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Friday, December 2, 2011

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Amazon canceling some Transformer Prime pre-orders, supply shortages to blame

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 10:09 AM PST

Were you one of the eager beavers who pre-ordered ASUS' new superslate, the Transformer Prime, from Amazon? It turns out, demand for the tablet was so great that it's outstripped the retailer's supply, so Bezos' business is apparently canceling orders placed on or after November 22nd and issuing refunds. Sad news for those who had their hearts set on getting the Prime this holiday season, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise -- the delay gives you the opportunity to size up the competition before taking the quad-core plunge.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Lockheed Martin shows us how it's getting Orion ready to explore the cosmos

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 09:49 AM PST

It's not every day that America designs an entirely new spacecraft. Rarer still is the creation of a vehicle that can carry man, not just machine, beyond the earth's gravitational pull. In the history of the world, there have been only seven such human transports: the Vostok, Voskhod, and Soyuz capsules from Russia, the American-made Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules, plus the Space Shuttle, and China's Shenzhou spacecraft. That list is going to get a new member soon, as NASA (with a big assist from Lockheed Martin) is building the most technologically advanced spaceship the Earth has ever seen; the aptly-named Orion.

In ancient Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter born of the earth who was eventually placed among the heavens by Zeus. NASA's Orion is a multipurpose crew vehicle (MPCV) that looks similar to the Apollo capsules and is here to replace the venerable Space Shuttle. It's capable of taking us further into the cosmos to than we've ever been -- to asteroids, the moon, and even Mars. This mission flexibility and interplanetary reach is what sets Orion apart from previous manned spacecraft, but that adaptability requires some heavy duty engineering and extensive testing to guarantee its ability to handle any NASA mission with aplomb. Head on past to break to learn more about how Lockheed Martin's getting the MPCV ready for deep space.



Recently, Orion went through an acoustic test at Lockheed Martin's Waterton facility just outside of Denver, Colorado, to simulate the noise conditions of a launch. We were on-hand to witness the test and check out some of the amazing gear being used to design and build this next-level spacecraft.

To perform the acoustic test, Orion got gussied up in its full launch garb, meaning the five-story tall crew module and launch abort system were swathed in alabaster heat shielding. It was ensconced inside the sizable test chamber at Lockheed's Reverberant Acoustic Laboratory, surrounded by instrumentation to record how it would respond to the sound of rockets running at full bore, and then the chamber was filled with nitrogen to ensure accurate readings. The test itself sounded like an airliner passing close overhead. It was certainly loud, but there was a two-foot thick steel door filled with sand between us and the 150dB white noise bombarding Orion. We were told by Lockheed that the test was limited to 150dB -- despite the fact that launch noises exceed 170dB -- because that increase in volume would reduce their laboratory to rubble without some serious structural additions. The good news is, enough info is gathered from a 150dB test to extrapolate how the capsule will react come liftoff.

After seeing Orion in person, we got to tour the Space Operations Simulation Center (SOSC); a massive 41,000 square foot facility meant to emulate the inky void beyond our atmosphere. The SOSC was built upon a unique geologic rock formation 1700 feet thick and surrounded by sand. Constructing the center on top of that rock keeps it as seismically isolated as possible, which allows Lockheed to accurately simulate the stillness of space. Inside, the main attraction is a cavernous room painted matte black that houses powerful lights used to mimic the sun's unfiltered rays. There's also a huge six-degree-of-freedom motion base carriage with a robotic arm capable of maneuvering 1,000 kg of spaceship, sensors or other gear with extreme precision.


Currently, the room houses a full-scale mock up of the International Space Station's docking port, and while we were there, we witnessed a simulation of the Sensor Test for Orion Relative Navigation Risk Mitigation (STORRM). The simulation replicated the STORRM test performed of the second to last Shuttle mission (STS-134), and confirmed the SOSC's ability to accurately replicate the conditions of space operations. The STORRM package is an amalgam of cameras and sensors that will allow Orion to dock with the ISS or land on a foreign world on its own -- no human input required, though an astronaut will have his hands on the control stick, you know, just in case.

The STORRM package is an amalgam of cameras and sensors that will allow Orion to dock with the ISS or land on a foreign world on its own


After the SOSC, we toured Lockheed's Collaborative Human Immersive Lab, or CHIL, for short (defense contractors do love their catchy acronyms, don't they). CHIL is a virtual reality lab that allows engineers to design and modify Orion's parts for testing and validation without going through the expense of fabricating them in the real world. Using motion tracking and VR headsets, the folks building Orion can optimize assembly processes, so that those installing the various systems on the capsule don't get in each other's way. At its core, CHIL is an assembly ergonomics optimization tool. It makes sure that the mechanical elements of Orion will work well with the people who are putting them together. We donned the CHIL gear ourselves, and while we couldn't explore Orion's inner workings (state secrets and national security prevented us from doing so), we did get to poke around a simulated tank. The experience was somewhat disorienting, as the graphics are akin to what was cutting edge in the early 90s. But, as we examined the tank's tracks and weaponry virtually, we could definitely understand its usefulness in designing systems as complex as those found in Orion.

After seeing some of the facilities being used to build our nation's next-generation spacecraft, we were awed by the sheer scope and complexity of the Orion project. Orion itself is an amazing machine, but the gear being used to design, build and test it is equally impressive. It's an astonishingly difficult task to develop a ship capable of taking man into deep space and returning him safely, which is why so much effort is being put into Orion's planning and construction.

Once upon a time, Apollo allowed us to venture far beyond our terrestrial existence, and the time is rapidly approaching when Orion will take us further into the vastness of space than ever. The final frontier is calling... and with Orion's help, we'll be answering it soon enough.

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Hands-on with Dijit's universal remote app for iPad

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 09:10 AM PST

By now, you should all be familiar with Griffin's Beacon universal remote system, as we've gotten our hands on the iPhone version and let you know about the one for Android, too. Well Dijit, who creates the apps that work with the Beacon hardware, wasn't done, and so has released an iPad-specific app to take advantage of the extra screen real estate it affords. Dijit calls it a "reimagined" version of the iPhone app and it provides both a new look and some new functionality to the Dijit experience. We got to spend some time with the app at gdgt Live in San Francisco, and found it to be quite similar to the recently released Android version. Head on past the break for a video breakdown of Dijit for iPad and our impressions of the app in action.



Dijit for iPad supports the same sizable library of devices as its predecessors and helps you to find the right IR codes for your A/V gear, so the initial setup is relatively painless. The app itself integrates social networks to help you find new content of interest -- similar to services like Miso and Buddy TV. Not only does the app show your TV listings, but it can access Netflix and let users play YouTube clips inside the app, plus there's episode and cast information on tap as well. As in previous iterations, the remote control layout is fully customizable and allows users to pick and choose their buttons of choice while arranging them in any configuration. Right now, the app still works using Bluetooth to communicate with the IR blaster hardware, but the folks from Dijit told us they're working on making the app communicate directly with smart TVs over WiFi using UPnP. Keep at it guys, you've got about six weeks to get it ready for show-and-tell at CES.

