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Friday, September 2, 2011

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Growing Up Geek: Sean Buckley

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 11:00 AM 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 Associate Editor, Sean Buckley.

Growing Up Geek: Sean Buckley
The hardest question I was ever asked as a kid was "what do you want to be when you grow up?" When the boys all cried "Fireman!," and the girls unanimously pledged their life to marine biology, I came up short. Growing up? I hadn't planned on that.

Peter Pan complex (and book collection) aside, I had it as good as any boy during the 80s / 90s split. I grew-up in the pre-internet stone-age, when the world was still a mystery that couldn't be Wiki'd away. Playground rumors went without debunk, and wild stories ran amok across the schoolyard -- pixies in England, aliens in New Mexico, and magical robot cars in Japan. The world was a fantastic, impossible place. It still is, but I'd be lying if I said the finality of reality isn't a small disappointment compared to the lies I loved as a child. With the information superhighway still under construction, I had to find other ways to spend my summers. Sure, countless hours were wasted well spent saving 8-bit princesses (and the world of course), but the best weeks of summer were had at Boy Scout camp, the County Fair, and trudging across the country on family road trips.

When most folks think of County Fairs, they think of the Carnival. Forget about that, the Carnival is rubbish -- I spent summer weeks at the fair cleaning animal pens, running through corn mazes, eating BBQ and showing pigs and lambs in 4-H competitions, eventually selling the livestock at auction. It was fantastic. Cleaning a pig-pen might not sound like a Summer highlight (and on its own, it's really not), but it was an essential part of the fair experience. My brothers and I spent the week with our friends; working together, supporting each other, and getting a hands-on feel for the rich agricultural history that built the foundation of today's Silicon Valley.

And then there were Summer days at Camp Chawanakee: Boy Scout camp. Nestled on the southern shore of Shaver Lake CA, Chawanakee was my home for one week of every Summer of my teenage life. It was comradery through earning merit badges, small boat sailing, and complaining about the grub that passed for breakfast in the mess hall; truly a unique culinary experience. Where else can you get pancakes that double as frisbees? Most of the week we suffered through cozy cots and canvas tents, but one night a year we would get the chance to canoe out to an island in the center of the lake and sleep under the stars.


The very last summer I spent at Chawanakee, our island getaway was rocked by a thunderstorm, forcing us to make a tough decision -- take cover under the strike-prone trees, or huddle under an all-metal conductive canoe? Yikes.

My 4-H and scouting excursions may have been light on gadgetry, but I made up for it in other areas of my life. Gizmos and toys were always around growing up: long before my arrival, my entire family had taken up an interest in amateur radio. I can't remember a childhood car ride without squawk box chitter chatter crackling through the voices of my Uncle, Grandfather, or the robotic monotone of "Charlie," our family-owned repeater. The portable ham rigs saved our skin a couple of times -- calling for help on a cell phone may be child's play today, but back then our ham radios were a unique and powerful tool. Stuck on the side of the road? Call Charlie, he'll help you out. The ham radio was a grown-up toy, a special gadget so exclusive and cool, you needed to pass a test just to use one. It took me a few tries, but I finally got a license of my own -- and although I now pocket a smartphone as my wireless doodad of choice, I'll always be proud of my "family gadget."

Be it a stroke of geeky luck, or just a consequence of being born in the 1980s, I've always had a thing for gizmos, gadgets, and computers. There was always some sort of PC around the house growing up. For awhile we had an Apple IIe in the garage, and for a number of years it was all DOS and batch programs -- Windows was a rare treat I would see when visiting my Grandparents. Despite the abundance of PCs in my home, we were always just behind the curve. I remember dialing into BBS networks specifically to pretend I was getting in on some of that "internet" action all my friends were talking about. It just wasn't the same. We too eventually joined the information age, and I got lost in a horrific Geocities jungle of atrocious web design, badly sourced rumors, and inane pre-teen AIM conversations. It was great.

Leaving video games out of my history would be an omission so egregious it would be tantamount to lying. I'm not sure where exactly our Nintendo Entertainment System came from (Christmas, I think?), but you can bet your britches I spent far more time parked in front of it than I should have. When the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake stuck, I was playing Super Mario Bros. 2. Not even a major seismic event could get me to drop that controller -- my Mother had to rescue me from my obsession, not to mention the TV that almost fell on me that day. To be fair, I was on the ice level, and there were no save points back then!

It was a great time to be a gamer -- we grew up with the games industry, absorbing video game history as it was made. Today, I play anything and everything, but back then I was on Nintendo's side of the console wars, scrounging pennies and mowing lawns to try to keep up system releases. The task even turned me into a little entrepreneur: I spent months collecting recycling returns and selling my Mother's home-made cookies door-to-door to save up enough to buy my own Super-Nintendo. It was probably the crowning financial achievement of my childhood.


A (questionably healthy) video game obsession isn't my only childhood fixation to persist through adulthood -- I've always had an affinity for those nerdy man-child standbys: cartoons, comic books, and science fiction. Just check out those halloween costumes: Ghostbusters. Star Trek. Batman. They're awesome, and you know it. The one thing I actually wanted to be as a child was a cartoonist, but I'm the first to admit that I never took it seriously. Four years behind the counter of my local comic shop was the closest I ever came, and I was happy to be there. Best retail job in the world? You bet. I never broke into comics or cartooning beyond scribbling in the margins, but I'll always love animation, comic books, and ridiculously cheesy (and awesome) science fiction.


Despite my aversion to growing-up (geek or otherwise), time trudges on, and we deal. I dealt by hopping over the ocean and spending about a month in Amagasaki, Japan. If I had to grow-up, I wanted to see for myself who I was when I was out of my element. Big surprise: pretty much the same guy as I was in my element. The premise for the adventure may have been weak, but it was worth every ill-advised second. I spent a month with a Japanese family that welcomed me as if I was their own, and who still refer to me as their "American son." The rest of the trip was a whirlwind around the greater Tokyo area -- getting lost on trains, meeting interesting people, and being a general tourist.

Eventually I had to go home, shape up, cut my hair, and finish college. I began my collegiate career with a focus on radio broadcasting, inspired by my family's ham radio days. I was eventually seduced by celluloid dreams and wound up shifting to the film / television side of my degree -- but my real passion was extracurricular. A niche gaming blog I followed went out on a limb, and let me cover Nintendo's fall media summit for them in 2008 -- soon I was spending my off-hours not playing games, but writing about them. The gig soon developed into the best hobby I'd ever had, and when graduation, unemployment, and jobs in cubicle hell came and went, I held fast my dream of turning that hobby into a career. One night, in a local Chinese restaurant, a fortune cookie promised me that I would one day become "an accomplished writer." Less than a year later, I was living the dream here at Engadget. No joke.


I never did answer that famous childhood question -- in fact, I'm not even all that sure that I grew up. I have the same geeky dreams I've always had, and I am blessed with the unique privilege of swimming in them for a living. So, what do I want to be when I grow up? Exactly what I am right now. Sometimes not knowing where you're bound can take you to where you belong.

Sean Buckley is really bad at social networking, but should you want to play Twitter roulette, he can be found under the name @seaniccus. Don't mind the errant comic book chatter, that's normal.

Creative Zen X-Fi3 hands-on (video)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 10:33 AM PDT

This tiny thing in our hands above is the latest PMP from Creative. Portability is clearly the thing here -- the Zen X-Fi3 is extremely tiny and light. It has a little color screen on it, as well, but don't get too excited on that front -- unfortunately the player doesn't sport a touchscreen, so you've got to use the controls on the bezel, which aren't particularly responsive. The interface, fittingly, is also pretty barebones on that front, offering the basic sort of scroll-through menus that defined music players for years.

The highlight of the device -- aside from its exceedingly small size -- is its Bluetooth transfer capabilities. The X-Fi3 keeps with the company's commitment to audio fidelity, thanks to the apt-X codec, which supposedly offers audio quality similar to a wired connection when streaming. On that front, the device also handles FLAC files.

The player will run €99 and €140 for the 8GB and 16GB versions, here in Germany. It should be going on sale in the middle of this month.
Creative X-Fi3 hands-on
Creative X-Fi3 hands-on

Crux360 iPad 2 keyboard case review

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Yeah... we know. At this point you're probably clutching your funds tightly, eagerly anticipating the release of the iPad 3. But for those of you who recently purchased version 2.0, or perhaps just discovered your need for a Bluetooth keyboard, allow us to shed some light on the Crux360. Sure this isn't the first one of these we've seen, but the full range of motion in the hinge makes this a nice accessory for your Apple slate. We spent a couple weeks putting it through the ringer, so read on past the break to see what we discovered.
Crux360 iPad 2 keyboard case hands-on

Look and feel
The outer shell of the Crux360 features a matte black finish that provides some grip for when you're hauling your slate around in one hand. The soft coating is much nicer than bare plastic, although it's clear from the vacant iPad slot that the frame is constructed of just that. The tablet holder is a two-part enclosure that fits your baby quite snug. In fact, it took a bit of elbow grease to remove our device once we wrapped our review. When engaged, the rear panel of the tablet is still exposed, which if you're a bit obsessive about things, could be an issue. Then again, we wouldn't want to cover that Apple logo now, would we?


As with any clamshell style case, the hinge is of the utmost importance. In this instance, we found that the strength of that particular feature to be substantial. There was a smidge of play in the rotation angle once the case was asked to carry the added weight of the slate, but once placed at the desired angle, it stayed put. Also in play here is the 360-degree rotation that allows for both laptop-style typing and traditional tablet use by simply folding the peripheral back on itself. We should note here that if you warm to the folio orientation, you should get in the habit of turning off the keyboard part of the case. Don't worry if you forget the first few times -- we did too. This positioning scheme also allows for what the company calls "Movie Mode," which would be of use in presentations and for getting caught up on Breaking Bad.


In terms of size and weight, the case keeps a relatively compact stature. Weighing in at 1.55 pounds (703 grams) on its own, the combined weight of keyboard and iPad 2 surpasses that of the 11-inch MacBook Air and comes pretty close to matching up with the 13-inch model. We're not talking tons here, but there is a bit of a difference, especially if you're counting every ounce that weighs down your messenger bag. While smaller than both laptop PCs in overall size, the clamshell is indeed thicker than Apple's lean machines. It really just depends on which size factor is more important for you when it comes to mobile computing.

