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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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Android Market reaches ten billionth download, sells Minecraft, Swiftkey X and others for a dime

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:39 AM PST

Happy milestone, Android Market! It's a busy place, full of hustle and bustle -- so much so, in fact, that the applications plaza for Google's mobile OS just had its ten billionth app downloaded. In honor of hitting this mark, it's passing the savings on to you, placing ten apps on sale for ten cents. The sale will last for ten days (notice a theme?), so procrastinators will have a little extra time to decide which ones are worth a dime. There's a few classics on the list, such as SwiftKey X, Minecraft, Asphalt 6 and SoundHound. Check the source link (or glance at the screenshot above) to see what else is available, as well as a press release straight from SwiftKey below the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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SwiftKey X included in Android Market
10 billionth app download promotion

London, UK – 6 December, 2011 – SwiftKey™ X (http://www.swiftkey.net), the award-winning keyboard for Android™-powered smartphones, is on offer for just £0.10p / €0.10¢ / $0.10¢ this Tuesday-Wednesday after being chosen by Android Market™ to be featured in a special promotion to celebrate its 10 billionth app download.

The promotion, which features 10 premium apps each day at the bargain 10p / 10¢ price, runs for 10 days from 6 December to 16 December. SwiftKey X, which replaces smartphone keyboards with one that uses natural language technology to make typing easier, is being featured on the first day of the celebration from 6pm GMT, at an incredible 95% off its list price.

Joe Braidwood, CMO of SwiftKey, said: "We're really thrilled that Android Market chose to showcase SwiftKey X on day one of such an incredible milestone. It's exciting to think about how many people across the world will be able to unlock the power of SwiftKey today at such a low price."

This latest promotion comes just after a SwiftKey X Thanksgiving weekend promotion, which saw the app rise to No. 1 in the global Android Market paid app chart. SwiftKey X (http://www.swiftkey.net/download) can be downloaded at the reduced price on 6 December and 14 December from Android Market stores across the world.

Cubic Telecom's Maxroam data SIM card lets you roam the globe without breaking the bank

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:17 AM PST

It's never easy to travel the globe on a tight budget, but Cubic Telecom is doing its best to ease the financial burden a bit, with its new Maxroam card -- a global data SIM card that allows American travelers to access the web for just 65 cents per MB. The card, available without any subscription or contract, works within a total of 43 countries, including India, Australia, South Africa and Europe. All you have to do is purchase the card, insert it in your unlocked handset and activate it online. From there, you'll be able to use Maxroam until you reach the data limit, without worrying about expiration dates or time constraints. It's available now at the source link below, though as Cubic Telecom points out, final data rates may vary with the euro/dollar exchange rate.
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Cubic Telecom Announces Lowest Cost Global Roaming at 65c per MB with New MAXROAM Global Data SIM Cards

With MAXROAM's new global data roaming bundles, the message to travellers is clear: 'Turn your data roaming back on!'

Mountain View, CA - December 5, 2011- Cubic Telecom (www.cubictelecom.com) today launched a new global data SIM card which allows users to travel the world without worrying about the high cost of data roaming or mobile Internet connectivity. The new MAXROAM (www.maxroam.com) card enables U.S. travellers to browse the web, tweet, use Facebook and Skype, or check email on their smart phones and tablets, like they do at home, for only 65 cents per MB with no monthly subscriptions or contract required.

The new cards work across 43 countries worldwide, including Europe as well as major global markets such as India, Australia, South Africa and South East Asia. The cards are good until the data limit has been reached; there are no time restrictions or expiration dates.

"The appetite amongst consumers for data services has been increasing significantly, particularly for business travellers. With this new product, travellers can connect to the Internet without worrying about bill-shock and enormous fees," said Pat Phelan, MAXROAM Director of Innovation. "When you compare this data rate with typical rate charges by other operators around the world which can be as high $20 per MB, you can really see how much more affordable and accessible we have made data roaming."

To use the MAXROAM service, customers can order the SIM card from MAXROAM's web site (www.maxroam.com), replace the SIM in their GSM (unlocked) phones, activate the card online and as soon as they arrive at their travel destination, start Tweeting, looking at Facebook, Skype or email and visiting favorite websites for one low data rate.

Cubic Telecom's new MAXROAM global data roaming card provides data coverage in more than 200 countries, providing up to 70 percent savings over standard roaming costs. Cards are available immediately from www.maxroam.com. US dollar rates will vary according to Euro/US dollar conversion.

Global BBC iPlayer app gets squeezed down to iPhone / iPod Touch size

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:53 AM PST

While US viewers continue to wait for the expat-edition Global BBC iPlayer app, BBC Worldwide has announced a new version launching December 8th specifically for iPhones and iPod Touches. Like its big brother app for the iPad, this free download lets subscribers stream or download shows for offline viewing, as well as stream video to the Apple TV via AirPlay. Whole new categories of programming are coming online soon including music, arts and culture, and radio, and now it can all fit in one's pocket. Check the gallery for a couple more screenshots, or after the break for a press release with all the applicable pricing and regional information that's available.
Global BBC iPlayer app for iPhone, iPod Touch
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BBC Worldwide announces new platforms for global BBC iPlayer trial
Date: 06.12.2011Last updated: 06.12.2011 at 11.40

Category: BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide today announced the arrival of the company's on-demand Global BBC iPlayer trial service on Apple iPhone and Apple iPod Touch which will become available on Thursday 8th December.

Previously available on Apple iPad, the pilot subscription service will now reach millions of new viewers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

John Smith, Chief Executive of BBC Worldwide commented: "The global BBC iPlayer has seen great growth since the pilot first launched in July – both in terms of geographical expansion and technological developments. Moving to iPhone and iPod Touch allows us to take the service to a significant new potential audience and deliver fantastic programme content from the BBC and the UK's creative industry."

In a keynote speech to the Digital TV Summit this morning, Jana Bennett, President Worldwide Networks and Global BBC iPlayer, said: "This platform extension shows how Global iPlayer isn't just about moving TV to tablet devices, it's also about a mobile strategy – about truly getting TV everywhere in a way that it hasn't been before. We also want the global BBC iPlayer to be truly representative of the whole gamut of British creative output, to represent everything that is great about British content – not just the Best of British TV but the Best of British Culture."

First programme acquisitions for global BBC iPlayer

During her speech, which for the first time gave a review of the first six months of its pilot, Bennett also confirmed the company's first external programme acquisitions for the global BBC iPlayer. Independent programme distributor DRG will supply a host of iconic British shows to debut on the commercial on-demand service in early 2012, alongside titles from the BBC catalogue.

Describing BBC Worldwide's commercial on-demand service as representing "the Best of British culture", Bennett unveiled a new programme slate from DRG including the multiple award-winning Peep Show (British Comedy Awards; Royal Television Society, Rose d'Or Lucerne); the critically-acclaimed Shameless and the BAFTA award-winning Black Books. Also joining the line up are audience favourites Green Wing and Father Ted. Available from January in some territories*, the new shows will be available to international subscribers of the global BBC iPlayer, alongside titles from the BBC catalogue.

The unprecedented level of editorial curation on the global BBC iPlayer was a major theme of Bennett's address, and she discussed the process of tapping into the world's biggest library of audiovisual content – the BBC catalogue. In reference to this "treasure trove" Bennett reiterated BBC Worldwide's dedication to broadening to the appeal of the global BBC iPlayer through specially created collections of programmes.

To this end, she highlighted a number of other editorial developments for the pilot service:

New genre categories: In January, the genre offering of the global BBC iPlayer will be expanded with two new categories, 'Music' and 'Arts and Culture'. 'Arts and Culture' will be home to classic strands such as Timewatch and Omnibus, as well as contemporary shows like The Narnia Code and The Mathematics of Chaos.
Programme premiere: The addition of Something Special to the Children's category will mark the first time the programme has been seen outside the UK. Fronted by the inimitable Justin Fletcher (Jollywobbles, Gigglebiz), the show is aimed at preschoolers with learning difficulties and offers teachers, parents and carers a range of approaches to develop language and communication skills.
Radio: The global BBC IPlayer is also planning to add selected speech programmes from BBC radio.

