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Friday, November 18, 2011

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Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet...fight!

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 10:00 AM PST

There seems little doubt that the Kindle Fire will prove one of the holiday season's biggest hits. At $200, the budget tablet will no doubt prove too good a deal to pass up for many consumers not ready to make the price commitment to the industry-leading iPad or a top-tier Android tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Of course, the Fire wasn't the only budget Android tablet to launch this week -- heck, it wasn't even the only budget Android tablet launched by an e-reader producer. Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet also, conveniently, hit stores earlier this week. The company took what it got right with the Nook Color, souped it up a bit internally and wound up with a solid competitor to the Fire.

So, which of these products should budget-friendly gadget shoppers pick up this holiday season? We take a look at their hits and misses after the break.


Form factor



Barnes & Noble certainly didn't go out of its way to distinguish the Nook Tablet from its predecessor, the Nook Color. The company really took an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach to industrial design -- after all, the Color was a good seller, so why reinvent the wheel here? And, for better or worse, the Nook is certainly one of the most distinctive designs in a world of iPad lookalikes, with its long body, hard plastic casing and the loop jutting out from the bottom left-hand corner. Standing out from the pack was clearly not a concern for Amazon, on the other hand. The little rectangular tablet looks a lot like the BlackBerry PlayBook.

Both tablets are a good size for one-handed reading, though the Nook edges out the Kindle here a bit, with its slightly lighter weight (14.1 ounces to the Fire's 14.6). The Nook's subtly convex back and plastic bezel make a bit easier to hold. Ultimately, however, this round comes down to aesthetic preference, and the Nook is certainly sure to be the more polarizing of the two options.


The whole physical button versus touch conversation also comes down to a matter of person preference, of course. In that department, the Nook has more to offer -- volume buttons, power, and the lowercase "n" home button, to the Kindle's single power button.

Performance

[Kindle, left; Nook, right]

Both devices rock 1GHz dual-core processors, but the Nook has an edge here, with its 1GB of RAM to the Fire's 512MB -- and certainly the difference is noticeable, even when booting up something as simple as a game like Angry Birds. Things are even more pronounced during video playback. We took Shutter Island for a spin via Netflix streaming on both devices, and it was really like night and day. Motion is far less choppy on the Barnes & Noble device. The HD playback on the Nook also picked up subtle imagery like patterns on ties, which were largely lost on the Fire.

Browser performance is pretty much a toss up. The Kindle tended to load text more quickly, but the Nook had a better time with images. Scrolling and pinch-to-zoom is fairly comparable in the browsers, as well. Interestingly, Nook scored a low 4,135 on SunSpider 9.1, vs. the Fire's more impressive 2,440, a fact that might owe something to the Silk browser that Amazon's been talking up, which does the heavily lifting on the company's own servers.

Display


As with a number of elements, Barnes & Noble left the display in tact from the Nook Color. Placed side by side, the Nook appears brighter, if only slightly. Most users likely won't notice a huge difference between the two. Barnes & Noble has been talking up the Tablet's viewing display -- we also didn't notice a huge difference on that front, though the Nook did manage to handle glares better than the Fire.

Software

Both tablets are running Gingerbread, albeit highly customized versions. Amazon really went out of its way to make its UI virtually unidentifiable as Android. Fittingly, give the tablet's nature as a a content distribution device, a bookshelf is at the center of the experience, offering up books, magazines, comics, apps, webpages -- pretty much all of the content you'd like to get at on the device.

The Nook's UI is more immediately identifiable as Android, defaulting to a homescreen onto which you can drag and drop apps. There are, however, some key differences, including a scrollable bar of recently opened apps and texts, a static menu at the bottom of the homepage with links to multimedia content and a book icon that will always bring you back to whatever you were last reading. Clicking Library will bring you into a bookshelf format similar to the one offered on the Fire -- albeit one that's slightly less visually appealing. The Fire meanwhile, also offers up an apps view, similar to the Android layout, albeit still contained in the bookshelf.

Amazon certainly has Barnes & Noble beat in terms of proprietary entertainment services.

Amazon certainly has Barnes & Noble beat in terms of proprietary entertainment services. Both company have solid bookstores, but Amazon is also levering its Cloud Drive for music streaming and free movies and TV shows via Prime. That said, both devices offer access to top tier multimedia apps, like Netflix, Hulu and Pandora -- and yes, since both are Android-based, there's plenty of opportunity for workarounds.

Reading

Of course, you've got all of the drawbacks of LCD devices when it comes to reading here -- the backlighting can be hard on the eyes after a while, and neither are particularly great when reading in sunlight, which is to say that, yes, e-ink devices do have their advantages. Reading prose is fairly similar on both readers: you swipe or touch in a margin to advance, while tapping a page toward the center will bring up a menu where you can adjust things like text size -- though the Nook does offer up a few more options here like adjusting the brightness and sharing passages via social means. Holding down on a word on both devices brings up options to highlight, add notes or check out the definition.

Both product handle children's books fairly similarly, and in this case, simpler is certainly better. Here the Nook does have a bit of a leg up, with its terrific Read and Record feature, which lets parents record narrations to books using the device's built-in mic.


Neither device has quite mastered comics via its proprietary app. Both have their advantages and drawbacks. The Fire has a great panel by panel feature, similar to the one found in Comixology's app (which, incidentally, is coming to both devices), while the Nook does a better job zooming and previewing via a small gallery mode. The fight here really comes down to whether you side with Marvel (Nook) or DC (Kindle).

Etc.


Ultimately, this is a pretty tight race between the two devices.

When it comes to storage, the Nook's got the Fire beat at 16GB to 8GB. Things are a little tricky here as well, however, since the Nook is currently only offering up 1GB of its built-in storage to non-B&N-purchased content. That said, the Nook has a microSD slot, so there's plenty more where that came from. Also, the company promised that it is working on content deals with third parties that will utilize the 12GB devoted to B&N content on the reader.

Price, of course, is a biggie -- the Kindle is $50 cheaper than the Nook. That number makes a significant difference when the base price of the Fire is just $199. Of course, those who want to lop $50 from the Nook Tablet's $249 price can still pick up last year's Nook Color.

Ultimately, this is a pretty tight race between the two devices. Spec-wise, the Nook Tablet has the Kindle Fire beat, but between Amazon's pricing and suite of service, the Kindle comes out ahead on this one, if only just barely.

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

The Engadget Interview: Dr. Charlie Miller

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 09:30 AM PST

Dr. Charlie Miller -- a man who has been covered extensively here at Engadget -- snagged a doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame. He spent five years working on cryptography for the National Security Agency. And, after heading into the wilds of security analysis, he was the first to find a bug in the battery of the first MacBook Air, various bugs within Mac OS X and the Safari web browser and assorted bugs within iOS itself, all while racking up thousands of dollars in hacking contest prize money.

Last week, this came to a head, as Miller created a controversial proof of concept application that both proved the existence of an iOS security hole as well as got him expelled from the App Store's developer network. Given that he's driven Apple Inc. somewhat nuts over the past few years, we sat down with the good doctor to see how he felt about Apple, iOS, security, technology, sandboxing, the pros and cons of modern security and the ups and downs of one of the weirdest career paths for any aspiring technologist today. Join us after the break for the full interview in both textual and audio form.

Your profile says that you completed a PhD in mathematics at Notre Dame and then went to go work in the bells of the government, specifically the NSA for five years. What got you into software security and how did this lead to hacking?

So when I got to the NSA, I started out as a Cryptographer, and my PhD is in Math, so this was a good match there. But as it turns out, when I got there, I didn't really like that, so one of the cool things about the NSA is that they'll train you in whatever they have a need for and that you want to do. So I thought it was cool, and they trained me up. I worked for them and when I came out, I got a job, sort of a more traditional software security job that I could actually talk about.

What prompted you to first enter the PWN 2 OWN contest back in '08 and essentially take on the first generation of MacBook Air?

These are just computers, they have bugs, and they have exploits too.

Believe it or not, back then, people didn't believe Macs were vulnerable to anything. So I would say to people who would listen, "Hey, these are just computers, they have bugs, and they have exploits, too." But they really didn't see anything like that... I would say that and no one would really believe me. One of the main things I wanted to do was to show that Macs were vulnerable, and at the time, actually quite a bit more vulnerable than say a comparable Windows system. So that's why I entered... to sort of prove a point. Flaws in that security, and unfortunately it didn't work. So if you would read the comments on that, people were posting on articles about it, no one really believed it. They were like "Oh, well sure, if you give him physical access," and of course I didn't have physical access. Basically, I did it to prove that Macs were as vulnerable as anything else, and actually more so at the time and no one really believed me. And that's why I went back the second year.

Where were you finding the vulnerabilities back then?

They were all in the browser, Safari. I think the first one were a bunch of bugs, and then, the next year in 2009 was a bug and the way they parsed fonts, which again was accessible through the browser. The good news was that after the second time the people kind of started to believe that I wasn't just full of it, that these things really were as vulnerable as other devices and actually more so.

A lot of people are kind of saying that your efforts are intentionally focused on Apple, is there something inherent about the company's products, philosophy or are these just pieces of your work that are tending to garner more notice?

It's a direct bonus for me when I find bugs and they get fixed.

One of the main reasons is that I use Apple products. I'm talking to you on an iPhone right now, and my computer is a MacBook. I'm familiar with them, and it's a direct bonus for me when I find bugs and they get fixed... then my stuff that I use is more secure. That's part of it, the other thing is back when I started in 2007, Apple products were a lot easier to find flaws in than Windows, and so it was easier to exploit them because they didn't have the same anti-exploit technology that Windows had. But now, that's not really the case anymore, it's sort of an even playing field, but back then it was quite a bit easier and so, bang for your buck, I could write three to four exploits for OS X in the time it'd take me [to write] one for Windows. It was more of an investment of my time back then, but not anymore.

