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Friday, October 21, 2011

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Amazon Prime Instant Video expands its library with even more video from PBS

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:40 AM PDT

PBS has been down with Amazon's Prime Instant Video service since it launched, and now it's providing even more all-you-can-eat video for streaming under an expanded agreement. Naturally that means lots of episodes of NOVA and Antiques Roadshow, and "for the first time on digital video", 200 episodes of The French Chef with Julia Child. According to Amazon, that puts its total number of selections over 12,000, more than double the amount of content it launched with. It still has a ways to go to match Netflix, but with a lower yearly price, sweet shipping deal and now the ability to teach you how to make an omelet Amazon's developed a very compelling alternative.

Show full PR text
Amazon Announces Increased Prime Instant Video Selection for Kindle Fire and Prime Customers by Expanding Digital Video License Agreement with PBS

Prime instant video now offers current PBS TV programming along with classic PBS favorites such as NOVA, Masterpiece, Ken Burns and for the first time on digital video -- The French Chef with Julia Child

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced an expansion of a licensing agreement with PBS Distribution that will allow Amazon Prime members to instantly stream, at no additional cost, current and archived PBS programming. This will bring the total number of Prime instant videos to 12,000 by the end of this year, more than doubling the Prime instant video title count since its launch. Amazon Prime members can enjoy this selection on over 300 different devices, including the recently announced Kindle Fire-the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, magazines, apps, books, games, and more. Kindle Fire customers enjoy a free month of Amazon Prime right out of the box.

Prime members will have access to more than 1,000 episodes of popular PBS television, which will roll out on the service over the next several months. PBS titles will include NOVA, Masterpiece and Antiques Roadshow, along with the Ken Burns series of documentaries featuring The Civil War, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, Baseball, Jazz and the acclaimed new series Prohibition, which premiered on PBS stations earlier this month. Prime instant video will also offer popular PBS news programs with day-after air availability from shows like Frontline and Washington Week. Beginning in early November, and for the first time ever on digital video, PBS brings Prime members 200 episodes of The French Chef with the world renowned Julia Child.

"Prime instant video has included great content from PBS since the day it launched and Prime members have told us they want even more – so we are delivering," said Brad Beale, director of video content acquisition for Amazon. "Our expanded relationship with PBS will bring the total number of titles available for Prime instant video to over 12,000. We are committed to bringing Prime Members and Kindle Fire owners even more compelling content very soon."

"Expanding the reach of our content by making it accessible through digital platforms is a key priority for PBS," said Jason Seiken, Senior Vice President, PBS Interactive, Product Development and Innovation. "We are already delivering more than 150 million streams of programming across web and mobile apps each month, so we are excited to offer more titles through Prime instant video and ensure that our acclaimed content is available whenever and wherever people want it."

About Prime Instant Video

Prime instant video is a benefit for paid Amazon Prime members. Prime members get unlimited, commercial-free, instant access to more than 12,000 movies and TV shows at no additional cost. Since the launch of Prime instant videos, Amazon has secured licensing deals from partners such as CBS, Fox, PBS, NBCUniversal, Sony, Warner Bros and many more.

About Amazon Instant Video

For customers who are not Prime members, or who are looking to instantly purchase or rent movies and TV shows, Amazon offers Amazon Instant Video. Amazon Instant Video is a streaming video service that provides more than 100,000 titles including new release movies, TV shows the day after they air, as well as contemporary and classic videos in SD and HD. Customers can instantly watch movies and TV shows from Amazon Instant Video or Prime instant video on a Mac, PC or directly on a TV with any of the 300 compatible devices, including the new Kindle Fire.

About Prime

Amazon Prime is an annual membership program for $79 a year that offers customers unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items including books, home and garden products, electronics, video games, clothing, and much more. Amazon Prime members also get access to unlimited instant streaming of more than 12,000 popular movies and TV shows with Prime instant videos. Customers who receive free Prime shipping benefits through our Amazon Student and Amazon Mom programs can upgrade to an annual paid membership to receive Amazon Prime's digital benefits.

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon's new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Transformer Prime gets official landing page, shows mostly bezel

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 10:17 AM PDT

After getting its first showing at AsiaD, we know ASUS' Transformer sequel is super thin, powered by NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 chip and coming soon. And now we really know it, because the Transformer Prime has been gifted an official landing page, along with a requisite shadowy product shot. There's no trace of the original's mocha hues, which have been replaced with something brighter, and we think it looks mightily enticing. Those with a similar fetish for modular tablets can ensure they're up-to-date by bookmarking the source link below.

Smart Cover can unlock password-protected iPads running iOS 5 (video)

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:52 AM PDT

Psst. Hey, do you carry a spare Smart Cover around with you? Well, if you're an unscrupulous sort, you can actually use it to bypass the lock screen of any iPad running iOS 5. This multi-step security hole will let you browse whatever's running behind the passcode screen, whether that's email, apps or the homescreen. To take advantage of the flaw, hold down the power button on the locked device until the power off slider appears, then whip the Smart Cover on, open and tap cancel. Fortunately for iPad owners, the rest of the tablet remains locked-down, but the main problem here is any sensitive information left on-screen. If you unlock the tablet to the main screen, you won't be able to open new apps, although anyone feeling particularly nefarious can apparently delete apps from that meticulously arranged home screen. See how it's done in the video after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

HP's chief strategy officer to retire next month, won't have a successor

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:31 AM PDT

Remember Shane Robison, the HP exec who advocated for the survival of webOS following the company's decision to dismantle its hardware unit? Yeah well, he's about to make an exit. HP confirmed yesterday that Robison will retire from his position as executive VP and chief strategy and technology officer on November 1st, after spending eleven years at the company. In a statement, HP praised Robison for spearheading much of its R&D and several high-profile mergers during his tenure there. "In his role, he was responsible for shaping HP's corporate strategy and technology agenda," the company said. "He was instrumental in steering the company's multibillion-dollar research and development investment and has led many of the company's largest merger and acquisition activities." Newly minted CEO Meg Whitman, meanwhile, described Robison as a powerful innovator and lauded his role in guaranteeing "that innovation continues at HP." Perhaps the bigger story, however, is the fact that the firm doesn't plan on filling Robison's shoes. In the announcement, HP confirmed that his position will be dissolved as part of "an effort to drive strategy, research and development closer to the company's businesses." The implications, of course, remain to be seen. Full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Shane Robison to Retire from HP

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011

HP today announced Shane Robison will retire as executive vice president and chief strategy and technology officer effective Nov. 1.

Robison, an 11-year HP veteran, also served as a member of the company's Executive Council. In his role, he was responsible for shaping HP's corporate strategy and technology agenda. He was instrumental in steering the company's multibillion-dollar research and development investment and has led many of the company's largest merger and acquisition activities.

HP also announced that, in an effort to drive strategy, research and development closer to the company's businesses, it will not be replacing the role of chief strategy and technology officer.

"Shane has been a powerful innovator for our business groups and other corporate divisions," said Meg Whitman, HP president and chief executive officer. "His passion for research and development has ensured that innovation continues at HP."

The Engadget Show is live tonight, with Intel, New York Comic Con, haunted houses and more!

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 09:08 AM PDT

The Engadget Show! It's tonight! Live at 6PM ET! If you're in New York City, we've got a few extra tickets left over. If you'd like to attend, email jon dot turi at engadget dot com including your full name and confirmation that you can show up tonight. Do it quick enough and we'll save you a seat. Also, yes, we'll be in costume and we expect you to be as well.

If, however, you're not lucky enough to join in on the fun in person in NYC, you can follow from home right here.

This time out, we've got a very special Halloween episode, including a walk through of a high-tech haunted house, a trip to New York Comic Con, an in-studio costume contest and the unveiling of the winners of our Frankengadget competition. We'll also be visiting with Intel's resident futurist, paying tribute to Steve Jobs and taking a look at the month's hottest gadgets.

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Georgia Tech spies on nearby keyboards with iPhone 4 accelerometer, creates spiPhone

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:47 AM PDT

Ever plopped your cellular down next to your laptop? According Georgia Tech researchers, that common scenario could let hackers record almost every sentence you type, all thanks to your smartphone's accelerometer. They've achieved the feat with an impressive 80 percent accuracy using an iPhone 4, and are dubbing the program they've developed, spiPhone. (Although the group initially had fledgling trials with an iPhone 3GS, they discovered the 4's gyroscope aided in data reading.) If the software gets installed onto a mobile device it can use the accelerometer to sense vibrations within three-inches, in degrees of "near or far and left or right," allowing it to statistically guess the words being written -- so long as they have three or more letters. It does this by recording pairs of keystrokes, putting them against dictionaries with nearly 58,000 words to come up with the most likely results.

The group has also done the same with the phone's mics (which they say samples data at a whopping 44,000 times per second vs. the accelerometer's 100), but note that it's a less likely option given the usual need for some form of user permission. Furthermore, they explained that the accelerometer data rate is already mighty slow, and if phone makers reduced it a bit more, spiPhone would have a hard time doin' its thing. The good news? Considering the strict circumstances needed, these researchers think there's a slim chance that this kind of malware could go into action easily. Looks like our iPhone and MacBook can still be close friends... For now. You'll find more details at the links below.

Microsoft talks Windows 8 portrait mode, really wants you to be proud of it (video)

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:26 AM PDT

Windows 8 in portrait mode
If Apple is that paranoid friend that has four deadbolts on his door and a loaded weapon in every room, then Microsoft is the over-sharer who tweets where, when and what he had for lunch -- including both before and after photos (and we're not talking about pictures of a clean plate). Redmond wants you to know about everything it does -- no accomplishment is too minor for a lengthy explanation of the what and why. Take for example, portrait mode. Windows 8 will have one. We know what you're thinking, "well I would frackin' hope so," but the devs want you to know this isn't just some feature they slapped in the OS knowing people would expect it. The team studied users both familiar with and new to the tablet form factor. They looked at grip, posture and when people chose to rotate their slates. And, if you're some weirdo who likes reading things on their side, there's a rotation lock option. For more details hit up the source link and the video after the break.