The keyboard
And now the feature that you've been waiting to hear about: the keyboard. For the Crux360, it fits nicely within the width of the iPad without adding any extra border around the top part of the case. Fitting the fully functional keypad in that space is great, but it left our hands feeling a little claustrophobic. After passing the total package around to gauge others' reactions, we got mixed reviews. Those used to typing on similar devices thought it was fine, while others who have medium to large hands had some accuracy issues. The keys themselves seemed to be ample enough, with the exception of the super small space bar, and had a good bit of travel when pressed. Perhaps a smidge more space between buttons would allow for a more comfortable work session for the vast majority of us looking to take notes in a marathon meeting or history lecture.


Unlike some similar accessories, the keys here are individual buttons, not enclosed by a single rubber blanket or mat-type covering. This undoubtedly adds to the comfort in key travel, but it also allows us to peek underneath the bottom row of keys just a bit and gauge their construction. Exposed keys along that row peek out just enough that there is potential for them to catch on something and be pulled off. When being used as a folio, especially, those precious keys must fend for themselves.

Up top, the Crux360 does provide a row of function keys that aid in iOS tasks that you often find yourself completing via finger swipe. We found these to be a nice touch, making cutting and pasting a bit easier -- once you get the hang of using the keys to carry out the commands, anyway. Connectivity was a breeze with the device, as we never encountered any connection issues. The Bluetooth worked well throughout our time with the keyboard and was easily achieved via a dedicated button at the top of the keypad, like many similar input add-ons.


Usability
After typing a few posts on the Crux360, in both desktop and casual couch type environments, we were able to get a feel for how useful the device would be in a variety of situations. Once we installed the iPad, the case became a bit top-heavy in lap or more casual situations. We found ourselves wrestling to keep the keypad on our laps from time to time; however, the hinge strength was top-notch throughout. When the viewing angle was set, our slate stayed in place nicely, with weight balance being the only issue and only in certain positions. All things considered, though, the only thing missing from full tab to laptop conversion is a trackpad, which is available in the $250 Crux Loaded model.


We used the keyboard to write a few posts during the course of the review in an effort to see if some real-world typing situations would prove too much for the peripheral. The aforementioned close quartered keyboard did take some getting used to, but once we got the hang of the spacing, typing accuracy saw a significant improvement. We had some mishaps with the delete key. Its positioning just below the lock button and its similar size (same width, actually) proved to be a bit of a snare. On multiple occasions we found ourselves inadvertently sending our tablet to the lock screen, a move that interrupted our work flow.

The iOS function keys came in handy in a raft of situations: navigating an iTunes playlist, volume control, and navigation of the iPad's home screen, photo gallery and search features. Perhaps the task we were most looking forward to was using those enticing cut, copy and paste keys. While you still have to indicate where the text you'd like to select begins by touching the screen, we felt like these keys were a nice addition but not super useful for this chore. Especially when the options to copy and paste appear above your finger-selected text automatically.


The competition
At $150, this clamshell case would be a nice addition for a casual user, but for those getting some high mileage out your slate, you may want to look for something a little more rugged. There are several options that will provide some added support in your backpack, and a few that are easier on the ol' wallet as well. For the same price as the Crux360, you could snatch up the ClamCase -- although made out of similar materials, this model will fully cloak your tablet's backside. The $50 aluminum Buddy Case is made out of iPad color-matching material, but fails to protect the back of your slate. And if a full-size keyboard is more your style, you may want to check out the Logitech Tablet Keyboard, which can be yours for a cool Benjamin.

Wrap-up
Once we had a chance to spend some quality time with the Crux360 in some intense, keyboard blazing environments, our impressions improved... a little. In the end, a combination of the lack of full iPad protection and the cramped keyboard left us wanting more. Sure, we got cozy with the keys once we became acclimated to the compact spacing, but continually launching the tablet into lock mode was pretty frustrating. Even with those things considered, real keys are better than a touchscreen in heavy typing situations. If you're looking for something that is self-contained and ultra-portable to use in meetings or to take notes in class, you might want to give this a shot... if you've got enough in your piggy bank.

Verizon launching Droid Bionic September 8th, giving some away through an AR scavenger hunt

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 09:39 AM PDT

It's been a long and tortuous road for the Droid Bionic. From our first taste of its dual-core potential at CES, to the stream of leaked specs, shots and release dates of the phone in the months since. Well, the wait officially ends on September 8th, as Verizon just confirmed the release date with a new version of the robotic battle teaser ad we saw a couple weeks ago. Big Red has also launched a Droid Does website with info on VZW's Droids and its new Arena augmented reality scavenger hunt -- where deft digital orienteers can win a Bionic, HDTV, laptop, tablet, or quadrocopter. For more info, hit the second source link below and head on past the break to see the vid for yourself. Feel free to enjoy the blade work of a raven-haired warrior slicing up cyborgs while you're at it.

LG Hom-Bot 2.0 Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner hands-on (video)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 09:29 AM PDT


Smile, you're on Vacucam! LG's Hom-Bot (RoboKing in the US) was zipping around its own special playpen on the stage at the company's IFA booth today, picking up the occasional speck of dust and using its dual cams to spy on bloggers and Germans, while also diligently avoiding a plastic family dog along its ten-square-foot cube of real estate. The bot's Smart ThinQ technology enables it to interact with an Android or iPhone app, which you'll use to watch a live video feed from its built-in cam, send it rolling to a specific point in the house in "Patrol" mode, or adjust settings. You can also log in remotely, assuming your Hom-Bot is powered up and has a WiFi connection. Official US and Euro pricing and availability hasn't been announced yet, but an LG rep suggested we'll see it in the €500-700 range (about $710-995 US). Cameras and interactivity are nice and all, but that's a lot to spend on any vacuum cleaner. Today's trade show sneak peek is probably the closest we'll be getting to this pricey little vac, so roll past the break for some super action footage.
LG Hom-Bot 2.0 Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner hands-on

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 8.9 goes LTE for T-Mobile at IFA

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 09:04 AM PDT

What secret could this Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 hold? Check out the little LTE logo hiding out on the back of the device. Yep, T-Mobile's aggressively magenta-ed out IFA booth was showcasing this beauty, as a way of showing off the European carrier's blazing LTE speeds. Hardware, it seems, was incidental to the company's demos -- but boy howdy do we care.

The T-Mobile reps didn't offer up much in the way of information on that front (in fact, they mostly tried to move us along to the next LTE-capable device for more speed demos), but the company's paperwork highlights the device's 32GB capacity, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and Android 3.2 operating system. The hardware itself should prove quite familiar to anyone who's ever spent time with a Galaxy Tab -- same brilliant glossy screen, same smooth plastic back.

Not much is available, so far as pricing and availability, though the T-Mobile representative that we spoke with believes the thing will be hitting the network in Q4.
Samsung Galaxy 8.9 goes LTE
Samsung Galaxy 8.9 goes LTE

Fisker inks BMW deal, Nina EVs gain Ultimate Driving Machine DNA

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 08:43 AM PDT

Fisker Nina -- sounds more like a Bolshoi ballerina to us, but these codenamed, future EVs are now on course for a German heart and soul infusion. BMW has recently inked a deal that will see its four-cylinder turbocharged engine and additional components included in 2012 production models of the American auto maker's mid-sized sedans. The line of electric cars are currently slated for an early 2013 debut, but we'd sprinkle a cup of salt on that date considering the Karma's long road to launch. Skip on past the break for the company's official eco-meets-luxury handshake announcement.
Show full PR text
FISKER AUTOMOTIVE SIGNS SUPPLIER AGREEMENT WITH BMW

Anaheim, CA – September 1, 2011: Fisker Automotive announced today the signing of an agreement with BMW that will cover the supply of engines and other components for future Fisker models.

BMW will supply a four-cylinder turbocharged engine for the next generation of Fisker cars, code-named 'Project Nina', which are scheduled to go into production in the re-commissioned former GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware at the end of 2012 and be on sale globally in 2013.

The agreement calls for up to 100,000 engine units per year at peak volume.

The first 'Project Nina' derivative will be a mid-size premium sedan utilizing Fisker's EVer™ (electric vehicle with extended range) technology to deliver on Fisker's corporate vision of Uncompromised Responsible Luxury.

Fisker 's CEO and Executive Design Director, Henrik Fisker, comments; "The BMW engine was an obvious choice for us, as BMW is known for producing the best and most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the world. We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with BMW."

Fisker's Chief Operating Officer, Bernhard Koehler, adds; "This is an important agreement for Fisker. We are focused on building environmentally responsible cars that deliver Pure Driving Passion to our discerning customers. Who better to be a part of this exciting 'recipe' than BMW – the makers of the Ultimate Driving Machine?"

California-based Fisker Automotive recently established a European office in Munich, Germany and has publicly stated that both the Fisker Karma Sedan and 'Project Nina' lines are global vehicles with sales likely to be split equally in the US and Europe (40% each), with Asia (20%) providing the remainder.

Engadget Podcast 254 - 09.02.2011

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 08:25 AM PDT

We like to call this edition of the Engadget Podcast The Engadget Podcast Without Borders because we just don't care where the news comes from. If it smells like news, we'll be there, no matter where there is, and we'll come together every right here week to boil it all down for you. It's that simple. It's the Engadget Podcast, now with more Richard.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: Richard Lawler, Richard Lai
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Dancing With Myself


01:25 - Engadget NYC Reader Meetup recap
02:30 - We're live from IFA 2011!
02:41 - Toshiba announces AT200 tablet, 10.1-inch display and only 7.7mm thick
03:25 - Toshiba AT200 hands-on (video)
06:10 - Lenovo announces IdeaPad A1, the $199 Android tablet, we go hands-on (video)
13:49 - Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video)
18:42 - Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom 'S Pen' apps
21:30 - Samsung Galaxy Note hands-on (video)
30:30 - Toshiba's glasses free 3D TV launches in Europe as the ZL2 this December
32:50 - Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)
34:53 - Lenovo announces U300s Ultrabook, U300 and U400 IdeaPads, we go hands-on (video)
38:30 - Toshiba's Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook
41:00 - HTC's 10-inch Puccini tablet gets official as Jetstream, brings LTE and laughable price to AT&T
42:00 - Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!
43:07 - Sony Tablet S preview
50:00 - Sony officially renames the S2 the Tablet P, opens up about the software (video)
54:22 - US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)
57:13 - Offline Google Mail hands-on
58:21 - Listener questions





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Dell S2330MX ultra-slim monitor reckons it's gorgeous, actually just 'above average'

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:58 AM PDT

Dell's much bragged-about skinny 23-incher just got put through its paces by the bods at HotHardware. Their conclusion? The 1080p display sports glossily good aesthetics and scores major points for its lumbar-loving 8.3-pound weight and 0.4-inch waistline (which burgeons to 1.19-inches around the ports). The twisted nematic panel isn't up to IPS standards and won't satisfy graphics or photography pros, but the LED backlighting produces good brightness and better-than-average black levels. Gaming was held back by minor streaking despite the 2ms response time, while Blu-ray movies suffered slightly in darker scenes. All in, a "relatively good buy" at $250 -- although you might want to check out the source link to see if the S2330MX meets your exact requirements.

