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Engadget News |
- Poll: Will you be getting an iPhone 4S?
- NEC LaVie Touch hands-on
- Wiretapping Act could spell 'finito' for Italian Wikipedia
- Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone
- FCC wants all cellphones to be GPS-capable by 2018 for improved 911 service
- Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video)
- Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video)
- Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video)
- It's not TV: it's Nottv, Japan's new Smartphone-only TV station
- Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video)
- Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video)
- India's $35 tablet is here, for real. Called Aakash, costs $60
- Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video)
- Dell announces Inspiron One 2320 touchscreen all-in-one
- Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share
- Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video)
- Kia to roll out re-badged Hyundai electric minicar in late 2011
- Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video)
- Arduino-powered lighting system infuses your LED with some Ambilight-like pizazz (video)
- Samsung looks to block iPhone 4S sales in France, Italy
- Garmin's Forerunner 910XT sport watch begs to become your new swimming buddy
- Piezoelectric system turns your balmy breath into pungent power
- Camera or camcorder? JVC's hybrid GC-PX10 wants to be both
- Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device
- Qt developers gain NFC support with Nokia's latest SDK update
- Invisibility cloak made of carbon nanotubes uses 'mirage effect' to disappear
- LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers
- T-Mobile's fall roadmap leaks, cornucopia of mobile goods on the horizon
- AT&T goes meta: your iPhone 4S upgrade is just an app away (update)
- Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway
- ZTE V55 tablet shows off its derriere at the FCC, Sprint branding in tow
- Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads
- XBMC teases new features coming in 11.0 'Eden' release
- Apple iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC?
- Adobe reveals Creative Cloud, links Touch Apps to Creative Suite with 20GB storage
- Engadget HD Podcast 268 - 10.04.2011
- Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom
- French court reverses DS flash cart ruling, Nintendo smiles
- Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates
- Apple's iPhone 4S event video now online
| Poll: Will you be getting an iPhone 4S? Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:58 AM PDT  |
| Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:31 AM PDT  Despite the slightly more sensible pricing, is the LaVie Touch still worth the money? Probably a stretch given the much cheaper offerings from the likes of Acer and Samsung, but regardless, kudos to NEC for keeping its tablet's weight just under 730g (1.6 pounds) while promising 10.6 hours of battery life. For comparison's sake, the Acer Iconia W500 weighs 970g (2.14 pounds) and only packs up to six hours worth of battery juice. The NEC tablet felt firm in our hands and its IPS LCD didn't disappoint, though Windows 7 on this particular unit was slightly laggy during our hands-on, so be sure to check it out in the stores first before you hand over your hard-earned yen. |
| Wiretapping Act could spell 'finito' for Italian Wikipedia Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:02 AM PDT  This week, lawmakers in Italy are debating a controversial new bill that could have disastrous implications for Wikipedia. Yesterday, the encyclopedia posted a lengthy letter on its Italian portal, informing visitors that the site may be shuttered within the country if parliament passes the proposed DDL Intercettazioni, or "Wiretapping Law." If ratified, the legislation would require all online publishers to amend any content considered objectionable or defamatory within 48 hours of receiving a complaint. Offenders would face a fine of €12,000 (about $16,000), and any requested corrections would not be subject to review. Of course, this presents obvious problems for the crowdsourced (and crowd-edited) Wikipedia, which characterized the law as "an unacceptable restriction of [its] freedom and independence." The site took particular umbrage at the bill's apparent disregard for third-party review, pointing out that the "opinion of the person allegedly injured is all that is required" to force a re-write, "regardless of the truthfulness of the information deemed as offensive, and its sources." At the moment, the portal is still up, but masked by Wikipedia's letter. If the Wiretapping Law progresses further, however, the organization says it will have no choice but to delete its Italian platform altogether. [Image courtesy of Toutlecine] |
| Soon, Xbox Companion will let you control your console from Windows Phone Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:40 AM PDT  We just reported that Microsoft is partnering with Verizon and Comcast (among others) to continue expanding the reaches of its Xbox 360 entertainment suite, but would it be complete without adding compatibility to its mobile empire as well? The Windows Phone Team says nay; it spoke up this morning about an upcoming app called Xbox Companion, which will access the Xbox Live Marketplace and also act as a remote, allowing you to navigate your console or control video playback directly from your handset. You can call it laziness or convenience -- or both -- but either way, it's still going to be a clever new addition to the Marketplace. The app's currently in beta and will be available as a free download "soon." For a peek, check out the video below at around the one-minute mark. |
| FCC wants all cellphones to be GPS-capable by 2018 for improved 911 service Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:14 AM PDT  There's still no real indication of when you'll be able to send text messages, photos and videos to 911, but the FCC has now set a date for another promised enhancement to the service. The agency is aiming to increase the service's location accuracy requirements, and to that end it wants all cellphones and VoIP devices to be GPS-capable by 2018 (A-GPS, specifically). As the FCC notes, it expects 85 percent of all cellphones to have built-in GPS by that point anyway, which it says should "contribute to minimizing subsequent costs" required to meet the cut-off -- it's not, however, adopting a specific sunset date just yet. As you might expect, however, there's not exactly unanimous support for the move in the industry, and the FCC itself notes in its recently-published document that AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Motorola and the CTIA all insist that "a unitary standard is not technically or economically feasible at this time." |
| Microsoft reveals new TV providers including Verizon and Comcast coming to Xbox 360 (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 09:39 AM PDT   Xbox 360 Teams Up With Entertainment Leaders to Transform TV Today we are happy to announce plans to roll out the next generation of TV entertainment on Xbox LIVE. We have nearly 40 world class TV and entertainment providers coming to Xbox LIVE including: Bravo, Comcast, HBO GO, Verizon FiOS and Syfy in the U.S.; BBC TV and radio in the U.K.; Telefónica in Spain; Rogers On Demand in Canada; Televisa in Mexico; ZDF in Germany; and MediaSet in Italy, that will begin rolling out to consoles in more than 20 countries this holiday. Entertainment Partners on Xbox 360 (Existing and New) • ABC iView – Australia • AlloCiné – France, Germany, Spain, U.K. • Antena 3 – Spain • Astral Media's Disney XD – Canada • AT&T** – U.S. • BBC – U.K. • blinkbox – U.K. • Bravo – U.S. • BSkyB** – U.K. • Canal+* – France, Spain • Channel 4 – U.K. • Channel 5 – U.K. • CinemaNow (Best Buy) – U.S. • Comcast – U.S. • Crackle – Australia, Canada, U.K., U.S. • Dailymotion – Available in 32 markets • EPIX – U.S. • ESPN** – U.S. • Facebook** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets • FOXTEL** – Australia • GolTV – Spain • HBO GO – U.S. • Hulu – Japan • Hulu +**– U.S. • iHeartRadio (Clear Channel) – U.S. • Last.fm** – U.K., U.S. • LOVEFiLM – Germany, U.K. • Manga Entertainment – U.S. • Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports – Canada • MediaSet – Italy • MSN with MSNBC.com – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, U.K. • MUZU.TV – France, Germany, Italy, Spain, U.K. • Netflix**– Canada, U.S. • Rogers On Demand Online (RODO) – Canada • RTVE – Spain • SBS On Demand – Australia • Syfy – U.S. • Telefonica – Spain • Televisa – Mexico • "The Today Show" – U.S. • TELUS** – Canada • TMZ – U.S. • Twitter** – Available in all 35 Xbox LIVE markets • UFC – Canada, U.S. • Verizon – U.S. • VEVO – Canada, U.K., U.S. • VimpelCom** – Russia • Vodafone Portugal** – Portugal • YouTube – Available in 22 markets • ZDF – Germany • Zune** – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain * Xbox LIVE Gold membership and/or other subscriptions/fees required. Kinect functionality varies by feature, provider and region. ** Denotes existing partners on Xbox LIVE available today. LOVEFiLM PREMIERES ON XBOX 360 Microsoft and LOVEFiLM, Europe's largest subscription service – streaming movies and TV episodes over the Internet and sending DVDs by post – have today announced a partnership that will make LOVEFiLM part of the next generation of TV entertainment, bringing the service to millions of Xbox 360 users across the UK and Germany. The agreement between the two leading home entertainment companies sees LOVEFiLM become an official Xbox LIVE integrated film service provider and is the next step in LOVEFiLM's strategy for multi-platform delivery – already offering streaming on the LOVEFiLM Player, through the PC, iPad®, in-home connected living room devices, PlayStation®3 and, now, Xbox 360. UK and German LOVEFiLM members will be able to instantly stream thousands of titles from major studios and independents, in addition to exclusive movies such as the global phenomenon The Twilight Saga, Unknown, starring Liam Neeson and thriller Source Code, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. With Kinect for Xbox 360, user interaction will be made more personal and intuitive, with the ability to effortlessly control the LOVEFiLM Player App through motion, gestures and voice commands. This interactivity will revolutionise the way film fans manage their movie selection and engage with LOVEFiLM. Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM said: "This is an exciting and important deal for our customers and is the next move in LOVEFiLM's strategy of helping as many homes as possible connect to our service. We want to be the first choice for UK and German customers to get the best entertainment. Xbox LIVE already has a large consumer base of all ages – all of whom will now be able to connect with our great content, whether TV series', exclusive digital films or DVDs, Blu-rays and games by post, all for one simple price We are pleased to announce this partnership as both parties really focus on giving customers exciting and innovative services. We are proud to be a part of Microsoft's expansion into the entertainment space and confident it will help fuel our ambition to become Europe's largest membership entertainment service." Stephen McGill, Director of Xbox & Entertainment for Microsoft UK said: "Microsoft is very excited to be welcoming LOVEFiLM to Xbox LIVE. I feel certain that the opportunity to interact with LOVEFiLM's amazing catalogue of studio and independent film releases using Kinect-enabled voice and gesture commands will be well received by Xbox owners here in the UK." Members will be able to scroll through titles on the page, search through categories including 'Pick of the Week', 'Most Watched' and 'Highest Rated', view ratings and search through the LOVEFiLM instant offering by title, actor and genre. About LOVEFiLM In a little over seven years, LOVEFiLM has become a leading European film subscription service, combining the benefits of DVD rental by post and, more recently, watching movies online via the LOVEFiLM Player (on the PC, the PlayStation®3, iPad and streamed direct to TV). Customers choose from a selection of over 70,000 titles available across Blu-ray, DVDs, video games and digital streaming. LOVEFiLM currently has 1.7 million members and operates in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. In February 2011 LOVEFiLM was acquired by Amazon EU SARL. About Xbox 360 Xbox 360 is a premier home entertainment and video game system. Thanks to the addition of Kinect, Xbox 360 has transformed social gaming and entertainment with a whole new way to play - no controller required. Xbox 360 is also home to the best and broadest games as well as the largest on-demand library of music, standard- and high-definition movies, TV shows and digital games, all in one place. The entertainment center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content with a leading social entertainment network of nearly 35 million Xbox LIVE members to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information about Xbox 360 can be found online at http://www.xbox.com. About Xbox LIVE Xbox LIVE is the online entertainment service for your Xbox 360, connecting you to an ever-expanding world of games, movies, TV, music, sports and social entertainment. Xbox LIVE lets you play the best games, enjoy one of the world's largest on-demand libraries on any console, listen to millions of songs and share the fun with friends around the world. Xbox LIVE is also the exclusive home of controller-free online entertainment through Kinect, making your Xbox 360 more intuitive and interactive than ever before. With an active ecommunity of nearly 35 million people across 35 countries, Xbox LIVE, together with Xbox 360, provides you with instant access to the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, wherever you are. More information about Xbox LIVE can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/live. ### Verizon and Microsoft Announce New FiOS TV-Powered Entertainment Experience Coming Soon to Xbox 360 Companies Collaborate to Offer Live, Multichannel HD TV Integrated with Kinect, in the United States via the Xbox; Expands Verizon FiOS Customers' Borderless Lifestyles NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon and Microsoft Corp. today announced an agreement that will open the door to a new FiOS TV-powered entertainment experience for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Using a Verizon-developed software application, FiOS TV and Internet customers who are also Xbox LIVE Gold members will be able to view popular live TV channels through their Xbox consoles without any extra hardware required. This holiday, Verizon will bring a selection of popular live TV channels to Xbox 360 and will be a leader in delivering live, multichannel streaming HD TV, integrated with Kinect, via the Xbox. The new collaboration is an important expansion of the breadth of entertainment available on Xbox 360 and the latest move by Verizon to break down old technology barriers and provide customers the freedom of a borderless lifestyle where they can connect with what they love on all their favorite devices. Utilizing Kinect for Xbox 360, FiOS customers will be able to easily discover and enjoy content in extraordinary new ways, all without having to pick up a remote control. "By bringing the technologically advanced Verizon FiOS TV service to Xbox 360 and Kinect, we are advancing our vision to provide the best in entertainment in extraordinary new ways," said Tom Gibbons, corporate vice president of the TV & Service Business for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Xbox 360 brings all your entertainment, friends and family together in one place, and we look forward to introducing Verizon FiOS TV to the console this holiday." Verizon's vision for the future – the Borderless Lifestyle – can be summed up in four words: anytime, anywhere, any device. "We want to make everything our customers want or need to do, easier and more convenient, by putting the power of our technology in their