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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Engadget News

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LG P940 phone gets benchmarked, is the Prada K2 ready to turn heads?

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:54 AM PST

LG and Prada may have already renewed their wedding vows, but it's been pretty quiet on the designer phone front. However, a stream of benchmark results have surfaced over at Antutu, revealing an LG phone with a 1GHz CPU running Android Gingerbread -- version 2.3.7 to be precise. The handset is labelled up as the P940, suggesting that this could well be the fruits of labor from the fashion-phonemaker collaboration -- aka the Prada K2. A device with the same codename has already paid a visit to the FCC, although it kept quiet on the hardware specifics, not revealing much more than a clutch of GPRS and HSPA radios. Rumors suggest the hardware will all be contained in an appropriately stylish 9mm frame, but we'll just have to wait and see. It may be just a sliver of a smartphone, but we hope LG considers feeding it some Ice Cream Sandwich before it makes its debut. Not too much though, it still needs to fit into that Prada outfit.

Toshiba 55X3 4K 3DTV launches December 10th in Japan, no glasses necessary

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:32 AM PST

Toshiba is finally ready to bring its 55-inch, 4K res 3DTV home in Japan, and buyers will have their first chance to part with 900,000 yen ($11,578 US) on December 10th. The 55X3 (ZL2 in Europe) still doesn't have a North American ship date, but we can still drool over its high res display and autostereoscopic (no glasses) 3D screen that adjusts for its viewers' location based on face tracking technology, although that results in a resolution drop down to 720p. Our last time getting eyes-on with a prototype panel was at CES and we probably won't see it again until we're back in Las Vegas in a few weeks, let's hope all that CEVO Engine technology Toshiba's plugged in for image processing makes it worth the wait... and the price.

Kobot personal EV concept collapses, lets Cat Woman park anywhere she wants (video)

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:14 AM PST

Kobot EVs
We've seen our fair share of folding cars, but here's where those concepts and the Kobot EVs differ -- these might actually come to market. These personal transportation vehicles are already far enough along to be rolling about the floor of the Tokyo Motor Show and Kowa Tmsuk (the joint venture between medical supply company Kowa and robot manufacturer Tmsuk) plan to have the first model out by fall of next year. There were three varieties on display at the show: the sporty, red Kobot ν (nyu) being ridden by Cat Woman in the photo above; the green Kobot β (beta), which collapses to just a 30-inch footprint (a tad under one foot); and the two person Kobot π. The electric "cars" shrink with the tap of a button on a smartphone, only have a top speed of 30 km/h (about 19MPH) and are intended for short urban jaunts where parking is at a premium. Check out the source for a bunch more photos and head after the break for a clip of the personal propulsion pods in action.

Eric Schmidt: 'Android will be bigger than iOS'

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:55 AM PST

Eric Schmidt was addressing the crowd at Le Web in Paris and recounted a tale when an Android user asked why apps were often written for iOS first, and then ported over to Google's OS. His response? "My prediction is that six months from now, you'll say the opposite." After the uncomfortable silence had died down, he added that Android's "open" model meant the company had volume on its side -- and volume is what he feels will attract developers. He added that Ice Cream Sandwich would redress Android's device fragmentation and the sheer number of hardware makers would ensure that 2012 would be Google's year. At which point, everyone in the audience probably went back to their iPads to read Twitter.

Sharp, Samsung and other LCD makers agree to pay $388 million in price fixing case

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:32 AM PST

The companies still aren't admitting to any wrongdoing, but Sharp, Samsung, Chimei Innolux, LG and four other LCD manufacturers have now reached a settlement in a price fixing case that began back in 2007 with a class action lawsuit. That suit specifically covers LCD panels sold between 1999 and 2006, which the companies are alleged to have driven the price up on, in turn driving up the prices on products that use them. The group has agreed to pay a total of $388 to settle the claims, with Sharp shelling out the largest single amount at $105 million -- Samsung is next at $82.7 million, followed by Taiwan's largest display-maker, Chimei Innolux, at $78 million, and LG at $70 million. As Bloomberg notes, this follows a criminal price fixing case a couple of years back, in which LG and Sharp were forced to pay $585 million in fines.

Sharp AQUOS SH-01D's optical image stabilizer hands-on (video)

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 09:09 AM PST

If you need further proof of how the Japanese keep the best to themselves, then here's yet another fine example to fuel your jealousy. Sharp's recently launched AQUOS SH-01D is one of the few -- if not the first -- Android phones that feature optical image stabilization, and this is all thanks to the company's new 12.1 megapixel, 1/3.2-inch CMOS camera module. The demo videos are plenty impressive, but naturally, we had to see for ourselves to really believe it, so playstyle.hk kindly lent us an SH-01D for a quick and dirty hands-on.

As per typical NTT DoCoMo Android phones, our SH-01D suffered from minor lags due to the heavy OS customization; but leaving that aside we dug its 4.5-inch 1,280 x 720 ASV display and its overall build quality. We then quickly moved on to the camera: while image stabilization is available for both photo and video modes, don't expect it to fully compensate your shakiness -- you'll see below that we ended up with a few slightly blurry stills at night, which isn't surprising; but regardless, we got plenty of vibrant colors in most cases.

The stabilization is more noticeable in video mode, and it's definitely more effective than the Droid RAZR's implementation -- we got some sample clips after the break for your viewing pleasure. There's no telling when other phones will get this technology, but if you want a taste of the future then you can grab an SH-01D from playstyle.hk for HK$5,500 or about US$708.
Sharp AQUOS SH-01D hands-on

Sharp AQUOS SH-01D sample shots

With optical image stabilization (please choose 1080p playback for best result):



Without optical image stabilization (please choose 1080p playback for best result):



Single-hand shake test (please choose 720p playback for best result):

NVIDIA rebadges GeForce 500M chips in preparation for Ivy Bridge release in 2012

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:50 AM PST

NVIDIA has released a new range of mobile graphics chips that bring the features of last year's 500M series down to a lower price point. Keen-eyed observers might notice the GT635M is remarkably similar to the GT555M, albeit with slightly faster memory bandwidth. The GT630M is a dead ringer for the GT540M/GT550M and the 48 CUDA core GT610M could be the GT520M if you squint at it in bad light. It's all rather detailed and low-key, but NVIDIA reminded us that it'll launch "something more exciting" around the time Ivy Bridge makes its debut in 2012 -- very possibly those 28nm Kepler chips we've been drooling over for a while?

