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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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IRL: Kirby Sentria, Sony bloggie-MHS-FS1 and the OLPC XO laptop

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:00 AM PST

Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Let's just cut to the chase: this week's IRL is a little schizophrenic. On the one hand, you've got Andy singing his bloggie's praises, Terrence waxing philosophical about his unused OLPC XO and Darren ranting about his grandmother's vacuum cleaner. Do you like camcorders that are not a smartphone? Do you despise door-to-door Sentria salesmen? Good. Let's hit it, then.

Do not buy

A few months back, a presumably nice gentleman convinced my dementia-stricken grandmother to spend hundreds of dollars on a Kirby Sentria vacuum cleaner. Given that it weighs roughly the same as an African elephant, she soon realized she didn't even posses the power to operate it -- let alone connect the godforsaken shampooing system. Given that the company claims its Sentria system possesses "state-of-the-art technology," I figured I'd save the poor woman from eternal embarrassment by actually putting it to use.

That, friends, was a horrific mistake. I'm simply awestruck at how poorly designed this insanely expensive machine is. I've used a few Dysons in my day, and a few bargain bin vacs as well. None of those options ever do a phenomenal job getting hidden dirt and debris out, but I'd rather sleep in mounds of filth than be saddled with the chore of cleaning it with this thing.

It takes a college degree in vacuum engineering just to understand how the shampooer connections are made; actually making 'em happen is another thing entirely. It's pathetically manual, forcing users to align a belt, twist a knob, watch for a hook you can't see and sprinkle just the right amount of pixie dust on the handle. If you ever manage to get it assembled, it does a fine job of picking up trash... and randomly barfing it back up onto your floor. Perpetually. Please, if you need a serious carpet job, hire a professional. Whatever you do, do not buy a Sentria. Do not allow your family members to buy a Sentria. And while you're at it, warn your sworn enemy not to buy a Sentria.
-- Darren Murph
Six months with a bloggie


I'm not a prolific vlogger by any means, but I do jump at the chance to catch a friend in an embarrassing moment and spend the next three years, er, reminiscing. With that spirit, I bought a Sony bloggie-MHS-FS1 about six months ago and it's suited me just fine. Which is to say, I've got plenty of blackmail fodder. Design-wise, it has a solid feel to it -- not to mention, it's much skinnier than its outrageously more popular and colorful Flip rival. As for similar devices, I believe simpler is always better. From the time you press the power button, it takes just 1.5 seconds to go from stunned bystander to NBC's version of Peter Jackson. This means by the time you notice crazy 'ole Johnny's up to something, you'll be able to watch him leaping off the side of the ferry, repeatedly.

As far as specs go, this particular Bloggie shoots an hour of 1080p video and packs a mini-HDMI port as well as a retractable USB 2.0 connector. Being a musician, I often use it for filming live shows, and the sound quality is actually pretty great -- it picks up little to no noise around the 5-10K range. I've actually been able to work up a decent sounding track from the original Bloggie audio file. The native bloggie software organizes clips by date or custom folders automatically. One cool feature is that I'm able to pre-assign clips on the device to custom folders on my MacBook directly after shooting. That way, when I import them, they're automatically filed. This proves heavenly when I'm on the go. If you're an unhealthy iMovie user like me, I've found that the best way to work between the two apps is to make events based upon your Bloggie folders. I became tired of importing from the device to both very quickly. One minor issue I've experienced is that every now and again the software won't start up and will leave me staring into a white screen of angst, but it's nothing a force-quit can't handle. In conclusion, Bloggie = spectacular.
-- Andy Bowen
Dumbed-down, but far from intuitive

Sure, when I shelled out $400 to join in the G1G1 (give one, get one) fun it made me feel good that some underprivileged child would be getting a free laptop on my dime. But, almost as important for a guy like me was that it would put an OLPC XO in my hands as well. It was probably the only way I'd ever be able to toy with its innovative new dual-mode screen and unique Sugar UI. Well, four years later, it's still floating around my apartment, but serves only as a technological curiosity and conversation piece.

The truth is, for all its good intentions, this petite hunk of green-and-white plastic never rose above a novelty. The screen, which switched from full color to an E Ink like monochrome mode, is easily some of the most innovative technology I've ever seen in a computer. But it's attached to extremely underpowered components running one of the most unintuitive pieces of software I've ever encountered. And yes, I understand that the XO wasn't designed to satisfy western consumers, but even considering its target audience it's painfully slow. Opening a web browser could take over a minute when I first received the laptop. Later updates have greatly sped up the performance, but it's still not exactly what you'd call "snappy." Then there are the countless confusing buttons littered about the keyboard and screen, and Sugar's stubborn insistence on reinventing the wheel when it comes desktop design. If you're the type of person who thinks Android isn't intuitive, an XO would have you shrieking and pulling out your hair. And remember, this is designed for young children who have probably never used a computer before.