In her speech, Bennett shared findings about consumer usage across different markets, and shared BBC Worldwide's own learnings from attempting to monetise a vast programme catalogue. Overturning the Pareto Principle – the theory that suggests it is natural that 80% of one's revenues will stem from the top 20% of one's content – she revealed that:

An unexpected 35% of viewers are watching more than one programme per visit
25% go on to browse the app after watching a programme
On average, 75% of subscribers access the app each day

She said: "VOD promises to break the 80:20 rule by creating availability and visibility of long tail content, enabling consumers to view (and therefore monetise) shows they would otherwise have simply been lying dormant."

Jana Bennett delivered the Digital Keynote address at the Digital TV Summit on Tuesday 6th December, at the Doubletree Hilton in London.

Notes to Editors

* The programmes from DRG will be available to subscribers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland in January.

The global BBC iPlayer is currently available in 16 markets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

BBC Worldwide Press Office

Google brings graphing calculator functionality to search, still can't play 'Snake'

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:29 AM PST

Well, Google's gone an done it, turning the Internet into one giant graphing calculator. The software behemoth has brought graphing capabilities to search, letting users input a mathematical function into the engine -- or multiple functions, separated by commas. And, this being Google, users can explore the graphs more closely by zooming in and out and panning across. According to the company, it "covers an extensive range of single variable functions including trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and their compositions." If you know what all of that means, we're guessing you're pretty psyched about this news.

ICS-based CyanogenMod 9: it's on track, but not for everybody

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:04 AM PST

The CM9 customization for Android 4.0 has only been in the works since mid-November and already its canny creators claim to have it running on a number of devices. They say they're making the quickest progress with OMAP4, MSM8660/7x30 and Exynos-based handsets, so if you own of those you should find yourself at the top of the queue. Despite difficulties with totally new camera and graphics drivers in ICS, there should eventually be support for all CM7-compatible models going back to phones like the Nexus One, as well as the Tegra 2-powered Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer. There's no mention of Tegra 3, though, and bad news for owners of the original Droid: if you want a taste of ICS you'll have to leave your muddy perch and head out for an upgrade.

First molybdenite IC delivers silicon-crushing, chip-shrinking, graphene-blasting action

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:41 AM PST

Molybdenite IC
Never heard of molybdenite? We're not shocked. Its not nearly as hyped as graphene or quantum dots, but it could be the key to smaller, bendable microchips. The problem with silicon is that, in layers less than two nanometers thick, it can become unstable, oxidize and quickly deteriorate. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), on the other hand, can be laid down in sheets just three atoms thick. The semiconductor also earns bonus points for being an abundant, naturally occurring mineral. Earlier this year researchers at the Laboratory of Nanoscale Electronics and Structures (LANES) demoed the first molybdenite transistor, but the team is moving fast and has already whipped up the first prototype of a complete integrated circuit (we assume with the aid of an all girl army of Kung Fu engineers). Things are looking good for this potential silicon usurper. And best of all, molybdenite is flexible. So, hello bendable computers!

7digital music store app headed to Windows Phone in January, North American expansion planned

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:16 AM PST

7digital brought its 13 million track-strong music store to the BlackBerry Playbook earlier this year, and it looks like it now has another new platform in its sights. The company confirmed today that it plans to release a music store app for Windows Phone 7.5 devices in January, apparently with a little help from a partnership with Microsoft. The app itself will seemingly be similar to those found on other platforms (Metro UI styling aside), including the ability to preview tracks before purchasing, and lower quality files that can be downloaded over 3G and later upgraded when a WiFi connection is available. In addition to that rather large music library, 7digital's store is also notable for offering many of its tracks in 24-bit FLAC format, with the standard offering being 320kbps MP3 files -- 7digital also claims to now have 3 million customers. What's more, the company also announced today that it will begin expanding its North American operations in the new year, complete with some new offices and a new president of 7digital North America: Vickie Nauman, who came to 7digital from Sonos and has been serving as VP until now. The press release is after the break.
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7digital comes to Windows® Phone in partnership with Microsoft


7digital expands its device reach to Windows® Phone devices including the Nokia Lumia series
Windows® device users can browse 7digital's 17 million strong music catalogue, download and listen without leaving the app
App will be available over 35 countries including US, Europe and Asia.


London, UK, 6th December 2011 – 7digital, the leading digital media company, today announced its mobile service will be available in 2012 on Microsoft's new range of Windows Phone devices.

The 7digital Windows Phone app is a download store that gives users access to 7digital's 17 million strong catalogue of high quality MP3 tracks. Users can browse, preview, purchase and download music to their Windows Phone, anytime, anywhere.

'All-in-one' app features include:

Discover – Users can browse music by genre and new releases as well as search for artist, track or album names. 7digital's top track and album charts are also available
Preview – 30 to 90 second previews of all tracks are available before purchase
Purchase – An in-app store for users to easily browse, purchase and download music straight to their Windows device whilst still listening to their music
Download – Tracks will download in a compressed, lower quality format when using a cellular network, for instant listening. When a WiFi connection is available, the purchased track can be upgraded to a full MP3 320kbps quality file
Synch – Users can access and synchronise tracks they have stored locally on their device, as well as from their 7digital cloud locker into the 7digital app player
Listen – Playlists can be created and managed from within the application.
"We're continuing to see demand from customers for access to their music on all their devices, regardless of the manufacturer or operating system. With the launch of our Windows Phone app, we're continuing to work towards the realisation of our vision to provide anytime anywhere access to music for our customers" comments Ben Drury, 7digital CEO.

"7digital customers now have access to their high-quality music on a whole new range of mobile devices. As well as Windows Phone devices, 7digital is also available natively on the Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, BlackBerry devices, and can be downloaded as an app for all Android devices".

"7digital is 'platform agnostic' and by working closely with Microsoft on its Windows devices we are closer to our goal of being able to give our customers access to their entire music collection on all of their devices, any time they want to access it."

The application is available to Windows mobile users in 35 territories including UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden and Norway. Track currency and pricing is localised for users in each region.

Further information on 7digital's mobile applications is available at 7digital.com/mobile.

The 7digital Windows app uses the Windows Metro UI and is compatible with Windows 7.5 'Mango' OS and above.

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7digital To Expand North American Operations
Vickie Nauman appointed President of 7digital-North America to expand and grow 7digital's global business

London, UK, 6th December 2011 – 7digital, the leading digital media company, today announced the company will be expanding its North American operation and opening US offices beginning January 2012 in response to its growing business.

Leading the stateside effort will be newly appointed President of 7digital North America, Vickie Nauman, who has been serving as Vice President since Q4 2009 when the company acquired its US and Canadian music rights. Nauman will oversee business development, strategy, partnerships, label relations, and marketing. As a partner-friendly company, 7digital seeks to expand its growing base of clients and strategic partners that currently includes T-Mobile USA, HP, RIM, Samsung, Songbird, AOL's Winamp, and Fantrail. Through the use of 7digital's platform, hundreds of worldwide clients have built music initiatives on 7digital's API platform (Application Programming Interface), designed to simplify the integration of music into third party efforts.

"The last two years have been full of constant change in the digital landscape, and we've been steadily building our profile and partnerships in the US and Canada," comments Ben Drury 7digital CEO and co-founder, "Vickie has led these efforts and will now lead an expanded presence with new staff and office. We look forward to being able to provide enhanced services to our customers and partners in 2012."

