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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

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Sony VAIO SB Series review

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 11:00 AM PDT

We hate to break it to you, dear readers, but we're in the throes of back to school season. In a few short weeks, lots of wide-eyed freshmen will be setting up their dorm rooms and begging off name games during orientation, which means they (and their generous parents) are stocking up on gear now. We've been testing a bunch of budget and mid-range laptops aimed at young folk and pretty much any other mainstream consumer who'd happily forgo some bells and whistles in exchange for a lower price. So why not start with a review of one of the best? Sony's VAIO SB series is the 13-inch laptop for the kindele who can't afford the VAIO Z, or even the slimmed-down SA series. It offers good specs for the money, a bright, matte display, a solid keyboard, long battery life and a (mostly) well-built design. And while we try not to spoil our reviews, we'll say this: it's one of our favorite mid-range Windows laptops, period. How much do we like the SB? Join us as we count the ways.
Sony VAIO SB Series review

Look and feel

It can be tough getting all of those VAIO S series notebooks straight, so before we dive in we'll go ahead and set the record straight: this here VAIO SB is the same 13.3-inch VAIO S series laptop Sony brought stateside this spring. It's not -- we repeat, not -- the slightly slimmer, higher-end SA series Sony introduced in May, after the SB laptops were already on sale.

Sony decked out the 0.95-inch thick SB series in a familiar matte magnesium alloy casing that doesn't exactly mask fingerprints, but at least makes them less conspicuous. The lid, also available in white, bubble gum pink and an arresting blue, has an ever-so-slightly textured feel and that same 'ol chrome VAIO logo, emblazoned across the center in large lettering. (Unlike other companies -- ahem, Dell! -- Sony isn't charging a premium for colors that aren't black.) Clearly, Sony hasn't taken any big design risks, and we suspect that's just fine by those customers who already swear by the VAIO brand.

And there are plenty of other ways in which the SB series looks like VAIOs of yesteryear: it's got dedicated switches for turning on WiFI and toggling between "speed" and "stamina" modes; a power button and DC port that glow orange or green depending on whether the laptop is asleep; and dedicated keys for launching the default browser, VAIO Assist, and VAIO Care. And if you've ever seen a VAIO, you know all those buttons and switches are labeled with large, sans serif lettering. We've always been of the mind that this clutters the chassis and can make an otherwise cutting-edge laptop look dated. Judging by Sony's unflinching judgment, though, we gather there are lots of you who don't mind it.


For the most part, the 3.8-pound laptop feels sturdy, though we have to say we were a tad disappointed by the uneven build quality -- something VAIO stalwarts often swear by. Let's start with the good news: the palm rest feels rigid when you hold the 13.04 x 8.84 x 0.95-inch frame one-handed. But, we noticed that even when we set the laptop down lightly, the lid wobbled forward and back -- something we noted on the VAIO Z as well. Once we saw that, we started comparing the display to those belonging to other laptops we happen to have lying around, including an HP Pavilion dv6t, a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 and a year-old MacBook Pro. Indeed, if you apply some finger pressure to the VAIO SB's screen, you'll see it gives way a whole lot more than any of these other models.

As Apple is wont to do, Sony stacked all of the ports and slots on one side, save for a DVD burner and headphone jack on the other -- a potentially crowded, impractical arrangement. Does anyone really want all of their peripherals growing out of the same general area? For what its worth, the group of ports you'll find on the SB's right side is pretty comprehensive, with two USB 2.0 sockets (and one of the 3.0 variety) on board, along with HDMI and VGA output and an Ethernet jack. Moving along, there's also a VGA webcam tucked in the bezel. And for some reason, Sony continues to separate its SD slot from MagicGate -- that is, the one that accepts Sony's own Memory Stick format. An odd choice, we think, but not one that's going to inconvenience you.

Keyboard and Trackpad



As with everything else, Sony hasn't mucked around with its chiclet keyboard. And why should it? The company has long since shifted toward island-style keys, and has had plenty of time to get it right. The backlit panel feels solid, typing is quiet, and Sony also didn't dare shrink essential keys, such as Backspace or either Shift button. The keys themselves also have a soft, matte finish that matches the material used in the chassis and palm rest, a design choice that gives the SB a reassuringly uniform look.

Still, if you're looking for pillowy, tactile keys, you might be disappointed. We said this with the VAIO Z and we'll say it here, too: while the keys aren't uncomfortable to type on (far from it!) they're shallower than most. There's simply less travel with these keys than, say, the MacBook Pro's, though if you're already used to typing on a chiclet keyboard, the learning curve should be gentle.

While playing with the SB, we became keenly aware of how much we've missed touch buttons. We've tested many a laptop with a buttonless trackpad, and more often than not, we've felt underwhelmed by the user experience. Too many instances of the pad mistaking a left click for a right one -- something Synaptics, the leading provider of this technology, says varies depending on the manufacturer. Regardless of who's to blame, it's no fun having a navigation device that doesn't do what you want it to. So -- getting to the point -- the SB's buttons feel tremendous, and provide just the right amount of tactile feedback. They're neither too stiff nor too mushy, and they make a satisfying, low-pitched click.

As for the pad itself, it feels cool and is made of the same magnesium-alloy as the chassis, but using it can be a somewhat exhausting experience; there's a bit too much friction, and you might struggle to make the cursor go where you want it to. We had one vexing episode where the pad simply wouldn't obey us. As we dragged our cursor across the screen, it registered clicks on objects, even when we hadn't pressed one of the touch buttons.

Display and Sound


It might not surprise you that a mid-range $1,000 laptop like this has run-of-the-mill 1366 x 768 resolution. What you might find refreshing, though, is that it comes with a matte, 13.3-inch panel that makes it easy to watch movies from severe side angles or with the lid dipped forward. Believe us when we say that after testing so many laptops with glossy displays, the SB's bright, yet glare-free panel felt like a revelation.

The speakers deliver tinny sound, making even "Rapper's Delight" sound metallic. And although we've more or less resigned ourselves to mediocre audio quality in laptops -- particularly smaller, less expensive ones -- we're pretty sure you can do better, especially with HP loading all of its notebooks up with Beats Audio.

Performance and graphics

Our $999 configuration came with a 2.3GHz Core i5-2410M processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive. That particular CPU, as you might know, can be sped up to 2.9GHz when duty calls. For the money, this configuration also comes with switchable graphics, with an Intel card on the integrated side and an AMD Radeon HD 6470M with 512MB video memory on the discrete. Note that this system does not have NVIDIA's Optimus technology (since there's no NVIDIA card and all), which means although you don't have to restart the system to switch cards, you will have to do it manually and wait a second or two for the change to take.

All told, we had no problem jumping from tab to tab in Chrome, checking email, streaming YouTube videos and chatting with friends, all while downloading and installing programs. The SB also boots in 50 seconds, which is reasonable for a Windows 7 laptop, especially one without an SSD. The fan can get noisy sometimes, though, which is something we complained about when we reviewed the bigger, more expensive VAIO Z. For what we'd call mainstream use, it'll do just fine, and we suspect that's all parents buying this for their children really want to hear.

But for those who care about benchmarks, it's worth noting that while the SB's scores are respectable, they're not too hot either. With or without the discrete graphics card enabled, its PCMark Vantage score falls more than 4,000 points behind the new MacBook Air, which doesn't even have a standard voltage processor (it does have an SSD, though). The Air's integrated graphics card also beats the SB's in 3DMark06, although the SB pulls ahead when you enable discrete graphics. Again, the performance is just fine for basic tasks, and if an optical drive is a must-have, then the SB is easily one of our favorite laptops on the market, hands down. But if you can do without physical media, you could get faster performance for a similar price.


PCMarkVantage 3DMark06
 Battery Life
Sony VAIO SB series (2.3GHz Core i5-2410M, Intel HD Graphics 3000 / AMD Radeon HD 6470M) 5,129 (stamina mode) / 5,636 (speed mode) 3,609 (stamina) / 5,128 (speed)

3:39 (speed) / 5:11 (stamina)

Extended battery: 9:49 (speed) / 12:21 (stamina)
Early 2011 MacBook Pro with a 2.2GHz Core i7-2720QM CPU and AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics (we reviewed the 15-inch version) 8,041 10,262 Ran a different test
2011 Sony VAIO Z (2.7GHz Core i7-2620M, Intel HD Graphics 3000 / AMD Radeon HD 6650M) 11,808 / 11,855 4,339 / 7,955 4:15 / 8:43
2011 MacBook Air (1.7GHz Core i5-2557M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 9,484 4,223 4:12
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 (2.5GHz Core i5-2520M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 7,787 3,726 3:31 / 6:57
Samsung Series 9 (1.4GHz Core i5-2537M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 7,582 2,240 4:20
ThinkPad X220 (2.5GHz Core i5-2520M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 7,635 3,517 7:19
ASUS U36Jc (2.53GHz M460, NVIDIA GeForce 310M) 5,981 2,048 / 3,524 5:30
Toshiba Portege R705 (2.26GHz Core i3-350M, Intel HD Graphics 3000) 5,024 1,739 / 3,686 4:25
Notes: the higher the score the better. For 3DMark06, the first number reflects score with GPU off, the second with it on.

Battery Life

Not bad! And we should know: we ran our battery test four times: twice with the sheet battery, twice without, and once each time with the switch flipped to either "Stamina" or "Speed." (For the uninitiated, our battery test involves playing the same movie on repeat with WiFi on and the brightness set to 65 percent.) With just the primary six-cell battery and the system set to "Stamina," we managed five hours and eleven minutes. That time sank to three hours and thirty-nine minutes when we switched to the performance-driven "Speed" mode.

Needless to say, that extended battery works wonders. Set to speed mode, it made it nine hours and forty-nine minutes with four percent juice left at the end. In stamina mode, it lasted twelve hours and twenty-one minutes, again crapping out with four percent charge remaining.


Wireless Display

The SB also supports the second-generation of Intel's Wireless Display technology, which lets you wirelessly mirror your screen on and stream 1080p movies to an HDTV. To do this, you'll need a third-party adapter that connects to your TV or monitor via HDMI. Though some notebooks, particularly Best Buy exclusives, come with a complementary adapter thrown in, the SB requires you to buy it separately. Street prices vary, of course, but Netgear's Push2TV HD, for one, rings in at well under $100 at many retailers.

If you'll recall, when we tested Intel's Wireless Display 2.0 technology with the Toshiba Satelite E305, we found that the adapter was easy to install, and the accompanying WiDi interface is wholly self-explanatory. The 1080p video was also pretty smooth, though you'll want to keep the laptop out of sight while you watch on a bigger screen, as the two will not be out of sync by a second or two.

Configuration options

The configurable version of the SB series starts at $899 under the moniker VPCSB190X. For that price, you'll get a 2.1GHz Core i3-2310M CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB 5400RPM hard drive, DVD burner and Intel integrated graphics coupled with that same AMD Radeon 6470M card and 512MB video memory. This is the only graphics option available.

Ready to upgrade this thing? You can opt for a Core i5-2410M ($80) or an i5-2520M CPU ($130). When it comes to hard drives, you've got two more 5400RPM options -- a 500GB and 750GB -- along with a 500GB 7200RPM number. Other upgrades include a Blu-ray player ($100) or burner ($400), while that sheet battery is on sale for a promotional price of $75 (it regularly costs $150).

And then there's a near-identical VAIO laptop on sale exclusively at Best Buy. This one, dubbed the VPCSC1AFM (see the more coverage link at the bottom of this post), has the same design, for all intents and purposes, along with the same processor, graphics card, memory count, hard drive, Blu-ray player and Intel Wireless Display technology as the SB series laptop we're reviewing today. And, it includes a 4G radio and a WiDi adapter -- something you'll have to purchase as a separate peripheral if you configure yours through Sony. All this for $979.99. Just sayin', friends.

The competition


Sony has come out and said that the SB series is meant to compete directly with the 13-inch MacBook Pro. So let's take the company up on that claim and dig into it, shall we? For starters, the 13-inch MBP starts at $1,199, $300 higher than the entry-level SB series. For the money, you'll get the same 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 1280 x 800 display, integrated Intel graphics, a 320GB 5400RPM hard drive and a non-removable battery that promises up to seven hours of battery life. It also has two USB 2.0 ports, a Thunderbolt socket, FireWire 800, an Ethernet jack, SD card slot and headphone and mic ports, along with a DVD burner. Although we haven't had a chance to test the two laptops' batteries head to head, it's clear that the VAIO SB offers the same (and sometimes better) specs for less money. The MBP also weighs more, at 4.5 pounds. You might still pay more for the MacBook Pro because you prefer Mac OS X (or at least, Macs' industrial design). Just don't fool yourself into thinking you're getting superior innards for those extra Benjamins.

And though the new MacBook Airs weren't around when Sony dreamed up the SB series, it's still worth comparing the two, since the 13-inch Air replaces the 'ol white plastic MacBook as Apple's entry-level 13-inch laptop. To recap, the 13-inch Air starts at $1,299 with an ultra low voltage 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. It has no discrete graphics option or optical drive, and is much thinner than the SB series, at 0.68 inches thick. The tradeoff, then, is that although the SB series weighs more, it offers standard voltage processors, more RAM and storage space to start (but not in the form of an SSD), along with an optical drive. We'll be honest: we're enamored with both -- albeit, for a different combination of reasons. The SB is less expensive and offers an optical drive (something some of us want), along with more ports and storage space. The Air is pricier, of course, but for those who can swing the cost and won't miss DVDs, it's skinnier, lighter, faster and offers slightly better integrated graphics performance (or so say the benchmarks, anyway).


But Sony's wrong to think this is just a two-horse race between the S Series and Apple's lineup. There's a whole market full of 13-inch PCs out there. Though it has a 14-, not 13-inch screen, we'd be remiss if we didn't touch on the HP Envy 14, just because it's a similarly sized laptop that starts at a comparable price of $999. Like many of the others listed here, it starts with the same 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, but it steps up to a 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, 6GB of RAM, an eight-cell battery and AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics with a full gigabyte of dedicated video memory. It, too, has a backlit keyboard, and its basic warranty lasts two years, not one. We haven't yet reviewed the version with Sandy Bridge, so we can't say how the battery life compares to the SB's -- and we also can't vouch for its touchpad, which has been the Achilles heel for many an HP notebook we've tested. That said, on paper, at least, the Envy 14 can give the VAIO SB a run for its money.