Engadget Podcast 261 - 10.21.2011

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 08:04 AM PDT

We're not gonna lie: we're on one. One heck of a crazy week, that is! Two big phone launches kept our feet close to the fire, and a couple of odds n' ends rounded out the week in the way that only odds and ends can -- oddly. It's the Engadget Podcasters, live in a room together, at last, and with devastatingly informative consequences.

Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guest: Dana Wollman
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Devil's Haircut

02:30 - Samsung and Google's Ice Cream Sandwich event liveblog!
03:30 - Samsung's Galaxy Nexus gets official: Android 4.0, 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (video)
06:22 - Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Ice Cream Sandwich hands-on (video)
07:57 - Samsung's Galaxy Nexus launches in November on NTT Docomo, Verizon, and more
08:18 - Android Beam takes us to the future of close-proximity data exchange (video)
18:00 - Motorola Droid RAZR unveiled: LTE, 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display, available November for $299
27:00 - Motorola Droid RAZR hands-on (video)
29:15 - Motorola RAZR to get updated to Ice Cream Sandwich in early 2012
34:45 - Samsung's Won-Pyo Hong: Galaxy Nexus wasn't designed just to skirt Apple patents
38:37 - Motorola Motoactv hands-on (update: video with Dean Karnazes!)
41:45 - Research in Motion announces BBX, 'combines the best of BlackBerry and QNX'
43:36 - Lytro camera hands-on (video)
46:45 - ASUS' Jonney Shih: Padfone will ship in Q1 2012 with Ice Cream Sandwich
46:55 - Microsoft's Andy Lees: Nokia will announce 'its Windows Phones' at Nokia World
51:36 - The Engadget Show
56:04 - Listener questions


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Got Klout? You may qualify for a free Windows Phone

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:41 AM PDT

Turns out that Microsoft's hoping to get some influential people on board with Windows Phone, and it's choosing a unique strategy to do so. It's partnered with Klout, a service that uses social media analytics to weigh the influence you have on your social network, to give away 500 free devices -- along with VIP passes to one of five Windows Phone launch parties across the country -- to those who qualify through Klout Perks. The winners appear to be determined by their Klout score and if they live in the same city as one of the five shindigs. But it's clear that the Windows giant wants to be heard, and it might just work: according to Klout's official blog, "top influencers are trusted by their audience to share their real opinions and more and more brands are recognizing this power." In short, Redmond's banking on the possibility that some mightily influential people will have great things to say about its product. After all, word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool. Head to the source link to find out how to learn if you're one of the lucky 500.

FCC Fridays: October 21, 2011

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 07:17 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 - Fujitsu F03D
Read - Motorola RAZR
Read - NEC Casio XGU3296
Read - Samsung GT-I8350
Read - Samsung GT-S5368
Read - Samsung SGH-T679M
Read - Samsung SHV-E120S
Read - Sharp 101SH
Read - Sony Ericsson SOY05 (KDDI)
Read - ZTE GS516
Read - ZTE Movistar One

Tablets and peripherals

Read - Coby Kyros MID1125
Read - Huawei MediaPad 301W
Read - Motorola wireless keyboard

Engadget Distro Issue 9: the Android Invasion is upon us!

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:55 AM PDT

They're here! We gave Apple's latest some face time in Distro's first special edition and now it's time for Google's little green robot(s) to get the cover treatment. If Cupertino's strength is in its concentration on a single device, then Android's is in its diversity, and this week we're bringing you our thoughts on not one, not two, not three, but four new smartphones sporting Mountain View's OS. We'll bring you all the dirty details on two hotly anticipated and recently released phones, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Motorola's Droid RAZR, dive deep into Beats in our review of HTC's Sensation XE, and find out if the Amaze 4G can live up to its name. We've also got a review of the first Ultrabook to make it to market, Acer's Aspire S3, and a glimpse at how Tech News Today host, Tom Merritt became the Geek he is today. The Android Invasion is upon us, but don't run for your life. Pick up that iPad or hit the PDF download link below and get your Distro on. (And for those of you diehard Android fans, we are indeed still working on a Honeycomb version -- hang tight!)

Distro Issue 9 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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Hulu Plus coming to 3DS and Wii, handheld getting 3D video capture

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:32 AM PDT

Hulu Plus on Nintendo 3DS
Rejoice Nintendo fans, Hulu Plus is coming to your console of choice... provided you're up on the latest in Nintendo hardware. Both the Wii and 3DS will be getting access to the streaming service's vast archives of TV shows and movies some time before the year is out. Though, you shouldn't expect to see the Galactica popping out of your portable -- this is a strictly 2D affair. A software update coming at the end of November will also deliver the ability to record 3D video with the Nintendo handheld (up to ten minutes) or even stitch together stereoscopic images for stop motion animation that jumps out of the tiny screen at you. With both Hulu and Netflix in tow, as well as the ability to create your own content, the 3DS is actually turning into quite a powerful little portable. For more details, including some game release dates, check out the PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Hulu Plus Coming to Nintendo Systems as Nintendo 3DS Preps for 3D Video Recording

Nintendo Announces New 3D Music Videos, 3D Animation and Downloadable Games

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nintendo 3DS™ and Wii™ owners will soon have the ability to access even more of their favorite TV shows and movies: the Hulu Plus service will be added to both systems by the end of the year. Nintendo is also announcing new features being added to the Nintendo 3DS system, including the ability to record 3D videos, new musical artists coming to Nintendo Video™ and a new animated 3D video from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. Additionally, Nintendo 3DS owners will soon see four inventive downloadable Nintendo-published games and applications delivered to the Nintendo eShop, the portable one-stop shop for fun, cool and interesting entertainment options.

"Nintendo 3DS continues to evolve with great new features and functions designed to reinforce its position as a premiere entertainment device," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "All of these features, in addition to great upcoming games like Pokémon Rumble Blast on Oct. 24, Super Mario 3D Land on Nov. 13 and Mario Kart 7 on Dec. 4, make Nintendo 3DS a smart gift option this holiday season."

Hulu Plus: With Hulu Plus, Wii and Nintendo 3DS users will be able to instantly stream thousands of TV episodes – including the entire current season of popular shows like Modern Family, Glee, Dancing with the Stars, The Biggest Loser, House and Grey's Anatomy – from premium content partners like ABC, Comedy Central, FOX, NBC, MTV and many more. Hulu Plus also offers access to classic TV favorites like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Hills and hundreds of popular and award-winning movies. Hulu Plus is available through a separate subscription fee of $7.99 per month with limited advertising.

Nintendo 3DS System Update: At the end of November, a new system update will deliver a range of cool new features and enhancements, including 3D video capture, which will let users record up to 10 minutes of 3D video and enable people to create their own 3D stop-motion animation videos. The update will also add new puzzles to the StreetPass™ Mii Plaza™ and a new dungeon to Find Mii. Other features will be announced in the future.

Games Coming to the Nintendo eShop:

Freakyforms™: Your Creations, Alive! lets players create creatures and bring them to life. This game is all about creation, customization and exploration. Available in November for $6.99.
Developed with 3D game play in mind, Pushmo™ asks players to solve more than 250 puzzles by pulling and pushing blocks. Players can also create their own custom puzzles. Launches in December.
Swapnote™ gives Nintendo 3DS owners the chance to send 3D messages to their friends via the SpotPass™ and StreetPass features. Users can hand-write messages in 3D and also include picture and sound. Available for free download in December.
Dillon's Rolling Western™ is a 3D tower defense game that blends action and strategy. It features an armadillo who defends an Old West town rendered in 3D by literally rolling over his enemies. Launches in Q1 2012.

3D Animation: Starting today, Nintendo 3DS owners can visit the Nintendo eShop and, for $1.99, download a new 3D "Thriller" video that features singing and dancing by their favorite Shrek characters from DreamWorks Animation.

3D Music Videos: Fans of the Nintendo Video service on Nintendo 3DS will soon see the arrival of new 3D music videos, including "Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)" from Foster the People's Torches album.

To watch a new episode of Iwata Asks in which Nintendo President Satoru Iwata discusses Mario Kart 7, visit http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/3ds/mario-kart-7. To watch a Nintendo Direct video of Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime discussing today's announcements, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo_direct.

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

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.7 billion video games and more than 600 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

ASUS Zenbook gets taken apart, finds the peace within

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 06:10 AM PDT

It's certainly not very Zen, but AnandTech has pried open ASUS' 11.6-inch ultrabook to see exactly what makes it all tick. The Zenbook's innards are all tightly packed together inside the oh-so-thin casing, with the UX21's slim-line cooler covering both of the Intel Core i7-2677M processors. The 128GB model has been given an ADATA SDD, while the bigger 256GB version runs on SanDisk storage, with the WiFi card contorted to squeeze inside the aluminum alloy body. ASUS has extended its design sensibilities outside of the tightly-packed casing, with the Microsoft serial number and certificate transplanted to the power unit, which leaves the Zenbook's slick design lines and finish peacefully untainted. Those desperate for more details on the rig's workings and accessories can find inner calm at the link below.

Samsung offers up the Galaxy Note's goodies, makes kernel source code available

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 05:48 AM PDT

Samsung's been pretty good at spreading the kernel source love. With the final Galaxy S II variant code released just a few short days ago, the time has come for the company's IFA-unveiled inbetweener to share its special sauce. That's right, the part tablet / part phone Galaxy Note's headed for developer customization as its particular 1s and 0s are now up on Sammy's site. While no official plans to port the 5.3-inch device stateside have been announced, eager devs familiar with the ways of GSM can sink their hacking hooks into the tab when it's purported to launch overseas next month. So, what are you waiting for? Click on the source below to get a headstart on the... source.

Amazon adds e-readers to Trade-In program, ebook lovers pass the old Kindles to the Bezos side

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 05:23 AM PDT

Early adopters are usually SOL a few months into owning their new doodads. After helping make products successful, their version 1.0 devices are often cast aside to make room for the newer, better, faster kit waiting in the pipeline. If you happened to jump on the Kindle bandwagon early on or even just a short while ago, you may be feeling these very flames of tech fury whenever you consider the company's newly refreshed line. Well, buck up bookworms, a partial solution to your economic woes is now available. Amazon's accepting your used and abused e-readers in exchange for a gift card applicable to any purchases you make on the site. It's the same old trade-in program the Bezos-backed company's been running for years, only now you'll have a more sensible way to upgrade your E Ink or tablet game.