Google brings free voice calls to Hangouts, really wants you to hang out

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 08:46 AM PST

Google's Hangout feature has just become a little more Hangout-y, now that the folks in Mountain View have integrated free voice calls within Google+. Available to users within the US and Canada, this new "extra" feature allows social networkers to place calls directly from a Hangout, allowing the recipient to remotely join in on the conversation at hand. To set it up, all you have to do is start a Hangout, hit the "Invite" button, and dial up your friend's number. Users can also use the feature to place individual calls without setting up a Google Voice account, though they'll need one if they wanna talk to someone overseas.

iBuypower outs liquid-cooled Gamer Paladin HS11 for $999

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 08:21 AM PST

Is it possible to build a fully-fledged and decently frigid gaming PC for $999 with a profit margin to spare? The Gamer Paladin HS11's spec sheet suggests it is. In contrast to the fiery Chimera 4, you get a sensible trio of a Gigabyte Z68 mobo, Core i5-2500K CPU and NVIDIA GTX 570 1.2GB graphics card, plus 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. A smart NZXT Source 210 boxes it all up, an 800W PSU supplies the current, and a 120mm liquid CPU cooling system sucks out the heat. There's no display for that money and don't even think about an SSD, but the whole package is ultra-customizable courtesy of iBuypower's generous list of options at the source link.

The Engadget Show returns Tuesday, December 13th -- win a ticket to the taping!

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

Engadget Podcast 266 - 12.02.2011

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 07:40 AM PST

Listener, it's been a weird week. Big Brother's inside your phone, a tasty new OS is inside your phone, and now it's even easier to livestream your life from your phone. How do all these revelations change the way you'll go about your gadgety business? There's only one way to find out: listen, listener, to the Engadget Podcast.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guest: Terrence O'Brien
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: All The Small Things

01:20 - Carrier IQ: What it is, what it isn't, and what you need to know
09:38 - ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime review
17:20 - Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich review
26:40 - FCC finds AT&T merger not in public interest, Genachowski issues order to hold trial
30:00 - AT&T, Deutsche Telekom withdraw FCC application for T-Mobile merger, look toward DoJ
32:10 - AT&T blows a gasket, calls FCC report 'an advocacy piece, not analysis'
36:25 - Spotify gets app-happy with new platform (video)
40:00 - Spotify apps hands-on
45:50 - Color for Facebook iPhone app hands-on
52:44 - Listener questions







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FCC Fridays: December 2, 2011

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 07:20 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 an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!

Phones
Tablets and peripherals

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus updated to Android 4.1.0, finally ready to dance?

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 07:01 AM PST

A lucky human known as "Bradgog" posted the above screenshot to a thread on My Droid World last night, ostensibly heralding the arrival of Android 4.1 on Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Nexus. As you can see in the image (purportedly taken on Verizon's 3G network), the firmware update appears to bring a new baseband radio to the handset, which, in turn, may explain the delay in bringing the device to Big Red's stable. It's hard to say for sure, though we should have a clearer idea any day now.

Napster uses up another one of its lives, now fully merged with Rhapsody

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 06:40 AM PST

The last dozen years have been quite the roller coaster ride for the Napster crew. The service, which became synonymous with music piracy not all that long after its launch in 1999, made more than its share of high profile enemies, ranging from the RIAA to Metallica. It would soon shut its doors for a first time, thanks to a number of legal challengers. Napster was later reborn as a legit music streaming service, but the beginning of the end for that incarnation was marked earlier this year when Rhapsody, one of the company's chief competitors, announced plans to acquire the service. Yesterday marked the end of the road for Napster again -- the service now fully merged with Rhapsody. Why not pay your respects by breaking out some of the mislabeled, decade-old MP3s that are no doubt lurking on an unused hard drive in the back of your closet?

AT&T 4G LTE now working in parts of New York City

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 06:17 AM PST

We got a taste of AT&T's 4G LTE action last night in the Big Apple with the introduction of its LG Nitro HD, and today, the company has apparently flipped the 4G "on" switch in the City That Never Sleeps -- confirming its promise from November. According to tipster reports, some speed tests are showing downloads as fast as 27 Mbps and uploads of 15 Mbps, confirming that the LTE network has indeed gone live in parts of New York City.

Update: To be clear, this is not an official deployment of LTE in NYC by AT&T. So, if you can't get signal, or if your signal stinks, don't take it out on them. It's still in testing!

[Thanks, @SamSavitt]

Verizon scores new spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for $3.6 billion

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 05:43 AM PST

Verizon
Verizon has a pretty serious head start in the LTE race. To make sure it stays at the front of the pack, Big Red has entered an agreement with SpectrumCo (a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House) that sees 122 AWS spectrum licenses transfered to the carrier for $3.6 billion and some commercial agreements. The deal will allow the companies to become authorized retailers for each others products, eventually giving the cable companies the ability to offer Verizon Wireless service as wholesalers. For its part, the House that Droid Built scores a boat load of new spectrum that may become crucial in expanding its network and ensuring that speeds don't drop off significantly as more customers transition to 4G. Check out the full PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Comcast, Time Warner Cable, And Bright House Networks Sell Advanced Wireless Spectrum To Verizon Wireless For $3.6 Billion

The Companies Also Announce Commercial Agreements That Will Deliver Mobile Products To Consumers

12/02/2011

PHILADELPHIA, PA; BASKING RIDGE, NJ; NEW YORK, NY; and ORLANDO - SpectrumCo, LLC, a joint venture between Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks, today announced it has entered into an agreement pursuant to which Verizon Wireless will acquire its 122 Advanced Wireless Services spectrum licenses covering 259 million POPs for $3.6 billion. Comcast owns 63.6% of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $2.3 billion from the sale. Time Warner Cable owns 31.2% of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $1.1 billion. Bright House Networks owns 5.3% of SpectrumCo and will receive approximately $189 million.

The agreement comes at a time when consumer demand for wireless services and bandwidth is increasing rapidly. This sale of spectrum is an important step toward ensuring that the needs and desires of consumers for additional mobile services will not be thwarted by the current spectrum shortage. While government action to free more spectrum is expected, this transaction ensures that the spectrum which is already available for mobile services is used effectively to serve customers.

The companies also announced that they have entered into several agreements, providing for the sale of various products and services. Through these agreements, the cable companies, on the one hand, and Verizon Wireless, on the other, will become agents to sell one another's products and, over time, the cable companies will have the option of selling Verizon Wireless' service on a wholesale basis. Additionally, the cable companies and Verizon Wireless have formed an innovation technology joint venture for the development of technology to better integrate wireline and wireless products and services.