[Thanks, Omar]

Android NFC app makes Facebook friendships a touch easier

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 08:27 AM PST

Imagine yourself in the awkwardly staged situation you see above: you're in club that's filled exclusively with girls. One's jumping around, shaking her hair, but you're desperately trying to recite the address of your Facebook page to her above the din. It's not working. Fortunately, Add Friend is here to ameliorate these tricky first social steps through the magic of Near Field Communication. Granted, it's still unlikely that: a) you'll both be carrying NFC-capable Android phones and b) have already downloaded and registered this particular app. Putting those issues aside, you and your future BFF / SO will both need to have the app running and then bring your smartphones together in a loving embrace, and letting the near-field magic transmit your Facebook details across. And remember, for any accidental adds that don't work out, the unfriend option will always be there for you.

The Engadget app for Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) has arrived!

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:56 AM PST

It seems like only yesterday that we released our Windows Phone 7 app out into the wild, bringing Microsoft mobile fans the dose of gadget news they were waiting for. But, just as Microsoft made improvements to its OS with Mango, so did we go back in the lab to bring you a better Windows Phone Engadget experience. Now, the fruits of our labor are complete. The WP7.5 version still delivers all the Mobile, HD, ALT and classic content you've come to know and love, but takes advantage of Mango's multitasking to let you play podcasts in the background while perusing our written words. Landscape mode and Live Tile support are also baked in, and we've made it even easier to share and save your favorite posts using Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Evernote, Instapaper, and Read it Later. Sound good? Well, what are you waiting for, hit the source link and see for yourself!

Kindle Fire gets unofficial Ice Cream Sandwich port, mixes temperature metaphors

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:43 AM PST

Kindle Fire owners are becoming increasingly spoilt for choice when it comes to developmental OS releases. Sidling up alongside CyanogenMod 7, Android's latest and greatest version has made an appearance: the Ice Cream Sandwich is on Fire. XDA-Developers forum member g1011999 has been kind enough to offer up the shot you see above, with the promise of a kernel release in the near future. As is often the case with these works in progress, it's not perfect just yet. While hardware acceleration and touch input are ticking along, both audio and WiFi are proving trickier to pin down, so we'd recommend interested non-tinkerers hold out a little longer. You can, however, whet your appetite with a brief video rundown after the break.

MagnetU connects you with similar people in your area, because diversity is overrated

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:27 AM PST

You could make friends the old fashioned way, with casual introductions, eye contact and other intrinsically human social skills; or you could just sit back and let MagnetU do all the heavy lifting for you. The Israeli startup, founded in 2010, has just unveiled what it calls a "proximity networking" device -- a tiny accessory that connects users to other like-minded people within their immediate vicinity. Within this lightweight gadget lies information on a user's "social desires," which can be customized and modified depending on a given situation. If you're at a networking event, for example, you can activate your "business" profile, before switching into the grossly mistitled "social" mode once you walk into a bar. Once activated, the device will automatically scan for other users within your area, comparing your data against theirs. If it finds a match, both misfits will be notified with a text message that provides details on their level of compatibility. At that point, it's up to you to exchange furtive glances and do the whole "Come here often?" Kabuki routine. The tool could also open up new marketing avenues for retailers, though MagnetU plans to begin rolling out its $24 device at college campus events, where more traditional social lubricants are few and far between.

Behringer unveils 8-foot iNuke Boom iPod dock, goes consumer with Eurosound brand

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:20 AM PST

iNuke Boom
You can probably barely make it out in the image above, but there is actually an iPod touch mounted in that monstrosity. What you're looking at is the 8-foot wide, 4-foot tall, $30,000 iNuke Boom iPod dock from Behringer. At over 700 pounds and pumping out an inhumane 10,000 watts of deafening audio, the iNuke Boom is ready for its bit public debut at the gadget circus that we call CES in January. We just hope that Everki shows up with that giant backpack from 2010's expo so we can lug home a review unit. Behringer will also be unveiling around 50 new products under its new consumer electronics sub-brand, Eurosound. But, we know you really just want more of the world's loudest iPod dock (to go along with your World's Largest Backpack) -- so head after the break for another pair of images and some PR.




Show full PR text
BEHRINGER Explodes into Consumer Electronics Market with 50 New Products plus the iNuke Boom – The World's Loudest iPhone/iPod Dock with 10,000 Watts of Power

New EUROSOUND sub-brand will offer consumers concert sound at a great value.

iNuke Boom and all EUROSOUND products will be unveiled at CES 2012 – Central Hall, Booth 15348

Bothell, WA – December 7, 2011 – BEHRINGER, award-winning innovator of affordable professional audio and music equipment, is excited to announce the launch of the EUROSOUND consumer electronics brand -- concert quality sound at an amazing value. To celebrate the launch of 50 new consumer audio products, BEHRINGER will unveil the iNuke Boom, the loudest iPad®, iPod® and iPhone® dock you've ever heard at CES 2012. The $29,999.99 (manufacturer's suggested retail price) monster speaker system measures a whopping 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall, weighs over 700 pounds and pumps out over 10,000 Watts of power.

The EUROSOUND line fully embraces a modern, European design while remaining true to BEHRINGER's roots in professional audio engineering. Four distinct product lines will be marketed under the EUROSOUND name. The Home line brings a professional, live concert sound from the stage into the comfort of your home. EUROSOUND Live products amplify your sound. EUROSOUND Portable products deliver a mobile audio experience anytime, anywhere, while the Creation line proves you don't have to be a professional musician to make great music.

The underlying quality in all EUROSOUND products is a commitment to delivering high performance audio at an incredible value, something BEHRINGER has been providing to musicians and audio professionals since the company's inception more than twenty years ago. The BEHRINGER mantra "Double the Features at Half the Price" will also translate to the EUROSOUND products.