Verizon 'on track' in Q3, revenues up 5.4 percent to $27.9 billion

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 05:02 AM PDT

VZW's upward mobility shows no signs of slowing, as the carrier just reported total Q3 revenues of $27.9 billion -- up 5.4 percent on last year. As usual, much of the growth comes from pulling in new smartphone customers, who were among 882,000 new retail postpaid connections and who helped to bring Big Red's average revenue per user (ARPU) up to $54.89, which is 2.3 percent higher than the same quarter last year. We'll have to wait for the Q4 results to see any impact from the iPhone 4S or the new Droid RAZR, but, in the meantime, there are plenty of double-digits in Verizon's data revenue figures: it made $22.22 from each postpaid retail customer for data usage alone, which adds up to a 15.7 percent leap year-on-year. Read on for the full green-tinged breakdown in the PR.
Show full PR text
Verizon Generates Strong Wireless Results, Increased Cash Flow, and FiOS and Strategic Services Growth in 3Q

3Q 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

Consolidated

• 49 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), compared with 23 cents per share in 3Q 2010.
• 56 cents per share in adjusted EPS (non-GAAP), which excludes 7 cents per share in non-operational items, compared with 55 cents in adjusted EPS in 3Q 2010.

Wireless

• $15.0 billion in service revenues in 3Q 2011, up 6.1 percent year over year; data revenues of $6.1 billion, up 20.5 percent, representing 40.6 percent of service revenues; total revenues of $17.7 billion, up 9.1 percent.
• 2.4 percent growth in retail postpaid ARPU over 3Q 2010; retail postpaid data ARPU up 15.7 percent; retail service ARPU also up 2.4 percent.
• 29.0 percent operating income margin; record-high 47.8 percent Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP), up 60 basis points year over year.

Wireline

• 138,000 FiOS Internet and 131,000 FiOS TV net additions, with increased sales penetration for both products; 4.0 million customers now subscribe to FiOS TV.
• 8.8 percent year-over-year increase in consumer ARPU; FiOS consumer retail revenues represent nearly 60 percent of total consumer revenues.
• 15.6 percent increase in strategic services revenues, representing nearly 50 percent of global enterprise revenues.

With another strong showing by Verizon Wireless, and continued growth in FiOS and strategic business services, Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today reported third-quarter 2011 financial and operational results that keep the company on track to achieve its full-year earnings and revenue guidance.

Verizon reported 49 cents in EPS in the quarter, compared with 23 cents per share in third-quarter 2010.

Adjusted third-quarter 2011 earnings (non-GAAP) of 56 cents per share exclude 7 cents per share for a non-operational charge relating to a remeasurement, based on an actuarial valuation of pension plans. No adjustments were made for the previously announced $250 million (5 cents per share) negative impact in the quarter due to storm-related repair costs and a two-week strike affecting the Wireline segment. Comparable adjusted third-quarter 2010 earnings were 55 cents per share, excluding the impact of non-operational charges, the largest of which was related to pension and benefits remeasurements.

Well-Positioned for 4Q and 2012

"Verizon emerges from the third quarter in a strong position to accelerate growth," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon president and chief executive officer. "We faced significant challenges in recent months, yet delivered results that keep us on track to meet our 2011 earnings and revenue guidance, with great momentum expected entering 2012. We continue to grow revenues from strategic products and to increase free cash flow through improved operating performance and disciplined capital spending."

McAdam added, "Verizon Wireless delivered impressive results across the board in the third quarter, and we are geared up for an even better fourth quarter, with new smartphones, tablets and data devices coming to market. In FiOS, we expect to capitalize on pent-up demand and deliver stronger growth in the fourth quarter. In enterprise, the integration of Terremark and recent acquisition of CloudSwitch have significantly improved our competitive positioning."
Verizon has targeted 2011 adjusted EPS growth of 5 percent to 8 percent from an adjusted base of $2.08 in EPS in 2010, and 2011 revenue growth of 4 percent to 8 percent on a comparable basis with 2010.

Consolidated Revenue and Cash Flow Growth

In third-quarter 2011, Verizon's total operating revenues were $27.9 billion on a consolidated basis, an increase of 5.4 percent compared with third-quarter 2010. Total operating expenses were $23.3 billion, an increase of 0.7 percent.

Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for the quarter totaled $8.8 billion, up 19.2 percent year over year.

Cash flow from operating activities totaled $21.5 billion in the first nine months of 2011, and capital expenditures totaled $12.5 billion -- on track to meet the company's full-year guidance of $16.5 billion. From the $9.0 billion in free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from operations less capex) over the first nine months, Verizon has paid $4.1 billion in dividends to shareholders, and in September the Verizon Board of Directors approved a dividend increase for the fifth consecutive year.

Verizon Wireless Delivers Strong Results

In third-quarter 2011, Verizon Wireless again delivered strong growth in revenues, retail customers and other connections, driven by increased smartphone penetration and increased retail postpaid ARPU (average monthly service revenue per user).

Wireless Financial Highlights

• Service revenues in third-quarter 2011 totaled $15.0 billion, up 6.1 percent year over year. Data revenues were $6.1 billion, up more than $1.0 billion or 20.5 percent year over year, and represent 40.6 percent of all service revenues. Total revenues were $17.7 billion, up 9.1 percent year over year.

• Retail postpaid ARPU grew 2.4 percent over third-quarter 2010, to $54.89. Retail postpaid data ARPU increased to $22.22, up 15.7 percent year over year. Retail service ARPU also grew 2.4 percent, to $53.21.

• Wireless operating income margin was 29.0 percent. Verizon Wireless generated $7.2 billion of EBITDA in third-quarter 2011, an increase of 7.5 percent year over year. Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) was 47.8 percent, up 60 basis points over third-quarter 2010 and up 240 basis points over second-quarter 2011. This was the highest Segment EBITDA margin on service revenues Verizon Wireless has ever reported.

Wireless Operational Highlights

• Verizon Wireless added 1.3 million total connections in third-quarter 2011, including 882,000 retail postpaid customers, and 367,000 wholesale and other connections. These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments.

• At the end of the third quarter, the company had 107.7 million total connections, an increase of 6.5 percent year over year, consisting of 90.7 million retail customers and 17.0 million wholesale and other connections.

• At the end of the third quarter, smartphones accounted for 39 percent of the Verizon Wireless retail postpaid customer phone base, up from 36 percent at the end of second-quarter 2011.

• Retail postpaid churn was 0.94 percent in third-quarter 2011, an improvement of 13 basis points year over year. Total retail churn was 1.26 percent, an improvement of 17 basis points year over year.

• Verizon Wireless continued to roll out its 4G LTE mobile broadband network, the largest 4G LTE network in the United States, during the quarter. As of yesterday (Oct. 20), Verizon Wireless 4G LTE service was available in 165 markets covering a population of more than 186 million, across the country. With additional markets planned before year-end, the company's 4G LTE network build-out is ahead of schedule and has already exceeded the company's 2011 target of covering a population of 185 million.

• The company introduced five new 4G LTE devices: the DROID BIONIC by Motorola, Pantech Breakout, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet, Compaq Mini CQ10-688nr netbook and HP Pavilion dm 1-3010nr notebook. On Oct. 14, the Apple iPhone 4S became available on the Verizon Wireless 3G network. On Oct. 18, the company announced that the DROID RAZR by Motorola, a 4G LTE device, will be available in November.

• Verizon Wireless opened its LTE Innovation Center in Waltham, Mass., in July and its Application Innovation Center in San Francisco in August.

• The company continued to invest in and enhance its 3G network, the nation's largest and most reliable 3G network.

• Verizon Wireless ranked highest in customer care among the major national wireless phone service providers in the J.D. Power and Associates "2011 Wireless Customer Care Performance Study." Verizon Wireless was also named a Small Business Influencer Champion for 2011 by Small Business Trends and SmallBizTechnology.com.

FiOS, Strategic Services Transform Wireline Revenue Mix

Revenues and customers continued to increase for FiOS fiber-optic services, and sales of strategic services to business customers remained strong -- countering the adverse impacts to Verizon's Wireline segment in third-quarter 2011. FiOS and strategic services continued to become a larger percentage of the wireline revenue mix.

Wireline Financial Highlights

• Third-quarter 2011 operating revenues were $10.1 billion, a decline of 1.3 percent compared with third-quarter 2010. Consumer revenues grew 1.1 percent compared with third-quarter 2010.
• Consumer ARPU for wireline services was $94.20 in third-quarter 2011, up 8.8 percent compared with third-quarter 2010. ARPU for FiOS customers continues to be more than $146. Revenues for Verizon's FiOS services to consumer retail customers generated nearly 60 percent of consumer wireline revenues in third-quarter 2011, compared with approximately 50 percent in third-quarter 2010.
• Global enterprise revenues totaled $3.9 billion in the quarter, up 2.1 percent compared with third-quarter 2010. Sales of strategic services -- including Terremark cloud services, security and IT solutions, and strategic networking -- increased 15.6 percent compared with third-quarter 2010 and now represent nearly 50 percent of global enterprise revenues. Terremark achieved record new sales bookings in third-quarter 2011. International revenue, which makes up approximately 15 percent of global enterprise, grew 9.8 percent year over year.
• Segment EBITDA (non-GAAP) was $2.2 billion in the quarter, including the $250 million impact from the storms and strike. This compares with $2.3 billion in third-quarter 2010. As a result, segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 21.4 percent in third-quarter 2011, compared with 22.7 percent in third-quarter 2010.