That doesn't mean I regret the purchase, however. My XO-1 may primarily collect dust, but it's a fascinating footnote in computing history -- one for which I'm proud to have a memento, and one that I could share with some child across the globe.
-- Terrence O'Brien

Zenonia, Swiftkey X headline day 9 of the Android Market sale

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:47 AM PST

There's two days to go before the Android Market returns to normal, as we enter into day 9 of its sale to celebrate the download of the ten billionth app. Only one, Swiftkey X, has come back for a second helping of the sale. Of the eleven apps being featured today, a healthy eight are games: Sleepy Jack, Icebreaker Hockey, Deer Hunter 3D, MX Moto, Guns 'n' Glory, Tank Riders, Zenonia and Collapse. Rounding out the selection you'll find ezPDF Reader -- which obviously needs no introduction -- and Toddler Tapping Zoo for the young 'uns. One day left, and then we'll just have to cross our fingers and wait to see what happens when the Android Market hits twenty billion. As always, check out the source link to see the options.

Netflix updates iOS app with new iPad-optimized interface

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:37 AM PST

We've already seen Netflix's more tablet-optimized interface in the latest version of its Android app and now, as promised, the company has brought much the same UI to its iOS app. In addition to giving iPad users the ability to view more content at a glance, version 2.0 of the app also brings with it support for Netflix users in Latin America, as well as a number of stability fixes. As always, it remains free for Netflix members -- hit up the App Store to download it now.

JBL OnBeat Xtreme review

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST

We've been following the onslaught of AirPlay / Bluetooth speaker systems in recent months, carefully combing through the prospects to find the true contenders. We were recently impressed by Klipsch's Gallery G-17 Air and now we've given the JBL OnBeat Xtreme a testdrive. This beast is step up from the regular ol' OnBeat dock, both in stature and cost. Priced a cool $500... it's sandwiched between the pricey B&W Zeppelin Air and the more modest iHome iW1. So is the JBL dock extreme enough to warrant a purchase? We've been blasting beats through this bad boy for a fortnight, so read on to find out if you should snatch one up for yourself.
JBL OnBeat Xtreme


Hardware


If you're a fan of black gadgets with a sufficient helping of silver accents, the OnBeat Xtreme may be the speaker dock for you. The first thing you'll notice about the kit is JBL's Weave design, which is a nice break from the regular ol' bar shaped portable audio devices, as far as we're concerned. Rather than having a traditional dock nesting station for your iOS device a rotating device connector is flanked by two arms that secure your iPad or iPhone while keeping their orientation in flux should the need arise. This is more useful with the slate than with the handset, but either way, it's a nice touch to be able to charge and rotate if needed. Although, if you're looking to make use of the portrait mode for your Apple tablet, you may have to be a bit selective as to which shelf the dock calls home.


The volume controls were a little tardy in response to our calling for more cowbell.

Moving around to the right of the front side, you'll find a foursome of control buttons. Keeping with the silver motif, these are a backlit polished silver but more matte than the silver panel that covers the top of the dock. Power, volume, source select and Bluetooth phone buttons reside here, giving you all the non-DJ controls you'll need. The backlit controls are a nice touch, and the machined silver materials appear to make the group withstand heavy use. When in dock mode, the source button is lit white, but when you need to opt for a Bluetooth connection, hold that control down and as it turns to blue (well played, JBL), your wireless tunes are good to go. Although at times, the volume controls were a little tardy in response to our calling for more cowbell (read: face-melting output). Heading around to the back panel, you'll find auxiliary input, video out, USB and power connections right in the center of the dock.


Inside the snazzy black and silver exterior, you'll find JBL Ridge tweeters and Atlas Woofers. Four transducers make use of 30 amplification watts each in an effort muster top-notch clarity, whether your cranking Mastodon or The Civil Wars. As with many other offerings, an RF remote is also included complete with playback and menu controls. You know, should you be so completely relaxed that you don't want to hop up off the couch to skip to the next song. Even if you were, you could wirelessly connect your device and keep it right on your lap, but we digress. You can also use the remote to switch between the dock's five EQ modes: music, movies, chat, internet radio or game. By holding down the center button, and carefully reading the flashing source select LED, you can navigate between these but only in the aforementioned order. We actually found the equalizer a bit confusion, as we were never exactly sure which mode we were in.

Sound


Let's get right to the heart of the issue: how the thing sounds when cranked up to 11. We're happy to report that the OnBeat Xtreme provides stunning clarity at a low, background noise level and maintains the same quality when cranked up to full-on dance party volume. Said quality also allows you to pick up on more subtle nuances in your album library -- like the crisp snare hits of The Appleseed Cast, for example. We put on Haste the Day's Dreamer and slowly worked our way up to full volume. Even at nearly maximum output levels, the dock performed nicely, giving growling vocals and chugging guitars their rightful place. And, we didn't pick up on any distortion or noise from about six feet away.

Bass lines and beats never became muddy, even across genres.