LG E2391VR LED LCD Monitor hands-on

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:36 AM PDT

When it comes to having the world's slimmest display, competition is fierce, and technicalities abound. One manufacturer in particular makes that class-leading claim more often than others, however, so it was no surprise when LG decided to show off a "world slimmest monitor" at its enormous IFA hall this year. The E2391VR is, as expected, incredibly thin. At 7.2mm, it's noticeably skinnier than the 9.3mm iPhone 4, so if you actually spend time looking at the side of your display, you'll probably really like this one. But -- and this, as with other models, can be a very big but for some users -- all of the ports, and most of the critical components, are in the TV's base. The 23-inch model we saw is rather small to wall-mount, so that base shouldn't be an issue for most. It offers 1080p video, a 2ms response time, HDMI, D-sub, headphone out, and a "10,000,000:1 contrast ratio" -- and, well, it looks great too, though reflections were a glaring issue in the bright exhibit hall. No word on pricing or availability just yet, but jump past the break for some PR magic.
LG E2391VR LED LCD Monitor hands-on
Show full PR text
LG TO UNVEIL SAVVY NEW MONITORS THAT REDEFINE DESIGN AND FUNCTION

LG's Newest Top-End Monitors Boast Graceful Design, State-of-the-Art 3D Technology for Wider Viewing Angle and More Vivid Pictures

SEOUL, Aug. 28, 2011 –- LG Electronics (LG) will be taking the wraps off its new highend monitors – the ultra-slim, vivid picture-quality E2391VR and D237IPS -– at IFA 2011 in Berlin, Germany. The E2391VR's 7.2 mm depth and luxurious acryl finish are sure to make it a hit with style-savvy consumers while the D237IPS boosts LG's market-leading Film Pattern Retarder (FPR) 3D display technology on IPS panels, for even clearer, brighter 3D images.

"These monitors aren't just for work and internet browsing, they were designed to be the center of entertainment for any bedroom, study or dormitory," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. "The E2391VR and D237IPS combine elegant design and unique technology to look great in any room and still be able to deliver exceptional images and videos."

Innovative Design, Brilliant Technology
With its SUPER Slim, 7.2mm depth, the E2391VR takes up the minimum of space while adding a stylish touch to the décor of any interior. With a narrow bezel measuring just 4.35mm, the E2391VR's screen looks borderless and enables to show wider display. The E2391VR's hanger-type hinge design makes it easy for users to adjust the monitor to the exact viewing angle they need, ensuring it is always comfortable to watch.

The E2391VR's SUPER+ Resolution ensures the highest picture quality for any digital content. SUPER+ Resolution prevents any decrease in resolution during format upgrades, while sharpening blurry edges and adding new life to dim colours. The E2391VR also delivers an exceptionally crisp and vivid picture thanks to a contrast ratio of more than 10,000,000:1. What's more, the E2391VR is highly energy efficient through SUPER Energy Saving technology.

More Realistic 3D with IPS Panel
The D237IPS uses state-of-the-art 3D technology combined with IPS panel, to deliver the ultimate in top-quality, comfortable 3D viewing. The D237IPS boasts "Flicker-Free" certification -– from European quality assurance agencies TÜV and Intertek -– and lower crosstalk, ensuring less dizziness and headaches that users commonly experience with conventional 3D monitors. With a brightness of 100nits, more than twice that of competing 3D monitors, the D237IPS offers a clearer 3D picture to help reduce eyestrain. And LG's battery-
less, ultra-light 3D glasses provide an extremely comfortable 3D viewing experience for longer periods of time.

The D237IPS ensures there is no colour shift regardless of the angle from which the monitor is viewed and consistent colour and brightness also keep the 3D images realistic. The 3D IPS monitor broadens the viewing angle so that viewers can enjoy 3D from a wider range of positions. Ensuring viewers always have plenty of 3D content to watch, the D237IPS also features an excellent 2D to 3D conversion function.

Sony SA-NS500 HomeShare speaker knows how to work a room

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:19 AM PDT

Finally, a HomeShare speaker with built-in AirPlay for wireless streaming from your iThing or Apple TV. It'll cost you though: when the NS500 arrives in stores around late October or early November you can expect to see a booming $399 price tag strapped around its logarithmic neck. Sony assures us you'll get some heavyweight audio for that money, thanks to four drivers and a sub-woofer positioned in a "unilateral manner" to pump David Guetta into every nook and cranny. We'll hold out for some proper review time to tell you just how good he sounds.

FCC Fridays: September 2, 2011

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:02 AM PDT

We here at Engadget Mobile tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up all the raw info you may want (but probably don't need). Enjoy!

Phones

Read - Samsung I919
Read - Samsung I727
Read - Samsung GT-S5360
Read - LG AS680
Read - LG C800
Read - LG L55C
Read - LG VS920
Read - HTC PI39100
Read - HTC PI39110
Read - Mobo Murano
Read - ZTE N860
Read - Motorola P56MA2 (GSM / WCDMA)
Read - Motorola T56MP1 (Sprint CDMA)
Read - Sonim XP1301
Read - Sharp SH80F

Peripherals

Read - Huawei E560S-6
Read - Plantronics M155

LG PZ850 Pentouch Plasma TV hands-on (video)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:45 AM PDT


Samsung took IFA by storm yesterday with its now-legendary "S Pen" (that Galaxy Note comes bundled), so it's only fair that LG gets its chance in the spotlight with a pen of its own. The company's Pentouch comes with a plasma TV in tow, and lets you do super-slick stuff to your productivity suite -- you can mark up Word docs, handwrite URLs in the browser, highlight elements in your PowerPoint presentations, or even flick one of those little red balls of fluff in Angry Birds. $2,199 will net you a 3D-enabled 60-inch LG PZ850 with Pentouch TV -- a non-3D model is available for $1,699, and there's a 50-inch version as well, priced at a mere $1,099.

You'll need to collect quite a few ingredients before you can get cookin' here, including the TV, the pair of included pens, and a computer to pump content to your TV. If you're planning to use the display with kids, a printer might be a good idea as well, so your little ones will have a platform to preserve all those on-screen sketched masterpieces (this thing puts coloring books to shame). Everything seemed to work as described (note: this isn't a touchscreen, so you'll need to use the pen), though the software did hiccup once while attempting to hand-write the Engadget URL. We see this being more of a hit for enterprise use, since there isn't really any need to mark up photos or tap the screen to launch apps in your living room. Still thinking about taking the plunge? Jump past the break for a video walkthrough (yes, and yet another clip of Angry Birds).
LG PZ850 Pentouch Plasma TV hands-on

Samsung CEO says 'never' to webOS

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:40 AM PDT

Samsung CEO Choi Gee Sung
Honestly, it never made much sense to begin with. Between Android, Windows Phone 7 and Bada, what could Samsung possibly want with another mobile OS? Yet, the rumors persisted that Sammy was going to snatch up, or at least license, HP's recently quasi-retired tablet and smartphone platform. Well, the speculation can officially be put to rest -- Samsung CEO Choi Gee Sung told a group of reporters at IFA that the company would "never" pursue a webOS deal, and bemoaned the trend of "acquiring an operating system." Of course, things could change, but we wouldn't count on it -- sounds like the company's developers already have plenty on their plate.

Jabra Sport bluetooth headset lets you work the Thigh Master during concalls

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:24 AM PDT

If you're secretly wearing Spandex bicycle shorts underneath your suit for on-the-fly workouts between conference calls, then perhaps Jabra's new Sport bluetooth headset is for you. Of course it allows you to answer calls, but what's cooler is the built-in FM radio and A2DP technology for wirelessly connecting to your MP3 player -- claiming to be the first headset to handle both. The company also threw in a free download of the Endomondo Sports Tracker for iPhone, Android or BlackBerry -- which is kind of like the Nike+ app, tracking runs and giving speed and distance updates. This $99 device will be sold by Sprint, Apple and T-Mobile, and available sometime in September along with a corded version, aptly named the Jabra Sport-Corded, for $69. Get ready to tear away those wool trousers and check out the full PR after the break.
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Jabra Announces New Additions to Sports Portfolio That Combine Fitness, Fun and Function

New Jabra SPORT Fills Void in Wireless Headset Sports Market
JABRA SPORT The Jabra SPORT is the first wireless headset to handle calls and music while exercising. (PRNewsFoto/Jabra) NASHUA, NH UNITED STATES
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NASHUA, N.H., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jabra today announced the launch of two products that will strengthen its new Jabra Sports portfolio, aiming to fill a void in the market of wireless headsets designed specifically for active use and adding a new corded wearing style to its existing line. The new Jabra portfolio gives exercisers two "sporty," high-quality headset options – the Jabra SPORT and SPORT-CORDED - that are ideal for an active lifestyle – with or without the cords. The new products join the Jabra ACTIVE and Jabra CLIPPER to round out the sports-centric product line. The Jabra SPORT will be available at Apple, Sprint and T-Mobile stores. Both the Jabra SPORT and Jabra SPORT-Corded will be available on Amazon.com in September.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110901/NE61387 )

In a recent external web survey*, Jabra found that 52% of respondents said that they listen to music while running, while 60% indicated that they have occasionally answered phone calls while exercising. The Jabra SPORT, the first Bluetooth (wireless) stereo product introduction in the Company's sports portfolio, makes it possible to listen to music and take calls during workouts, all without tethering an exerciser to their mobile or music device with an unwanted wire, which the survey indicated was important to exercisers.