Wireline Operational Highlights

• Verizon added 138,000 net new FiOS Internet connections and 131,000 net new FiOS TV connections in third-quarter 2011. Verizon had a total of 4.6 million FiOS Internet and 4.0 million FiOS TV connections at the end of the quarter. With the clearing of FiOS installation backlogs caused by the storms and strike, Verizon expects to add at least 200,000 FiOS Internet and 200,000 FiOS TV customers in fourth-quarter 2011.
• FiOS penetration (subscribers as a percentage of potential subscribers) continued to increase. FiOS Internet penetration was 35 percent at the end of third-quarter 2011, compared with 31 percent at the end of third-quarter 2010. In the same periods, FiOS TV penetration was 31 percent, compared with 27 percent, respectively.
• Broadband connections totaled 8.6 million at the end of third-quarter 2011, a 2.8 percent year-over-year increase. FiOS Internet connections more than offset a decrease in DSL-based HSI connections, resulting in a net increase of 20,000 broadband connections from second-quarter 2011. Total voice connections, which measures FiOS Digital Voice connections in addition to traditional switched access lines, declined 7.6 percent to 24.5 million -- the smallest year-over-year decline since fourth-quarter 2006.
• During the quarter Verizon continued to aggressively execute its global cloud strategy, expanding its portfolio of secure IT solutions and acquiring CloudSwitch, which will enable Verizon to boost industry adoption by simplifying the move to the enterprise cloud. Multinational companies including ARINC adopted Verizon enterprise cloud services during the quarter. In addition, enterprise customers including RWE of Germany, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plunkett & Cooney Inc. and Smile Brands Inc. completed new agreements for a wide range of strategic advanced communications and information technology solutions.
• Verizon also continued to broaden the scope and capabilities of its global network infrastructure. The company completed the integration of Terremark data centers in Florida and Virginia with Verizon's Global IP network; activated its first 100 gigabit-per-second network route in the United States; expanded its 100G capabilities in Europe; and completed deployment of advanced network equipment on its global network in Singapore and Sydney.

NOTE: Reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made, where appropriate, to reflect comparable operating results for the divestiture of overlapping wireless properties in 105 operating markets in 24 states during the first half of 2010; the wireless deferred revenue adjustment that was disclosed in Verizon's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010; the spinoff to Frontier of local exchange and related landline assets in 14 states, effective on July 1, 2010; and other non-operational items. See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 107 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $106.6 billion in 2010 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by email, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

NOTE: This presentation contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; the effects of competition in our markets; materially adverse changes in labor matters, including labor negotiations, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact; the effect of material changes in available technology; any disruption of our key suppliers' provisioning of products or services; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; the impact of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, breaches of network or information technology security or existing or future litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of broadband technology; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions; and the inability to implement our business strategies.

Steve Jobs was initially opposed to apps, new biography reveals

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 04:37 AM PDT

Walter Isaacson's new book on late Apple CEO Steve Jobs has yet to be released, but the Huffington Post recently obtained an advanced copy of the authorized biography, and highlighted some of its most salient revelations. Throughout the course of the 656-page book, Isaacson provides fascinating and often intimate insight into Jobs' life and times, including details on his childhood, his Bob Dylan-drenched iPod and, perhaps most notably, his curious philosophy on apps. Strange as it may seem, Jobs was initially opposed to the very concept of an app-based environment, for fear that his company may not be up to the task. According to Isaacson, Apple board member Art Levinson called the CEO "half a dozen times to lobby for the potential of the apps," but Jobs was initially reluctant. "Jobs at first quashed the discussion," Isaacson writes, "partly because he felt his team did not have the bandwidth to figure out all the complexities that would be involved in policing third-party app developers." Needless to say, Jobs and his team eventually figured it out. Walter Isaacson's book, "Steve Jobs," will be released on October 24th, but you can pre-order it from Amazon, at the link below.

Sprint to nix 'unlimited' from mobile broadband and hotspot plans in November

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 04:01 AM PDT

We'd heard rumblings that unlimited data for Sprint's mobile hotspot plan was going the way of the dodo, but come November folks, it'll be official. Data sent and received over tethering -- not smartphone usage -- will now be measured against a 5GB cap. The same applies to mobile broadband subscribers, who will lose "unlimited" WiMax, instead having all their bits counting towards 3GB, 5GB or 10GB buckets (as seen above). Going over your allotment in either plan naturally incurs overages, which could get pricey at 5 cents per MB, and worst of all, existing unlimited plans won't be grandfathered in. So, start counting down those last few days of limitless bliss, as you weep peeping the full details that await at the source.

[Thanks, Darren]

PS Vita's built-in Twitter app shown off in Hong Kong, we go hands-on (video)

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 03:20 AM PDT

Here's a little souvenir for Twitter addicts eyeing the upcoming PS Vita: at today's debut event in Hong Kong, we got to see said console's built-in Twitter app in action for the very first time, and we were fortunate enough to get some exclusive hands-on time with Sony's in-house software. As you can see in our video after the break, the overall design feels very much in line with Twitter's standard ID: the same shade of blue, the usual tabs on the left column, slick elastic scrolling in the timelines, and support for geotagging, hash tags plus photo attachment while tweeting. No surprises here, but hey, the app worked well for us.

That said, we were told that the app wasn't quite finished yet, and Sony still couldn't confirm whether this -- along with the other dedicated apps like Skype, Foursquare and Facebook -- will be ready for download by the time the Vita launches in Hong Kong on December 23rd (just a tad later than Japan's launch on the 17th). In case you're wondering, the Vita there will cost HK$2,280 (US$290) for the WiFi version and HK$2,780 (US$360) for the 3G flavor, both unsubsidized but cheaper than their Japanese counterparts. Of course, given that the console isn't region-locked, feel free to go do some shopping in Hong Kong then -- just save some for the locals, OK? Also, check out our gallery below for some close-up shots of the Vita's music and video apps.
PS Vita launch event in Hong Kong

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Galaxy Nexus' Super AMOLED display is a minus, not a Plus

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:40 AM PDT

For all the buzz around Samsung's latest hi-def smartphone, the absence of one little word has largely been glossed over. That word is "Plus" -- the wizened Galaxy S II has a "Super AMOLED Plus" display, for example, whereas the sparkly Galaxy Nexus is merely "Super AMOLED." Did the marketeers simply forget those extra hyperbolic keystrokes, or does the difference actually mean something?

Well, regrettably, it does. Samsung uses "Plus" to refer to full RGB displays, in which each pixel possesses its own trio of red, green and blue sub-pixels. Meanwhile, a non-Plus display uses a cheaper PenTile system -- which forces pixels to share each other's sub-pixels. Aside from potential hygiene issues, this results in a lower overall sub-pixel density, reduced sharpness and worse color rendition. We saw the difference clearly enough when Engadget Spanish microscopically compared the original non-Plus Galaxy S against the GS II, and now the folks at FlatPanelsHD have undertaken a more up-to-date comparison at the source link. The upshot? They calculated that, despite its 4.65-inch screen size, the Galaxy Nexus has the same number of sub-pixels as the 3.5-inch iPhone 4/4S. Think of a word with no r, g or b in it, and you eventually arrive at "disappointed."

Update: We just added AnandTech's analysis at the More Coverage link. They point out that if you like the pixel density on the GS II, you should be happy with that on the Galaxy Nexus -- although they don't address color rendition.

[Thanks, Mauro]

Portable LTE network in a box demoed, ready to deliver 4G to war zone near you

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 02:03 AM PDT

BTSWhat's four pounds, rugged and essential for the smartphone toting soldiers of the future? Why it's a portable LTE network in a box, of course. BTS and Radisys recently demoed their CoreTx and Trillium products, which may one day bring 4G connectivity to dangerous spots like disaster areas and battlefields. BTS already delivers 3G to areas of Afghanistan and is now working on this upgraded system with support for both LTE and HSPA+. You'll find a few more details in the PR after the break.
Show full PR text
BTS and Radisys Demonstrate the Viability of Mobile 4G LTE

Industry experts debut their next generation small cell 4G network in a box.
BTS LOGO Unleash the Future. (PRNewsFoto/BTS) COLUMBIA, MD UNITED STATES

COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BTS™ Corporation and Radisys® Corporation (NASDAQ: RSYS) held a live demonstration of their interoperable products – CoreTx™ and Trillium ® small cell software – at BTS Network Solutions' headquarters in Columbia, MD. The CoreTx solution and Trillium software deliver commercial grade 4G LTE technologies in harsh operating environments, enabling their customers to develop and rapidly deploy end-to-end 4G LTE cellular networks.

With a 3G cellular solution already deployed in Afghanistan, BTS has established itself as a leading provider of small form factor, ruggedized and rapidly deployable cellular technology. Its next generation CoreTx solution is poised to provide the fastest and most cost-effective deployable 4G cellular network to date.

Running with BTS invented Praefectus™ – now a government owned product – the CoreTx Evolved Packet System, Radisys' Trillium LTE core network software and ruggedized COM Express modules, BTS demonstrated the following cutting-edge CoreTx capabilities on Wednesday:

LTE small cell 4G technology (approx. 4lb.)
Next generation HSPA+
Advanced Self Organizing Network (SON)
Spectrum survey, jammer avoidance and frequency de-confliction
Dynamic core network optimized for highly mobile scenarios
Software defined radio with dramatically reduced size, weight and power
Intelligent routing to enable mobility and 3GPP standardized communication
Real time cellular management utilizing government owned Praefectus mission management software

For more information on CoreTx and mobile 4G LTE, visit www.coretx.com.

"Since the company's formation, BTS has been dedicated to providing the smallest form factor, rapidly deployable self-organizing cellular network and we are proud to introduce CoreTx," said Alex Watson, BTS Chief Technology Officer. "CoreTx not only provides cellular service in areas that need it most, but delivers both 4G HSPA+ and LTE capabilities, allowing our customers to continue to leverage their 3G investments and to utilize the most advanced cellular technology currently on the market."

Radisys is the only company that can supply Trillium ® small cell software, Trillium 3G and LTE core network software and platforms, ruggedized COM Express modules and professional services to enable the fastest deployment.

Radisys technology is based on 3GPP standards, which offers interoperability of battlefield cellular networks and support for commercially available mobile handsets based on Android, etc.
Radisys Trillium solutions offer flexible architecture, which enables complete self-contained collapsed 3G core network elements such as SGSN, GGSN, MSC, HLR/VLR and more.
Radisys COM Express modules are compact, ruggedized, and rated for extended temperature operation, which makes them ideal for battlefield deployments.

For more information on Radisys technologies and services, visit www.radisys.com.

"Battlefield cellular networks require all-inclusive solutions that must meet the stringent requirements of aerospace and defense suppliers," said Todd Mersch, director of Trillium software and solutions business unit, Radisys. "These collapsed cellular networks require flexible architectures for wider deployments, standards compliance for interoperability with other cellular networks and support for commercially available mobile handsets. Radisys' end-to-end embedded wireless infrastructure solutions meet these requirements."