And yes, there are laptops that arguably best the SB series when it comes to specs. Take the new Gateway ID47, for example. Depending on whether you're in the US or Canada, you'll find different configurations. Actually, there's just one available in the states, but it's a good example of what you can get for less money. For $700, you get the same 2.3GHz Core i5 CPU as our SB review unit, along with the same memory count (4GB) and a 500GB 5400RPM hard drive. We can't predict taste, of course, but we have a feeling some people would prefer the 4.6-pound metal-clad ID series, especially since it crams a 14-inch panel into a chassis normally reserved for 13-inch systems. And yes, the resolution there is also 1366 x 768, but some will appreciate the fact that the bezel takes up so much less space. The biggest drawback could be that it packs Intel integrated graphics, whereas the VAIO SB offers switchable cards for a starting price that's $200 higher.

Software


We'd say the SB comes with more bundled software than your typical laptop. That's largely thanks to VAIO Gate, a dock that sits on top of the screen with a small flap showing, and flies down when you hover your cursor over it. If you've seen a Dell laptop in recent years, you'll know what we mean when we say it's kind of like Dell Dock. It's really just a row of shortcuts to your favorite apps. We can see where this may have improved the user experience back during the Vista era, but even then folks were free to customize the Start Menu and desktop. Now that we've moved on to Windows 7, though, having this dock layered on top of the OS doesn't make sense -- not when you can just pin programs, along with websites and files. In any case, if it's not your thing, you can uninstall it.

Other than that, the SB series comes loaded with a mix of VAIO-branded programs and your typical roster of third-party apps, including Microsoft Office 2010 and Norton Internet Security. Sony's own software includes Evernote for VAIO, VAIO Messenger, VAIO Smart Network, VAIO Help and Support and VAIO Care, which we mentioned earlier. As you might have noticed, the computer booted quickly even with these programs on board, and we'd add that Sony's utilities were generally less intrusive than, say, the ones we've seen bundled on HP laptops.

Wrap-up

In general, we tread carefully when someone asks us, "What laptop should I buy?" People have different budgets and performance needs, and there's also no accounting for taste. There's no absolute answer, and that's why we're thankful there are so many models to choose from.

But the VAIO SB is a rare laptop that we've been recommending left and right. The price is right for so many people, as is the performance, design and long battery life. This notebook is going to please a lot of people -- not just students, but many a mainstream user as well. Simply put, this is one of our favorite 13-inchers with an optical drive. We do think that those who can live without DVDs might prefer the MacBook Air, as it's thinner, lighter and has a faster solid-state drive (albeit, with fewer gigabytes to spare). Other than that caveat, though, there's no reason why the SB shouldn't be on your shortlist if all you're after is the elusive laptop that performs well, weighs very little and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Visualized: 3D3 Solutions scans our face in two seconds flat

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:41 AM PDT

See that bloke? That's Darren Murph. Well, a digital representation of the human version, anyway. That image was captured in two painless seconds at the hands of 3D3 Solutions, which was on-hand here at SIGGRAPH to demonstrate its newest FlexScan setups. The rig that snapped our face rings up at around $10,000, and relies on a Canon DSLR (strictly for capturing textures), a projector and a secondary camera. As you've likely picked up on, this is hardly designed for average DIYers, but these solutions are also far more detailed and flexible than using Microsoft's Kinect. We're told that the company recently started to support Nikon cameras as well, and for those who'd prefer to use their existing cameras / PJs, a hobbyist-centric software package will allow you to do just that. The only problem? Figuring out where the $2,700 (for software) is going to come from. Head on past the break for a demonstration vid, or peruse the gallery below if you're feeling extra creepy.
3D3 Solutions scans our face in two seconds flat at SIGGRAPH

Show full PR text
3D3 Solutions demonstrates high-speed 3D face scanning at Vancouver Siggraph Exhibition August 9-11, 2011

BURNABY, BC, July 26, 2011 – 3D3 Solutions, a cutting-edge developer of 3D scanning technologies, will be exhibiting at Siggraph 2011, the year's most comprehensive exhibition of products and services for computer graphics and interactive techniques. The company is excited to offer attendees at the conference free 3D face scanning demonstrations at their booth #879.

The face scanning process involves using a 3D scanner to capture an accurate 3D mesh and color texture directly from a human face. The output is especially useful in the video games, visual effects and medical imaging industry. 3D3 Solutions will feature the HDI 3D Scanner to demonstrate live face scanning at Siggraph. Their scanner uses white-light technology to capture high-resolution, color 3D scan in less than 1.4 seconds. Attendees will be provided with the 3D data of their face scans for personal use.

3D3 Solutions offers 3D scanning systems that are flexible in capturing human shapes, art sculptures, and mechanical parts for industrial inspection. 3D3 Solutions has also worked with a number of leading game companies and universities on developing custom high-speed 3D face scanners. In the latest development, the company's custom face scanner is capable of performing a 3D scan every 0.2 seconds. "People have a tendency to move just by breathing alone and movement affects scan quality," said Thomas Tong, President of 3D3 Solutions. "With the ability to generate 3D scans almost instantaneously, users will have cleaner, high quality scan data to work with."

Please visit booth #879 at Siggraph 2011 to learn more about 3D3 Solutions' 3D scanning technology.

About 3D3 Solutions
3D3 Solutions is a cutting edge developer of 3D scanning and visualization technologies. 3D3 Solutions' mission is to offer affordable 3D scanning systems that are versatile across many applications using their expertise in white light scanning technology and the latest digital measurement advancements. For more information, please visit www.3d3solutions.com.

AT&T: no LTE smartphone until late 2011

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:20 AM PDT

Not exactly a huge surprise here considering that the carrier is still just getting its LTE network off the ground, but AT&T has now confirmed that it won't be offering any LTE-capable smartphones until late this year (LTE data cards will apparently come sometime before that). Put another way, however, that also confirms that AT&T will be offering at least one LTE smartphone before year's end. That word comes from AT&T's senior vice president for mobility and consumer markets, Pete Ritcher, who also continued to talk up the company's HSPA+ network, noting that it has been working to get the most out of it as it waited for LTE handsets to mature, and that it will let customers "fall back to faster speeds than our competitors" when they do eventually make the jump to LTE.

Logitech trots out another keyboard case, this time for the Galaxy Tab 10.1

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT

You might have noticed that accessory makers have a habit of churning out stuff for iDevices first and everything else second. Specifically, though, we're noticing that in the world of tablets, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is fast becoming companies' No. 2 once they've gotten the iPad squared away. Take Logitech, for example. The company just announced a keyboard case for Samsung's deliciously thin slate -- a near facsimile of the one it released for the iPad a few months back. To recap, this isn't your garden-variety folio case with a keyboard and kickstand, but rather, an aluminum lid with a full 'board lining the interior. Logitech also attempts to justify the steep $99.99 price with shortcut keys for copying and pasting and cushioned corners that offer a modicum of protection in the event of a drop. But does that make it worth it? We'll leave that to your and your wallet.

Meizu MX now aiming for end-of-September release, coming in dual-core and quad-core flavors

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 09:29 AM PDT

We weren't expecting to hear anything about the Meizu MX so soon, but as always, CEO Jack Wong loves surprises. Earlier today, our main man quietly mentioned on his forum that his upcoming 4-inch Android phone will now be released in China at the end of September (around the same time as the next iPhone event?), meaning we won't have to wait till the end of the year to see all the goodies. What's even more interesting, though, is that there will be two MX variants: the 16GB version comes with a dual-core chip, while the 32GB version will sport a quad-core beast.

While it all sounds dandy, we're not entirely sure which quad core chip gets to cuddle with the MX next month, as Samsung (a known buddy of Meizu), Qualcomm and even ARM aren't expecting quad core chips until 2012 the earliest, whereas NVIDIA's Kal-El is due to debut in tablets only this month. Well, we shall find out in a few weeks. As for the rest, Jack also confirmed that the MX will still have a removable back cover, though it'll now sport a micro-USB port instead of the aging mini-USB socket -- a bold move in a country where the latter is still commonly used. Anyhow, for now, enjoy the latest batch of MX patent drawings in the gallery below.
Meizu MX now aiming for end-of-September launch, coming in dual-core and quad-core flavors

Engadget's back to school guide 2011: televisions

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we're settling down in front of a few of our favorite HDTVs, but you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the series we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here!


The bad news is that unless you chose your major very carefully, your assignments will not often include a directive to plop down in front of the TV for any large amount of time. The good news, however, is that you'll probably end up doing plenty of that anyway, so whether you're zoning out to some reality TV drama, enjoying an enlightening documentary, or playing video games in the dorm, you'll want a nice set to watch on. Jump past the break for our recommendations, and another opportunity to enter our back to school giveaway. Simply leave a comment below to be entered to win, and head over to our giveaway page for more details.



On the cheap


Panasonic TC-L32C3

Look, you don't need any of those slick connected features, tricked out remotes or super high specs. Plug your laptop in via HDMI and enjoy some Hulu in between rounds of Rage. It's a TV, and that's what counts.

Key specs: 32-inches, 720p (1366x768), IPS LCD, 2 HDMI inputs

Price: $329 on Amazon

You might also like...



Vizio M221NV
The M220NV took this slot last fall and we saw no need to change things around now. This slightly refreshed model still brings Vizio Internet Apps including Netflix and Amazon, WiFi, and LED backlighting -- for $30 less than last year. Good luck finding something wrong with that.

$228 from Amazon


Sony NSX24GT1
Google TV's slow start is your gain, if you can
find one of these edge-lit LED HDTVs kicking around at clearance prices at your local store. When you're enjoying Honeycomb and Android apps on your TV this fall it'll seem like you spent a lot -- that you didn't will be our little secret.

$299 from Best Buy



Mid-range


Vizio E3D320VX

Vizio has owned this price category in sales, and the new E3D line bumps its specs with Vizio Internet Apps and 3D playback. Even if you don't want to spend a lot of cash, this set brings 32 inches of 3D gaming, movies and college football to your dorm, along with built-in Netflix streaming, for much less than five bills.

Key specs: 32-inch LED edge-lit LCD, 1080p, passive 3D (2 pairs of glasses), WiFi N, VIA, 60Hz, 3 HDMI inputs

Price: $448 on Amazon

You might also like...



Samsung PN43D450
Sure it's only 720p, but if you've got a couple feet to spare, you'll never notice the missing pixels on this plasma display. Just say you were creating space to play Kinect and you'll be enjoying eye-filling HD all year long.

$499 on Amazon


LG 32LK450
Need a slim display to match your skinny jeans? This 32-incher is less than 3 inches deep and still cranks out a picture to match any of the other models on the shelf. Plus, at this price you can still afford a few Blu-ray discs to watch on it.

$399 at Best Buy


Money's no object


Panasonic TC-P50GT30

Panasonic's GT30 series brings some of the best television technology available home at a stunningly low price.With its premium image quality plus a slew of configuration options why wait for graduation to live a higher-end lifestyle? One of these plasmas will make the move with you after the charms of dorm living have long worn off.

Key specs: 1080p, Viera Connect, WiFi ready, THX mode, Full HD 3D, 4 HDMI inputs

Price: $1099 on Amazon

You might also like...



LG 55LW5600
If an LCD is more your speed, this one checks all the feature boxes and does it in style. It commands a premium price but delivers premium features with a WiFi dongle, 3D and apps.
Deal pricing at local retailers like Fry's can make this one an even easier choice.

$1,419 on Amazon


Samsung UN46D6400
Samsung also has some excellent plasma options available, but if you want to pack in the most features for your dollar -- LED, 120Hz, 3D, ultra thin bezel, 4 HDMI inputs and apps -- this one is in the sweet spot. Jumping up or down a model snags extra benefits like built-in WiFi or an integrated web browser.

$1,135 on Amazon


Engadget's Back to School Giveaway
Official Rules
No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

Eligibility: Engadget's Back to School Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Employees of Weblogs Inc. LLC, AOL Inc., their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaways, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Giveaways (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S., federal, state and local and Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void in Quebec, Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

Sponsor: The Giveaway is sponsored by Weblogs Inc. LLC, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 ("Sponsor").

Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins at 12PM ET on August 2, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011 (the "Giveaway Period"). The Giveaway Period shall be divided into fifteen (15) separate Entry Periods:

Entry Period 1 begins at 12PM ET on August 2, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 2 begins at 12PM ET on August 2, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 3 begins at 12PM ET on August 3, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 4 begins at 12PM ET on August 5, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 5 begins at 12PM ET on August 8, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 6 begins at 12PM ET on August 10, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 7 begins at 12PM ET on August 12, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 8 begins at 12PM ET on August 15, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 9 begins at 12PM ET on August 17, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 10 begins at 12PM ET on August 19, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 11 begins at 12PM ET on August 22, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 12 begins at 12PM ET on August 24, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 13 begins at 12PM ET on August 26, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 14 begins at 12PM ET on August 31, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.
Entry Period 15 begins at 12PM ET on September 2, 2011 and ends at 12PM ET on September 9, 2011.

Entry: During the Giveaway Period, go to http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/02/engadgets-back-to-school-2011-sweepstakes-were-giving-away-3/ and add a comment to submit your entry. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

Drawing: At the conclusion of the Giveaway Period, Sponsor will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner from each of the fifteen (15) Entry Periods in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the applicable Entry Period. Potential Winners will be contacted via email and asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Non-winning entries from one Entry Period do not carry over into subsequent Entry Periods.

Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") and IRS W-9 form within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release and W-9 form within the required time period, an alternate entrant may be selected in his/her place in a random drawing of all entries received. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use winner's name and likeness for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. In the event the potential winner of any prize is a Canadian resident, he/she will also be required to correctly answer a time-limited mathematical question to be administered by email, mail or phone to receive the prize. Limit one (1) prize per household.