Featuring a category-first built-in FM radio, A2DP technology, and powerful bass to help energize workout performance, the Jabra SPORT allows for an even wider variety of music options when exercising and easy-to-use controls. The stereo headset also features a wind-shielded microphone and is US Military Standard Rain, Dust and Shock Resistant certified, ensuring that exercisers don't need to hold back during their workouts on account of their headphones. The ergonomic behind-the-ear design, as well as three different pairs of eargels, ensures that the Jabra SPORT has both a secure and comfortable fit.

The Jabra SPORT** comes with a free download of Endomondo Sports Tracker, a fitness tracking application for smartphones that functions as a motivational tool for running, giving quick updates on speed, distance, and lap time. Endomondo allows users to visually see past running routes on their smartphone via a GPS tracking feature. The Endomondo Sports Tracker app is designed to work with iPhone®, Android or BlackBerry® handsets.

The Jabra SPORT-CORDED is designed for exercisers who have become accustomed to working out with traditional corded headphones. The headset seamlessly transitions between music and phone calls and features the same US Military Standard Rain, Dust and Shock Resistant certification as the Bluetooth version. The ergonomic behind-the-ear shapeable design, as well as three different pairs of eargels, ensures that the Jabra SPORT-CORDED has both a secure and comfortable fit.

The Jabra SPORT Bluetooth stereo headset is available for $99 and the Jabra SPORT-CORDED stereo headset retails for $69. Jabra SPORT Bluetooth will be available at Apple, Sprint and T-Mobile stores. Both products will be available on Amazon.com in September.

For more information on Jabra's line of stereo headsets and other mobile products, visit Jabra.com, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Jabra.US or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jabra_us.

* Source: Jabra.com survey of 103 respondents

**Jabra SPORT is the only Bluetooth headset in the market compatible with Endomondo Sports Tracker

Vonage launches Android app for free international calling, still no service to Brodo Asogi

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:04 AM PDT

Just in time for Tante Lulu's birthday in Gstaad, Vonage launched its Extensions app for free long-distance calling from your Android phone. With a quick download, homesick relatives can tap into their existing Vonage VoIP service from a Google-powered phone to call globally without racking up terribly expensive additional mobile charges. The catch? It requires a VoIP international calling plan before you can start dialing friends worldwide. Also, pricing is subject to your existing calling plan and it doesn't support messaging like some other similar apps, including Fring and Viber. For existing Vonage users, it's certainly a sweet added feature, leaving you no excuse but to call Auntie Lulu.

[Thanks, Val]

Mobee intros Magic Numpad for your Magic Trackpad, glittery dust not included

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:43 AM PDT

Is the act of crunching numbers a daily task for you, and do you use a Magic Trackpad? Well, if actual keys or a calculator / mouse hybrid just aren't magical enough for you, then Mobee's Magic Numpad may just be. Despite its name, the Numpad is a $29 set of films that allows you to morph your Trackpad into one of three numeric "keypad" layouts, with software for enabling an on-screen calculator and setting macros. Adding Splenda to the strawberries, you'll also get a cleaning kit and erasable marker to customize your films even further. If the left side of your brain is pounding with excitement, the Magic Numpad is available for pre-order now and should ship come this October.
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The Mobee Magic Numpad transforms the Apple Magic Trackpad into a powerful and customizable Numpad.

Apply any of the Magic films on your Apple Magic Trackpad, install the free App and you will instantaneously get both a Trackpad and a Numpad built into one single device.

3 different layouts are available and delivered in the pack to let you customize the way you want to use your Numpad :

Have a full Numeric Calculator Keyboard at your fingertips or,

Have a full-function Numeric Calculator Keyboard plus a tactile area on the Magic Trackpad or,

Have a full-function Numeric Calculator Keyboard with configurable "shortcut" buttons for use

with programs of your choice.


These Magic Films are high-technology films, each of them built on an exclusive 3-layer technology, having a bubble-proof re-usable material for the bottom layer, an ultra-soft antiglare material for the top and high-quality printing in the middle for full protection.

The free software will also allow you to create shortcuts to launch any app that you use every day. A special feature allows the Magic Numpad to display a calculator on your screen to allow simple calculations without typing formulas into Excel.

Detailed technical information is available on the datasheet and on our website http://www.mobeetechnology.com/products/the-magic-numpad.html:

Adding a Numpad to your Apple universe without adding a piece of hardware is a green way to achieve Mobee's customers' needs.

What's in the box:
- A cleaning kit.
- An installation kit for use with the free software, downloaded from the Mobee Technology website.
- A special permanent marker pen for use with the configurable buttons on the Magic Films.

MSRP $29,90 / 29,90 EUR

AVAILABLE OCTOBER, 2011

PRE-ORDERS STARTING NOW ON OUR ONLINE SHOP!

White House's 'We The People' e-petition website provides a more perfect venue for trolling (video)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:25 AM PDT

Citizens! Following a tradition set down by the British, the White House will soon launch its own e-petition website. "We The People" will work like this: anyone 13 or older can set up a petition -- but before it's visible on the site they need to get 150 grass-roots signatures. If an entreaty receives 5,000 or more signatures within 30 days, it is guaranteed to receive an official response from a White House staffer. Does the thought of direct access to the executive excite you like a West Wing marathon? You'll probably enjoy the introductory video we've included behind the break.

UK plans White Space mobile internet by 2013, while analog TV gently weeps

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:04 AM PDT

As if there weren't enough reasons to move to Britain. Free from the wrangling that has dogged things in the States, Ofcom has released plans to make the UK the first country in Europe to implement white space mobile internet. For the unaware, white space is the general term for unused but allocated spectrum, in this case it's frequencies normally reserved for analog TV. White space offers vastly increased range, speed and signals that penetrate areas where 3G fears to tread. There are already trials taking place to try to connect the remote Scottish Isle of Bute and Ofcom is aiming to have things rolled out nationally by 2013. Brits clinging to their old-school FM radios be warned, Ofcom is coming after those frequencies next.
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Ofcom progresses with new wireless technology

September 1, 2011

Ofcom has today progressed plans for the introduction of White Space technology in the UK – the first country in Europe to do so. The technology uses signals that can travel large distances and easily through walls. This makes it suitable for a wide range of new consumer applications that could include rural broadband and Wi-Fi with up to twice the range of today's technology.

The technology works by searching for unused areas of the airwaves or gaps called 'White Spaces' that exist in bands that have been reserved for TV broadcasts. These White Spaces are used to transmit and receive wireless signals. Recycling airwaves – or "spectrum" – in this way is a highly efficient use of what is a very limited resource.

White Spaces offer significant capacity to help alleviate pressures on wireless networks. To put the scale of this capacity into perspective, we expect the amount of white space to be comparable to spectrum that is currently available for 3G services, and significantly more in some locations.

Compared with other forms of wireless technology, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, White Space devices are being designed to use lower frequencies that have traditionally been reserved for TV.

Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "At an early stage Ofcom identified the potential of White Spaces, which are currently lying vacant all around us. Within Europe, we have been leading the way to try to harness this capacity without causing harmful interference to existing users of the spectrum. The solution we have devised creates the opportunity to maximise the efficient use of spectrum and open the door to the development of a new and exciting range of consumer and business applications."

These applications include:
Enhanced Wi-Fi: The majority of current Wi-Fi devices operate in spectrum at 2.4GHz. White Spaces could provide new capacity, while boosting the range of devices, potentially enabling Wi-Fi networks that stretch across towns and cities. This is thanks to the lower frequency of TV White Spaces (typically between 470 and 790MHz).

Rural broadband: White Spaces could be used to provide rural locations with broadband services. In practice, this could be achieved by building a network of transmitters that use White Spaces to link remote houses and villages to larger towns that are already connected to the internet. Trials are currently being undertaken by industry to test this on the island of Bute, Scotland.

Machine-to-Machine Communications: A relatively new area of innovation called Machine-to-Machine Communications allows information to be exchanged between devices. Many experts believe that in the coming years billions of devices will be able to connect wirelessly and via the internet for a range of applications. White spaces could be used to wirelessly transmit this information, using its additional range to reach deep inside buildings. This could be especially useful for wirelessly measuring utility meters in consumers' homes – just one of a wide number of potential applications. Other examples include using White Spaces to keep an inventory of stock owned by a business, or making it easier for scientists to conduct research by automating the measurement of different readings.

How white spaces devices will work in the UK
White Space technology will work in a similar way to Wi-Fi, which uses a wireless router to send and receive information to other wireless devices. The main difference is that the White Space router – or "master" device as it is known technically – will first need to consult a list of databases hosted online. It will notify one of these databases of its location and update it on a regular basis. The database will then return details of the radio-frequencies and power levels it is allowed to use. This will ensure that the devices do not interfere with existing licensed users of the spectrum, which include Digital Terrestrial Television and wireless microphone users.

Ofcom has decided to allow multiple third-party providers to develop databases, which will create a competitive marketplace and incentivise operators to provide the best database service to consumers.

Licence exempt
Ofcom has decided to make White Space devices licence exempt. This means that they will be allowed to operate without the need for an Ofcom licence on the condition that they do not cause harmful interference to existing users of the spectrum.

Next steps
The next step is for Ofcom to consult on a draft Statutory Instrument to make white space devices licence exempt. Ofcom also plans to work with stakeholders to make information about existing licensed services that operate in the TV band available to prospective database providers. Ofcom will also specify and potentially consult further on the database requirements and the providers that wish to be accredited by Ofcom.

Ofcom expects that White Space technology could be launched in the UK in 2013.

Ofcom is also considering the future use of other White Spaces – such as those in the band currently used by FM radio services.

Ofcom's statement on White Space technology.

