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Friday, November 25, 2011

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Three brings 3LiveShop to Denmark, offers webcam chat and heads-up product display (video)

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 10:06 AM PST

Well, it appears that Three's call center agents in Denmark won't be able to wear pajamas into work anymore. Following the introduction of 3LiveShop in Sweden, the mobile carrier's other Scandinavian group is introducing this rather novel way of shopping for new phones to Danes. Properly situated consumers may now elect to participate in live video chats with Three employees, who manipulate product photos and information on a heads-up display for customer convenience. (We'd like to imagine this nice lady has placed the Galaxy S II and iPhone 4 into the "maybe" pile.) Thankfully, shoppers won't have to look presentable at all, as participating in two-way video conferences is entirely optional -- along with more traditional voice and chat methods. If you're curious to see a demo of the system in action, just check the video after the break.

[Thanks, Jonas]

South Korea plans trial run of robot prison guards

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 09:42 AM PST

This isn't the first time we've seen a prison turn to robots for a little assistance, but South Korea looks to be going a bit further than most with its latest robotic endeavor. The country's Ministry of Justice has announced that it will be conducting a one-month trial run of robot guards at a prison in the city of Pohang starting in March -- a project that's expected to cost one billion won (or about $863,000). "The robots are not terminators," as the university professor in charge of the endeavor told The Wall Street Journal, but rather monitors that will patrol the corridors of the jail and alert the human guards if they detect any unusual activity. Inmates will also be able to use the robots to communicate with the guards, and the folks behind the bots are apparently doing their best to keep things from turning into too much of a dystopian future -- they're now said to working on making the robots appear more "humane and friendly."

Unlocked Nokia Lumia 800 now available on Expansys, plays nice with AT&T

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 09:25 AM PST

You could sit there and twiddle your thumbs while you wait for the Lumia 800 to arrive on US shores. Or you could just head over to Expansys, where you can grab an unlocked version of Nokia's new handset, for $789. The Mango-soaked device comes packed with 16GB of internal storage and is primed for use on AT&T, so if you're prepared to shell out the dough, check out the source link below.

Sony Tablet P available online, the P is short for pricey

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 08:58 AM PST

Sony's second avant-garde tablet a la Android, the Tablet P, has finally made its high-fashioned self available online in the UK. The 3G-capable model has been slapped with a hefty £500 ($774) price tag, possibly explained in part by the pair of 5.5-inch touchscreens, which both tap into the same TruBlack technology used in Sony's Bravia TV range. The dual screen setup means that controls can be split to the lower half -- ideal for PlayStation-certified gaming or the occassional email barrage. If curiously curved clam shapes are doing it for you, offer up your pound sterling at the source link below.

Tesla Motors spills its guts for showroom tour, visitors wonder where the gas tank's hiding

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 08:36 AM PST

Tesla will begin priming the car-hungry public for its next electric offering, still set for a mid-2012 launch. The Model S will be given an extensive deconstruction in Tesla showrooms, touring around both the US and Europe over the next few months. The socket-friendly sedan will show off its electrical internals, including what the manufacturer says is the most energy dense battery in the industry, apparently capable of squeezing up to 300 miles from a single charge. We're also promised interactive touchscreen interfaces dotted around the stores to help explain precisely how it all works. Check out the full Tesla Motors tour schedule at the source below.

Show full PR text
TESLA PUTS MODEL S TECHNOLOGY ON DISPLAY
Electric car maker showcases sedan's advanced electric powertrain at North American stores

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Tesla Motors (NASDAQ: TSLA) is showing off the advanced technology that powers Model S, the world's first sedan built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, in its stores across North America. The tour rolls out starting this Friday, November 25th. Event listings can be found at http://www.teslamotors.com/events.

The displays highlight the innovative components that make up Model S' drivetrain including the motor, battery pack, front suspension assembly, and rear drive unit. The tour is part of Tesla's strategy to introduce the public to the advantages of electric vehicles. Visitors to Tesla's North America showrooms can see and touch the building blocks of Model S while learning about them through interactive touchscreen experiences.