About Radisys

Radisys (NASDAQ: RSYS) is a leading provider of embedded wireless infrastructure solutions for telecom, aerospace, defense and public safety applications. Radisys' market-leading ATCA, IP Media Server and COM Express platforms coupled with world-renowned Trillium software, services and market expertise enable customers to bring high-value products and services to market faster with lower investment and risk. Radisys solutions are used in a wide variety of 3G & 4G / LTE mobile network applications including: Radio Access Networks (RAN) solutions from femtocells to picocells and macrocells, wireless core network applications, Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and policy management; conferencing and media services including voice, video and data, as well as customized mobile network applications that support the aerospace, defense and public safety markets.

Radisys®, Continuous Computing® and Trillium® are registered trademarks of Radisys.

About BTS

Battlefield Telecommunications Systems (BTS) is a Maryland-based company that provides advanced, mobile telecommunications technology, software development and integration for the U.S. government and the private sector. Since the company's formation in 2008, BTS has been at the forefront of engineering advanced artificial and collective intelligence algorithms to automate the complexities of deploying and managing telecommunications networks in both the military and commercial sectors. BTS is the inventor and developer of Praefectus cellular and mission management software, which is now owned by the U.S. government and used to manage mobile cellular networks. Through a combination of innovative technical products and integration, high-quality professionals, and first-rate delivery execution, BTS focuses on addressing customer's immediate and critical operational needs. Additional information about BTS is available at www.UnleashBTS.com.

BTS, CoreTx and Praefectus are trademarks of BTS, LLC.

EU to launch first two Galileo satellites today, as sat-nav system lurches forward

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 01:00 AM PDT

The EU's Galileo satellite navigation system has been beset by delays and budget overruns in recent months, but its future is looking slightly brighter, now that its first two satellites are primed for launch. The European Space Agency is expected to send the satellites into space today, as part of a long-term project that will cost an estimated €7 billion (around $9.6 billion). Slated to take off from Kourou, French Guiana, the pair of satellites will ride on the back of a Russian rocket to an altitude of nearly 15,000 miles, where they'll test system functions both in space and on Earth. If all goes according to plan, they'll also become Galileo's first operational satellites, paving the way, officials hope, for many more to follow. In fact, the European Commission is looking to complete the 30-satellite constellation by the year 2019, with two scheduled to launch during every quarter, beginning in 2012. The idea, of course, is to offer Europeans an alternative to US-operated GPS, with a free consumer service scheduled to launch in 2014, followed by a more precise, paid service in 2020. Nevertheless, budgetary concerns loom large over the project, which, according to the EC, has already racked up a development and deployment bill of over €5 billion ($6.8 billion), since 2003. The commission will present a finalized proposal to EU member governments by the end of the year, in the hopes of obtaining that extra €7 billion, though it may face more acute criticism, considering today's dour economic climate. It remains unlikely, however, that Galileo will be totally shut down, as the EU says it could bring in an extra €90 billion over the next 20 years.

English Court: Top Gear didn't libel Tesla

Posted: 21 Oct 2011 12:07 AM PDT

BBC's Top Gear (it's like The Engadget Show, but for cars) did not libel Tesla Motors when it reviewed the Tesla Roadster way back in 2008. Jeremy Clarkson's review showed the super-EV conking out after 55 miles of driving (a quarter of its expected range), suffering brake failures and an engine overheat that Elon Musk's company flatly denies ever happening. In the High Court, however, Mr Justice Tugendhat said that people could tell the difference between Clarkson's torturous, heavy-footed "powerrrrrrrrr" driving that goes on at Dunsfold Aerodrome, and the staid manner in which people drive on motorways. Tesla still maintains that the review has damaged its image, which is why it's also pursuing a claim for malicious falsehood, yet to be decided -- and on that bombshell, here's the original, legally non-libelous review for your enjoyment... goodnight!

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Vertu Constellation packs gaudy brilliance, and we don't mean the AMOLED

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 11:03 PM PDT

Vertu's first foray into the heady modern world of touchscreen phones has arrived, and it still looks KIRF-ably premium. But what's surprising is that the Constellation's feature ensemble is actually half-decent -- at least relative to its predecessors. Wearing an exclusive 3.5-inch AMOLED screen coated entirely in sapphire crystal, the Constellation completes the look with a "ceramic pillow" (we'd call it an 'earpiece') and a black alligator skin back cover. Last seen skulking around Bluetooth product listings, it's now back in the public spotlight with a confirmed eight megapixel camera, flanked by a twin LED flash and HSPA+ connections. There's no word on what OS this starlet is working with, though it's likely to be Symbian -- appropriate for all those oil barons, F1 drivers and other anachronistic rich types who can (send staff to) pick up their new Vertu from stores now.

NVIDIA's Jen-Hsun Huang: Windows on ARM should hit tablets first, battling Intel is a bad idea, would love his chips in iPad

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:16 PM PDT

NVIDIA's founder and president Jen-Hsun Huang has never been one to dodge a question, and that made for an excellent closing interview here at AsiaD. Outside of (re)confirming what lies ahead for Tegra, he also spoke quite openly about his feeling towards Windows on ARM in response to a question from Joanna Stern. Here's the bulk of his reply:

"It's important for [Microsoft] not to position these as PCs. From a finesse perspective -- I can't speak on their behalf -- but I would come out with tablets first with Windows on ARM. It helps to establish that this isn't a PC. Will yesterday's Office run on tomorrow's Windows on ARM PC? Will a new version of Office run on tomorrow's Windows on ARM tablets? Both questions are about legacy, and both are about Office. The actual implementation of it is radically different. I see no reason to make Office 95 to run on Windows on ARM. I think it would be wonderful, absolutely wonderful -- I'd say, as someone who uses Windows -- it would be almost a requirement to me that [the ARM] device runs Windows interoperably. If Office runs on Windows on ARM -- it's the killer app. Everything else is on the web."

He elaborated to say that he would hope Office for Windows on ARM would support the same files that today's Office does, much the same way that Office for Mac eventually synced up with its Windows-based sibling. For more from Huang's interview, hop on past the break!

On the topic of Tegra, and mobile chips in general, he started by explaining that NVIDIA has transformed quite substantially in recent years. Back in the day, he confessed that "going toe-to-toe with Intel [was] just a bad idea," noting that his competition in 2011 is actually far different. Of course, you don't have to look back too far to find Mr. CEO's badmouthing of Chipzilla, but to his credit, that back-and-forth rhetoric has all but ceased in more modern times.

He noted that NVIDIA has "backed away" from that strategy, and today it's focused on two core areas: visual computing and mobile computing. As of now, he points to Qualcomm being his main competition, though he notes that NVIDIA and Qualcomm came into this market from very different places. His company came from the computing side, while Qually entered from the communications side. Interestingly, he also stated that his "indirect competition" is largely adopted from the companies that use NVIDIA products -- "obviously Apple," he quipped.

Today, Tegra has found its way into 70 percent of all non-iPad tablets, and it's in 13 smartphone models globally ("and counting"). But Huang envisions a world where chipmaking in the mobile universe is far different than it is today. According to him, the world we're living in is quite young, so we're forced to shove whatever chips we have laying around into as many products as our mind can imagine, and then tweak 'em to make it all work. There's one chip that can be used in tablets, smartphones, MP3 players, etc. But, based on his perception, it won't be that way for long. Much in the same way that Intel has rolled out many, many variations of its Core i family at once, he suggests that the smartphone and tablet world will adopt a similar strategy soon.

He confirmed to us while 60 million units a year (roughly how many tablets overall are sold worldwide today) is hardly enough to justify it, there may come a time where enough smartphones and tablets are moved to think about creating a processor specifically for one or the other. In other words, a Tegra tailored for slates, and a Tegra tailored for phones. We asked him directly if he'd had any discussions with OEMs on going down this road, and he admitted that it was still a bit too early to start those conversations. His direct answer to our question:

"In order to build these system-on-chips, we need 500 chip designers and 1,000 software engineers to bring them to market. Two or three years each, so not exactly economic to build 'em for just the tablet, but some versions are perfect for tablets, some for high-end smartphones, somewhere between two segments. A long time ago there was only one CPU shipping at the time, and that was from Intel; and now there are many. We started out with the smartphone, but it's going to explode to all kinds of mobile devices. We also have the car market, the ultimate mobile processor."

That said, it's obvious that he's dreaming of a Tegra architecture that's scalable and transformable based on the application -- again, similar to how Intel has various levels of Core i7 CPUs for laptops and desktops. In fact, he even alluded to a scenario where Apple could come knocking for more than just MacBook Pro and Mac Pro GPUs: "There might come a time for Apple to buy some or build some [tablet chips]. It would be a great delight [to have NVIDIA's tablet chip in an iPad]."

He also thinks that the grid of apps we've been inundated with will soon morph into something far more realistic, just as soon as (presumably NVIDIA) chips can strike the right balance between power, size and performance. Things like ever-changing colored icons, various textures, and app logos that are dynamic and interactive at all times, without totally murdering the battery. How soon? "We're moments away from getting there," said Huang.

Finally, on the topic of automobiles, he reminded us that starting in 2012, all Audis would be powered by NVIDIA, and encouraged us to stay tuned for more: "You'll see a lot of cars with NVIDIA." Hopefully, he'll consider teaming up with Google there, too. An NVIDIA-powered factor navigation system with Google Maps just might single-handedly restart the global economy, you know?

T.I.M. has a taste for passers-by, also fava beans and a nice chianti (video)

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 10:06 PM PDT

Art school -- incubator of tomorrow's next great visionaries, or think tank for the Robot Apocalypse? Sorry folks, but this latest Arduino frankenconcept looks to be working against Team Humanity. Part of Art Institute of Chicago BFA student Daniel Jay Bertner's recent oeuvre, the Tracking Interactive Mechanism (or T.I.M., for short) uses a webcam operating OpenCV to follow gallery-traipsing gawkers' faces, and respond to their movements. Careful, though. T.I.M. here bites, or at least makes virtual attempts to pierce your flesh thanks to a hidden photocell mechanism triggered by a viewer's proximity. There's just one thing Daniel left out of his wall-mounted, predatory cyborg installation -- the requisite Hannibal Lecter soundboard. Jump past the break to see this nightmarish, mixed media concept in motion.