Commenting on the North American business, Nauman says, "The US market has its own dynamics and needs, and as the digital music market evolves, it's getting more difficult to find neutral, strategic partners, which is precisely the role we fulfill. We have now established a significant number of North American-based clients as well as a growing business selling 320K MP3s on 7digital.com. Everyone wants a best-in-class experience, a complete music catalogue, and a mix of music ownership and cloud-based services, and we are uniquely positioned to deliver this globally."

Nauman joined 7digital from Sonos, where she established global partnerships between wireless digital music system for the home with music companies Last.fm, Spotify, SiriusXM, RadioTime, Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, and Deezer. Prior to Sonos, Nauman managed an international and media-focused consultancy CrossBorderWorks, created the online services for boutique Seattle


radio station KEXP, served on the product team of MusicNet at RealNetworks, and earned a 2006 MBA through the London School of Economics, New York University, and HEC-Paris, in the collaborative executive program TRIUM.

All technology and platform operations will remain in the company's London headquarters and a small team will manage all partnerships and business in the North American market. Nauman will remain based in Los Angeles, and the team will likely have presence on both the west and east coast as well as maintain its dedicated North American team in London.

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Archos CEO wants to create a child-sized robot for less than 300 euros, apparently

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:01 AM PST

Forget all of Archos' tablet and e-reader nonsense. They're just stepping stones on the way to a grander vision -- one rife with home automation and, apparently, bite-sized, budget-friendly robots. That's what CEO Henri Crohas revealed in a recent interview with French daily La Libération, while describing his company's aspirations to create thinner tablets, as well as a "child-sized robot, sold for less than €300." Crohas didn't elaborate upon this remark, transcribed as an "oh by the way" aside, though he did go on to describe Archos as a "genetic anomaly" among European manufacturers, and cited Charles Darwin as one of his most admired thinkers. Infer at your own discretion.

[Thanks, Thocan]

Galaxy Nexus lands in Verizon stores December 9th, Droid 4 on the 8th

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:36 AM PST

Galaxy Nexus and Droid 4
We know you've been impatiently awaiting its arrival, but fear not Android fans -- the Verizon version of the Galaxy Nexus is almost here... we think. A tipster sent in a shot of an internal VZW email outlining the next few weeks of launches and in-store displays. Chief amongst those is the December 8th arrival of banners, signs and other marketing materials for the world's first ICS handset. Our source reports that posters and all the relevant merch will be rolled out after close of business and the Nexus will officially go on sale December 9th. As a bonus, this also seems to confirm that the Droid 4 will be launching this Thursday. So, if you're fine with Gingerbread and have a thing for QWERTY keyboards December 8th could still be the day all your dreams come true. The rest of us will just have to wait just an extra 24 hours.

[Thanks, anonymous]

White Droid RAZR, Xyboard 10.1 and 8.2 tablets to hit Verizon stores this month

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:16 AM PST

Verizon has confirmed that it will begin selling a "flashy new white" version of the Droid RAZR just in time to make an appearance under the tree, with a pair of Xboard tablets shipping this month as well. The Xyboard (Xoom 2) will be available in five flavors -- the 10.1-incher will come in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities for $530, $630 and $730, respectively, while the 8.2-inch model will ship with 16GB of storage for $430, or 32 gigs for $530. All models require a two-year customer agreement, and include a stylus in the box. And Verizon will help soften the damage if you opt for a complete Droid makeover -- customers who pick up both a $300 RAZR and one of five Honeycomb Xboards will be eligible for a $100 discount when buying the phone with a two-year contract. Thinking about picking up an ICS-ready Droid? Jump past the break for the full feature rundown from VZW.
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VERIZON WIRELESS AND MOTOROLA MOBILITY INTRODUCE NEXT-GENERATION DROID XYBOARD TABLETS ON THE VERIZON WIRELESS 4G LTE NETWORK

New Tablets Elevate Customers into an Unprecedented Realm of Communication, Entertainment and Productivity; Verizon Wireless Also Offering New DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in White, Just in Time for the Holidays

BASKING RIDGE, N.J, and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) and Verizon Wireless today introduced two new additions to the DROID family to deliver new and unparalleled experiences on America's fastest, most reliable 4G network, the DROID XYBOARD tablets. The two new DROID tablets present new options for consumers looking to stay connected, productive and entertained. Additionally, Verizon Wireless will debut the trendsetting DROID RAZR™ by Motorola in a flashy new white color, a unique gift for the winter holidays. All three products will be upgraded to Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

The new DROID XYBOARD tablets both boast the blazing speeds of Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network and the power of dual-core 1.2 GHz processors, 1 GB of RAM and MotoCast™ for remote access to non DRM-protected music, pictures, videos and documents stored on work or home computers' hard drives. Both are equipped with scratch-resistant displays that use Corning® Gorilla® Glass to stay brilliant and a coating of water-repellent nanoparticles makes them resistant to accidental spills and splashes.

Lighter than a paperback book and thinner than an AAA battery, the DROID XYBOARD tablets feature Android™ 3.2 Honeycomb, brilliant high-definition displays with wide viewing angles, magnesium-reinforced bodies with aluminum housing and super portable form-factors. Both tablets offer robust Business Ready features, including enterprise-grade security and apps such as Quickoffice HD® for document editing and creation, Citrix® GoToMeeting™ for productivity and collaboration and Google Talk™ for video conferencing.

The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 is optimized for productivity with stylus support for easy notetaking and markup using a precision tip stylus, included in the box. The XYBOARD 8.2 is perfect for portable entertainment with 2.1 adaptive virtual surround sound and a high-definition display for enjoying Netflix™ movies in up to HD quality, concert-like music and serious gaming. Powered by the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network, DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and 8.2 customers can soar through the Web at blazing speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage areas.

Additional features for DROID XYBOARD tablets:
· 10.1-inch and 8.2-inch high-definition In-Plane Switching (IPS) display for DROID XYBOARD 10.1 and DROID XYBOARD 8.2 respectively

· Mobile Hotspot Capability – share 4G LTE connection with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices

· 5-megapixel rear-facing HD cameras with digital zoom, autofocus and LED flash, optimized for capturing the moment

· 1.3-megapixel HD front-facing cameras perfect for video chatting with friends and family

· Dijit™ app allows DROID XYBOARD tablets to double as a universal remote control with an electronic programming guide for TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, digital video records (DVR), and most other consumer electronics

· Support for Google™ Mobile Services including Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Talk, Google Search™, Google Maps™ and access to millions of books from Google Books™

· Supports a wide array of separately purchased accessories including an HD station for connecting to speakers and a larger screen, an HD dock to send content via HDMI out to HDTVs and home theater speaker systems and a stylish portfolio with Bluetooth®-enabled keyboard and mouse

· Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)


Pricing:
· Both DROID XYBOARD tablets will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com this month.

· The DROID XYBOARD 10.1 will be available in three models: 16 GB for $529.99, 32 GB for $629.99 and 64 GB for $729.99 all with a new two-year customer agreement.

· The DROID XYBOARD 8.2 will be available in two models: 16 GB for $429.99 and 32 GB for $529.99 both with a new two-year customer agreement.

· Customers that purchase a DROID XYBOARD tablet will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband data plan starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

DROID RAZR in white will be available in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com this month for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers that purchase a DROID RAZR will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

Special promotion:
· Customers will receive $100 off a DROID XYBOARD tablet and $50 off select Motorola accessories for a limited time when a customer purchases a DROID RAZR by Motorola with a new two-year customer agreement.