Prizes: Fifteen (15) Grand Prize Winners will each receive a Back to School Prize Pack containing the following items: HP Pavilion dm1z laptop, Sony NEX-C3 digital camera, Samsung 7" Galaxy Tab, Motorola Photon 4G (Sprint) smartphone, Altec Lansing Octiv 650 speaker doc, Bowers & Wilkins C5 headphones, Nook E-reader, Timbuk2 Command Messenger bag, Elgato HDHomeRun TV tuner, Kingston Wi-Drive, 1-year Premium Spotify subscription, Scosche: goBAT II, iMainGo: X, G-Form 11" Extreme Sleeve, Canon X Mark I Mouse Lite, 1-year Premium Skype subscription, Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock, Red Swingline Stapler, Toddy Smart Cloth and Pogo Sketch. Approximate Retail Value of each Prize Pack is $3,151. Subscriptions are subject to issuer's terms and conditions. Activation fees and monthly service fees not included with any smartphone/digital devices. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize or portion of a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release, defend indemnify and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action, including without limitation, any third party claim, arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PRIZES AND ALL ELEMENTS THEREOF ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, some of the foregoing disclaimers may not apply to you insofar as they relate to implied warranties.

Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, Zach Honig, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by September 30, 2011.
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Apple's Samsung complaint reveals it's also suing Motorola over the Xoom

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 08:31 AM PDT

Yes, we've now reached the point in the ongoing Apple v. Samsung brouhaha where we're having lawsuits revealed within lawsuits. As spotted by FOSS Patents' Florian Mueller, Apple's recent complaint against Samsung that led to a preliminary injunction blocking sales of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Europe also contained a brief passage indicating that Apple is suing Motorola over the decidedly tablet-like Xoom as well. What's not clear, however, is whether Apple is also seeking an injunction against Motorola to block sales of the Xoom, but Mueller suggests that is indeed likely (Apple has also reportedly sued and received an injunction against local German tablet manufacturer JAY-tech). Of course, Apple and Motorola are no strangers to legal entanglements, but this is the first time we've seen things spread beyond phones to tablets.

TabCo answers your tablet questions with more questions

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 08:02 AM PDT

How to differentiate your tablet in an already severely overcrowded marketplace? Well, you could simply launch the best device out there -- or you could embark on a mystery campaign, answering a curious populace with cagey responses. Whoever is behind the TabCo tablet claims to have done both. The company, thus far best known for a series of befuddling YouTube videos, is set to make a full reveal on Monday. In the meantime, a representative has taken to GDGT to answer questions about the product -- sort of. There are bits and pieces of information scattered here and there, but the responses are mostly attempts not to "spoil" anything, followed by a promise that more will be revealed on August 15th.

Here's what the company will say, starting with the simplest first: TabCo is short for "Tablet Company," a business set to launch a new tablet in the US this month, followed by a roll out in some European countries come September. The company won't say whether the product is running some version of Android, but has promised that, whatever the OS is, the final form of the product will "offer a new way to interact with your device," including a "predictive UI" that apparently knows what you want to search for and buy before you tell it. The tablet has an SD slot, 3G and WiFi, and a "unique" physical design and resolution. There's no 3D or HTC Flyer-style pen functionality on the thing, however. Oh, and the build quality? TabCo says it's "as good or better than Nokia and Apple devices."

So, what is it? The new tablet from the people who brought you the Tabasco line of hot sauces? A big Improv Everywhere-style prank? An actual, you know, tablet? Lots and lots of viral-type videos for the international tablet of mystery after the break. And feel free to speculate your guts out in the comments

Organic Motion's OpenStage motion capture system grabs 200FPS, no backdrop required (video)

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 07:37 AM PDT

At just under $40,000 for an eight camera setup, we're hardly in hobbyist territory here, but Organic Motion's new OpenStage 2.0 motion capture system could certainly make do in the average basement. Unlike a few competing solutions shown here at SIGGRAPH, this one actually has no backdrop mandate, and better still, doesn't require you to latch a single sensor onto your subject. The magic lies within the cameras hung above -- kits are sold that contain between eight and 24 cameras, and even the latter can be handled with a single workstation. Multi-person tracking ain't no thang, and while you aren't capturing HD footage here, the high-speed VGA capability enables up to 200 frames per second to be logged. Not surprisingly, the company's aiming this squarely at the animation and medical realms, and should start shipping bundles as early as next month. Looking to take down Pixar? You'll need a lot more than 40 large, but perhaps the video after the break will give you a bit of inspiration.
Organic Motion's OpenStage motion capture system grabs 200FPS at SIGGRAPH


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Organic Motion Launches New Markerless Motion Capture System with Major New Capabilities

OpenStage® Delivers Multiple Actor Tracking, Increased Accuracy, No Backdrop, and More in-Demand Capabilities
SIGGRAPH 2011

VANCOUVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Organic Motion, Inc. today announced the release of its new markerless motion capture system – the first major upgrade to its award-winning computer vision platform. Branded OpenStage, the new feature-rich system is designed to meet the demanding and varied requirements of commercial animators, educators, and public exhibitors. OpenStage is being demonstrated at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver at Booth 579.

Based on proprietary computer vision software and high speed color cameras, OpenStage provides many important capabilities, including multiple actor tracking, basic prop tracking, no backdrop, larger scanning space, increased accuracy, portability, and other features. OpenStage fulfills the key requirements for preproduction, production, live entertainment, and educational needs.

"We are excited to unleash the power of our new computer vision software – taking away the backdrop, tracking multiple actors using props in larger spaces, all of course with no markers at all. OpenStage is our answer to the thousands of industry people who have requested more from our commercial systems," says Andrew Tschesnok, Organic Motion, CEO.

The Company expects OpenStage to gain traction with three audiences that most frequently need convenient, accurate, and flexible methods to capture human motion for 3D animation and related works:

Animation – A comprehensive motion capture solution, OpenStage is specifically designed for flexible, convenient, and accurate content creation and animation of multiple actors. OpenStage reduces the time and cost required to create 3D animations, and provides speed and flexibility for a range of previz projects.

Education – The ability to track multiple students simultaneously, combined with portability for use in different rooms around campus, makes OpenStage ideal for hands-on teaching and learning. Many schools have integrated Organic Motion's system into their gaming, animation, virtual reality, computer science, and life science classes.

Public Interactive Exhibits – The instant tracking of attendees in their regular clothes makes innovative exhibits possible for the science center and public exhibition market. Interactive agencies and their clients requested no backdrop and more flexible sizing to best enable OpenStage to serve hundreds of visitors daily.

Samsung Galaxy XCover gets uncovered in Germany, dares us to drop it in mud

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 07:13 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy lineup has become so diverse that nearly every demographic has at least one selection to choose from, with one clear exception: we haven't seen a rugged version. Samsung's hoping to fill that gaping hole by announcing the Galaxy Xcover, the world's first Android device with IP67 certification -- which means it can be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep and can hold its own against a continual onslaught of dirt and dust. The Xcover will offer Gingerbread out-of-box, and features a 3.6-inch scratch-resistant display, a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 7.2Mbps HSDPA. The company's still vague on the other details, such as pricing and availability; the only country announced so far is Germany, which should see the device sometime in October. We hope the device will have a wider distribution; we know for a fact Germans aren't the only folks on this Earth that are hard on their phones. Translated press release after the break.

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Water-resistant case meets social networking and Android ™ 2.3: The Samsung Galaxy Xcover

Tuesday, 9 August 2011

The combination of protective housing with IP67 certification, scratch-resistant touch screen display, Android and Samsung Social Hub ™ 2.3 makes the Samsung Galaxy Xcover the ideal device for users with an active lifestyle

Schwalbach / Ts., 9 August 2011 - With the Galaxy Xcover Samsung expands its range of rugged mobile phones for outdoor use. The device combines outdoor skills with the ability of a powerful smartphone.

Whether water, dust or hard surfaces: the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is well prepared against harmful environmental influences. This IP67 certified enclosure protects the unit against dust and dirt there. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover to a depth of one meter for a period is waterproof up to half an hour. The touch-screen display with a diagonal measurement of 9.27 cm is made of scratch-resistant tempered glass. The 3.2-megapixel camera of the Samsung Galaxy Xcover is supported by an LED photo light, which can be used when needed as a flashlight or signal light.

Smart through social networking apps and running the Samsung Galaxy Xcover with the Android ™ 2.3 platform and is using apps ideally suit her personal needs. Provide wireless connectivity for fast n-standard, and an HSDPA connection with a transfer rate of up to 7.2 Mbit / s.

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is available from October in the trade.

HDI 3D to ship new line of 3D projectors next year, we mortgage our homes

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 06:47 AM PDT

We were pretty impressed when we got the chance to gaze at HDI 3D's silky smooth, 43-inch 3D LCD last year, which is why our eyes widened when the company announced that it's begun producing a new line of 3D projectors, slated for release as early as 2012. First up in the awkwardly named Laser-Driven 2D/3D Switchable Dynamic Video Projector series is the LSS Pro 1 (pictured above) -- a tank that's powered by as many as two Laser-Drive Engines and capable of displaying both 2D and 3D images on HDI's 300 inch Laser Silver Screen. A full 100 of the systems will be available on February 14th as part of a pre-production run, but they certainly won't be cheap, with prices ranging from $55,000 to $85,000. As many as five similar models are expected to begin shipping by the end of next year, including the Industrial, Origami and Polygon. Beam past the break for more details in the press release, or check out our gallery to see the full lineup.
HDI 3D Laser-Driven 2D/3D Projectors
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HDI 3D Begins Manufacturing of High-Definition Laser-Driven 2D/3D Projectors for Home Theater, Corporate and Film Industry Applications

August 10, 2011 – Los Gatos, CA - HDI 3D announces it has begun manufacturing its line of proprietary and patented Laser-Driven 2D/3D Switchable Dynamic Video Projectors. HDI 3D projectors derive their stereoscopic 2K image-quality from dual 2K RGB laser-illuminated Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) micro display imagers. At 1080 frames per second, 360 color frames per second per eye, HDI 3D projectors offer the fasted 3D, as well as 2D, refresh rate in the world, while also delivering a laser color gamut up to 200% NTSC.

The first pre-production run of 100 hand-made-in-the-USA HDI 3D Model LSS Pro 1 Projectors will be available in mid-February 2012. As many as five other models are expected to be available by the end of 2012.

Designed for a multitude of fully immersive 3D applications, including home theater, professional screening rooms, corporate, systems integration, and more, HDI 3D Projectors are designed for compatibility with their own proprietary line of Laser Silver Screens in 120-inch, 200-inch and 300-inch diagonal models. The 120-inch diagonal screen offers 70 Foot Lambert in 2D and 35 Foot Lambert in 3D, and the 200 and 300-inch diagonal screens offer 35 Foot Lambert in 2D and 18 Foot Lambert in 3D.

HDI 3D has completely eliminated the adverse effects, such as migraines, dizziness, nausea, and motion sickness, long associated with inferior and expensive shutter glasses and substandard 3D technology. HDI 3D delivers the most immersive, comfortable, and natural 3D viewing experience in the world with low-cost and light-weight proprietary polarized glasses. Technology journalist Richard Hart called HDI 3D's picture quality, "the smoothest yet, and smoothness means no headaches," and Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers, stated, "Without a doubt, the best demonstration of 3D technology I have ever seen."

HDI 3D first announced their new laser-driven projection technology in September 2009 after three years of intensive R&D at a cost of, to date, approximately $6.7 million dollars in personal and private funding, with founder and CEO Ingemar Jansson as the primary investor. Recently Hollywood entertainment industry entities and leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and display technologies have expressed interest in partnering and/or investing to fast-track mass production of the HDI 3D projectors, especially for the home theater marketplace.

Nintendo to release Flame Red 3DS console next month, sunglasses not included

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 06:21 AM PDT

Better dust off your finest pair of shades, because this Flame Red Nintendo 3DS is on its way to the States. The console, which launched earlier this summer in Japan as the Red Flare, will hit stores next month (alongside the new Star Fox 64 3D game), joining a 3DS lineup that already features Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue. The company will also be releasing two new games this winter -- Super Mario 3D Land in November and Mario Kart 7 in December -- in the hopes of rectifying its disappointing Q2 earnings report with a strong holiday campaign. Only time will tell whether or not it has any effect on Nintendo's bottom line, but if you're interested in adding a touch of Santa-like cheer to your yuletide gaming season, you can grab a Flame Red console on September 9th, for $170. Find more information in the full PR, after the break.
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Nintendo Gets Fired up for the Holidays with New Flame Red Nintendo 3DS

New Color, New Price and Great Games Make Nintendo 3DS a Must-Have

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nintendo is making sure the holidays are hot this year with a new Flame Red version of its portable Nintendo 3DS™ system. The new color launches Sept. 9 alongside the new Star Fox 64™ 3D game, and comes on the heels of a new $169.99 suggested retail price, which goes into effect Aug. 12 in the United States. Flame Red joins Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue, so now shoppers have three distinct and fashionable colors to choose from.

"Nintendo 3DS is poised to be on fire for the holidays, with its new suggested retail price, great games and our new Flame Red color," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "With major upcoming releases in the Star Fox, Pokémon and Mario series, in addition to downloadable offerings from Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Video and Netflix, the system offers new and fun experiences to owners on a daily basis."

On the software side, third-party developers have lined up to deliver great new experiences that make use of the unique features of Nintendo 3DS.

"Nintendo 3DS is an amazing piece of technology that offers players incredible 3D games without the need for special glasses. Beyond that, it's an affordable dedicated gaming machine. Simply put, Nintendo 3DS is a fabulous device," said Laurent Detoc, President, North America, Ubisoft. "Ubisoft has been a big supporter of Nintendo 3DS since the beginning with eight Nintendo 3DS games released to date and another eight games coming out before the end of calendar year 2011."

Retailers are also anticipating a strong showing from Nintendo 3DS this holiday season.