"When I started BEHRINGER 22 years ago my goal was to provide musicians with high quality equipment at an affordable price," said Uli Behringer, founder and CEO of Music Group LLC. "With the launch of EUROSOUND we are challenging ourselves to share the incredible sound and quality we have worked to so hard to craft over the last two decades with all music and audio enthusiasts."

Follow BEHRINGER at @BEHRINGER or facebook.com/BEHRINGER for the latest news on the company's complete line of Eurosound consumer products and all of BEHRINGER's award-winning pro audio equipment.
About Behringer: BEHRINGER, a division of MUSIC Group, was founded in 1989 by Uli Behringer under the mantra "Double the Features at Half the Price". The company has since been designing and producing loudspeakers, amplifiers, mixers, DJ products, microphones, headphones, wireless systems, musical instruments and lighting systems to both professional and amateur musicians for over two decades. Today a team of more than 3,500 people across four continents work to deliver high performance audio at an incredible value in over 100 countries around the world.

iPod, iPhone, iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Comcast says no to tiered data for its broadband service, hardcore Netflix users rejoice

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 07:09 AM PST

Looking for a cable operator that won't charge you for all of those Rescue Me marathons you're having? If so, Comcast says it has no plans of implementing tiered data plans for its subscribers, unlike its wireless brethren. Citing that the move wouldn't be advantageous for the company's blooming broadband sector, Comcast Cable president Neil Smit and CFO Michael Angelakis eased the fears of video streaming customers on Monday, at least for the immediate future. Smit went on to say that "we don't want to nickel-and-dime customers at this point" -- so your extreme downloading habits are safe, for now. Bear in mind, Comcast does put a cap of 250GB per month on data consumption, so the idea full-on unlimited broadband is still just wishful thinking.

Verizon CEO says shared data plans coming in 2012

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 06:51 AM PST

Verizon LogoVerizon is gearing up to offer shared data plans sometime in 2012. That's straight from CEO Lowell McAdam, who told the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference this morning, "I think in 2012 we will see it... Getting to one bill and getting to account-level pricing is our goal." Sharing data the way they do family plan minutes is something many consumers have been clamoring for and AT&T's CEO Ralph de la Vega indicated earlier this year that his carrier was planning to offer such an option. Soon enough you might be able to buy a chunk of minutes and data then pile on the lines for a flat rate.

AT&T 4G LTE to officially launch in New York City this December

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 06:36 AM PST

Looks like AT&T is on track to hit that year-end 15 market LTE goal, after all. John Stephens, the operator's CFO / SVP, just went public with plans to officially launch that 700MHz service in New York City sometime this month, according to a statement made at the UBS 39th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference. The network's currently undergoing testing in the Big Apple, as we reported in our Nitro HD hands-on and review, but the time seems nigh for eager subs to partake of the blazing radio waves. There's certainly no lack of handset options either, with the HTC Vivid, Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket and the aforementioned LG phone all poised to lead you into "true" 4G territory. Now, if only the carrier would give us a solid date. We'll keep you updated as further details roll in, but in the meantime, check out the official presser after the break.
Show full PR text
December 07, 2011 09:07 AM Eastern Time
AT&T Expects Record Smartphone Sales in 4Q
UBS Media & Communications Conference 2011

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Stephens, AT&T Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, today announced that AT&T* is on track to break its single-quarter record for smartphone sales.

Speaking at the UBS 39th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, Stephens said that AT&T sold about 6 million smartphones in the first two months of the fourth quarter. Because December is traditionally one of the strongest sales months, AT&T now expects to break the previous single-quarter smartphone record of 6.1 million.

AT&T's strong smartphone sales in part reflect a higher number of handset upgrades from customers who were waiting for the launch of a new iPhone. AT&T previously announced that it activated more than 1 million iPhone 4S' in the first five days the device was available. AT&T said iPhone 4S sales remain strong. Only on AT&T's network can iPhone 4S users download three times faster and talk and surf at the same time.

Stephens also said today that AT&T will turn up additional 4G LTE markets, including New York City, this month, and expects to cover 70 million people with its LTE network by year-end 2011, consistent with its previously announced plans.

The webcast of Stephens' presentation will be available for replay on the AT&T Investor Relations website until Dec. 30, 2011.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Chinese court rejects Apple's claim to the iPad name, faces potential sale ban

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 06:13 AM PST

iPad 2
Before starting to sell the iPad in China last year Apple attempted to trademark the name in the country, but that request was rejected since it was already owned by Shenzhen-based Proview Technology. Apple reached an agreement with the Taiwanese arm of the company for global rights to the moniker, but the Chinese unit, which owns the trademark in that particular country, wasn't so willing to hand over the deed. Apple sued, but the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court rejected Cupertino's claim to ownership earlier this week and now the iPad manufacturer finds itself on the wrong side of a battle over intellectual property rights. Proview Technology has targeted resellers in Shenzhen and Huizhou, demanding an immediate halt to the selling of the iOS tablet. If successful the company plans to expand its quest for an iPad ban to the rest of China. Obviously, Apple can (and likely will) appeal the decision, but we're interested to see how this one shapes up.

Amazon will give you $5 if you use its Price Check app this weekend

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 05:43 AM PST

No joke, it really will. All you have to do is walk into a retailer this Saturday, whip out your smartphone and use Amazon's Price Check app to collect price data on in-store items. In exchange, the company will offer you a discount of five percent (or up to $5) on "select items" in electronics, toys, music, and other product divisions, though you'll only be able to use it a maximum of three times. The campaign represents Amazon's latest attempt to creep into the brick and mortar sector on the back of barcode scanning technology, and seems like a pretty clever way to bolster its mobile presence, while gathering intel on its competitors' prices, as well. It all kicks off at 9 PM (PST) on Friday, and will draw to a close just before midnight on Saturday. Hit up the source link for more details.