Triggertrap automatic shutter release hits production, links your camera to most things

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:10 AM PST

Want your camera to take a shot whenever the phone rings or someone loads your blog page? Triggertrap can arrange that for you. This Arduino-powered box has managed to cross the funding finish-line and will be bringing its multi-source automatic release to camera creatives early next year. The former Insert Coin project can communicate with cameras through either a wired connection or its own IR transmitter. It can initiate shutter release from a multitude of sensors, with the built-in light, laser and sound sensors backed up by an auxiliary port, meaning it can be hooked up to anything capable of generating an electronic signal. With prototype testing complete, the Triggertrap looks set to ship in early February next year, with a special build-your-own version appearing soon after that. The ready-made options will set you back $125, while the customizable 'shield' version is pegged at $75. Interested? Well, hold on after the break for a full video tour of the cherry red hardware.

Yahoo Hub offers free messaging to anyone, locks horns with RIM and Google

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 06:46 AM PST

Yahoo, evidently tired of being passed up by hundreds of free messaging apps floating around the various smartphone application stores, has launched a service of its own to take on the likes of BBM and Google Messenger. The new app, called Hub, is only available for Android devices at the moment, but there's a brightside here: you can send a message to anyone, not just other folks who've downloaded the same app. The recipient -- or multiple recipients, since group chat is allowed -- can easily reply to the thread using their own standard SMS service. Curiously, Hub is only offered if you have a US SIM card and a text plan, even though the messages are transmitted using your data connection or WiFi. If you do a lot of international travel, Hub is supported in nine other countries besides the US, a rather small number we hope will grow as the service graduates from its beta status. While Yahoo can use all the help it can get right now, is this going to endear very many users?

[Thanks, Ashish]
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Introducing Hub (beta) – The Latest Messaging App from Yahoo!
December 2, 2011 on 1:00 pm

Many of you may already be familiar with our Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger apps on mobile. Today, we are adding a new product to our mobile communications suite.

For those heavy texters out there, we are excited to introduce Hub, a fast and easy-to-use mobile messaging app that allows you to send text messages and have group conversations for free. Hub allows you to easily add participants to any conversation thread so it's easy to switch from private messaging to a group conversation. Whether it is just keeping up with a close group of friends or making spontaneous plans, you no longer have to deal with scattered messages.

What's more, Hub allows you to send messages to anyone without incurring any text messaging fees. Yes, you heard us right. There are no text messaging fees – messages are sent over WIFI or using your data connection – and Hub is device agnostic, which means you can communicate with anyone on any mobile device as long as you have their mobile phone numbers. Your friends are not required to download the app in order to reply to your messages although they are strongly encouraged to do so in order to enjoy the full feature set!

Key features of Hub include:

Group messaging: Enjoy group conversations with several friends at once

Local and international SMS messages: Send text messages to other Hub users or any mobile phone for free

Privacy: Easily view and add participants to any conversation thread

Message any phone: Your friends can reply with any SMS enabled mobile phone

Instant notifications: Get push notifications for incoming messages so you never have to miss a conversation

Hub is currently in beta and is available for download on the Android Marketplace. We are extremely excited about this release and can't wait for you to get started. Try Hub today and let us know what you think!

Note: Hub requires Android OS 2.1+ and is currently available only to users with a US SIM card and a text plan.

This feature is currently available when sending to numbers in Canada, Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, Thailand, United States and Vietnam. SMS recipients may be charged by their carriers.

T-Mobile, Vodafone and KPN raided in Dutch price-fixing probe

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 06:23 AM PST

Vodafone, KPN and T-Mobile
Details are pretty slim at the moment, but it appears that Vodafone, KPN and T-Mobile are among the companies that have been raided by Dutch regulators in a price-fixing investigation. The country's competition authorities, NMa, swept through the carriers' offices as part of a probe into alleged "cartel agreements" exposed by whistleblowers. All three of the companies have agreed to cooperate with the investigation and have denied wrong doing but, they're starting with a dark cloud of suspicion hanging over their heads already. It was only ten years ago that the same three mobile operators were fined for illegally coordinating on pricing and fees. Obviously, it's wrong to jump to conclusions, but what are the chances these huge corporations just haven't learned from their past mistakes?

Engadget HD Podcast 277 - 12.06.2011

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST

We've been talking about initiatives with the potential to change how we watch TV and now, one of them is finally ready to launch. We spent a lot of time going over Microsoft's new dashboard for the Xbox 360 and what it could, but probably won't, do to the market. Of course the folks in Redmond aren't the only ones with something to show as we also cast an eye towards new iPad apps from Dijit and Cox, as well as the possibility we'll see DirecTV's HR34 Home Media Center DVR this week. Other topics include the cable companies getting out of wireless, Lovefilm switching from Flash to Silverlight, and Time Warner's tablet app arriving on Android. As usual we close out with our picks of what to watch this week, so press play and see if you agree with our choices,

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@rjcc)

Producer: Trent Wolbe

00:03:09 - Xbox 360 Dashboard update review (fall 2011)
00:03:50 - Xbox 360's new video services won't all launch right away; Comcast, Verizon, and HBO Go delayed
00:12:15 - Xbox Companion app for WP7 will launch alongside the new dashboard December 6th
00:39:00 - DirecTV's new five tuner HR34 Home Media Center DVR ready to launch December 8th?
00:45:29 - Hands-on with Dijit's universal remote app for iPad
00:51:07 - Cox TV Connect app brings more live cable TV streaming to iPads
00:55:00 - Time Warner Cable's tablet app available for Android, live TV streaming still iPad only
00:53:56 - BBC brings global iPlayer iPad app to Canada, one step closer to the US
00:55:09 - Lovefilm's movie streaming will switch from Flash to Silverlight on PCs in 2012
00:57:53 - Verizon scores new spectrum from Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for $3.6 billion (update)
01:00:29 - Kogan advertises Samsung LCDs in its HDTVs, Samsung would rather not take credit
01:02:09 - Lenovo trudging into the smart TV arena, plans LeTV launch in Q1 2012 (update: aka IdeaTV)
01:04:39 - Must See HDTV (December 5th - 11th)

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Xbox 360 fall dashboard update 'slightly' delayed -- stay tuned for details

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:45 AM PST

Still haven't received that fresh new Xbox 360 dashboard update? Don't worry, no one else has either. Major Nelson tweeted "The timing for Xbox 360 update has been slightly delayed" from the planned 10AM ET launch, and promised a status update later today, but for the time being there's no other word on why, or when it will arrive. In the meantime, feel free to read our review again, make sure your Kinect sensor is tuned, or maybe take a swing Geometry Wars for old times sake. We'll let you know when there's more information available.

Samsung Skyrocket gets too literal, lights up man's pocket

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:23 AM PST

We know, we know -- it could never happen to you, right? We imagine that's exactly what one gentleman thought before his two-week-old Samsung Galaxy S II I727 (Skyrocket) -- unlocked, we believe, given the Rogers SIM card -- decided to melt in his pocket. According to the XDA-Dev thread, the idling phone's owner suddenly heard a sound, followed by a burning sensation; smoke started bellowing out of his pocket and the phone, and the result is what you see in the images above and below. Fortunately, Samsung has responded to the situation, as reported by MobileSyrup:
Samsung takes all allegations involving product safety seriously. We invite the consumer to contact Samsung directly so that we can examine the phone to determine the cause of this incident.
Indeed, this has been a rather odd week for combustible handsets, as an iPhone 4S suffered a very similar fate on a Qantas flight. Is this the beginning of a global smartphone uprising?

The big memory cube gamble: IBM and Micron stack their chips

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:57 AM PST

Manufacturers have been murmuring about 3D memory chips for years, but an escalation in recent radio chatter suggests the technology is on the cusp of becoming commercial. Intel unveiled a Hybrid Memory Cube (HMC) at IDF, which promises seven times the energy efficiency of today's DDR3, and now IBM and Micron have shown their hand too. The pair just struck up a partnership to produce cubes using layers of DRAM connected by vertical conduits known as through-silicon vias (TSVs). These pillars allow a 90 percent reduction in a memory chip's physical footprint, a 70 percent cut in its appetite for energy, and -- best of all -- a radical increase in bandwidth: HMC prototypes have already scored 128Gb/s, which makes 6Gb/s SATA III look like a bottleneck. It certainly sounds like a game-changer, unless of course some rival technology like ferroelectric memory gets there first.