Neil Smit, President of Comcast Cable, said, "These agreements, together with our Wi-Fi plans, enable us to execute a comprehensive, long-term wireless strategy and expand our focus on providing mobility to our Xfinity services. We're excited about this partnership with Verizon Wireless and the future innovations we will bring to consumers."

Dan Mead, President and CEO of Verizon Wireless, said, "Americans deserve excellence from a wireless service provider, and innovative wireless companies plan ahead in order to deliver on that expectation. Spectrum is the raw material on which wireless networks are built, and buying the AWS spectrum now solidifies our network leadership into the future, and will enable us to bring even better 4G LTE products and services to our customers. American businesses and consumers can have confidence that the best wireless network has the foundational resources to deliver on that promise."

Time Warner Cable President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Marcus said, "We're excited to be able to offer the nation's best wireless services to our customers and to have Verizon Wireless as a sales channel for our superb wireline services. We're also pleased to have obtained an attractive price for the spectrum we're selling."

Bright House Networks CEO Steve Miron added, "We are always looking for ways to provide new and exciting product offerings for our customers. We look forward to working with our partners through these agreements toward achieving that end goal to add additional value for our customers."

SpectrumCo's sale and transfer of its advanced wireless spectrum to Verizon Wireless is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission and review under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act and other customary conditions.

About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com/) is one of the world's leading media, entertainment and communications companies. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable Communications and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable Communications is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 107.7 million total wireless connections, including 90.7 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Time Warner Cable
Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE: TWC) is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and phone services in the United States, connecting more than 14 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and, through its NaviSite subsidiary, managed and outsourced information technology solutions and cloud services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions. More information about the services of Time Warner Cable is available at http://www.timewarnercable.com/, http://www.twcbc.com/, www.navisite.com/, and http://www.twcmedia.com/.

About Bright House Networks
Bright House Networks is the sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida with technologically advanced systems located in five states including Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and California. Bright House Networks serves more than 2.4 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data and voice services. The company also offers a full suite of phone, Internet, Ethernet and cable television services to businesses of all sizes. Bright House Media Strategies, the advertising arm of Bright House Networks, offers businesses advanced targeted advertising solutions. Bright House Networks also owns and operates exclusive local news and sports channels in its Florida markets. For more information about Bright House Networks or our products and services, please visit (www.brighthouse.com).

WikiLeaks' Spy Files shed light on the corporate side of government surveillance

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 05:35 AM PST

WikiLeaks' latest batch of documents hit the web this week, providing the world with a scarily thorough breakdown of a thoroughly scary industry -- government surveillance. The organization's trove, known as the Spy Files, includes a total of 287 files on surveillance products from 160 companies, as well as secret brochures and presentations that these firms use to market their technologies to government agencies. As Ars Technica reports, many of these products are designed to get around standard privacy guards installed in consumer devices, while some even act like malware. DigiTask, for example, is a German company that produces and markets software capable of circumventing a device's SSL encryption and transmitting all instant messages, emails and recorded web activity to clients (i.e., law enforcement agencies). This "remote forensic software" also sports keystroke logging capabilities, and can capture screenshots, as well. Included among DigiTask's other products is the WifiCatcher -- a portable device capable of culling data from users linked up to a public WiFi network. US-based SS8, Italy's Hacking Team and France's Vupen produce similar Trojan-like malware capable of documenting a phone or computer's "every use, movement, and even the sights and sounds of the room it is in," according to the publication.

Speaking at City University in London yesterday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said his organization decided to unleash the Spy Files as "a mass attack on the mass surveillance industry," adding that the technologies described could easily transform participating governments into a "totalitarian surveillance state." The documents, released on the heels of the Wall Street Journal's corroborative "Surveillance Catalog" report, were published alongside a preface from WikiLeaks, justifying its imperative to excavate such an "unregulated" industry. "Intelligence agencies, military forces, and police authorities are able to silently, and on mass, and [sic] secretly intercept calls and take over computers without the help or knowledge of the telecommunication providers," wrote Wikileaks in its report. "In the last ten years systems for indiscriminate, mass surveillance have become the norm." The organization says this initial document dump is only the first in a larger series of related files, scheduled for future release. You can comb through them for yourself, at the source link below.

Engadget Distro Issue 16 examines the Galaxy Nexus, Audi's R18 prototype and Fanatec's sim-racing gear

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 05:12 AM PST


Finally pulled yourself out of last week's turkey coma? Awesome. You've managed to regain consciousness just in time for a freshly baked edition of Engadget Distro. In this installment we discuss the nearly perfect Samsung Galaxy Nexus, talk up terrible product names and take a Fanatec Forza gaming duo for a test drive. Speaking of cars, we also have an exclusive look at the Audi R18 prototype and it's tech savvy pit crew, Ross Rubin offers his take on Apple's TV in Switched On and you'll get a another peek into our messenger bags with IRL. Pretty sweet, eh? Go on, hit that download now because it's Friday, and you all deserve a little pre-weekend leisurely reading.

Distro Issue 16 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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BMW and Toyota to collaborate on future lithium-ion tech, love notes

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 04:50 AM PST

What kind of doors open when you're Toyota and you sell over three million hybrids? Apparently a partnership with BMW on "next-generation" lithium-ion packs and all sorts of future green debauchery. Whether the collaboration will bear fruit in time for München's upcoming lithium-ion powered i3 and i8 remains to be seen, but the tie-up should save the duo mucho dinero as they pool development time and cut costs with economies of scale. The memorandum will also grant Toyota's European outfit with access to BMW's 1.6 and 2.0 liter diesel engines come 2014. Does that mean we're a little over three years from the bimmer powered oil burning Prius of our dreams? Guess we'll have to find out, but we can't imagine things are exactly peachy over in France right about now.
Show full PR text
BMW Group and Toyota Agree to Mid-to-long-term Research Collaboration in Environment-friendly Technologies

BMW Group to Supply 1.6L and 2.0L BMW Fuel Efficient Diesel Engines to Toyota Motor

Tokio/München. BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announce that they today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning a mid-to-long-term collaboration on next-generation environment-friendly technologies.

Under the MOU, the two companies agreed on a collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery technologies. Furthermore, they have agreed to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects.

In addition, Toyota Motor Europe (TME), TMC's European subsidiary, and BMW Group have entered into a contract under which BMW Group is to supply 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter diesel engines to TME starting in 2014. The engines will be installed in certain Toyota-produced vehicles planned for sale in the European market. Through this agreement, Toyota plans to expand its European lineup and sales of fuel-efficient, low CO2-emission diesel-powered vehicles.

Marking the announcement, Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said: "Toyota is the leading provider of environment-friendly series technology in the volume segment and the BMW Group is the most innovative and sustainable manufacturer of premium automobiles. We are now joining forces to further develop environment-friendly technologies and to expand our innovation leadership in each of our segments. Supplying Toyota with our fuel efficient and dynamic diesel engines represents another important step in the planned expansion of our sales activities for engines and powertrain systems."