Being the music aficionados that we are, we were sure to put the OnBeat Xtreme through a grueling genre test. To check out the low end, we blasted Jay-Z's "Hello Brooklyn 2.0." Bass, snare and other elements of the track maintained their individuality and the lyrics stayed clear even at a louder volume. Bass lines and beats never became muddy, even across genres. As recovering musicians, we fancy the ability to discern and enjoy individual elements of each track we listened to made this a worthy contender in the speaker dock realm. Moving down through Anberlin to the Punch Brothers, no matter what musical style we threw at it, the system held up nicely.


Highs are top-notch as well. We hate to dwell on the aforementioned clarity when it comes to the snare drum, but we're suckers for high-level audio output, and that performance continues at the top of the audio spectrum. Vocal quality is worth another mention as well. We never encountered a scenario in which muffled harmonies ruined a perfectly good hook. At the same time, the highs aren't overly brilliant either as the treble level seems to be well engineered.

While we've seen some docks struggle with the mid-range tones, this JBL set of speakers is not one of them. Unlike what we saw with the G-17 Air, musical elements like super technical metal guitars a la A Plea For Purging kept their tone and stood out nicely. Even during the full assault of breakdowns and choruses, guitar parts hold their own. Add this to the duo of crystal clear highs and beefy lows, and you've got yourself a great sounding dock.

Bluetooth connectivity


Trying to use wireless connectivity with any device, let alone an audio accessory, can sometimes be a hassle. That's not the case here, as connecting via Bluetooth was quick and easy. Once our iOS devices were paired with the OnBeat Xtreme, connecting only took a couple of seconds. Range was about what you'd expect for a device on this connection, as we were able to still control and stream until we walked into the next room. In addition to that, there was no noticeable decay in sound quality either, as we were happy to keep our iPad in our lap while rockin' out.

Phone use


Because of its Bluetooth and iPhone compatibility, the OnBeat Xtreme allows you to make hands-free calls without having to leave the dock. Equipped with a built-in microphone, the dock will let you order that pizza you're craving without walking over to the coffee table to pick up your phone. Then again, this only worked for us in Bluetooth mode, and not when our iPhone was resting in the dock. The audio quality of our phone calls was much like one would encounter on any speakerphone call. But let's be honest, we're not going to be using a $500 speaker dock to make a ton of calls so this is certainly not a deal breaker by any means.

Software


We prefer the look of the iPod function on both the iPad and iPhone to the company's application.

The first time you nest your iOS device in the dock, the OnBeat Xtreme gives you a gentle nudge to download the JBL OnBeat app from the App Store. To be honest, we prefer the look of the iPod function on both the iPad and iPhone to the company's application. There's not really any added functionality that you can't from the stock software. For all intents and purposes, it's unnecessary and you can get by just fine with what Apple gives you on each device. Although, if you're into hopping back and forth between iOS and the app, your album progress will be held (when paused, of course) until you resume playback on the other software. Bluetooth can be accessed here (and AirPlay were the dock compatible), but you can take care of that connectivity without having to load another app onto your device. Perhaps the directions in the tutorial on how make use of the wireless features is a redeeming element, but that really comes down to whether you'd rather read it on paper or on the screen of your device.
JBL OnBeat app


Wrap-up


It shouldn't be a surprise that a company like JBL, with a track record for audio products, would put out a solid wireless-enabled speaker dock. Sure, the volume buttons could be a little more sensitive and react to our pressing with haste. And if you're super OCD about fingerprints, you'll probably be constantly wiping the polished silver top of the kit. The JBL app suggestion was a bit of an annoyance that turned out to be a waste of a few minutes once it was explored. All that said, these are hardly deal breakers.

The top-notch sound quality is what would make us consider grabbing one of these for the Engadget HQ. Superb clarity in the audio at every volume we tested kept our ears' perked up throughout our testing. Easy connectivity and the rotating device dock were nice touches as well, we might add, not to mention the break from a blocky speaker dock design made the OnBeat Xtreme easy on the eyes. While you might be able to do better than the OnBeat Xtreme, you could certainly do much worse, and still take a hit to your piggy bank.

Last.fm Discover delivers greener pastures of music discovery

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 08:39 AM PST

Last.fm is going all HTML5 with Discover, a new music discovery service that lets you find artists through tag search and create playlists by dragging and dropping songs from the comfort of your browser. Once you've created a mix from the site's rolling fields of music, you can share it via Facebook and Twitter to show the world just how indie you are. Check out the new service at the source link below.
Show full PR text
LAST.FM CREATES A NEW WAY TO DISCOVER INDEPENDENT MUSIC

Leading music discovery site, Last.fm, today announces the launch of Last.fm Discover, a new global music tool that harnesses Last.fm's library of three million tracks by emerging, independent artists. Sponsored by Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9, the HTML5 app sits within Last.fm to give music fans access to the biggest library of independent music in the world.

Last.fm Discover (http://www.last.fm/discover) helps global music fans with vastly different tastes make their own independent music discoveries, building on the success that Last.fm has achieved in helping break critically acclaimed artists.