[Thanks, Maximilian]

NEC Medias PP N-01D knows what boys like: watch-based notifications

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:32 AM PST

NTT DoCoMo's pantheon of remarkably similar smartphones is expanding again, with the release of NEC's Medias PP N-01D. The chunky 10.9mm blower packs a whopping 1,700 mAh battery that promises 630 hours of standby. Beneath the water-and-dust-proof shell is a Gingerbread phone with the usual array of features: 8.1 megapixel camera, mobile wallet, One-Seg TV reception, and cable-free sync. It's also squeezed in wireless charging and the ability to pair the phone via Bluetooth to the forthcoming Casio G-Shock GB-9600 watch, which will notify you of your incoming calls and emails. Ladyphone users who aren't interested in playing Dick Tracy can fire up the Medias Beauty App, which will offer "professional beauty advice" -- handy for those of us who can't find the time to keep our makeup all nice.

PS Vita shuns multiple accounts and in-game web browsing, disappoints FAQ lovers everywhere

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:04 AM PST

PS Vita kicks multiple accounts and in-game web browsing to the curb, disappoints FAQ lovers everywhere
Have a tendency to get stuck in games? Keep your laptop handy, the PlayStation Vita isn't going to make getting tips any easier -- an interview from AV Watch has revealed that Sony's next generation handheld is a little stingy when multitasking. The console's friends list, music and Twitter clients are in, but web browsing is out, blocked to ensure the Vita has more resources available for running games. This limitation could be off-putting to gamers who are used to mid-game internet FAQ checks to guide them through difficult bits of gameplay, a trick Nintendo's 3DS handles smoothly. Family members hoping to share a console might run into a roadblock as well, as the Vita appears to be fairly conservative about its relationships -- allowing only one PSN account per console. Sony's Brad Douglas recently mentioned on Twitter that swapping accounts was possible, but that switching required a factory reset. Potential deal breaker? For some, maybe. For others? Just another item to the growing list of things we hope to see in a future update.

White House releases early test code for Data.gov platform, moves closer to open source reality

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:33 AM PST

The White House's Open Government Partnership inched closer to maturity last week, with the release of a new open data platform, designed to help other governments set up their own Data.gov portals. On Wednesday, Data.gov developer Chris Musialek posted the first pieces of early test code for the unfortunately named "Data.gov-in-a-box" -- an open source version of the US and Indian governments' respective data portals. Both countries, in fact, have been working on the platform since August, with the Obama administration pledging some $1 million to the effort. The idea, according to federal CIO Steve VanRoekel and federal CTO Aneesh Chopra, is to encourage "governments around the word to stand up open data sites that promote transparency, improve citizen engagement, and engage application developers," using Data.gov (and its 400,000 datasets) as a blueprint. Wednesday's release is just the first step in that plan, with the finalized Open Government Platform (OGPL) slated for launch by early next year.

Apple and major publishers investigated for e-book price fixing in Europe

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:03 AM PST

The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into some of the world's largest publishers following a series of unannounced inspections back in March. Hachette Libre, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin and the German owner of Macmillan are all suspected of "anti-competitive practices" in the way they've sold e-books in Europe, "possibly with the help of Apple." Read on for the full press release.

Show full PR text
Antitrust: Commission opens formal proceedings to investigate sales of e-books

Brussels, 06 December 2011 – The European Commission has opened formal antitrust proceedings to investigate whether international publishers Hachette Livre (Lagardère Publishing, France), Harper Collins (News Corp., USA), Simon & Schuster (CBS Corp., USA), Penguin (Pearson Group, United Kingdom) and Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holzbrinck (owner of inter alia Macmillan, Germany) have, possibly with the help of Apple, engaged in anti-competitive practices affecting the sale of e-books in the European Economic Area (EEA)1, in breach of EU antitrust rules. The opening of proceedings means that the Commission will treat the case as a matter of priority. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

The Commission will in particular investigate whether these publishing groups and Apple have engaged in illegal agreements or practices that would have the object or the effect of restricting competition in the EU or in the EEA. The Commission is also examining the character and terms of the agency agreements entered into by the above named five publishers and retailers for the sale of e-books. The Commission has concerns, that these practices may breach EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU).

The duration of antitrust investigations depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned cooperate with the Commission and the exercise of the rights of defence.

Background on the ebooks investigation

In March 2011, the Commission carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of several companies active in the e-book publishing sector in several Member States (see MEMO/11/126).
To date, the Commission and the UK Office of Fair Trading have investigated in parallel and in close cooperation whether arrangements for the sale of e-books may breach competition rules. Before the Commission opened formal proceedings, the OFT had closed its investigation on grounds of administrative priority. The OFT has made a substantial contribution to the ebooks investigation and will continue to co-operate closely with the Commission going forward.

Background on antitrust investigations

Article 101 of the TFEU prohibits agreements and concerted practices which may affect trade and prevent or restrict competition. The implementation of this provision is defined in the Antitrust Regulation (Council Regulation No 1/2003) which can be applied by the Commission and by the national competition authorities of EU Member States.

The legal base for the Commission's opening of formal proceedings is Article 11(6) of the Antitrust Regulation (Council Regulation No 1/2003).

Article 11(6) of the Antitrust Regulation provides that the initiation of proceedings by the Commission relieves the competition authorities of the Member States of their competence to also apply EU competition rules to the practices concerned. Article 16(1) further provides that national courts must avoid giving decisions, which would conflict with a decision contemplated by the Commission in proceedings that it has initiated.

The Commission has informed the companies and the competition authorities of the Member States that it has opened proceedings in this case.

DirecTV's TiVo ready to return December 8th in a few markets

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:02 AM PST

It's been over three years since we first heard a new TiVo was coming to DirecTV, but the satellite broadcaster has finally revealed it will be available -- in select markets -- starting December 8th, the same day its own HR34 multiroom solution becomes available. Both the HR34 and the TiVo HD DVR from DirecTV (THR22-100) got the official nod in DirecTV's installer forums, informing techs the TiVo box would be available for an extra $5 / month service fee, in addition to the $10 / month HD Access and $7 / month DVR tariffs. What does that extra scratch buy you? The new box can access all of DirecTV's live, on demand and pay-per-view video, downloading updates via satellite, and supports remote DVR scheduling through the website. On the downside however, there's no mention of the new TiVo Premiere UI or internet streaming, and it does not support other add-ons like 3D, whole home DVR, apps, or DirecTV's iPad app. One way or another, starting Thursday customers will have their choice of HD DVR satellite boxes, so hit the source link for a few more details and a PDF spec sheet (also pictured in the gallery).

[Thanks, @TechWzrd]
DirecTiVo specs

Sprint LTE phones to arrive 'in the second half' of 2012

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 02:15 AM PST

Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer has spilled the 4G beans on the carrier's plans to introduce LTE devices, narrowing it down to the third quarter or the beginning of the fourth quarter next year. Compared to what we've already heard, Sprint looks to be stepping up its game: "We're talking about covering 120 million [people] by the end of 2012 -- we've accelerated this because we believe LTE is really key to our future." The Now Network will offer up "a number of different models" on the next generation network, and hopes to reach 250 million potential customers by the end of 2013.

The company also added that it will be paying $350million to ClearWire spread over two years, "if they meet targets in delivering LTE to sites where traffic is heaviest." But what does the future hold for those less fortunate WiMAX users? Stay calm: the Sprint CFO reiterated that the other 4G network will continue to be supported until 2015.