As far as where the security was, back when you first started, how much more open and vulnerable would you describe OS X as being, as opposed to the Windows operating systems at that time?

They were quite a bit. If you look at something like Vista, or Server 2003, those basically have the main anti-exploitation technologies and for the equivalent on OS X, you'd have to wait for Lion, just a few months ago. As an example, when I won the very first one in 2008, there was no depth so you could just write to memory and execute, exploit and jump right to it -- very trivial to exploit. The actual exploit I used in 2009 would not have worked. I would have not have had to do anything fancy at all to write a very, very unstable exploit, but the fact that I could just write to memory and execute it allowed me to do it, and neither of these things were possible on the Windows side. So, the good news is that things have changed. If you look at Lion, Lion is as hard to write an exploit for as it is for Windows 7, so they're very caught up. Back then, they were very easy pickings.

Based on what you've seen in the Mac OS X 10.6 and 10.7 versions, what has Apple done security wise that's been a step in the right direction?

They fixed a lot of bugs for one thing, but that's hard to measure, to say how much progress they've made compared to other operating systems. But some good things they have done for engineer that are measurable, are the things that I've talked about. They've added anti-exploitation technologies: ASR, which is memory organization and depth, which is separating code from data. That's basically the industry standard for making exploits hard. Lion has also introduced sandboxing in Safari. So now, the thing I usually break into is harder to exploit and now when you do it, typically you'll end up in a process within the browser. That's sandboxed, which makes it at least twice the work because it requires two exploits as opposed to one.

What has been noted most prominently are these iOS shortcomings, do you believe Android has similar weaknesses as iOS, and are there ways in which Google's operating system is more prone to attack?

I pick on iOS a lot, but Android OS is actually in worse shape than Apple is in terms of mobile security.

I pick on iOS a lot, but Android OS is actually in worse shape than Apple is in terms of mobile security. They've just caught up in terms of anti-exploitation technologies. But the thing that really makes Apple different is the way that they guard against malware, and that's what my most recent research is about. On the Android side, it started with a different philosophy: you can download anything you want, and you can run it. The problem with that is that you can have malware for it and you can download malware and run it.

And then you're sort of in the same boat with Windows for years -- you have to be careful with what you download. On the Apple side, they went with the approach that Apple has all the control. What that means is, you can't download any program you want and run it, you can only download from the App Store. In order to do that, Apple has to take a look at them, approve them, and sign them. The bad news is that you can't just download anything you want, but the good news is that you can feel pretty safe download and running programs and it won't do something bad. While you've seen some malware for Android, you haven't really seen any for iOS because of exactly this reason.

Getting back to Apple, what sort of security weakness do you think are really out there for iOS, even with iOS 5.0 and 5.0.1 in its second beta at this point and time?

There's obviously the one that I am talking about, which has to deal with the actual code and that basically breaks what I was describing before, which is the way that they protect from malware. If we jump ahead a month, or however long it's going to take for them to patch that, it's actually really solid. I mentioned it has the anti-exploitation technology that's lined up, it has some encryption, although it's not that great, but at least there are ways to set it up for remote wipe and remote lock, which are important for mobile devices because you're way more likely to lose it in the backseat of a taxi than you are to actually get attacked by someone.

In your opinion, is it worth jailbreaking either an iOS or an Android device, or do you feel that the risks outweigh the benefits that you are going to get from this?

It doesn't just turn off good things; it turns off a lot of the security, so you really have to want whatever it is that you need with jailbreak, in order to give up all this security.

Definitely when you jailbreak an iOS device, you've really affected the security of the device. You turn off code signing, which means that you can download anything, but it also means you can download anything, meaning it can be bad code too. That's the one thing everyone knows about, but protection means a lot more, too. Jailbreak adds a bunch more code, it starts running things as root, like as an example, you might have an SSH server running as root, or other programs you install running as root, which is of course a higher level privilege, and they're very careful on a stock iOS device not to let you do that.

So you've got things running, and the new programs that are running, aren't running in the sandbox anymore. Jailbreak turns off a lot of the memory protection, so the thing that I was talking about before, the flaw I found this time; you get automatically on a jailbroken device. It doesn't just turn off good things; it turns off a lot of the security, so you really have to want whatever it is that you need with jailbreak, in order to give up all this security. For most people, I can't imagine it's worth it, but if there's something you just have to have, then I guess it's worth it. For me, for research purposes, I usually have to jailbreak my devices, but right now my phone is not jailbroken.

In terms of just overall security, Mac or desktop, if you had to pick any company that's doing it the right way in your opinion -- it could even be webOS -- who do you feel is doing it right?

Hrmmm. That's a good question. It used to be that there were enough differences that allow you to differentiate. When I got into the game, OS X was partially behind, and you can prove that to someone who wouldn't listen to you. But now, most OS' are close enough in that level of security. It's really nit-picky to try and separate. They're all pretty good. I hate to say one over the other because the things that you see now and the differences are so small compared to what they were, that they're all pretty decent at this point.

Getting to the most sticky point in this moment in time, do you feel that Apple's removal of your app store developer account was excessive. What would you have done, if you were in their shoes?

So regardless of the consequences, I thought I needed to let people know about this, just so they can make informed decisions about the security of their devices.

Whether it was excessive, I don't know. I certainly broke the terms of service and they had the right to remove my account, but for me, I didn't really consider or I didn't really care what they would do -- I thought it was important enough to let people know about these problems. I couldn't sit and let people know that you could be potentially downloading malware from the App Store, when up until now, everyone -- Apple, myself -- considers it as, "basically you don't get malware on iOS, right?"

So regardless of the consequences, I thought I needed to let people know about this, just so they can make informed decisions about the security of their devices. So they still download everything from the App Store, great. If they want to download my apps, that would've been fine. If they're worried about their security, then they know to sort of hang out and wait till the patch comes out, and then I can start downloading. And even then, I know in the back of my head that there's going to be another bug, like the one Charlie Miller talks about, and I need to be a little careful. So as far as getting my account removed, it's a bummer and I wish they wouldn't have done it, and I think it's shortsighted on their part. From my perspective, I don't really care. For me it's more important to get the message out than whether I have a developer account.

Do you believe you can get the account back?

I don't know how [laughter]. Maybe, but I don't have any idea how to make that happen.

Maybe some nice stationary and an apology letter?

Like I said, I don't think I have anything to apologize for. Given the choice I'd do it again, because I think letting people know about the risk is more important than the $99 account I had.

At this point, what are you overall feelings about Apple, their security and their overall product line?

They've made a ton of progress. If you look back at the iPhone when it first came out in 2007 it was a disaster, security wise. The web browser ran as root, and that's about as bad as it gets right there. There's no sandboxing, there's no code signing, nothing. So if you compare that with the iPhone now, which I say quite openly, that it's a very secure device. As far as Apple itself, I don't get much insight into what they do and the people that are there, sort of a closed community. I know they've been hiring some pretty smart people and that's been paying off. Unfortunately, this latest incident has sort of put a damper on my outlook for them, but hopefully it will work itself out.

What would you tell someone looking to follow in your shoes as a security analyst, what would you say to them?

I think the best thing to do is jump in, get your hands dirty and try and learn that way.

I get this question a lot and unfortunately it's hard to follow my exact footprints, because not everyone can get a job at the NSA and have them train you. Beyond that, probably, my advice I give out to a lot of people is to read some books; there are ones that I recommend. And then, most importantly, just jump in and find the programs that interest you, and tear it apart, see how it works. See if you can find a flaw. Look at exploits.

Download the program that I wrote. Figure out how it works, what was the flaw, why was it there, how did it work? Computer security is a really hands-on activity, and that's why I'm sure it's not properly taught at a university. It's more of a craft, and you have to have an apprenticeship and I had that at NSA in their three year program, where I did nothing but learn and then I was ready to go. I think the best thing to do is jump in, get your hands dirty and try and learn that way.

My Keepon: Kinect-ing hackers and goths through the art of dance (video)

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 09:12 AM PST

If rhythm is a dancer, then My Keepon is a goth. The adorable, Snowman-like (yellow snow, in this case) bot just recently received a wallet-friendly retail debut, so join us in the not-surprised-to-see-this-get-a-Kinect-hack (by way of Arduino) camp. Granted, the lil' guy's moves may be stilted, but he's clearly not the star of this YouTube show. We were more impressed with his gesture-cuing Gepetto's discotheque living room get down. So, do you think you can dance to industrial music and mod this $35 holiday hot toy? Then clearly you need to hit up the source for all the necessary coding bits. But first, be sure to take a gander at the industrial grind after the break.

Cedar Trail Eee PCs get previewed in ASUS magazine

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 08:53 AM PST

Today we learned that ASUS produces its own in-house magazine, stuffed full of thoughtful pieces about the company's products. This season's festive edition of Tech in Style included a holiday gift guide (exclusively packed with ASUS products, of course) and a first look at the Cedar Trail-powered Eee PC 1025C and 1025CE netbooks. Both ship with the latest 32nm processors, come in a variety of colors, have 12 of hours battery life and pack a 10.1-inch slim LED WSVGA (1024 x 600) display. The CE model adds USB 3.0, USB Charger+ (letting you recharge your cellphone even when the Eee is switched off) and WiFi direct connect, which can network with other devices without a standalone router. Both models have already passed inspection by the FCC, so it's likely we could see the wee beasties arriving just in time for the holiday buying season. Head on after the break to see the full page, hewn from ASUS' very own Tech in Style.

Ice Cream Sandwich ported to a Galaxy S II... and the people rejoice (update: LG Optimus 3D too!)