Sony's golden NINOKUNI 'Magical Edition' PlayStation 3 heads for Japan, Criss Angel's mind

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:46 AM PDT

Not that Sony's PlayStation 3 hasn't been touched by Midas before, but this is the first time we've seen the new(ish) form factor doused in such official fashion. Per usual, it'll be the homeland that's treated to the NINOKUNI Magical Edition PS3 console, a decidedly wizard-approved bundle that'll include a copy of Ni No Kuni. The only edition available will boast a 160GB hard drive, a single Dual Shock controller and a glorious icon on the lower-left of the machine. It'll be available in Japan this November for ¥33,780 ($440), but only in "limited quantities." So much for magic that lasts forever, huh?

LG Optimus Sol hands-on

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:18 AM PDT

The Nokia 500 wasn't the only fresh handset that popped up at the Vodafone booth here at IFA, this morning. We also managed to sneak in some time with the Optimus Sol. The device is reasonably slick for what the company appears to be framing as a relatively low-end phone. At its center is a bright, glossy 3.8-inch Super Amoled display.

The Sol runs Android 2.3 with a single-core 1GHz processor -- which the company points out should be fine for those not doing heavy duty work on the thing. It certainly handled what we could throw at it during our hands-on time. The handset is thin and is reasonably light, compared to the Optimus 2x, which aside from the large four-inch display, looks fairly similar. It should be coming very soon -- some time later this month, most likely, for Vodafone users here in Germany. According to an LG representative, it should run roughly €300 off-contract.
Optimus Sol hands-on
Optimus Sol hands-on

Nokia 500 hands-on

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:06 AM PDT

What's this, then? It's the Nokia 500, hanging out in the Vodafone booth. The 3.2-inch handset is awaiting an official release on the European carrier, which should be hitting around the October time frame here in Germany, according the rep we spoke with. Still no word on pricing from the carrier, but it was suggested to us that the handset would likely run €99 or less, on contract. We managed to get some hands-on time with the Symbian Anna handset, and can't say we were all that impressed by the hardware on what feels like a relatively low end phone for Nokia, a company that has offered up some of the best hardware designs in the business.

The screen feels quite narrow, and the device itself a bit chunky. The phone has 256MB of RAM and a 1GHz processor, which do the job reasonably well, though the Anna interface will likely leave something to be desired for many smartphone users. There's also a five megapixel rear-facing camera and an microSD slot -- oh, and the rep we spoke with seemed particularly excited about the different color back plates, which will be available for the phone.

It's not the most exciting phone out there from the Finnish handset maker, but for those looking for a relatively low-cost smartphone from the company, the 500 certainly gets the job done.
Nokia 500 hands-on

Samsung outs new Blu-ray and media hub drives, dammit, the ODD still lives

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:00 AM PDT

You've seen our musings on the continued relevance of optical drives and it seems Samsung agrees entirely: it's just announced two external spinners to keep pace with our "evolving mobile entertainment demands." Er, great Sammy, but how? First off, there's the USB-powered SE-506AB Blu-ray writer depicted above, which will give that awful Pacific boxset one last chance on your ODD-neutered Mac or netbook. But that's not nearly as interesting as the SE-208BW CD/DVD writer, which doubles as a WiFi media hub to stream music and movies to your smartphone, tablet or PC. It works the other way round too: letting you backup content from your mobile device direct to a disc. It even supports Dynamic DNS and can cooperate with a flash drive or HDD to become a "personal cloud server." Still not impressed? This wonder drive additionally functions as a WiFi extender, or it can create an access point from scratch when cabled up to your network. Man, that's ODD OD. The media hub will arrive at the beginning of 2012, while the new Blu-ray drive should be out any time now. No word on pricing, but check out the PR double-shot after the break for the full specs.
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Samsung Unveils Slim Portable Blu-ray Writer Drive for Mobile PC Market

SAN JOSE,Calif. – September 2, 2011: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital
consumer electronics and information technology, announced today its new slim portable Blu-ray Writer, the SE-506AB optical disk drive (ODD).

SE-506AB features a slim and sleek design with a hi-glossy anti-scratch surface. It is 12 percent smaller than Samsung's conventional Blu-ray drive to accommodate today's hectic mobile lifestyle.The slim form factor is also supported with a USB power interface that eliminates the need for a separate electrical outlet.

The SE-506AB drive is compatible with all major operating systems, including Win7 and Mac OS. In addition, the drive features Buffer Under Run technology to prevent errors that may result from writing speeds that exceed data transfer speeds, while also enabling PC multitasking.

Samsung ODD's exclusive AV connectivity technology is featured on the new SE-506AB allowing users to easily connect and play content via AV connectivity function on multimedia TVs with an available USB port.

The drive also improves upon previous ODD models, which only recognize the first sub-directory and 1000 files. The new SE-506AB model now recognizes and allows access to the fifth sub-directory and more than 3000 files.

The external drive provides a variety of speeds across different data media types featuring BD Quadruple layering. Specific speeds include: 6X BD-ROM, 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW reading and 6X BD-R, 6X BD-R Dual layer, 4X BD-R Quad layer, 8X DVD±R, 5X DVD-RAM, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW recording.

As an eco-friendly product, the drive offers low-power consumption and lead-free soldering technology, a design that complies with international environmental regulations that limit the use of hazardous materials.

The SE-506AB will be available at the end of August 2011 at online retail outlets.

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Samsung Unveils Smart Media Hub to Share Content Faster and Easier

SAN JOSE, Calif., – Sept. 2, 2011: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, announced today its new smart media hub, the SE-208BW optical disk drive (ODD).

The SE-208BW is a new product that combines an external ODD with wireless connectivity to provide wider end-user benefits. Offering traditional CD/DVD playback and writing capabilities, the SE-208BW features Samsung's own APP to enable smartphone, tablet and PC users to wirelessly stream and play CDs and DVDs on their smart devices to listen to music or watch their favorite movies.

The SE-208BW breaks new ground for ODD's by adding wireless access point (AP) and repeater functionality to connect the drive to an Ethernet LAN cable. For users with an existing AP that suffers from weak signal strength, the SE-208BW also serves as a repeater to amplify Wi-Fi signals and widen the connectivity range across the home.

For users looking for smart backup solutions, the SE-208BW can wirelessly connect to a smartphone or tablet PC to easily backup data such as pictures, video or contacts onto CDs or DVDs without ever turning on a desktop or notebook computer. The SE-208BW also supports Dynamic DNS which enables the drive to work as a private server. Simply connect an external hard disk drive or USB memory drive and the Internet LAN cable to the SE-208BW and it becomes a personal Cloud Server.

For TV's with DLNA compatibility, the SE-208AB comes with Allshare allowing users to view drive content through the TV menu to play and record multimedia files onto CDs and DVDs. The drive compliments any home entertainment system with a sleek hi-gloss surface built around a slim case measuring 140mmx21.5mmx200mm. The drive also offers a USB power interface that eliminates the need for a separate electrical outlet.

The SE-208BW drive is engineered to be compatible with all major operating systems, including Win7 and Mac OS. The drive boasts Buffer Under Run technology to prevent errors that may result from writing speeds that exceed data transfer speeds, while also enabling PC multitasking.

The external drive provides a variety of speeds across different data media types including: 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD reading and 8X DVD±R, 5X DVD-RAM, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer, 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW recording.

As an eco-friendly product, the drive offers low-power consumption and lead-free soldering technology, a design that complies with international environmental regulations that limit the use of hazardous materials.

The SE-208BW will be available the beginning of 2012. For more information please visit www.samsungodd.com.

Samsung Galaxy R, Wave M, M Pro, W, Xcover, and Wave Y hands-on (video)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 03:46 AM PDT


Samsung's Galaxy S II still reigns supreme in the eyes of many smartphone aficionados, but it's now joined by a healthy collection of lesser Galaxy devices, including (in alphabetical order) the R (Royal), Wave M (Magical), M Pro, W (Wonder), Xcover, and Wave Y (Young) -- all announced last month, but presented for the first time as a mismatched family here at IFA. There's the wise, conservative elder (R), the speedy head of household (W), the rowdy, rugged, dirt-bike-sporting teenager (Xcover), the mid-twenties QWERTY typing champion (M Pro), and the slightly rebellious, underpowered preteen (Wave Y) following in its older sibling's footsteps (M).

BlackBerry owners looking to make the switch to Gingerbread may find the M Pro most appealing, with its 2.7-inch HVGA touchscreen, 5 megapixel camera, and QWERTY keyboard. The Royal steps things up with a 1GHz dual-core processor, 4.2-inch "Super Clear" LCD, Gingerbread, HSPA+, and a 5 megapixel camera. The Wonder includes those last three features as well, but swaps in a 3.7-inch WVGA display and 1.4GHz processor. And the dustproof and water resistant Xcover sports a 3.65-inch HVGA LCD, 800MHz processor, and 3 megapixel camera.

With its small footprint, 3.2-inch HVGA LCD, 2 megapixel camera and relatively sluggish 832MHz processor, the Wave Young is probably enough to satisfy your pre-teen, but anyone on to their second or third smartphone will almost certainly be underwhelmed. It's running Samsung's new Bada 2.0 OS, like its Magical Pro sibling, which includes the same processor but jumps to a 3.65-inch HVGA display and 5 megapixel sensor. Both include Samsung's new ChatON IM service as well. All in all, it's not the speediest family in town -- and there's no US visa on order for a future trip to the states -- but not everyone needs the top of the line, so skip on past the break and through the front door to meet the latest Sam fam.
Samsung Galaxy R, Wave M, M Pro, W, Xcover, and Wave Y hands-on

Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on (update: video!)

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 02:20 AM PDT

If you haven't heard, Acer's gone and (officially) jumped on the Ultrabook bandwagon, announcing the 13mm-thin Aspire S3. We're here live at IFA in Berlin and just got some much-anticipated hands-on time. At the press conference that just wrapped, we were treated to a raft of promises -- seven-hour battery life, 1.5 seconds to resume from sleep, two to connect to a wireless network and "no compromise" performance courtesy of ultra low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. So did our first impression come anywhere near matching the hype? Read on to find out.
Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 hands-on


The Aspire S3 is, as you'd expect, wafer-thin and easy to grip in a single hand (or two fingers, even). Design-wise, it has something of a split personality. On the outside, at least, its magnesium-alloy, unibody chassis makes it look refined, an impression that solidified in our minds once we held the thing. The brushed look is attractive, even though that's more of a pattern than actual etching. It feels rigid, and though we would still take care before throwing this in our carryon, it at least feels like its worth the €799 starting price (no word yet on US pricing, though it's coming). Lift the lid, though, and you'll see that yes, Acer did make some sacrifices to offer this combination of thinness, performance and battery life claims at a palatable price point. The keyboard looks and feels like plastic, which is a trade-off we'd happily make if it turns out this performs well. It's just incongruous with the more inviting metal exterior.