After strong Q3 showing, HTC sees nearly 20 percent drop in November revenue

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 01:39 AM PST

All was looking rosy for HTC at the end of October, when the company released yet another stellar Q3 earnings report. Since then, however, things have apparently gone downhill in a pretty drastic way, as evidenced by an unaudited revenue report for the month of November. In an announcement issued today, the manufacturer confirmed that it saw about 31 billion Taiwanese dollars ($1.03 billion) in consolidated revenue last month, down 19.6 percent from November 2010, when it raked in some 38.5 billion Taiwanese dollars (about $1.27 billion). HTC didn't offer an explanation for the drop, though an earlier Q4 earnings forecast predicted that the company's impressive streak of robust earnings reports would soon come to an end. It remains to be seen whether December treats the company more gently, but for now, you can check out the full financial breakdown at the source link, below.

Toshiba's 7-inch Thrive goes on sale a little early, insists it is very much alive

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 01:11 AM PST

Just because haven't heard a peep from Toshiba about its smaller 7-inch slate since September, doesn't mean you can't find it on sale out there in the vast ether we like to call the internet. Discovered by a tipster shrewd enough to Google its model number -- "pda03u-005007" for those of you that don't speak Toshiba -- a bunch of oh-so-eager retailers are ready to trade you around $450 in exchange for the rubberized slate. Jiving with previous plans to go on sale in "early December," the 7-inch redux is thinner and lighter than its 10-inch brother, as it eschews the former's penchant for full-size USB and HDMI ports. Adventurous types seeking to meet the tablet can take the plunge at the links below, but be forewarned our tipster had to provide a business license just to complete the sale. Your mileage may vary, though there's always the option to await the Thrive's arrival through more official channels.

[Thanks, Kenneth]

Verizon's Galaxy Nexus won't support Google Wallet, reports claim (update: Verizon responds twice)

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 12:07 AM PST

The Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus can do a lot of things, but one thing it apparently won't offer is Google Wallet. According to Computer World, Google has confirmed that Samsung's latest flagship handset won't support its mobile payment app, largely because Verizon doesn't want it to. An earlier report from 9to5Google speculates that Big Red may have chosen to block Google Wallet because of Isis -- a competing mobile payment system that Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile have already invested in. Despite the absence of Wallet, however, both Computer World and 9to5Google insist that VZW's Galaxy Nexus will still be a "pure Google phone," insofar as it will receive software updates directly from Google, rather than the carrier. We've reached out to both Google and Verizon for comment, and will update this post as soon as we hear back.

Update: Verizon responds to the brouhaha with the following statement.
We're working to provide expanded services that will provide the best security and user experience in the market around m-commerce. We expect to provide access to an open wallet when those goals are achieved.
Update 2: Responding to accusations that the carrier would block the Google Wallet app, Verizon says it's not that simple.

Recent reports that Verizon is blocking Google Wallet on our devices are false. Verizon does not block applications.


Google Wallet is different from other widely-available m-commerce services. Google Wallet does not simply access the operating system and basic hardware of our phones like thousands of other applications. Instead, in order to work as architected by Google, Google Wallet needs to be integrated into a new, secure and proprietary hardware element in our phones.

We are continuing our commercial discussions with Google on this issue.

Aluminum oxide 'egg-carton' could improve quantum dot efficiency

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 11:22 PM PST

Quantum Dots
Quantum dots have been deemed the future of everything from light bulbs, to displays and solar panels. Yet, one thing has been keeping them down -- a lack of efficiency. Current has a tendency to leak in between the dots, instead of passing straight through all the time. But, researchers at Harvard have found a possible solution. By surrounding the dots with an insulating layer of aluminum oxide, which hugs them like an egg carton, they were able to direct the current, greatly increasing the light-emission yield and reducing wasted electricity. Of course, this only applies to light-producing quantum dots at the moment, but it's possible it could eventually be applied to solar panels and increase the amount of energy harvested from the sun's rays. If you're scientifically inclined, check out the latest issue of Advanced Materials for the complete research paper.

Windows Phones starting to receive support for Twitter images in Pictures Hub

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 10:48 PM PST

The "What's New" feed in Windows Phone Mango's Picture Hub has done a great job offering thumbnail images for Facebook and Windows Live messages, but for some reason lovers of Twitter pictures have been shunned, with only a link to the image being provided. Not the worst thing on the planet, of course, but certainly it's been a minor thorn in the side of frequent users of the social networking service. Reports are beginning to come in, however, that this is all changing now -- it looks as though quite a few photos originating from Twitter are now showing up, which may be an indicator of some fix-it work going on behind the scenes.

Kogan advertises Samsung LCDs in its HDTVs, Samsung would rather not take credit

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 10:07 PM PST

It won't be shocking to most in the electronics industry, but the rest of the world probably doesn't realize that many products use components from other manufacturers and even direct competitors. So much like most hard drives are made by one of only a few companies, there are only about four LCD panel manufacturers. But just because it's Samsung inside doesn't make it the same, and in that vein Samsung took pause with the Australian value-minded brand, Kogan, when its commercial very plainly exposed just who makes the panels in its TVs . The cease and desist notice didn't sit well with Ruslan Kogan, who claims his company never agreed to obscure that fact and that he wouldn't "conceal the truth from the public." While we usually wish everyone could just get along, we can totally see where Samsung is coming from on this one, as there is far more involved in making a quality TV, beyond sourcing a great panel.


AMD shaves 800 million transistors from Bulldozer chip, swears nothing's wrong

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 09:21 PM PST

When a company cuts 40 percent of its transistors from an upcoming processor, one question comes to mind: why? According to ExtremeTech, AMD issued an update stating that its Bulldozer eight core / four module CPU would feature 1.2 billion transistors, as opposed to the previously stated two billion transistors. The reduction occurred despite the fact that the die size remains unchanged at 315 square millimeters -- putting it on par with AMD's lesser Llano chip -- and depriving the chip of valuable horsepower before I/O, an integrated memory controller or HyperTransport are added. When approached for comment, company representatives stated they were simply correcting a mistake regarding the chip's actual specifications. Before you bemoan the fate of the Bulldozer chip, remember that the drummer from Def Leppard has had a terrific musical career with only one arm, so what's the loss of several hundred million transistors to AMD's latest?

Chinese Motorola XT928 gets hands-on: less RAZR, more double-edged sword

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 08:51 PM PST


China's own Motorola RAZRs have arrived, and have plenty to differentiate themselves from the Verizon-coated version available in the US. Thankfully, our colleagues over at Engadget Chinese have managed to get some intimate hands-on time with the dual-SIM capable XT928. Whether it's the upgraded 13 megapixel camera, or the 4.5-inch HD display crammed inside, this Motorola mobile arrives slightly chunkier than the RAZR we're used to. In fact, it looks more like a distant cousin than a simple variant. A not-particularly tapered backing is now removable, giving access to the two SIM card slots. Ports and buttons have also been rejigged, although the main difference is certainly the carrier's decision to opt for network flexibility over the wafer-thin styling and Kevlar credentials of its fellow Moto countryman, China Mobile's MT917. See how they both measure up against the Droid RAZR in an awkward family portrait after the break or check the full gallery (and some hands-on footage) at the link below.

Facebook for Android refresh, dedicated Places app on the way?