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 08:35 AM PST

Man, these hackers work fast. It was just earlier this week when Google released the source code for Ice Cream Sandwich, and a mere four days later the new OS has made its way onto Samsung's Galaxy S II. While ICS is looking good on the GSII's gorgeous AMOLED display, the port is still an alpha -- the Bluetooth, WiFi and other radios aren't functioning just yet, but work is ongoing, and future releases are coming soon. Sound good? Well, wait'll you get a load of the port in action in the video after the break.

Update: And the ports are coming fast and furious now -- somebody gave the ICS treatment to an LG Optimus 3D.


Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: printers

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 08:00 AM PST

Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season.

Yeah, yeah... we know -- paper is so 20th century. But truth be told, there are still a lot of us that have use for the old-fashioned printed page. Whether you're a student who needs to output seven copies of that term paper, or an aspiring photog looking to cut down on professional printing costs, we have some thoughts on what to look for this holiday season. Perhaps you're ready to take those homemade Christmas cards to the next level? Print them yourself! Who doesn't love an early present? Read on past the break to see just what caught our eye this year.


Inkjet


Canon PIXMA iP4920


If you're looking for a solid, well-rounded inkjet printer, this may be your best bet. The iP4920 handles both text and photos well and its prints will even outlive you, lasting up to 300 years thanks to Canon's ChromaLife100+ technology.

Key specs: 5-color ink system with laser-quality text output, borderless 4x6 photos in 20 seconds, turns HD clips into high quality prints, print directly on CDs, DVDs or Blu-ray Discs.

Price: $77.47 on Amazon


You might also like...




Epson WorkForce 40

Nothing too flashy here, but the WiFi and Ethernet connectivity are nice additions. You'll also get laser-quality text and excellent photo output with images that are dry to the touch immediately after printing.

Price: $99 from Epson



HP Officejet 7000

Looking to go a little larger with your prints? You won't find a much cheaper 13x19 printer than this wide-format machine. You'll be able to share this bad boy via Ethernet with up to five other users as well.

Price: $125 on Amazon



Laser


Brother HL-2280DW


Color? We don't need no stinkin' color. Sometimes you only need plain old black and white to get your point across, and this machine can do just that, on a budget. It also boasts wireless networking and automatic duplex printing -- so you can print on both sides of the trees you sacrifice for that Tolstoy literary analysis.

Key specs: 27ppm, wireless / Ethernet connectivity, 250 sheet capacity tray, automatic duplexing for two-sided printing.

Price: $125 on Amazon


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Brother HL-4150CDN

If you're needing a color laser printer, you're going to pay dearly for it. And with that being a given, you might as well go all out with this selection. Networking, color printing and duplex capabilities may soften the blow, a little.

Price: $315 on Amazon



HP LaserJet Pro M1217nfw

Sure, it's technically an all-in-one, but for a few extra dollars you can grab copy, scan and fax options. Wireless networking make this a nice option for your home office, especially if color just isn't your bag.

Price: $197 on Amazon



All-in-one


Epson Artisan 730


If it's a jack-of-all-trades you're looking for, this may very well be it. You'll get copy, print, scan and photo capabilities all in the same box. Not only that, but you'll be able to plug those microSD and CF cards directly into the printer for easy access via a built-in touchscreen panel.

Key specs: 4-in-1 functionality, WiFi, 2.5-inch LCD touch panel, 4x6 photos in 10 seconds, printing from mobile devices, CD / DVD printing without labels, Claria Hi-Definition dye inks.

Price: $125 on Amazon


You might also like...




HP Photosmart 6510

A 3.5-inch touchscreen lets you make sure everything looks great before you start cranking out that print job, letting you avoid that absurdly pricey ink. Memory card slots and iOS compatibility allow quick printing should the need arise.

Price: $120 on Amazon



Epson Artisan 837

Still have to send those pesky faxes and have a little extra coin to throw down on a printer? This beast does it all and features a 3.5-inch LCD on its 7.8-inch touch panel. WiFi is still good to go, as are memory cards slots and an automatic document feeder.

Price: $229 on Amazon

Nokia spreads a brimful of Asha 201 across the FCC

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 07:41 AM PST

Well, what do we have here? Looks like the Commission's "surgeons" got their rubber-gloved mitts on Espoo's pretty in pink (or is that purple?) Asha 201. Bearing the model number RM-800, the filing for this low-end, Series 40 handset made for emerging markets does a lot of showing, but not much telling. The report's chock full of testing photos and even the device's user manual. But, aside from Bluetooth, there's nary a hint of the radios onboard. No matter, we know this Easy Swap-less portrait QWERTY's headed for an around the world GSM tour in myriad colors. Feel free to rubberneck the exposed internals at the source link below.

Engadget Podcast 265 - 11.18.2011

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 07:20 AM PST

There's no better way to live out your TGIF dreams than to kick back with a stack of tablets and a a nice, tall glass of The Engadget Podcast...unless it's The Engadget Podcast with a side of Engadget father (and gdgt co-founder) Peter Rojas. Come with us as we take audio tours of The Modern Cloud and The Modern Bookstore, with a brief stop at your virtual homes to answer your burning-est questions about the week in tech.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: Peter Rojas (gdgt)
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: More Than A Feeling

01:20 - Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ first impressions (video)
05:32 - Qualcomm announces Snapdragon S4 Liquid mobile development platform tablet on The Engadget Show, we go hands-on (video)
10:08 - Amazon Kindle Fire review
13:00 - Amazon Kindle Touch review
18:19 - Kobo Vox unboxing and hands-on (video)
26:05 - Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet unboxing and hands-on (video)
41:51 - Google Music drops beta, MP3 store and Google+ integration along for the ride (updated)
43:07 - Google Music Artist Hub helps musicians promote, sell music (video)
44:00 - Google partners with Universal, EMI, Sony Music, 23 independent labels on Google Music, scores exclusive content
45:00 - Hands-on with Google Music MP3 store for web and the new Music app
47:56 - iTunes Match goes live: sync up your entire music collection for $24.99 a year
51:35 - HTC Rezound review
01:00:05 - Listener questions








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

Texas judge says warrantless cellphone tracking violates Fourth Amendment, saga continues

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 06:58 AM PST

Rev up the bureaucratic turbines, because a judge in Texas has determined that warrantless cellphone tracking is indeed unconstitutional. In a brief decision issued earlier this month, US District Judge Lynn N. Hughes of the Southern District of Texas argued that seizing cellphone records without a search warrant constitutes a violation of the Fourth Amendment. "The records would show the date, time, called number, and location of the telephone when the call was made," Judge Hughes wrote in the ruling, linked below. "These data are constitutionally protected from this intrusion." The decision comes in response to an earlier ruling issued last year by Magistrate Judge Stephen Smith, also of the Southern District of Texas. In that case, Judge Smith argued against unwarranted wiretapping on similarly constitutional grounds, pointing out that with today's tracking technology, every aspect of a suspect's life could be "imperceptibly captured, compiled, and retrieved from a digital dossier somewhere in a computer cloud."

The federal government appealed Judge Smith's ruling on the grounds that the Fourth Amendment would not apply to cellphone tracking, because "a customer has no privacy interest in business records held by a cell phone provider, as they are not the customer's private papers." Judge Hughes' decision, however, effectively overrules this appeal. "When the government requests records from cellular services, data disclosing the location of the telephone at the time of particular calls may be acquired only by a warrant issued on probable cause," Judge Hughes wrote. "The standard under [today's law] is below that required by the Constitution." The law in question, of course, is the Stored Communications Act -- a law bundled under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, which allows investigators to obtain electronic records without a warrant. This month's decision implicitly calls for this law to be reconsidered or revised, though it's certainly not the only ruling to challenge it, and it likely won't be the last, either.

Nyko Power Grip review

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 06:17 AM PST

Nyko Power Grip review
There have been more than a few third-party responses to the Nintendo 3DS' notably short battery life, from grips to clips, to full-on battery replacements. Despite their best efforts, these products still fall short of making the fledgling handheld international flight-ready, leaving globetrotting gamers with idle thumbs. Can't we do better? Nyko thinks so, and promises to triple the battery life of a standard 3DS with its latest accessory, the Nyko Power Grip. Other products have boasted double, but three times the play time? Now we're interested. We gave the Grip a run for its money -- read on if you want to know if it is worth yours.
Nyko Power Grip review
Nyko Battery Grip review


Hardware and installation

Nyko's Power Grip is a lightweight backing covered in a soft faux-rubber grip. On its front lip there's a window for the console's headphone jack and a pair of tiny holes for the power and charging LEDs to shine through. The left and right sides of grip feature labeled cutaways for the handheld's volume and wireless controls, respectively, and the rear sports a slightly relocated charging port (now on the right side of the cartridge slot) covered in a rubberized flap. On the bottom, the grip has a pair of recessed grooves for the player's fingers (more on that later). The plastic lips that cradle the 3DS feel strong and immovable, and feels like they could take a beating in your backpack, or in a crowded accessory drawer.



We handed the 3DS to a smaller-fingered friend, and her digits slipped right in, naturally hooking into the recessed groove.

Installation is a literal snap; simply drop the 3DS into place, push down slightly, and lock the handheld in. The Grip hugs the console tightly, latching on to a pair of small indentations on the handheld's back edge. The cradle shaped backing keeps the console in a death grip, in fact, we had to pry the rear latches off with our fingernails to pop out the 3DS at all. Just to the left of the cartridge slot, a rather bulky nub jets out where the Grip connects to the 3DS' charging contacts -- although it leaves the handheld's R button fully accessible, its raised surface can prove uncomfortable for gamers who use the edge as a finger rest.

Once installed, the grip makes the handheld about a third thicker, with its supersized back making the system feel a little less cramped for gamers with larger hands. The battery's actual "grips," the trench-like grooves on its underside, left us with the impression that the Power Grip wasn't made for our meaty mitts. We handed the 3DS to a smaller-fingered friend, and her digits slipped right in, naturally hooking into the recessed groove. Although our larger hands couldn't make use of the grip's contours, the soft-touch back was large enough that our normal 3DS death grip worked just fine.