NVIDIA CEO confirms Tegra roadmap, building all now: Kal-El, Wayne, Logan, Stark

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 09:22 PM PDT

NVIDIA's historically outspoken CEO, Mr. Jen-Hsun Huang, just took the stage here at AsiaD, and among other things, he confirmed to Walt that the Tegra roadmap is well established, and in fact, the entire next-gen range is being produced (internally, of course) right now. That's Kal-El, Wayne, Logan and Stark, all codenamed after superheroes -- Superman, Batman, Wolverine and Ironman, in order of mention. In response to a question of if ASUS' Transformer Prime would be "the first Tegra 3-based product," Huang simply answered "probably."

He continued by explaining that it generally takes around three years to build a new generation of Tegra: "We'd like to have a processor every year, and so we're building three in a row." Tegra 3 will end up being the world's first quad-core ARM processor (much like the Tegra 2 was the first dual-core), and he confirmed that NVIDIA has invested some $2 billion in Tegra alone. Finally, he confirmed that the inner workings we've heard about in Project Denver will first be present in the Tegra line with the introduction of Stark -- a long ways out, but at least you've got something (else) to look forward to.

ThinFilm and PARC demo printable, organic CMOS circuit, inch us closer to an 'internet of things'

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 09:01 PM PDT

ThinFilm Addressable Memory
ThinFilm and the legendary PARC (of mouse and GUI fame) announced they have produced a working prototype of a printable circuit that incorporated organic, rewritable memory and transistors. The resulting integrated circuits are essentially CMOS "chips" that can be printed on large rolls at extremely low cost. The most obvious application of the technology is in NFC chips, but the small price and size could find the printable circuits turning up as everything from price tags to freshness sensors on food packaging. Sure, the idea of an "internet of things" sounds a bit cheesy, but there's no denying the allure of a world where practically everything is "smart." Check out the full PR after the break for a few more details.
Show full PR text
Thinfilm Unveils First Scalable Printed CMOS Memory

Combination of Thinfilm Printed Rewritable Memory and PARC Transistors Enables Low-Cost, Printed Integrated Systems for the "Internet of things"

OSLO, October 21 - Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") together with PARC, a Xerox company, announced today they have produced a working prototype of the world's first printed non-volatile memory device with complementary organic circuits, the organic equivalent of CMOS circuitry. Thinfilm Addressable Memory™ consists of Thinfilm's printed memory and PARC's transistors. This demonstration is a significant milestone toward the mass production of low-cost, low-power ubiquitous devices that are a key component of the "Internet of things." The prototype will be publicly demonstrated at PARC on Monday, October 24, in conjunction with a visit from the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, His Excellency Trond Giske.

Thinfilm Addressable Memory combines Thinfilm's polymer-based memory technology with PARC's transistor technology using complementary pairs of n-type and p-type transistors to construct the circuits. The addition of the integrated circuits makes the roll-to-roll printed Thinfilm Memory addressable by printed logic.

The demonstration of Thinfilm's Addressable Memory is a significant step toward the vision of a world filled with the "Internet of things", where everything is connected via a smart tag. These smart tags require the commercial availability of devices that:

have rewritable memory,
are low cost,
support integration with sensors and other electronic components,
are environmentally friendly,
and can be produced using high volume, roll-to-roll printing.

The demonstrated prototype, rewritable memory with logic circuitry, meets all of these requirements.

"This milestone is an important step toward a new generation of electronics that will include the prospect of inexpensive memory everywhere," said Ross Bringans, Vice President, PARC Electronic Materials and Devices Laboratory. "We're partnering with Thinfilm because they have shown that they can deliver a scalable, commercially viable version of this memory that will change the way people interact with the world."

A leader in delivering innovations in printed electronics, PARC specializes in designing full-featured systems for clients' applications. These systems will benefit from Thinfilm's unique non-volatile ferroelectric polymer memory technology because power consumption is negligible and no connection to external power is required to retain information.

"We have demonstrated that one can address an array of memory cells using printed logic. This opens up new fields of use, as now addressable memory can be combined with sensors, power sources and antennas to power smart applications," said Davor Sutija, Thinfilm CEO. "This prototype is a demonstration that low-cost printed integrated systems and the tagging of everyday objects is possible, enabling Thinfilm's vision of 'memory everywhere'."

Thinfilm offers low-cost, low-power printed electronics for high-volume consumer applications with two main products: Thinfilm Memory and Thinfilm System products.

Thinfilm memory products include 20-bit Thinfilm Memory in production today for consumer applications, such as toys and games, loyalty cards, info-kiosks and the Thinfilm Addressable Memory under development, available in 2012.

System products are integrated systems that combine Thinfilm's memory technology with other printed components. The target markets for Thinfilm Addressable Memory system products include NFC (Near Field Communications) tags, now available in Android phones, which enable device to device communication and have been predicted to, one day, be on all new objects. Thinfilm also targets sensor tags and disposable price labels. The addressable memory can be integrated with other printed components, such as antennas and sensors, to create fully printed systems for interaction with everyday objects and the "Internet of things" where the temperature of food and drugs are monitored or retail items are tracked individually rather than by pallet, container or truckload with a simple tap of a NFC enabled phone.

"This announcement is a significant step forward for the printed electronics industry," said Raghu Das, CEO of IDTechEX. "Having both printed memory and printed transistors to address the memory is a fundamental 'building block' that has applicability to, and enables an enormous number of applications across a myriad of markets."

Using printing to manufacture electronics minimizes the number of process steps, which in turn, dramatically reduces manufacturing costs and lowers the environmental impact compared to traditional semiconductor processes. Thinfilm devices are thinner than traditional silicon devices and can be produced in form factors as slim as a strand of hair.

A photograph of the Thinfilm device is available at http://www.thinfilm.se/images/thinfilm_addressable_memory_prototype_hi_res.jpg

About Thinfilm

Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") is a publicly-listed Norwegian technology company with its head office in Oslo and product development in Linköping, Sweden, and sales offices in San Francisco, USA, and Tokyo, Japan. Thinfilm is a pioneer in the field of Printed Electronics, and provides fully-printed non-volatile, rewritable memory for applications in toys & games, logistics, sensor, and ID systems.

Microsoft to keep Windows Phone monogamous with Qualcomm's chipsets, for now

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 08:07 PM PDT


Microsoft may not be jumping on the dual-core bandwagon just yet, but it does place a high amount of emphasis on making sure its phones run smoothly. To do so, Windows Phone President Andy Lees stated to Bloomberg that it would continue to keep Qualcomm as its exclusive chipmaker, and has no plans to work with any other company. According to Lees, the monogamous relationship was made to allow Microsoft to use specific technical details, ensuring a smoother experience on all Windows Phones across the board. Lees also mentioned that the kind of production volume generated by such an agreement also allows production costs to dip down, which makes the platform even more appealing to OEMs. If any of you have dreamed of a Windows Phone with NVIDIA or TI running the show, don't try to pinch yourself -- you may be dissatisfied with the results.

Myriad's Remarkz HTML 5 web annotation app hands-on

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 07:22 PM PDT

It wasn't that long ago that Myriad gave us an exclusive sneak peek at its platform agnostic Android app emulator, Alien Dalvik 2.0. While we were there, the company gave us a glimpse of another project, called Remarkz, that piqued our interest. Remarkz is a slick little HTML 5 application that lets users annotate web pages with text and drawings and share the marked up pages via email, Facebook and Twitter. As opposed to using screen grab programs like Skitch or Jing, Remarkz keeps the web page links live and only requires adding a bookmark to get started. Additionally, a timeline feature lets you see when new notes are made on a page and who made them -- giving it greater potential for use as a collaboration tool. True to Myriad form, it works on any platform (tablets, PCs and Macs) using any browser that supports HTML 5. It's still in beta for now, but the app works pretty well despite a small bug here or there. Plus, given its egalitarian nature, Myriad hinted that we may see it on more screens (think big) in January at CES, which would up its cool quotient considerably. Interested? Check out a video walkthrough of the app after the break, and hit the source to start using it yourself.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Siri, when will you run your first television ad?

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 07:02 PM PDT

...after the break.

[Thanks everyone who sent this in]

Ice Cream Sandwich already unofficially ported, Nexus S 4G gets first dibs

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 06:39 PM PDT

ICS on Nexus S 4G
Well, that was fast. Just two days (barely) after the Android 4.0 SDK was released, a resourceful dev claims to already have the code up and running on a handset that isn't the Galaxy Nexus. Android Central forum user Breezy is working on delivering a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich to the Nexus S 4G. It's already pretty clear that particular handset will be getting the upgrade at some point, but we know how impatient you can be. Breezy hasn't released his ROM just yet, because there's still some bugs to work out -- like the non-functioning WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular data and the wonky touchscreen. So, while you wait for him to get the kinks ironed out, enjoy the additional photo after the break, which sports the same alternate orange theme.

ICS on Nexus S 4G

Kaz Hirai: Sony is 'in discussions with non-Sony companies' over PlayStation Suite

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:55 PM PDT

Wondering whether Sony's PlayStation Suite will ever really leave its nest? While the SDK won't be out until next month, SCE Chairman Kaz Hirai just told us here at AsiaD that this Android-friendly framework's still open to all other manufacturers, and he emphasized that it "isn't an ecosystem where we want to keep everything within the Sony family" while pimping the three PlayStation Certified Android devices so far: Xperia Play, Tablet S and Tablet P. Kaz also confirmed that Sony's currently "in discussions with non-Sony companies to bring them onboard," but as to when this will come to fruition, the company will make those announcements "when it's time to go public with it," so we shall see.

Boost Mobile announces ZTE Warp, hopes to push its lineup out of impulse on November 2nd for $250

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:47 PM PDT

After Tuesday's Ice Cream Sandwich announcement in Hong Kong, pushing out a Gingerbread device just doesn't feel like we're leaping to the final frontier, but it's still nice to have on a prepaid plan nonetheless. We're talking about the ZTE Warp, announced as Boost Mobile's latest no-contract Android phone, which sports a 4.3-inch display, 1GHz single-core CPU, and a 5MP rear camera with LED flash. You can expect it to hit Boost stores starting November 2nd for $250. Check out the presser below the break and the video, and let's see what's out there.