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 08:23 PM PST

Now that the folks in Palo Alto have finally churned out that long-awaited iPad app, they'll be focusing on other things, we'd surmise. Apparently, high on the to-do list is a refresh of Android's Facebook app. Code-named "Katana," the version 1.8 release candidate (see up top, or the gallery below) shows off updated navigation, menu and search functionality. There's a seemingly standalone "Nearby" application icon present as well -- perhaps a Gowalla-esque Places app mirroring its recent Messenger offering? Keep in mind, nothing is final until ol' Zucks gives his seal of approval, so what you see here is only what the app may look like when it hits the Marketplace. Until it drops, go ahead and pull back that curtain.
Facebook for Android update


[Thanks, @Gam3sFan]

Lenovo's rugged ThinkPad X130e targets students, arrives December 20 for $469

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 08:01 PM PST

When we first spotted leaked photos of Lenovo's ThinkPad X130e, we just kind of assumed it was the next-gen successor to the X120e, which we reviewed almost a year ago. Well, you know what happens when you A-S-S-U-M-E, right? Turns out, there is indeed an X130e, but it's intended specifically for students. The company just made its official announcement, and explained that that rugged design we've been hearing about isn't meant to protect it from careless baggage handlers at the airport so much as freewheeling six year-olds. Though Lenovo's already had a hand in Intel's Classmate project, this is the first time it's released a classroom-ready laptop under the ThinkPad brand, red pointing stick and all.

Of all the kid-proof touches, the more obvious ones include a rubber bumper ringing the plastic lid, along with a thicker bezel shielded by 1.2mm of plastic. It also has recessed, reinforced ports, an accelerometer to protect the hard drive and a hinge rated for 30,000 cycles. Of course, the result of all this ruggedizing is that the X130e is fairly heavy for an 11-incher, at 3.9 pounds (1.78kg). Otherwise, though, its specs are pretty much what you'd expect in an 11.6-inch laptop. For starters, it's offered with an Intel Core i3-2367M processor, as well as AMD Fusion E-300 and E-450 APUs. It comes with 2GB of RAM (upgradeable to 8GB), up to 500GB in storage, Bluetooth 3.0 and a 6-cell battery rated for 8.5 hours of battery life. Lenovo's also added its RapidBoot technology, promising a sub-20-second startup time. It also has three USB 2.0 sockets, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet, a combined headphone / mic port and a 4-in-1 memory card reader. And, because Lenovo is also selling these to schools, it'll customize the laptops by tweaking the BIOS and tricking out the lid in assorted colors. It'll go on sale on Lenovo's site starting December 20th for $469 and up. Until then, we've got some candy-colored press photos below.
Lenovo ThinkPad X130e
Show full PR text
New Lenovo ThinkPad Laptop Ruggedized For Students and Schools
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – December 6, 2011: Lenovo announced today the ThinkPad X130e laptop, specially ruggedized for education and with the features needed to help students in grades K-12 and their schools get the most out of their PC technology. Equipped with the advanced technology expected for an educational laptop, the ThinkPad X130e comes with choices of the latest Intel or AMD processors and fast, integrated graphics as well as wireless connectivity and multimedia tools for today's digital learning. Designed to be handled by kids, the ThinkPad X130e has a reinforced and extra durable top cover, keyboard and hinges. Schools will also like its performance, reliability and customizable options including asset tags, BIOS modifications, custom imaging and a broad selection of custom colors.

"At Lenovo ThinkTank 2011 we brought hundreds of distinguished educators together, and the resounding feature CIOs told us that ranks highest on their list of features important for PC purchases is 'ruggedness'," said Dilip Bhatia, vice president, ThinkPad Business Unit, Lenovo. "While we've built tough products for years that pass many military-grade tests, we've made specific improvements required for a laptop to be successful in an education environment with the ThinkPad X130e."

Laptops with Serious Substance
The ThinkPad X130e laptop helps students get more out of their day. This 11.6-inch lightweight ultraportable has the processing performance students need for assignments requiring multitasking with choices of AMD Fusion E-300 and E-450 or Intel second generation Core i3-2367M ULV processors. For multimedia-intensive lessons, the laptop kicks in its AMD Radeon or Intel HD-powered graphics to give students a rich visual experience.

"Having a purpose-built device designed to improve learning for students is a critical foundation for education transformation," said Paige Johnson, education strategist, Intel. "Lenovo's ThinkPad X130e laptop powered by Intel Core i3 processors provides the capability and functions that students need for a 21st Century education."

At under four pounds, students can easily carry the laptop between classes without the need to recharge since the battery lasts the whole school day, and even long enough to start homework after school - up to 8.5 hours. Throughout the course of a typical school day, students‟ laptops are often subject to extreme wear and tear. To help school-proof them, the X130e has several heavy-duty features including:

- A top cover rubber bumper to absorb impacts to the side of the laptop
- 33 percent stronger corner to reduce the chance of damage when dropped at an angle
- Stronger hinges to outlast even the most frequent PC user at up to 30,000 cycles
- Reinforced and recessed ports to decrease the effects of student "wear and tear"
- Stronger Bezel with 1.2mm thick plastic to protect the LED panel

The ThinkPad X130e laptop has the tools students need most for today's digital learning environment. They can use the low-light webcam to communicate with students in other schools across the world or just across town. They can also easily connect via WiFi and even keep their connection while moving from class to class using Lenovo's Instant Resume function. With HDMI and VGA out, students can present their reports to the class with a projector or bigscreen TV.

Making Students & Schools More Efficient
Learning can't wait, so Lenovo developed fast-booting PCs, like the X130e laptop that starts in less than 20 seconds using Lenovo's RapidBoot technology. Built-in self-help tools like Rescue and Recovery and Access Connections help decrease calls to school IT support, allowing students to recover damaged files and to store and connect easily to different WiFi networks.

Additionally, Lenovo offers a broad range of optional services for the ThinkPad X130e laptop, starting with custom colors. Lenovo's image services help keep IT teams focused on enhancing learning, not chasing device drivers and tediously loading images onto each PC manually. Asset tagging services help keep track of PCs left on the school bus or classroom, and Accidental Damage Protection services can help keep a check on repair budgets. And if the PC needs to be fixed, Lenovo's Hard Drive Retention service protects students‟ digital information.

Pricing and Availability
The ThinkPad X130e laptop will be available starting Dec. 20 from business partners and on www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts at $469.

ZTE V881 is Blade's successor, adds modest bumps in specs

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 07:04 PM PST

We saw the ZTE Blade V880 make its official outing at MWC in February, and given how quickly sequels to other phones have been coming out this year we'd say it's ripe for a successor. Enter the ZTE V881, a device that essentially adds a +1 to a few of its parent's specs: a 3.8-inch touchscreen at WVGA (800 x 480) resolution, a Qualcomm MSM8255 CPU clocked at 1GHz, 512MB of RAM and a 5MP rear camera. There's no availability date as of yet, but it appears poised and ready to cost around 1000 yuan (around $160) when that time comes. Head over to our friends at Engadget Chinese for a couple more pics.

Crapgadget: holidon't edition

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 06:32 PM PST

What's that? You weren't sufficiently inspired by our last Crapgadget guide to gift misgivings? Good news, with the holidays rapidly approaching, the Crapgadgets are coming fast and furious, and we've got some great selections for the frenemy or enefriend on your list, including a telephone shower head and, as always, plenty of cringe-inspiring smartphone cases.

Read - Borrowing from Steve Jobs's already-borrowed tagline was a nice sentiment, but doesn't change the fact that this knockoff Magna Doodle iPhone case is, perhaps fittingly, called the iFoolish.

Read - Not important enough to have your shower wiretapped? This giant red phone shower head is surely the next best thing.

Read - Apparently landline nostalgia is all the rage, and the unfortunately named Mofone can help you get on board, by removing all of that pesky portability from your smartphone.

Read - Remember that Dick Tracy strip where the yellow trench coated police detective traveled to a future where everything was kind of crummy? Us either, but if that ever happened, he was probably wearing one of these.

Which Crapgadget will make for the unhappiest holiday?