Equipped with Tesla's advanced electric powertrain, Model S provides instant torque and smooth acceleration from 0-60 in less than six seconds. The aluminum body is engineered for superior handling, safety and efficiency. With the most energy dense battery pack in the industry, and best-in-class aerodynamics, Model S has the longest range of any electric car in the world, up to 300 miles on a single charge.

The components on display demonstrate the superiority and efficiency of Tesla's electric vehicle architecture. Customers will be able to see how Model S' flat, lithium-ion cell battery improves rigidity and handling, how the rear drive unit is efficiently designed for maximum power, and how the lack of an internal combustion engine makes Model S stronger and safer.

"Tesla stores are designed to let people explore and learn about Tesla's technology for themselves," said VP of Sales and Ownership Experience George Blankenship. "You'll never see a 'Don't Touch' sign in a Tesla store. We want everyone -- from kindergartners to grandparents -- to come in and see for themselves why driving electric is the future."

The Model S components are just one pillar of Tesla's mission to reinvent the way people buy cars. Breaking from the traditional dealership model, Tesla stores entice, inform and engage prospective customers with innovative touch-screen interfaces, knowledgeable product specialists, and a virtual design studio where they can customize their own premium Model S sedans.

Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: digital cameras

Posted: 25 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.


With cameras popping up on tablets, smartphones and even Bluetooth headsets, there's a fairly good chance that there's already a device in your pocket capable of shooting high-res stills and HD video. But even with popular apps like Instagram on-board, mobile devices still can't match the versatility and image quality of a dedicated snapper. If you're looking to hide a new point-and-shoot under the tree this year, there are plenty of great options to consider, for any budget. So clear off the memory card and get ready to jump past the break for our top picks that will deliver -- and capture -- plenty of holiday cheer.

On the cheap


Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH25


A 16.1 megapixel sensor, 28mm wide-angle 8x zoom lens, optical image stabilization and 720p video to boot for just a couple hard egg nogs above $100? Yeah, we'll take ten. With such a robust feature set and low price tag, it's no surprise that the DMC-FH25 is one of Panasonic's best-selling models so far this year -- and it's sure to be a hit through the holiday season as well. It won't blow you away with record performance, but it's an excellent choice for anyone on a budget -- and it comes in fun colors, too!

Key specs: 16.1 megapixel CCD sensor, 8x optical zoom, 720p / 24fps HD video.

Price: $119 on Amazon

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX9

Budget shoppers don't need to compromise much with the Sony WX9. This compact cam packs a 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5x wide-angle zoom lens, 10fps full-res burst capture and 1080i HD video. And if you're super-quick with the unboxings, you may even be able to snap Santa's post-drop escape in glorious 3D.

Price: $155 from Amazon



Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS

When friends ask which point-and-shoot to buy, we typically recommend a Canon PowerShot, regardless of their budget. And you can't go wrong with this sub-$200 snapper, which sports a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, 1080p video and an impressive wide-angle 24mm 5x zoom lens with optical image stabiilization.


Price: $178 from Amazon



Mid-range


Canon PowerShot S100


The S100 is in good company -- its predecessor, the S95, sat in this exact spot in our Back to School guide, but if you didn't pull the trigger on Canon's top-of-the-line point-and-shoot at that point, you're in for a treat. This year's compact has a nearly identical footprint, but boosts the optical zoom from 3.8x to 5x, while maintaining an f/2.0 maximum aperture, for excellent snaps in terrible light with a fair amount of creamy bokeh to boot. You'll also find a full range of advanced shooting features, including a manual mode and RAW capture, along with a new 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 3-inch display and GPS functionality.

Key specs: 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 5x optical zoom, f/2.0 lens, 1080p HD video.

Price: $430 on Amazon

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Samsung MV800

This clever hinged-screen cam has a 3-inch touchscreen that flips 180 degrees to face front, letting you take advantage of the full display for self-portraits and videos. Flipping it up halfway lets you frame shots from above, or turn the 16.1 megapixel camera upside-down for overhead shots.

Price: $229 on Amazon



Fujifilm X10

The Fujifilm X100 was a hit with reviewers, but its $1400 price tag and fixed lens made it impractical for those without deep pockets. Its new sibling, the X10, sports a 4x f/2-2.8 zoom lens and a cheaper price tag, but lacks the APS-C sensor of the older model. Still, its speedy lens and gorgeous rangefinder-like design make this hardy cam a win in our book.