From Newgrass to Indietronica, the tool Last.fm Discover allows users access to music genres that suit everyone's tastes, free of charge and without commercials. The new tool will allow unlimited skips, listens and the ability to showcase their curation skills by making mini mixtapes of newly discovered music, all easily shareable online with their friends and networks.

"Our team has grappled over the years on how to best overcome the barriers of discovering new music, whether it be finding new artists from around the globe, downloading tracks or sharing with friends. Last.fm Discover solves this problem," said Matthew Hawn, VP of Product at Last.fm. "By working with the Microsoft innovation team we're able to bring a huge library of independent music to new audiences. We want people to discover, listen and share new music and Last.fm Discover gives a new and engaging way of doing just that."

Working with London design studio Somethin' Else and thanks to support from Microsoft's innovation team, Last.fm have created an immersive and visually rich web experience that builds on the music communities core strengths. That experience is fully realized and optimized to work perfectly with the latest version of Internet Explorer. Last.fm Discover will also work with all modern web browsers.

Gabby Hegerty, Internet Explorer Lead, UK said: "We're always looking for new and outstanding ways to bring fantastic HTML5 experiences to Internet Explorer 9 users, and this new site from Last.fm will not disappoint. With Internet Explorer 9, websites feel much more like a native Windows application, where the focus is on the site, and in this case discoverability of great music, rather than the browser."

Flex Lighting's LED film will brighten your e-reader, mood (video)

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 08:21 AM PST

The slogan pretty much says it all: Flex Lighting has developed a new front light LED film that could drastically change the way you interact with your e-reader. According to the Chicago-based company, this film is part of a new lighting system that promises to bring smooth, nighttime reading to E Ink displays everywhere. Flex Lighting's setup is rather simple, consisting of nothing more than a single LED and a thin layer of film, laminated onto a device's reflective screen. At a thickness of just 50 micron, the film essentially acts as a light guide, spreading the LED's beams across a reader's display and creating a "soft glow" that many predecessors have thus far failed to replicate. The folks over at the eBook Reader managed to get their hands on a brief demo video, in which the system performs rather impressively. See it in action for yourself, after the break.

TeleNav launches browser-based turn-by-turn GPS navigation using HTML 5

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

TeleNav's been bringing the turn-by-turn goods to both Android and iOS for quite a while now, and has added plenty of nifty features to its GPS platform along the way -- from personalized routes to offline access. Now, the company has unveiled plans to put its navigation in every HTML5-capable browser on the planet, and the best part is, it's free. The new service is available now for a select group of developers, who can add TeleNav's voice-guided GPS by plugging in a single line of code into their websites or apps. The service will eventually be released for consumers and all developers, but for those devs who'd like to dip their toe into TeleNav's web-based waters early, the company's accepting applications now. The GPS bar has officially been raised... the question is, how will the team in Mountain View respond?
Show full PR text
TeleNav Announces World's First HTML5 Browser-Based, Voice-Guided, Turn-by-Turn GPS Navigation Service
Free for both developers and consumers; Access available now for select developers

Sunnyvale, California - Dec. 15, 2011 - TeleNav, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNAV), one of the largest global wireless location-based services providers, today announced that it has created the first HTML5 browser-based, voice-guided, turn-by-turn GPS navigation service for mobile devices. By simply adding one line of code, developers of mobile websites or of apps with local content will have a free and easy way to integrate full GPS turn-by-turn directions into their services, creating a more seamless user experience and increasing user engagement and time spent within their applications.

Similar to TeleNav's award-winning GPS navigation application, the HTML5 navigation service will include full-color moving maps, audio directions, and automatic rerouting if the driver misses a turn. TeleNav's HTML5 navigation service will be free for both developers and consumers and will support all major mobile platforms.

"This is an enormous amount of added value for any mobile, location-based website or app focused on travel, shopping, local search, deals and more," said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president of products for TeleNav. "With one line of code, you can give your customers one-click access to premium, voice-guided turn-by-turn directions to any location, including hotels, restaurants, merchants or deal locations. Customers never need to leave your app."

TeleNav would like to partner with select developers to test the service. Interested mobile website publishers and app developers can apply for early access by visiting TeleNav's website at www.telenav.com/developer/HTML5.

TeleNav expects to publicly launch its HTML5 service in early 2012. Consumers will not need to be current TeleNav customers but will need to have an HTML5-compatible feature phone or smartphone.

About TeleNav, Inc.

TeleNav, Inc. is a leading provider of consumer location-based services (LBS), enterprise LBS and automotive LBS with more than 26 million paying subscribers as of September 30, 2011. TeleNav's services provide consumers, wireless service providers, enterprises and automakers with location-specific, real-time, personalized services such as GPS navigation, local search, mobile advertising, mobile commerce, location tracking and workflow automation. TeleNav's technology is available across more than 1,300 types of mobile phones, all major mobile phone operating systems and a broad range of wireless network protocols. TeleNav's service providers and partners include AT&T, Bell Mobility, Boost Mobile, China Mobile, Cincinnati Bell, Ford Motor Company, NII Holdings, QNX Software Systems, Rogers, Sprint Nextel, Telcel, T-Mobile UK, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Vivo Brazil.

