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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

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Elgato EyeTV Mobile dongle brings live TV to the iPad 2

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Elgato Eye TV Mobile
Sure, Elgato already has an app that lets you stream TV to your iPad -- but that's only if they're being broadcast online. To pull in live TV over the air you'd need a TV-tuner, something that has, until now, been unavailable for Apple's popular slate. By the end of September that lack of broadcast television will become just a distant memory with the release of EyeTV Mobile, a £100 (about $163) dongle that connects to the iPad's proprietary port. The tuner will be able to pull in MPEG 2 streams over DVB-T, but won't work with DVB-T2 broadcasts like Freeview HD. Check out the source for more details.

SUFFER '11 farming robot plays a multitude of roles, takes commands via Wiimote (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 11:08 AM PDT

So much for stereotypes, eh? The future of farming is being painted in a far different light here at NEXT Aarhus, where a team from the University of Southern Denmark brought in the largest Wiimote-controlled robot that we've ever seen. The heretofore unnamed beast (going by SUFFER '11 for the time being) is a farming-centric machine that's designed to take the load off of the landowners (while providing a bit of enjoyment all the while). Put simply, this modular bot can have various apparatuses swapped into its midsection -- one pop-in attachment could pick potatoes, while another could disperse pesticide, for example. There's even a module that'll enable it to detect rows and plow down the obvious routes, making it that much easier for farmers of the next millennium to take time off. Of course, the standout feature from our perspective was the inbuilt Bluetooth and WiFi, which allowed the demonstrator to operate the 'bot with a standard Wii remote. Per usual, the vid's after the break.
SUFFER '11 farming robot hands-on at NEXT Aarhus



See more video at our hub!

Samsung Galaxy S II LTE heads to Rogers for 4G fall debut

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:45 AM PDT

Our neighbors to the north just got a one-two punch of wireless awesome delivered courtesy of Rogers. The operator announced today that its variant of Samsung's heavily lusted after Galaxy S II will be launching with baked-in LTE functionality on its nascent 4G network. Most of the handset's specs have remained the same, aside from a newly beefed-up 1.5GHz dual-core processor, NFC functionality and Hercules-sized 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. If you're proud to call yourself Canadian and "download speeds of up to 100Mbps" get your blood pumping, then expect to snag Sammy's beast phone when it goes on sale before Autumn's end.

Update: Interestingly, the Rogers site lists the Galaxy S II LTE as featuring a 1.2GHz CPU instead of the 1.5GHz slice of silicon that was announced only days ago. It may be a typo, or the Canadian carrier may have its version underclocked for a longer battery life. We've reached out for clarification and will update when we hear back.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung Conquer 4G review

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 10:00 AM PDT

It's peculiar how a simple number and letter can cause the price to skyrocket when added to the end of a phone's name. But that's exactly what the term "4G" does -- ultimately, making a phone or tablet compatible with a carrier's next-generation network seems to add value (and cost) in unthinkable ways. There's a growing concern in the mobile industry; Sprint's WiMAX 4G coverage, once a novelty in the United States, is now just one of the boys. It faces direct competition against its two (much larger) LTE brethren in Verizon and AT&T, and the Now Network is searching for other methods of utilizing its high-speed offerings. In doing so, the carrier wants to keep the value high without escalating the expense.

Enter the Samsung Conquer 4G, the latest addition to Sprint's blazing-fast lineup. Rather than going head-to-head with giants like the Photon 4G and EVO 3D, the company's strategy is to offer a WiMAX-enabled handset that's light on the wallet. It's not the least expensive of the bunch these days -- the Samsung Nexus S 4G takes the cake there -- but it's another option to toss into the network's growing lineup. So does this mid-range handset have a shot at living up to its namesake? Keep on reading to find out.
Samsung Conquer 4G

Hardware

Had the Conquer 4G been released this time last year, it'd be considered quite close to top-of-the-line status. By today's standards, however, it's simply middle-of-the-road (read: not a phone you'll be whipping out at parties). But Sprint's not really attempting to showcase glitz and glamour here -- it has the EVO 3D and Photon 4G to hold the reins in that regard. Rather, it's meant to reside on the inexpensive end of the WiMAX spectrum -- $100 or less -- an area in its lineup that could certainly use a bit more attention.

In the case of this particular device, inexpensive doesn't mean cheap. In fact, it's a solid device with specs that are above-average for its price range. While it's clear a few features were chopped out or streamlined on the drawing board to lower the phone's cost, we can still make a fair number of comparisons between it and the LTE-packing HTC Thunderbolt and LG Revolution. Both handsets are powered by the same 1GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8655 CPU, and the latter utilizes the same amount of RAM -- 512MB -- as the Conquer (the Thunderbolt is slightly higher at 768MB).


At 4.1 ounces (116g), the Conquer is incredibly light, at least in part due to the device's plastic build, smaller 3.5-inch screen and lack of physical keyboard. Still, unlike many other similar handsets, it doesn't feel like it's going to disintegrate in our hand. Accidental drops aren't as likely, thanks to its petite size -- the phone registers at 4.57 x 2.38 x 0.46 inches (116 x 60 x 12mm) -- and the EVO 3D-esque textured back, which provides much more friction than glossy backs while managing to keep the fingerprints away at the same time.

A total of three buttons line the sides of the Conquer. The volume rocker graces the left, while the top side houses the obligatory 3.5mm headphone port. The right side, meanwhile, is interrupted only by a double-detent camera key. The micro-USB charging port and mic hang out on the bottom of the device. Its backside remains relatively litter-free as well, sporting only a 3.2 megapixel camera with an accompanying LED flash and speaker grille.

Flipping the phone around, we behold a 1.3 megapixel front-facing cam on the top right, with a set of four standard Android navigation buttons directly underneath the display. Samsung eschewed touch-sensitive keys in favor of physical ones, which have just the right amount of feedback. Of course, this means they aren't flush with the rest of the phone's display, but at least they're only sticking out a little and won't catch in your pocket or purse.

The phone's display leaves more to be desired. A lot more. After reviewing several devices that use HD (or near HD) resolution, it's hard not to notice the pixelation oozing out of the 3.5-inch HVGA screen as if it were attacking our eyes from every angle. The difference, however, may not be so striking to anyone looking for their first smartphone or coming from a handset with similar resolution. That said, there's one specific detail about the display that we absolutely love: we were able to look at it easily in direct sunlight.


One consequence of a smaller display is having less real estate on the screen for a virtual keyboard. Sadly, the touchscreen keys seem slightly scrunched, which may prove frustrating for users with large fingers. We didn't have many issues typing with our medium-sized hands, though we did feel the need to double-check our work more often. A nice alternative to dealing with the smaller keyboard is Swype, which comes pre-installed. It's a polarizing feature, indeed -- one that will instill either genuine love or seething contempt -- but we appreciate the option nonetheless.

Camera
Samsung Conquer 4G Samples

If you noticed the 3.2 megapixel count on the Conquer's spec sheet, your shoulders likely drooped in disappointment. Our experience was better than expected, however, as we found its performance to be more than competent. We wouldn't pit this David against the Goliath Nokia N8, obviously, but we've always appreciated Sammy's ability to throw in a sensor that performs above and beyond in comparison to the competition.

The camera uses the stock Gingerbread UI, which typically offers more settings than most branded devices. On the Conquer, you're given a lot of flexibility for a so-called low-end shooter -- macro mode, manual exposure adjustment, a larger-than-usual number of scene modes and auto exposure options such as frame average, center weighted and spot metering. Using the default settings, many daylight and cloudy shots appeared slightly washed-out, though we discovered that playing around with the exposure settings made a big difference. Unlike other cameras we've tested with similar specs, this one delivered low-light photos that were grainy, but still easy enough to make out.

We were also pleasantly surprised to find a physical camera button on the right-hand side of the phone, featuring a double-detent style. Such a button lets you press halfway down to secure a focus before actually snapping the picture; doing so offers you the ability to catch smiles and other great moments that could easily disappear within seconds.



Alongside the lower-end camera, the handset's VGA video capture resolution isn't exactly high-class either. That said, videos still turned out relatively smooth with only minor amounts of choppy motion. Colors remained a little too washed out in extremely bright conditions, but otherwise were perfectly fine. Just don't be throwing away that camcorder quite just yet, folks.

Software
Samsung Conquer 4G screenshots

The Conquer 4G offers temptation for lovers and haters of vanilla Gingerbread alike. By default, the device comes preloaded with stock Android 2.3.4 with a few Sprint-inspired tweaks. But if additional customization makes your heart go pitter-patter, the Now Network replaces the browser icon on the bottom of the home screen with a button taking you to its iconic Sprint ID feature, which you can read more about in our review of the Samsung Transform last year. In short, the service bundles wallpapers, widgets, apps, wallpapers and even ringtones in packages, each with its own theme. Every ID can be downloaded and installed at your convenience, which can be a handy feature for novices who are still getting accustomed to their new Android device. Anyone who has been using the OS for a longer period of time, however, will likely prefer to keep with the vanilla UI and add widgets and apps to their liking.

Regardless of the phone's vanilla appearance, it's still a carrier-branded device, which means we found a few preloaded apps that cannot be uninstalled. Most of the usual Sprint suspects are there: Sprint Zone, Voicemail, YouTube, Qik, Talk, Sprint Mobile Wallet and ThinkFree Office are all bonded to the OS as well as a few other native Android programs. Thankfully, the list is kept to a minimum in comparison to other branded phones, but we would've fancied the ability to remove them when we want.

Performance and battery life

Since the Conquer 4G's CPU and RAM make it comparable to the Thunderbolt and Revolution, we took a few minutes to compare benchmarks for all three devices side-by-side. Here's how it fared against its 4G cousins:

Benchmark LG Revolution HTC Thunderbolt Samsung Conquer 4G
Quadrant 1,913 1,886 1,146
Linpack 39.6 40.1 41.0
Nenamark 39.2 32.7 44.5
Neocore 65.1 59.5 70.9
Sunspider 4,591 6,213 4,436

So, how did our brave subject manage against the heavyweights? Not only did it hold its own, the Conquer bested its LTE rivals in four of the five tested benchmarks, losing only in Quadrant. Since our experience with the phone's performance has been rather pleasant, we weren't stunned by the results. The 1GHz CPU was able to keep up with our fierce usage requirements without breaking a sweat, the display was fluid and responsive to our every touch, and it gave us a consistently smooth ride the entire time we reviewed it. The only stutter we noticed was an occasional bit of lag when playing graphics-intensive games.