Performance


Nyko's latest 3DS accessory can have all the soft-touch backs and finger grooves it wants, but it has to live by the promise on its packaging: "3X the playtime vs original." We pushed the battery backing through a number of tests at different settings, pitting it not only against the 3DS' stock battery, but Nyko's own Power Pak +. We used Super Street Fighter VI as our test game, setting the AI to continuously attack while in the game's training mode. Depending on the handheld's settings, the Grip either broke the 3X battery barrier, dented it, or outright missed it.

Our first test was the most brutal -- we cranked the 3DS' brightness to max, flipped off the console's power saving mode, enabled WiFi and turned up the handhelds 3D and Volume controls -- draining the Nyko Power Grip dead after a mere six hours and 34 minutes. This was still a cut above the stock battery's 2:59 runtime, and even a leg above the Power Pak+'s five and a quarter hour streak, but still fell pretty far from the triple playtime promise.


Our mid-range test got us quite a bit closer. Simply dropping the brightness down to medium got the Grip to nine hours and 26 minutes -- still about 90 minutes short of tripling the stock battery's three and a half hour runtime, but close enough to make us feel like we were getting somewhere. The Grip's real triumph came in the endurance test -- after switching WiFi and volume off, killing the extra dimension, dimming brightness down to minimum and flicking on the 3DS' power-saving mode, the Nyko Power Grip was pushing 14 hours of playtime. We ran the test twice to be sure, and each time the battery quit within ten minutes of the fourteenth hour. The original battery quit after four and a half hours, and the Power Pak + fell a quarter hour short of nine. Here, is where the Grip finally fulfilled its box's promise, lasting more than three times as long as the 3DS' original battery.

Unlike the Power Pak +, you won't get a reading from the 3DS as to how much charge the Nyko battery has, as long as the Grip isn't dead (and your 3DS is fully charged), the console's battery will read as full. While this isn't a major problem, it does make it difficult to tell how much juice the external battery has left. A red LED blinks when the Grip is reaching critical, and a green LED indicates a full charge, but that's all the notification you'll get. The console doesn't seem to dip into its own battery reserves until the Grip is stone dead, and when the external unit does call it quits, you can detach it and charge it independently of the 3DS itself.

Wrap-up


Nyko's 3DS Power Grip won't universally triple your battery life, but it is defiantly capable of it when all the pieces are in place. Visual luxuries like the handheld's headlining three-dee feature and the screen's higher brightness settings will handicap the external power pack, but it will still give you enough juice to at least double your playtime. The battery's stylized grip grooves are a bit small for gamers with larger hands, and unit's bulk will definitely keep your portable out of your pocket. Are these flaws a deal breaker? Not at all. The Nyko Power Grip knows what it is -- a battery accessory, not a battery replacement. It's a durable, mostly comfortable, grippable power cradle that's tough enough to be idly tossed in a bag, and powerful enough to get you through your next long-haul flight.

iPhone case offers up literal kaleidoscope of Holga lens effects

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 05:59 AM PST

Sometimes photo apps just don't cut it. Sometimes you want instant color filters and split image gratification. Now they're here with a turn of a dial, though it looks suspiciously like something your parents might have played with in the distant past. Holga's iPhone Lens Filter will fit both iPhone 4 and 4S models and there are nine different lens effects to meddle with. The case itself is up for grabs in some curiously Nokia-esque colors options available for $25 in white, silver, black, blue and red. If tinted photography sends you into a spin, you can direct yourself to the source link below.

Rimac Automobili's Concept One supercar spotted in action, looks super (video)

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 05:37 AM PST

Back in September, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Concept One -- the first electric supercar from Croatia's Rimac Automobili. Boasting a full 1,088 horsepower and capable of going from 0-62MPH in just 2.8 seconds, the Concept One is still very much a concept, but today, we've got video proof that it actually works. Spotted by an eagle-eyed tipster, the 70-second clip is a bit shaky, and doesn't show the car doing much more than pulling out of the driveway, but at least it's something. No word yet on whether the Concept One is moving any closer to production, though we're certainly keeping our fingers crossed. Cruise past the break to see it in action for yourself.

[Thanks, Matthaus]

Engadget Distro Issue 13 takes on Stephen Elop, the Kindle Fire and Lenovo's Ultrabook

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 05:15 AM PST

This week's issue of everyone's favorite weekly magazine (we checked, it's legit), Engadget Distro, brings with it our very first Q&A, and what better subject to start things off than Mr. Stephen Elop? Sitting down with our own man in charge, Nokia's CEO gets candid about leading the outfit's restructuring, Lumia's launch on American soil and the death of MeeGo. As if he wasn't busy enough trotting the globe to meet with international businessmen, Tim also took time out of his busy schedule to bring you his review of both the Kindle Fire and the Galaxy Tab 8.9. We've also got our review of the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket, Lenovo's take on the Ultrabook, the IdeaPad U300s, another installment of In Real Life and Ross Rubin take on the tablet wars. So don't just sit there, get to downloading!

Distro Issue 13 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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

FCC Fridays: November 18, 2011

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 04:50 AM PST

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 Tablets and peripherals

Motorola Motokey Social set to Like Telus November 21st

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 04:26 AM PST

We've seen the official product page of the Motokey Social, a new Facebook Phone with the special blue button, and we knew it was heading to Telus. All we needed to seal the deal was the date, and now we have it: the Motokey Social and Telus will change their status to "In a Relationship" on November 21st, and you can take part of the festivities. It's no Android, of course, but it offers as 3MP camera, 2.4-inch QVGA (320 x 240) touchscreen display, five home screen panels, social network access and the Opera Mini browser for data. And at $80 as a prepaid option, parents up north may be looking to pick a few of these up for the young 'uns on Black Friday. More info can be found in the press release after the break.
Show full PR text
Social Networking in the Palm of Your Hand with MOTOKEY™ SOCIAL from Motorola Mobility and TELUS

With its QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen and quick access to Facebook, MOTOKEY SOCIAL makes sharing and connecting with your social network a breeze

Nov. 17, 2011

TORONTO - Nov. 17, 2011 – Life doesn't stop and neither should your ability to share with your friends, with the socially savvy MOTOKEY™ SOCIAL, brought to you by Motorola Mobility Canada Ltd. and now available at TELUS Prepaid. The compact device features a full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen, giving users the options they want to connect with family and friends, including one-key access to Facebook.

With a full QWERTY keyboard and 2.4-inch touchscreen display, MOTOKEY SOCIAL offers comfortable, intuitive operation and easy data entry. At less than 10mm thin, the ultra-slim device fits easily into your palm, pocket or purse. MOTOKEY SOCIAL also has five different home screens, two interface themes and built in links to Facebook, Twitter and other popular social networking sites, an Opera Mini browser and email service.

"We understand the importance of smartphone-like features on competitively priced devices," says Carly Biggart, national account manager, Motorola Mobility Canada. "MOTOKEY SOCIAL offers both practical and fun features that suit your everyday lifestyle, and its dedicated Facebook key keeps you connected to your social circles."

MOTOKEY SOCIAL also comes with a 3-megapixel camera so users can catch life's memorable moments wherever and whenever they occur. With support for a microSD card of up to 32 GB, high-speed USB 2.0 file transfer and support for multiple audio and image formats, users can store a host of music and images on the handset. The device also comes equipped with Bluetooth® and stereo radio, as well as a 3.5 mm earphone jack for high quality audio.

MOTOKEY SOCIAL will be available November 21 to TELUS Prepaid customers for $89.99.

Dell finally swaps BlackBerry smartphones for Venue Pros, now that nobody else wants one

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 04:01 AM PST

Wouldn't you know it, but a full year after we originally reported the story, Dell has finally made good on that promise to replace its BlackBerry smartphones with the company's own Venue Pro handsets -- for the most part, anyway. You see, of the 30,000 BlackBerry units currently in deployment, Dell has swapped approximately 15,000 of them. Still, the glass appears to be half full in Round Rock, with the company's Chief Information Officer, Robin Johnson, touting the alleged cost-savings of the switcheroo. For its part, RIM has called the move a sheer publicity stunt. Hey, why can't it be both?

Behind Amazon's Silk browser lurks a really fast supercomputer

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 03:19 AM PST

We were hardly shocked to see Fujitsu atop the most recent list of the world's fastest supercomputers, but perhaps more surprising is the fact that Amazon cracked the top 50, as well. Turns out, the company's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) servers are powered by a Linux-based, 240-teraflop beast that boasts 17,024 cores, 66,000 GB of memory, and a ten gigabit Ethernet interconnect. That's good for 42nd place on Top 500's global rankings, and it's also good enough to power Silk, the browser you'll find on the Kindle Fire. But Amazon has a long way to go before catching up with the Fujitsu K, which recently cracked that vaunted ten petaflop barrier.

Plextor outs M3S SSD: SATA III and an 'ironclad' five-year warranty from $199

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 02:18 AM PST

Harken to the news of Plextor's latest 2.5-inch SSD, which beats previous offerings with three things you can't complain about: a lower price, a modest spec bump and an extra two annums beyond the usual three-year warranty. The M3S employs SATA III and a Marvell controller to deliver speeds of 525MB/s and 445MB/s for sequential reads and writes, and 70,000 and 65,000 IOPS for random reads and writes. The lowest 128GB capacity will sell for $200 from the end of this month, alongside a 256GB variant for $350 and -- from early next year -- 512GB for $700. The company's proprietary True Speed software is also in attendance, which claims to preserve "like-new" rapidity even as the drive fills up with fragmented data. You'll find further specs in the PR after the break, but alas it has none of the third-person narrative flair we saw last time.
Show full PR text
NEW PLEXTOR M3S SSD IS THE IDEAL COMBINATION OF SPEED & RELIABILITY

M3S SSD Series Features True Speed Technology and Five Year Warranty

Fremont, CA, November 16, 2011- Plextor LLC (www.goplextor.com), leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and storage equipment, announces the release of its latest Solid State Drive, the M3S Series. The M3S is a 2.5" form factor SSD featuring True Speed technology and an extended five-year ironclad warranty.