Price: $600 on Amazon



Interchangeable lens


Sony Alpha NEX-C3 with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens


We're still just as smitten with Sony's entry-level mirrorless cam as we were during the review earlier this year, with the ILC earning a permanent spot in our trade show kit (and our hearts -- no, really). It serves us quite well when shooting hands-ons, but is also our top pick for personal travel and casual shooting. It's not powerful enough to use as a primary cam for pros, but for everyone else, the NEX-C3 is worthy of your consideration, even if you've saved up enough for a more expensive (and heavier) DSLR kit. We really can't say enough good things about this camera.

Key specs: 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, 720p video, 3-inch articulating LCD.

Price: $598 on Amazon

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Nikon D7000 with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 lens

Its price has dropped just $70 since the fall, but the 16.2 megapixel D7000 is still our top DSLR pick from Nikon. There's also 1080p video capture, 39-point autofocus, a wide-view 3-inch LCD, and a top ISO sensitivty of ISO 25,600.

Price: $1,399 on Amazon



Canon EOS-1D X

It won't be available until next year, so you'll need to draw up an IOU if you want to gift a 1D X, but this 18 megapixel monster will likely be crowned king of the jungle come 2012. Canon's latest full-frame flagship will be worth the wait, if not the estimated $6,800 price tag.

Price: TBD

Acer Allegro officially on sale in France and Taiwan

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 07:39 AM PST

Here it is, folks: the inaugural Windows Phone from Acer, known as the Allegro, is now ready and rearin' to be sold. Not only is it coming to France as originally expected, it appears that Taiwan has elected to join in the fun as well. It's no top-notch device, but it doesn't pretend to be either. Even then, the specs aren't that much of a disappointment: it comes with a 3.6-inch WVGA (800 x 480) display, 1GHz single-core Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU, 8GB internal storage, 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1,300mAh battery. We'd like to see a front-facing cam and a larger juicepack, but it still promises a lengthy nine hours of talk time regardless. And the no-contract price is definitely tempting, with it being sold currently in France for €285 ($380); Taiwanese customers can wander into their local Synnex store on November 30th, likely at a very similar price point. There's no word on if the Allegro will grace any other countries with its presence.

[image courtesy sogi.com.tw]

MIT slinks into a cafe, orders a side of photonic chips on silicon

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 07:16 AM PST

Whiz-kids the world over have been making significant progress on the development of photonic chips -- devices that "use light beams instead of electrons to carry out their computational tasks." But now, MIT has taken the next major leap, filling in "a crucial piece of the puzzle" that just might allow for the creation of photonic chips on the standard silicon material that underlies most of today's electronics. Today, data can travel via light beams shot over through optical fibers, and once it arrives, it's "converted into electronic form, processed through electronic circuits and then converted back to light using a laser." What a waste. If MIT's research bears fruit, the resulting product could nix those extra steps, allowing the light signal to be processed directly. Caroline Ross, the Toyota Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, calls it a diode for light; to construct it, researchers had to locate a material that was both transparent and magnetic. In other words, a material that only exists in the Chamber of Secrets. Hit the source link for the rest of the tale.

Researchers put smartphones on a power diet, drastically improve battery life

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 06:54 AM PST

Nokia's Asha handsets already use browser compression to reduce data costs and power consumption for customers in the developing world, but the company's Finnish neighbours over at Aalto University have taken a totally different approach. By using a network proxy to squash traffic into bursts rather than a constant bit rate, and by forcing a smartphone's modem into idle mode between each burst, the researchers claim they can cut 3G power consumption by 74 percent. Now, we're fortunate enough to be surrounded by power outlets over here, but even we could use some of that.

Microsoft Lync coming to Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone next month

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 06:25 AM PST

Heads up, corporateers. Just like the company previously hinted, Microsoft Lync will soon make its smartphone debut. Currently, the enterprise instant messaging client (formerly known as Microsoft Office Communicator) has only been available to Mac and PC users, but all that is set to change next month when the software becomes available for Android, BlackBerry, iOS and Windows Phone. Curiously, Microsoft's New Zealand outfit had formerly stated that Symbian would be among the mix, although its mention is entirely absent from this announcement. Granted, the news seems rather informal at this point, and there's only so much you can cram into 140 characters.