Show full PR text
SEEING IS BELIEVING WHEN ZTE 'WARPS' TOGETHER WITH AWARD-WINNING, NO CONTRACT SERVICE FROM BOOST MOBILE

Available beginning Nov. 2, ZTE Warp boasts the largest touchscreen and the highest megapixel camera in the Boost Mobile Android lineup

IRVINE, Calif., and RICHARDSON, Texas – Boost Mobile, ranked Highest in Customer Service Performance and Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers by J.D. Power and Associates, and ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, today introduced ZTE WarpTM, ZTE's first smartphone offering for Boost Mobile.

Boasting a large 4.3-inch display, 5MP camera and Boost's exclusive Mobile ID service, the addition of ZTE Warp complements Boost Mobile's existing lineup of Android smartphone devices. Customers will benefit from a large screen that offers a vibrant viewing experience delivering great picture quality and rich content all powered by the Sprint Nationwide Network.

"Boost Mobile is very excited to partner with one of the fastest growing and largest handset makers in the world, to introduce the ZTE Warp," said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. "ZTE Warp delivers a powerful Android device for Boost Mobile customers searching for a big screen experience to capture and view higher quality photos and video."

Featuring Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1GHz processor and an expandable memory slot that supports microSD cards up to 32GB (2GB card included), ZTE Warp's chipset and memory configuration supports everyday functions, multitasking and data-intensive applications. Its 5MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash allows for user-friendly, point-and-shoot photography.

Additional key specifications on ZTE Warp:

GPS-enabled
Stereo Bluetooth® technology
Easy access to Gmail™ and Google Talk™
Wireless Web enabled
Mobile ID and Boost Zone

ZTE Warp also comes preloaded with Mobile ID, an exclusive service from Boost that allows customers to download and install "ID packs." The packs deliver a complete mobile experience, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, in a few simple clicks. ID packs are designed to meet a customer's individual lifestyle or interests, such as sports, entertainment, fitness and music. ID packs that can be loaded on the device include MTV Music Pack, E!, Socially Connected, Professional, Entertainment, Lo2Yo Latino, Lo2Yo Mujer and Lo2Yo Futbol.

Additionally, ZTE Warp is the first Android device in the Boost Mobile lineup to feature 'Boost Zone,' a centralized place on the device where Boost Mobile customers can access their account, pay their bill, get assistance with their phone, and stay up-to-date on Boost Mobile's products and services. Boost Zone will be coming soon to all Boost Mobile Android devices.

"ZTE knows there is a market for customers who want to explore the benefits of a smartphone but do not want to make a significant cost commitment to a device or service plan," said Lixin Cheng, CEO, ZTE USA, and president, North America Region, ZTE. "Boost Mobile, with its award-winning service and customer experience, is an important partner for us as we work to put the most popular technologies into more consumers' hands."

Pricing and availability

ZTE Warp will be available Nov. 2 for $249.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile's exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations across the country and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping.

ZTE Warp customers also have the opportunity to take advantage of Boost Mobile's $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinkage where the longer you stay, the less you pay. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile's Android Monthly Unlimited plan will shrink by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.

Phone insurance

Customers can also protect their ZTE Warp and other Boost Mobile Android devices with phone insurance that is now available for Boost Monthly Unlimited customers. For $5 per month customers are covered if their device breaks, is lost, stolen or damaged – even by liquid. Go to www.boostmobile.com for more information.

Sony's Kazuo Hirai: liveblog from AsiaD!

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:06 PM PDT



8:59PM And that's a wrap! Thanks for joining us here for this one, and we'll have more coming as AsiaD continues!

8:59PM Kaz: "What I can say is that your point is a good one. Now that I'm responsible for *all* of the consumer products with a Sony label, one of the organizational changes that I've made is to create a new group of people from each of the different business units. They are tasked with looking across the entire spectrum (particularly networked products), and ask 'What is the experience we need to provide as a suite of Sony products?' How do we implement that into products? Unfortunately, since this is a hardware business, we can't change things overnight. But we've started embarking on that as a business. There's huge commitment throughout this company to break down barriers of different business units. That's an ongoing discussion, but we want to bring to light the power of our product portfolios. We should take advantage of our wide product offerings."

8:56PM A dear friend and peer, Joanna Stern, is up with a question: "What is Sony's plan to make all of these devices that Sony sells works together, software-wise?"

8:56PM Kaz: "No question, it's a declining market. But we're still planning to bring some serious innovation to our P&S camera line. He's suggesting that more features will be coming to P&S cameras -- "something extra" -- that smartphones of this day won't have. "We're doing a lot of things internally to drive that market as much as possible."

8:54PM Kaz: "Stay tuned! We sell image sensors to various partners. The technology and the differentiation that we have comes into play..." Walt's asking if Kaz is still optimistic about a point-and-shoot market despite the cameraphone revolution.

8:53PM Walt's suggesting that with the iPhone 4S camera, "I can't imagine wanting to tote around my point-and-shoot camera."


8:52PM That's huge news! The Xperia Play will be getting a few friends from non-Sony companies! Here's hoping they hit pre-Christmas, or at worst, CES 2012.

8:51PM Kaz: "This isn't an ecosystem where we want to keep everything within the Sony family, that's the beauty of Android. We're in discussions with non-Sony companies to bring them onboard. We'll make those announcements when it's time to go public with it. This is not just for Sony devices."

8:50PM Our own Richard Lai is up, asking about other manufacturers getting a PlayStation-certified label.

8:50PM Kaz: "When we launch the Vita, we'll have new franchises, and mid-cycle, you'll see sequels. But I think every generation of new console brings about a new wave."

8:49PM Kaz is talking about gaming design innovation, particularly in Japan. "We're mid-cycle, and we usually get this notion that creativity is in decline because all we have is sequels." He's suggesting that this happens every single time that a major gaming console gets 3-5 years old.

8:48PM And that's the interview! Time for Q&A from the crowd.


8:48PM Walt's suggesting that the browsing speed on the Tablet P and S, which Kaz is extolling, isn't nearly as great as Silk on the Kindle Fire. Kaz says Amazon won't show him one yet -- ha!



8:46PM On that note, Kaz is busting out the Sony Tablet P, a device we know well 'round these parts.

8:45PM As we said, went nowhere. No clues. No hints. Just masterful question dodging.

8:45PM Kaz: "The Sony Ericsson management team and the Sony team just have to work closer together. Now, because it's an integrated user experience between phones, TVs, etc., we're making SE more integrated in the decision making process."

8:44PM This is going nowhere, sadly.

8:44PM Walt: "Does it make sense for Sony to have it's own phone brand?"


8:44PM Walt's pushing back on the SE buyout business, but Kaz reiterates that he's not going to comment on speculation.

8:43PM Walt's asking Kaz to opine on China. Kaz: "They're a force that we have to keep an eye on. We'll do business with them. They'll do business with us. When talking about content, they will have to step it up and understand the value in delivering that whole package."

8:42PM Kaz: "A great example is the TV. A TV is a TV is a TV, yes. But there are some local tastes / requirements that differ from place to place."

8:41PM Back to the "doing business in Asia topic!"

8:41PM Kaz is responding to a question on "Why did you help Apple?", by saying that every major company helps another. Samsung, Sony, Apple -- they all buy components, etc. from one another. It's no big deal, vaquero.

8:40PM Kaz: "At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much of the experience is in the cloud. You need a device in your hand to experience it." Kaz just confirmed that "after we incorporated our newest camera sensors into our own CyberShot products, we sold that sensor to Apple for the iPhone 4S."


8:38PM Walt: "We're doing our first conference here in Asia, and it's obviously a huge player on so many levels for things you do. Talk to me about the opportunities and challenges of operating in Asia as an Asian company, compared to being an American company. We're still in a place where a lot of software driving is coming from America."

8:37PM Kaz: "Let's look at the Xperia Play -- those are manifestations of that strategy. Those are the kinds of things we need to work on so it's a seamless experience for the customer."

8:36PM Kaz: "I won't comment on that speculation, but what I can say is this -- after April, the latest management change at Sony... one of the things I've done is said that the SE component is a hugely important part of our strategy going forward. We have to work in lockstep with SE, and we have to understand what each other is trying to do, from marketing and everything else. It needs to be seen as a seamless offering."

8:35PM Kaz laughs. He think it's high-larious.

8:35PM Walt: "There are some stories out there that you are in the process of discussing the buyout of the Ericsson piece, so you can have a robust Sony-branded entry in this universe."

8:34PM Walt's suggesting that Sony's not a huge deal in the smartphone universe, even with the partnership with SE today. "I'm not trying to be mean here, but I don't think that Sony Ericsson is a big-deal brand in the smartphone universe."


8:33PM Kaz: "Based on initial reactions we've received, the Vita is enough of a differentiated product. In Japan, there was an actual line just to pre-order the thing." Walt's wondering why people would ever line up to pre-order things. Heh...

8:31PM Walt: "You aren't worried that the PS Vita won't have happen to it what happened to the 3DS?"

8:31PM Kaz: "A lot of people will want the PS3 experience on-the-go." Also, Kaz clearly has a Tablet P on his person. Perhaps we'll get into that next!

8:30PM Walt: "Some serious gamers will adore physical controls, but zillions of people are playing games on touchscreen devices. You expect those people to turn around and buy one of these? Who is the audience?

8:29PM Kaz: "We still need physical media. We're in business in so many countries, and in some nations, making it all available through the internet is too big a challenge. It'll cost $299 for the 3G model in the US, and $249 for the WiFi model."

8:28PM Walt: "Does it use physical media?" Sigh -- we're just repeating stuff at this point.



8:27PM Kaz just busted out the PlayStation Vita -- nothing we haven't seen here before, but here's hoping for more deets. Ships in December in Japan, "early next year" elsewhere.


8:26PM Kaz: "That's why we started PlayStation Suite, to bring original PS games to these platforms. PS Suite runs on Android smartphones, and some phones will be PlayStation-certified," to ensure that we're part of that growth segment."

8:25PM Walt: "But, does Sony make games for these platforms? Do you benefit?"