Battery life is rated at six hours, and it came pretty darn close in our test. In our battery rundown test, it played movies for five hours and 35 minutes straight before it was through. The 1,500mAh battery was able to provide us with almost a full day's charge -- roughly about 10 hours of consistent emailing, texting and other moderate tasks -- before we were compelled to find our nearest outlet.

We didn't experience any dropped calls or audio quality issues on the Conquer, though when running comparisons to the HTC EVO 3D, it consistently remained one bar behind. This could definitely be a concern if you already live in a region with notably weak Sprint reception, but we were unable to find any major concerns in areas of stronger coverage.

Wrap-up

Make no mistake: the Conquer 4G isn't a high-performance phone living at the top of the class. Rather than hiding from that fact, however, it accepts -- nay, embraces -- the challenge and makes the best out of its components. We came out of the review satisfied with the product; first-time smartphone buyers and shoppers on a budget could certainly choose worse phones to spend their hard-earned money on. Yet for a device listed at $100 after a two-year commitment, we couldn't help but wonder why a few extras (such as a better display or camera) didn't make the final cut. We feel it's still at least a sensible choice -- it just doesn't necessarily fit the given name printed on its birth certificate.

Dish Network's Tailgater brings you portable satellite TV, won't cool your beer (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 09:42 AM PDT

When it comes to refrigerating beer and grilling burgers, you're on your own. If you're looking for satellite television in the back of your truck before the game (pictured), on the other hand, Dish Network's Tailgater can certainly help. First hinted at back in May, the ten pound box automatically locates satellite positions, offering up HD content on the go for owners of Dish's ViP 211k HD receiver. The box runs $350 and is apparently rather easy to set up, making it a pretty enticing option for those who absolutely need to watch a sporting event in the parking lot while waiting to get into a sporting event. Infomercially video after the break.




Show full PR text
DISH Network Introduces Tailgater - Portable Satellite System Ideal for RV's, Camping and Tailgating

Tailgater - Simple to Set Up and Ready for Use in Minutes

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DISH Network L.L.C. today introduced the Tailgater™ by DISH Network®, a lightweight, portable satellite TV antenna ideal for watching TV while tailgating, camping, RVing or engaging in other outdoor activities.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100611/LA19624LOGO)

The Tailgater is not only one of the lowest-priced portable satellite antennas on the market but also one of the easiest to use. Weighing in at just 10 pounds, the Tailgater automatically locates satellite positions, which means that there's no need for manual antenna adjustment. The Tailgater easily connects to a small, sleek DISH Network set-top box and TV. Within minutes, customers will be able to enjoy their favorite channels in high definition.

"Tailgaters across the country have wanted an easy way to watch their games in HD, and now they can through DISH Network's Tailgater - the best value for a portable satellite TV antenna on the market," said Ira Bahr, Chief Marketing Officer for DISH Network. "The Tailgater's simple set-up combined with full access to DISH Network's programming packages at convenient month-to-month pricing makes it the best 'TV-on-the-go' option for outdoor enthusiasts."

The Tailgater costs $350 and works with DISH Network's ViP 211k (MSRP: $149) single-tuner HD receiver. For added flexibility, DISH Network offers customers a convenient solution that allows them to pay month-to-month for programming, ensuring they only pay for the service when in use. Current DISH Network customers can use their existing account to service the Tailgater system. An additional outlet fee may apply.

For more information about the Tailgater by DISH Network, visit www.dish.com/tailgater.

Nsquared's Seamless Computing, Surface + Kinect + Slate + Phone = amazing interface (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 09:21 AM PDT

Sydney's nsquared is calling it "Seamless Computing" -- software which unifies Windows Phone 7, Surface, Windows 7 Slate and Kinect. Begin designing a new home on your phone and then place it on the Surface to share between all the devices, then pick up the Slate to make some modifications before walking through a 3D model of the building, navigating with Kinect's gesture interface. Software like AirPlay and Touch to Share already give you a taste for this sort of tech, but the experience that Dr. Neil Roodyn demonstrates in the video below is far more immersive -- not to mention unspeakably cool.

Sony MDR-DS7500 headphones promise 3D sound, will play nicely with your 3D glasses

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:59 AM PDT

Are you settling for non-3D sound to go with all of your 3D movies? You should be ashamed of yourself. Thankfully, Sony's looking out for you. The company's new MDR-DS7500 headphones promise 3D surround sound, thanks in part to the inclusion of Dolby Pro Logic IIz technology. The headphones have a number of different sound settings, serving different audio needs, including Cinema Mode, Game Mode, and Voice Mode. Also, that extra padding assures that they'll play nicely with your 3D glasses. The headphones will be hitting Japan on October 10th, running ¥49,350 ($643) for the full package and ¥24,675 ($321) for additional headphones. Extra dimensions don't come cheap, after all.

Barobo iMobot teddy bear learns from your commands, will definitely make varsity (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:35 AM PDT

Barobo's iMobot modular robotics system just launched earlier this year, and the folks behind it just started shipping the first kits last month. Turns out, they were on hand here at NEXT Aarhus with a bona fide demo, and we couldn't resist a quick demo. The actual kit is being hawked primarily to universities -- we're told that each $2,000 robot can be programmed to do just about anything, and if you stock up on a couple, you can produce full-on humanoids, a camera-toting rescue snake or something else that'll undoubtedly take over the world in just a few centuries. Each robotic piece is equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth, and aside from mounting points used for connecting family members, there's a couple of sensor ports that allow for rangefinders and proximity modules to be stacked on as well.

The real show, however, happened when Elmo's long-lost cousin made an appearance. We're told that the creature is strictly a prototype using miniaturized versions of the robotic pieces that are on sale now. Those minis aren't up for order per se, but cutting the right check might land you with more than a smile. As you'll see in the video past the break, the software program written for the bear allowed it to "learn" movements that were dictated by the human holding it, and once the latest cheer was burned into its cotton-filled brain, a simple button press played things out in fantastical fashion. Have a look. You won't be disappointed.
Barobo's iMobot modular robotics system hands-on at NEXT Aarhus




See more video at our hub!

Quantum Phantom program turns your smartphone into a wireless mouse (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 08:12 AM PDT

The last time we saw Ben Wu, he was busy hammering away at Quantum Phantom -- a prototype program that allows users to manipulate their desktops with a simple webcam. Now, the engineer has expanded the concept to smartphones, as well, with a system that effectively turns any camera-equipped handset into a wireless mouse. To achieve this, Wu hooked up his Android phone to his PC via WiFi and used the IP Webcam app to create a video stream server. The results, by Wu's own admission, aren't exactly elegant (due to an unwieldy configuration process and low-res camera), though he still managed to use his creation to sketch an onscreen smiley face. Watch it for yourself in the demo video, after the break.

[Thanks, Ben]

Sharp Galapagos A01SH tablet goes on sale in Japan from $1, comes with a catch

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:49 AM PDT

Sharp's 7-inch tablet running Android 3.2? Yeah, it's taking its sweet time arriving stateside, though our friends in Japan can get the Galapagos A01SH now for a starting price of... $1 (¥100). There's more than a little fine print, of course, which states you have to sign up with an ISP to score that deal -- a curious promotion given that this is a WiFi-only slate (carriers will bundle it with a portable hotspot). Those who like their tabs no strings attached can scoop one up for ¥44,800 ($583). As for those of you mumbling something about how we need another Tegra 2-powered Android tablet like we need a hole in the head, remember that this remains one of a handful of 7-inchers running Android 3.2 -- a space currently occupied by the Acer Iconia Tab A100, ViewSonic ViewPad 7x and forthcoming Huawei MediaPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7. So if you're dead-set on a 7-inch tab, like Honeycomb and are lucky enough to be wandering the streets of Nippon, have at it, folks.

Huawei Honor leaks into the wild, prepares for ascension to the flagship throne?

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:25 AM PDT

Huawei's handsets may not get the high-profile, stateside attention other OEMs are subject to, but that's no reason for us to turn a blind eye to the company's efforts. Spotted out in the wild with an accompanying spec list, the Honor (or U8860) purportedly packs a 1.4GHz processor, 4-inch FWVGA LCD display, 5 megapixel rear-facing camera capable of 720p video, a thickness of 9.9mm and an unspecified version of Android 2.3. Judging by the phones Europe- and Asia-only UMTS 900MHz / 2100MHz bands, it's highly likely we won't have the honor of seeing the company's rumored flagship device grace North American shores. We'll keep an eye out and let you know if we catch this one slipping through the FCC's arms.

Netgear's WNDR 3800 with ReadySHARE, the roll-your-own cloud service

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:01 AM PDT

Netgear's stable of dark gray rectangles of joy has swelled to include the premium edition WNDR 3800, which comes with two features uncommon to most home routers. First is the Clear Channel Selector, which analyzes the wireless traffic and switches to the quietest channel to prevent dropouts. Second is ReadySHARE Cloud -- using the router's USB port, you can attach an external HDD and access the data anywhere there's an internet connection. The only downside is the iOS / Android app for the service costs an extra $2.99, which seems unnecessary considering you're already paying $180 for the device itself. There's a press release in it for you, so why not take a wander down after the break?
Show full PR text
NETGEAR Brings Business Class WiFi Reliability and Private Cloud File Sharing to Home Routers

The new NETGEAR N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router – Premium Edition is the first home router with Clear Channel Selector for avoiding clogged WiFi channels, as well as NETGEAR ReadySHARE Cloud for easily and securely accessing personal files anywhere

SAN JOSE, Calif. – August 29, 2011 - NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today announced worldwide availability of the N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router – Premium Edition (WNDR3800), the first home router to offer Clear Channel Selector and the first to create private cloud file sharing through NETGEAR's new ReadySHARE™ Cloud service.

Clear Channel Selector, previously available only in more costly wireless routers for businesses, automatically detects when the WiFi channel currently in use becomes overcrowded and switches to another less-crowded channel. WiFi overcrowding is a growing problem as the number of WiFi access points proliferates and there's more competition for WiFi frequencies from household devices such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors and from neighbors. Clear Channel Selector creates a more reliable home WiFi network by greatly reducing sudden disconnects and slowdowns, especially important for demanding applications such as HD video streaming, multi-player gaming and online voice or video chats.