In our brief hands-on, we noticed the keys have very little travel. With such a low pitch, they're not the cushiest, most tactile keys you'll ever use, but we can see ourselves -- and a lot of folks -- warming to it. The touchpad's pretty large, as you can see in our hands-on shots, and though it's not flush with the system, it at least blends in. In our hands-on, we felt some friction, but that's something that could be remedied with a driver update before Acer starts shipping final-production models to the masses. The button, too, felt a tad stiff, but we'll reserve full judgment until we get to live with the S3 for a few days. As for that 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) display, it's highly reflective, as you can see in our gallery, but in this price range that's par for the course.

But even more than the industrial design, the big deal is the host of promises Acer is making with this 13mm-thin machine. We can't test its seven-hour battery life or fifty-day standby time right now. Ditto for the two-seconds-to-connect-to-the-internet claim. But we did get a chance to see how quickly it actually takes the machine to resume from sleep. Acer says it should take 1.5 seconds, but when we pressed the power button we noted a longer pause. Indeed, the same thing happened when an Acer executive trotted out the S3 for the first time during its IFA press conference. It resumed from sleep on the second try, but even then the wake time didn't feel as instant as promised.


So that's our first take on the S3. Until we spend some good QT with it -- or any of the other newly minted Ultrabooks -- it'll be tough to say how sweet a value this is. And if it can perform like a champ -- lasting close to seven hours, as promised, and delivering a healthy punch on its ultra low voltage Sandy Bridge processors -- all of those niggles above shouldn't be a problem.

Acer Aspire Ultrabook S3 officially announced, starts at 799 euros

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 02:07 AM PDT

And the march of the Ultrabooks continues. Following on the heels of Toshiba and Lenovo, Acer just announced the Aspire S3 at its IFA press conference -- confirming that unequivocal leak we spotted earlier a few days ago. The machine, made of magnesium-alloy, measures an anorexic 13mm thin and weighs just 1.4 kilograms. We're told it promises not just instant on access, but near-instant connectivity -- Acer says it will wake from sleep in 1.5 seconds and register and connect to hotspots in about two. Other specs include a 13.3-inch (1366 x 768) display, ultra low voltage Core i3, i5 and i7 CPUs, a choice of solid-state storage or HDDs, Bluetooth 4.0 and a vent-free bottom so that you're not left with first-degree burns. Depending on the configuration, the battery life is rated for up to seven hours or up to 50 days in sleep mode. So far we're just hearing European pricing (€799 to €1,199), though Acer confirms it'll arrive stateside by the end of September.

Update: Yes, we know we made a typo regarding the weight. The correct spec is 1.4kg. Thanks to all of you who pointed that out.
Show full PR text
Acer Debuts First Ultrabook: Aspire S3
Resumes in a quick 1.5 seconds and delivers 50-day battery life via Acer Green Instant On; features large hard drive capacity; and connects to the Internet in 2.5 seconds

BERLIN, GERMANY (September 2, 2011) – Acer announces its first Ultrabook at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin. The Acer Aspire S3 integrates the best features of notebook and mobile devices, offering users powerful performance for digital creation, in addition to ultra-fast responsiveness and interaction for content consumption, enhancing the freedom and overall computing experiences of users on the go.

Innovative Acer Green Instant On technology provides instant-resume functionality and ensures battery longevity, while Acer Instant Connect delivers faster Internet access. The Aspire S3 is encased in a thin, light metal design that's sturdy and aerodynamic. It will be available in select regions from September.

Campbell Kan, president of Personal Computer Global Operations, Acer Inc., said, "The Aspire S3 is truly designed to meet notebook users' needs, combining essential features of the smartphone and tablet PC, such as fast startup and Internet connectivity, with long battery life. Matched with its slim form, the Aspire S3 will provide a fresh experience and set a major milestone in the history of Acer's notebook development."

Ultra-long unplugged freedom via instant on and connect
Modern notebook users want to maximize their time and effort wherever they go. The Aspire S3 helps them make the most of their time via two new innovations: Acer Green Instant On, which delivers ultra-fast responsiveness, energy efficiency and enhanced power management; and Acer Instant Connect, which provides access to the Internet in just 2.5 seconds , - four times faster than conventional connections - so users can go faster for better productivity and infotainment enjoyment. There's no compromise.

Acer Green Instant On provides two sleep modes from which the Aspire S3 responds with surprising speed: From Sleep the Aspire S3 will resume in a mere 1.5 seconds,2 and from Deep Sleep it resumes in 6 seconds.2 With these energy-conscious innovations, the Aspire S3's battery life lasts up to 50 days , - even longer than regular mobile phone batteries!

Ultra-slim in an aerodynamic metal design
For easy-to-carry convenience, the Aspire S3 measures 1.3 cm thin and weighs less than 1.4 kg (3 lbs.). It's also equipped with a full-size Acer FineTip chiclet keyboard, designed for comfortable use and maximum productivity. All-day usability is assured by a super-lightweight, high-density battery that delivers up to 7 hours of juice. The aerodynamic design of the Aspire S3 features a strong and lightweight aluminum/magnesium alloy chassis, and a lid with a fingerprint-free metal finish that feels as smooth as silk.

The 13.3" ultra-thin HD LED display adopts an open cell design to conserve materials by using the lid and bezel to form an aluminum frame for the screen. This creates a super-slim yet protective profile and reduces the energy required during manufacture as compared to conventional panel designs.

Innovative airflow design enhances comfort
The Aspire S3 features a vent-free bottom so the notebook rests comfortably on the user's lap. Warm components are smartly placed away from the palmrest and touchpad area, so users won't feel any heat discomfort. Further innovation is offered via a new airflow design that dissipates warm air from the rear of the notebook, preventing air from blowing towards the user's hands. Finally, the fan motor is optimized to enhance efficiency and lower power consumption to help increase system battery life.

Uncompromising performance for content creation and enjoyment
The Aspire S3 features the latest 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i3/i5/i7 processors for full computing and digital creation capability, and a choice of 240 GB SSD or 320/500 GB HDD with embedded SSD for ultra-fast access and ample media and data storage. Packing professionally-tuned Dolby® Home Theater® v4, the Aspire S3 delivers vibrant, cinema-style surround sound and enhanced dialogue quality for optimum listening experiences. Standard HDMI® output is also included for connecting the Aspire S3 to popular HD peripheral devices for high-def digital/video playback and extension. Furthermore, users can quickly and easily share data or download photos from their digital cameras using the 2-in-1 card reader that supports SD™ Cards and MultiMediaCard™.

On-the-go users can keep in touch with friends and colleagues with high-clarity video conferences thanks to the integrated Acer Crystal Eye 1.3 megapixel camera and microphone - with superior Wi-Fi® connections guaranteed by Acer InviLink™ Nplify™ 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ technology. Wireless convenience is enhanced by the addition of latest-generation Bluetooth® 4.0+HSR technology with lower power consumption.

"We are very happy to see the formal launch of the Acer Aspire S3, Acer's first Ultrabook, and to be one of the leading time-to-market partners to place an Ultrabook in the market. The features of the Aspire S3, powered by 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors - including instant on, instant connect, long battery life, and its elegant slim and light design - will satisfy many users' desire for a free and easy life on the go," said Mooly Eden, vice president and general manager of the Intel PC Client Group.

"As the only Ultrabook with an HDD option, the Aspire S3 offers the computing power and storage needs of a notebook, along with the mobile communication advantages of the smartphone and tablet PC," added Kan. "It's a major breakthrough in notebook design and will surely fortify our notebook competitiveness in the ICT market."

Priced between €799 and €1199, the Aspire S3 will start to roll out in select regions in September and ramp-up in October, and is expected to become Acer's star product during the fourth quarter. For product price, specifications and availability in each country, please contact Acer's local operations.

Foxconn posts $943 million net profit for first half of 2011, 20 million iPad 2s coming for Q3?

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 01:41 AM PDT

It looks like 2011 is shaping up to be a solid year for Foxconn. Earlier this week, the hardware manufacturer announced net profits of NT$27.38 billion (about $943.72 million) for the first half of this year, just a few months after posting a disappointing $218 million loss for all of 2010. These figures, however, are down about 21 percent from the first six months of last year, when Foxconn (AKA Hon Hai Precision) reported net profits of NT$34.74 billion (around $1.2 billion). In a statement, Hon Hai said its first semester results were "as expected and remain seasonal," considering today's harsh and uncertain financial climate. DigiTimes, meanwhile, is reporting that the electronics maker is "expected" to ship a full 20 million new iPad 2s during the third quarter of this year, though the Taiwan-based news outlet didn't offer much in the way of explanation or sourcing.

Dell teases XPS 14z, says it will be available 'later this year'

Posted: 02 Sep 2011 12:45 AM PDT

If you liked the look of Dell's inch-thin XPS 15z but are of the mind that a 15-incher isn't quite portable enough, listen up: here at its IFA press conference, the company just teased a 14-inch version -- the XPS 14z, natch -- which will be available "later this year." From the looks of it, it has the same industrial design as its big brother (and, some might say, a generations-old MacBook Pro), which, depending on your point of view, is either a good or a bad thing.
Dell XPS 14z tease

AT&T willing to make concessions to save T-Mobile merger, sources say

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 11:56 PM PDT

Now that the US government has moved to block its merger with T-Mobile, AT&T is gearing up for a long and potentially pricey legal battle with the Department of Justice. According to Reuters, however, the provider is also working on a settlement offer, in the hopes of bypassing the courtroom altogether. Sources close to the matter say AT&T will soon present its proposal to antitrust regulators, who are concerned that the company's purchase of T-Mobile may hinder market competition. Details on the proposal remain vague, though it will likely include promises to keep T-Mobile's low-cost data and calling plans, along with pledges to sell off some of its own assets. But some insiders say the carrier may have to sell up to 25 percent of T-Mobile's business in order to put regulators' minds at ease. AT&T has yet to comment on the report, though one of Reuters' sources claims that its lawyers are "pretty determined that they can find a solution, and they are pretty confident."