8:25PM Kaz, talking about those challenges: "Whether we're talking about iPods, iPads or Android smartphones, they've had an impact on traditional videogames. No question about it. Some of it's positive -- a lot of people who may buy one of those devices, they decide to get into gaming because they end up with one of these devices. The gaming industry as a whole gains customers this way."

8:24PM Walt: "We've seen an explosion of handheld gaming on non-typical gaming devices, like smartphones." He's talking up the iPhone and iPod touch specifically, which have clearly had a mondo impact on the gaming side. Kaz looks like he's never seen, or heard of, an iPod. Curious.

8:23PM Kaz: "We talk about ten-year life cycles, and we still have the PS2 as an active PS2. When you eventually look back at the PS3 -- which I expect to last ten years -- I think it'll have a higher install-base than any of the current systems."

8:22PM Kaz: "We have a much larger install base [compared to Xbox] in Japan, and I think that's also true now in Europe. The fact that we packed so much into the PS3 at the start -- which was a disadvantage up front due to the high price -- has helped in the long run. I don't have the numbers in my head right now regarding the US."

8:21PM Walt: "Where do things stand between you and Xbox, and that competition?"

8:21PM Kaz: "I think a lot of companies are going to try to get into this space. How we did it, apart from TV, was PlayStation. With the PS3, we provide so much more than gaming content. We have an integral place in the living room."

8:20PM Walt: "Sounds like you expect Apple and some of these guys to enter!"


8:20PM Kaz: "We have our own record label, our own studio. There are other ways of leveraging the assets that we have. Additional outtakes that may be exclusive to Sony services... but no, we're not going to shut out other companies from having access to Sony Pictures and Sony Music."

8:19PM Kaz: "Everyone is embarking on their own strategy so that they own their own space in the living room. It's a very competitive market. I have to worry about the content that *we* can bring. How easy is the UI? How great is the experience? Content deals are content deals, but by and large, you'll do the same deals with the same kinds of providers."

8:18PM Walt: "How much do you worry about that?"

8:18PM Walt's suggesting that these unorthodox TV players may come in and steal thunder with their ecosystem and software sauciness.

8:17PM Walt's suggesting that Apple just *has* to be mulling some sort of major TV entry. Mocks the whole "hobby" thing regarding the Apple TV. Kaz is smiling brightly.

8:16PM Walt: "How concerned are you about Google and Apple in the area of smart TVs?"

8:16PM Kaz: "If a consumer picks up a VAIO or PS3... the first an second thing you do is plug it into a TV, and then into the internet. In the case of TVs, the consumer is still trained to hook it up to the old-fashioned cable (coax). We need to ensure we have compelling content on our own services to connect their television to the internet."

8:15PM Walt: "TV now becomes more like a computing device, and suddenly you're in a world that's more similar to PlayStation than a traditional TV set."

8:15PM Kaz: "There's a chicken-and-egg problem as well with Smart TV apps. You need a lot of horsepower in televisions to run 'em smoothly, and that obviously impacts the cost of those sets. You need more expensive components. Do you have the content for people willing to pay the premium? You have to take a leap."


8:13PM Kaz: "We think gaming will drive major adoption... initially."

8:13PM Kaz: "One of the drivers of 3D will be videogames. It appeals to a younger demographic -- game content isn't based on live footage, so it's super easy to tweak content to make it not feel unnatural. Gamers are willing to try new things, so they will be a driver."

8:12PM Kaz: "Well, the jury's still out there. It depends on how much content is out there. The easiest way is through broadcast, and that's another challenge. Getting people to deliver the content."

8:11PM Walt: "Let's talk about TVs. I get the impression that it's a tough moment in the television business. We already had the surge of people buying into HD, and 3D didn't really work..."


8:11PM Kaz: "If we sell it to a consumer, and it's got the Sony name on it, it's under my responsibility. CyberShots, the network service, PlayStation, VAIOs..."


8:10PM Kaz it out! Looking sharp, we might add. Walt's asking him what his actual title is these days.
We're back! AsiaD's concluding today, but we've got a couple of big hitters left on the schedule. Kicking things off this morning -- yeah, it's morning, we're in the future -- is Sony's Executive Deputy President, Kazuo Hirai, and we're guessing he'll be shooting it straight regarding the PS Vita, those nasty "outages" and whatever else he feels like keeping us abreast on. Join us after the break for the blow-by-blow!

Ubuntu turns 7, Canonical gets to work on Precise Pangolin

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 05:02 PM PDT

Ubuntu LTS
It was exactly seven years ago today that Warty Warthog, the very first release of Ubuntu (despite its 4.10 version number), hit the Internet and became and almost instant success. In those years Canonical has built the world's most popular desktop Linux distribution and a powerful presence in the server industry thanks to its LTS (Long Term Support) releases. With Oneiric Ocelot in the books, it's time for the team to set its sights on yet another enterprise-friendly and super stable release, 12.04 LTS -- Precise Pangolin. Don't expect any big new features or drastic UI changes, the LTS releases are all about fine tuning what's already there. Hit up the source for a few more details on Pangolin and the more coverage link for the original Ubuntu announcement.

MetroPCS may be top contender for AT&T's post-acquisition assets

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 04:11 PM PDT

The likelihood of a successful acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T may largely depend on what the latter is willing to give up. The largest GSM carrier in the US may need to throw a few assets overboard in order to satisfy the Department of Justice, and has reportedly been Rethinking Possible by engaging in discussions with several parties interested in scooping up the leftovers. According to Bloomberg, MetroPCS appears to be the frontrunner in the talks, and plans to meet with the Justice Department (alongside AT&T, of course) in the next two weeks to determine if the strategy will appease the regulating body. No guarantees here, of course: it seems like a lot of assets would have to change hands for MetroPCS -- a regional carrier with roughly nine million subscribers -- to be considered a large enough competitor to assuage the government's concerns here. We can't imagine the Feds would be satisfied with any small offering, considering the Department's filed a lawsuit against Ma Bell to block the merger. We have a feeling this saga is just starting to get real interesting, so stay tuned.

Hey yo, T(ether) technology tracks rap gestures in 3D

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 03:11 PM PDT

T(ether) is a bit like that amazing Reality Fighters game we saw on the PS Vita, except it's more tranquil and it works slightly differently. The tablet-based technology uses motion capture cameras to track users' heads and the orientation of the device itself, building a 1:1 spatial connection between real and virtual coordinates and allowing "intuitive interaction with volumetric data." As you'll see in the clip after the break, this equates to some pretty neat tricks. And, if you throw in multiple users wearing motion-tracked gloves, things get even more Eastside.

Fisker Karma gets EPA-certified 52MPGe, sales ready to begin

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:47 PM PDT

It hasn't had the smoothest birth, nor the cheapest, but Fisker can apparently start selling Karmas for real this time. The tantalizing plug-in hybrid that first wowed us nearly four years ago has just cleared US government testing, the final hurdle holding back deliveries. So, how did it fare after being brutalized by the EPA? Not as well as the company had hoped, as the 52MPGe and 32 miles of electric range fell short of the respective 67.2 and 50 figures the company had previously been touting. Not a huge drop, like another plug-in EV we know, yet probably less than you'd been hoping for something that costs over $90,000. And, when you do run out of juice, you'll be looking at just 20MPG while puttering around on gasoline. Actual customer deliveries are scheduled in the following weeks, but until then take a joy ride in one of 39 Karmas being rolled out to dealers.
Show full PR text
Fisker Automotive Records First Sales of its Karma Sedan

Anaheim, California USA– October, 18 2011: Fisker Automotive announced today that the Company has commenced sales of its 2012 model year Karma sedan after having received certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this week.

As the first luxury sports sedan on the market with a range-extended electric powertrain, the Karma creates an alluring class of its own. By further combining world-class style and performance, the Karma is the only environmentally responsible option for most luxury car buyers.

"With receipt of EPA certification in hand, we have achieved a major milestone by recording the first sales of our groundbreaking Karma sedan," said Henrik Fisker, CEO and co-founder of Fisker Automotive. "Production of the Karma is ramping, and we have a strong dealer network in place so we can deliver many more of these truly amazing automobiles to customers during the remainder of 2011 and for many years to come."

The Karma Sedan is a series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powered by a lithium-ion battery and an efficient 2.0-liter range-extending gasoline engine. The gasoline engine only turns a generator, which charges the battery and sends electricity to two electric traction motors that drive the car.

It is optimized to provide the ability to travel in all-electric mode for typical daily use, but can also leverage the existing gasoline infrastructure to power its range extending generator, as needed, thereby eliminating 'Range Anxiety' and providing the freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind that comes with the extended range of a conventional vehicle.

The Karma's all-electric range was found to be 32 miles by the EPA under its test criteria. To put that figure in perspective, a Karma driver with a 40-mile commute who starts each day with a full battery charge will only need to visit the gas station about every 1,000 miles and would use just 9 gallons of gasoline per month. The Karma battery can be recharged in less than six hours using the same 240v household current that powers many major home appliances. The Karma can also be charged using standard 110v power from any electrical outlet.

ABOUT FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Fisker Automotive is an American car company, founded in 2007, committed to producing electric vehicles with extended range (EVer) that deliver uncompromised responsible luxury. The company is designing and developing the world's first line of premium electric plug-in hybrids representing the company's firm belief that environmentally conscious cars need not sacrifice passion, style, or performance. Fisker Automotive is a global company that is redefining luxury for the modern sports car buyer. For more information on the brand and the Fisker Karma Sedan, please go to http://fiskerautomotive.com.

Microsoft and Brightpoint buddy up to deliver Windows Phone to Middle East and Africa

Posted: 20 Oct 2011 02:26 PM PDT

Microsoft's sights have clearly been set on expanding its Windows Phone empire into emerging markets, considering its recent interest in developing Tango, a low-cost version of its mobile OS due out next year. But the company's expansion strategy doesn't just get put on hold in the meantime -- Redmond announced a new partnership with Brightpoint, effectively adding the North African and Middle East markets to its Mango distribution list. Individual countries will have access to the Windows Phone Online Shop before the end of the year. We imagine there's quite a few anxious souls in the region who've been looking to get their hands on these devices for a long time now, but that wait is almost over.
at 11:27 AM

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