ReadySHARE Cloud (www.netgear.com/readyshare) transforms a USB hard drive or flash drive plugged into the USB port of the N600 Premium Edition into a private "cloud" storage system for securely accessing and sharing files within the home network or across the Internet. There's no need to go through the lengthy process of selecting a public file-sharing site and then uploading files, and no worries about privacy policies or what happens if the service suddenly goes out of business. Instead, ReadySHARE™ Cloud makes it easy to designate which files and folders on the USB drive can be shared. These shared files can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection, as well as through apps from NETGEAR for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android smartphones and Android tablets.

Installing and managing the N600 Premium Edition is a snap. There's no CD required for installation, and the router can be configured through a simple browser-based interface accessible on PCs, Macs, smartphones, the iPad and other tablets.

The N600 Premium Edition is NETGEAR's most feature-rich home router, built around a powerful 680 MHz processor backed by 16 MB of flash memory and 128 MB of RAM. Among the router's many advanced features are:

ReadySHARE Printer – USB printers plugged into the N600 Premium Edition can be accessed by any computer linked to the home network. There's no need to buy a new printer with built-in WiFi to print wirelessly.
NETGEAR Genie – a free computer software utility for monitoring, controlling and repairing the home network (available at http://www.netgear.com/genie).
NETGEAR Live Parental Controls – a centralized, flexible and reliable way for parents to control which web sites their children visit and what times of day they can go online, covering all devices on the network including Windows PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets.
Guest network – allows visitors to go online without having to be given the home network password and without gaining access to computers, printers, storage drives and other home-network devices.
DLNA – supports the DLNA standard for streaming media to DLNA-enabled HDTVs, Blu-ray™ players and game consoles.
Automatic Quality-of-Service (QoS) – provides the best possible viewing experience for Internet video by giving priority to video streams over other home network traffic.
Expanded TiVo storage – for TiVo owners, a USB drive connected to the router can serve as extra storage for TiVo video recordings.
Fast wireless – dual-band wireless-N for simultaneous speeds of up to 600 megabits per second, divided between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Fast wired connections – Four high-speed gigabit Ethernet ports.
Automatic WiFi security – the router comes out of the box with wireless security turned on, so home WiFi networks are protected by default.
Open platform – do-it-yourself tech enthusiasts can tweak performance and features by installing open source firmware and joining the open router community at www.myopenrouter.com.


"The N600 Premium Edition brings a new level of sophistication to home networks," said Som Pal Choudhury, NETGEAR director of product marketing. "The unprecedented feature set of this advanced router makes wireless connections more reliable, breaks down the barriers to file-sharing in the cloud and much more – yet it's easy to set up and manage. This is the future of home networking, and it's here today."

Pricing and Availability
The NETGEAR N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router – Premium Edition (WNDR3800) is now available worldwide from major retailers – in stores and online – at $179.99 in the United States. The ReadySHARE Cloud apps for iOS and Android devices are also available now at $2.99.

More information To learn more about the NETGEAR N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router – Premium Edition, please visit http://www.netgear.com/wndr3800.

About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of Big IT. The company also supplies top service providers with retail proven, whole home solutions for their customers. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 28,000 retail locations around the globe, and through more than 37,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at http://www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at http://twitter.com/NETGEAR and http://www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

© 2011 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR,the NETGEAR logo and ReadySHARE are registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. NETGEAR shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors," pages 46 through 63, in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2011. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
# # #

U.S. Media Contact: Jeff Norris, Weber Shandwick for NETGEAR,(408) 530-8458, jnorris2@webershandwick.com
U.S. Sales Inquiries: (408) 907-8000, sales@netgear.com
U.S. Customer Inquiries: (888) NETGEAR

Jawbone announces Icon HD headset with improved audio, 'Nerd' adapter for making PC-based VoIP calls

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 07:00 AM PDT

It's been the better part of a year since we've seen a new Jawbone headset, and in that time the outfit's clearly been focusing less on brainstorming cutesy names for its Bluetooth earpieces and more on tweaking the sound quality. The company just announced the Icon HD, whose wideband speaker is 25 percent larger than the original Icon's, and which lets you pause and play songs and podcasts by pressing a button on the headset. The real story, though, isn't the Icon HD, but The Nerd, a questionably named add-on that plugs into your computer's USB port, allowing the headset to field VoIP calls from PCs and Macs, in addition to ones coming through to your cellphone. The hook here -- aside from the added functionality -- is that it's a plug-n-play device that doesn't require any software installation. It's almost as if -- wait for it -- a nerd took the reins and set up wireless VoIP calling for you. The pair's on sale as a bundle for $139, and will hit brick-and-mortar stores soon. In other news, Jawbone's Companion for Android app, which displays headsets' battery life among other vitals, is now out of the testing phase and ready for general consumption. Full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
JAWBONE® INTRODUCES ICON HD + THE NERDTM AND COMPANION FOR ANDROID
− ICON HD + The NERD Lets You Listen to Hi-Def Audio Across Multiple Devices, Mobile & Computer, With One Headset, Wire-Free while Jawbone COMPANION for ANDROID Makes it Easy to Live Hands- Free and Stay on Top of Your Schedule, Battery Life, and Conference Calls −
SAN FRANCISCO – August 30, 2011 – Jawbone®, an innovator of products and services for the mobile lifestyle, today unveiled ICON HD + The NERD and Jawbone Companion for Android, a set of new products and updates to help people get the most out of a mobile & PC hands-free audio experience. Jawbone ICON HD is a headset that offers the richest HD audio and, with The NERD, it brings plug & play connectivity to any USB-equipped computer. Using them together, you can simultaneously connect with any two devices (laptop, phone, tablet) and seamlessly switch between audio (music, video, games, & more) and calls (mobile & VoIP). The ICON HD + The NERD bundle sells for $139. Jawbone Companion for Android is available now as a free download from the Android Market.

"Users want one headset to aggregate the music, movies, games, and other audio content found in the devices they use every day," said Travis Bogard, vice president of product management and strategy. "Our goal at Jawbone is to design mobile products that give you ultimate wireless freedom, and thatʼs exactly what these new products deliver. ICON HD + The NERD lets you wirelessly listen to media from your Mac or PC and transition across multiple devices without skipping a beat. Jawbone Companion makes the idea of being truly hands-free a reality by automatically notifying and connecting you to meetings and calls throughout the day."

One Headset for Everything
Jawbone ICON HD is based on the companyʼs previous award-winning ICON line, and updated with the rich HD- quality speakers that users love from the latest Jawbone ERA line of headsets. ICON HD boasts a 25% larger wideband speaker than the original ICON offering the richest, most life-like and clear sound in Hi-Definition audio as you talk on the phone, listen to music, watch movies and play games.

ICON HD also delivers on Jawboneʼs legacy of unparalleled noise-cancelling expertise with military-grade NoiseAssassin® 2.5 technology. For the first time, the headset lets you control your media playback with AVRCP play & pause, allowing you to listen to a podcast on your walk to work and pause it with the touch of a button when the barista is ready to take your morning coffee order.

"Multi-tasking is a part of everyday life," continues Bogard. "Unfortunately, most mobile products arenʼt designed with this in mind, making transitioning from one device to the next cumbersome and a pain to manage. ICON HD + The NERD solves this problem by streamlining all of the audio from all of your devices into one wire-free headset."

Wire-FreeTM USB Audio
The NERD is a Wire-Free USB audio adapter that makes connecting the ICON HD to any USB-equipped device as visceral as plugging in headphones, but without the mess of cords. As soon as you plug The NERD into any USB port, it will automatically register as a USB audio device and connect to your ICON HD headset so that you can listen to music, watch videos, play games or take VoIP calls – no software downloads required, no hassle of Bluetooth setup. It also allows you to adjust volume on both your headset and via the master volume control on your Mac or PC.

About half of the length of other USB adapters, The NERD has a modern design thatʼs smaller and more discreet, so it wonʼt interfere when plugged into a laptop. Itʼs compatible with both PC and Mac.

The ICON HD features the same sleek, elegant design as the original ICON headsets and is available in the Denim finish. Beginning today, the Jawbone ICON HD + The NERD bundle can be purchased on Jawbone.com for $139.00, with in-store availability coming soon.

Always Connected, Always Up to Date
As with all Jawbone products, ICON HD + The NERD can be updated via Jawboneʼs MyTALK platform, ensuring that it will become even richer over time. MyTALK offers original applications that make Jawbone ICON HD + The NERD even better, including the new Jawbone Companion application.

Jawbone Companion for Android is Jawboneʼs latest application for Android users to keep them connected to their mobile devices, completely hands-free, in situations that matter the most. The application allows Android users to view their headsetʼs remaining battery life on their phone, and dial-in to conference calls on their calendar, directly from their Jawbone headset. No more back and forth between emails to find your conference callʼs dial-in number and passcode – Jawbone Companion announces, with a whisper in your ear, when you have a scheduled call, and with the push of a button, enters all your dial-in information.

Previously, Jawbone Companion was in a limited phone Beta with interest and support from over 20,000 testers verifying phone compatibility and providing feedback. With this feedback, Jawbone has released a general available version that provides users with features they want while supporting several Android devices and more on the way. For a complete list of compatible Android devices, please go to Jawbone.com/Companion.

For more information, images and product demos on ICON HD + The NERD as well as Jawbone Companion for Android, please visit: www.Jawbone.com/Press, MyTALK.Jawbone.com, or follow @Jawbone on Twitter.

The Great Big Camera is very big, pretty great

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 06:37 AM PDT

Darren Samuelson made a really large camera -- some might even go so far as to say he made a "great big camera." The thing weighs 70 pounds and takes a lot of maneuvering and math to operate everything from the lens to the old timey accordion-style bellows. In spite of such difficulties, however, Samuelson embarked on a tour of the US with the monstrous rig in tow, shooting this country from coast to coast in black and white. After the break, check out video of the camera in action at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. You can also see some of his progress and photos in the source link below.


Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi look to join LCD manufacturing forces

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 06:12 AM PDT

Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi
There have been rumors circulating that Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi were going to combine their LCD making efforts. Now, according to Yomiuri Shimbun, that plan seems to be moving forward. The deal doesn't cover big-screen manufacturing, only small and medium sizes that find their way into phones and tablets. The joint venture will command roughly 20-percent of the market according to TechCrunch when it finally becomes official, with a hefty investment from the semi-public Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, which will own a significant stake in the new company. It may be another day or two before the deal is announced, but consider this a serious shot across their Korean competitors' bows.