Frogger Decades leaps into App Store, still going strong after 30 years of being hit by trucks

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 11:25 PM PDT

My, how time flies. Can it really be 30 years since the original Frogger was released into arcades in 1981? To celebrate the anniversary, Konami has unleashed a new version of the game into the App Store known as Frogger Decades. Along with the familiar highway scenes, you'll be treated to new environments such as swamps and islands, along with opportunities to solve puzzles along the way. A classic D-pad controller is built-in for those seeking a slice of nostalgia, but you're also free to hop about using touch input on the screen. The game retails for $2 with versions for the iPhone and iPad, and it supports competitive play via the Open Feint network. We know what we'll be doing tonight. Care to join us?

Scientist creating rain-making lasers, Weezy and Fat Joe await royalty checks

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 10:48 PM PDT

We've heard of "making it rain," but actually making it rain -- with lasers, no less -- now, that's something to write home about. A team of researchers at the University of Geneva is coming ever closer to creating real-deal downpours by shooting beams from their Teramobile mobile femtosecond-Terawatt laser system into the sky above the Rhone River. While logging nearly 133 hours between the fall of 2009 and spring of 2010, the team observed that the beams actually triggered the creation of nitric acid particles, which bound water molecules together creating water droplets. Those droplets proved too small and light to actually be categorized as rain, but the discovery has apparently spurred the scientists on. Previous efforts to make it rain, known as seeding, have used rockets and jets to shoot silver iodide and dry ice into the sky. No word yet on when the scientists expect to successfully "wash the spider out."

Kyocera Milano coming to Sprint September 9th for $50, looks nothing like Alyssa

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 10:09 PM PDT

The Samsung Conquer 4G may be appealing to a lot of folks craving a mid-range Android device with WiMAX, but what if that extra G just isn't all that important to you? Sprint has a little extra room to spare in the lower end of its lineup, so it's tossing in the Kyocera Milano. The device is rumored to run on Gingerbread and may include an 800MHz CPU with 512MB of RAM, a 3-inch display, a 1,340mAh battery, a 3.2 megapixel camera and a slide-out keyboard. It's likely to be hitting Sprint on September 9th for $50, just in case you've always wanted a phone with an uncanny resemblance to the cookie of the same name.

Philips Fidelio for Android speaker docks get your little green robot bumpin'

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 09:27 PM PDT

Philips' line of smartphone-connected sound systems has been all up on iOS for quite sometime, but now Fidelio's ready to show Android some love. The outfit just outed three new Android-ready speaker docks -- the AS851, AS351 and AS111 -- and is set to debut the flossy Fidelios at IFA this week. These new docks are so anxious to get close to your Android handset, that they're rocking a micro-USB connector that adjusts in three dimensions to allow just about any phone to stand tall in portrait or kick back in landscape. Either way, the phone syncs the jams via Bluetooth and a dedicated app. The biggie of the bunch, the AS851, promises "lifelike, distortion-less music" and 30 watts of RMS power, while the smaller AS351 lets you take the show on the road with both AC and battery options and bumps 10 watts of RMS. The smallest of the three, the AS111, is dubbed as a bedside companion. There's no word on pricing or when the docks will have your Android getting up with the get down, but we do have full PR for you after the break.
Philips Fidelio for Android speaker docks


Show full PR text
September 01, 2011
Philips unveils new Fidelio docking speakers for Android

Berlin, Germany – Philips is adding to its successful series of Fidelio docking speakers with a new range for Android smartphones and tablets, which will be launched at IFA. The Fidelio docking speakers for Android™ are based on the same speaker systems as the Fidelio for Apple range, so you can be sure to enjoy a stunning sound from your Android phone or tablet but with all the functionality you need for a simple experience.

As the micro USB connector on Android smartphones are placed in different positions and orientations on each phone, Philips has developed a unique connector design that adjusts in three dimensions to hold any phone in both portrait and landscape positions. This means you can dock and charge most Android phones and your phone will always be positioned at the centre of the speaker for the best sound experience.

To immediately enjoy your music in the simplest way, Philips has developed a dedicated Fidelio app for Android, which will automatically pair your smartphone with the docking station via Bluetooth. Using Philips Songbird media player, you can discover and play all your media and sync it seamlessly with the docking speaker. Its intuitive features let you discover new artists and music styles through music and media stores, services and websites. For completely hassle-free music enjoyment, you can play your own library and media straight from the web and effortlessly sync all of it from your PC to your Android devices.

The Fidelio for Android range includes the following devices:
The clean lines of the curved back on the Fidelio for Android (AS851) not only looks remarkable, but also creates a more effective structure for acoustics and precisely tuned bass pipes for deep, tight bass reproduction so you'll experience a superb crystal-clear sound. This model comes with Philips Digital sound processing for lifelike, distortion-less music and 30W RMS total output power.

This slightly smaller Fidelio for Android (AS351) will give you the right sound at home and on the go. With the option to choose between battery and AC power, you can enjoy your music anywhere. This model offers Dynamic Bass Boost to preserve low tones for deep bass at any volume level and comes with 10W RMS total output power. A special shielding technology blocks mobile phone interference whilst the AUX-in at the back side of the device means you can connect almost any electronic device.

The third model in the range, the Fidelio for Android (AS111) comes in an elegant and compact design that looks gorgeous from every angle and fits onto every bedside table. Its 360-degree design gives a rich omni-directional sound to fill your bedroom, whilst neodymium speakers deliver a pure balanced sound so you can wake up to a great sound from your Android phone.

HTC Runnymede 2 looks to lay down the law with 4.7" display and Beats audio

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 08:54 PM PDT

Beginning today, when mobile enthusiasts think of Runnymede, it won't be the Magna Carta that immediately comes to mind, but rather one of first phones to emerge from HTC's collaboration with Beats. Unlike the rumored Sensation Special Edition 2, the Runnymede 2 shares greater similarity with the Titan -- the 4.7-inch beast with a single-core 1.5GHz CPU and 9.9mm profile -- that was announced earlier today. Diverging from the Titan, however, the Runnymede 2 will be an Android handset with 768MB of RAM and an option for 32GB of built-in storage (along with the base level 16GB). Beats headphones are also rumored to be bundled with this bad boy, and HTC seems to take its imaging prowess very seriously with an 8 megapixel sensor and f2.2 lens that smacks heavily of the MyTouch 4G Slide. Of course, this all sounds very tempting, but it leaves us wondering what the hell happened to the Runnymede 1. Perhaps Mr. Chou decided this one was good enough to skip a generation?

[Thanks, ZedeN]

Volvo and Siemens team up to build better electric engines

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 08:26 PM PDT

Siemens electric motor
Electric cars are finally starting to make a dent in the market, but they've got a long way to go before you'll find one in every driveway. Thankfully companies like Volvo and Siemens are working hard to improve EV technology and grant Mother Earth a bit of a reprieve from our pollutant-spewing rides. The two manufacturers are collaborating on vehicles equipped with electric drive motors, in particular Siemens's C30 DRIVe. Tests will begin later this year, with 200 vehicles set to be delivered in late 2012 for evaluation under "real-life conditions." Check out the PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Volvo Car Corporation and Siemens launch electric mobility partnership

Volvo Car Corporation and Siemens intend to jointly advance the technical development of electric cars through extensive strategic cooperation. The focus is on the joint development of electrical drive technology, power electronics and charging technology as well as the integration of those systems into Volvo C30 Electric vehicles.

The first electric cars of this model fitted with Siemens electric motors will be on the test tracks as early as the end of this year. Beginning in late 2012, the Swedish carmaker will deliver a test series of up to 200 vehicles to Siemens, which will then be tested and validated under real-life conditions as part of a Siemens internal test fleet.

Sharpens competitiveness

The two companies' goals and core competencies in electric mobility are perfectly matched.
The partnership gives Siemens the chance to extend its industrial leadership in electric drive technology into the automotive market together with a renowned vehicle manufacturer.

Volvo Car Corporation will be relying on proven and efficient Siemens technology for the electrification of its future vehicles.

"We are very happy to have Siemens as a partner. Their world-leading knowledge and experience will bring the technology in our electric cars up to an entirely new level," says Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation. He continues:
"We are moving ahead quickly in this area. Our aim is to be first with the latest technology within electrification. The partnership reinforces our aim to pursue the fast-growing market for electric cars."

Pioneering electric mobility

Electric powertrain, battery management and charging technology are regarded as key technologies in the development and production of electric cars.
"Cooperation with Volvo is an important milestone in the development of top-quality components and systems for electric cars subsequently intended for series production," says Siegfried Russwurm, Siemens Board member and CEO of the Siemens Industry Sector. "It is our long-term goal to establish Siemens as a global system provider both inside and outside of electric vehicles. We see ourselves as a comprehensive electric mobility pioneer."
Siemens electric motors developed for Volvo have a peak power output of 108 kilowatts with a maximum torque of 220 Newton meters. The inverter design will be jointly optimized to meet all safety requirements in an automotive application. In addition, Siemens will provide highly efficient and fast on-board and off-board charging systems.

Moving towards series production

Volvo Car Corporation starts small-scale production of the Volvo C30 Electric this year, and next year the company will start selling the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.
"This means that we are moving from prototypes and small volumes towards series production, starting with the plug-in hybrid. Our upcoming new Scalable Platform Architecture paves the way for electrification throughout our model range," concludes Stefan Jacoby.

PowerDVD Mobile for Android brings streaming media to your Honeycomb tablet

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 07:43 PM PDT

Heads up, PowerDVD fans, a new streaming solution is in the Android Market that's designed specifically for your Honeycomb-powered tablet. It's known as PowerDVD Mobile for Android, but don't let the name fool you, because smartphones need not apply. The software allows users to stream media from PowerDVD on their computer directly to the tablet, share media between tablets, and stream media from the tablet to DLNA-certified TVs. Additionally, users will find CyberLink's all-in-one media player that combines support for videos, photos and music, along with the ability to touch up snapshots and create slideshows. If you're looking to hop on board, the software sells for $20 in the Android Market, although users of PowerDVD 11 Ultra may activate a free version with a code that's provided in the desktop version of their software. As usual, you'll find the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
CyberLink Releases New PowerDVD Mobile for Android to Extend the PowerDVD 11 Experience Beyond the PC

Taipei, Taiwan-September 1, 2011-CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW) today launched PowerDVD Mobile, a brand new all-in-one media player for Android devices based on the award-winning PowerDVD media player for PCs. Users can now effortlessly play, share and wirelessly stream their local videos, music and photos between their PCs and Android-powered tablets.