Boost Mobile lets you refill your account on Facebook, allows gifting to and from friends

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 05:16 AM PST

So busy playing networking on Facebook that you can't find time to refill your Boost Mobile account? Your little conundrum has been solved, as the prepaid carrier has set up an app on the social network called Re-Boost for this very purpose. It satisfies the obvious need of filling up your own account at your own free will, but it also hasn't neglected the social aspect: you can refill a friend's account as a gift or even scrounge a few bucks off your connections by sending a request to your network. It's definitely a unique take on an otherwise inconsequential task; perhaps those high school buddies you never talk to would be willing to part with a buck or two in exchange for some Farmville animals. Check out the presser below.
Show full PR text
Boost Mobile Launches New 'Re-Boost' Facebook Application

First application to be launch by a U.S. mobile carrier that allows customers to add funds directly to their wireless account via Facebook

IRVINE, Calif. – Boost Mobile, ranked Highest in Customer Service Performance and Purchase Experience among Non-Contract Wireless Providers by J.D. Power and Associates1, is giving its customers an early holiday gift this year – the ability to add money to their Boost Mobile account using the Re-Boost App directly through their Facebook page.

Launching today, the new "Boost Mobile Re-Boost Application" will enable a Facebook subscriber to:

-Add money to their Boost Mobile account via Facebook.
-Request a Re-Boost gift from their network of Facebook friends, which is asking friends for some extra funds to fuel your phone.
-Request a Re-Boost gift by sending a customized email to a friend, which is asking one friend personally for some help.
-Send a Re-Boost gift to a fellow Boost Mobile Facebook subscriber, since it's better to give than to receive.
-Review the last 10 transactions (Facebook Re-Boost requests and gifts).

The Boost Mobile Re-Boost Application can be downloaded to the Facebook subscriber's account by entering "Boost" in the search bar and selecting the "Re-Boost" application from the search results.

Westinghouse is bringing new LED HDTVs to CES, acronym lovers reportedly 'delighted'

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 04:54 AM PST

In January, Westinghouse Digital likes to drive on down to Nevada and show off its wares for the next 12 months at CES. Everything in Las Vegas is super-sized, which is great inspiration for Westy's new 70-inch LED HDTV that'll pump out 1080p episodes of "proper" CSI at 120Hz, with an 8ms response time. If your inner-city apartment doesn't have a 70-inch wall, then perhaps you'd prefer the new 46-inch ultra-slim LED HDTV that's so slender, it probably disappears if you look at it side-on, or something. The company's also gonna be showing off its first ever Bluetooth Soundbar that comes packing two 12 watt speakers, a class D amplifier and enhanced bass so you can really enjoy those opening bars of Who Are You.

Nokia Lumia 800 and 710 to get limited Latin American release in early 2012

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 04:22 AM PST

If you're lucky enough to call Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico or Puerto Rico home, and have been craving a bit of Nokia Lumia love, then felicidades! Señor Elop himself announced the 800 and 710 will be lighting up faces in a store near you from Q1 next year. Speaking from Sao Paulo, the Nokia CEO confirmed that both Windows Phone models would get a run out in the above countries, with production taking place in Brazil. Interestingly other large markets, like Argentina and Venezuela, didn't get a name call as one of the lucky countries, but you can bet your bottom peso though it won't be long before this is rectified. Hit up the source link for more info, en Español.

Flipboard launches on iPhone, iPod Touch, introduces 'Cover Stories' feature

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 03:54 AM PST

Flipboard has now arrived on a slightly smaller board. Previously available as an iPad-only affair, the popular magazine and social media app has now launched on both the iPhone and iPod Touch, bringing graphics-laden aggregation to a wider swath of the iOS community. This new universal version features much of the same functionality you'll find on its iPad predecessor, along with a new Cover Stories interface, which collects and displays all your recent photo uploads, shared articles and status updates from select social networks. If you're intrigued, you can download it for free at the source link, below.

PSA: 3DS firmware update goes live, upgrades camera

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 03:22 AM PST

Nintendo's 3DS update had been dragging its feet, but it's got its act together, sneaking out to devices a day earlier than expected. It will add both 3D video-recording and DLC capabilities to the handheld, although there's been no confirmation yet of the Hulu Plus feature promised back in October. According to Joystiq, there's now a new Nintendo Zone to interact with when connected to certain WiFi hotspots and a host of new "accomplishments" to unlock on StreetPass. Users are reporting that the update is rolling out now -- it may be worth booting up that guilty Black Friday purchase for a look-see.

Galaxy Note for AT&T hits FCC for cups of tea

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:55 AM PST

Samsung's Galaxy Note is pretty popular here at Engadget towers and it looks like it's finally gonna arrive on this side of the Atlantic. Yesterday, it passed through the swing-doors of the FCC's Washington bunker for the obligatory prodding: it's packing the same AT&T-ready 850 / 1900MHz bands as the original, but has a different model number (GT-N7000B). Either it's a reference to a change in the internals, or the B equals Black and the White version will follow soon. Either way, we'll be keeping our eyes on the domestic launch just to make sure we aren't missing out. Heck, maybe Sammy's gonna throw in a few cute extras to apologize for making us wait this long.

Agile Route's Shopper Tracker brings Kinect hacks, Google Analytics to the grocery aisle (video)

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:01 AM PST

The Shopper Tracker is one of those devices that does exactly what its name suggests -- and so much more. Developed by Argentina's Agile Route, this Kinect hack uses an array of heat sensors and 3D spatial recognition software to track a consumer's movements and behavior within any brick and mortar retail outlet. These data can then be used by a store owner to find out which shelves and items are appealing to customers, effectively adding a Google Analytics-like dimension to their product displays. The system is also capable of tracking multiple people at once, and can even provide feedback on which products consumers actually pull from the shelves. According to the company, this type of analysis can result in obvious strategic benefits for merchants, while reminding the rest of us that we're totally predictable. Check it out in action, after the break.