For more information on TeleNav, please visit www.telenav.com. Follow TeleNav on Twitter at www.twitter.com/telenav or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telenav.
Copyright 2011 TeleNav, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nokia Lumia 710 official on T-Mobile: HSPA+ 14.4, 3.7-inch ClearBlack display, available January 11th for $49 on contract

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 07:52 AM PST

Go ahead and take that holiday and even some time to celebrate because Espoo's ushering in the new year with the stateside bow of its Lumia 710. This lower-hanging Mango phone, which we first met at Nokia World, has already begun rolling out to markets worldwide in recent weeks and, now, is poised to enter the U.S. brandishing a Magenta banner and $49 on two-year contract price. That's right, T-Mobile has snatched up exclusive rights to the 3.7-incher, which is mostly unchanged from its initial unbranded incarnation, with the same 800 x 480 ClearBlack LCD display, 1.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 512MB RAM, 8GB of storage, 5 megapixel rear camera with single LED flash, WiFi and Bluetooth on board. Naturally, both parties have loaded the device up with a fair share of pre-installed apps like Drive, MS Office, ESPN, T-Mobile TV and Netflix, but you don't have to let that clutter up your clean live-tiled look -- it's all uninstallable. The mid-range handset also runs along the operator's HSPA+ 14.4Mbps network, so you're in store for some heady "4G" speeds should you decide to take the plunge this January 11th when it hits stores. Head on past the break for the official presser.
Nokia Lumia 710
Show full PR text
T-Mobile Brings Nokia Lumia 710 to the U.S.

Nokia and T-Mobile deliver a leading entry-level Windows Phone experience to the nearly 150 million Americans still to make the transition to smartphones.

BELLEVUE, Wash., and SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Dec. 14, 2011 - T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Nokia today announced the upcoming availability of the Nokia Lumia 710, the first Windows Phone from Nokia in the United States. Targeted at the nearly 150 million Americans who haven't purchased their first smartphones, the 4G-capable Nokia Lumia 710 delivers high-performance hardware, Nokia's best social and Internet experience, and access to popular smartphone applications and services from Windows Phone Marketplace.

Running on America's Largest 4G Network™, the Nokia Lumia 710 benefits from the unique people-first approach of Windows Phone, bringing together all interactions with family and friends in People Hub. The Nokia Lumia 710 also provides one-click access to popular services, such as Netflix, T-Mobile TV with mobile HD1 and a leading mobile Web experience with Internet Explorer® Mobile, Bing™ Search with voice activation and Local Scout for locally relevant search results. The smartphone also brings access to signature Nokia experiences, such as Nokia Drive for voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and ESPN for exclusive sports content.

"We're excited to team with Nokia in bringing its first Windows Phone to the U.S. with the elegantly designed Nokia Lumia 710," said Cole Brodman, chief marketing officer, T-Mobile USA. "Windows Phone offers a compelling mobile OS choice for people who want a smartphone built around them, their family and friends. We expect it to play a more prominent role in our lineup and marketing efforts in 2012."

Today, people are increasingly upgrading to smartphones, and many are doing so for the first time. According to the NPD Group, U.S. smartphone sales reached 59 percent in the third quarter 2011, an increase of 13 percent since third quarter 2010. With an increasing demand for smartphones, the Nokia Lumia 710 offers a compelling experience aimed at addressing the needs of the nearly 150 million people in the U.S. who have yet to upgrade to their first smartphones.

"Our research shows nearly everybody in the U.S. wants a smartphone, but many believe they can't afford it," Brodman said. "That's where T-Mobile shines. Our Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans make it more affordable than ever to step up to mobile data on our 4G network."

"The Nokia Lumia 710 is the perfect first-time smartphone: a well-designed product that delivers the most compelling Windows Phone experience in its price range and with access to great content and thousands of applications," said Chris Weber, president, Nokia Americas. "This is the perfect first Nokia Lumia experience and the start of our re-entry into the U.S. smartphone market."

Available in a black or white finish, the Nokia Lumia 710 features a 3.7-inch ClearBlack WVGA scratch-resistant display for outstanding outdoor viewing and a Qualcomm 1.4 GHz Snapdragon™ processor providing speedy access to entertainment and information on-the-go. It also features a 5-megapixel camera with Nokia's leading camera technology, enabling people to take pictures in almost any light condition and share on social networks in seconds. With the most integrated work-life solution of any mobile platform via the Windows Phone Office Hub and an interactive mobile gaming experience via Xbox LIVE®, the Nokia Lumia 710 is the complete all-round first-time smartphone experience.

Availability
The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to be available at T-Mobile retail stores, select dealers and retailers nationwide, and online at http://www.t-mobile.com starting Jan. 11. The Nokia Lumia 710 is expected to cost $49.99 after a $50 mail-in-rebate card, with a two-year service agreement and qualifying Classic voice and data plan. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com/lumia.