"The new, lower Nintendo 3DS price combined with a hot new color and big-name games will entice even more Target guests to get their hands on this first-of-its-kind 3D gaming experience," said Nik Nayar, vice president of Merchandising, Target.

"GameStop customers were excited about the Nintendo 3DS launch, and this lower price point should spark additional demand," said GameStop President Tony Bartel. "With a solid back-half game lineup, the Nintendo 3DS price drop is well timed to drive consumer interest and purchases through the holiday season."

Nintendo is planning the release of two upcoming games starring its famous hero, Mario™, this holiday season. Super Mario™ 3D Land will launch in November, while Mario Kart™ 7 becomes available in December. Super Mario 3D Land is a new platforming game that takes full advantage of 3D graphics to deliver new puzzles, more precise jumping action and a remarkable new visual perspective on the Mushroom Kingdom. The game also marks the return of Mario's fan-favorite Tanooki Suit, which allows him to strike enemies with his tail and slowly descend after jumping. Mario Kart 7 is a new racing game that includes multiple characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, Kart customization and intense multiplayer action. Players can now race on land, sea and air, sail through the sky with the new hang glider feature and drive underwater in some stages. Both games are completely new and are designed specifically for the Nintendo 3DS system.

Since Nintendo 3DS launched in the United States on March 27, more than 830,000 units have been sold in the U.S. alone. Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo's most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

These free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once or performs a system update before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.

By the end of 2011, Nintendo will provide Ambassadors with 10 Game Boy™ Advance Virtual Console games. These include games like Yoshi's Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™. These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.

For more information about the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program, visit http://support.nintendo.com/3dsambassador. More details about this program will be announced in the future.

Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

*Online features require a broadband Internet connection. Netflix content is available to Netflix members who have an unlimited streaming plan.

Samsung Galaxy R officially announced for Europe and Asia, nobody surprised

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

That Samsung Galaxy R we've heard about? Yep, it's real. Not that it's much of a surprise to us, considering we've seen leaked press renders and even a four-minute video about the device, but Samsung and NVIDIA have finally banded together to give the "mystery phone" its official blessing. Here's the skinny: the Galaxy R will house a 1GHz Tegra 2 CPU, a 4.2-inch WVGA (800 x 480) Super Clear LCD, dual 5MP / 2MP cameras in the rear and front (respectively), and Gingerbread with Samsung's TouchWiz UI. The phone's already available in Sweden as the Galaxy Z, but it's finally on its way to parts of Europe and Asia (including China). No word on if or when we can plan on seeing the R in North America, but it's likely that its launch would be quickly obscured by its older brother, the Galaxy S II, if it made an appearance. A full press release and demo video can be found after the break for your enjoyment.



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NVIDIA and Samsung Expand GALAXY Smartphones with New GALAXY R Smartphone

World's Largest Android Smartphone Maker Ships First Tegra-Powered
Super Phone

Santa Clara, Calif. ­- Aug. 10, 2011-NVIDIA and Samsung Electronics announced the latest GALAXY smartphone, the GALAXY R, which sports a 4.19-inch screen, features the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 mobile super chip and the Android 2.3 (also known as Gingerbread) operating system.

Samsung's GALAXY smartphones are among the world's most popular handheld devices.

The GALAXY R gives more consumers the opportunity to enjoy the never-before-seen experiences enabled by Tegra, the world's first mobile processor with a dual-core CPU. The GALAXY R also features a GeForce™ GPU for fast Web browsing with hardware-accelerated Adobe Flash Player support, full HD video and console-quality gaming.

Using the GALAXY R, consumers can multitask efficiently, surf the Web quickly with fast-loading pages and Flash-based content and enjoy HD movies. They can also access Tegra-optimized games through the Tegra Zone app on Android Market.

"Samsung's newest super phone shows off Tegra's multimedia power, and is a great example of what consumers expect from one of the world's top phone makers," said Michael Rayfield, general manager of NVIDIA's mobile business.

The GALAXY R features:
· Tegra 2 super chip
· 4.19" WVGA Super Clear LCD touchscreen
· Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system
· 720p HD video capture and 1080p Full HD playback (Divx, WMV, MP4, H.264 B/P only)
· Built-in memory of 8GB and support for 32GB Micro SD
· Size: 125.7 x 66.7 x 9.55 mm
· Weight: 131 grams

The GALAXY R is available in Sweden, and is coming to other regions soon, including North & Eastern Europe, South East & West Asia, Middle East Asia, and China.

Panasonic outs Toughbook S10 with Sandy Bridge, USB 3.0, and 12.5-hour battery life

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

If you were Panasonic and had already whittled a 12-inch laptop down to three pounds while keeping the optical drive intact, what would your next move be? If you guessed make it manilla envelope-thin, you'd be wrong. The outfit just announced the Toughbook S10, and while it looks awfully similar to the three-pound S9 it's replacing, it ushers in a series of welcome (and predictable) changes on the inside. This time around, it steps up to a Sandy Bridge Core i5-2520M processor, 4GB of RAM, USB 3.0, and a battery that promises up to 12.5 hours of juice -- the longest in its class, according to Panasonic. Other I/O options include HDMI and VGA output, a USB 2.0 socket, and support for SDXC cards. Like the last generation, it can withstand a 2.5-foot operating drop, has a spill-resistant keyboard and shock-mounted 320GB hard drive, and can take more than 220 pounds of pressure on its lid and base. As always, though, 12.1-inch laptops with a built-in DVD drive and enough magnesium alloy armor to survive a fall from the conveyor belt don't come cheap: this bad boy will set you back no less than $2,449 when it hits stores next month.
Panasonic Toughbook S10
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PANASONIC UNVEILS TOUGHBOOK® S10 12" PC – A MERE THREE POUNDS WITH DVD DRIVE

The next-generation device features an enhanced processor and 12.5 hour standard battery life – the longest in its class

Secaucus, NJ, August 10, 2011 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today announced the Panasonic Toughbook® S10. Powered by an Intel® Core™ i5-2520M vPro™ processor, the Toughbook S10 delivers up to 12.5 hours of standard battery life – the longest in its class – and weighs only 3.0 pounds. The notebook offers optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and other enhancements to increase performance and drive return on investment. This lightweight device is ideal for road warriors and other highly mobile workers in a variety of markets.

Additional Enhancements for Improved Performance
Panasonic has designed the Toughbook S10 for the most demanding mobile users, offering exceptional battery life, connectivity, security features and performance. The Toughbook S10 also supports both USB 3.0 and 2.0, analog (VGA) and digital (HDMI) video and the latest SD card standard (SDXC) to enable faster file transfer speeds and greater flexibility. A host of security features, including an optional fingerprint reader, are available to keep your data protected and secured while on the road.

"The vast majority of business notebooks lack the durability to survive a hectic travel schedule; however, the Toughbook S10 is designed to address the needs of business professionals with the integration of security and remote management capabilities, protection against drops and spills, and exceptional performance and battery life," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. "The Toughbook S10 provides road warriors a reliable and lightweight device that allows them to work virtually anywhere."

Business-rugged Durability
In order to withstand a highly mobile work environment, the Toughbook S10 is designed to survive drops, bumps and spills. Due to its magnesium alloy case and shock-mounted flex-connect hard drive, the device can handle up to a 30" drop to the base of the unit while operating. The Toughbook S10 also features a spill-resistant keyboard that can protect against spills up to six ounces (200 cc).

Embedded Wireless Connectivity
The Toughbook S10 offers a variety of embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and optional Gobi2000™ 3G mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm, allowing workers to stay connected virtually all of the time.

Panasonic Toughbook S10: Select Features and Specifications
Genuine Windows 7® Professional (32-bit or 64-bit)
Intel® Core™ i5-2520M vPro™ Processor (2.5GHz)
Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
Intel® Smart Cache 3MB
320GB 5400rpm shock-mounted flex-connect hard drive
4-8GB RAM
12.1" widescreen WXGA (1280 x 800) LCD display with LED backlighting
Anti-glare screen treatment
12.5 hours of battery life with standard battery (MobileMark 2007)
3.0 lbs.
DVD drive
HDMI and VGA video outputs
Magnesium alloy case
Business-rugged1
30" operating drop (to base only)
26 sides 12" drop (non-operating)
220 lb compression-resistant
Spill-resistant keyboard/touchpad (protects against 6 ounce spills)
Embedded Connectivity
Optional Gobi™2000 3G mobile broadband
Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 2)
Integrated Security Features
o Cable lock slot

o Trusted platform module (TPM) security chip v.1.2

o Computrace® theft protection agent in BIOS®

o Intel® Anti-Theft technology

o Optional fingerprint reader

11.1" (H) x 8.3" (W) x 0.9-1.5" (D)

Pricing and Availability
In the United States, the Toughbook S10 is expected to be available in September 2011 from authorized Panasonic resellers starting at an estimated street price of $2,449.

The Toughbook S10 is backed with a three-year limited warranty, parts and labor.

Images of the Toughbook S10 can be found on the brand's Flickr page, and a post discussing mobile computing needs for road warriors can be found on the brand's blog - Toughbloggers.com.

Follow the Toughbook Brand
The Panasonic Toughbook brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and via our blog on mobile technology, Toughbloggers.com.


For more information on the Toughbook S10 and other Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.

Runco announces LightStyle LS-1 DLP projector, shines 1080p on your wall for $4,000

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 05:36 AM PDT


Runco is known for some seriously high-end projectors and this is its first foray beneath the $4,000 mark in order to reach a "previously untapped" market. The company is wrong if it thinks we don't already have DLP options well below that price point, but still, lowering its entry level is no bad thing -- especially when the LS-1 delivers a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, a sophisticated calibration system with day and night memory settings, and the option to upgrade to Runco's CineGlide anamorphic lens for the perfect 2.35:1 experience. Expect to see this thing dangling from joists from August 16th. Further details in the PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Runco's LightStyle Series Expands to Achieve their Most Affordable Price Point Ever

New LS-1 introduces Runco's high-quality, affordable projection to value-conscious customers looking for the very best performance.

Beaverton, OR – August 9, 2011 – Runco® is excited to announce the newest addition to its critically-acclaimed LightStyle™ Series DLP™ projectors, the LS-1. The LS-1 is a single-chip 1080p DLP projector that provides an unprecedented option to homeowners looking for the performance and flexibility of a Runco projector at a very attractive price point.

"With the introduction of the LS-1, we are able to bring the renowned Runco performance to a broader group of video enthusiasts," said Jennifer Davis, VP of Marketing at Runco. "Being able to hit this competitive price point enables our integrators more opportunities to sell to a large, previously-untapped market and for homeowners to enjoy the benefits owning a Runco brings."

The Runco LS-1 is an ideal alternative for homeowners who want a high performance video option for watching TV or movies, but also want the color depth and picture quality for console gaming (i.e., PlayStation, Wii or Kinect), internet browsing or streaming video and movies via a set-top box. The Runco LightStyle product line offers the greatest range of brightness and image performance for different rooms and needs.

"Runco's LightStyle Series allows us to deliver Runco performance to a new group of clients," said Brian Hudkins, president of Gramophone LTD. "The beauty of the LightStyle Series is that we have been able reach a larger customer base due to its affordability, without sacrificing performance OR reliability as these projectors meet the high quality standards of Runco."

The LS-1 uses Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology to deliver the best color and crisp detail available in this product class and combines Runco's SuperOnyx™ technology with ConstantContrast™ and ViVix™ proprietary digital video processing to achieve deep black levels and significant contrast, well above 10:000:1. The LS-1 also incorporates the ISF™ (Imaging Science Foundation) calibration suite for optimal performance in various rooms and lighting conditions. These calibration tools feature day and night calibration memory settings, individual sharpness and noise reduction controls, programmable image memory selection keys, built-in test patterns and a dark room-optimized remote.

Its sleek, glamorous design and customization options make the Runco LightStyle Series projectors the perfect solution to pair with a design-conscious homeowner. The LS-1 can be customized with Runco's FinishPalette™ which enables complete projector customization for the homeowner. FinishPalette adds full-color design options, including exact PMS color matching for any college or pro-sports teams, a gallery of artist impressions and the option to custom-print your own artwork. Complementing the FinishPalette offering are 25 hand-finished signature paint colors to compliment any décor.

The LS-1 is also available with Runco's CineGlide™ lens solution that enables a motorized, mechanical 2.35:1 anamorphic lens to move in front of the standard lens for perfect Scope reproduction. Runco CineGlide enables the viewer to switch from 16:9 content to 2.35:1 content, without black bars on the top or side of the image, with the touch of a button.

The MSRP of the LS-1 is $3,995 and will be available to Runco dealers on August 16th. All Runco displays feature a two-year RuncoCare™ standard warranty. Runco RedCarpet™ and PremierCare™ extended service options are also available. Runco's new LightStyle Series projectors are available exclusively through the best dealers in the home theater business - the Runco authorized dealer network. For more information about Runco or to find a local dealer in your area, please visit www.Runco.com.

Robot skin captures super detailed 3D surface images

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 05:10 AM PDT

Remember those awesome pin art toys where you could press your hand (or face) into the pins to leaving a lasting impression? Researchers at MIT have taken the idea one (or two) steps further with "GelSight," a hunk of synthetic rubber that creates a detailed computer visualized image of whatever surface you press it against. It works as such: push the reflective side of the gummy against an object (they chose a chicken feather and a $20 bill) and the camera on the other end will capture a 3-D image of the microscopic surface structure. Originally designed as robot "skin," researchers realized the tool could be used in applications from criminal forensics (think bullets and fingerprints) to dermatology. The Coke can-sized machine is so sensitive, it can capture surface subtleties as small as one by two micrometer in surface -- finally solving the mystery of who stole the cookies from the cookie jar. (Hint: we know it was you Velvet Sledgehammer).

