the economies of scale derived from this global ecosystem will act as a catalyst for the development of thousands of low-cost devices and applications. And, since we currently support millions of customers in the 2.5 GHz band, we know that our LTE network won't present harmful interference issues with GPS or other sensitive spectrum bands."

Clearwire also noted that since launching its first 4G market in 2009, video has become the largest component of the company's overall data traffic and video traffic itself has increased more than tenfold since 2009. The company believes that as more video-intensive smartphones and services rise, so will the needs for Clearwire's high-capacity 4G wholesale network.

LTE Advanced is a 4G technical standard that calls for peak download mobile speeds of at least 100 Mbps, which far exceeds today's commercial networks. Clearwire's LTE network will be "LTE Advanced-ready" meaning that it will use an ultra-high-capacity spectrum configuration that is superior to the typical configuration of the slower, more capacity-constrained commercial LTE network designs in the United States of today.

Clearwire's LTE implementation plan, which is subject to additional funding, contemplates deploying Time Division Duplex (TDD) LTE technology and reusing its flexible all-IP network architecture and upgrading base station radios and some core network elements, which offers significant capital savings. This will include the use of multicarrier, or multichannel, wideband radios that will be carrier aggregation capable. Carrier aggregation is a key feature of LTE Advanced that will enable Clearwire to further leverage its vast spectrum depth to create larger "fat pipes" for deploying mobile broadband service. The network would position Clearwire as the clear leader in 4G mobile broadband technology, capable of serving the current and anticipated future demands of wholesale and retail customers.

Clearwire, together with some of the largest wireless carriers in the world, is a founding member of the Global TDD LTE Initiative (GTI) which aims to bring together leading industry partners to steer the TDD LTE ecosystem as a major standard in mobile broadband technology and drive the development of next generation mobile broadband networks. Member companies that currently support more than a billion subscribers on their networks believe that a global LTE standard has the potential to achieve significant economies of scale and serve hundreds of millions of customers worldwide.

Clearwire also restated its commitment to its existing 4G WiMAX network, which covers approximately 132 million people while serving 7.65 million retail and wholesale customers and an ecosystem of nearly 110 WiMAX enabled devices, including all 4G phones currently offered by Sprint. Clearwire expects to end 2011 with approximately 10 million 4G customers.
at 11:18 AM

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