HP: TouchPad will receive OTA update for added 'functionality'

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 05:46 AM PDT

HP may have abandoned the TouchPad, but that apparently won't stop the company from issuing a post-mortem OTA update for its webOS tablet. Yesterday, an HP spokesperson confirmed to CNET that "HP TouchPad owners can look forward to an over-the-air update that will enhance the platform and add functionality and a growing applications catalog." The rep didn't offer any specifics, but reaffirmed that HP remains "fully committed to the ongoing support and service of customers who purchased webOS devices." The news comes on the heels of a Quickoffice HD update that dropped yesterday, and at a time when TouchPads are selling like hotcakes -- which probably explains HP's decision to issue a tweak. Indeed, the company went on to say that it's seen "huge spikes in activations and between 3-5X downloads of apps," since the TouchPad fire sale first launched.

World's only turbine-powered Batmobile up for sale on eBay, recession hits Bruce Wayne, too

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 05:21 AM PDT

Remember that Boeing-powered Batmobile we ran across last month? Well friends, it could be yours via eBay auction in about a week. Currently, the highest bid is you can buy it now for $620,000 -- which would be enough to cover the cost of several cars not fit for the Caped Crusader. However, none of those come equipped with a helicopter turbine, now do they? Putsch Racing reminds interested parties that the mean machine is street registered in the US, so you can roll like the Dark Knight without fear of the police pursuing you. An iPad loaded with digital avionics helps you monitor the jet engine, and you can use your choice of three fuel sources to power the thing: Jet A, kerosene, or diesel. Hey now, we never said it was environmentally friendly. If you, like Jay-Z, are "planking on a million," check out the detailed auction shots below and bid on Batman's ride yourself.
Turbine-powered Batmobile up for sale

Will Toshiba's next tablet be named the Excite? Trademark filings suggest so

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 04:40 AM PDT

Yesterday, we caught wind of a rumor that Toshiba would be unveiling a new, ultra-thin tablet at this year's IFA. Today, word on the street is that the company's forthcoming slate may be called the "Excite." According to US Trademark filings obtained by Android Police, Toshiba has apparently registered the purported product name under the category "Tablet Computers." The manufacturer has also snatched up a whole host of domain names, including "excitetablet.com," "toshibaexcite.com," and "thetoshibaexcite.com" -- all of which currently redirect to a Toshiba site. As you may recall, remarkably similar evidence surfaced right before the Thrive launched, so recent history certainly lends a bit of credence to today's report. As always, we'll be sure to keep you abreast of the latest developments.

Samsung Vitality with Muve Music serenades itself to Cricket

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 03:52 AM PDT

If you remember the Samsung Admire at MetroPCS, then the manufacturer's Vitality handset will look mighty familiar. It's coming to Cricket and will join the Suede (a feature phone) as the network's only smartphone with Muve Music. Like the Admire, it features an 800MHz CPU, 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen, a 3.2MP camera and runs stock Gingerbread. While its price and release date remain elusive, we're told the requisite plan will ring in at $65 per month -- a spendy leap for the network that goes chirp in the night. Perhaps that's the rub when you combine an Android plan with unlimited song downloads, ringtones and ringback tones. Hey, nobody ever said it'd be cheap to be law-abiding.

[Thanks, Daone]

Wacom Inkling smart pen does drawing the old-fashioned way -- sort of (video)

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 02:46 AM PDT

The latest product from Wacom trades the whole tablet motif we've come to know and love from the company, in favor of some good, old-fashioned pen-on-paper action. The Inkling is a ballpoint that transfers layered sketches to a PC or Mac via a USB connected receiver, which can then be edited with the included Sketch Manager software. The Livescribe-esque pen has pressure sensing technology with 1,024 levels of sensitivity. It will be available mid-September for $199. Video of the device after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]




Show full PR text
Wacom Has An Inkling

Today, Wacom® introduces Inkling, a new digital sketch pen that captures a digital likeness of your work while you sketch with its ballpoint tip on any sketchbook or standard piece of paper. Designed for rough concepting and creative brainstorming, Inkling bridges the gap between paper sketching and digital drawing by giving users at the front end of the creative process a way to rough-out ideas with real ink on paper and capture their concepts digitally so that they can be later refined on their computer. Inkling even allows users to create layers in the digital file while sketching on paper in the following creative software applications: Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® Illustrator® and Autodesk® Sketchbook® Pro.
Spontaneous and Liberating

Virtually anyone who uses sketching to capture their creative ideas and wants to have their drawings in a digital format to e-mail, archive or further refine on their computer can benefit from Inkling. For example, artists, illustrators, or story boarders who appreciate the convenience, speed and spontaneity of loosely sketching their ideas on paper could profit from the capabilities of Wacom's Inkling digital sketch pen. In everyday use, a graphic designer could use Inkling to create rough concepts on paper for a new advertising campaign and then review and share these concepts on the computer with colleagues or clients. The pen and receiver store and recharge in a compact case making it easy to transport Inkling between, home, office, hotel or any typical workspace.

"Inkling's inspiration comes from a desire to give artistic people the freedom to draw on paper and to provide an easy way to transition the drawings to digital media," said Glenn Tsunekawa, Global Product Manager at Wacom.
Inkling Specifics

The Inkling digital sketch pen is comprised of both hardware and software components. Hardware includes both the pen and a wireless receiver that captures a likeness of the sketch and stores it digitally. The ballpoint pen uses Wacom's pressure sensing technology (1024 levels of sensitivity) to detect how hard the pen is being pressed to the paper while sketching. These pressure variations will appear in the digital version of your drawing. "Through its pressure sensitivity, Inkling captures the varied line weights created by the ink pen," adds Tsunekawa.

The receiver can be clipped to the edge of standard paper or sketchbooks and the position can be adjusted for left or right handed users to provide the receiver with an uninterrupted line of sight with the pen tip. When sketching is complete, the receiver is connected to the user's computer via USB to transfer the digital files. Files can be opened with the included Inkling Sketch Manager software to edit, delete or add layers as well as to change formats and transfer the files for adjustment and editing in creative software applications.

Inkling can store thousands of sketches and export layered files directly to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (CS3 or newer), as well as Autodesk Sketchbook Pro (2011). Alternatively, files can be saved in JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, SVG and PDF formats for use with other applications. According to Tsunekawa, "Inkling's support of raster based applications such as Adobe Photoshop, as well as vector based applications such as Illustrator and Autodesk Sketchbook Designer, will provide users with options for incorporating their preliminary sketches into further developed work".
The Ideal Companion for Intuos® and Cintiq®

Users of Wacom Intuos pen tablets and Cintiq interactive pen displays gain extra benefits by adding an Inkling to their creative toolbox. "For those working with our professional products, the pen is already their input tool of choice," continued Tsunekawa. "Inkling can deliver an immediate ROI to these users by delivering an accelerated and more mobile workflow resulting in digital files that can easily and quickly be transferred to their home or office computer and redrawn using the Intuos or Cintiq pen."

LG Thrill 4G will arrive on September 4th, AT&T confirms

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 01:43 AM PDT

Following a series of delays and setbacks, it looks like the Thrill 4G will indeed be coming to AT&T on September 4th. The carrier confirmed the date late last night, in a tweet promising that LG's glasses-free 3D handset will make our world "come alive." Back in July, AT&T confirmed that the US version of the Optimus 3D would officially sell for $99, though that could very well vary across retailers. Hit up the source link to find out more, on AT&T's product page.

Samsung announces three Wave handsets, dripping in Bada 2.0 and ChatON

Posted: 30 Aug 2011 12:38 AM PDT

It's shaping up to a be a busy IFA for Samsung. Barely 24 hours after announcing its new ChatON messaging client, the manufacturer is now gearing up to release a troika of new Bada 2.0-powered Wave handsets -- the Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y -- set to make their debut this week in Berlin. Leading the pack is the Wave 3, which leaked earlier this week. Powered by a 1.4GHz processor, this little guy boasts a 4-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display, 3GB of memory (along with a 32GB microSD slot) and a five megapixel, auto-focus-enabled shooter. The Wave M, meanwhile, packs slightly less juice, with a 832MHz processor, a 3.65-inch WVGA screen and 150MB of onboard storage (with a 2GB inbox and 32GB microSD slot). Rounding out the collection is the Wave Y, with its 3.2-inch HVGA display, 832MHz engine and two megapixel camera. All three feature your usual smattering of WiFi / Bluetooth 3.0 capabilities and will ship with ChatON and Samsung's Social Hub baked into their DNA. No word yet on pricing or availability, but you can find out more in the full press release, after the break.
Show full PR text
Samsung debuts a trio of new bada 2.0-powered Wave smartphones, in the lead of Wave 3

New Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y smartphones combine stylish design with ChatON mobile communication service

Seoul, Korea, August 30, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of the flagship 4" chic smartphone Wave 3, the social-powerhouse Wave M and the smart-start Wave Y.

All three devices, borne of Samsung's heritage in innovation, are powered by Samsung's own new bada 2.0 platform which brings together a wide variety of new capabilities including multi-tasking, Wi-Fi Direct, voice recognition and Near Field Communication (optional). It enables smartphone users to experience advanced services such as photo and file sharing without Internet networking, mobile payment and transport pass-card recharge.

ChatON is Samsung's proprietary mobile communication service that works across all major mobile devices. A global cross-platform communication service links all your friends and contacts instantly. Micro-communities can be set up through group chat, while a web client allows the sharing of content and conversations between mobile and PC.

Samsung Apps, an integrated application store for Samsung smartphones, is also available. With an improved UI and enhanced store features, Samsung Apps offers a wide variety of applications from globally well-known content to locally-customized applications.

"Smartphones are gaining popularity by the day. The new additions to the Wave portfolio are the first to benefit from the power of our bada 2.0 platform; the full extent of our commitment is clear to see in each device. We've produced easy-to-use smartphones that will inspire the market," said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung's Mobile Communications business.

Smarts meet style, the Wave 3

The Samsung Wave 3 is a beautiful and chic smartphone that crams a market-leading 4" Super AMOLED display, a 1.4GHz processor and HSPA connectivity into a 9.9mm brushed-metal case. Building on the Wave series' style heritage in full metal design, the Wave 3 is the perfect device for the style-conscious consumer. Excellently constructed of anodized aluminum, the slim yet solid unibody design supports your active, on-the-move lifestyle.