hands – through the Internet-connected devices they use every day," said Eric Bruno, vice president of consumer and mass business product management for Verizon. "The Borderless Lifestyle is about erasing old technology boundaries and freeing consumers to enjoy entertainment on their own terms. FiOS TV on the Xbox 360 will tap into the magic of Kinect to transform the way people interact with TV, providing a game-changing entertainment experience for our customers." Xbox 360 Teams Up With Entertainment Leaders to Transform TV AT&T, BBC, Comcast, HBO, Rogers, Telefónica, Televisa and Verizon are among providers rolling out new TV entertainment services on Xbox LIVE. REDMOND, Wash. - Oct. 5, 2011 - A new era in television begins this holiday where your entertainment becomes instantly searchable, easily discoverable and enjoyable in extraordinary new ways from a single device - Xbox 360. Today, Microsoft Corp. announced plans to roll out the next generation of TV entertainment on Xbox LIVE, the online entertainment service for Xbox 360. Nearly 40 world-leading TV and entertainment providers, including Bravo, Comcast, HBO GO, Verizon FiOS and Syfy in the U.S.; BBC in the U.K., Telefónica in Spain; Rogers On Demand in Canada; Televisa in Mexico; ZDF in Germany; and MediaSet in Italy, will begin rolling out entertainment services to the console this holiday, in more than 20 countries. "Today's announcement is a major step toward realizing our vision to bring you all the entertainment you want, shared with the people you care about, made easy," said Don Mattrick, president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Combining the world's leading TV and entertainment providers with the power of Kinect for Xbox 360* and the intelligence of Bing voice search will make TV and entertainment more personal, social and effortless." "We are continually evolving the television experience to bring Xfinity TV subscribers more personalized ways to search, find and watch the content they love," said Sam Schwartz, president of Comcast Converged Products. "Our recently launched next-generation Xfinity TV platform is enabling us to bring Xfinity On Demand to a gaming console for the first time, and Kinect's voice and gesture controls will offer our customers an innovative way to discover and enjoy Xfinity On Demand's huge library of top shows and movies." Live and On-Demand TV, Movies, Games, Sports, Music and More Xbox 360 brings all your entertainment, friends and family together in one place. Now, easily switch from playing your favorite game with a friend out of state or even across the world to watching your favorite TV show with your family members on the same couch, all through Xbox LIVE. Ready to mix things up? Effortlessly switch from games to music to live TV and more, simply by telling your Xbox what you want to experience. "Microsoft and Verizon share a common vision to transform the ways people enjoy and interact with the entertainment they want - what Verizon calls the borderless lifestyle," said Eric Bruno, vice president of consumer and mass business product management for Verizon. "FiOS TV on the Xbox 360 is an excellent example of how we're working with market leaders to erase old technology borders to expand the FiOS TV experience and taking advantage of unique new features including voice- and gesture-control of live TV entertainment via Kinect. This holiday, Verizon will bring a selection of popular live TV channels to Xbox 360 and will be a leader in delivering live, multichannel streaming HD TV, integrated with Kinect, via Xbox." Unified Dashboard for Xbox LIVE Oct. 5, 2011 Xbox LIVE now has a unified dashboard for greater, easier navigation, whether customers use Kinect or a controller. Access more entertainment content for everyone in the family from numerous providers, and enjoy on-demand or live programming. Download: Web | Print Xbox 360 is the first console to offer access to the world's greatest TV properties, including BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and LOVEFiLM in the U.K.; Antena 3, RTVE and Telefónica in Spain; Televisa in Mexico; and Bravo, Comcast's Xfinity On Demand service, Crackle, EPIX, Syfy, TMZ, "The Today Show," UFC, Verizon FiOS and HBO GO in the United States. "We have been thrilled with the success of HBO GO. Our ongoing goal is to deliver HBO's acclaimed programming to our subscribers wherever and whenever they want it, and this relationship with Microsoft is another huge step in accomplishing just that," said Bernadette Aulestia, senior vice president, Domestic Network Distribution & Marketing, HBO. "HBO GO on Xbox is also a marriage of two pre-eminent brands - both with a reputation for delivering the highest quality of entertainment." These new TV and video providers announced today join our existing lineup of great TV and video entertainment partners already on Xbox 360 - AT&T, Netflix and Hulu+ in the U.S., TELUS in Canada, BSkyB in the U.K., Canal+ in France, Vodafone Portugal, VimpelCom in Russia, and FOXTEL in Australia. "Nearly a year ago, AT&T U-verse became the first TV provider in the U.S. to launch live TV on Xbox 360. Now we look forward to working with Microsoft to deliver even more innovative features that will allow U-verse TV customers to use voice and gesture controls to manage their TV experience," said Jeff Weber, vice president of video services, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Through our Microsoft partnership, AT&T U-verse TV has been a leader in delivering a multiscreen and interactive TV experience that offers customers more personalization, more control and more integration across devices, all on the industry's only 100 percent IPTV platform." Sports aren't just a game on Xbox 360. With live and on-demand content from ESPN in the U.S., UFC in the U.S. and Canada, GolTV in Spain and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment/Real Sports in Canada, Xbox 360 completely changes how sports fans experience and interact with their favorite pastimes. The all-new ESPN on Xbox LIVE features thousands of live events and video highlights with enhanced personalization features, split-screen viewing and an updated interface content guide that makes it easy for fans to find the highlights from the teams and sports they care most about. UFC on Xbox LIVE gives fans access to live pre-event videos, a catalog of on-demand video, an Interactive Fight Card and pay-per-view events in stunning HD all together in one place. The energy of the Octagon is coming right into the living room. In addition to adding the world's largest TV providers and the best names in sports, the biggest names in Web video, news and music are also coming to Xbox 360, including AlloCiné, Dailymotion, iHeartRadio, MSN with MSNBC.com, "The Today Show," TMZ, VEVO and YouTube. Whether catching up on the Web's latest viral videos, watching breaking news, sports and weather, listening to your favorite music, or sitting down to enjoy your favorite games, movies or TV shows - no other entertainment device brings it all together in one place like Xbox 360. Xbox Entertainment - Personal, Effortless, Social With Kinect for Xbox 360, there are no remotes, no buttons, no worries. Consumers will prefer to experience entertainment on Xbox 360 because it allows them to easily search and discover content across multiple entertainment providers within Xbox LIVE and interact and enjoy that content in extraordinary new ways. Gone are the days of managing a handful of remote controls, trying to remember what movies are available from what service, and hunting back and forth across television inputs. Using voice search with Bing on Xbox, easily look across a variety of branded services and play the programming you want without ever raising a finger. Having trouble finding last night's episode of "The Office"? It's now only a voice command away. Just say "Xbox, Bing, 'The Office,' " and Xbox finds it. Not only is entertainment effortless on Xbox 360, it is more social and personal. Everything in Xbox has been designed to share with friends. Share recommendations, and show the Xbox LIVE community what games you're playing, movies you're watching and music you're listening to, as well as invite them to join in - even post your game achievements and info about your favorite movies directly to your Facebook wall from Xbox LIVE. It's simple: With your social network along for the ride, the world's leading content providers and the magic of Kinect, entertainment experiences are better on Xbox LIVE. |