The M3S Series is available in three capacities: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The M3S delivers sequential read/write speeds of up to 525/445 MB/s and random read/write speeds of up to 70,000/65,000 IOPS.

The M3S features exclusive firmware with True Speed technology, including Plextor's proprietary Bad Block Management, Global Wear Leveling, and Instant Restore technologies that optimize performance. True Speed is designed to prevent drastic drops in read/write speeds that normally occur with SSDs after prolonged use or when data becomes heavily fragmented. True Speed technology will maintain the M3S' high performance and read/write speeds at like-new levels throughout the life of the drive.

Plextor strives to exceed industry standards with rigorous benchmark testing; before leaving the factory, each Plextor SSD is put through a 20-hour high temperature burn-in test and an intense simulation of real world environments. As a result, Plextor SSDs have a 0.59% average annual failure rate, which is one of the lowest in the industry.

"The M3S has all of the key components Plextor strives for – fast performance, the latest technology, reliability, and quality. It's not just speed that matters to Plextor, but high performance that can be sustained after years of intensive use and continuous operation." said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager.

Furthermore, M3S SSDs uses the latest SATA 6Gb/s (SATA III) interface, Marvell's server-grade controller, and Toshiba 24nm NAND flash. Also supported by the flash is a 1.8V power mode, providing the M3S with extremely low-power consumption making it a very eco-friendly product.
Additional features of the M3S include an award winning disk cloning, backup, and analysis utility, making it easy and fuss-free to migrate data from a traditional HDD to an SSD. It also comes with a 3.5" mounting bracket and screws for desktop installation making it ideal for both laptop and desktop installations.

The M3S offers a perfect solution for businesses, power users, serious gamers, system integrators, and anyone who demands a drive with high efficiency and fast performance. The M3S 128GB and 256GB will be available in late-November 2011 with an MSRP of $199.99 and $349.99 respectively. M3S 512GB will be available in the first quarter of 2012 with an MSRP of $699.99.

Samsung Galaxy Note now available on O2 in the UK, priced at around $400

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 01:20 AM PST

Well, that didn't take long. Less than a week after O2 announced that the Galaxy Note would be "coming soon," Samsung's 5.3-inch handset has just popped up for sale on the UK carrier's site. It's available now for £250 (or about $396) on the most basic of monthly plans, offering a hybridized notepad/tablet experience, in exchange. The provider is also offering £100 worth of free movies and music to early buyers, available for download via Samsung Hub. Interested parties can grab it now, at the source link below.

[Thanks, George]

Motorola Mobility stockholders happy with Google merger, 9 out of 10 dentists agree

Posted: 18 Nov 2011 12:28 AM PST

The people have spoken, and they're pleased. Said people, of course, are Motorola Mobility's shareholders, who have given a seal of overwhelming approval to the company's merger with Google. The company confirmed this sentiment in a statement issued yesterday, declaring that a full 99 percent of shareholders gave a thumbs up to Big G's acquisition at a recent meeting that comprised 74 percent of all outstanding shares. It's likely that much of this optimism was fueled by a rosier Q3 earnings report (not to mention the relatively favorable conditions upon which the acquisition was determined), but Googorola isn't entirely out of the woods, as the federal government must still give the deal its final approval. Motorola Mobility says that should happen by early next year, though it acknowledges the potential for delay. Read the full statement, after the break.
Show full PR text
Motorola Mobility Stockholders Approve Merger with Google

Nov. 17, 2011

LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Nov. 17, 2011 – Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) ("Motorola Mobility") today announced that at the Company's Special Meeting of Stockholders held today, stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed merger with Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) ("Google").

Approximately 99 percent of the shares voting at today's Special Meeting of Stockholders voted in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement, which represented approximately 74 percent of Motorola Mobility's total outstanding shares of common stock as of the October 11, 2011 record date for the Special Meeting.

Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, "We are pleased and gratified by the strong support we have received from our stockholders, with more than 99 percent of the voting shares voting in support of the transaction. We look forward to working with Google to realize the significant value this combination will bring to our stockholders and all the new opportunities it will provide our dedicated employees, customers, and partners."

As previously announced on August 15, 2011, Motorola Mobility and Google entered into a definitive agreement for Google to acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $12.5 billion. The Company previously disclosed that it expected the merger to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012. While the Company continues to work to complete the transaction as expeditiously as possible, given the schedule of regulatory filings, it currently believes that the close is expected to occur in early 2012. It is important to note however, that the merger is subject to various closing conditions, and it is possible that the failure to timely meet such conditions or other factors outside of the Company's control could delay or prevent the Company from completing the merger altogether.

MediaTek-powered ZTE MT73 packs TD-LTE, TD-SCDMA, GSM, dual SIM and magic dust

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:38 PM PST

Here's a funny one we spotted at China Mobile's booth at Mobile Asia Congress: a ZTE Android phone powered by a MediaTek chipset that supports TD-LTE, TD-SCDMA, GSM and dual SIM! Of course, given that China Mobile is currently the exclusive carrier to the TD-SCDMA technology, we're not expecting this peculiar device to pop up anywhere beyond the Great Wall any time soon; but knowing that there's a dual-SIM LTE phone somewhere on this planet still makes our day.

Spec-wise this MT73 prototype features Android 2.3.4, an 800MHz processor, 1GB of RAM, a 4.1-inch 854 x 480 LCD with capacitive touchscreen, a five megapixel main camera, a VGA front-facing camera and a 1,100mAh battery. As per usual ZTE build quality, there's an inevitable cheap feel upon laying our hands on this phone, but we'll give ZTE the benefit of the doubt and wait for the final version. As for a launch date, the folks at China Mobile said it'll depend on when will the government issue a commercial license for TD-LTE. To keep you occupied for the time being, we have a hands-on video right after the break.

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

SwiftKey X 2.2 arrives for smartphones and tablets with support for 35 languages

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 11:00 PM PST

If you're unhappy with your current Android keyboard, TouchType would like to think that it delivers a better option. The company's popular input alternative, SwiftKey X, has just received another major update -- this time with support for 35 languages, along with full localization for the major European ones. Even if you happen to speak plain ol' English, the software promises better accuracy and prediction than before with a new multitouch framework. There's even something for those who like to go really alternative, as Dvorak and Colemak layouts have been added to the mix. Topping it all off, version 2.2 introduces support for Ice Cream Sandwich, along with a host of user interface refinements -- which you'll find in the gallery below. After a quick run around the block with SwiftKey's latest, we must say that we were quite pleased. Then again, we happen to really like Android's stock keyboard, too. As for the complete list of languages, just check the PR after the break.
SwiftKey X 2.2
Show full PR text
With the launch of its version 2.2 of SwiftKey X and SwiftKey Tablet X, the company is as close as its ever been to delivering the utopian touchscreen typing experience. A faster, artificially intelligent language engine; the best multi-touch keyboard implementation ever experienced; lashing of UI polish... and that's without mentioning the incredible boost in language coverage.

This new version of SwiftKey continues to set the standard for phone and tablet communication. It has the most powerful language technology that's ever been engineered for typing on a touchscreen, coupled with a smooth and polished user interface and an ever-growing suite of great features. Those who haven't tried SwiftKey yet should be asking why; millions of downloads and one of the world's highest app rankings are just two reasons the company knows that this technology is here to stay.

SWIFTKEY X and SWIFTKEY TABLET X (v. 2.2 UPDATE)

TOP FEATURES:

Full language localization for major European languages
Typing support extended to 35 languages, including Arabic and Hebrew
New multi-touch framework for faster typing
Prediction/correction boosted by faster, more efficient Fluency engine
Full support for Android 4.0 operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich)
UX enhancements, including better settings menu, alternative character selection and sharing features

LANGUAGES, LANGUAGES, LANGUAGES!

With this release of SwiftKey X and SwiftKey Tablet X v2.2, the company has taken a major leap forward with its language support. For the first time, users who primarily communicate in Spanish, French, Italian and German (and perhaps Portuguese - tbc) will have an end-to-end SwiftKey experience in their native tongue (in addition to English, of course).

SwiftKey also now offers typing support for a grand total of 35 languages, giving speakers of everything from Afrikaans to Ukrainian an unrivaled prediction and correction experience as they type. SwiftKey's latest supported languages are Arabic and Hebrew, and SwiftKey users are of course able to enable up to three languages at once, for a seamless multilingual communication experience.

Full list of supported languages:

Afrikaans

Arabic

Basque

Bulgarian

Catalan

Croatian

Czech

Danish

Dutch

English (UK)

English (US)

Finnish

French (CA)

French (FR)

Galician

German

Greek

Hebrew

Hungarian

Indonesian

Italian

Kazakh

Norwegian

Polish

Portuguese (BR)

Portuguese (PT)

Romanian

Russian

Slovak

Slovenian

Spanish (ES)

Spanish (US)

Swedish

Turkish

Ukrainian

MULTI-TOUCH FOR SPEED FREAKS: SwiftKey redesigned its multi-touch framework to enable the fastest speed typing and accuracy from a touchscreen keyboard yet. Using all the power of our Fluency language inference engine, users can now type at lighting-fast speeds without accuracy and SwiftKey is able to make sense of their multiple, successive key-presses, offering the world's best personal touchscreen correction experience. We've also added the Dvorak and Colemak keyboard layouts for typists who prefer these more efficient options.

A FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT ENGINE: The team of SwiftKey engineers have been hard at work making Fluency, the clever language tech that powers SwiftKey's corrections and predictions, even faster and more efficient. For the end user, this means SwiftKey will operate faster and use less memory, especially on slower handsets. It's as if we've just doubled the MPG of the SwiftKey engine.

UX POLISH TO MAKE YOU SMILE: SwiftKey version 2.2 is the release that'll make UX fans smile. The company's made a range of UX tweaks that improve the overall look and feel of SwiftKey X. This includes the ability to adjust the keyboard key height in both portrait and landscape, an improved implementation of our alternative character selection for users who long-press, and a clear settings menu layout. Other UX improvement highlights include full support for Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), an improved menu for sharing SwiftKey with your friends, and a better implementation of the typing heatmap graphic, which shows you how Fluency models your typing accuracy with each key to improve predictions.

aTV Flash (black) leaves beta, grants your Apple TV media-playing super powers

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 10:29 PM PST

aTV Flash (black)
We're definitely of the opinion that the dedicated devs who do all the heavy lifting so you can tweak and hack your pile of gadgets deserve a little something for their troubles. That being said, Firecore's aTV Flash (black) is still going to be a tough sell at $30 (now that it's left beta). But, before you go, perhaps you'd like to know what that chunk of cash will enable your 2nd-gen Apple TV to do. For one, it blesses Cupertino's hobby set-top with an all new media player that can open AVI, MKV, MP4, ISO and host of other file formats. There's also an HTML5 browser for surfing the web and streaming media. Want more apps? How about a Plex client and Last.FM radio? Perhaps best of all, though, it allows you to play back files stored on a PC, Mac or NAS without the need for iTunes. Check out the video demo after the break.

Archos debuts Arnova 9 G2 Android tablet, offers Gingerbread on a 9.7-inch IPS display

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 09:49 PM PST

Archos' new Arnova 9 G2 tablet looks to be the very definition of a mixed bag. It's part of the company's budget-minded Arnova line, so it will likely be relatively inexpensive (there's still no official word on a price), and it packs some specs that range from decent to high-end, including a 1GHz ARM A8 processor and a 9.7-inch IPS display with a 1,024 x 768 resolution (the same as the iPad). But it also runs the smartphone-minded Android 2.3 OS on that decidedly tablet-sized display and, as with other inexpensive Android tablets, you'll have to make do without official access to the Android Market (Archos offers the Appslib application store instead). Still curious? Details on everything but a price and release date can be found at the source link below.

Update: Matias emailed to let us know that he spotted an official listing for this device on Amazon.de, carrying a price of 250 Euro. If you're interested, that's about 340 of our American dollars.

Official ICQ client coming to Windows Phone

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 09:04 PM PST

Of the 100 million registered ICQ accounts, we really must wonder how many of them remain active. Still, the vintage instant messaging platform remains quite viable in some regions, and we're happy to report that the software's new owner is treating both it, and Windows Phone, with the respect they deserve. That's right, the Mail.ru Group has announced the upcoming version of "I seek you" for Microsoft's mobile platform, and from what we can tell, things look mighty fine. Of course, whether we actually choose to install the software onto our Titans and Radars is another matter entirely. Maybe one day, when we're feeling wistful for the past...

[Thanks, Dryab]

OSCar eO build finally finished, electric offroader prepares for the mountains of South America

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 07:57 PM PST

It's been a few months since we first heard about OSCar eO and its plans to tackle the (arguably) most difficult task in motorsport: make it from the start of the Dakar Rally to the finish. Well, the race starts in about a month and a half, and the Latvian team building the rugged EV has finally finished its arduous task. Aside from countless welds to create a formidable frame, there was also plenty of wiring and programming involved in getting the range-extended EV ready for the coming off-road battle. Winston Battery packs provide 52kWh of juice to the electric motor, which can produce up to a massive 335kW of power on command. Should a lead-footed driver tap into that tire-shredding ability too much, a 60kW generator driven by a Nissan V6 is there to pick up the slack. You may be wondering just how hard it is to build a machine that can conquer the Andes while powered by humble electrons? Find out for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, John]

Orange officially acknowledges San Francisco II's existence, set to debut late November (video)

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 07:13 PM PST

A few days ago, Orange UK technically let the cat out of the bag with its upcoming sequel to last year's penny-pinching San Francisco, and it's finally ready to give us more than just the Help & Support page. Available on both Pay Monthly and PAYG plans near the end of the month (no specific date was given), the device -- also known as the ZTE Crescent -- offers a 3.5-inch WVGA TFT display, an 800MHz ARM11 processor, Android 2.3.5, a 5 megapixel camera and 512MB of RAM. Cost? £99 ($155) on PAYG and free on Pay Monthly with a 24-month term of at least £10.50. Incidentally, you probably won't find too many of these in the city it's named after. Press release below.


Show full PR text
Orange Announces Availability of Next Generation San Francisco II Smartphone

-Orange to exclusively offer the Orange San Francisco II, the successor to the award winning San Francisco, across all its direct retail channels
-The San Francisco II will continue to offer an innovative smartphone experience at an affordable price point
-The San Francisco II will be available on pay as you go and pay monthly plans, making it the ideal present for all budgets this Christmas

London, UK: 17th November, 2011 – Orange today announced it will launch the Orange San Francisco II, the successor to the award-winning San Francisco smartphone, through Orange shops, Orange telesales and the Orange online shop in late November.

Offering outstanding value innovation, the 3G+ Orange San Francisco II offers everything customers expect from a high-end smartphone.

Building on the success of the Orange San Francisco, the San Francisco II adds a number of innovative features, including HD Voice for clear, crisp call quality, Signal Boost allowing users to benefit from enhanced indoor coverage and Orange Mobile Mail. The handset also features the latest Android gingerbread 2.3 operating system, providing users access to Android Market Place, so they can access thousands of the latest new apps.

The new San Francisco II also includes an improved 800 MHz processor and a 5MP camera - for snapping and sharing quality shots on the move. It also contains a bright, clear 3.5" WVGA capacitive TFT touch screen, 512 MB of internal memory and a slimmer and more lightweight body - set to build upon the fan base of its popular predecessor.

In addition, several key apps are pre-loaded onto the handset, including: Orange Wednesdays; offering 2-4-1 cinema tickets; Your Orange, allowing you to keep up to date and manage your account, and Orange Contacts Back-up.

The handset also features AGPS, an MP3 player and an inbuilt FM radio to complete the line-up of essentials.

Paul Jevons, Director of Products and Devices, Orange UK said: "The Orange San Francisco II is a fitting successor to the award-winning first model, and offers the latest developments in data, voice and design. We are delighted to be following up on the success of the award winning original with such a full-featured product we expect it to be really popular with consumers in the run up to Christmas"

The San Francisco II will be available exclusively from Orange shops, Orange telesales and orange.co.uk/shop from late November and will be £99 on Orange pay as you go with a £10 top-up and free on 24 month plans of £10.50 per month.

Full specification list:

• Talk Time: 4.5 hours
• Standby Time: 10 days
• Weight: 120g
• Dimensions: 117 x 58.5 x 10.6
• Camera Features: 5 megapixel
• Connectivity: WiFi / Signal Boost / Bluetooth / USB / SatNav
• Music: MP3 / FM Radio
• Network Band: Tri band
• Video: Calling
• Memory: 512 MB / 16Gb Micro SD card supported
• Email: POP3 / IMAP4 / Mobile Mail
• Data Speed: 3G + (HDSPA)
• Operating System: Android
• Version: Gingerbread 2.3
• Other: HD Voice, MobileMail, Orange WiFi, Your Account
• Applications and Features: Orange Maps, Your Orange, Contact Back Up, Mobile Mail, Orange App Store

Gametel Android controller steals the spotlight from Xperia Play, threatens to be vaporware

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 06:33 PM PST

Xperia Play, Schmaschmeria Play -- who needs it? Fructel's got an Android add-on that does away with Sony Ericsson's slider niche. The folks over at Pocket Gamer recently got hands-on time with this category-quashing controller, dubbed Gametel, that connects to handsets using clamps and a rubberized grip, no matter your mobile manufacturer of choice. Unfortunately, there's no analogue pad here, so it's not quite on par with its PlayStation Certified competition, but it will hold hands over Bluetooth with any Googlefied phones running Froyo and up. The unreleased peripheral includes a 250mAh battery, letting you bash away with those sore thumbs for up to nine hours at a time, your phone's charge willing. There's no official word on just when you can expect this game pad to make its market debut, but if you're really eager, head on over to the source to sign up for launch notifications.

Android.com update introduces Ice Cream Sandwich on phones and tablets

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:37 PM PST

With the Galaxy Nexus reaching customer's hands today and bringing Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich along with it, the official site has been updated with the usual lists of features and brief walkthroughs. Whether you need yet another breakdown of what the new version of the OS brings to the table is debatable, but there are a few fresh renders of the tabletized version of Ice Cream Sandwich included, as seen above. A quick look sees the new Roboto font displaying the time, and revised button scheme at the lower left. Click the source link and dive into the site for yourself for a few more pics.

Google rolling out music purchases to some Android phones, Music app to Google TV

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 05:14 PM PST

Just as Google promised, the Android Market is now slinging the tunes on select devices. Our OG Incredible's already received the update and we've received multiple reports from folks rocking HTC's EVO 3D. Just to give it a spin, we downloaded Busta Rhymes' Why Stop Now -- one of many exclusive free tracks -- and in seconds it popped up in our Google Music app. We've also received word that the Google Music app is now available for Google TV, allowing you to stream your music from the cloud. If you've been granted the ability to download your favorite tunes from the Android market, hit us up in the comments below and tell us what phone you're hollering into.