Representing TMC, President Akio Toyoda said: "It is a great joy and a thrill to enter into this mid-to-long-term collaborative relationship with BMW, a company with its own culture and history from its many years of car manufacturing in Europe, and a company that makes cars that are fun to drive. In the spirit of contributing to furthering the development of the auto industry and society, both companies will bring their wide-ranging knowledge - starting with that concerning environmental technologies - to the table and make ever-better cars."

RIM takes $485 million hit on the PlayBook in Q3

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 04:31 AM PST

Just how much is the PlayBook costing RIM? The BlackBerry-maker revealed that it will be taking a $485 million hit in the third fiscal quarter, thanks to the QNX-packing tablet. The charge reflects flagging sales on the PlayBook, which moved some 500,000 units in its first quarter, followed by 250,000 and 150,000 in the following two. In spite of such numbers, the Canadian smartphone manufacturer remains committed to the tablet, which has seen some healthy price drops in recent weeks, in hopes of staying competitive amongst new crop of budget tablets.

Gigabyte's T1006 at the FCC, flaunts some convertible Cedar Trail style

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 04:09 AM PST

We just caught wind of Gigabyte's latest netvertible, the T1132, just days ago, and now its cousin, the T1006, has popped up at the FCC. Like its sibling, the T1006 comes with VGA, HDMI, and three USB ports (one 3.0, one 2.0, and one combo USB/eSATA port) along with a 1366 x 768 capacitive display. (Pixel density enthusiasts should note that those pixels are packed into a 10.1-inch screen unlike the 11.6-inch panel found on the T1132.) Instead of the Core i5 CPU found in its relative, the T1006 is powered by an unspecified Atom chip with Intel GMA 3650 graphics -- which tells us that it's Cedar Trail silicon. There's also 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, and an optional 3G radio rounds out the wireless connectivity. Interest sufficiently piqued? There's plenty more pics and an owner's manual to quench your curiosity at the source below.

Will Windows 8 for ARM tablets cut the cord on desktop mode? (Update: Maybe not)

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 03:35 AM PST

Is it us, or is the dream of a full Windows experience on low-power ARM tablets getting steadily eroded? We've long known that these slates would sacrifice backwards compatibility with legacy software, but now it seems the familiar desktop mode could be getting the chop too. Paul Thurrott from SuperSite for Windows says he has good insider information that this mode will be limited to x86 devices, which would rule out using the traditional keyboard-and-mouse UI on an ARM tablet and force users to stick with the Metro UI at all times. By the sound of it, though, the matter is still being argued over within Microsoft and it's unclear whether the decision will apply to ARM-based notebooks too. All Thurrott could be sure of is that "the people who don't want there to be a desktop mode [in ARM tablets] have apparently won the day." Man, and just when we thought everyone was starting to get along so nicely.

Update: Paul Thurrott has just provided a bit of an update that he heard from a different source that, yes indeed, Windows 8 will include a desktop mode, even when running on ARM. Paul indicates he trusts these two sources equally, leaving us somewhat stuck in the middle.

Brits, your government needs you to solve this puzzle

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 03:22 AM PST

Spare a thought for the British intelligence services. Every time they come up with a clever recruitment drive, their efforts are hampered by yet another off-putting death scene in a certain long-running spy drama. But relax, this particular ciphered job advert is entirely safe. It's been put out by the UK's monitoring service, GCHQ, which is altogether more 9 to 5 than MI5. You simply need to figure out the keyword buried in that daunting grid of characters, submit it via the 'canyoucrackit' link below, and a happy career in headphones and Herman Miller could be yours. On the other hand, people who claim to have beaten the puzzle seem underwhelmed by the response: all it got them, they say, was a shot at a £25k per year position that was already being openly advertised on the web. But, who knows, maybe those guys only think they cracked it?

Acer announces Iconia Tab A200 packing Tegra 2 CPU, Ice Cream Sandwich on the way

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 02:48 AM PST

We've already seen it pass through the FCC and pop-up in a family-friendly video, but today, Acer's Iconia Tab A200 has finally received official status, courtesy of an announcement obtained by Netbook News. Powered by NVIDIA's 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, the company's latest Android slate comes with 1GB of RAM and boasts a "generous" 10.1-inch display, with 1280 x 800 resolution. Available in either Titanium Gray or Metallic Red, the slate also features a two megapixel front facing camera and, as we observed earlier, comes packed with Acer Ring -- a multitasking manager that provides shortcuts to Google Maps, screenshot functions and other apps. Acer says it began shipping Honeycomb-laced models to select countries in November, but promises that an Ice Cream Sandwich version will be available worldwide in January (along with a free update for early buyers). No word yet on pricing or current availability, but you can find more information in the full press release, after the break.
Show full PR text
Acer Presents the ICONIA TAB A200
The tablet for sharing good times with family at an affordable price

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (December 2, 2011) - Acer Inc. announces the release of the ICONIA TAB A200, the company's latest tablet. Ideal for sharing good times via gaming, e-books, movies, music, photography, social networking and more, this tablet is an amazing hub of activity for people of all ages, and it comes at a very affordable price. Shipments in select countries include the Android 3.2 OS (code named Honeycomb) beginning in November. Shipments with Android 4.0 (code named Ice Cream Sandwich, or ICS) will start in January 2012 worldwide. A free ICS upgrade to current ICONIA TAB A200 users will also be made available at that time.

Priced right and looking sleek from all angles, the ICONIA TAB A200 stands out in Titanium Gray or Metallic Red. The rear side is soft to the touch and features an eye-catching pattern. Made especially for multimedia enjoyment, this tablet packs hardware and apps for loads of fun. Visuals are fantastic on the generous 10.1" multitouch screen, and even thrilling games run smoothly thanks to the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 2 Dual Core 1 GHz processor and gyrometer.

The ICONIA TAB A200 improves multitasking with the Acer Ring interface for setting easy-access apps from any screen. It also features Screenshot, which quickly captures web images, articles, Google Maps and even smiling faces from video calls. Screenshot can be used in any app on any screen for maximum convenience.

Adapted perfectly for mobility, this tablet has a full-size USB port for hooking up other devices and a MicroSD slot for passing data. A 2 MP web camera enables face-to-face chats for keeping friends and family close at hand wherever you are. Whether on the road or at home, sharing multimedia is easy; you can read an e-book or watch a streaming movie, anytime. For enhanced social networking the ICONIA TAB A200 includes Acer SocialJogger, which consolidates Facebook, Twitter and more.

Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus runs impressive 4G LTE speed test on two bars (video)

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 01:21 AM PST

How fast can the Samsung Galaxy Nexus run on Verizon's 4G network? Pretty darn fast, according to a freshly leaked video. Originally spotted by the folks over at Phandroid, the clip shows a Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus performing rather admirably on a speed trial from Speedtest.net, reaching download speeds of 8.5Mbps, and upstream rates of 2Mbps -- all on just two bars of signal. It's worth noting that the clip hasn't received Verizon's official blessing, though it should certainly whet some appetites ahead of the handset's apparently imminent release. Check it out for yourself, after the break.