The Wave 3 includes Samsung's integrated Social Hub and Music Hub, allowing the purchase and download of tracks and albums over-the-air. With smarter multi-tasking, seamless push notification and Wi-Fi Direct, the Wave 3 has the capabilities to keep you connected and entertained at all times.

The first ChatON equipped smartphone, the Wave M

The Samsung Wave M allows users to keep up-to-date with their hectic social lives with ChatON and Social Hub. With a wide 3.65" HVGA screen made from tempered glass and a metallic body, the Wave M lets users stay socially connected from everywhere. ChatON, streamlined messaging feeds, enhanced on-the-go web browsing and Wi-Fi applications deliver a seamless mobile experience. Wi-Fi Direct and NFC (optional) add further functionality.

A smart-start, the Wave Y

The Samsung Wave Y is the perfect device to introduce new users to the world of smartphone experiences. With a stylish metallic hairline body and large 3.2" HVGA screen, new users can take their first steps to mobile social networking with Social Hub and ChatON. Simple personalisation is enabled via the Live Panel, Lock Screen and Folder management, while Music Hub, a portable music manager, gives users a jukebox in their pocket.

The Wave 3, the Wave M and the Wave Y will all be on display at Samsung's Stand at IFA 2011 in Berlin.

LG HX906TX home theater system promises 3D sound, enviable Super Bowl acoustics

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 11:24 PM PDT

Looking to enhance the audio in your man (or lady) cave? Then you may want to check out LG's new HX906TX 9.1 cinema sound system -- a ten-speaker package claiming to deliver "truly 360-degree sound." It's designed to make you feel like you're at the center of the audio (even if you're really at the far end of the room smooshed between two people on the couch) -- the way you might hear in a concert hall or really large bathroom with great acoustics. LG says it uses a DSP algorithm to pump audio vertically and horizontally using 3D reflectors, extending sound upwards and filling in the gaps. You'll also get added features like Blu-ray playback, WiFi Direct and Smart TV connectivity to smartphones and tablets using an app, although there's no word yet on pricing or availability. PR after the break.
Show full PR text
LG'S NEW HX906TX CINEMA 3D SOUND HTS BOASTS TRUE 360-DEGREE SOUND

SEOUL--(Korea Newswire) August 29, 2011 -- LG Electronics (LG) will be thrilling IFA 2011 with the HX906TX, its all-new CINEMA 3D Sound HTS whose 9.1 speaker system creates the closest thing to the audio power of movie theatres or live concerts. Thanks to its innovative new sound configuration, the HX906TX delivers truly 360-degree sound that envelopes viewers in audio – both horizontally and vertically – like never before.

"LG is pioneering the field of 3D sound with the 9.1 speaker system on the HX906TX," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. "Along with our groundbreaking CINEMA 3D TV, the HX906TX sets new standards in immersive entertainment, with a sound so rich and textured, it's hard to believe it's not real."

The key feature in creating the HX906TX's sound is its 9.1 speaker system, which adds four Upright 3D Speakers to the conventional 5.1 channels on a home theatre system. With 10 speakers in total delivering an optimized, multi-directional audio, the HX906TX creates an immersive sound that is also powerful enough to capture the delicate background sounds of everyday life.

By sitting on top of the Tallboy speaker units, the Upright 3D Speakers further enrich the audio by pumping sound upward, ensuring that the vertical space is completely filled with sound. In addition, a 360-degree Reflector inside each of the Upright 3D Speakers reflects sound in all directions, creating acoustics as rich as those in a concert hall.

By applying LG's unique 3D effect DSP algorithm, Sound Field Expansion technology further expands the horizontal sound field, and works in harmony with the Upright 3D Speakers to create a truly immersive, 360-degree sound experience. Sound Field Expansion extends the audio "sweet spot" so viewers always feel as if they are right in the middle of the sound, even when they're gathered together in larger groups. Moreover, the 3D Sound Analyzer analyzes complex layers of original sound, adding sound information to any empty space. The result is more detailed and realistic 3D Sound audio.

Among its array of other top-notch features, the HX906TX boasts 3D Blu-ray™ Playback that delivers stunning 3D images in full, 1,080p HD. Producing clear 3D images with 12-bit, 4,096-step gradation, the HX906TX's 3D Blu-ray™ Playback is the perfect visual accompaniment to its immersive sound.

The HX906TX's cubic, slim-line design combines a metallic silver hairline with a glossy texture to create a unit that complements any living room or lounge.

For the best in entertainment options, the HX906TX comes with LG's outstanding Smart TV functions. Premium Content provides a wide array of VOD services for the whole family, while LG Apps deliver top quality lifestyle, educational and interactive applications tailor-made for TVs. And users only need to download an app to turn their Android or iPhone smartphone into a comprehensive remote control for the HX906TX.

Ensuring viewers will never be short of things to listen to or watch, the HX906TX's Wi-Fi Direct™ enables simple file sharing without the need for a wireless hotspot. The HX906TX can also access and share any content on DLNA-certified digital devices – such as mobile phones, tablets and PCs – while the single HDMI connection means viewers can send or receive top-quality audio data via a single HDMI cable. In addition, multi-playback lets the HX906TX support a wide range of media formats, including MKV and DivX HD.

Further ramping up the convenience and fun, Music ID by Gracenote provides simultaneous information – including artist, song and album titles – on whatever the user is listening to. And an iPhone/iPod cradle lets users enjoy their own personal music libraries via the HX906TX's rich digital sound.

To see more of LG's Home Entertainment offerings at IFA, take a "LG 3D World Booth Tour" on HE Media Day on September 1 at 15:00 or 16:00 in Hall 11.2 of Messe Berlin.

Klipsch intros Image S4A in-ears, lets Android users feel the in-line remote love

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 09:39 PM PDT

There's no question Klipsch's S4 in-ear headphone line has some of the best to be had for under $100, yet aside from its iPhone-compatible S4i variant, mobile phone users wanting an in-line remote's benefits were outta luck. Well, it looks like times are a-changin' as an Android-oriented version of the noise-isolating buds, appropriately dubbed S4A, has popped up for pre-order on Klipsch's site. The remote's compatible down to Android 2.1 and appears to be slightly tweaked from the S4i with less buttons, but the specs say it'll work for phone calls, music control and volume adjustment. To make this cake's icing even richer, a Klipsch Control App will also allow for "customized functionality." They're priced at a cool Benjamin with no word on a ship date just yet, but you'll find some robot-clad closeups in the gallery below.
Klipsch Image S4A in-ear headphones

[Thanks, Bjorn and Jason]

Switchblade Adroit controller for gamers with disabilities

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 08:44 PM PDT

The Razer-sharp "Switchblade" was first pulled on us at CES, and since then we've been prodded by a new product under the same sharp name from Evil Controllers and AbleGamers. Released as part of the "Adroit" line for gamers with disabilities, the 19-port controller comes standard with two joysticks and allows for personal positioning of sticks, buttons and rumble packs dependent on individual need. Originally designed for Xbox 360, it can be adapted for playing on PCs and PS3s, as well. Although there's no official launch date or price, Thrifty Nerd says the device will set you back "a few hundred dollars" -- probably a value compared to calling Hack-King Ben Heck.

Sprint Strategy Update coming on October 7th, significant 4G plans likely to be unveiled

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 08:09 PM PDT

Sprint's Dan Hesse told us point-blank back in July that he was penning a "great story around 4G" for this fall, and it looks as if October 7th will be the date that it "all becomes clear." We just received an invitation to quite the atypical event -- a "strategy update" for the press to cover in New York City. All we're told is that presentations by senior management will be on tap, with a sure-to-be-lively Q&A session to follow. 'Course, this may all be a ploy to waste our precious time on a precious Friday in autumn, but something tells us Sprint ain't exactly in a position to be blowing cash on a Hot Air session. So, what's on deck? Let's count the possibilities: more details on its side regarding the iPhone 5? A full-on acquisition of Clearwire (plus a shift to LTE-Advanced)? More details on that elusive LightSquared arrangement? A merger with AT&T&T to create the largest telecommunications provider this side of Pluto? We'll be there to find out, but for now, hypotheses are being accepted in comments below.

Growing Up Geek: Richard Lai

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 07:05 PM PDT

Welcome to Growing Up Geek, an ongoing feature where we take a look back at our youth and tell stories of growing up to be the nerds that we are. Today, we have our very own Senior Associate Editor, Richard Lai, who also happens to be the Editor-in-chief of Engadget Chinese.

I've come to the point in life where I stop paying attention to my age, though it's still fun to make people guess it for their reaction -- you'll find out after the break, but here's a hint: I've spent the same number of years in both Hong Kong and the UK, plus a couple of years in Australia. Such a combination has turned me into a Chinese guy who speaks both British English and two Chinese dialects while holding an Australian passport; but I tend to skip all this and say that I'm a spy with many gadgets.
According to my Tiger Mom, my first encounter with gadgets started as early as at the age of two -- I somehow managed to ceaselessly destroy home telephones at the time, thus forcing my folks to opt for the cheaper models. It's rather ironic that I'm now the one who owns the most number of phones in the family. At some point around that age I also accidentally killed my father's tank of koi carp by feeding them washing powder, but 'tis a story for another day.

Surprisingly, I don't think said mischief shaped my interest in gadgets later on. It really all started with our new life in Australia when I was four, and my uncle there happened to have a Nintendo Entertainment System. I still remember the "wow" moment when I first saw this gray box and the pixelated plumber on the Super Mario Bros. cartridge. Thanks to the lack of game-saving ability, my determination to uncover all the secret boxes and chambers quickly led to my first pair of prescription glasses.

Did I mention I have a Tiger Mom in the house? TV gaming consoles were forbidden in our household since we moved back to Hong Kong two years later, so really, the slim Xbox 360 I acquired last year is my first-ever TV console. Not that I get much time to fully appreciate it these days, anyway. Despite the seemingly strict rules, I still managed to get my hands on a couple of Game Boys and Digimons throughout my Hong Kong childhood (anyone remember the pencil trick for speeding up Digimon growth?), along with a Panasonic SJ-MR200 MiniDisc player and a whole stash of Pokémon cards while I was at high school (OK, I did scream a little when I pulled out a Mew from a packet). Needless to say, some of those toys required a lot of persuasion and promises of good grades, though the Game Boys came from a very kind family friend who also happens to be a super geek fan of many gadgets.