FCC Fridays: November 25, 2011

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 06:00 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

Dell posts inaccurate graphics card comparison, promptly removes it and apologizes

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 05:30 AM PST

Dell's latest attempt to promote its high-end GPUs has fallen flat among online consumers, all because of a rather misleading comparison. The snafu stems from the above image, originally posted on the company's "Help me choose" feature -- an online assistant designed to help users customize their Optiplex desktops. At left is a desktop with a normal graphics card, juxtaposed with an identical machine packing Dell's "high-end" GPU. Both are displaying a Windows desktop at the same resolution, but the render on the left looks noticeably blurry. As many Reddit users soon pointed out, even the most prosaic of graphics cards would be able to transmit a blur-free Windows desktop, implying that the PC manufacturer may have taken some unfounded liberties with its imagery. PC Pro notified Dell of the discrepancy, and the graphic has since been removed. The company also issued the following apology, claiming that it had no intention of bending the truth:
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Dell endeavours to help customers to make the best decisions regarding their purchases. It was never our intention to mislead customers, and we apologise for any confusion caused. We have now removed the image from our Global sites. Dell remains committed to delivering the best possible experience to all our customers.

Engadget Distro Issue 15 tackles the Nook Tablet, HTC's Rezound and your turkey hangover

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 05:15 AM PST

What better way to spend this post-turkey day than curling up with a brand new edition of Engadget Distro? This issue we cover Barnes and Noble's creatively named Nook Tablet, HTC's stellar new smartphone, the Rezound, and Toshiba's Ultrabook contender, the Portege Z835. We're also serving up a piping hot dish of a Samsung Galaxy 7.0 Plus review and Ross Rubin's lip-smacking Switched On, which explores HTC's journey back to the feature. If that's not enough to sate your geeky appetite, we've also got our latest installment of IRL. So belly up and download it now -- this is one holiday treat that won't go straight to your hips.

Distro Issue 15 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

OCZ Octane SSD benchmarked, new Indilinx controller holds its ground

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 04:40 AM PST

Maybe it's just interference from our seasonal goggles, but isn't there something quite cheery about SSD reviews? In the case of OCZ's Octane drive, our good spirits derive from the sturdy performance of its freshly-conceived Indilinx Everest controller, which ought to keep big players like SandForce and Samsung on their toes. HotHardware just reviewed the $369 $879 512GB variant and found that it delivered fast boot-up times, strong read speeds and writes that were just shy of enthusiast-class drives. Follow the source link for the full and possibly festive benchmarks.

Update: Sorry about the optimistic price error. Guess we got carried away with all the holiday discounts. As many of y'all spotted, it's the 256GB version that goes for $369.

Penguin catalog marches back into Kindle Library Lending Service, new releases still out in the cold

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 04:09 AM PST

Following a temporary suspension from Amazon's Kindle Library Lending Service, it appears that Penguin books are now migrating back to digital consumption. If you'll recall, earlier this week Penguin had to address some security issues (details are still in the dark, though) and consequently pulled its newer releases from OverDrive's catalog, as well as blocking Kindle devices from accessing the catalog's remaining Penguin titles. While Kindle access has since been restored, the newer titles "remain unavailable," though Penguin says it hopes to find a solution by the end of the year.

Samsung N102S netbook listed on UK sites for £240, possibly with Cedar Trail

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 03:35 AM PST

Even if Samsung plans to stop producing 10.1-inch netbooks from next year, there's still plenty of scope for new models in little ol' 2011. In fact, British online retailers have just put up listings for an N102S running an officially unknown Atom N2100 processor. This chip is rumored to be a low-power variant of Intel's delayed Cedar Trail line-up, which might explain why none of the retailers yet have firm information about availability. (We called the number above, they told us to ignore the bit about December 2nd.) Other listed specs include a distinctly last-gen 1GB of RAM, 320GB of HDD roominess and Windows 7 Starter Edition for £240 ($370).