| Rohm and Lumiotec create $450 OLED Hanger lamp, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 09:34 AM PDT  If you're still into the Hanger, we can confirm that it's not only bright, but also very thin and very light. The panel gives off roughly the same amount of light as a 60-watt bulb, yet it consumes just 9.6 watts of power. Sadly, that doesn't mean it will eventually pay for itself in electricity cost savings, since, again, you're still paying $450 for what's essentially a (very slick) light bulb. We'd be far more impressed if the Hanger were more portable. You'll have many feet of cord to work with, but you'll still be tethered to an outlet -- there's no flat battery magic implemented here. These are available now in limited quantities, if you're ready to pull out the checkbook and sign on the dotted line. Or, if you'd rather spend that dough on a truckload of traditional fixtures, you can get your Hanger fix for free in the video after the break. |
| Murata Tactile Controller TV remote hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:59 AM PDT  We put the controller through its paces at the company's CEATEC booth, adjusting a TV's volume and channel up and down, and, well, up and down, since that's just about all you can do with the thing. The model we saw only supported five twist positions and four bending positions in each direction, so it could theoretically adjust those two basic settings more quickly based on how much pressure you put on the film, but realistically can't do much beyond that. The Tactile Controller on display here is more of a proof of concept of sorts -- with the concept being the plastic film technology itself, and not the battery-free remote control, which the company decided would be the most visual application for testing its new film, though not necessarily the most practical. Understandably, Murata doesn't have any plans to release the remote that we saw today, but you can jump past this to see us do the twist. |
| It's not TV: it's Nottv, Japan's new Smartphone-only TV station Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:36 AM PDT  Japanese mobile users hankering after short bursts of original video will soon gain access to Nottv, a platform designed to capitalize on the nation's love of smartphones as well as its now empty analog TV frequencies. The service is different to Japan's other smartphone-TV network, One-Seg, which just relays terrestrial broadcasts to your mobile device -- not least because it lets you share snarky ripostes after watching a clip. It's backed by the country's major channels as well as NTT DoCoMo and it just needs the heavy rubber stamp of governmental approval before you can start hunting down condensed editions of Takeshi's Castle from April 2012. |
| Arduino, iPod and RFID make beautiful, accessible music together (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:12 AM PDT  |
| Cyberdyne HAL robotic arm hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 07:48 AM PDT If the name Cyberdyne doesn't immediately ring a bell, its HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic suit sure will. Here at CEATEC, we bumped into these folks who kindly offered to strap us onto their latest prototype arm -- a slightly smaller variant of the one installed on Cyberdyne's current suit. Most of the HAL's main part was strapped to the outer side of our upper arm with velcro, while our wrist was tied to the much smaller extendable piece; both parts were hinged together with a power unit. Additionally, a sensory pad was applied onto our forearm's medial cutaneous nerve (around the elbow area) to pick up our muscular nerve signal -- similarly, Cyberdyne's lower-body exosuit requires two sensors on each leg. Our HAL was energized as soon as we tensed our arm muscles, so lifting up the tray of four 1.5kg water bottles was a piece of cake consistently throughout the demo -- we even managed it with just our pinky (see video above)! And as soon as Cyberdyne's lovely assistant Fumi turned the dial down, our superhuman powers were instantly taken away. We weren't given any dates or specs for this piece of kit, but if all goes well, we may well see a brand new full-body suit at CES 2012 in January, so stay tuned. Oh, and can someone please get Cyberdyne some WD-40? Zach Honig contributed to this report. |
| India's $35 tablet is here, for real. Called Aakash, costs $60 Posted: 05 Oct 2011 07:26 AM PDT  India's much-hyped $35 tablet for students is a reality. But, like every other super-cheap education project, the price has jumped -- though in this case only to Rs 2,999 ($60). It turns out that the Aakash is actually an Ubislate 7 from Datawind (makers of the Pocketsurfer). Beneath the 7-inch 800 x 480 resistive touchscreen is a 366MHz Connexant CPU, 256MB of RAM and 2GB of storage (expandable via microSD) running Froyo and the Getjar market on top. The battery life is rated for a rather short three hours, and much less if you want to play HD video. In addition to the 802.11 a/b/g WiFi chip, you also get a GPRS modem to stay connected in rural areas. We wish India's HRD Minster Kapil Sibal's pet project all the best and if you want to see the device held snugly inside a Rs 300 ($7) keyboard folio, check out the picture after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]  |
| Panasonic Cockpit digital dash prototype hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 06:52 AM PDT  We spent a few minutes behind the wheel of Panasonic's mockup, which consisted only of a pair of (rather comfortable) leather seats, along with a trio of LCDs, which the company claims are currently based on panels used in other Panasonic products, but may eventually utilize custom displays. This wasn't an actual vehicle prototype -- only the "cockpit" was on hand. The main display will (hopefully) focus the driver's attention away from distractions on those two smaller screens -- the one in the center can be used to control standard vehicle settings like climate and entertainment, while a second display positioned directly in front of the passenger seat can play movies and other content. Are we there yet? No, so you better get comfortable for the long drive ahead. Overall the setup looked like it could have potential, though Panasonic warned us not to expect anything final until the end of the decade (2018 at the earliest). Jump past the break for a Cockpit drive-by. |
| Dell announces Inspiron One 2320 touchscreen all-in-one Posted: 05 Oct 2011 06:23 AM PDT  Over the past few weeks, we've seen HP and Toshiba freshen up their all-in-ones, while Samsung made a belated jump into the market just last week. Today, it's Dell's turn -- the company just announced an addition to its all-in-one lineup, the 23-inch Inspiron One 2320. Funnily enough, the new design reminds us somewhat of the PCs HP trotted out last month in that it has an easel-like display with enough space underneath to stow the keyboard, although this one doesn't have a tilting screen. Spec-wise, it's well-matched against the competition, with a 1080p touchscreen, Intel Wireless Display capability, optional NVIDIA GeForce GT525M graphics, six USB 2.0 ports, HDMI-in, a Blu-ray option and up to 2TB in storage. (For whatever reason, USB 3.0 didn't make the cut.) That starting price of $950 will get you a Core i5-2400S CPU and 6GB of RAM, but if you have an extra $450 lying around you can step up to a Core i7-2600S processor with 8GB of memory. Wrapping it all up, the 2320 runs Dell's touch-friendly Stage UI, the latest version of which lets you sync photos and other media across different devices. We've rounded up a few glossy press shots below, but hit the source link if you're curious enough for the full spill.