Thinking about it, we didn't have a particularly rich collection of gadgets, nor were my parents passionate about electronics. The most impressive piece of tech back then would have been my father's mobile phone -- it's rather amusing seeing how he went from a massive brick all the way to a small candy bar over the years. I think he still keeps his first ever Motorola handset in his office for showing off, if not for self defense (admittedly, I was too frightened to touch it when I was tiny, fearing I'd drop and break it). Don't be mistaken, though: I definitely didn't get my nerd genes from my old man -- this dude doesn't even have a computer on his office desk, and he can only just about use a mouse. It was only last year when he showed interest in the iPad, so I got the couple each an iPad when Apple started clearing stock for the iPad 2.

I guess my lust for the latest and greatest gadgets come from my competitive nature, and the fact that I've always been able to quickly figure out how to operate them or set them up without looking at the manual -- it was (and still is) pretty satisfying when this happened, especially in front of impressed adults back then. There's just something about cables and graphical user interface -- they rarely get in my way (except for that one time when I poked my finger into an Australian wall socket), but for the same reason, I'd spend hours fiddling with the troublesome gadgets and software installations before giving up.

Alas, I didn't quite have the same determination with my studies in my first year at high school, and looking back now, the various aforementioned distractions were no doubt part of the problem, and I also discovered PC games that year. The outcome of this was my parents sending me off to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere, aka Wiltshire in the UK (near Stonehenge, if that rings a bell for anyone). Thank goodness that I was able to fly back home two or three times a year then, because the countryside offered little more than grazing cows and the occasional fertilizer stench to kids trapped within the campus. In my first couple of years there, the closest I got to some new technology were the Royal Air Force jets roaring over us every now and then.

Of course, I didn't really hate the countryside nor the school. In fact, that special place offered many opportunities for me to show off my nerdy side in various ways. Most notably, I was one of the few kids in my first year there to possess a digital camera (a hefty 1.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix 1400 Zoom), and quite naturally, I became a general photographer for my schoolmates to document some skateboarding, pranks, birthday bumps and parties. In the later years I became our school magazine's photographer, so I was able to borrow the more powerful and eccentric Nikon Coolpix 4500, and then I eventually convinced school to purchase a Nikon D50.

While I was off my photography duty, I also built a couple of websites: one for the beekeeping club (yes, I was in it too; that's how awesome the school was), and one for our senior boarding house. Just last week, my brother asked where I acquired my HTML skills, and all I remember is that ever since I received my first laptop -- a bulky but tough Fujitsu LifeBook C2010 -- I started fiddling with FrontPage (come on, who hasn't?), until I got fed up with the limitations and migrated to Dreamweaver. I didn't take any lessons except for the few times when I asked an IT teacher for some advice -- the dude was even kind enough to give me a one-to-one crash course on making simple Flash animation.

On top of that, I gradually became my schoolmates' and teachers' go-to guy for all computer related problems. My proudest achievement was beating a technician at getting a projector to talk to a laptop just moments before we were due to perform Les Misérables in London's West End. Might I add that we were the first to perform a school production of said musical, hence the invitation to perform in London for one night -- I played the farmer who kicked Jean Valjean off his farm, though thinking about it, I should've pushed for a rice paddy field while I was at it.

It may sound like I had a clean record at my boarding school (and I wasn't even going to mention me singing tenor in the choir), but allow me to share my darker moments there. Leaving the few fights in the early years aside, at some point in my final year I "needed" to get around the ports to access the Internet from my dorm (hey, I needed my daily dose of Engadget before bed), and let's just say my operation might have involved a wireless router, a surprisingly effective self-made "WindSurfer" antenna booster, plus a couple of HomePlugs. Oh, I got caught red-handed alright, despite the fact that I hid everything nicely inside a computer tower in the boarding house's computer room -- ironically, the technician who spotted my rig were there to work out how to enable Internet connection for our boarding house's isolated internal network (which was mainly used for Counter-Strike from time to time).

It was a rather awkward conversation with the deputy head master, especially since I was also the deputy school captain or something like that (no, not the Zac Efron kind). Anyway, I got away with just having my connectivity gear confiscated, and I managed to behave myself for the remaining months in that school year.

Engadget and similar tech blogs weren't enough for me -- I also wanted to touch the new gadgets, but thankfully, I was still able to keep myself up to date with the few trips back to Hong Kong each year. Over time, walking around the computer malls in Sham Shui Po and gadget shops in Mongkok became a habit of mine (and eventually I would extend my coverage to Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei), so my friends and relatives learned to come to me for shopping advice. I, on the other hand, looked to a computer-related course at university, thinking some coding and circuit building would suit me well given my unhealthy obsession with electronics.

Oddly enough, I ended up enjoying the photography club and writing for our student newspaper more than the course itself. I should've seen this coming -- I had already spent two summers as an intern soldering countless prototype circuit boards for some car audio head units, and that was quite possibly the most boring thing I'd ever done. Sure, the course at uni was much more than that, but similarly, I quickly lost interest while staring at circuit boards and codes for hours in the labs. Too bad I didn't heed the advice of one of the engineers at the company: he plainly told me to pick any course other than electronic engineering to avoid being stuck in his seemingly boring job (his words, not mine).

Don't get me wrong, though, I thoroughly enjoyed the company of my awesome (and super bright) coursemates at uni, and they were the ones who actively encouraged me to throw myself into Engadget. Coincidentally, the rare opportunity arose twice for me: one from an open call for a London editor (which I didn't get through), and another from a brief meetup with ex-Senior Editor Thomas Ricker. Eventually, I would quit uni for this job; and that, my friends, is how you seriously upset your Tiger Mom and Tiger Dad.

Do I have any regrets? Only a bit. I should've checked the male-to-female ratio when picking university (no offense, Imperial College London). As for this job, I don't think I can get any geekier given my circumstances (though it still feels good to know vaguely what Fourier transform's for and how FPGA works), not to mention that I get to lay my hands on some products well before my envious friends can. Well, the small proportion of friends who care that much about gadgets, anyway.

Richard is currently based in Hong Kong, surrounded by a vast range of gadgets and delicious food. On Twitter he's @richardlai, but be warned: he does tweet a lot. This guy's also just turned 24 today.

iTunes Match goes live for iOS developers

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 06:32 PM PDT

Enrolled in the iOS developer program and interested in iTunes Match? Better point that browser towards Apple's dev portal, as Cupertino's just flipped the switch for its upcoming music laundering service. There you'll find iTunes 10.5 beta 6.1 with iTunes Match which'll let you sign up for a yearly $24.99 fee. Hopping on the bandwagon early has extra rewards too -- early birds get three months (on top of their yearly sub) for free. A tipster also provided us with a screencap (after the break) of his iPod touch running the current iOS beta, which now magically has a toggle for the service under the Music section of the Settings app. Taking the plunge? Let us know how you fare in the comments.

[Thanks, Matt]

Photographer goes digital, blows half a million dollars on a 10MP sensor

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 06:04 PM PDT

Ever spent way too much on a luxury watch or handbag? We hear ya -- the Engadget closet is bulging with Balenciaga clutches we hardly ever take out any more. But do you know who we blame for these inexplicable lapses of consumer judgment? A professional photographer by the name of Mitchell Feinberg, who happens to own the world's largest digital sensor. He uses the $500,000 custom-built 8x10-inch camera back to help capture mouthwatering advertising stills for couture clients like Bulgari and Vogue. What's really loco, though, is that the sensor is only 10MP, which isn't remotely sufficient for printable art. Instead, Feinberg puts it to work as a replacement for Polaroid; grabbing full-size test snaps during a shoot before reverting to an old-fashioned sheet of 8x10 film for the final money-shot. Whereas he previously spent $50k per year on Polaroid stock, now he spends nothing. So, unlike those silly blue-tinted Ray-Bans we bought for our vacation, this block of light-receptive love should eventually pay for itself. (Oh, and speaking of summer breaks, Feinberg says he's currently away on his, but he promises to post some sample pics on his site when he returns.)

MOG brings its music streaming magic to Boxee

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 05:01 PM PDT

Do you own a Boxee Box and have an account with a little streaming music service called MOG? Well, soon enough you'll be able to pick and choose from the company's 11.5 million song strong library right on your TV. That's 320kbps audio and album art in 1080p that you can peruse using your double-sided Boxee remote and a welcome expansion of the media box's music repertoire -- which currently includes Last.FM and Pandora. You can try MOG for 14-days for free, but after that you'll have to sign up for either a $4.99-a-month basic account or a $9.99-per-month Primo account if you want to keep enjoying its streaming audio selection. Check out the PR after the break.

Update: We just got word that MOG should be live on Boxee around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, so get ready to crank those speakers and wake up the neighbors.
Show full PR text
MOG's Award-Winning Streaming Music Service Now Available for Boxee

First On-Demand Music Service to Bundle Music & Radio in HD For TVs Via The Boxee Box by D-Link

BERKELEY, Calif., August 30, 2011 – MOG today announced the availability of a new app for the Boxee Box by D-Link, giving the award-winning streaming music service its newest home entertainment platform for the ultimate music listening experience. MOG is the first on-demand music service providing unlimited music in high quality, 320 kbps, to be offered as a native app for Boxee. Listeners can now enjoy MOG's HQ audio through this new living room offering, featuring a wireless remote keypad for quick searches of MOG's 11.5-million song catalog on a user's connected TV.

MOG is available from Boxee's App Library, and the onscreen instructions quickly walk users through connecting their Boxee Box to a MOG account. Both new and existing MOG users can visit http://www.mog.com/boxee to get started. Once listeners have connected their MOG account to Boxee, they will enjoy fast, streamlined access to MOG's unlimited, on-demand music service through Boxee's cutting edge hardware and HD interface. Boxee's dual-sided remote features a QWERTY keypad, for easy, user-friendly searching of your favorite artists, albums and tracks.

"Music belongs everywhere, and Boxee brings MOG to the living room in an incredibly responsive and well-designed way," said Drew Denbo, Senior Vice President of Business Development for MOG. "Our goal is to constantly challenge the status quo with an ever-growing suite of best of breed apps and players that give our listeners access to MOG's ultimate music listening experience wherever they are. We're thrilled to merge our high-quality audio with Boxee's all-in-one entertainment interface for accessing music from the Internet on a TV."