Australia's first mobile network celebrates 30th birthday with a quiet night in

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 04:11 AM PDT

Why is this phone staring at the ground in dismay? Because it can't believe that it's been 30 years since it made history. On this day three decades ago, this 14 kilogram beast was used to place the very first call on Australia's very first mobile network -- the Public Automatic Telephone System, operated by Telstra (or Telecom, as it was known at the time). Back then, the network could only support 1,000 users at once and provide coverage for the greater Melbourne area (things have since changed for the better). The device, meanwhile, was known simply as The Mobile Phone and, in retrospect, wasn't all that mobile; the carphone system included a 45 centimeter handset, a transceiver and rooftop antenna -- all for a little over $5,000. It could also store a whopping 16 phone numbers and would notify users of incoming calls by sounding the car's horn and flashing its headlights. The Mobile Phone's Australian reign, however, would be relatively short-lived, with the DynaTAC 8000x ushering in a new handheld era, just two years after Telstra's inaugural call. Dial past the break for a Wagnerian commercial that'll tell you everything you always wanted to know about antiquity, but were too afraid to ask.

[Thanks, Vincent]

SandForce demos 24nm flash from Toshiba, cheaper SSDs on the horizon

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 03:48 AM PDT

Toshiba and SandForce
SandForce, the company behind the companies that make some of the best SSDs on the market, is at it again -- this time demoing 24nm NAND flash from Toshiba at the Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, CA. An SF-2000 processor was matched with the new shrunk-down storage, a 6Gb/sec SATA connection, and jammed inside a 2.5-inch enclosure to deliver 500MB/sec read and write speeds. It's not the fastest we've seen, but the big news here isn't the data rates -- it's the potential for cheaper SSDs. The smaller manufacturing process means Toshiba will be able to squeeze more storage out of the same wafer of silicon and, hopefully, shrink those still somewhat bloated prices. Check out the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
SandForce First to Demonstrate 24nm Toshiba MLC Flash for SSDs

Break-through 2nd Generation SSD Processors Continue to Set the Technology Standard for Volume SSD Deployment with Industry's Most Advanced NAND Flash
Flash Memory Summit 2011
August 09, 2011 09:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--SandForce® Inc., the innovator of Solid State Drive (SSD) Processors that drive ubiquitous deployment of volume flash memory into primary and I/O intensive data storage applications, today announced the first public demonstration of its award-winning SSD Processors working in concert with the industry's most aggressive NAND flash family for SSD applications -- 24 nanometer (nm) Multi-level Cell (MLC) NAND Flash from Toshiba. This product combination enables SandForce Driven™ SSD manufacturers to produce more affordable SSD products which will further accelerate adoption in the enterprise, client, and industrial computing markets that demand optimized reliability, performance, and power efficiency. Industry analyst Gartner (May 2011 forecast) reports SSD unit shipments in the three target markets will surpass 66 million units in 2014 -- an astounding 61% compound annual growth rate from 2010 shipments.

"As the principal inventor of NAND Flash memory, Toshiba is constantly evolving this technology to be the highest quality and most cost effective media for SSDs by working closely with innovative companies like SandForce," said Shigeo Ohshima, Technology Executive, Memory Design and Application Engineering, Toshiba Corporation. "The SandForce SF-2000 SSD Processor, combined with our new 24nm NAND Flash memory provides an optimal SSD solution to enable accelerated deployment of thin-and-light notebooks as well as mainstream enterprise applications."

To date, SandForce has shipped well over 2 million SSD Processors through more than 30 SandForce Driven and other SSD manufacturers in 18 months, validating the tremendous demand and market need for the performance and capability of the SandForce SF-1000 and SF-2000 product families. SandForce SSD Processors use innovative DuraClass™ technology with RAISE™ and patented and patent pending DuraWrite™ to optimize the entire user computing experience.

"Our award winning DuraClass technology includes a number of features enabling the industry's highest level of reliability, endurance, performance, and power efficiency in a single SSD Processor solution," said Thad Omura, vice president of marketing at SandForce. "We worked closely with Toshiba to expand DuraClass with additional advanced read recovery techniques vital to the successful operation of SSDs that use more aggressive NAND Flash process nodes."

See the Technology Live at Flash Memory Summit, August 9-11!

SandForce will demonstrate the powerful combination of the Toshiba 24nm MLC Flash memory and its latest SF-2000 SSD Processor in a 2.5" SSD form factor during exhibition hours at booth #407-409 (Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, California). The demonstration features the company's 6 Gigabit-per-second (Gb/s) SATA SF-2000 SSD Processors with balanced read and write speeds up to 500 Megabytes per second and up to 60,000 IOPS with state-of-the-art, Toshiba 24nm Toggle Flash memory operating at 166 mega-transfers per second.

Other products on display include complete SandForce reference designs and non-HDD form factor SSDs from various SandForce Driven™ members.

About SandForce

SandForce SSD Processors use DuraClass technology with RAISE and patented and patent pending DuraWrite to drive ubiquitous deployment of volume flash memory into primary and I/O intensive data storage applications. SandForce Driven SSDs dramatically optimize mission-critical application reliability, IT infrastructure ROI, green power preservation, and everyday computing user experiences. Founded in 2006, SandForce is funded by leading venture capital investors and first tier storage companies. For more information, visit SandForce at www.sandforce.com and follow SandForce on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

SandForce and the SandForce logo are registered trademarks, and DuraClass, DuraWrite, RAISE, SandForce Driven, the SandForce Driven logo, SandForce Trusted, and the SandForce Trusted logo are trademarks of SandForce Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Unreleased Sony Alpha A77 already nominated for Good Design Award, reveals several new features

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 02:55 AM PDT

Sony may have yet to officially announce its upcoming Alpha A77 camera, but thanks to a nomination page ahead of this month's Good Design Expo, we can finally get a glimpse of what this imager will pack internally. Indeed, the A77 will come with a 24 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, along with a translucent mirror that enables full-time continuous autofocus. Additionally, with the help of its new BIONZ engine, we have a "world's fastest" burst rate of 12 frames per second, which goes nicely alongside the camera's 60p and 24p video recording modes (presumably in AVCHD). What also caught our eyes was this "world's first" XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, while the A55 and A35 come with just LCD versions. Well, only time will tell whether this camera lives up to expectations -- by the sound of it, we'll probably be able to play with one within a few weeks from now.

[Thanks, pontsuku.]

Update: And just like that, the nomination page has promptly been taken down. Good thing we saved a copy, though -- check it out after the break, if you want to practise your Japanese.

New Nokia WP7 handsets either leaked or faked, it's hard to tell (video)

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 02:36 AM PDT

This is a tricky one. You're looking at a grab from a slightly shaky video that was emailed to Jay Montano and MyNokiaBlog. The tipster claimed to be a Microsoft insider, but used a .ovi email address. The video itself certainly looks polished, although it culls a couple of bits of footage from marketing clips that have been out for a while, including a futuristic segment from a Microsoft Office Labs promo. It's either a genuine leak revealing new handsets that look substantially different to the Sea Ray, or it's one of those silly Nokia-style manufactured leaks, or -- very possibly -- it's just a nicely edited bit of fakery from a fan. But, whoever made it, we think they have some style.

Amazon releases web-based Kindle Cloud Reader app, optimized for iPads

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 02:17 AM PDT

Amazon may have changed its Kindle iOS app to comply with Apple's revised in-app subscription policy, but the retailer has now come out with its own, web-based alternative, known as the Kindle Cloud Reader. Compatible with both Chrome and Safari, the new app is essentially a browser version of the Kindle eBook reader, providing PC, Mac and Chromebook users with access to their digitized libraries. The tool also offers local storage, allowing for offline reading, though Amazon's device limit still applies, so if your library's already strewn across multiple gadgets, the app's reading functionality may be limited. The company unveiled the Cloud Reader today with relatively little fanfare or explanation, but its site highlights the service's main attractions, including its iPad optimization. Interestingly enough, the reader still isn't compatible with iPhones (or, as Android Community discovered, any Honeycomb tablets), though we imagine it's only a matter of time before Amazon's cloud coverage expands even further.

T-Mobile myTouch 4G designer Donn Koh unveils the process, how he brings the heat

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 01:19 AM PDT

Have you ever wanted a look inside the mind of a mobile handset designer? Of course you do, and so do we, for that matter. Donn Koh, lead designer of smartphones like Sprint's Evo 4G and T-Mobile's myTouch 4G, has in-depth breakdowns of the design process on his personal website for our perusal. Going into detail about how the team managed to raise the bar while still including all the required elements, Koh also speaks about the goals for creating a dock for the myTouch 4G that would allow the phone itself to be the main attraction. Check out the source for the full rundown, and peep another sweet design shot after the break -- especially if you enjoy well-designed, well thought out tech.

SATA-IO outs new SATA Express and Embedded SSD standards, acronyms abound

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 12:24 AM PDT

It's a big day for SATA-IO, as the organization has just announced not one, but two new SATA standards. The first of these, the SATA Express specification, gets the latter half of its name from the 'e' in PCIe, as it will allow current SATA standards to piggyback on the PCIe interface, boosting speeds to 8Gbps and 16Gbps, up from the current 6Gbps. SATA Express is expected to make its official debut later this year. SATA µSSD, on the other hand, is currently ready to go, and already implemented in SanDisk's iSSD embedded drive. It ditches the module connector from the old interface, allowing OEMs to stack single-chip drives right on the motherboard. A plethora of SATA-related press releases awaits you after the break -- if you're into that sort of thing.
Show full PR text
SATA-IO to Enable Higher Speed Storage Applications with SATA Express Specification

New Specification Provides Next Generation Storage Solutions for Solid State and Hybrid Drives

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the industry consortium dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of Serial ATA (SATA™) technology, today announced it is developing SATA Express™, a new specification that combines SATA software infrastructure with the PCI Express® (PCIe®) interface. SATA Express enables the development of new devices that utilize the PCIe interface and maintain compatibility with existing SATA applications. The technology will provide a cost-effective means to increase device interface speeds to 8Gb/s and 16Gb/s.

"We expect the SATA Express specification to be completed by the end of 2011."

Solid state (SSDs) and hybrid drives are already pushing the limits of existing storage interfaces. SATA Express will provide a low-cost solution to fully utilize the performance of these devices. Storage devices not requiring the speed of SATA Express will continue to be served by existing SATA technology. The specification will define new device and motherboard connectors that will support both new SATA Express and current SATA devices.

"The SATA Express specification provides SSD and hybrid drive manufacturers the advantages of performance and scalability enabled by PCIe 3.0 – which is available now – and the ubiquity of SATA," said Mladen Luksic, SATA-IO president. "We expect the SATA Express specification to be completed by the end of 2011."

Show full PR text
SanDisk Implements New SATA µSSD™ Specification for Embedded Solid State Drives
• Connector-free, high-capacity, embedded SSDs enable new generation of tablets and ultrathin notebooks
• SanDisk® iSSD™ integrated solid state device series featuring the new SATA µSSD specification is available for sampling now

Flash Memory Summit 2011

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FLASH MEMORY SUMMIT - SanDisk Corporation
(NASDAQ:SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced that it has implemented the new SATA µSSD™ specification into its SanDisk iSSD product line of postage stamp-sized embedded SSDs. SATA-IO, an industry consortium dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of serial ATA (SATA™) technology, introduced the standard today.

"Initiatives such as the µSSD specification promote the development of new standards for storage solutions that help manufacturers continually refine their end consumer product and drive new industry sectors."

The number of media tablets shipped worldwide is expected to grow from 17.8 million units in 2010 to 53.5 million units in 2011. The five-year CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is 48.5 percent, according to the IDC 1Q11 Media Tablet and eReader Tracker Forecast. These thin, high-performance mobile computing platforms combine sophisticated components in a small physical area, compounding design complexity and driving the need for industry standards.

Embedded SSDs offer fast performance in a tiny footprint, making them an attractive solution for all categories of ultrathin devices. The SATA µSSD specification eliminates the module connector from the traditional SATA interface, enabling developers to produce a single-chip SATA implementation for embedded storage applications. Among the first products to implement the new standard, the SanDisk iSSD series is an ideal storage solution for OEMs developing the next generation of thin, powerful mobile computing platforms.

"To widely adopt a new component technology, manufacturers need to have confidence in its performance, longevity and cost-effectiveness," said Jeff Janukowicz, research manager, solid state storage technology, IDC. "Today's announcement of an industry-wide standardization for embedded SSDs, combined with OEM requirements for size and performance gains in storage, should help propel the market for these tiny, versatile drives."

"Connector-free embedded SSDs allow OEMs to develop a new generation of thin yet powerful tablets and ultrathin notebooks," said Kevin Conley, senior vice president, client storage solutions, SanDisk. "Initiatives such as the µSSD specification promote the development of new standards for storage solutions that help manufacturers continually refine their end consumer product and drive new industry sectors."

The SATA µSSD standard-conforming SanDisk iSSD series utilizes a new electrical pin-out that allows SATA delivery using a single ball grid array (BGA) package. The BGA package sits directly on the motherboard, allowing for form factors as small as 16mm x 20mm x 1.2mm (up to 32GB)/1.4mm (for 64GB) and 16mm x 20mm x 1.85mm (for 128GB). The SanDisk iSSD i100 SSD is available in 8 gigabyte (GB)1 to 128GB capacities, offering OEMs a flexible range of storage options.

"The market for tablets and ultrathin computing devices continues to grow along with the need for small form factor storage solutions," said Mladen Luksic, president, SATA-IO. "We are excited to have industry-wide support for the µSSD specification and look forward to seeing many µSSD-based products available in the near future."
SanDisk Solid State Drives

Supported by vertical integration and more than 20 years of flash memory innovation, SanDisk SSDs empower global manufacturers to satisfy the growing consumer demand for powerful mobile computing platforms such as tablets and notebooks. SanDisk offers a full range of client PC SSD products, including the U100 SSD for cost-effective performance and customizable form factors, the SanDisk iSSD for OEMs who need an embedded µSSD SATA form factor, and a consumer offering that includes the SanDisk Ultra® SSD, which serves as a drop-in replacement for hard disk drives.

About SanDisk
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) is a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, from research and development, product design and manufacturing to branding and distribution for OEM and retail channels. Since 1988, SanDisk's innovations in flash memory and storage system technologies have provided customers with new and transformational digital experiences. SanDisk's diverse product portfolio includes flash memory cards and embedded solutions used in smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, camcorders, digital media players and other consumer electronic devices, as well as USB flash drives and solid-state drives (SSD) for the computing market. SanDisk's products are used by consumers and enterprise customers around the world.