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| Android Gingerbread has growth spurt, grabs 38.2 percent device share Posted: 05 Oct 2011 05:56 AM PDT Gingerbread has apparently made a substantial mark on Android users, with new figures showing it holds a 38.2 percent share of all Google OS-powered devices. That's some kind of growth from the one percent sliver it held earlier this year. Froyo still remains dominant at 45.3 percent, but fragmentation continues to shrink, with 95.7 percent of all Google-coated devices now running Android 2.1 or above. These figures, taken from Android Market statistics over the last two weeks, give a pretty good illustration of the gulf between Android smartphone and tablets, as well, with Honeycomb versions accounting for a meager 1.8 percent. But the tablet version will likely get a boost from Ice Cream Sandwich -- which, as we all know, is just around the corner. |
| Fujitsu Arrows Tab LTE F-01D with gesture control hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 05:30 AM PDT  What's more, the F-01D comes with a rather unique feature that's great for use in the bathroom or the kitchen: camera-based gesture control, which works in the browser (to scroll pages or go back and forth) as well as the 1seg or DLNA TV viewer (to change the channel and volume). You'll see in our video after the break that the gestures worked liked a charm for us, though initially we had to make sure that the tablet wasn't facing any strong light behind us (a typical problem in large conventions). Anyhow, if you're up for grabbing an F-01D, it'll be available on NTT DoCoMo in Japan next week. |
| Kia to roll out re-badged Hyundai electric minicar in late 2011 Posted: 05 Oct 2011 05:04 AM PDT  |
| Murata Wireless Power Transmission System supports laptops, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 04:33 AM PDT  Murata seemed more interested in demonstrating the concept behind capacitive coupling than actually proving that it works -- the laptop we saw "charging" was a plastic mockup, though the base did glow red when the laptop's charging pad came into contact (though it also glowed blue at times, as you can see in the image above). We did take a close look at an iPhone case, however, which appeared to be remarkably thin -- much thinner than models from Powermat, for example, though the case does extend below the dock connector. Another advantage of the square electrodes is that you don't need to place devices in a certain position on the mat in order for them to charge -- they simply need to be positioned within the general charging area. We take a closer look in the video after the break. Note: In the video below, we mistakenly identify the technology used as 'conductive,' after Murata reps consistently identified it as such. After later clarification we learned that the device uses a new capacitive technology, which had apparently been lost in translation. |
| Arduino-powered lighting system infuses your LED with some Ambilight-like pizazz (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2011 03:44 AM PDT  Why spend your hard-earned money on one of Philips' Ambilight displays when you can just make your own, using some Arduino-based wizardry and a little bit of elbow grease? Fortunately, Minty Boost creator ladyada is here to help. All you'll need is a strand of digital RGB LED pixels, a five-volt DC power supply (along with a female power adapter), any USB-equipped Arduino micro-controller and, of course, the appropriate Processing programming environment. You can find the full how-to at the source link below, but the results are pretty impressive -- a capture-based sketch system that's compatible with just about any media player. See it for yourself in the video after the break. [Thanks, Phil] |
| Samsung looks to block iPhone 4S sales in France, Italy Posted: 05 Oct 2011 02:41 AM PDT  Not exactly a shocking development here, but Samsung has just announced that it's looking to block sales of the iPhone 4S throughout France and Italy, opening up yet another frontier in its ongoing patent war with Apple. In a statement, the company confirmed that it will file two preliminary injunction requests in Paris and Milan today, on the grounds that Cupertino's new handset infringes upon two patents related to WCDMA standards for 3G-enabled devices. And it looks like this could only the beginning, with the manufacturer stating that it plans to pursue similar actions in other countries, as well. "Apple has continued to flagrantly violate our intellectual property rights and free ride on our technology," reads Samsung's statement. "We believe it is now necessary to take legal action to protect our innovation." Apple has yet to comment on the filings, but we'll be following the drama very closely. |
| Garmin's Forerunner 910XT sport watch begs to become your new swimming buddy Posted: 05 Oct 2011 02:06 AM PDT  The Ultimate Multisport Training Experience: Garmin Forerunner 910XT OLATHE, Kan./Oct 4, 2011/Business Wire - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the Forerunner 910XT – the only all-in-one GPS-enabled device that provides detailed swim metrics and tracks distance, speed/pace, elevation and heart rate for running and cycling. The 910XT sports a sleek profile allowing users to easily slide wetsuits on and off, and has an on-board barometric altimeter for improved elevation data, all without sacrificing the size of its easy-to-read display. The Forerunner 910XT was announced in preparation for the Triathlon World Championship in Kona, HI, October 8, 2011 where it will be prominently displayed. "Having one solution that provides athletes with all the metrics they are after is what the Forerunner 910XT is all about," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Seeing swimming metrics such as stroke count, stroke rate and stroke identification, and seeing running and cycling metrics such as pace, distance, heart rate and power, place the Forerunner 910XT in a class of its own." With Forerunner 910XT, swimming will never be the same again. Designed for both open water and pool swimming, Forerunner 910XT is water resistant to 50 meters and is Garmin's first multisport watch to offer extensive swim metrics, including swim distance, stroke identification, stroke count and pool lengths. It also computes a user's swolf score – the sum of the time for one length plus the number of strokes for that length. For example, 30 seconds plus 15 strokes equals a swolf score of 45. Swolf is a measurement of swimming efficiency and, like golf, lower is better. The 910XT's robust design and easy operation make it suited for other water sports, including paddle boarding, kayaking and windsurfing to name a few. When an athlete is ready to jump out of the water and onto the bike, Forerunner 910XT moves easily from wrist to handlebar with the optional quick release and bike mounts. Forerunner 910XT categorizes multisport activities in one workout and can also log transition time in the process, so triathletes can analyze their performance from start to finish. And with up to 20 hours of battery life, even hardcore endurance athletes can push themselves further than ever. Forerunner 910XT uses a vibration motor for alerts such as heart rate, pace/speed and distance when audible tones cannot be heard (heart monitor included in some bundles or available separately). With the heart rate monitor, Forerunner 910XT also allows athletes to track their training intensity via the Training Effect feature. By inputting key information into the watch, a user can measure the impact of an exercise regimen on their aerobic fitness. In a true race against the clock, Forerunner 910XT adds Virtual Racer™. With this feature, Garmin has an answer for every excuse- no more, "I could have beaten that time"- where users can race themselves over their previous bests or against other users' times. These can be taken from activities stored on the watch or downloaded wirelessly from the huge and expanding Garmin Connect community (http://connect.garmin.com). Here users can quickly and easily log their workouts, track their totals, set goals, share workouts with friends and family and participate in an online fitness community of more than 70 million activities around the world. Also, users can now create and plan workouts, and even design courses and send it all directly to your 910XT with the click of