Intel, Micron unveil first 128-gigabit flash chip, provide double the data density

Posted: 07 Dec 2011 01:03 AM PST

Realign the data and the previous 32- and 64-gigabit roadblocks to flash storage disappear. Today, Intel and Micron announced the first 128-gigabit NAND flash chip. The chip, which was created through the companies' joint IM Flash Technologies venture, is smaller than a fingertip, created through a 20 nanometer manufacturing process and is capable of 333 megatransfers per second with the option of stacking as many as eight chips on top of each other. What makes the new NAND unique is its planar structure that allows individual memory cells to scale much smaller than before. When combined with a Hi-K/metal gate combo to keep the power leaks to a minimum, presto, you've got flash memory denser than your mother-in-law's fruitcake. Mass production of the 128Gb chips isn't due until the first half of 2012, but you can get a more in-depth intro to the future of flash right now in the PR below.

Intel, Micron Extend NAND Flash Technology Leadership with Introduction of World's First 128Gb NAND Device and Mass Production of 64Gb 20nm NAND

SANTA CLARA, Calif. and BOISE, Idaho, Dec. 6, 2011 - Intel Corporation and Micron Technology, Inc., today announced a new benchmark in NAND flash technology - the world's first 20 nanometer (nm), 128 gigabit (Gb), multilevel-cell (MLC) device. The companies also announced mass production of their 64Gb 20nm NAND, which further extends the companies' leadership in NAND process technology.

Developed through Intel and Micron's joint-development venture, IM Flash Technologies (IMFT), the new 20nm monolithic 128Gb device is the first in the industry to enable a terabit (Tb) of data storage in a fingertip-size package by using just eight die. It also provides twice the storage capacity and performance of the companies' existing 20nm 64Gb NAND device. The 128Gb device meets the high-speed ONFI 3.0 specification to achieve speeds of 333 megatransfers per second (MT/s), providing customers with a more cost-effective solid-state storage solution for today's slim, sleek product designs, including tablets, smartphones and high-capacity solid-state drives (SSDs.)

"As portable devices get smaller and sleeker, and server demands increase, our customers look to Micron for innovative new storage technologies and system solutions that meet these challenges," said Glen Hawk, vice president of Micron's NAND Solutions Group. "Our collaboration with Intel continues to deliver leading NAND technologies and expertise that are critical to building those systems."

The companies also revealed that the key to their success with 20nm process technology is due to an innovative new cell structure that enables more aggressive cell scaling than conventional architectures. Their 20nm NAND uses a planar cell structure - the first in the industry - to overcome the inherent difficulties that accompany advanced process technology, enabling performance and reliability on par with the previous generation. The planar cell structure successfully breaks the scaling constraints of the standard NAND floating gate cell by integrating the first Hi-K/metal gate stack on NAND production.

"It is gratifying to see the continued NAND leadership from the Intel-Micron joint development with yet more firsts as our manufacturing teams deliver these high-density, low-cost, compute-quality 20nm NAND devices," said Rob Crooke, Intel vice president and general manager of Intel's Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group. "Through the utilization of planar cell structure and Hi-K/Metal gate stack, IMFT continues to advance the technological capabilities of our NAND flash memory solutions to enable exciting new products, services and form factors."

The demand for high-capacity NAND flash devices is driven by three interconnected market trends: data storage growth, the shift to the cloud and the proliferation of portable devices. As digital content continues to grow, users expect that data to be available across a multitude of devices, all synchronized via the cloud. To effectively stream data, servers require high-performance, high-capacity storage that NAND delivers, and storage in mobile devices has consistently grown with increased access to data. High-definition video is one example of an application that requires high-capacity storage, since attempting to stream this type of data can create a poor user experience. These developments create great opportunities for high-performance, small-footprint storage, both in the mobile devices that consume the content and the storage servers that deliver it.

Intel and Micron noted that the December production ramp of their 20nm 64Gb NAND flash product will enable a rapid transition to the 128Gb device in 2012. Samples of the 128Gb device will be available in January, closely followed by mass production in the first half of 2012. Achievement of this milestone will further enable greater densities and overall fab output, while also helping the companies' development teams cultivate the expertise required to design complex storage solutions and refine future technologies.

FCC grants radio spectrum to muscle-stimulating wireless devices for paralysis patients

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 11:53 PM PST

The medical community is all smiles today, because the FCC has decided to allocate a chunk of radio spectrum for potentially life-altering wireless devices. Designed for stroke patients and those suffering from brain or spinal cord injuries, these so-called medical micropower networks (MMN) use a set of implanted electrodes and a wearable wireless controller to stimulate the muscles of a paralyzed user. In a statement issued last week, the FCC announced that these devices have been approved for use within the 413 to 457MHz range, as requested in a petition from the Alfred Mann Foundation, which has already constructed several prototype MMN systems. The organization's CEO, David Hankin, immediately lauded the ruling, adding that the Foundation now plans to launch trials of MMN systems on humans, in the hopes of receiving clearance from the FDA. "The FCC's decision removes the most significant roadblock to helping people," Hankin said. "The frequency that has been approved for use is the most efficient for penetrating tissue with radio waves and without which the new generation of our implantable neurostimulator technology would be impossible to advance."

The significance of the occasion wasn't lost on FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, either. "These broadband-enabled technologies are life-changing, impacting individuals, families, and communities in ways we can only begin to imagine," Genachowski said in a prepared statement. His sentiments were echoed in remarks from fellow commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who heralded the decision as "one of the most important the commission has adopted during my tenure," citing its potential to "greatly improve the lives of those who are faced with some of today's most difficult medical challenges."

Consumer Reports: Verizon has highest satisfaction rate among major US carriers, AT&T is lowest

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 10:28 PM PST

It's annual satisfaction survey time for Consumer Reports, and the magazine has a few results to share in anticipation of next month's issue. It appears that regional provider Consumer Cellular topped the charts -- the survey rated scores from 66,000 online subscribers -- though Verizon was ranked the highest out of the four major players for the second year in a row, followed closely by Sprint and T-Mobile. According to the survey, the latter company was still "significantly better" than last-place AT&T. The full results will be published in the January 2012 issue. Your own personal experience with each provider may vary depending on your locale, of course, but 66,000 people have certainly made their voice heard.