Show full PR text
SATA-IO Introduces New Standard for Embedded SSDs
µSSD Specification Eliminates Connector for Easy Integration in Embedded Devices

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the consortium dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of serial ATA (SATA™) technology, today announced a new standard for embedded solid state drives (SSDs). The SATA µSSD™ specification eliminates the module connector from the traditional SATA Interface, enabling developers to produce a single-chip SATA implementation for embedded storage applications.

"As tablets and other small computing devices continue to proliferate in the market, the need for scalable small form factor storage solutions rises exponentially"

The µSSD standard offers a high-performance, low-cost, embedded storage solution for mobile computing platforms like ultra-thin laptops. The specification defines a new electrical pin-out that allows SATA to be delivered using a single ball grid array (BGA) package. The BGA package sits directly on the motherboard, supporting the SATA interface without a connecting module. By eliminating the connector the µSSD standard enables the physically smallest SATA implementation to date, making it an ideal solution for embedding storage in small form factor devices.

"As tablets and other small computing devices continue to proliferate in the market, the need for scalable small form factor storage solutions rises exponentially," said Mladen Luksic, SATA-IO president. "µSSD provides a new way to leverage the speed, reliability, and low power requirements of SATA technology in these types of products to enable powerful new computing platforms."

SATA-IO is also developing interoperability tests for µSSD products that will help ensure devices based on the µSSD standard will be compatible with other µSSD-based products. Products based on the µSSD specification are already available from SanDisk Corporation. Samsung and Toshiba have also expressed support for the standard.

The µSSD specification was developed as part of SATA-IO's continued mission to provide low-cost, high performance storage solutions optimized for a variety of device segments. Since its introduction in 2001, SATA technology has evolved to enable storage options for a number of applications beyond traditional hard disk PC storage. SATA is now implemented in a variety of applications including solid state and optical drives, embedded mobile devices, consumer electronics products and enterprise storage.

SATA specifications are available for members to download at no cost. Non-members may purchase the specification for a nominal fee. Click here for more information on accessing the specifications.

Industry Support for µSSD
Flash industry leaders are supportive of the µSSD initiative. SanDisk currently utilizes the new specification in its iSSD™ integrated storage device, the world's smallest, fastest 128GB (SATA 6 G/bs) SSD, and other companies are making plans to follow suit.

"The SATA µSSD™ standard is a significant industry achievement that brings high-performance SSD storage in a BGA form factor," said Kevin Conley, senior vice president, client storage solutions, SanDisk. "This is enabling OEM designs of new super-thin Ultrabooks and tablets with high SATA performance."

"The µSSD specification will enable embedded storage applications to give designers greater design flexibility," said Scott Nelson, VP Memory Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. "Toshiba is pleased to support the development of this specification, which will help enable the continued evolution of thinner and smaller personal computing devices."

About SATA-IO
Formed in September 2004, SATA-IO is the International Organization that owns and manages Serial ATA specifications as open industry standards. The organization defines and implements the Serial ATA specifications as the industry's storage needs evolve. It is dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of SATA technology by maintaining the specifications, promoting and marketing the benefits of the technology and creating future interface features and specifications that carry storage into the next decade. Additional information about the organization, its participating companies and membership is available at www.sata-io.org.

Vudu starts streaming movies to the iPad, chooses the web app route

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 11:46 PM PDT

Now that Vudu has started streaming movies to PCs over the web, we're not surprised that starting today, it's moving to the iPad as well but what is surprising is the decision to stream over the web and forego a dedicated app. This approach lets the Wal-mart-owned (and fully integrated) video delivery company avoid the restrictions of Apple's app store and any additional fees, but unfortunately still means that like the PC, it's restricted to standard definition resolution and due to licensing issues is missing any flicks from Disney. The company plans to keep expanding onto other platforms like Android soon (if you must, the site does work on the iPhone right now but the UI isn't optimized for it yet) but it appears accessibility is replacing high quality HDX streaming as the service's most notable trait, for better or worse.
Show full PR text
Walmart Brings VUDU's Movie Streaming Service to iPad
More than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics and independent films can be
instantly streamed through VUDU.com on iPad

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. – (Aug. 10, 2011) – Walmart announced today the
launch of VUDU for the iPad. VUDU, a leading subscription-free, video-on-demand movie service and
wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart stores, has optimized the navigation experience of VUDU.com to
enable millions of iPad owners to rent or buy entertainment content and then stream it easily through any
iPad browser.

Beginning today, iPad users can go to VUDU.com and browse through VUDU's entertainment content
library, which includes more than 20,000 blockbusters, Hollywood classics, independent films and TV
episodes, then rent or purchase and watch them instantly. For one touch access to VUDU, customers
can add a VUDU icon to their iPad desktops by clicking the "Add to Home Screen" button when on
VUDU.com.

"At Walmart, one of our key priorities is to provide one continuous experience for our customers to
interact with our brand - whether that is in stores, online or from their mobile devices," said Edward
Lichty, general manager, VUDU. "VUDU's launch on the iPad plays into that vision as we're committed
to offering the VUDU experience on as many devices as possible so customers can shop for and access
their favorite movies and TV shows however they want, whenever they want."

Movies purchased and/or rented on the iPad can also be viewed on Walmart.com/VUDU, VUDU.com
or on any VUDU-enabled consumer electronics device. VUDU is currently available on more than 300
consumer electronics devices including Internet-capable HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc players and the PlayStation
3 - more than any other pay-per-view service.
.
About VUDU
A leader in HD streaming, VUDU offers the world's largest online selection of HD movies, including
thousands of blockbusters, Hollywood classics and indies available in stunning HDX 1080p with Dolby
Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Movies are available the same day they are released on DVD or Blu-ray,
and can be rented or purchased without a subscription. VUDU is available on Internet-capable HDTVs
and Blu-ray Disc players from FUNAI Electronics (Magnavox, Sylvania), LG Electronics, Mitsubishi
Digital Electronics, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, SANYO, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba and VIZIO, and on
the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system from Sony. VUDU is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Walmart Stores, Inc., and is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA. For more information, visit http://
www.vudu.com/.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per
week at over 9,200 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales
of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart

can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online
merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

###

Walmart to shutter its online music store, somewhere Steve Jobs is smiling

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 11:16 PM PDT

It seems like only yesterday that Walmart was doing its best to beat Apple at the digital music game by delivering us DRM-free digital music. Alas, the inexorable might of iTunes has, at last, become too much to bear. According to Digital Music News, Wally World's MP3 store will shut its digital doors forever on August 28th. Chin up, Walmart, we won't be coming to you for the new Kanye jam (not that we ever would), but we'll still head on down when we're in need of damn near anything else.

Lenovo's ThinkCentre M71z business desktop keeps your productivity up for $599

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 10:21 PM PDT

Ready to revamp your company's computer systems once the summer's heat is a mere memory? Come this October, Lenovo's letting loose its 20-inch ThinkCentre M71z all-in-one desktop, priced starting at just $599 to keep those expense reports low and your interest piqued. Better yet, you'll be able to deck it out if you're ready to rack up some points on the company credit card. Around the outside, you'll find six USB ports and a DisplayPort connection, but it can also be equipped with a multi-touch screen as well as a two megapixel webcam -- fantastic for those 10-way Skype or Google+ meetings. If you're hungry for performance, the desktop can be maxed out with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, WiFi and either a 1TB HDD, or 160GB SSD capable of 15 second start-ups with RapidBoot. For good measure, the M71z comes bundled with Windows 7 Professional along with a wireless mouse and keyboard -- the latter of which is flood spill-resistant. Please excuse us while we get back to the business of blogging, but you'll find the full PR past the break.
Show full PR text
Lenovo Unwraps Latest Business-Ready All-in-One Desktop

ThinkCentre M71z Packaged with Latest Processing, Touchscreen and Video Calling Features

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – August 9, 2011: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today announced the ThinkCentre M71 all-in-one (AIO) desktop designed for large businesses, schools and governments. The new AIO boasts a variety of performance features, from fast boot up to the latest second generation Intel® Core™ processor family, interactive touchscreen options and advanced video conferencing features.

"We're seeing more and more business customers embrace all-in-one desktops for their space savings, portability and style benefits," said Tom Shell, general manager and vice president, Worldwide ThinkCentre Business Unit, Lenovo. "We've built the ThinkCentre M71z to go beyond these advantages and give any business that needs it the highest levels of desktop performance."

Unlimited Performance All in One

As part of Lenovo's Enhanced Experience 2.0 program [1], the fast-booting ThinkCentre M71z starts up in as little as 15 seconds on select models with an optional solid state drive (SSD). The M71z includes choices of powerful second generation Intel® Core™ processors, rapid DDR3 memory, up to 1 TB hard drive storage or a ultrafast 160 GB SSD.

The ThinkCentre M71z's 20-inch display is an ideal screen size for doing work with the added convenience and cost savings of a two-in-one device compared with desktops and monitor solutions sold separately. Additionally, the desktop's optional touchscreen makes collaboration with colleagues or clients more natural. The AIO includes a number of extra productivity and security features, such as a DVD burner, optional WiFi, six USB ports, chassis intrusion switch and DisplayPort for viewing digital video on a second monitor.

Since more voice and video calls have moved online, the ThinkCentre M71z offers an optional 2.0 megapixel camera for clear visuals and a digital array microphone for crisp voice clarity. Users can quickly change camera and microphone settings on the fly during a call in the ThinkVantage Communications Utility. Finally, the ThinkCentre M71z AIO gives users flexibility in how they like to work with their PC by allowing universal Vesa wall or desk arm mounting or an optional height adjustable stand.

Gold Standard for Green

ThinkCentre desktops incorporate several significant environmental attributes: They use a significant amount of recycled content in chassis materials. They include power supply units that surpass Energy Star 5.2 efficiency requirements, and they are EPEAT Gold rated and TCO Certified Edge for their strong environmental and usability features.

Pricing and Availability [2]

The ThinkCentre M71z all-in-one desktop will be available starting in October with models starting at approximately $599. The desktop will be sold through www.lenovo.com and business partners.

About Lenovo

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a $US21 billion personal technology company serving customers in more than 160 countries, and the world's fourth-largest PC vendor. Dedicated to building exceptionally engineered PCs and mobile internet devices, Lenovo's business is built on product innovation, a highly-efficient global supply chain and strong strategic execution. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services. Its product lines include legendary Think-branded commercial PCs and Idea-branded consumer PCs, as well as servers, workstations, and a family of mobile internet devices, including tablets and smart phones. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

[1] Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 for Windows® 7 uses RapidBoot technology to start your PC on average 20 seconds faster than a typical Windows® 7 computer. Compares averaged data from Lenovo EE 2.0 PCs with averaged data from 42 competitor products of similar configuration. Testing conducted by CNET Labs, Beijing in November 2010, using the independent Microsoft VTS tool to measure start-up, shutdown, resume and other Windows® 7 performance measurements. Data from competitor and Lenovo PCs were averaged and compared to calculate the claims used. Performance will vary by model and configuration.

[2] Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

Apple puts PCs on free recycling party list, opens doors to iPads, iPhones

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 09:32 PM PDT

After being forced to pay off the door man to get into Apple's electronics recycling party for years now, PCs are finally getting in for free -- VIP style. Apple has revised its Reuse and Recycling Program and opened the gates to sheep from another shepherd's flock. The new rules are quite a departure from past protocol, which charged PC users 30 bones to recycle non-Apple computers and displays -- unless of course they agreed to purchase a Mac, in which case Apple would kindly do it for free. As part of the restructured program, ripe old iPads and iPhones are now eligible for Apple's exchange program as well, where you'll get a gift card if your device is actually worth anything. The company still recycles old iPods and mobile phones (regardless of manufacturer) for free, and offers 10% off a new iPod if you hand over an old one. With the revised plan it's safe to say the folks at Apple ditched the program's old theme song, "It's Not Easy Being Green," and are instead spinning a new track. Sparkly silver jacket not included.

Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha talks Ice Cream Sandwich, future tablets in Oppenheimer keynote

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 08:41 PM PDT

You live, you learn -- or so Alanis and Sanjay Jha would have us believe. The Motorola CEO delivered a keynote speech early Tuesday morning at the Oppenheimer Annual Technology and Communications Conference, touching upon the company's recent past and the lessons its learned going forward. Referencing the Xoom launch, Jha told attendees to expect tablets in the second half of the year with "much more aggressive form factors" and unique enterprise features, adding that the company would be placing a renewed focus on cheaper, WiFi only tablets. The OEM also intends to streamline its global branding, creating marketing efficiencies for worldwide launches and saving the company a buck, or two in the process. Unfortunately, the Moto chief didn't spill the release beans for the much hyped Bionic, but did take a gentle swipe at the upcoming beast phone, calling it an "important product, but not the only product." Could this herald an oncoming wave of Ice Cream Sandwich devices? We're not sure, as Jha waffled when asked whether the company would, yet again, commit to Android's next untested evolution.

Windows Phone 'Tango' may be Mango's successor, geared toward less-expensive handsets

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 08:03 PM PDT

Windows Phone's Mango update was released to manufacturers for testing two weeks ago, and you know what that means -- it's time to speculate on what's lined up after the still-unreleased refresh. Mary Jo Foley's dishing out some juicy rumors from sources that the next version of Windows Phone is codenamed "Tango," and has a few tricks up its sleeves. The new OS would have a tighter focus on Nokia's desire to bring lower-priced phones to the fold; it'll also apparently target the Asian market "largely or even exclusively." This prediction sounds as though Tango would only be pushed to inexpensive handsets, effectively turning Windows Phone into a two-tiered platform -- but as many rumors go, we're still waiting for a little more meat to chew on before making such a conjecture. If the new codename sticks, however, we expect to see a video chat service that won't be too happy with the news. We'll grab the popcorn and get a good seat for the (lopsided) duel that's sure to come.