The announcement comes as CyberLink also today announces major updates to its flagship PowerDVD11 universal media player.

Key features include:

- Wirelessly download and share media from PowerDVD on the PC to Android tablets with Save To and Share On features.
Play media from your Android device to DLNA TVs with Play To features. PowerDVD Mobile will stream media to your DLNA TV so you can enjoy the videos and photos from your Android tablet on the comforts of the big screen.
- All-in-one media player for videos, photos, and music on Android tablets so digital media can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.
- Apply one-click photo enhancements to touch up photos and create and watch cool slideshows of the best images.

"CyberLink has always been synonymous with creating innovative digital media solutions," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink Corp. "With the release of PowerDVD Mobile, we are proud to add a new solution that takes advantage of the momentum from Android device adoption and brings the premium entertainment experience of PowerDVD beyond the PC. Users can now conveniently enjoy their movies, videos and photos on the PC, in the living room or on the go."

Product Availability
PowerDVD Mobile is available on the Android Market in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Russian and Portuguese. CyberLink also offers PowerDVD Mobile to OEM partners.

CyberLink PowerDVD Mobile Versions
PowerDVD Mobile: US $19.99
PowerDVD Mobile for Ultra: BONUS license with Purchase of PowerDVD 11 Ultra

Bell prepping its LTE network, Samsung Galaxy S II LTE and Tab 8.9 to be offered at launch?

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 07:17 PM PDT

We've known that Bell's intended to make the jump to LTE for nearly three years, but the Canadian carrier has kept incredibly silent about when or how it was going to leap. If we're to believe an unnamed source, that silence may be soon coming to an end: supposedly the company will be launching its 4G network "soon" and is rumored to have a phone and a tablet prepped for launch right away. The suspected devices? None other than the Samsung Galaxy S II LTE and Galaxy Tab 8.9. If this happens sometime in the fall, such a move would put Bell in the running to become the second carrier in Canada to adopt the next-gen standard -- Telus and Sasktel are expected to upgrade next year -- which gives advocates of choice some wonderful things to look forward to over the next twelve months.

[Thanks, Doug]

LG goes big with stylus-equipped PenTouch plasma TVs

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 07:01 PM PDT

It's a good time to be a stylus fan. Not only has Samsung debuted its handwriting-friendly Series 7 Slate and Galaxy Note tablets, but LG is also bringing the stylus into the living room with its new series of PenTouch plasma TVs. Available in both 50-inch and 60-inch varieties, each TV comes with a pair of Touch Pens that let you either control the TV and included software like a calendar and photo gallery, or simply draw on it to your heart's content. As if that wasn't enough, the top-end 60-inch model is also a 3D TV, and include one pair of active shutter glasses -- it'll run you $2,199, while the non-3D models come in at $1,699 and $1,099. Unfortunately, you'll also have to supply your own Windows PC to take full advantage of that touch-functionality.
Show full PR text
LG Electronics Adds Innovative 'Touch' to Plasma Home Entertainment

New Display Combines 'PenTouch' Stylus Technology, Superb Picture Quality of Premium Plasma TV
LG ELECTRONICS USA, INC. LOGO LG Electronics logo. (PRNewsFoto/LG Electronics USA, Inc.) HILLSIDE, NJ UNITED STATES


ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics has launched "LG PenTouch TV" – an innovative series of plasma HDTVs that takes TV interaction to a whole new level – available now through specialty retailers across the United States. When connected to a personal computer* the LG PenTouch TV lets viewers use a special touch-sensitive stylus pen to interact with the Internet and to create, modify and control a variety of content directly on the screen.

"Touch displays have become the norm in mobile phones and tablets, but remain almost unheard of in TVs," said Jay Vandenbree, senior vice president, home entertainment, LG Electronics USA. "The PenTouch TV brings all the excitement of touch displays, computers and the Internet to the world of television, with functions and programs that are great fun and really educational. Families, in particular, will have more than ever to enjoy on LG PenTouch TV plasma screens."

Users can activate the PenTouch mode with a single click on the remote control. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. In PenTouch mode, users can access files created on their PCs, and work on them, edit them or move them around the screen using the stylus. The TV supports simultaneous two-pen use, and pen batteries can be recharged through USB ports on the TV or PC.

Using PenTouch software, which is provided with the TV, budding artists can draw pictures directly onto the screen and then save the files for further editing or effects manipulation. If the PC is connected to a printer, users can print their PenTouch creations, too. More complex software features include Gallery, which comes with a built-in slide show feature; Digital Photo Frame, which lets users embellish their work with the frame of their choice; and even a Family Calendar, where you can leave notes and to-do lists for your family members to see. The LG PenTouch TV can also interact with Internet content when connected to a PC.

The LG PenTouch TV uses a protective scratch-resistant glass screen, while auto sharpness control and color materialization technology enhance viewing. Complementing the unit's stylish TruSlim Frame design, the LG PenTouch TV incorporates a stand that has been specially designed to provide more stability when owners or their children are using the PenTouch feature.

Three LG PenTouch models, two 60-inch (59.8 inches diagonal) class and one 50-inch class (49.9 inches diagonal) plasma HDTVs are available. The 60-inch class 60PZ850 is 3D capable, earning the coveted THX 3D and 2D Display Certification. It has a suggested retail price of $2,199. The 60-inch class 60PV490 and the 50-inch class 50PV490 both offer Full HD 1080p display capability and exclusive LG technologies, including Picture Wizard self-calibration, Intelligent Sensor automatic picture adjustment and Smart Energy Saving features. The 60PV490 and 50PV490 have suggested retail prices of $1,699 and $1,099, respectively.

* Recommended PC system requirements to support the LG PenTouch TV include: Dual-core 2GHz or better CPU; 1GB or more of memory, 500MB or more HDD, graphics card with 1920x1080 (for PZ850 series) or 1024x768 (for PV490 series) connected via an RGB or HDMI output port. The Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit) operating system is recommended due to its support of multi-touch applications. Other supported operating systems: 32 bit Windows XP and 23 and 64 bit Windows Vista. The Windows 7 Starter Edition is not supported.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $48 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

Starz ends renewal negotiations with Netflix, will pull movies from streaming in February

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 06:24 PM PDT

Starz has apparently decided it can live without the hundreds of millions of dollars a renewal of its content licensing deal with Netflix was expected to bring and announced an end to negotiations today. According to the Company Town blog, talks broke down over Starz's insistence that Netflix implement tiered pricing, and charge customers even more for access to its content. That means when the current deal expires on February 28, 2012, they will all go away, including a number of its newer release flicks from Sony (already pulled) and Disney that Starz has exclusive licenses to and Starz content like Camelot and Spartacus. To make matters worse, all of this is going down the same day as a price hike makes it more expensive to keep both disc and streaming services.

While Starz claims the move is a part of its strategy to "protect the premium nature of our brand by preserving the appropriate pricing and packaging of our exclusive and highly valuable content" as well as "evaluate new opportunities", Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey is quoted as saying it can redirect the Starz money to deals with other content providers to "maintain or even improve the Netflix experience." Beyond Starz, in the US Netflix also has access to newer movies from its deals with Epix and a few smaller distributors like Relativity Media. Check Starz's statement in full after the break, and let us know if this is changing your answer to yesterday's poll question.
Show full PR text
Starz Entertainment Issues Statement on Status of Netflix Affiliation Agreement Renewal Discussions

STARZ ENTERTAINMENT LOGO Starz logo (PRNewsFoto/Starz Entertainment) ENGLEWOOD, CO UNITED STATES

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz, LLC, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Albrecht, issued the following statement today regarding the status of affiliation agreement renewal discussions with Netflix.

"Starz Entertainment has ended contract renewal negotiations with Netflix. When the agreement expires on February 28, 2012, Starz will cease to distribute its content on the Netflix streaming platform. This decision is a result of our strategy to protect the premium nature of our brand by preserving the appropriate pricing and packaging of our exclusive and highly valuable content. With our current studio rights and growing original programming presence, the network is in an excellent position to evaluate new opportunities and expand its overall business."

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie and original programming entertainment service provider operating in the United States. The company offers 17 premium channels including the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® brands with approximately 19 million and 32.9 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs in total more than 1,000 movies and original series every month across its pay TV channels. Starz Entertainment is recognized as a pay TV leader in providing HD, On Demand, HD On Demand and online advanced services for its STARZ, ENCORE and MOVIEPLEX brands. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation and is attributed to the Liberty Starz tracking stock group (NASDAQ: LSTZA).

Tivoli Audio announces PAL+ and Model 10+ clock radios, we go ears-on

Posted: 01 Sep 2011 05:50 PM PDT

If those clock radios up there look familiar, it's because their maker, Tivoli Audio, has been spitting out pretty much the same thing for the past 11 years. Their innards, at least, have changed with the times, and here at IFA the company is showing two models -- the portable PAL+ and the more stationary Model 10+ -- both of which hinge on support for digital radio. They're each compatible with DAB, DAB+ and DMB, in addition to good 'ol FM, have dual alarms and support five station presets for each band. The main difference is that the PAL+ is weather-resistant and battery-powered, rated to last three and a half hours unplugged. At 1.85 pounds it's still heavy enough that we'd never throw it in a carry-on, but in a world where it cost less or money were no object we might take it to the beach. You could, if you were so inclined, use the included remote to navigate the UI, though there's also a scroll wheel up top -- a neat idea, we thought, until you realize pushing that button in the center to cycle through each and every menu gets annoying fast. As for the audio quality, the speakers are powerful enough that their sound could rise above the din of the show floor, but we could still hear some tinniness coming through. The pair are available now, fetching $299 (£299) and $399 (£399), respectively, which means HD radio or no, these are, still, glorified alarm clocks.
Tivoli Model 10+
Tivoli Model PAL+
Tivoli PAL+ and Model 10+ hands-on
at 11:38 AM

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