MOG subscribers will enjoy the following features of the new MOG app for Boxee:

Unlimited music: Access to over 11.5 million songs and over one million albums, on-demand.
High quality audio: Music is streamed at 320 kbps-better than any other music service.
Full QWERTY Remote: Seamless search through Boxee's dual-sided remote featuring simple controls on one side, and a QWERTY keypad on the reverse.
Best-in-class, personal radio: The most powerful music discovery engine on the planet enables both artist-only and similar artists radio.
One-click access: With one click, get instant access to new releases, top artists, top albums and editor's picks.
Boxee HD: Enjoy MOG's album art on your TV in stunning 1080p HD.
Wireless connection: Boxee streams from the Internet directly to your home entertainment system, no PC required.

MOG's app for Boxee is available for free to new and existing subscribers who own a Boxee Box by D-Link. The Boxee can be purchased for $199 from http://boxee.tv. After a 14-day free trial, new MOG users can subscribe to either of MOG's subscription plans, both of which include Boxee access:

MOG Basic, $4.99 per month: Access to MOG on Boxee, Roku, LG Internet connected TVs & Blu-ray players, and online.
MOG Primo, $9.99 per month: Access to MOG through mobile devices (iPhone, iPod touch and Android), via Sonos and through all Basic platforms (Boxee, Roku, LG Internet connected TVs & Blu-ray players, and online.

About MOG Inc.

MOG Inc. is a next-generation music media company founded in June 2005 by David Hyman, former CEO for Gracenote. MOG's all-you-can-eat, on-demand listening service provides access to a vast library of over 11 million songs and over one million albums through its mobile apps on iPhone and Android phones, online, and on streaming entertainment and consumer electronic devices. MOG Inc. is also the provider of The MOG Music Network (MMN), the premier destination for music content online and largest music focused advertising network consisting of over 1700 music sites, reaching over 59 million people each month.

Headquartered in Berkeley, California, MOG Inc. investors include Menlo Ventures, Balderton Capital, Simon Equity Partners, Universal Music Group and Sony Music. Grammy-winning record producer, Rick Rubin, named by Time Magazine as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the world," is a member of MOG's Board of Directors.

About D-Link

D-Link is the global leader in connectivity for consumer electronics and an award-winning designer, developer and manufacturer of networking, broadband, storage, home automation, security, and entertainment solutions for the digital home. With millions of networking and connectivity products manufactured and shipped, D-Link is a dominant market participant and price/performance leader in the networking and communications market. For more information visit http://www.dlink.com.

About Boxee

Boxee is changing the way people experience home entertainment by bringing TV shows, movies, videos, and music from the Internet to the TV. Boxee's software can be easily downloaded for free to any computer or embedded in living room devices. Boxee has quickly established itself as the best way to bring entertainment from different sources into one place - anything from a local collection of movies, TV shows, music, and photos, to streaming content from websites like MLB.TV, Pandora, Last.fm, and flickr. Users can also discover new entertainment from their friends and share recommendations with social networks like Facebook and Twitter. More than a million people use Boxee to enjoy their entertainment. Learn how you can join them at www.boxee.tv.

Polymer Vision drops the ball on its flexible display, literally

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 04:34 PM PDT


Flexible displays may well be the future, but it's not hard to see that they won't truly be practical unless they're also as durable as they are flexible. Polymer Vision is well aware of that fact, of course, and it's now gone to some "extreme" lengths to demonstrate the progress it's made on that front. See the results for yourself in the video above.

Snow Leopard to get iCloud support in 10.6.9 update?

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 04:09 PM PDT

Apparently those of you who aren't upgrading to Cupertino's latest and greatest desktop OS will be able to sling bits through iCloud with the upcoming 10.6.9 update. The screenshot above comes via an eagle-eyed developer, who's already upgraded his MobileMe account to the service and also happened to open its forebearer's preference pane on a machine running Tiger. No word on when it'll drop (we'd place our bets alongside iOS 5's launch this fall), but looks like those of you running Snow Leopard got some readin' to do.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 torn down, put back together for your amusement (video)

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 03:48 PM PDT

Nothing like a little gadget carnage to get your week started off right. This week, DirectFix takes you on an eight-and-a-half minute journey inside a Rogers-branded version of the new BlackBerry Bold 9900. The video is intended as an instructional guide on repairing the RIM smartphone at home, but should also provide vicarious thrills for the warrant-wary. Video of the process in action after the break. And if you do try this at home, here's hoping you don't wind up with any extra screws.

Must See HDTV (August 29th - September 4th)

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 03:24 PM PDT

We're still in a holding pattern waiting for the NFL regular season to start and fall TV shows to premiere but luckily college football is here to save the day. It's not alone though, check out our highlighted picks of the week right here, followed after the break by our weekly listings of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

College Football
While the pros -- a distinction that is getting fuzzier and fuzzier *cough* Miami *cough* -- get ready for their season to start college football teams will be getting back to it this weekend. UNLV and Wisconsin have the first high profile matchup of the year on ESPN (and ESPN 3D) Thursday night while Oregon and LSU play Saturday in a game that could have National Championship implications right away. We'll include some of the high profile national matchups on our schedule, but you can click here to find out where every nationally broadcast game will be on throughout the season -- we know how tough tracking Middle Tennessee can be.

The Hour
BBC America will air the third of six episodes of this drama on Wednesday night as it takes us behind the scenes of a 1950s TV news show featuring The Wire's Dominic West. While it's a period piece with plenty of sex, sexism and whiskey if you're looking for a Mad Men clone you'll likely be disappointed. The short story arc doesn't build Don Draper-like lead characters, but the Suez Crisis, spies and a suspicious death form a strong enough backdrop for us to sink our teeth into. If you're a fan of British TV we'd rate this one below the excellent Luther, but well above Law & Order: UK -- check out a trailer after the break.
(August 31, BBC America, 10 PM)

Madden NFL 12
It's that time of year again, when Madden comes out and we resort to couch based battles of supremacy for bragging rights and more. As usual, not that much has changed from year to year, but there are updates including a new collision system that promises to improve tackling, custom playbooks and new camera angles cribbed from NFL Films archives. After generally positive reviews -- it snagged a 3.5-star rating from our friends at Joystiq -- we won't stop you from laying down $60 one more time for EA's annual refresh.
($59.99, August 30)


Blu-ray & Games
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D
  • The Coen Brothers Collection (Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, Miller's Crossing, Fargo)
  • Top Gun 25th Anniversary Edition
  • Madden NFL 12 (PS3, Xbox)
  • White Knight Chronicles II (PS3)
  • Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (PS3, Xbox 360)
Monday
  • Carfellas (series premiere), Discovery, 10 PM
  • Death Valley (series premiere), MTV, 10:30 PM
  • American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior (fall premiere), 9 PM
  • Eureka, Syfy, 8 PM
  • The Bachelor Pad, ABC, 8 PM
  • Warehouse 13, Syfy, 9 PM
  • Top Gear UK, BBC America, 9 PM
  • The Closer, TNT, 9 PM
  • Rizzoli & Isles, TNT, 10 PM
  • Alphas, Syfy, 10 PM
  • The Lying Game, ABC Family, 9 PM
  • Weeds, Showtime, 10 PM
  • The Big C, Showtime, 10:30 PM
Tuesday
  • It's Worth What?, NBC, 8 PM
  • America's Got Talent, NBC, 9 PM
  • Cocaine: A History Between The Lines, History, 8 PM
  • Take The Money And Run, ABC, 9 PM
  • Born To Dance, BET, 10 PM
  • Dirty Money, Discovery, 10 PM
  • Top Shot, History, 10 PM
  • Web Therapy, Showtime, 11 PM
  • Awkward, MTV, 11 PM
Wednesday
  • Royal Pains (summer finale), USA, 9 PM
  • The Franchise: A Season With The San Francisco Giants (season finale), Showtime, 10 PM
  • Rake (season finale), DirecTV 101, 11 PM
  • Hard Knocks: A Decade of NFL Training Camps, HBO, 10 PM
  • Buried Treasure, Fox, 8 PM
  • Melissa & Joey, ABC Family, 8 & 8:30 PM
  • America's Got Talent, NBC, 9 PM
  • Inside NASCAR, Showtime, 9 PM
  • Damages, DirecTV, 10 PM
  • Law & Order: UK, BBC America, 9 PM
  • The Hour, BBC America, 10 PM
  • Necessary Roughness, USA, 10 PM
  • Rescue Me, FX, 10 PM
Thursday
  • UNLV/Wisconsin college football, ESPN & ESPN 3D, 8 PM
  • Rising: Rebuilding Ground Zero (season finale), Discovery, 8, 9 & 10 PM
  • Ugly Americans (season finale), Comedy Central, 10:30 PM
  • Burn Notice, USA, 9 PM
  • LA Ink, TLC, 10 PM
  • Suits, USA, 10 PM
  • Futurama, Comedy Central, 10 PM
  • Wilfred, FX, 10 PM
  • Louie, FX, 10:30 PM
Friday
  • Man, Woman, Wild (season premiere), Discovery, 8 PM
  • Friends With Benefits, NBC, 8 & 8:30 PM
  • Torchwood, Starz, 10 PM
  • Haven, Syfy, 10 PM
  • Iron Man Anime, G4, 11 PM
  • Wolverine Anime, G4, 11:30 PM
Saturday
  • Oregon/LSU college football, ABC 8 PM
  • I Faked My Own Death (series premiere), Discovery, 10 PM
  • Game Time: Tackling The Past, NBC, 8 PM
  • Doctor Who, BBC America, 9 PM
  • 24/7: Mayweather/Ortiz, HBO, 10 PM
  • NASCAR Nationwide Series @ Atlanta, ESPN, 7:30 PM
Sunday
  • Curiosity, Discovery, 8 PM
  • Dinosaur Revolution (series premiere), Discovery, 9 PM
  • True Blood, HBO, 9 PM
  • The Good Wife (special presentation), CBS, 9:30 PM
  • In The Flow with Affion Crockett, Fox, 9:30 PM
  • Breaking Bad, AMC, 10 PM
  • Top Gear, History, 10 PM
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO, 10 PM
  • Entourage, HBO, 10:30 PM
  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Series @ Atlanta, ESPN, 7:30 PM

Olympus PEN E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds camera review

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 03:00 PM PDT

Look, the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is cute. Adorable, even. In fact, those swayed by looks alone may be sold after whisking through our hands-on gallery below. But for those interested in more than a highly-capable fashion accessory, it's worth taking a deeper look into the latest member of the PEN Lite family. We'd strongly recommend reading over our PEN E-P3 review before continuing on, as a lot of what we found true there also applies here. 'Course, that's not at all unexpected given the wealth of shared resources: a new 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor, TruePic VI Image Processor, an ISO range peaking at 12,800, a reengineered autofocus system, full 1080i HD video with Dolby Digital sound recording, newly designed user interfaces and a variety of Art Filters / built-in creative features. Now that you're in the know, let's continue.
Olympus E-PL3 Micro Four Thirds camera hands-on


Design
Without qualification, the actual aesthetic of the E-PL3 is what most separates it from the bulkier, more prosumer-focused E-P3. Well, that and the price. From a design standpoint, the PEN Lite E-PL3 is far slimmer than the E-P3, yet it retains a heavier, metallic body that won't soon be mistaken for a toy. The smaller size comes with quite a few compromises. For one, there's no built-in flash, but Olympus was smart enough to toss in a hot-shoe flash accessory for those needing one. Moreover, the tilting LCD on the rear lacks support for touch -- hardly a deal-breaker for us, but others may disagree.