a button. Garmin Connect displays metrics such as time, distance, pace, elevation and heart rate. This information is shown through charts, illustrations, reports and a variety of map representations including street, photo, topographic, and elevation maps. During and after the workout, Forerunner 910XT blends the best wireless connectivity of all of its predecessors in the Garmin fitness family, syncing wirelessly through ANT+ technology with Garmin heart rate monitors and foot pods, compatible third-party fitness equipment and power meters, and the user's PC or Mac for automatic data download. The Forerunner 910XT will be compatible with Garmin's innovative power meter Vector™ and display independent left/right power. Forerunner 910XT is the latest breakthrough from Garmin, which has spent more than 20 years developing technologies and innovations to enhance users' lives, making Garmin a household name in the automotive, aviation, marine, wireless, outdoor and fitness industries. For more about features, pricing and availability, as well as information about Garmin's other products and services, go to www.garmin.com, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin. To watch step-by-step, feature-specific tutorial videos for Forerunner 910XT and other Garmin products, visit the online learning center at www.garmin.com/learningcenter. |
| Piezoelectric system turns your balmy breath into pungent power Posted: 05 Oct 2011 01:02 AM PDT  Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have come up with a way to produce electricity from just about the most renewable source known to man -- his own breath. It's all thanks to a plastic microbelt developed by engineers Xudong Wang, Chengliang Sun and Jian Shi. Made of a material known as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), this belt produces an electric charge whenever low-speed airflow passes over it and causes it to vibrate -- a result of that vaunted piezoelectric effect. Eventually, Wang and his team were able to tinker with their system to the point where it could produce enough current to charge small electronic devices. "The airflow of normal human respiration is typically below about two meters per second," Wang explained. "We calculated that if we could make this material thin enough, small vibrations could produce a microwatt of electrical energy that could be useful for sensors or other devices implanted in the face." The researchers say their technology could be used to power smaller biomedical devices like blood monitors and pacemaker batteries, which typically don't demand vast amounts of energy. No word yet on when this system could make its way to the mainstream, but we'll be waiting with bated breath. |
| Camera or camcorder? JVC's hybrid GC-PX10 wants to be both Posted: 05 Oct 2011 12:01 AM PDT  This curiously shaped fellow, with its long-barreled lens attached to a svelte body, might look familiar. It's JVC's GC-PX10, the camcorder that's also a camera. Or the camera that's also a camcorder. We're not quite sure, but here's what we do know: it'll shoot 1080p video at 60 fps, writing to SDXC or 32GB of internal memory. And it can also capture 8.3-megapixel stills at 60 fps without dropping out of video mode. If you've got the time and the inclination, you can switch into still-shooting mode, giving you full 12-megapixel pictures at 30 fps for two seconds. Exhausted by the possibilities yet? But wait, there's more. If slow motion's your game, you can fire away in 640 x 360 resolution -- at 300 fps -- for up to 2 hours. Now how much would you pay for such a plethora of pictorial options? Well, JVC's asking $900 when this ships later in October, so you've got some time to think about it. |
| Samsung teases next week's 'Unpacked,' offers a momentary glance at a mysterious device Posted: 04 Oct 2011 10:23 PM PDT  See that image above? It's Samsung's way of being sly. The company put out a teaser video for its "Google Episode" of Unpacked occurring on October 11th (we'll be there live, by the way), stating that "something BIG is coming." And if you're not looking close enough, you may completely miss the brief glimpse it gave us of a device with a curved screen. The vid doesn't go so far as to loudly exclaim that this mystery device is the Nexus Prime, of course, but c'mon -- we're picking up what Sammy's putting down. Check out the video below to do some sleuthing of your own. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| Qt developers gain NFC support with Nokia's latest SDK update Posted: 04 Oct 2011 10:11 PM PDT  Nokia's development community just got its first taste of near field lovin' with the first Qt SDK to support NFC. While you'll be forgiven if you're not up in arms over the latest revelation, owners of the company's latest handsets can soon expect a greater number of useful apps that take advantage of this newfangled technology. The developer tools enable the creation of applications for both Symbian and MeeGo, and allows software authors to simulate NFC tags and create events based around them -- all within the virtual environment. Programmers looking to dip their toes into the water will find a couple of experimental apps from Espoo's pride that highlight near field communication, along with the complete source code for each. Sounds like it's time for some to make a pot of coffee and let the coding madness ensue. |
| Invisibility cloak made of carbon nanotubes uses 'mirage effect' to disappear Posted: 04 Oct 2011 09:14 PM PDT  |
| LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers Posted: 04 Oct 2011 08:33 PM PDT LG wants to bring the world of Adobe Flash to your living room. Yes, 2012's lineup of Smart TVs, theater systems and Blu-ray players are all set to arrive with support for both Flash Player and AIR 3, and the Korean manufacturer is keen to get developers signed up for its next-generation Smart TV SDK. The new software development kit will include a simplified dashboard, the ability to render 2D apps in 3D and even "console-quality gaming." Throw in Adobe's new Game Input API, and we could see tablets, joysticks and even LG-made smartphones used to control on-screen action. LG has informed us that these upgrades will be limited to next year's catalogue -- your 2011 purchases won't support the new software, and will have to make do with the slightly weedier Adobe Flash Lite. New Smart TVs will also be compatible with the Wiimote-esque Magic Motion Remote, bringing gesture-based awkwardness to menu selection. LG Electronics Smart TV Brings New Opportunities to Flash Developers LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Catering to the creativity of application developers, LG Electronics' flexible Smart TV platform is taking Adobe MAX by storm. At the developers' conference, LG is engaging Adobe's developer community as part of a broad effort to welcome them into the LG Smart TV ecosystem and inspire them to create and deliver Adobe® Flash® based applications powered by Adobe AIR® for the LG Smart TV platform in TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, home theater systems and set-top devices. The global leader in connected devices has collaborated with Adobe to enable support for AIR 3 and Flash Player 11 on LG Smart TV platforms for 2012. This will be enabled through LG's Smart TV SDK 2.0, which is expected to be available by December. At MAX, LG is demonstrating how to monetize developer creations through LG's vast Smart TV marketplace. "You can earn more revenue for your existing projects today by joining the LG Apps TV marketplace," said Sam Chang, general manager of LG's Innovation Development Group, based in San Jose. "With an app marketplace in over 80 countries, plus a billing and advertising API, LG can help you monetize even further." Developers can begin creating LG apps today through LG's App store developer community website (http://developer.lgappstv.com), and developers can download LG's Smart TV platform SDK, which will include plug-in tools for Flash development. Chang said the company also is using MAX to highlight the superior consumer experience of LG CINEMA 3D TVs that, when combined with LG Smart TV technology, allow developers to "deliver a significant amount of 3D content through the Internet into consumer living rooms." This year's LG CINEMA 3D Smart TV models include a 2D to 3D conversion feature optimized for live TV and video streaming