Sony Ericsson's elusive Nozomi shows up in Hong Kong, still glowing nicely

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 09:01 PM PST

It was only about a month ago when we first came across some clear shots of Sony Ericsson's upcoming Nozomi (aka LT26i), and now it looks like someone in Hong Kong has also gotten hold of this pretty Android phone. HKEPC's forum leakster, who claims to have received this image from a friend, doesn't actually reveal much here (not even a codename), but he or she does confirm that a dual-core chip and a 720p LCD are packed within -- this matches what we heard from the previous leak. Furthermore, we're told that a Hong Kong carrier is already testing this device, so don't be surprised if it pops up in the market within the next month or two.

Intel springs another leak, mobile Ivy Bridge CPUs abound

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 08:03 PM PST

Just yesterday, we caught a glimpse of what Intel has in store for Ivy Bridge, and it seems those details were but a prelude to a bevy of details that leaked out today. It seems the folks over at VR Zone got their hands on some of Chipzilla's internal documents showing a host of changes for its post-Sandy Bridge mobile CPUs. Apparently, we can expect quite a few new full-power models, including a 2.9GHz Core i7-3920XM -- clocked at 200MHz faster than the Core i7-2960XM that's Intel's presiding mobile chipset champion -- along with two other quad-core Core i7s and a couple of Core i5 chips as well. For those who cherish battery life above all else, there's a dual-core Core i7-3667U clocked at 2.0 GHz and a 1.8GHz Core i5-3427U coming down the pipe. All the speedy new silicon comes with upgraded Intel HD graphics 4000, and is slated for release in April and May of next year. If you can't wait until then for your next-gen CPU fix, head on over to the source for a heaping helping of Ivy Bridge charts and specs.

RIM loses BBX trademark battle, next OS is named BlackBerry 10

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 07:02 PM PST

Die-hard fans of RIM's mobile efforts should put those BBX tattoo plans on hold, as the US Federal Court has blocked the company from using the BBX trademark, favoring the existing use by BASIS International for its software. As a result, the boys from Waterloo just announced at BlackBerry DevCon Asia that the new name for its next phone OS is BlackBerry 10 (and the Roman numeral for 10 is... ah, we see what you did there.) Let's hope RIM's plans for pulling its tablets and phones into a single unified platform are better executed than its naming process -- next time, they should probably just leave it up to the machines.
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December 06, 2011 09:18 PM Eastern Time
US Federal Court Bars RIM (BlackBerry) from Using BASIS' BBX Trademark

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The United States Federal Court in Albuquerque today granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Research in Motion (RIM), immediately barring RIM from using BASIS International Ltd.'s incontestable federally registered BBX trademark at RIM's Asian DevCon on December 7-8 in Singapore.

RIM had refused BASIS' requests to stop the infringement at the DevCon conference, which resulted in BASIS filing for the TRO.

In rejecting RIM's arguments against the issuance of a TRO, the court found that, "The BBX mark is identical to the mark which RIM is allegedly using to present its BBX product (TRO page 8)." and "despite the fact that the two companies are not direct competitors, the parties' respective BBX products are highly related and target the same class of consumers, that is, business application software developers (TRO page 9)." The court went on to concur with BASIS that "The alleged infringement is likely to cause customers and prospective customers to wrongly believe that the software applications created using BASIS's development tools are only compatible with RIM's BBX operating system (TRO page 11)."

The order described how the "Courts use a well-established four-part test to decide whether to grant injunctive relief (TRO page 7)" and concluded that "Accordingly, after considering all the factors relative to a determination of whether an injunction should be granted, the Court finds that all factors weigh in favor of BASIS (TRO page 8)."

See BASIS' latest generation of BBX in action by running the sample restaurant tip calculator and home mortgage calculator applications from links.basis.com/buidemos to experience BASIS' BBX platform-independent solutions on your own smartphone or tablet.

About BASIS

BASIS International Ltd. is a global software company whose software developer community is a worldwide network of partners for whom the BASIS "BBx Generations" of products form the foundation for proven and reliable software solutions. Since 1985, BASIS' mission has been to blaze a trail by producing ambitious and innovative programming languages, database products, development tools, and an application framework for their community to build upon. BASIS is committed to delivering platform independence to the server and client, including browser-based mobile clients.

T-Mobile G2x gets its Gingerbread on (again), hopes it sticks

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 06:31 PM PST

The G2x just can't seem to quit Gingerbread. After a series of upgrade starts and stops, LG is once again offering an OTA software upgrade for this pure Google experience device. The update started rolling out to handsets yesterday, but those impatient to part with FroYo can always opt for a manual install via the company's site. If you'll recall, the one-time T-Mobile flagship's woes began shortly after its launch, when complaints of random reboots, overheating and poor battery life overtook dedicated forums. Yet despite promises that Android 2.3 would hit "soon" to address these issues, frustrated owners were instead treated to an on again / off again melodrama of scheduled releases. Now, as we totter on the brink of 2012 and an Ice Cream Sandwich future, this drawn-out saga appears to be reaching some form of closure.

India's cracking down on 'offensive' social media, Desi teens click 'dislike'

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:42 PM PST

Oh dear. India's technology minister Kapil Sibal won't be too popular with the anti-censorship crowd after demanding social networking sites screen out "offensive" material. After spotting a group criticizing Sonia Gandhi (widow of the assassinated former Prime Minister, Rajiv Ghandi) on Facebook, Sibal dragged reps from the Haus of Zuckerberg, Yahoo, Google and Microsoft -- demanding they ban material that could incite tensions on the subcontinent. No agreement was reached at the time, but Sibal isn't letting this one rest -- he's planning a series of guidelines that would become punishments for sites that don't play along in the future.

Bridgestone rolls with air-free tire concept (video)

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 05:12 PM PST

The days of flat tires and spares are numbered. Sure, self-inflating tires are all well and good, but don't protect from the darn puncture itself. Similar to Michelin's tweels, Bridgestone has cooked up some air-free concept tires that use a tough but flexible thermoplastic structure that behaves like a normal tire with nary any horizontal force produced. Each wheel is able to support around 150kg, although on a typical electric mobility scooter the load is more likely to approach 50kg. Bridgestone is looking to show off those curved, hypnotic spokes on the retail model, but is still researching how to protect against objects getting lodged inside. Roll over the break to see those spokes in action and imagine a future without puncture repair kits.