MIT-created algorithm predicts likelihood of running red lights, places blame where appropriate

Posted: 02 Dec 2011 01:01 AM PST

The bad news: Math will always judge you. The good news: It'll still be there to judge everyone else. In a recent article published in the IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, MIT's Professor Jonathan How and three colleagues announced they've created an algorithm that can predict whether an oncoming car is about to run a red light one or two seconds before a possible collision. The algorithm can compute the likelihood of a vehicle running a red light based on its rate of deceleration as it is approaching the intersection with a level of precision down to mere milliseconds. The team, which applied the algorithm to more than 15,000 vehicles during the study, used instruments that monitored vehicle speeds and locations as well as when the lights turned red. When the results were tallied, they found that they were able to correctly predict who would run a red light 85 percent of the time. In other news, MIT is working on a much simpler algorithm capable of predicting when your significant other will break up with you, the formula factoring in at least four behavioral elements from the last season of "Jersey Shore."

Verizon purportedly readying new LTE tablets, Xyboard gets namedropped

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 11:54 PM PST

Are there two Droid tablets on Verizon's horizon? It certainly seems like it, now that CNET has outed the Motorola Mobility Droid Xyboard. According to the news outlet, Verizon is gearing up to release two different versions of the 4G LTE-equipped tablet -- an eight-inch model and a ten-incher, both slated for launch later this month. Motorola declined to provide details on the devices, and Verizon stopped short of spilling the beans on pricing and availability, though it did provide the following statement: "As we've previously mentioned, we're planning to bring several new LTE devices to market including two tablets. We haven't made any official announcements in the U.S. but we look forward to sharing more details soon."

CNET, meanwhile, apparently managed to get its hands on the two slates (pictured above), reporting that both carry a 1.2GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM and a five-megapixel camera, along with a 1.3 megapixel front-facing shooter. They're also coated in Corning Gorilla Glass and CNET, in the absence of quantitative specs, reports that both are "thinner than a AAA battery and lighter than a paperback book." The stylus-equipped ten-inch version is reportedly geared toward the enterprise market, whereas its little brother is described as more media-friendly, presumably with the consumer market in mind. That's about all we know at this point, though be sure to check out CNET's coverage below for more images and insight.

Supercurio brings Carrier IQ detection to the people, pitchfork optional

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 11:00 PM PST

While the Carrier IQ saga continues to unfold, our eForensics ally, François Simond (supercurio) has cooked up an app for any Android device users wanting to check if the analytics company has its fingers in his or her privacy pie. Not only is the unfinished app available for download now, but the open source code is also up for anyone looking to improve on the developmental release. Wannabe Carrier IQ investigators can hit up both at the source links below.

EVDrive offers first batch of e-Moto-CRF250R bikes for $13,700

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 10:35 PM PST

Motocross riders, go electric and the wildlife will love you for it. In fact, equip yourselves with second-generation e-Moto-CRF250R from EVDrive and human onlookers will love you too, because the 80 horsepower Honda electric motor is plenty sufficient for catching high altitudes and hurtling between trees at 70MPH. It should run for up to 110 minutes on a charge and perform much like its fossil-fueled equivalent, while also being less expensive to run and a heck of a lot quieter. How much quieter? Click past the break for a video of the previous e-Moto in action -- and honestly, there's no need to adjust your volume dial.

Introducing Memo Touch, a tablet designed for elders with short-term memory loss

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 09:40 PM PST

Here's a product you don't see every day: a tablet designed specifically for senior citizens -- albeit with rather limited functionality. The Memo Touch is designed as a reminder tool for those who struggle with short-term memory loss, and can be used to deliver gentle cues when its time to take a medication, go to the doctor and the like. It's collaborative, too, as family members may add calendar events, phone numbers and to-do items, or even share photos and personalized messages, all from the product's companion website. Based on the Archos 101, the Memo Touch sells for $299 and requires a six-month ($174) or 12-month ($300) subscription. For those who don't take to the new-fangled gadget, the tablet carries a three month return policy, where purchasers may opt to receive a refund or have the tablet restored to its Android roots. Hey, it's one more way of keeping that rascally parent under your thumb, anyway. Overbearing children will find a full press release after the break. Now, where'd we put that damn tablet?
Show full PR text
Revolutionary Memo Keeps Memory-Challenged Seniors Informed and Independent

New Memory Assistant Reduces Senior Confusion and Frustration, Helps Relieve Family Caregivers of Worry and Stress

EAST LANSING, Mich., Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Memo (www.memotouch.com) is a revolutionary new memory assistant that helps seniors with short-term memory loss maintain their independence and age in their own home. Introduced today, the custom software which operates on an Android tablet allows family members to provide their aging parent or loved one with reminders to manage everyday activities even when they are miles away.

Memo is a breakthrough product designed specifically for persons with memory loss and the people who care for them. Elders need no computer experience to use it. "If they can watch TV, they can use a Memo," says Memo co-founder Carrie Beia. Family members manage the information displayed on the Memo remotely from a companion caregiver website. They can add and update reminders from home, work, or wherever they have internet access.

Memo meets the needs of the two million Americans age 75+ with short-term memory loss, which can have devastating effects on their ability to manage everyday activities. Missed appointments, forgotten medications, and chronic confusion often create difficulties for the elder as well as for their caregiver. Family members carry the burden of constant repetition, frequent interruptions, and disruption of work and family life coming to the assistance of their parent or loved one. For caregivers, Memo is a timesaver, alleviating the time-consuming calls and visits necessary to help their loved one stay on top of everyday activities. It helps relieve caregiver worry, guilt and stress.

"Memo establishes an entirely new product category of memory assistants designed to reduce the confusion and loss of independence caused by memory impairment," says Merilee Griffin, Ph.D., president of Memo Touch, LLC. Memo can be easily customized to meet the needs of people with a wide range of abilities. Memo's display can be as simple as the day, date and time and a single reminder, or it can include optional features such as a calendar, to-do list, the weather, phone numbers, a list of medications, and photo albums. A Help button is available to automatically send a text, email or both to the caregiver if needed.

Because access to the caregiver website can be shared among siblings, aides, assisted living staff, and other helpers, Memo facilitates communication and coordination of care. Everyone with access can see the messages, calendar items, to-do lists, and medications. It eliminates the additional responsibility typically placed on the primary caregiver to keep all interested parties informed.

By inputting information on a companion website, family members can post:

- A "crawl line" with personalized messages
- A calendar in daily or weekly view, with audio alerts
- Weather forecast
- A "To-Do" list
- A list of frequently-called phone numbers
- A list of medications by day of week and time of day
- Albums of family photos


The family can also make the Memo familiar and appealing by posting family photos and updates, plus reassuring messages that help to overcome distance from their loved ones. "Memo is your assistant that can be there when you can't, to remind your loved one of important tasks," said Griffin, who conceived of the idea while caring for her own aging mother.