Sony's PlayStation 3 marks its fifth anniversary

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 04:23 PM PST

Five years may be a long time for most gadgets and consumer electronics, but you could argue that's just when video game consoles really hit their prime. Reaching that mark today is the Sony PlayStation 3, which made its North American debut on November 17th, 2006 (a week after its launch in Japan). In those five years it's helped Blu-ray win a format war, introduced gamers to some new, now-familiar characters like Sackboy and Nathan Drake, and delved into the realms of 3D and motion-control -- dropping quite a bit from its original $500 starting price along the way. Of course, it has also seen more than its share of hiccups. Sony's collecting some thoughts from game developers on its blog to mark the occasion, and you're naturally welcome to share your own in the comments below.

The LEO business computer: 6,000 valves, 2KB memory, one happy birthday (video)

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 03:38 PM PST

The world's first business computer just had blow-out bash to celebrate the 60th year since its inception, courtesy of some timely sponsorship from Google. LEO was your classic room-filling clunkfest, built by British food manufacturer Lyons to help process its payroll and accounts. It was born at a time when the advancements made at Bletchley Park were still top secret, and when -- according to a 1954 issue of the Economist -- there were still people who did not believe in the "desirability of introducing anything as esoteric as electronics into business routine." Your ride to a bygone era awaits right after the break.

Some iPhone 4S owners reporting ominous 'No SIM card installed' messages

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 02:55 PM PST

Could it be that Apple's latest smartphone is plagued with a troubling design flaw? Just ask the handful of iPhone 4S users who've experienced issues with their SIM cards, and they'll tell you this is very much the case. While we have no reason to believe a majority of iPhone 4S owners are affected, the problem appears to span across numerous carriers and parts of the globe -- even Sprint and Verizon Wireless users aren't immune. Some report resolving the problem with a new SIM card, while others have reason to believe it's the reader itself. Then there's a group known as Woo Servers, which suggests the malfunction is related to a short circuit caused by a design flaw with the SIM card tray. They've provided a detailed list of instructions to remedy the problem, with a simple piece of tape as the cure. Sadly, not everyone seems to benefit from the advice. So, Cupertino, care to lend a hand?

IBM sees stacked silicon sitting in fluid as the way to power future PCs

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 02:26 PM PST

Generally, the combination of microchips, electricity and fluids is usually considered an incredibly bad thing. IBM, however, thinks it can combine those three to make super small and super powerful computers in the future. The idea is to stack hundreds of silicon wafers and utilize dual fluidic networks between them to create 3D processors. In such a setup, one network carries in charged fluid to power the chip, while the second carries away the same fluid after it has picked up heat from the active transistors. Of course, 3D chips are already on the way, and liquid cooled components are nothing new, but powering a PC by fluids instead of wires has never been done before. Bruno Michel, who's leading Big Blue's research team, has high hopes for the technology, because future processors will need the extra cooling and reduced power consumption it can provide. Michel says he and his colleagues have demonstrated that it's possible to use a liquid to transfer power via a network of fluidic channels, and they to plan build a working prototype chip by 2014. If successful, your smartphone could eventually contain the power of the Watson supercomputer. Chop, chop, fellas, those futuristic fluidic networks aren't going to build themselves.

FXI's Cotton Candy could turn every screen you own into a cloud client

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 02:00 PM PST

It's a truth universally acknowledged, that a user in possession of a good number of devices must be in want of a unified way to use them all. As it stands, that mythical interface doesn't exist; but hopefully that's set to change soon. Norway's FXI is heralding a device codenamed Cotton Candy; a USB/ HDMI stick that can connect to nearly anything that's packing a display. Inside the stick is a dual-core ARM Cortex A9 and quad-core ARM Mali-400MP GPU that can handle 1080p video, 802.11 b/g/n WIFi, Bluetooth v2.1 and microSD card storage, expandable up to 64GB. Plug it into a laptop or desktop and you'll be able to use a thin-layer client to access your personal cloud, or via HDMI into a HDTV to be controlled using Bluetooth peripherals, smartphones and tablets. Being able to open "your" desktop on any device means you can conduct presentations, access media content and surf the web without ties. FXI is a new player in the market, but the founder was previously the brains behind Falanx, which created the technology that powers ARM's Mali GPUs. It's working with various manufacturers with the aim of partnering up to get the devices into stores in the second half of next year, the expected cost being under $200 -- although we'd pay more if they threw in a bag of the real, teeth-destroying stuff.
Show full PR text
FXI DEMONSTRATES ANY SCREEN CONNECTED COMPUTING

USB Companion Adapter Enables Screens to Access the Cloud and Mobile Content

New York, NY and Trondheim, Norway – November 17, 2012 - FXI Technologies, a hardware and software startup based in Trondheim Norway, demonstrated today the world's first any screen, connected computing USB device. Codenamed "Cotton Candy", this sweet little device serves as a technology bridge between any display, the Cloud, and any input peripheral.

The vision for Cotton Candy is to allow users a single, secure point of access to all personal Cloud services and apps through their favorite operating system, while delivering a consistent experience on any screen. The device will serve as a companion to smartphones, tablets, notebook PC and Macs, as well add smart capabilities to existing displays, TVs, set top boxes and game consoles.

"Today's device functionality is often limited by the size of the screen it inhabits," said Borgar Ljosland, founder and CEO of FXI Technologies. "We've turned things upside down, eliminating the screen and delivering the power of a PC and the web to any screen."

Cotton Candy is a prototype USB stick equipped with an ARM® Cortex™-A9 (1.2GHz) CPU, an ARM Mali™-400 MP (Quad-core) GPU, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, HDMI output and the Android operating system. It decodes MPEG-4, H.264 and other video formats and display HD graphics on any HDMI equipped screen. Content is then accessed through a secure FXI web portal and can be controlled via smartphones, keyboards, mice and other USB peripherals.
"By leveraging the strengths of ARM CPU and GPU cores, FXI has packed an amazing amount of computing horsepower into a completely new form factor," said Pete Hutton, general manager of multimedia processor division, ARM. "Weighing only 21 grams and so energy-efficient that it can be powered from a USB port, the Cotton Candy offers a unique consumer experience, which will bring Cloud computing to almost any screen."

FXI's Cotton Candy plans to:
Provide consumer-friendly access to the Cloud.
Accelerate the adoption of "smart screens".
Extend the life of consumer hardware like laptops, monitors, TVs, set top boxes, tablets and more by accessing the latest OS, software and apps.
Create a single point of content storage.
Consolidation and organization of personal digital content.
Share media from mobile devices on large screens and projectors - videos, movies, photos, games and more.
Drive down the cost of computing, allowing more people to have a personal, secure computer.

"With the broad acceptance of Cloud computing and the advancement in processor technologies, the concept of a "screen-less PC" is a natural evolution in the form factor of computing devices," said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie and Associates. "The connectivity, flexibility and multi-screen compatibility of FXI's Cotton Candy makes it like a computer built specifically for the Cloud."

About the Demonstration
FXI demonstrated Cotton Candy for the first time by connecting it via HDMI to a 42" HDTV running Android and displaying YouTube videos and 3D games. Then, they switched to a word processing and spread sheet application. Next, they unplugged Cotton Candy from the TV and connected it via USB to a Windows and then a Mac laptop to play Angry Birds on the Android OS.

"The laptop use case shows how with FXI's patent protected Any Screen Virtualization Protocol, Cotton Candy can take over a host device's screen to display Internet connected content," said Ljosland. "We believe these usage scenarios will be easily adopted by consumers and FXI's USB connected computing devices will make an ideal companion for the multitude of digital devices and screens people touch daily."

The implications of a connected companion device are broad and have yet to fully be discovered. "Imagine any screen being a window to your digital world," added Ljosland. The possibilities are endless."

Availability
Currently FXI Tech is sampling prototypes to key OEM partners from the set top box, memory, PC, mobile phone, appliance, in-car entertainment and other industries. Consumer pricing has not yet been established, but product is expected to be available in volumes the second half of 2012. OEMs interested in sampling the device may contact sales@fxitech.com.

About FXI
FXI Technologies (www.fxitech.com) is a Norway-based hardware and software startup dedicated to making the world of digital screens smart and personal.

PayPal Facebook app lets you send money and greetings to friends, only takes 2.9-percent cut of your 'free' e-card

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 01:34 PM PST

Well, this certainly seems like a no-brainer for PayPal. The company just launched a Facebook app that lets you send money to anyone on your friends list, with the usual list of terms and conditions in tow. After logging into Facebook and authorizing the app, you'll be able to use PayPal to transfer funds to individuals that you're connected with (who also have PayPal accounts, of course), adding a layer of security to the notoriously fraud-laden online payment service.

Payments are free to send and receive, but only if they're funded using a bank account with both parties in the U.S. Want to use a credit or debit card instead? PayPal will collect 2.9 percent (either from the sender or recipient), with a 30-cent processing fee to boot. And if you're sending funds abroad, fees range from 0.5 to 3.9 percent, depending on a variety of factors. A rather comprehensive collection of e-cards helps soften the blow if a fee applies, and includes selections for just about every occasion. Fourth of July coming up? Let's top up that fireworks fund. So dig up those account and routing numbers and get ready to stick some virtual cash in a virtual card -- just one week 'til Thanksgiving!

Nook Tablet forgets to use protection, lets outside apps in

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 01:08 PM PST

In the annals of history, the scrappy fight betwixt the megaliths of e-reading and their respective tablet progeny will yield an underground victor. Much like the sleepy hacker hit that was the Nook Color, Barnes and Noble's big bro tab looks to be carrying on that legacy of unapproved use and this time there's a lot less microSD card swapping required. In fact, there's none needed at all, as the barrier for entry here is super low. All it takes to sidestep B&N's app store for a host of third party options (like Amazon's App Store shown above) is the tab's own browser. Yes, it's almost that simple and also kind of hit or miss. See, once you attempt to install an application via the web, a previously hidden settings menu should pop up asking for permission. Grant the slate access, find the app in your download queue, re-install it and, presto magico, it'll work and then... vanish from your homescreen. But don't fret, the app's still there, you'll just need to search for it using the "n" hardware button. Confused? Excited? Unsure of how to feel? Why not just give it a go and report back in the comments below.