For more information on T-Mobile's Unlimited Value and Monthly4G plans, see: http://family.t-mobile.com/phone-plans.

1 Mobile HD TV can deliver a bit rate of 800kbps and 16:9 resolution; the bit rate and resolution you experience will vary based on many factors, e.g., programming, network connection and device.

NASA building a harpoon to fire at comets, suddenly renders plot of 'Armageddon' plausible (video)

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 07:41 AM PST

Whatever Michael Bay uses to propel that "high-concept" imagination of his, he's obviously passed some of it to the boys at NASA's Goddard Space Flight center. A team there is developing a hollow-bodied harpoon that can be fired from a cannon toward comets too dangerous to land on. Once landed, it fills up with sub-surface samples before winched back aboard the waiting space craft. It's currently being tested by firing the harpoon (using a six foot ballista) into a bucket of dirt -- if they fired it horizontally it'd travel about a mile. After the break we've got video explaining this madness in some detail -- which we promise is Aerosmith-ballad free.

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

Lenovo IdeaPad U300s ready for online pre-order, price puts on some winter weight

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 07:19 AM PST

Lenovo's been keeping itself busy in the battle of the Ultrabooks, and now its 13-inch IdeaPad U300s is up for pre-order. Unfortunately, since our review, the price tag looks to have been burdened by an extra $200 so that it's now just under $1,300 -- and that includes a special online discount. With the likes of the MacBook Air and ASUS' Zenbook UX31 jostling for your skinny laptop affections at lower entry-level prices, that extra chunk of change could make the U300s' shortcomings -- like the lack of an SD slot -- even more of an issue. If you're willing to overlook those and hold on until the December 19 shipping date, you can stake your claim to an IdeaPad at the pre-order link below.

[Thanks Jay]

Update: We're seeing Lenovo has made changes to the product page, with only the top-end U300s appearing on the site at the moment. Having covered Lenovo for years, we know the company has a habit of removing models that have sold out, and re-listing them when more are available, so we wouldn't be surprised if that lower-end model surfaces again in the near future.

Pogoplug Series 4 expands your cloud storage, makes it easier to hibernate

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST

Pogoplug has already moved to the cloud. Now, it's coming back down to Earth. Today, the company unveiled its latest "cloud expansion device," known as the Pogoplug Series 4, pictured above. As the fourth incarnation of Pogoplug's original device, this box effectively allows users to host their own unlimited storage, for those moments when 5GB (or even 10GB) of cloud space just won't cut it. With Series 4, you'll be able to hook up your HDD through one of four different connection ports, including two USB 3.0 inputs, one USB 2.0 port and an SD card slot. The model also features plug-and-play support for Seagate GoFlex external drives, or any other USM-compliant products. It's available now for $100, so head past the break for more details in the full PR.
Show full PR text
Pogoplug Introduces New Cloud Storage Expansion Device

Launches Pogoplug Series 4 with enhanced performance and new connectivity options
San Francisco, CA - December 14, 2011 – One month after launching its new Pogoplug Cloud service, Pogoplug has announced the next generation of its flagship cloud expansion device: Pogoplug Series 4.

Pogoplug's free Pogoplug Cloud service gives users 5GB of online cloud storage optimized for mobile phones and tablets. New users can sign up directly from their phone to create their free Pogoplug Cloud account.
Key features of the Pogoplug service include:

Store: Automatically upload photos and videos from your mobile phone to your Pogoplug Cloud-no sync required.
Share: Instantly share anything in your cloud through email, Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Create shared folders, and collaborate with friends and colleagues.
Stream: Stream HD videos, photos and music from your Pogoplug Cloud to your phone.

Pogoplug Series 4 allows users to add unlimited cloud capacity to their Pogoplug account by hosting their own storage, with no monthly fees or limits. The high-performance Pogoplug Series 4 model provides plug-and-play support for Seagate® GoFlex™ external drives and other storage products that have adopted the new Universal Storage Module standard (USM), as well as the following inputs:

USB 3.0 x 2
SD x 1
USB 2.0 x 1
2.5" SATA/USM/Seagate GoFlex ultra-portable drives x1

"User growth on our new Pogoplug Cloud service has been phenomenal," said Daniel Putterman, CEO and co-founder of Pogoplug. "Pogoplug Series 4 gives users a great way to add unlimited storage capacity with the latest off-the-shelf USB 3.0 and SATA-based disk drives."
Pricing and Availability

Pogoplug Series 4 is $99 and available now at select retailers. Pogoplug offers 5GB of free cloud storage, available now at www.pogoplug.com. Pogoplug's iOS and Android apps are FREE and available for download in the iTunes Store and Android Marketplace. The full range of Pogoplug hardware and software products are available at www.pogoplug.com/expansion.
USEFUL LINKS

Pogoplug product site: www.pogoplug.com
iPhone / iPad app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pogoplug/id306217576?mt=8
Android app: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.pogoplug.android
Pogoplug blog: http://blog.pogoplug.com

Alcatel-Lucent plants two flags in Latin American soil: LTE and 100Gb/s cable

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 06:40 AM PST

Not content with newly arrived iTunes and Netflix, Latin America's growing population of web aficionados are seeing some major investment in high-speed internet services too. Alcatel-Lucent says it's won contracts to provide infrastructure for the region's first LTE network -- in Uruguay, to be precise -- as well as the first 100Gb/s optical cable network, which will soon be streaming telenovelas across Argentina. Welcome to the revolution, compañeros, and read on for the full PR.
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Today Alcatel-Lucent announced two industry milestones related to the Latin American telecommunications market.