Logitech Revue Android 3.1 upgrade starts rolling out (Update: It's official)

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 04:32 PM PST

It appears owners of the Logitech Revue will finally be able to get their taste of Honeycomb starting tonight, as a few lucky users have already received an upgrade to Android 3.1 and support techs have informed them a wider rollout is beginning this evening. That puts it about a month behind Sony's Google TV boxes in receiving the upgrade, but will finally bring owners a whole new UI, and access to the Android Market -- and live up to those stickers on the outside of the box. The usual considerations apply about it being a rolling update so while your $99 box may not see the new software right away, it's definitely coming.

Update: Despite doubt by some over the news earlier, both Logitech and Google have just officially announced the Honeycomb upgrade for the Logitech Revue is going out OTA this week. Check the blog links for more details if you're still not convinced.

[Thanks, Brian]

Microsoft demos Windows Store, coming to Windows 8 beta in February

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:49 PM PST

Well well, we knew Microsoft had something in store for us at its Windows Store Preview event tonight, and it just revealed the look for its Windows 8 app-selling portal. It sports a new Metro-like UI, and comes with some new content from Disney, digital books and magazines, plus games like Cut the Rope are on tap, too. Bing's on board to index the whole store catalog and make all the fresh content easy to find, and the setup allows company websites to deep link to app descriptions in the store. There's also a mechanism for integrating app purchases from company websites built directly into the store infrastructure as well.

Of course, the new Windows Store isn't just for consumers, enterprise apps will also be available to fulfill your every business need. IT admins can deploy apps in a local version of the store, so that everything stays nice and secure on the internal networks. Not only that, but some secret sauce ensures that both enterprise and personal apps can be managed seamlessly on that slick new Windows 8 slate of yours. As for developers, Microsoft takes the now standard 30 percent cut of every app you sell in its store, but once you've sold $25,000 worth of software, that drops to 20 percent. For those interested in the full rundown of Microsoft's new app outlet, there's a video explaining its features and PR below and a Windows Store Blog will be hitting the web soon. The Windows Store is set to open its digital doors in late February of next year, with the Redmond crew only accepting free apps submitted by invitation only. So, if you're one of the chosen would-be Windows 8 devs, you better get cracking.
Microsoft Windows Store preview





Myriam Joire contributed to this report.
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Windows Store Fact Sheet
December 2011

The Windows Store will make it easy for Windows customers to find, try and buy useful, high-quality apps from practically anywhere in the world. With code-named "Windows 8" and the Windows Store, developers can enjoy a built-in distribution and update mechanism for their apps. Built using HTML5 and JavaScript, the Windows Store is a fast, fluid, full-screen Metro-style app taking advantage of the Metro-style design principles inspired in Windows 8. Easy to build for, submit to and sell through, the Windows Store is designed with app discoverability and visibility in mind. The Windows Store will open its virtual doors to consumers and begin allowing for submission of free apps for Windows 8 Beta in late February.

Unparalleled Global Reach

The Windows Store will provide developers with the greatest opportunity of any platform, helping them reach millions of Windows 8-based PCs, desktops, laptops and tablets. The Windows Store will be global, enabling developers to sell their apps in 231 markets and in more than 100 languages. To make it easier and safer for customers, the Windows Store is the single source for Metro-style apps, with a side-loading feature for enterprises so IT professionals can manage and deliver apps and updates to their users with ease and confidence.

Maximizing Developer Revenue

Today, the industry standard is for developers to make 70 percent of every dollar spent on their apps. The Windows Store aims to maximize developer revenue and provide greater financial opportunity:

• Revenue model. Successful apps make more money on Windows by earning 80 percent of every dollar of revenue earned after passing $25,000 (U.S.) in total revenue. The first $25,000 (U.S.) is paid out at the industry standard 70 percent revenue share.
• Developer account. To sell apps in the Windows Store, developers must purchase an annual developer subscription of $49 (U.S.) for individuals, $99 (U.S.) for companies.
• App pricing. Developers can set the price of their app starting at $1.49 (U.S.), using $.50 (U.S.) increments up to $5 (U.S.). Increments increase at higher prices.
Flexible Business Models
The Windows Store will allow for flexible and innovative business models. Windows has long been about choice, and the Windows Store will put the developer in control:

• In-app purchases and transaction platforms. Developers using Microsoft's transaction service will earn 70 percent on revenue from in-app purchases until the app has earned $25,000 (U.S.). After passing that amount of gross revenue between the app sales and in-app purchase revenue, they will receive 80 percent share. Developers are also free to utilize alternate transaction services for in-app purchases other than the one provided by Microsoft, and Microsoft will keep 0 percent of the proceeds.
• Advertising. Developers can use Microsoft's ad platform or another third-party vendor.
Optimized for Discoverability
One challenge for today's developer is having apps stand out and be easily discoverable. A similar challenge exists for customers to search, locate and download the apps they want, from exciting new games to productivity tools they already know and trust on Windows. The Windows Store is designed with discoverability and promotion as top priorities:

• App listing page. Developers can use this space to pitch their app and provide details, including a description, features, screen shots, app reviews and capabilities.

• Trials. Developers can offer apps as a trial without writing a single line of code and set the trial period to reduce barriers to adoption and eliminate the need for "lite" versions.

• Curation and discovery. Algorithmically generated lists highlighting frequently downloaded apps by category complemented by curated spotlight and topic sections help consumers find and download the apps they want.

• Search. Although the Windows Store will be the primary vehicle for consumers to find and download apps, Microsoft helps app discovery outside the Windows Store. All app listing pages will be exposed to Bing and other search engines.

• Promotion through Windows Internet Explorer 10. Additional potential for visibility is built into Internet Explorer 10. With a single line of markup, developers can have an app site icon appear in Internet Explorer 10 that will take Windows 8 users directly to the listing page in the Windows Store to download the app.