DOSBox ported to BlackBerry PlayBook, brings MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 to QNX (video)

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:46 PM PST

So, BBM and a native email client for the BlackBerry PlayBook would be nice, but what we have today is a step in a completely different direction. DOSBox, everyone's favorite open-source x86 emulator, has been successfully ported to RIM's QNX-based tablet, bringing with it MS-DOS and Windows 3.11 support. A command-line-based OS can certainly be tiring after spending so many years with a GUI, but those ancient games of yesteryear are timeless -- Wolfenstein 3D, anyone? If you happen to live north of the border, where the Playbook just got a massive price cut, a repurposed DOS tablet could be in your future for a mere $200 -- plus a few extra bucks for a Bluetooth keyboard, which naturally you'll need to navigate DOS. Jump past the break for a tease of the action.

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:30 PM PST

We're back! And we've managed to track down Tim this time! Fresh off of another Engadget Show, Tim and Brian will be joined yet again by gdgt's Peter Rojas. And, there will be video. Follow along after the break.

Samsung Focus S review

Posted: 17 Nov 2011 12:00 PM PST

Samsung Focus S
The deluge of Mango devices isn't over yet. Hot on the heels of the Lumia 800, the Titan, Radar and the wallet-friendly Focus Flash comes the Samsung Focus S. There's not a whole lot of mystery to Sammy's flagship Windows Phone 7.5 handset. It's not terribly different from many of its cousins packing Microsoft's mobile OS and, other than size, there doesn't seem to be anything separating it from its little brother, the Flash. What, then -- aside from a few Galaxy S design touches -- does Focus S offer your high-end smartphone dollar? And are those differentiators enough to make it the clear choice when shopping for WP7 device -- especially when considering the $150 premium AT&T is asking for, over the surprisingly satisfying Flash. Head on past the break to find out.
Samsung Focus S review

Hardware


If you've ever held a Galaxy S II you should immediately feel at home with the Focus S. They're both cut from the same cloth (or sheet of plastic, as it were). The larger of Samsung's Windows Phone 7 devices is an entirely synthetic affair. The edges of the handset are the same glossy black polymer that has come to define the Korean manufacturer's products over the last few years. Thankfully, the company has continued its recent trend of using textured, matte battery plates that, while not any more robust than their high-sheen counterparts, feel quite a bit nicer. That pleasant feeling disappears the moment you have to remove that rear covering, however. The seemingly flimsy plastic is the same as that found on the GSII. It's proven fairly resilient, but it bends dramatically as you pry it from the rear by sliding your fingernail underneath the top right-hand corner.

Samsung Focus S Hardware

On the left side of the device is the volume rocker, a relatively clicky bar that doesn't seem to travel much in either direction. Moving to the right edge you'll find the power button and the dedicated, dual-stage camera key that positively runs circles around that on the Flash. Though the initial press to focus could stand to put up a little more resistance, the shutter stage provides just the right amount of feedback without causing you to jostle the phone. Around back you'll find the primary camera -- an eight megapixel affair with an LED flash -- while the front face houses a 1.3MP cam. You've also got a pair of ports on the Focus S, a 3.5mm headphone jack along the top and the all-important micro-USB connector along the bottom.

Samsung Focus S Hardware

The 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display here is the same exact panel you'll find on some of its Galaxy S II cousins and it's every bit as gorgeous. The blacks are so deep they seem to absorb all nearby light and matter. And the colors are so vivid the hues can only be described as surreal. Even at its lowest brightness setting the screen is perfectly visible in direct sunlight and, when cranked to the max, not even the most glaring of desert days would be enough to wash this panel out. Sure, you could complain that the screen is only 800 x 480, but with a panel of this caliber you'd just be nitpicking. Metro's beauty shines through despite its shortcomings in the pixel department and we're sure plenty of people would gladly trade a few lines of resolution to avoid the slightly off-kilter colors of a PenTile matrix. Below the screen are the trio of capacitive buttons that are far from the worst we've ever used, but had similar issues with sensitivity as the Flash -- simply brushing your thumb in the general area of the search key was enough to launch Bing and interrupt whatever you were doing.

Update: The Focus S ships with 16GB of non-expandable storage.

Performance and battery life

Samsung Focus S battery life

Underneath the hood of the Focus S is the same 1.4GHz, single-core Snapdragon and 512MB of RAM found in the Focus Flash and Nokia's Lumia 800 -- so don't expect any performance miracles. That being said, it's not like there's anything wrong with how Mango hums along on those devices. WP7 simply doesn't need the power of dual-core at this stage of the game to stay responsive. When put to the test using WP Bench the Focus S averaged 91.54, putting it right in line with Flash which pulled a 92.15 and well ahead of the Lumia 800 which scored an 86. It couldn't quite keep pace with the extra 100MHz of the Titan though, which hit 96. SunSpider didn't turn up any surprises either. The 6,914ms was, again, just a slightly behind its little brother, the Flash, which finished the benchmark in 6,842ms. That was enough to keep it ahead of the Lumia though, which took took a surprisingly long 7,200ms on the same test.

Focus S Lumia 800 Titan Focus Flash
WP Bench 91.54 86 96 92.15
Battery drain 4:24 2:40 3:00 3:55
SunSpider 6,914 7,200 6,500 6,842

The 1,650mAh battery isn't quite as beefy as the packs found in some other handsets in the $200 price range, but it managed to survive a full day of pretty heavy usage without batting an eye. We started one morning with the pack charged to the brim and, after 12 hours of texting, emailing, pulling up driving directions and playing a few YouTube clips, we still had 50 percent left. Sticking with a single core might not earn Windows Phones any bragging rights in the performance department, but it helps keep them chugging away throughout the day. Our less-than-scientific testing was right in line with what the WP Bench battery drain test turned up too. The Focus S took a stunning four hours and 24 minutes to kick the bucket, topping the Lumia 800 and Titan by well over an hour, and even besting its little brother by 30 minutes.

Camera

Samsung Focus S Camera

The main camera on the Focus S is an 8 megapixel joint with a lone LED performing flash duties. Saying that any phone takes acceptable photos outside in the daylight should be a forgone conclusion at this point, but Sammy's shooter is just a bit above average. Colors are crisp and just saturated enough, while offering plenty of detail with very little noise. Shots indoors with plenty of natural light streaming through the windows were equally good -- we wouldn't blow them up to poster size, but they're more than acceptable as casual snapshots. The camera even took surprisingly good macro pics, though not quite as good as the Droid RAZR. Even at night images were quite crisp with decent color, though there is some noise in the shadows, and the same goes for shots indoors under artificial lighting. We wouldn't hang the shots on a gallery wall, but we were satisfied with their quality. As with its little brother, though, the flash was borderline useless -- washing out anything in the foreground and casting the background into almost complete darkness. What's strange is, this is the same, much-lauded camera found on the Galaxy S II, yet we didn't have this issue with that handset. The same is true of the Lumia 800 and it's practically identical forebearer, the N9, which leads us to believe Microsoft's camera app isn't quite up to snuff.


Video capture was equally impressive. Sure, there was a lot of shaking (image stabilization would be a welcome feature here), but video was crisp and bright. That despite getting the 30-second 720p clip we captured coming in at just 54MB. Perhaps the biggest surprise though, was the audio. Even with a fairly steady flow of cars and a light breeze every word said from behind the camera was clear and perfectly audible.
Samsung Focus S sample shots

As much as the camera impressed us, perhaps our favorite feature was the dedicated shutter button. It's a dual-stage key -- a half press engages the autofocus, while depressing it completely snaps a photo. The autofocus is a bit slow and inaccurate (especially under artificial light), but the it's hardly an insurmountable obstacle. The button itself is almost perfect in execution. It puts up just the right amount of resistance, and depresses with a light click. If Samsung put this on every handset (this exact button, not the overly recessed one on the Flash), it might become our favorite handset maker ever.

Software

Samsung Focus S Software

There's not much new or exciting to say about the Focus S on the software front. It's a Mango device with the same minimally intrusive selection of uninstallable carrier and manufacturer apps we saw on the Focus Flash. Sure, it's a bit annoying the first time you fire up the device to be greeted by pretty healthy number of orange tiles (which stand out quite a bit amongst the default blue) that launch a rather uncompelling selection of AT&T branded apps, but they're easily dismissed. We were happy to see that internet sharing was enabled on the Focus S, though, which allows you to quickly and easily turn the handset into a mobile hotspot for up to five devices. You might want to keep your charger with you if you plan to use the feature for any significant period of time, but it was simple to set up and we had no issues connecting to the handset.

Wrap-up

Samsung Focus S wrap-up

Honestly, we don't have any major complaints about the Samsung Focus S, but there wasn't much that wowed us either. If you're a Windows Phone 7 fan you'll find plenty to like about the device. Mango hums along nicely and the Super AMOLED Plus display, despite its shortcomings in the pixel density department, perfectly highlights the stark beauty of Microsoft's mobile OS. There's also a very good camera with a dedicated dual-stage button and the battery life borders on epic. But, none of that changes the fact that we came away feeling underwhelmed. The build quality is mediocre at best and there just isn't anything distinguishing about the handset that would make us definitively say this is the Windows Phone to get. More than anything, though, our disappointment probably stems from the cost. At $200 on a two-year contract we expect a high-end experience that matches the high-end price and the Focus S simply doesn't deliver that. Making it even tougher to recommend, is the fact that the Titan will be landing on AT&T any day now delivering a better build, faster performance and a larger screen for the same wad of cash. The Focus S isn't a bad phone -- far from it -- but it just doesn't feel worthy of its flagship-like price tag.
at 11:42 AM

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