• The wins represent the first commercial LTE deployment in Latin America and the first Latin American Cable Operator to Deploy 100G Optical Technoogy;

• The wins are a strong indication of the traffic growth occuring in Latin America and the infrastructure investments being made to address it;

• The annouoncements are a strong indicator of the strength of Alcatel-Lucent's business in the region
• Double-Digit Growth over Past 3 Consecutive Quarters


Excerpts of press releases are below - - full releases can be found here: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/wps/portal/pressroom

Argentina's Cablevision selects Alcatel-Lucent's 100 Gigabit Optical Solution to Cope with Booming Data Demand and Rising Transport Costs

First cable operator in South America to deploy a 100 gigabit per second optical network to boost multicast video services and high-speed Internet access

Buenos Aires, December 13, 2011 –Cablevision Argentina, one of the Latin America's largest cable TV and Internet services providers, will be the first cable operator in South America to deploy an advanced optical networking solution to deliver services at 100 gigabits per second (100G) speeds. Cablevision Argentina has selected Alcatel-Lucent's next-generation 100G optical coherent networking solution to dramatically increase performance and service speeds to meet the growing demand for video, multimedia and Internet applications from its customer base.

ANTEL and Alcatel-Lucent Launch 4G/LTE Services In Uruguay; Establish the First Commercial 4G/LTE Wireless Network in a Latin American Country

Paris and Montevideo, December 13, 2011 -Antel, a leading provider of communications services in Uruguay, and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) are now making the promise of high-speed mobile broadband a reality in Uruguay by delivering the first commercial 4G/LTE wireless network in a Latin American country.

The network has been designed and built based on Alcatel-Lucent's complete, end-to-end LTE solution. Antel's subscribers will enjoy the most advanced mobile phone services such as, HD video, high-speed navigation, high quality videoconferencing, online gaming and other applications. LTE Services will initially be available in Montevideo and Punta del Este, and will evolve to provide additional coverage.

Microsoft Tag adds support for QR codes and NFC, seeks barcode dominance

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 06:19 AM PST

Last year, Microsoft Tag shed its beta skin and stepped out into the wild world of multi-colored barcodes. Now, Redmond has decided to revamp and expand its system, with additional support for both QR codes and NFC capabilities. The update effectively allows businesses and individuals to create their own proprietary Tags or QR codes, while enabling consumers to scan said codes with their Microsoft Tag apps, or NFC-enabled smartphones. The new features are now available on Android, iOS, Windows Phone and BlackBerry handsets, reflecting Microsoft's ambitions to dominate a space that has yet to fully develop.

Federal judge dismisses class-action suit against Sony, 'Other OS' feature remains dormant

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 05:57 AM PST

Last year, a group of disgruntled gamers filed a class-action lawsuit against Sony over its decision to remove the "Install Other OS" feature from its PS3 firmware. Last week, though, their case was dismissed by US District Judge Richard Seeborg, on the grounds that the plaintiffs failed to actually state a claim. In a ruling issued Thursday, Seeborg said he sympathized with the gamers' gripes, but ultimately determined that they had failed to demonstrate any legal entitlement to the feature, thereby neutering their arguments. "The dismay and frustration at least some PS3 owners likely experienced when Sony made the decision to limit access to the PSN service to those who were [un]willing to disable the Other OS feature on their machines was no doubt genuine and understandable," Seeborg wrote. "As a matter of providing customer satisfaction and building loyalty, it may have been questionable." He went on, however, to point out that the users "have failed to allege facts or articulate a theory on which Sony may be held liable" post-PS3 purchase, effectively ending the litigation.

Google pulls Android Market malware that exploits SMS hole

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 05:33 AM PST

Google's reportedly pulled 22 malicious apps after two security firms tipped them off that the malware was tricking users into sending SMS messages to premium-rate phone lines. Android.RuFraud poses as popular games like Angry Birds, Assassins Creed or Tetris and can affect users across Europe and Russia. Fortunately the apps are easily spotted and deleted, but were downloaded 14,000 times before being pulled -- so if you see anyone experiencing similar issues, you can let 'em know how to solve it.