Update: Netbook Italia also picked up on some Asus Cedar Trail Eee PCs in similar UK listings. These include the 1025CE we saw recently, which packs an N2800 processor for £270, plus a X101CH running on the N2600 for £225. Other specs are very similar to the Samsung's.

Helsinki care center imports bots to battle Alzheimer's, lead sing-alongs (video)

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 03:11 AM PST

KIST Robots
In what we can only assume is part of their community service, after running amok and devouring all that medicine, robots are now visiting our old people in hospitals, leading them in sing-alongs and helping them battle Alzheimer's -- instead of terrorizing them. The Kustaankartano Elderly Centre in Helsinki has brought in a pair of bots designed by the Korean Institute of Science and Technology to entertain patients and lead them though exercise routines. Of course, without legs or proper arms, their usefulness as fitness instructors is severely limited, and watching them lip sync Bohemian Rhapsody is more creepy than amusing. So, yeah, while robots may have a place in helping care for our elderly, we're pretty sure these two don't have a future in the industry. They'll be moving along just as soon as their court-ordered service is complete. Check out the video after the break.



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

Is Samsung giving up on netbooks next year?

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 02:02 AM PST

An email sent by Samsung to its trading partners appears to shut down any prospect of the manufacturer producing new netbooks after the first quarter of 2012. The email is quoted by French site Blogeee and says that Samsung will switch its focus to 11.6- and 12-inch ultraportables as well as Intel Ultrabooks. The quote does not preclude some of those ultraportables running cheaper processors such as Cedar Trail, which would arguably just make them slightly larger next-gen netbooks, but it does specifically mention the abandonment of the 10.1-inch form factor. Here's our translation:
"Following the introduction of our new strategy in 2012, we will discontinue our 10.1-inch (netbook) product range in Q1 2012, in favor of ultraportables (11.6 and 12 inches) and ultrabooks to be launched in 2012."
[Thanks, Marco]

Verizon's LTE-enabled Galaxy Nexus priced at $200?

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 01:15 AM PST

We're still not sure when the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will arrive on Verizon, but a new flash ad may have just revealed its price. Spotted by Smart Keitai, the above ad has reportedly been making the rounds on sites like Android Police, Phandroid and Droid Forums, offering an LTE-enabled version of Sammy's new handset at a price of $200 on a two-year contract -- notably lower than previously rumored, and well below Verizon's price points for its other high-end devices. At the time of this writing, the page's "Learn More" link isn't activated, but its URL appears to include an inexplicable November 29th dateline, suggesting that the ad, if indeed legit, may have leaked earlier than intended. We'll obviously have to wait a bit longer before we know whether this rumored pricing holds up, but we'll be sure to keep you abreast of the latest.

[Thanks, Eagon]

Toshiba Portege Z830 Series Ultrabooks now up for sale online

Posted: 25 Nov 2011 01:04 AM PST

If we got you interested in the Tosh's Portege line earlier this week, you can now snag a Z830 of your own without leaving the house. Depending on your preference of internals, you'll be able to choose between four models ranging from $929 up to $1,429, or opt to build your own ultraportable starting at $1,099. Of course, you can grab a Z835 direct and avoid Best Buy's guerilla marketing we encountered during our time with the lightweight -- but you'll miss out on the exclusive $800 model. If you're looking to place an order for the holidays, hit that source link below and get ready to part with a good bit of that Black Friday fund.

Apple flips the switch on Black Friday sale, Macbook Air, Pro see modest discounts

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 11:54 PM PST

Apple has just launched its annual Black Friday online sale, and, as you may expect, there isn't a whole lot to write home about. The company has slashed the prices of its MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac by a modest $100 for this year's 24-hour event, with the iPad 2 seeing a $41 reduction, and the iPod Touch getting slashed by a measly $21. Not exactly the kind of discounts you'd wait an entire year for, but they're there at the source link, nonetheless. For more tryptophan-laced deals, check out our ongoing Black Friday roundup.