IBM and Portland team up to see into city's future

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 07:22 PM PDT

Is it possible to see into a city's future? Perhaps, if you're backed by a company like IBM. The computing giant has teamed up with Portland, Oregon for its Systems Dynamics for Smarter Cities program, creating a simulation of the city (a veritable "Sim City," as it were), so governmental leaders can see the ways in which public policies might affect its future. IBM approached the northwestern cultural mecca back in 2009, working with representatives from a number of professions, including teachers, economists, city planners, and business leaders in the interim. The information collected was combined with governmental data to create a computer-based model of the city. Among other things, city leaders have used the model to work out a plan to reduce the city's carbon emissions 80 percent by the year 2050. Add in a guide to those famous Portland food carts and we'll be 100 percent behind the project.
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IBM and City of Portland Collaborate to Build a Smarter City

Portland, OR - 09 Aug 2011: To better understand the dynamic behaviour of cities, the City of Portland and IBM (NYSE: IBM) have collaborated to develop an interactive model of the relationships that exist among the city's core systems, including the economy, housing, education, public safety, transportation, healthcare/wellness, government services and utilities. The resulting computer simulation allowed Portland's leaders to see how city systems work together, and in turn identify opportunities to become a "smarter city". The model was built to support the development of metrics for the Portland Plan, the City's roadmap for the next 25 years.

All cities are made up of a complex system of systems that are inextricably linked. The City of Portland and IBM set out to understand how these systems interact with and affect each other in order to improve long-range city planning. New policies implemented in one part of the city can affect other city efforts, citizens, businesses and the environment in unexpected and sometimes counter-intuitive ways. IBM's System Dynamics for Smarter Cities model is designed to help mayors and other municipal officials reduce the unintended negative consequences of municipal actions on citizens, as well as uncover hidden beneficial relationships among municipal policies.

"By overcoming silos in the way we think, we are able to better visualize how our city systems work together and develop policies that achieve multiple objectives to help realize the full potential of our city," said Sam Adams, Mayor of the City of Portland. "By collaborating with IBM and applying the power of innovation, we have created an exploratory model that arms our city leaders with ways to explore decisions. In turn, that can help us become a Smarter City."

IBM approached the City of Portland in late 2009, attracted by the City's reputation for pioneering efforts in long-range urban planning. To kick off the project, in April of 2010 IBM facilitated sessions with over 75 Portland-area subject matter experts in a wide variety of fields to learn about system interconnection points in Portland. Later, with help from researchers at Portland State University and systems software company Forio Business Simulations, the City and IBM collected approximately 10 years of historical data from across the city to support the model. The year-long project resulted in a computer model of Portland as an interconnected system that provides planners at the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability with an interactive visual model that allows them to navigate and test changes in the City's systems.

As an example of how the model could be used in practice, recently the City of Portland laid out plans to achieve a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, and an 80 percent reduction by 2050. The City already knew that shifting some trips away from driving to active forms of transportation, such as walking and biking, would be a part of how Portland meets its goals. However, when the IBM model was used to explore other relationships to active transportation, it revealed an interesting connection. The model reflects that, on average, obesity levels decline as more people walk and bike. Similarly, if obesity levels go down, active transportation becomes a more attractive option to more people. Essentially the tool highlighted a reinforcing feedback loop that could be used to jump start a continued cycle of improvement. Since shifting to walking and biking reduces driving trips, the obesity/active transport loop could be a self-reinforcing policy lever to address carbon goals.

"The City of Portland has served as a living laboratory during our year-long collaboration to explore how complex city systems behave over time. While other analytical approaches rely on breaking a problem down into smaller and smaller pieces, the model we've created recognizes that the behaviour of a system as a whole can be different from what might be anticipated by looking at its parts," said Michael Littlejohn, Vice President of Strategy for Smarter Cities at IBM. "Using this model, the City of Portland can experiment with different scenarios to see how their decisions might affect various parts of the city over the next 25 years."

This collaboration with the City of Portland has also proven valuable for IBM. IBM is applying its experience and modelling capabilities developed in this collaboration with the City of Portland to create offerings that will help other cities leverage systems dynamics modelling capabilities to enhance their city strategic planning efforts. Based upon IBM's experience in working with and conducting assessments of cities around the world, they've found that strategic planning in many cities is still being done in stovepipes without a holistic view of impacts/consequences across systems. By leveraging systems dynamics modelling techniques, IBM will be able to help other cities plan "smarter".

The work on the model assisted the City in identifying drivers of change that are being incorporated into the City's strategic plan. This plan, called the Portland Plan, sets priorities for action by the City and other government agencies in Portland and sets 25-year objectives for these priorities. The priority areas are Economic Prosperity and Affordability, Education, Equity, and Healthy Connected Neighbourhoods. The results of the joint project with IBM are also informing a set of long range metrics the City will use to track progress on the Portland Plan.

Scosche myTrek sends workout vitals to your iPhone, starts shipping now for $130 (video)

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 06:40 PM PDT


With a variety of portable power accessories, most Scosche products are designed to keep gadgets up and running, not to get our own blood flowing. The company's new Bluetooth myTrek pulse monitor pairs with an iPhone or iPod touch to motivate you to keep going and going, however, pumping "inspiring" audio alerts through your headphones during a workout, while also tracking pulse, distance, speed, pace, and calories burned. The arm-strap uses a pair of LEDs, along with a photo sensor and accelerometer to capture vitals as it rests strapped to your forearm, providing five hours of continuous feedback before needing its own boost using the included USB cable. You'll need to have your iOS device within 33 feet of the device to record your workout, so the myTrek may be better suited for trips to the gym than, say, a run through the park in the rain. It's also rather pricey, at $130, but if you're already dropping a grand or two for your gym membership each year, a gadget that lets you elegantly track your progress may be within reach.
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Scosche Announces Availability of the myTREK Pulse Monitor and App for iPhone and iPod touch

Comfortable myTREK eliminates need for bulky chest strap

Oxnard, CA – August 9, 2011 – Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announcethe availability of the highly anticipated Scosche myTREK pulse monitor and app for iPhone and iPod touch. The Scosche myTREK, an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree, allows users track their pulse, calories burned, distance, speed, pace, store past workouts and much more.

"At 24 Hour Fitness, we know that fitness tools can be very useful in helping people achieve their goals; whether it's to lose weight, run a faster marathon or to get healthier," said Bill Quinn, senior vice president of merchandising, 24 Hour Fitness. "We are excited to be a Scosche launch partner for the new myTREK pulse monitor and offer our members another option to support them with their fitness journey."

"Scosche has long been the most popular consumer electronics brand sold in 24 Hour Fitness gyms and on their website," said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. "We were thrilled when they agreed to carry the myTREK pulse monitor in 286 24 Hour Fitness locations across the country."

After pairing the Scosche myTREK with an iPhone or iPod touch users are prompted to download the free accompanying app. Once the app is downloaded the myTREK is ready to go and users can begin tracking their pulse.

The myTREK utilizes two LEDs combined with a photo sensor to detect minute changes in the user's blood pressure to accurately measure pulse. A built-in accelerometer allows the myTREK to adjust for movement during exercise from the user's heartbeat allowing for an extremely accurate measurement of pulse and calories burned.

Users can personalize their workouts by selecting their type of activity, target training zone and type of workout. A male or female voice prompt updates the user's progress in real time letting them know how close they are to accomplishing their goals or if they have moved outside their desired target heart rate zone.

Work out data is then stored on the device and can be viewed in the app's calendar to see what days the user worked out and what was accomplished during each individual workout.

The myTREK's comfortable arm-strap design fits over the muscular portion of the user's forearm and provides convenient track and volume control. A lithium ion battery provides 5 hours of continuous workout time before the myTREK needs to be charged with the included USB cable. The myTREK ships with small, medium and large sized armbands to ensure the perfect fit.

The Scosche myTREK is available now at Apple retails stores, 24hourfitness.com, 24-Hour Fitness gyms and Scosche.com for $129.99 and is coming to Target, Apple.com and Verizon Wireless stores soon.

Nintendo opens 5,000 free WiFi hotspots across the pond, connects your 3DS to The Cloud

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 06:07 PM PDT

Still fuming over that 3DS price drop despite the Big N's conciliatory make-goods? If you happen to be a resident gamer in the UK, tack some 5,000 free WiFi hotspots onto the company's apology. According to a report from International Business Times, the service, backed by BSkyB-controlled The Cloud, goes live today, bringing users access to all the console's usual online features and should come in handy when in-game DLC becomes available later this year. No doubt the move from Nintendo's British outfit is intended to add a little purchase incentive to the DS' underwhelming successor, as well as boosting the gaming giant's own declining earnings. No matter, with twenty free games and gratis WiFi -- it's looking good to be an early adopter.

Microsoft's designing women want to dress you up in wearable tech love (video)

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 05:31 PM PDT

Microsoft's no slouch when it comes to market expansion, with personal computing, mobile and even gaming under its Redmond wing -- but fashion? Well, it's time for pigs to fly because two of MS' very own took home Best Concept and Best in Show for their Printing Dress creation at the 15th Annual International Symposium on Wearable Computers. The dress, created by MS Research's Asta Roseway and the Xbox division's Sheridan Martin Small, incorporates a laptop, projector, four circuit boards and laser-cut, typewriter-shaped buttons into a black and white rice paper design. Wondering what all the gadgetry is for? Stressing the need for accountability in our age of anonymous, digital communication, the duo's winning entry aims to have us all wearing what we tweet -- literally, as messages typed via the bodice-sewn keys display on the gown's lower half. It might seem a far-fetched goal now, but these "eRenaissance women" hope to lure tech back from the "cold, unyielding" brink and into the warmth of a "human age." Jump past the break for a video peek at this ethical couture.

Perceptive Pixel shows world's largest projected capacitive display at SIGGRAPH, we go hands-on (video)

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 05:06 PM PDT

Perceptive Pixel wasn't kidding around when it launched the planet's biggest projected capacitive display here at SIGGRAPH -- all 82 inches of it were here on display, and naturally, we stopped by to give it a look. While 82-inch panels aren't anything new, this one's particularly special. You see, the company actually procures the panels from Samsung, and then it rips the guts out while bonding its own network of sensors directly to it; most large-screen touch devices simply pop a touch layer on top of whatever TV shows up in the labs, but this integrated approach takes sensitivity to a whole 'nother level. For those unfamiliar with the term 'projected capacitive,' we're surmising that it's actually far less foreign than you think -- it's a technology used in a handful of smartphones, from Samsung's Moment to Apple's iPhone. 3M was also showing off a PC tech preview back at CES, and after using it here on the show floor, there's no question that it's the future for larger-screen devices. To quote CEO Jeff Han: "once consumers get a taste of this on the mobile front, they start demanding it elsewhere."
Perceptive Pixel shows world's largest projected capacitive display at SIGGRAPH


True enough, but the 27-inch and 82-inch pro-cap displays shown here are far from consumer-oriented. Priced at $12,000 and $120,000 (respectively) with a workstation and software included, you probably won't be considering either for your looming man cave. But according to the company, the 82-incher is already proving to be a hot commodity; it's scheduled to go on sale to pre-orderers next month, and every single one it can make has already been claimed. A wider release is targeted for Q4, and while the company wouldn't divulge any details on who's buying, we're guessing it's CNN and the like -- don't be shocked to see these very panels used in the 2012 election coverage. The kicker here is the truly unlimited acceptance of touch points; toss all the digits you want on the panel, and it'll calculate the exact point and movement associated with 'em. We've toyed with plenty of alternatives before, and it's safe to say that Perceptive Pixel has the slickest, most responsive iteration that we've seen to date. Moreover, the outfit took the opportunity today to speak of its homegrown stylus; it's an in-house solution that'll only work on its panels, but it's designed to help artists who'd like to manipulate an object with one hand while doodling with the other. We're told to expect more UI announcements on that front in the coming months, but the precision we witnessed here is already worth drooling about.

Finally, Jeff affirmed that the consumer landscape is "most definitely" on his radar, and just as soon as this technology becomes affordable enough for the mainstream, it'll be headed your way. Where? That's a topic he wouldn't broach quite yet, but all-in-one touch PCs and interactive televisions don't seem all that far-fetched. Come to think about, neither does an 82-inch selection board for your impending Fantasy Football draft.

Netflix Watch Instantly streaming now works on ChromeOS, when it's working

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 04:28 PM PDT

It didn't make launch as was originally promised, but today the Netflix Twitter account officially announced streaming access is operational on Chromebooks (when it's not suffering an outage, like it was last night during Amazon's cloud server troubles). The Netflix ChromeOS plugin jumping to 1.0.2 a few days ago was a good indication it was on the way, but now you can take your CR-48s, Series 5s and the like straight to the Chrome Web Store and get outfitted for some Watch Instantly streaming. Unfortunately, despite rumors that it's on the way in the next year or so, there's no change for other environments outside of Silverlight-compatible OS X and Windows, but Linux users can always dream, right?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Big box earbuds put to a blind 'taste' test in the Engadget Labs

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 04:07 PM PDT

Engadget Labs Earbuds
Hello, and welcome to yet another installment of Engadget Laboratories. This time around we're taking a pseudo scientific look at sub-$100 earbuds. We've all been caught out, headphoneless, and desperate to put some tunes in our ears. So, the question is, what exactly do you get for your money when you stumble into a Best Buy and pick up whatever happens to be hanging on the shelves? Clearly you're trading convenience for selection when you shuffle into a big box shop for your audio needs, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should just grab the cheapest thing hanging by the register, or the most expensive for that matter. We randomly selected four sets of phones, at four different price points, and put it to a group of average Joes and Janes to see if they could actually tell the difference between a $100 pair of buds and a $10 pair (while blindfolded and trapped inside a booth).


The experiment

setup

We sent our crack team of researchers out to the nearest Best Buy, and they emerged with a sack of earbuds and, most importantly, the receipt (our budget wouldn't even allow us to buy new lab coats after all the blood, sweat, and champagne we spilled in our last experiment). A group of four individuals were ushered into our testing facility, treated to a musical selection, and asked to rate the sound quality of each of set of headphones, on a scale of one to ten. The test was performed blindfolded and without knowing how much the buds cost. For each evaluation we put our victims subjects inside a booth. Said contraption was not sound proof, nor would we want it to be (sound isolation is an important test criteria), we just did it 'cause it seemed like it would be fun.