Scanomat TopBrewer brings iPhone control, elegant design to single-cup coffee makers (video)

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 05:59 PM PST

There's no question that we love our coffee, but we're often far less intrigued by the brewing process than we are the result. With its incredibly sleek design and simple iPhone or iPad control, Scanomat's faucet-like TopBrewer could easily become one of the few exceptions, however. This fully automatic coffee machine grinds your beans, measures out ingredients and foams milk, before dishing out the perfect cup. But iOS control is the keystone of this elegant solution, letting you make your beverage selection from a wireless device, leaving nothing but the stainless steel tap exposed. Craving a cappuccino? Simply toss your cup under the spigot and tap an icon. You can also dispense cold milk or water, hot chocolate and even carbonated water -- all from the same head. Scanomat has yet to hint at a release date or price, but if you have to ask... Jump past the break for a quick taste, courtesy of some lucky folks at a hospitality industry expo in Milan.

[Thanks, Fredrik]

Dual-core Meizu MX fully unveiled, launching on January 1st with HSPA+

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 05:28 PM PST

After some teases and leaks, Meizu's finally unveiled its next flagship phone MX to keep China entertained for 2012. While the quad core flavor won't be here until next year, this dual core model will be available in mainland China starting from ¥2,999 ($470) on January 1st (like with the M9 last year), and Hong Kong is still expecting an early January release. The full spec list now includes a 4-inch 960 x 640 ASV display, 1.4GHz Samsung Exynos 4210 dual core chip, 1GB of LPDDR2 RAM, 16GB of storage (32GB version to launch later), 0.3 megapixel front-facing camera, a secondary mic for noise cancellation and a 1,600mAh battery. Oh, that circular button at the bottom? It's just a physical home button instead of an optical trackpad as previously rumored.

Globetrotters will be pleased to know that the 10.3mm-thick MX will pack pentaband 3G with HSPA+, so all you need is a Micro SIM to get the phone working. As for software, it'll come with Meizu's heavily customized Android 2.3.5 initially (dubbed Flyme OS) but will eventually get the 4.0 update, as already promised by CEO Jack Wong. On the multimedia front you'll again find native support for FLAC audio plus various video formats like MKV, MP4 and AVI; along with a micro-USB port that supports S/PDIF digital output, USB host plus MHL; and an eight megapixel f/2.2 backside-illuminated camera (which does smile detection and panorama shot) with 1080p 30fps recording. Head on over to Meizu's website for the full lowdown -- it'll be a good way to practise your Chinese, too.

Update: Press release added after the break.
Dual-core Meizu MX fully unveiled, launching on January 1st with HSPA+ and pentaband 3G
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Calling all dreamers, the Meizu MX is unveiled

HONG KONG-9:30 AM GMT +8, October 6-Today Meizu unveils a new product, the Meizu MX. Borrowing the first two letters from the Chinese characters of the word "dream," or "meng xiang," the MX is a dream phone in all its senses. The MX comes with a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 8 megapixel back-illuminated camera and LED flash, along with a gyroscope and other sensors. Its design is clean, intuitive and minimalistic, which is the result of countless discussions, prototypes, and revisions.

The Meizu MX has a gorgeous 4-inch, high resolution (292 PPI) AVS screen with the ideal 3:2 aspect ratio. Compared to wider 4.3-inch screens, the screen edges are easily reachable with your fingers, while providing better readability for text; both in horizontal and landscape mode. In addition, the phone comes with Meizu's unique Flyme OS, which features a custom designed UI, as well as cloud services such as data syncing, music store (China-only), and an applications market. The Meizu MX also features a Meizu-only innovation, namely our patented situation-aware bottom light keys.

MX offers ample connectivity and media sharing options such as a micro USB port, coaxial digital audio output, MHL, USB Host and other features.

A 16GB version of the MX will be available January 1, 2012 priced at 2 999 CNY.

With the MX, Meizu is taking its first steps into the international market. Meizu is opening a store later this month in Hong Kong, on Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok.

About Meizu
Founded in 2003, we began producing music players which later came to be world renowned. Since 2008, all our efforts have been focused on making great smartphones, which have made us one of China's most loved smartphone makers.

Since the beginning, something we have always held dear was the power of daring to dream. We believe in focus, in doing few things, but doing them really well. To us, focus is the key to achieving and exceeding our dreams. In focusing, our team is devoted, plans for the long-term, and strives for perfection. As a company, we want to transcend convention and imagination, with the ultimate goal of making products worthy of dreaming about.


Meizu International Division
Address: Unit 01-02, 19/F, Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Press contact: carlpei@meizu.com.hk
Mobile: +852 9383 6433
http://www.meizu.com.hk

Chumby brings app network to LG Smart TV platform, more living rooms

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 05:09 PM PST

Chumby's app ecosystem expanded to yet another platform last week, thanks to a new partnership with LG. Under the deal, owners of LG's Smart TV-enabled devices will now be able to access more than 1,000 applications available on the Chumby app network, including a variety of news-, entertainment- and music-based tools. The Smart TV crowd can access the ecosystem right now; everyone else, meanwhile, will have to wait a bit longer.
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CHUMBY EXPANDS CONTENT LINEUP ON LG CONNECTED TVS
LG Smart TV Platform to Integrate chumby App Network

SAN DIEGO, CA December 2, 2011 -- chumby industries, a software company that provides a personalized Internet experience to a multitude of connected devices today announced that LG Electronics will integrate the chumby app network into the LG Smart TV platform to deliver a rich array of online content to LG connected devices.

"Combining LG's world class brand, distribution and innovative expertise with chumby's portfolio of content will provide even more options for customers to access their favorite online content," said Derrick Oien, chumby's president and CEO.

"With its flexible network, chumby will provide additional functionality for our connected TVs, including high value content built-in and optimized specifically for LG devices, resulting in an enhanced end-user experience, which is our ultimate goal," said Matthew Durgin, director, Smart TV Partnerships, LG Electronics USA.

Through the chumby app network, users can tap into more than 1,000 applications, ranging from news and entertainment, social networking, photo viewing, music, video clips, sports scores and more. chumby's cloud-based ecosystem of content is flexible across screen size and device type, making the chumby platform a natural fit for services available through the TV screen. The alliance with LG is the latest in chumby's expansion to wirelessly stream chumby content to all connected devices.

LG pioneered the connected consumer electronics device market, beginning three years ago with the first Blu-ray Disc players designed for streaming content. LG's innovative Smart TV platform, a feature on the majority of LG's 2011 HDTVs and Blu-ray players sold around the world, now provides users access to a wide variety of content and services including thousands of movies, videos, music and apps, and the ability to access the Internet through an easy-to-navigate user interface -- all using an intuitive "point and click" Magic Motion remote control.

DingleBerry jailbreak hits beta, frees PlayBooks until tomorrow

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 04:46 PM PST

Been awaiting the release of a PlayBook jailbreak with bated breath? Well if you've got Canada's favorite tablet and are rocking Windows, you're in luck as DingleBerry has just gone live. While beta 0.2 of the tool won't re-enable web access to Hulu, the haxors responsible are adamant it'll come in due time, as will a Mac version. The team pushed up the release schedule as RIM informed them their exploit will be plugged in an update tomorrow -- so we'd skip that OS upgrade if you like being rooted. Want to break the biggest BlackBerry free from the clutches of QNX? Hit the source and let us know how it works out in the comments.

Nissan Leaf to get inductive charging, lose its stem in 2013 (video)

Posted: 05 Dec 2011 04:30 PM PST

Nissan has big plans for the still-budding Leaf. The Japanese automaker lit up its impressive Leaf-powered Smart House at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, but also demoed its wireless charging solution for a much smaller crowd at the company's Oppama factory. The device uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power between a charging pad and a receiver on the bottom of the car, with an efficiency level between 80 and 90 percent -- simply park your EV directly above the system to begin charging, and monitor progress on the ground transmission unit's control panel. The pad is expected to become available as soon as 2013, but will only be compatible with new vehicles, so you won't be able to use it with an older Leaf, unfortunately. There's a silent demo video waiting for you just past the break.

at 12:11 PM

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