23-foot-high theremin appears in Melbourne, begins to freak out passersby

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 09:15 PM PST

It appeared out of nowhere. And it makes semi-disturbing, 50s era sci-fi movie sounds when you
approach it. Over in Melbourne, artist Robin Fox has installed a seven meter (23 foot) high theremin instrument. Like the classic theremin design, the user doesn't have to physically touch it but just has to be within a certain range to activate it. Once initiated, you can expect to be aurally bombarded with retro movie sounds -- a cacophony of rubber monsters beating each other within an inch of their lives. The theremin will be present on the waterfront for the next three months as part of Melbourne Music Week, and you can click on through to hear its sounds as well as wonder when the ghost of Vincent Price will be showing up in the near future. For you guys looking to hear several minutes of spooky theremin goodness, click here to download the MP3 file.

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

SiriProxy enables voice control of third-party apps (video)

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 06:07 PM PST

If you'll rewind your mind in time to earlier this week, you might remember a clever proxy server from @plamoni that enabled Siri's control of a thermostat through spoken commands. Now, the same bit of engineering has been exploited to enable voice control of third-party applications. In this example, FastPdfKit Reader is manipulated by various commands with SiriProxy acting in the middle. A plugin is used to add new commands to the ones recognized by Siri, and finally, the proxy then sends the final commands to the app. Those hoping to get hacking will find a complete list of instructions from the source link below. For everyone else, you'll find the true magic after the break.

Bing brings the holiday gold, offers free Xbox Live preview for Thanksgiving weekend

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 04:32 PM PST

Need something to do while your loved ones slave over hot stoves and turkey platters? Microsoft and Bing have got your back, offering gamers another free Xbox Live Gold weekend to help you frag your way through the holiday. Of course, if you're feeling too sedentary to twitch your thumbs, you can always veg out with your Netflix queue or use the console's ESPN app to get your traditional Thanksgiving sports fix. Either way, you're golden until the 27th -- after that, you'll need to pony up and subscribe. Don't have an Xbox 360, you say? We hear there are some deals floating around that might help you fix that.

Domino's Pizza Hero iPad app coaxes you to design a pie, order one shortly thereafter

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 03:31 PM PST

If the idea of pinching, zooming and tapping on your iPad is far less appealing than kneading, sprinkling and cutting, then the Domino's Pizza Hero iPad app may just be right up your alley. Putting aspiring pizza makers to the test, the game challenges players to assemble a pie as quickly as possible for points. Once you've passed levels one through five, affectionately nicknamed "Pizza School," other players will get a chance to rate your performance -- ultimately making or breaking your pizza career. If concocting virtual pies was enough to make you hungry, fear not famished souls as the app let's you order the real deal direct from your iPad -- now that's amore. Check out the gallery and video after the break.
Domino's Pizza Hero eyes-on

Dante Cesa contributed to this report.

Court holds European ISPs can't be forced to filter traffic, users free to fly the jolly roger

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 02:12 PM PST

It's been a sliver under a month since UK ISP British Telecom was ordered to cut all ties to filesharing site Newzbin 2. Now, a European court decision deals a counter blow to media owners by denying their demands to hustle ISPs into tracking freeloading downloaders. Specifically, the court held that it was illegal to force an ISP to install and maintain a system filtering all of its traffic as it could infringe customer privacy rights. While the decision will prove unpopular in big-wig boardrooms, joe public will no doubt be pleased with the court's upholding of both net neutrality, and of course not having to shred quite as many strongly worded letters from his or her ISP.

BlackBerry Curve 9380 hits the FCC, talking the T-Mobile talk

Posted: 24 Nov 2011 01:04 PM PST

RIM's first all-screen Curve has sashayed over to the FCC. Two models of the BlackBerry Curve 9380, the REA70UW and REB70UW, are included in the latest filing, which goes into typical laborious detail on radio frequencies and the like. Thankfully, those myriad charts and graphs reveal support for WCDMA band IV, meaning that the phone plays nice with T-Mobile's 3G network. Let's just hope that, if given the chance to strut its stuff in the US market, it follows the Curve family tradition of arriving keenly priced. We'll have to wait and see if it hits our wallet's sweet spot, but for those more interested in the phone's internals, the source link beckons below.
at 11:44 AM

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