The real kicker is the dearth of modal buttons. There's a single scroll wheel (which is fixed quite close to the body), and far fewer buttons / knobs for tweaking manual settings on the fly. Those looking for a wealth of manual controls will obviously be disappointed, but to be fair, the E-PL3 isn't aimed at that market. By and large, those familiar with the face of the E-P3 will have no troubles acclimating, but you'll need to adjust to having fewer knobs to turn when looking to tweak things.


The overall build quality is nothing short of exemplary, and the metallic body exudes quality. A front-mounted grip would've been appreciated, but outside of that, it's hard to kvetch about the chassis. Also noteworthy is the battery; not only did it last for around 215 shots with around 30 minutes of video thrown in, but it's also the same cell found in the E-P3. Naturally, that makes charging and battery swapping a breeze for families that intend to own both.

Image and video quality
Same story, different day. Due to the highly similar internals in the E-PL3, the output is effectively identical to that of the E-P3. In other words, our gripes of excessive "jelly vision" in the videos and an overly digitized look to untouched images stands here as well, and while the E-P3 claims to have the planet's fastest autofocus system, the E-PL3 can't be far behind. We never found ourselves wishing for E-P3-level quickness whilst using the E-PL3, and that's a good thing.
Olympus PEN E-PL3 sample shots

Olympus PEN E-PL3 ISO test shots


We will say, however, that it was indeed more difficult to get our settings just so on the E-PL3, frustrating us into using the Automatic mode far more often than not. In fact, Olympus has deactivated some of the more advanced menu settings on the E-PL3, while leaving them unhidden by default on the E-P3. It's a nasty little trick, and it took us a bit to uncover what we just knew was there. Granted, we're glad that the company kept 'em in there (versus stripping them entirely), but it's still somewhat annoying. On the plus side, the refreshed UI seen on the E-P3 is present here as well, and it's still just as charming. Have a gander at our galleries and video to get a glimpse at what this guy offers, and be sure to dive into ePHOTOZine's review (linked in 'More Coverage' below) for a more in-depth peek at the sensor's capabilities.


Wrap-up
At $700 (with the same 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens that's bundled with the E-P3), the E-PL3 comes off a full $200 cheaper than its bulkier brother. And to us, it makes all the difference in the world. Despite having fewer buttons to mash and wheels to turn, the price point here doesn't put in direct competition with some of the nicer mid-range DSLRs. In other words, the E-PL3 is priced closer to a level that we'd expect -- at least, until you price out that $800 12mm wide-angle lens that's shown throughout this review.


Quality-wise, you're getting (largely) the same results as the more expensive E-P3, but in a lighter / cheaper package. The only problem? Sony's NEX-C3. That fellow offers the same -- if not superior -- performance in a kit that's priced at just $600, and unless you're already invested in Olympus glass, we can't offer a single compelling reason to buy the (admittedly more handsome) E-PL3 over that.

Quickoffice update brings document editing to the TouchPad

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 02:33 PM PDT

Well, we knew it was coming, and folks, it's finally here -- the promised update to Quickoffice HD that brings document editing to HP's webOS slate. Available gratis for TouchPad owners, the overhaul enables text formatting in Word docs, in addition to enabling cell and function editing in Excel spreadsheets. Unfortunately, editing of Powerpoint presentations is sorely lacking, but that's nothing another update can't cure, right?

Microsoft details Windows 8 Explorer tweaks, adds ribbon UI

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 02:16 PM PDT

Windows 8 Explorer
Lots of things are getting tweaked, if not completely overhauled, for Windows 8. That includes the ever-present Windows Explorer. Just like many other Microsoft apps, the file manager will be adopting the slightly more finger-friendly ribbon interface. But don't freak out about your precious screen real estate, the next version of Explorer will actually display more files than Windows 7 could by moving the details pane to the right-hand side and tweaking the padding. The up button has also returned and a slew of new keyboard shortcuts are being introduced. Check out the source link for more detail and a demo video.

TomTom announces Go Live 1535M in all its app-wielding glory, offers dashboard tweeting

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 01:55 PM PDT

If you're a fan of TomTom's Go Live series of nav units, you'll get a kick out of what the company announced today. Hitting retail and online stores in October is "the world's first portable navigation device with a suite of popular travel apps," the Go Live 1535M. That's right folks, this piece of dashboard flair will allow you to use Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia and Twitter all from the comfort of its 5-inch touchscreen. In addition to the new application integration, the GPS juggernaut's classic features will be available as well: hands-free calling, real-time traffic info, local search, fuel prices and weather forecasts. Sounds great, right? But what's that... you already sprung for the 2535M model? No worries, mates -- you'll be able to download the new features this fall via software update. Pricing for these app-enabled navigators will start at $250 which includes a free 12-month subscription to TomTom Live services. Pretty soon, you'll be able to make that dinner reservation while TomTom tells you how to get there, seconds before you tweet about it.
Show full PR text
TomTom Introduces World's First Navigation Device with Travel-Specific Apps and TomTom HD Traffic with Real-Time Updates
New Connected Devices Help Drivers Travel Smarter with Apps from Yelp®, TripAdvisor®, Expedia® and Twitter

Concord, MA, August 29, 2011 – TomTom today announced the launch of the world's first portable navigation device with a suite of popular travel apps. The connected TomTom GO LIVE 1535M device will combine the most comprehensive road and traffic information from TomTom HD Traffic, with the insight of travel-related apps. These new features will give people in cars the information they need on a dedicated device designed to offer the best navigation experience. Using TomTom's connected LIVE services, drivers can access the information they need while on the road by browsing through helpful travel apps from Yelp®, TripAdvisor®, Expedia® and Twitter. With these apps, users can read restaurant reviews, find hotel availability or automatically tweet their arrival time without ever leaving the car. Additionally, they'll have access to updated fuel prices, weather forecasts, and Local Search

"By giving people the most up-to-date traffic details as well as relevant local content provided by travel apps, TomTom is bringing a new level of connectivity to drivers by providing information in the most effective platform available," said Tim Roper, president of TomTom, Inc. "We are excited to expand TomTom HD Traffic services onto our new range of connected devices at a more affordable price, as it can dramatically reduce time spent in traffic for our customers."

As a connected device, the new TomTom GO LIVE device saves people time, money and stress by delivering real-time information and continuously monitoring and rerouting drivers based on current traffic conditions. TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate reporting available by capturing more of the actual traffic jams than ever before. Additionally, TomTom HD Traffic processes traffic conditions for all major and secondary roads within the U.S. road network and proactively delivers real-time traffic updates to devices every two minutes.

Features Overview
- Intuitive Voice Recognition with one-step address entry
- Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling*
- Integrated Mount with flip-screen
- Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus
- Expanded driving view on 5" touch screens
- Spoken Street Names
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Maps of US, CAN and MEX (GO LIVE 1535 M)
- Maps of US (GO LIVE 1530)
- Lifetime Map Updates** (varies by model)

Additional Features Available the GO LIVE 1535 M
- TomTom LIVE Services bundle, including TomTom HD Traffic (available in country of purchase)
- New Travel apps from Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia and Twitter
- Other popular TomTom Apps like Local Search, Fuel Prices, and Weather Forecasts

Availability and Pricing
The TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M will be available at retail stores and from online retailers in October 2011. Pricing starts at $249 MSRP. A free 12-month subscription of LIVE services will be available with each purchase.

The new GO devices will be available at retailers nationwide, including Amazon.com and tomtom.com.

Users of the GO LIVE 2535 M will also be able to download these Apps to their existing device through a software update this fall.

Motorola Droid Bionic to include Webtop accessories

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 01:29 PM PDT

Back when we first caught a glimpse of the Droid Bionic, we speculated that the post-Atrix placement of the micro-USB and micro-HDMI ports might make it compatible with the updated Photon Webtop dock and accessories. Judging by the screenshot grabbed by Droid Life, we might have a winner as the add-ons look to be interchangeable, possibly a first step towards CEO Sanjay Jha's promised improvements. The product page also says the accessories will be "affordable" for those "curious about the Webtop application" -- count us in.

[Thanks, Chris]

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM

Posted: 29 Aug 2011 01:11 PM PDT

It's Monday, and we're still here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. We finally managed to find our regular time on our regular day, but at this point is there even such a thing? So take a peek at the live stream, chat and list of topics after the break.

Engadget's HD Back to School Giveaway: Win Scarface and The Big Lebowski on Blu-ray!
DirecTV's Nomad teaser page suggests a Slingbox competitor, but little else
More DirecTV Nomad info uncovered, but details are still fuzzy
TiVo talks cable, satellite deals in Q2 results; DirecTiVo exposed! (video)
Time Warner Cable will pay for your Slingbox, in exchange for love
Google TV coming to the UK within six months
Google remains committed to TV business, expects more partners soon
Android SDK add-on brings Market one step closer to your Google TV
Apple stops renting TV shows in iTunes, could be working on a new kind of video service
ATSC commences 3DTV standard development, better get your glasses ready
Microsoft confirms 3D support in Halo: CE remake for Xbox 360
Xbox 360's ESPN3 app updated with more voice control, split screen and more
Digital Projection debuts new native ultrawidescreen projector
Sony's AR tool lets you put big screens in small apartments (video)
Must See HDTV (August 29th - September 4th)



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