content; 2012 devices will also support 2D to 3D conversion for apps, Chang explained. AIR is a key element of the Flash Platform, enabling developers and content publishers to leverage existing code and familiar tools to deliver rich, standalone applications across devices and platforms. AIR 3 brings several advancements to TVs, including full hardware-accelerated rendering for 2D and 3D graphics to enable console-quality gaming applications, and full support of home entertainment systems with HD videos and 7.1 channel surround sound. Additionally, with the new Game Input API, developers can make a range of devices an integral part of the gaming experience on TV screens, including joysticks, smartphones and tablets "Given LG's strong position in the connected device market, we're excited to be working with them to help content publishers create next-generation entertainment experiences using AIR," said Jennifer Carr, senior director, Business Development at Adobe. "Our goal is to enable developers to extend their compelling and engaging content from the desktop and mobile devices and bring it to the TV screen. LG's innovative Smart TV platform will be an exciting new opportunity for our more than three million Flash developers worldwide." LG pioneered the connected consumer electronics device market, beginning three years ago with the first Blu-ray Disc players designed for streaming content. The majority of LG's 2011 HDTVs and Blu-ray players sold around the world are built on LG's innovative Smart TV platform. (See Fact Sheet.) Demonstrating LG's leadership in the connected consumer electronics market, LG's unique Smart TV platform provides access to thousands of movies, apps, videos and the ability to browse the Web through an easy to navigate user interface and the user-friendly "point and click" Magic Motion Remote system.* The home dashboard is the gateway to the LG Smart TV experience. With just four main sections – Live TV, Premium Content, LG Apps and a Launcher Bar – viewers are never more than a few clicks from a vast array of content. For TV models, selecting features are as easy as the wave of the hand with the motion controlled Magic Motion Remote.* The remote is operated by simply pointing it at the screen, moving the cursor to the desired option and clicking on the selection. A keyboard is not needed, but a LG Remote App is available for download on Android and iOS based devices. The LG App Store is populated with hundreds of applications for download. The platform also includes a Web browser so users no longer need to turn on their laptop to access the Internet.** With this feature, news, reviews and a host of other content can be viewed on the television screen. Of course, LG's Smart TV platform provides access to endless premium entertainment options from providers including Netflix, YouTube,™, VUDU™, Hulu Plus™, YouTube™, CinemaNow™, Amazon Video on Demand™, Pandora Radio™, Mog™ and live professional streaming sports leagues*** Complementing the built-in connectivity, LG's Smart Share also allows users to wirelessly stream content from their PCs and other compatible devices for viewing on their television screen. Smart Share also includes Media Link, which provides additional information, such as cover art or liner notes, for content being streamed. "LG Smart TV provides viewers with endless options on their television, however, if these entertainment features are difficult to access or select, consumers will not truly enjoy the technology," Chang concluded. "We have designed our LG Smart TV platform to be as easy and simple to use as possible for consumers, making it the ideal platform for developers to reach a multitude of people with their 2D and 3D online content creations." |
| T-Mobile's fall roadmap leaks, cornucopia of mobile goods on the horizon Posted: 04 Oct 2011 07:55 PM PDT  |
| AT&T goes meta: your iPhone 4S upgrade is just an app away (update) Posted: 04 Oct 2011 07:18 PM PDT  Update: As expected, AT&T's Upgrader app is now live in the App Store. Just take a peek at the source link to get your download on. Update 2: Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away -- in other words, the download has been pulled. Better luck next time? In the meantime, all AT&T customers may check their upgrade eligibility at the carrier's website. |
| Help for the lost: a fabric antenna to keep you from being a castaway Posted: 04 Oct 2011 06:53 PM PDT  Doesn't look like much, does it? But the next time you're lost at sea, you just might be thankful you've got it. That little square of fabric is actually a flexible antenna designed for the Cospas-Sarsat distress signal network, a Cold War-era system built to help pinpoint missing ships, planes and people. Designed to be sewn into a life vest, the antenna broadcasts an emergency beacon at a low frequency for greater range; in field tests, that helped rescuers find it within minutes. It's also tear- and water-resistant, which you'll be grateful for when you're being tossed around like a ragdoll in a sea of whitecaps. The technology was developed by the European Space Agency in partnership with a Finnish company. Next on their agenda? A round, floating companion for the marooned, codenamed Wilson. |
| ZTE V55 tablet shows off its derriere at the FCC, Sprint branding in tow Posted: 04 Oct 2011 06:19 PM PDT ZTE hasn't made much of a splash stateside, seeing as how the OEM was content to churn out white label devices. All that's changed now as part of the company's strategy to dispense with the anonymity and join the wireless rat race. Making good on that promise is the outfit's ZTE V55 tablet that just reared its touchscreen face over at the FCC. Back in July, a leaked Sprint roadmap had tipped us off to a possible 1st quarter 2012 bow for the slab, and with this unveiled Commission filing, that launch date seems likely. Aside from the de rigeur WiFi b /g and Bluetooth support, not much else can be gleaned from this mystery slate -- apart from its apparent Android leanings. Curiously, the documents refer to ZTE's device as a CDMA tablet and, sure enough, we couldn't find any indication of a 4G radio. We'll keep you posted should this pop up once again with additional bands -- WiMAX or otherwise. Hit up the source below to peruse the federal findings for yourself. |
| Boogie Board Rip goes on pre-order, no more tearing through notepads Posted: 04 Oct 2011 05:33 PM PDT 
Highly Anticipated Boogie Board eWriter that Saves Available for Preorder Kent, Ohio, USA - Monday, October 3, 2011: Improv® Electronics announced today that the Boogie Board Rip™ LCD Writing Tablet, the newest model to join the company's growing family of paperless Boogie Board® eWriters, is now available for preorder for customers in the United States and Canada through improvelectronics.com. Customers in Europe can preorder in the coming week. All preorders within the continental United States and Europe include free ground shipping. The Boogie Board Rip tablet combines the exceptional, paper-like writing experience of all Boogie Board eWriters with the highly-anticipated ability to record written notes/images and save them as .pdf files. Saved files can then be uploaded to a computer for editing, organizing, archiving and/or sharing. Like all Boogie Board eWriters, the Boogie Board Rip tablet requires no power to generate or retain an image. Only a small amount of power is required to erase, save or upload stored files to a computer. "Consumers around the world will quickly fall in love with the Boogie Board Rip tablet. It is the ultimate writing and drawing medium for students, business professionals, artists, designers, environmental advocates and others looking to lift the burden of desks cluttered with paper, drawers full of used paper notebooks, and time wasted searching through page after page of paper notes," said Kent Displays/Improv Electronics CEO Dr. Albert Green. "It is the most significant advancement in writing since...paper itself. Demand will be high, and we strongly encourage those wishing to give it as a holiday gift to preorder to ensure product availability." On September 1, 2011, Improv Electronics unveiled the Boogie Board Rip tablet at the IFA Show in Berlin and received an overwhelming response from media, distributors and consumers. Engadget, Popular Science and other major media outlets praised the tablet's simplicity and diverse