Developed with the assistance of both clinical gerontologists and researchers, Memo is a solid solution for the problem of memory loss among the growing population of elders. Memo has been in test since January by real families experiencing the stress of caring for an elder with memory loss, and was enhanced with feedback from both elders and caregivers.

Memo operates on an Archos 101 ten-inch screen tablet, with the Android operating system and 1024 x 600 resolution. It requires an Internet connection in the users' home, with a wireless router strongly recommended. The Memo program overrides existing software on the tablet so the elder cannot accidentally get lost in a maze of applications, menus, or out in cyberspace.

Memo is priced at $299 for the tablet plus $174 for a six-month subscription to the companion caregiver website ($300 for a 12-month subscription). It can be ordered by visiting memotouch.com. Memo comes ready to go with a few clicks, along with recommendations for how to successfully introduce it into the home. The company offers a generous return policy if the elder has not embraced the product within three months. The tablet can be returned if not damaged, or converted to the original Android tablet, and the website subscription will be refunded for the remaining months.

Memo is offered by MemoTouch LLC of East Lansing, Michigan, formed in 2010 with the vision of producing a single, simple device to help ease the stress and daily disruption caused by short-term memory loss of elders and their caregivers alike. Dr. Griffin and Ms. Beia were motivated by the long-term and deeply emotional personal experience in caring for those with diminished memory.

Air Force X-37B space plane books additional time on orbital cruise, orders another margarita

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 08:35 PM PST

If your secret space plane's in orbit and doing its secret thing well enough, why bother bringing it home? This appears to be the mindset of the Air Force regarding its experimental X-37B space plane, the billion-dollar robotic vehicle's orbital flight being extended beyond the 270 days it was initially designed for. While the Air Force has stated that the vehicle is meant only for conducting orbital science experiments, analysts say the X-37B is capable of much more, and could perform additional tasks such as acting as an orbital spy, sneaking up on and tampering with enemy satellites or hauling small batches of supplies to the International Space Station. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the X-37B could stay in orbit for that much longer. Although the Air Force said last year that the X-37B could last nine months above the heavens before its power and fuel ran out, an inside source commented that "it sips power and fuel like a Prius." Click through the break for the full X-37B schematics, which -- crazily enough -- look nothing like a Prius.

Apple appeals Samsung tablet ruling, Galaxy Tab 10.1 sales still blocked in Australia

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 08:14 PM PST

As expected, Apple has decided to appeal a ruling on its injunction blocking the sale of Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia to the High Court. The means Samsung cannot start selling its slates at 4PM as a lower court had decided, and puts the devices on ice until at least December 9th. What, after months of litigation in multiple countries, you thought either side would just walk away from this? We'll see you all back here in a week or so for the next incremental legal happening.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Toyota Fun-Vii concept car envisions instantly customizable interior and exterior

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 07:39 PM PST

Look, the reality is that you can't drive your car into a Pay 'n' Spray every 15 minutes or so à la Grand Theft Auto, but what if you can simply change the vehicle's skin at the tap of a button? Toyota certainly likes the sound of that and has thus come up with the funky-looking Fun-Vii concept car. What's more, even the interior can be changed as well, and similarly it can be used as a display space for navigation or even racing simulation (assuming the latter's disabled while actually driving, of course). This is all good and well, but unlike many other concept exhibits we've seen, Toyota's mockup couldn't seat people -- we suspect the "car" only used a back projection from within, so we couldn't get to see what it'd feel like to play a Tron-like game inside the "car." Nevertheless, we look forward to day when this idea becomes a reality -- here's looking at you, flexible OLED! Video after the break.
Toyota Fun-Vii eyes-on




Zach Honig contributed to this article.

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

Google looks to compete with Amazon Prime, offer speedy delivery service in 2012

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 06:44 PM PST

You ordered a nifty thing. Now the nifty thing has to make your day by arriving. Then you'll have your nifty thing and a warm and nifty feeling inside. Evidently, Google's following this very line of thinking, as it appears to be in talks with various retailers and shippers to create a service that lets customers receive their wares within 24 to 48 hours. According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, the company's effort is motivated by the success of Amazon's Prime service, which allows customers to receive many purchased items within a day or two for an annual fee of $79. Google, in turn, has apparently pitched the project to retailers such as Macy's, Gap and OfficeMax. Under the proposed system, when shoppers place an order on an affiliate's website, Google's system could kick in to offer them an option for same-day or possibly next-day delivery, said a person familiar with the matter. Sources indicated that Google plans to start a pilot test of the service in the San Francisco Bay Area sometime in 2012, which -- by then -- we'll have far more serious issues to deal with than tracking numbers.

Senseg's tactile display gets demoed on a tablet, products anticipated within 24 months

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 05:56 PM PST

We've seen Senseg's tactile display technology demoed on a few different devices in the past, but CNET has now gotten a quick look of the company's latest tech on a tablet, along with some additional word on its future. As with previous prototypes, the screen doesn't rely on any moving parts as some other tactile displays do, but instead employs an electrostatic field-based system that allows different parts of the screen to produce varying degrees of friction. As Senseg notes, that opens up a number of interesting possibilities for gaming, as well as other applications where you may not always want to look at the screen. Of course, that tablet is still very much a prototype, but Senseg's Dave Rice says that he's "optimistic" we'll see actual products using it "within the next year," although he notes that could extend to 24 months. See the video after the break or at the source link below.


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

Researchers print a fully-functional OLED control circuit using an inkjet

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 04:51 PM PST

Don't worry, this isn't about teaching bacteria how to climb out of a petri dish and follow a subway map. The picture above actually shows an OLED display control circuit that was quickly and cheaply manufactured thanks to the joys of inkjet printing. Its makers at UCLA start-up Aneeve Nanotechnologies also claim their carbon nanotube circuit yields better performance than traditional silicon counterparts and should therefore be considered a competing technology. On the other hand, it's also true that inkjet circuitry has been around in various forms for years, so we must return to the fundamental question: will we ever be able to afford one of these?

Toyota FCV-R concept brings fuel cell cars closer to reality, aiming for 2015 launch

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 04:08 PM PST

Amongst the many concept EVs we've seen at the Tokyo Motor Show this week, Toyota thinks that fuel cell vehicles still have a chance. Hence the above cool-looking FCV-R, an actual functional hydrogen car featuring a multi-LCD panel dashboard along with a driving range of around 700km or 435 miles. Alas, interested buyers will have to wait until around 2015 before Toyota launches its first fuel cell car, which is currently projected to cost around $125,000. And of course, there's no saying on whether hydrogen fuel stations will be widely available across the nation by then. For now though, you can take a closer look at the FCV-R in our video after the break.
Toyota FCV-R hands-on


Zach Honig contributed to this article.