The $10 pair - Philips earbud headphones

Philips ratings

Philips earbudsThese basic buds probably don't offer any advantage over the ones that came packaged with your last iPod -- unless you happen to really like the color black. If you're not a particularly demanding listener, like David who awarded this set an eight, you may find they get the job done just fine. But the truth is, at this price point, you'll be dealing with tinny sound, poor fit, and little in the way of actual sound isolation. Two of our testers gave this particular model a six, while Jason gave it only a one. Will the sound you get for a Jefferson be passable? Sure -- but chances are you wouldn't want to make these your every day pair of headphones. Even at top volumes, which could potentially blow less durable drivers like these 13.5mm ones, loud conversations will be audible over your tunes and if you've got smaller ears, good luck getting these one-size-fits-all earbuds to stay in place.

Total score: 21 out of 40

The $25 pair - iFrogz EarPollution Ozone

iFrogz rating

iFrogzStepping up a notch might not actually offer much of an improvement over cheaper options. The representative $25 set we tested from iFrogz didn't fair much better than the Philips, and our subject Donna found them to be vastly inferior, giving them only a two. Though, Jason thought these buds were much better, rating them an eight. The drivers in the EarPollutions are small, only 9mm, but a tube feeding the sound into your ears improves bass response and sound isolation, allowing you to hear more of your music. The extra $15 also buys you a few nice extras like foam (or rubber in the case of the iFrogz) earpieces that improve fit and block out external noise as well as a microphone for use as a wired headset. However, David was unable to distinguish between the sound of our first two units and Chris actually thought the Philips were marginally better. It seems that the extra cash for this level of earbud is primarily buying you a slightly better design, but not necessarily better sound.

Total score: 23 out of 40

The $45 pair - Kicker Premium earbud headphones

Kickers rating

KickersWith the jump up to $45 our tester Donna remained unimpressed, awarding the Kickers only a two but, overall the company's "premium" earbuds fared better with our testers. The slightly larger 10mm drivers produced a broader range of frequencies and deeper bass than the cheaper models. In addition, the Kickers were the first buds we encountered with a truly adjustable fit. Inside the package were three different sets of silicone tips and one pair of foam ones that would fit almost any ears. They also sport a thicker-gauge, cloth covered wire that, while not exactly "tangle-free," is certainly less likely to wind up a knotted ball. The Kickers are a little more gimmicky than some other headphones in this price range from companies like Sennheiser (which provide an even wider frequency response) but are still well reviewed. The $40-50 range is where you finally start seeing significant return for your audio dollar when it comes to sound quality and they often offer much more in the way of sound isolation.

Total score: 27 out of 40

The $100 pair - Bose IE2 audio headphones

Bose ratings

BoseThe most recognizable name on the shelves when you hit the $100 mark is probably Bose, followed closely by Monster's Beats. Both of these makers share something in common besides cost -- they're pretty universally reviled by audio purists. However, the largest jump in perceived quality came with move to these somewhat strange looking buds -- scoring a pair of tens and a nine. Only Chris didn't care for the IE2s, giving them just a three. The truth is, with Bose and Monster, you're paying almost as much for fancy marketing and "proprietary technologies" as you are for actual quality. That doesn't mean you're not getting a solid sounding pair of ear-speakers though. You're getting larger, higher-quality drivers and much better sound isolation when you hit this price range, even from a somewhat disdained brand like Bose. If you consider yourself a more serious listener with a distaste for the over-emphasized low-end of Bose and Monster there are comparably priced, but more balanced sounding buds from the likes of Shure and Sennheiser that sometimes sneak into large electronics chains. Some even pack higher impedance 20-ohm drivers.

Total score: 32 out of 40

Wrap-up

Wrap-up

When you walk into a big box store your options will be fairly limited but, unless you're looking for a toss away pair of buds just for the afternoon, it's worth the extra couple of bucks for a decent set of headphones. We probably didn't have to tell you this but, the more you pay for earbuds, the better they sound as a general rule. Now, that doesn't mean you have to slap a Benjamin on the counter, it just means you'll want to look for a basic features like sound-isolating tips and keep an eye on frequency response (most will list the range on the packaging). Having a broader response or higher SPL (sometimes called sensitivity) doesn't necessarily equal higher-quality, but it is a useful indicator, and watch out for marketing schemes -- Dr. Dre doesn't put his name on a pair of headphones for free. Ultimately though, as you can see by the sometimes wildly varying scores, earbud preference is largely a personal decision affected by every thing from ear size to how much bass you want for your face.

Near Times Square? Come see Engadget on a really big screen

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 03:25 PM PDT

If you're on the island of Manhattan and are anywhere near Times Square, check out this lovely display of lights. For the next half-hour or so you'll be able to check out Engadget on one heck of a big screen, right above the NASDAQ sign. You won't even need those reading glasses! Wondering what this is all about? Check out the next Engadget Show, where all will be explained.
Engadget in Times Square

NVIDIA, Fusion-io and HP drive a dozen 1080p streams on four displays at SIGGRAPH (video)

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 02:50 PM PDT

A dozen uncompressed 1080p video feeds, simultaneously running off a single workstation. Yep, you're looking at it. NVIDIA's showcase piece here at SIGGRAPH was undoubtedly this wall -- a monster that trumps even Intel's CES wall in terms of underlying horsepower. A relatively stock HP Z800 workstation was loaded with the NVIDIA QuadroPlex 7000 Visual Computing System (that's four GPUs, for those counting) in order to push four HD panels. A pair of Fusion-io's ioDrive Duos were pushing a total of three gigabytes per second, enabling all 12 of the feeds to cycle through with nary a hint of lag. We're still a few years out from this being affordable enough for the common Earthling, but who says you need to wait that long to get a taste? Vid's after the break, hombre.
NVIDIA, Fusion-io and HP drive a dozen 1080p streams on four displays


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Fusion-io Teams Up With NVIDIA, Tweak Software and Thinkbox Software to Accelerate Entertainment Production

Innovative Industry Leaders Unlock Performance to Unleash Creativity in Digital Content Creation Tools Showcased at SIGGRAPH 2011

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion-io (NYSE: FIO), a provider of a next-generation shared data decentralization platform, today announced its participation in the SIGGRAPH 2011 international conference on computer graphics and interactive technologies. Fusion-io is collaborating with a number of leading technology companies, including NVIDIA, Thinkbox Software and Tweak Software, to accelerate entertainment production by demonstrating full resolution, real-time digital content creation for many of the industry's most powerful applications.

"Entertainment artists who use Fusion's ioMemory technologies can now spend more time creating and less time waiting for content to load, playback and render," said Vincent Brisebois, Fusion-io Product Manager. "Multiple SSDs configured in a RAID can provide basic throughput, but struggle to provide the low latency required for delivering interactivity in powerful content creation applications. By working with our innovative partners NVIDIA, Thinkbox Software and Tweak Software, we are helping studios and artists unlock their creativity. Now, not only can artists do more faster, but with the flexibility offered by Fusion-io and our partners, studios can focus on the artistry that separates good from great."

In the NVIDIA booth at SIGGRAPH, (#453), the Fusion-io video wall showcases how Fusion ioMemory technology combined with the NVIDIA QuadroPlex 7000 Visual Computing System provides the throughput necessary to play 12 full HD(1080p) uncompressed video feeds simultaneously off a single workstation with interactive graphics processing unit (GPU)-based color correction. The video wall demonstration will be running on an HP Z800 workstation equipped with the NVIDIA QuadroPlex 7000 and Fusion ioMemory modules.

"Working with Fusion-io, we've created an impressive, large-scale visualization technology demonstration at SIGGRAPH for show attendees," said Jeff Brown, general manager, Professional Solutions Group, NVIDIA. "By combining Fusion's ioMemory technology with our powerful QuadroPlex 7000, we're demonstrating how to enable real-time color correction and processing of a dozen simultaneous uncompressed HD video streams – without being bottlenecked by disk speeds."

At Autodesk booth #429, Fusion ioMemory technology will accelerate demonstrations of Autodesk Composite software, which is included in the Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya and Autodesk Softimage software applications. The Autodesk software packages feature integrated 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and compositing tools that enable artists and designers to quickly ramp up for production.

"Autodesk Composite software can be enhanced by technologies like Fusion ioMemory to help artists see their visions come to life more quickly," said Rob Hoffmann, senior product marketing manager, Autodesk. "When 3D artists can immediately see the impact of each tool and adjustment, their imagination is freed to try new and innovative approaches to creative storytelling."

Fusion ioMemory will be also integrated into a Supermicro SuperServer 8046B-6RF server in the Thinkbox Software Pacific Rim suite at the Fairmont hotel. This system provides increased speed and efficiency in demonstrations of Krakatoa, Thinkbox's production-proven volumetric particle rendering, manipulation and management toolkit. Krakatoa provides a pipeline for creating, shaping and rendering vast quantities of particles at unprecedented speed to represent natural phenomena like dust, smoke, silt, ocean surface foam, plasma and even solid objects.

"We have clients working with billions of particles per frame to create photo-real smoke, fire, water, creatures made of ink, and photorealistic visualization of volumetric objects such as bones and skin. When saving or loading those particles, we have found nothing faster than Fusion-io," said Chris Bond, Thinkbox Software CEO and founder. "We first tested Krakatoa 1.0 with Fusion-io. When we realized the potential of ioMemory, we optimized Krakatoa 2.0 to take advantage of its capabilities, and now our loading performance is an order of magnitude better."

In booth #963, Tweak Software will be utilizing ioMemory technology from Fusion-io to accelerate its flagship RV software. RV supports dual stream output for stereo playback, embeds audio in the SDI signal, and takes advantage of RV's flexible tools for review, editing, collaboration, an notation and comparison of media. At SIGGRAPH 2011, RV will be demonstrating its integration package that combines RV's real-time playback with the compositing abilities of The Foundry's Nuke software and Fusion ioMemory. The integration allows artists to save various iterations of their Nuke renders on the ioMemory and then immediately play them back in real-time in RV.

"Artists get a big benefit by combining the blazing fast memory technologies from Fusion-io with RV's advanced image and sequence playback abilities," said Seth Rosenthal, co-founder of Tweak Software. "The ability to stream film-res, stereo, high-dynamic-range imagery on the artist desktop or in the screening room gives artists immediate feedback so they have more time to try new things and get better results. This is all made possible by the remarkable data throughput and reduced latency offered by Fusion-io."

To learn more about Fusion-io, go to www.fusionio.com. Follow Fusion-io on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fusionio or www.twitter.com/fusionioUK and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fusionio.

Amazon snatches up Kindle related domains, Kindle Air rumors start circulating

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 02:37 PM PDT

Kindle domains
Honestly, we're not sure what to make of all the rumors and leaks surrounding Amazon recently. It's safe to assume the company is working on a tablet, and we're long overdue for an update to E-Ink Kindle. But, a recent round of domain registrations has sent the interwebs into a tizzy with some suggesting a new product, dubbed the Kindle Air, is in the pipeline. Though Amazon's name doesn't appear anywhere in the registrant information for Kindleair.com, the name MarkMonitor does -- the firm Bezos and crew just used to register kindlesocialnetwork.com and kindlesocialnetworking.com. Now, companies pickup domains all the time just to protect their brand, and it seems a bit odd that Amazon would choose a moniker so similar to a particular sliver of aluminum and silicon out of Cupertino. Unfortunately, we'll just have to wait and see if an even lighter and thinner e-reader is on its way from the Seattle company.

Bluelounge MiniDock for iOS cuts the cord, declutters your life

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 02:05 PM PDT

Forget about that Klimt print and your torn John Belushi Animal House poster, if you've got a few of those Jony Ive-crafted iSlabs lying around, you should flaunt'em -- according to the designers at Bluelounge. Available for iOS owners in the US, UK and EU, the company's MiniDock makes use of your existing Apple USB power adapter for a cordless, outlet-mounted charging and display station. The design studio created the dock with a clutter-free existence in mind, but its focus on "customers who are passionate about their iPhones" is a much more telling inspiration. You can go ahead and snag one of these for $20 now, just keep it tucked away from any Android-toting houseguests.
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Bluelounge Launches MiniDock Home and Travel iPhone/iPod Wall Charger and Display-Docking Station

Cord-free and compact, MiniDock simplifies travel and household charging needs.

Pasadena, CA (PRWEB) August 08, 2011

Bluelounge, the award-winning international design studio known for sleek, functional, design-forward cable management and home/office organization products, today announced the market-wide availability of MiniDock, a cord-free wall charger and display-docking station made for Apple iPhone and iPod devices that uses the existing Apple USB Power Adapter. MiniDock represents the latest in a series of sleek, innovative cord management products from Bluelounge, all designed specifically for Apple iPhones and essential for travel and household charging needs.

MiniDock allows consumers to charge and display their iPhone in an upright position in any electrical outlet without disorganized cords. Intended for use with existing Apple USB Power Adapter, iPhone or iPod can now plug directly into an electrical outlet. Ideal while traveling or in any home or office environment, MiniDock is lightweight, cord-free, and allows users to simplify and de-clutter the charging areas normally occupied with the unsightly and wayward cords. Users no longer need to deal with untidy cords while packing or when charging their device. With MiniDock, the user can charge their Apple devices upright, directly into their Apple USB Power Adapter, conveniently and seamlessly anywhere where an electric outlet is available.

"Our customers are passionate about their iPhones and their accessories," said Dominic Symons, Bluelounge Principal and Creative Director. "People are proud of their devices so they treat them with care and worry about their phones getting damaged when in use or while traveling. MiniDock meets the public's desire perfectly, with a sleek and innovative charging station that doubles as a display stand, so proud iPhone owners can use their hardware efficiently while they charge it. Our unique design keeps their phones safe, off the floor and out of harm's way-all at the same time."
at 11:48 AM

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