functionality. In the weeks following IFA, the Boogie Board Rip tablet has generated the highest volume of visits to the Improv Electronics Web site since the original Boogie Board tablet was introduced in 2010. It also created global buzz across a wide variety of traditional and social media outlets. MSRP for the Boogie Board Rip tablet is $129.99 USD (114.99 Euros and 99.99 British pounds). Preorders for the Boogie Board Rip tablet will begin shipping on November 1, 2011. The Boogie Board Rip tablet will also be available for purchase from select global retailers on the same date and shortly after. About Boogie Board eWriters Improv Electronics introduced Boogie Board eWriters in January 2010 with the Boogie Board 8.5 LCD Writing Tablet as a paperless replacement for memo pads, sticky notes, scratch pads and other writing and drawing mediums. High global demand immediately followed. Eight colors were added in January 2011. In June 2011, several additional Boogie Board tablet models and accessories were launched including the Boogie Board 10.5 LCD Writing Tablet, Boogie Board 8.5 LCD Writing Tablet for Binders, and the Boogie Board Message Center. At the same time, a custom design of the original Boogie Board 8.5 tablet available exclusively through Brookstone was introduced. The Boogie Board Rip tablet's ability to record and save notes/images makes it the ideal paperless replacement for paper notebooks, legal pads, and sketch books. It includes the following features: Internal memory for 200 typical images High resolution, vector .pdf file format (nearly infinite scalability; editable in Adobe® Illustrator®/Photoshop® and most other popular illustration and image editing programs) 9.5" writing surface (measured diagonally) Micro USB port Thin, durable and lightweight construction Integrated stylus holder (stylus included) Erase lock button Rechargeable batteries with one week between charges under typical use An integrated software application that expands the tablet's functionality even further and opens the door for an increasingly robust user environment will be available for download free from improvelectronics.com on November 1, 2011. Several accessories will also be available including a protective neoprene case. |
| XBMC teases new features coming in 11.0 'Eden' release Posted: 04 Oct 2011 05:11 PM PDT  |
| Apple iPhone 4S makes its way through the FCC? Posted: 04 Oct 2011 04:42 PM PDT  |
| Adobe reveals Creative Cloud, links Touch Apps to Creative Suite with 20GB storage Posted: 04 Oct 2011 04:18 PM PDT  |
| Engadget HD Podcast 268 - 10.04.2011 Posted: 04 Oct 2011 03:56 PM PDT  Check your Bingo squares -- we have a full on geek rant this week. While DVBLink's Boxee extender engendered nothing but peaceful conversation, we couldn't help but dig into the next two topics. Rumors of Microsoft's efforts to integrate cable TV into a unified search with its other Xbox offerings continue to swirl, which left us wondering just who is standing in the way of innovation. Meanwhile, the cable companies and content providers are at odds over how to distribute their channels with little thought given to the end user's experience. Of course, we do have some happy news, with Star Trek: TNG coming to Blu-ray, bigger LCDs and 4K support for the PS3. Press play to hear the rest of our discussion and our impressions of the new fall programming so far -- it's not looking good.Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes. [RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [MP3] Download the show (MP3). Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc) Producer: Trent Wolbe 00:01:42 - DVBLogic's Boxee app brings live TV streaming to the Box 00:04:15 - Microsoft reportedly adding video from Comcast, Verizon, HBO Go and others to Xbox Live 00:13:20 - Some cable companies are pushing for unbundled channels -- but not for you 00:32:35 - Showtime launches Anytime streaming portal, social iPad app 00:34:57 - Star Trek: The Next Generation is coming to Blu-ray, starting in 2012 (video) 00:42:44 - Sharp's biggest LCD HDTVs get even bigger with a new 80-inch model 00:49:00 - PS3 will support 4K stills after a future update, moving pictures remain out of reach 00:51:15 - Sony to stop paying for movie theater 3D glasses, theater owners fire back 00:56:27 - Energy Star 5.3 now in effect, some chunkier TVs left out in the cold 01:00:30 - Must See HDTV (October 3rd - 9th) Hear the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Toshiba Camileo x416, x400 and x200 get pricing, availability, lots of zoom Posted: 04 Oct 2011 03:37 PM PDT 
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| French court reverses DS flash cart ruling, Nintendo smiles Posted: 04 Oct 2011 03:13 PM PDT  Nearly two years ago, a French court dismissed a lawsuit that Nintendo filed against a group of vendors accused of illegally selling DS flash carts. At the time, the game-maker argued that sales of the cartridges should be halted on the grounds that they could be used to illegally pirate software, but the presiding judge thought differently, countering that the R4-like devices could be used to develop homebrews or other DIY projects. Last week, however, the Paris Court of Appeals overturned the ruling, in a decision that Nintendo has met with understandable delight. In a statement released today, the company confirmed that Divineo SARL and five other flash cart retailers must pay a total of €460,000 in criminal fines, along with €4.8 million in damages to Nintendo, as ordered by the appeals court. Details behind the ruling remain vague, though Nintendo hailed it as a "strong message to French companies... that such activities are illegal and will not be tolerated," and that convicted vendors will "risk prison terms, face substantial fines and obligations to pay damages." Sail past the break to read Nintendo's statement, in full. Selling Game Copiers is Found Illegal in France Paris' Court of Appeals Deals Decisive Blow to Sellers of Game Copier Devices for Nintendo DS Systems Paris, France: October 3, 2011 – This month, France joins a growing list of countries taking a strong legal stance against video game piracy. The Paris' Court of Appeals issued guilty verdicts on Sept. 26th against Divineo SARL, along with five other companies, for the importation, sale and distribution of game copier devices commonly referred to as "linkers" in France (in other countries, the devices may be called R4s or Magicom). The Court has imposed over 460,000 Euro in criminal fines, damages payable to Nintendo in excess of 4.8 million Euros and, in some instances, ordered suspended prison terms. The decision of the Court of Appeals of Paris (France's second highest Court) represents a strong message to French companies dealing in these devices, that such activities are illegal and will not be tolerated. Those who are caught risk prison terms, face substantial fines and obligations to pay damages. This case arguably has involved some of the most prolific importers, distributors and sellers of these devices. Raids carried out in December 2007 and November 2008 across a number of locations in Paris, Marseille and Strasbourg resulted in the seizure of several thousand game copiers. Nintendo would like to thank everyone in the law enforcement and prosecution agencies involved in this case for their invaluable support. This decision now brings France in line with other European territories, including the Netherlands, UK, Germany, Italy and Belgium, based on decisions they already have rendered. It also is consistent with other court decisions that have been issued globally. "Nintendo supported this criminal action not only for the company's sake, butfor the interests of its game developer partners who spend time and money legitimately developing software for Nintendo's game platforms, and customers who expect the highest standards and integrity from products bearing the Nintendo name," said Stephan Bole, Managing Director of Nintendo France. For more information about Nintendo's fight against piracy, and how you can help, please visit http://ap.nintendo.com. |
| Apple's iPhone 4S, iOS 5 and iPod roundup: details, specs and release dates Posted: 04 Oct 2011 02:51 PM PDT  iPhone 4S
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| Apple's iPhone 4S event video now online Posted: 04 Oct 2011 02:28 PM PDT  |
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