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

EFO turns its BlackBerry-like iPazzPort into a Skype handset (video)

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 03:39 PM PST

iPazzPort
We know what you've been thinking: "this iPazzPort is pretty sweet, but I wish I could talk into it." Well, for those of you who can't be bothered with owning an actual BlackBerry, EFO has added a microphone and speaker to its handheld keyboard and touchpad. Now, after you're done banging out a few emails you can use the iPazzPort as a Skype handset. EFO even claims the device is perfect for the "youngster" who we know is "always download[ing] music or songs for Karaoke." If you really need to know what else you're getting for your $50 hit up the source link and check out the video after the break.

DigiTimes: Acer eyes Ultrabook price drop for next year, bigger cuts coming in 2013

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 03:11 PM PST

Having recently affirmed its commitment to the netbook, Acer is now reportedly looking to boost its Ultrabook sales, with the help of a handsome price cut. Citing company president Jim Wong, DigiTimes reports that Acer will slash the price of its Ultrabook offerings by as much as 20 percent next year, dropping them from around $1,000 to between $800 and $900. The cut, expected to go into effect during Q2 2012, will be followed by a subsequent reduction to $500 in 2013, when Acer expects more vendors to enter the market. The hope is that the manufacturer will be able to reclaim some of the ground it's lost to competitors in recent months, though it remains to be seen whether or not the strategy pays dividends.

Daihatsu FC ShowCase concept: who doesn't want a 60-inch TV in a van?

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 02:55 PM PST

Here's a funny one from the Tokyo Motor Show. Daihatsu's squarish concept EV van, dubbed the FC ShowCase, is basically a spacious four-seater packing plenty of goodies: a giant wing door, some blue lights on the wheels, an LED panel on the left skirt, side-view cameras instead of mirrors, a funky touch panel steering wheel, a small heads-up display and a 60-inch TV. And no, this isn't a mod from Pimp My Ride. According to one of the designers, the idea here is that the FC ShowCase acts as a mobile theater, which can keep travellers entertained while camping or fishing. With the seats folded down (except for the driver's seat, of course) on top of the 35kW solid polymer fuel cell stack, this vehicle also makes a great delivery van apparently, but don't expect FedEx to turn up at your door with Daihatsu's dream ride any time soon. Or ever. Video after the break.
Daihatsu FC ShowCase hands-on


Zach Honig contributed to this article.

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

LG Nitro HD hands-on (update: video)

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 02:30 PM PST

AT&T stole some of LG's thunder earlier this week when it unveiled the company's LTE flagship -- the Nitro HD -- before the handset's official coming out soirée. Well, tonight LG's gone and thrown that fete anyway, introducing us (once again) to its 4.5-incher. But you have to wonder why the company's even bothering to roll out yet another Gingerbread-baked device when Samsung's Galaxy Nexus is already out of the gate and leading the Android charge with ICS -- not to mention the current availability of rival heavyweights like the Rezound and Droid RAZR. Still, the phone's packing some very respectable specs, with a "true" HD 1280 x 720 IPS display, dual 1.3 / 8 megapixel shooters, 20GB of storage (4GB internal / 16GB microSD) and a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm APQ8060 processor running the show. Is it too late in the game for LG to make its beast matter? Follow past the break as we gather our first impressions of this tardy to the party entry.
LG Nitro HD hands-on



Right out of the box, you'll notice the Nitro registers as a featherweight. The handset is extremely light as its casing is constructed from a ribbed plastic, not unlike what Samsung continues to do with its Galaxy S line. Looks-wise, it's not an unimpressive device, but that's not to say it cuts a striking figure either. Mostly, the design is understated with nary a port disturbing the phone's right side, leaving the 3.5mm headphone jack, power button and covered USB port to reside up top. The only other exterior flourish is the gently grooved volume rocker that sticks out every so slightly midway on the left side. Around back, there's a rectangular metal plating surrounding the Nitro HD's 8 megapixel camera and back-illuminated sensor capable of 1080p video capture.

As we previously mentioned, LG's shipping this with Android 2.3.5 onboard -- a skinned version that appears unchanged. Certainly, this iteration of Google's mobile software puts it on equal footing with other recent Android beasties, so in terms of UI there are no surprises here. What you will immediately notice is how speedily the phone navigates through menus and apps. And that's courtesy of the dual-core 1.5GHz processor within. We did encounter an initial bit of lag when we first booted up the phone, but that quickly dissipated and gave way to a fluid experience.

Of course, the real standout here is the 4.5-inch screen, boasting a resolution of 1280 x 720 and a Retina display-like 329ppi. Colors on the IPS panel pop and images, fonts and icons appears crisp. Viewing angles were similarly excellent, giving way to no instances of wash out. Good news for fans of bloat-free phones: it appears LG and AT&T used a light hand when loading up the Nitro HD. Aside from Zynga Poker HD, MOG music and a couple of AT&T apps, there isn't much here mucking up the app drawer.

Despite AT&T having not officially launched its 700MHz LTE network in New York City, the Nitro HD did show the company's 4G LTE icon in the notification pane and a subsequent speed test yielded a max of 13.81Mbps down and a lackluster 0.38Mbps up. So, it's safe to say AT&T may very well be currently testing out its new 4G network here in the city.

All in all, it's a solid Android phone and could likely go head-to-head with the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket if you're attached to AT&T and jonesing for the carrier's newly launched 4G LTE. The Nitro HD joins the operator's lineup this Sunday, December 4th, so if you're keen on two-year contracts and have $250 to spare, this could very well be your next handset.

Update: Thanks to the genius of Francois Simond (Supercurio), we have confirmed that Carrier IQ is installed and running on the LG Nitro HD for AT&T.

[Thanks, Francois]

Dana Wollman contributed to this report.

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

Which companies are on the Carrier IQ bandwagon?

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 02:13 PM PST

If you have the feeling somebody's watching you, it's not a bad idea to keep a close eye on your phone -- after all, it may be keeping one on you. The more we find out about Carrier IQ, the mysterious Mountain View company recently brought into the spotlight for its smartphone tracking software, the more curious we become about which carriers and manufacturers are playing along. Below the break you'll find a continuously updated list of the major players as they come clean about their involvement in the matter -- or lack thereof. We're working on collecting official statements from as many companies as we can, so stay tuned if you don't see the one you're looking for.


Apple:

We stopped supporting Carrier IQ with iOS 5 in most of our products and will remove it completely in a future software update. With any diagnostic data sent to Apple, customers must actively opt-in to share this information, and if they do, the data is sent in an anonymous and encrypted form and does not include any personal information. We never recorded keystrokes, messages or any other personal information for diagnostic data and have no plans to ever do so.

AT&T:

In-line with our privacy policy, we solely use CIQ software data to improve wireless network and service performance.