Transparent Approval Process

The goals of the Windows Store app certification process are to ensure trusted, quality experiences for consumers while being as simple and transparent as possible for developers. Developers can test their app through the Windows App Certification Kit (ACK) and troubleshoot any technical issues before submitting to the Windows Store. After submission, they will be able to use the Windows Store Dashboard to watch their app every step of the way. The Windows Store App Certification Requirements (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps) detail criteria for testing and certifying apps for the Windows Store.

• App approval policies. In addition to technical certification, Microsoft will evaluate Metro-style apps against a set of clear and published policies before the app is ultimately published to the Windows Store. The full policy, based on core values, can be viewed at http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/windows/apps.

• Application Certification Kit. The new ACK, available now for the Windows Developer Preview, is a single tool for self-assessment to ensure all technical compliance required for apps. It improves on the Windows Software Logo Kit with a new, simplified user interface, improved multiuser tests and auto-detection of app type. The ACK includes automated tests looking for such things as app manifest compliance, app reliability and security, and proper use of platform-supported APIs. The ACK runs the same tests as those run during the submission process, so by using the ACK first, developers know if their app meets technical compliance and can troubleshoot issues before submission to the Windows Store, saving valuable time.

• Windows Store Dashboard. The new dashboard will help developers see where their app is in the submission process, with notifications every step of the way. After submission, the dashboard will provide useful app telemetry data, which allows developers to continually improve their apps. The dashboard will include the ability to view reports on downloads, revenue, usage, in-app transactions, customer ratings, market trends and crash data. These new reports will be consistent and actionable so developers can find and fix issues quickly and efficiently.

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

Verizon pushes for quick Windows Phone / LTE integration, tugs at Microsoft's pant leg

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:37 PM PST

There's no question that Verizon's making a big push for LTE, but it appears that Microsoft has yet to take notice -- after all, Android continues to dominate Big Red's 4G network, with nary a Windows Phone in sight. VZW hopes that'll change, however, with CMO Marni Walden revealing that the company has "communicated to Microsoft that LTE is critical to us," suggesting that the ball is in Windows Phone's court. Meanwhile, Microsoft smartphone chief Andy Lees had previously confirmed that LTE functionality was on the Windows Phone roadmap, saying back in October that the company and its partners were looking at how 4G LTE support could be integrated. To date, Lees has declined to give any indication as to the actual timing for the first LTE models. In other news, Verizon has offered Microsoft a custom-made promise ring just to make sure its intentions were understood.

Kodak's Document Print app means never visiting the girl from the Xerox place

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 03:01 PM PST

Printing on the road usually leaves you at the mercy of your local Kinkos FedEx Office, but as long as you've got one of Kodak's cloud-print enabled Hero printers, you can avoid getting gouged. The company's just released an Android app that lets you print nearly everything, even webpages as long as they're accessed from the baked-in browser -- provided that you've left your home printer switched on. You can pull it down for free from the Android market from today and if you're interested, head on past the break for an unusually terse press release from the company.
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Kodak Launches Document Cloud Printing App for ANDROID OS Devices

Rochester, N.Y., December 05 -- Continuing to make printing from smartphones and tablets easy and accessible, Kodak today launched its free KODAK Document Print App1 for ANDROID OS Devices. Consumers can now send documents from their ANDROID OS device directly to their KODAK All-in-One Printer using Google Cloud PrintTM.

Supported files include web pages, MICROSOFT OFFICE documents including MICROSOFT WORD, POWERPOINT and EXCEL, PDF and text files, as well as image files. In addition to printing files that are located locally on an ANDROID OS device, files can be accessed on Google Docs, DROPBOX and EVERNOTE Sites. Web pages can be accessed using the KODAK Document Print App's built-in browser.

"In today's mobile society, it's important that we provide solutions that enable people to print what they want, when they want to, from wherever they are in the world," said Susan Tousi, General Manager, Inkjet Systems, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "The launch of the KODAK Document Print App is one more way we are making mobile printing simple and accessible, while also offering high quality output at an affordable price."

The KODAK Document Print App is available now in the ANDROID Market.

Android Phone Name Generator launches HTC Bionic Plus 3D E, Motorola Vigor Optimus Prime+

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 02:18 PM PST

Checking the front porch every few minutes for your Sony Ericsson Charge Vibrant G2? Or perhaps you've fallen for the HTC Mesmerize Vivid Prime (you know, that Super HAMOLED++ 4K tablet running Android 9.3 Snickerdoodle). Sure, those game-changing Android devices may not exist in physical form, but they did become a reality in Yinzcam's brilliant Android Phone Name Generator -- created for your amusement, and perhaps the industry's top marketing geniuses. Want to try your hand at creating the world's next week-long smartphone fad? Hit up the source link again and again and again, then share your results in the comments. The Acer Rezound Vivid One G1 X2 launches in 3, 2...

Grand Theft Auto III anniversary edition for iOS and Android exalts a decade of metropolitan mayhem

Posted: 06 Dec 2011 01:47 PM PST

Before Niko Bellic, there was a man who was known as Claude, who was just as willing to terrorize Liberty City back in Grand Theft Auto III. If fond memories of carjackings and Flashback 95.6 are starting to rush back, know that Rockstar plans to sell you a fresh copy for your iOS or Android devices come December 15th. And just so we're clear, the $4.99 redux is a full re-release -- not some watered-down version with an alternate story line. Already counting the days? Peep the list of compatible devices after the break so it's not all for naught. Go on, we've left you a surprise.

Apple iOS Devices: iPad 1 & 2, iPhone 4 & 4S, iPod touch 4th Generation
Android Phones: HTC Rezound, LG Optimus 2x, Motorola Atrix 4G, Motorola Droid X2, Motorola Photon 4G, Samsung Galaxy R, T-Mobile G2x
Android Tablets: Acer Iconia, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Dell Streak 7, LG Optimus Pad, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1, Sony Tablet S, Toshiba Thrive
at 12:32 PM

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