Bell:

Bell doesn't install or support Carrier IQ or similar programs. You may want to connect with the device manufacturers for the industry-wide perspective.

Cincinnati Bell:

We do not request Carrier IQ to be put on our phones. We are currently working with the handset manufacturers to find out if they put that on any of their phones by default. [Thanks, Mike]

Fido:

Carrier IQ is not on any of our devices.

Google, which has never shipped CarrierIQ on its Nexus devices:

We do not have an affiliation with CarrierIQ. Android is an open source effort and we do not control how carriers or OEMs customize their devices.

HP:

HP does not install nor authorize its partners to embed Carrier IQ on its webOS devices.

HTC:

Statement 1: HTC, like most manufacturers, has an opt-in error reporting function built in to our devices. If your phone experiences an error, you have the option of 'Telling HTC' so we can make improvements to our phones. Details about this are in our privacy policy on each device and in order for data to be collected, you have to opt-in. If you do opt-in, we protect your privacy by de-identifying and encrypting the data. HTC is committed to protecting your privacy and that means a commitment to clear opt-in/opt-out as the standard for collecting any information we need to serve you better.

Statement 2: Carrier IQ is required on devices by a number of U.S carriers so if consumers or media have any questions about the practices relating to, or data collected by, Carrier IQ we'd advise them to contact their carrier. It is important to note that HTC is not a customer or partner of Carrier IQ and does not receive data from the application, the company, or carriers that partner with Carrier IQ. HTC is investigating the option to allow consumers to opt-out of data collection by the Carrier IQ application.

Microsoft:

Since people are asking -- Windows Phones don't have CarrierIQ on them either.

Nokia:

Nokia is aware of inaccurate reports which state that software from Carrier IQ has been found on Nokia devices. Carrier IQ does not ship products for any Nokia devices, so these reports are wrong.

RIM:

RIM does not pre-install the Carrier IQ app on BlackBerry smartphones or authorize its carrier partners to install the Carrier IQ app before sales or distribution... RIM also did not develop or commission the development of the Carrier IQ application, and has no involvement in the testing, promotion, or distribution of the app.

Rogers:

Hi all. I'm happy to confirm that we have investigated and Carrier IQ is NOT on any of our devices

Samsung:

Some Samsung mobile phones do include Carrier IQ, but it's very important to note that it's up to the carrier to request that Samsung include that software on devices. One other important point is that Samsung does not receive any consumer user information from the phones that are equipped with Carrier IQ.

Sony Ericsson:

Sony Ericsson does not install or support Carrier IQ on its devices. The exception is in the U.S when required by carriers. Sony Ericsson does not receive or gather any information or data collected by Carrier IQ. For questions regarding Carrier IQ, we recommend consumers to contact their operator.

Sprint:

Carrier IQ provides information that allows Sprint, and other carriers that use it, to analyze our network performance and identify where we should be improving service. We also use the data to understand device performance so we can figure out when issues are occurring. We collect enough information to understand the customer experience with devices on our network and how to address any connection problems, but we do not and cannot look at the contents of messages, photos, videos, etc., using this tool. The information collected is not sold and we don't provide a direct feed of this data to anyone outside of Sprint.

Sprint is well known for our serious commitment to respecting and protecting the privacy and security of each customer's personally identifiable information and other customer data. A key element of this involves communicating with our customers about our information privacy practices. The Sprint privacy policy makes it clear we collect information that includes how a device is functioning and how it is being used. Carrier IQ is an integral part of the Sprint service. Sprint uses Carrier IQ to help maintain our network performance.

T-Mobile US:

T-Mobile utilizes the Carrier IQ diagnostic tool to troubleshoot device and network performance with the goal of enhancing network reliability and our customers' experience . T-Mobile does not use this diagnostic tool to obtain the content of text, email or voice messages, or the specific destinations of a customers' internet activity, nor is the tool used for marketing purposes.

T-Mobile UK:

I can confirm that Carrier IQ software is not and has not been installed on any T-Mobile phones.

Verizon:

To be 100% clear: Carrier IQ is *not* on Verizon Wireless phones.

Motorola didn't have an official statement, but did mention that Carrier IQ is only pre-loaded as an operator requirement. According to MobileSyrup, Virgin Mobile Canada, Telus and Videotron have also confirmed that Carrier IQ is not loaded on any of their devices.

Update: Ross Phillips tweeted in to let us know that T-Mobile UK has confirmed no Carrier IQ on its devices.


Sean Buckley and Myriam Joire contributed to this post.

YouTube goes under the knife, new homepage and social integration emerge (video)

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 01:50 PM PST

Falling into lockstep with Google's quest to redesign everything, YouTube officially unveiled a radical new look for its twenty billion strong video site. Now sporting a more somber look, the homepage is now dominated by a center feed hosting content, which is flanked on its left by a list of channels in a quasi-navigation bar. Besides hosting channels, that navbar also features Google+ and (opt-in) Facebook tabs, allowing you to peruse content friends are sharing and interacting with. Also tweaked are channels, which are now more easily customizable thanks to the addition of snazzy new templates. To our eyes the whole shebang looks like a well-oiled augmented Cosmic Panda coupled with some slick social integration, but don't take our word for it, a video explaining the changes awaits you after the break.

Braille-It Labeler brings low-cost printing, 'sightless construction' to the blind

Posted: 01 Dec 2011 01:31 PM PST

It's certainly not the first Braille label printer we've seen, but Ted Moallem's Braille-It Labeler does bring notably unique element to the table -- namely, "sightless construction." Presented at this year's A Better World by Design conference, this compact device allows blind or visually impaired users to print out adhesive labels in Braille, thanks to a simple six-button design that's compatible with any Braille alphabet. Made out of relatively common materials like aluminum and steel wire, the Braille-It can also be constructed by the blind themselves -- a potentially groundbreaking development for a demographic that's too often ignored by the retail sector. Moallem, a former MIT grad student, explains:

Blind people cannot depend on mainstream commercial forces to advance the cause of Braille literacy. Nearly two centuries after the invention of Braille by a blind adolescent boy, the most widely used Braille-writing tools, the slate and stylus, are quite similar to the tools used by Louis Braille himself. In the hands of the sighted, the low-cost Braille industry has stagnated.

The inventor tested his label maker at a workshop last year in Katpadi, India, where blind trainees successfully taught other visually impaired users how to create their very own Braille-It. Moallem is now looking to set up similar workshops across other locations, including Senegal, Liberia and Lebanon. The ultimate goal is to empower blind consumers to create their own low-cost and potentially life-saving tools -- particularly in developing countries, which account for an estimated 90 percent of the world's blind population. If successful, Moallem's invention and ensuing campaign could provide a remarkably simple solution for a large, yet often neglected population. We certainly wish him the best of luck. Find out more at the source link below, or check out Inhabitat's extensive coverage for more images and insight.
at 11:58 AM

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