Google buys Alfred-maker Clever Sense, brings us closer to personal Batphones

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 05:08 AM PST

Google has nabbed yet another software company. This time out, Mountain View has gotten its mitts on Clever Sense, the makers of Alfred, a location-based restaurant / bar / club recommendation app for the iPhone and Android handsets. No word yet on exactly how Google will integrate the app maker, but the software giant said in an official statement that it plans to "provide even more people with intelligent, personalized recommendations for places to eat, visit and discover." If it can help us find a good burrito in New York City, we think we can get behind this deal.

Android leads US market share, iOS may have stopped growing, RIM is still falling

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 04:41 AM PST

NPD just published its latest plotting of the great American smartphone OS rivalry, and although the report covers annual rather than quarterly trends, it's perhaps more interesting to hold it up against the previous set of figures we saw -- those for Q2 2011. Back then, Google's OS had a 52 percent share, but these new figures suggest a marginally better performance of 53 percent between January and October. Meanwhile, iOS's 29 percent share is identical to what we saw in Q2, hinting that its growth has slowed right down or even stopped. RIM's share of the pie is 10 percent, compared to 11 percent in Q2, showing that the Summer flurry of new BB7 handsets like the Bold 9930 and Torch 9810 had little immediate impact. WP7 obstinately refuses to overtake Windows Mobile, although these figures are pre-Titan, while the doomed Symbian and webOS are barely clinging to life. Aside from all that, perhaps the only stats that are genuinely still shocking are those at the top of the column for 2006. Click below for further detail's in NPD's press release.
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The NPD Group: For Once-Strong Smartphone Makers, 2011 Was The Year of New Beginnings

As Android and Apple continue to dominate the U.S. smartphone market, RIM and other smartphone manufacturers have made moves to reclaim lost market share.

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, December 13, 2011 - According to The NPD Group, a leading market research company, Android's operating system (OS) share of smartphone sales grew to command more than half of the U.S. smartphone market (53 percent) from January through October 2011, as Apple's iOS share grew to reach 29 percent of the market, and RIM's OS share declined to 11 percent. RIM and other companies that were formerly on top of NPD's smartphone rankings, however, have made critical business decisions this past year in a quest to shore up their U.S. smartphone businesses.

"The competitive landscape for smartphones, which has been reshaped by Apple and Google, has ultimately forced every major handset provider through a major transition," said Ross Rubin, executive director, Connected Intelligence for The NPD Group. "For many of them, 2012 will be a critical year in assessing how effective their responses have been."

Google acquires Motorola

Motorola's share of smartphone sales once reached more than a third of the smartphone market (36 percent) in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2006; however, the company's smartphone market share dropped as low as 1 percent by Q3 2009. After adopting Android, Motorola's share of smartphone sales rose to 16 percent of the market in Q4 2010 before settling back down to 12 percent by Q3 2011. "Android has helped Motorola climb back into the smartphone market; now, though, Google will seek to use Motorola's patent pool to help protect other Android licensees," according to Rubin.

The fall of RIM

"Few companies have felt the impact of the shift to touch user interfaces and larger screen sizes as negatively as RIM, but the company is beginning anew with a strong technical foundation and many paths to the platform," said Rubin. Back in Q2 2006, RIM comprised half of all smartphone sales; however, by Q3 2011 the company had fallen to 8 percent. As it prepares to introduce smartphones on its next-generation platform, RIM has already made some important incremental improvements this year with the release of the BlackBerry 7 operating system. RIM is now is ranked fifth among smartphone OEMs, behind Apple, HTC, Samsung, and Motorola.

Nokia does Windows

One of the biggest news stories of the year was Nokia's agreement with Microsoft to use the Windows Phone operating system on its smartphones. "Nokia and Microsoft must build from almost nothing to carve out success between the consistency of the iPhone and the flexibility of Android," according to Rubin. Even though Microsoft's former smartphone operating system, Windows Mobile, peaked at 50 percent of smartphone sales in Q2 2007, Windows Phone 7 by comparison has not achieved more than 2 percent of smartphone sales since launching in Q4 of 2010.

Information this press release is from "Mobile Phone Track" and "Smartphone Track," both of which report on the activities of U.S. consumers, age 18 and older, who reported purchasing a mobile phone or smartphone. NPD does not track corporate/enterprise mobile phone purchases.

LG Optimus LTE launches in Japan, wears kimono red

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 04:28 AM PST

It looks like Japanese networks haven't yet satisfied their lust for high-end 4G phones. LG's Optimus LTE is primed to launch on NTT Docomo's Xi network tomorrow, going toe-to-toe with Samsung's Galaxy S II LTE. LG, which launched the first LTE-certified device in Japan, is hoping that the Optimus LTE's HD IPS display will be enough to divert attention away from the Super AMOLED Plus screen of its Korean rival. A special red edition should also help it stand out from the crowd of anonymous dark oblongs, although the color palette of DoCoMo's current range is anything but staid. The carrier plans to hit around 30 million customers with its high-speed service before the end of 2015, which should keep spare battery and charger manufacturers in business for the foreseeable future.
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LG INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST HD LTE SMARTPHONE TO JAPAN
LG's Global Device Now Available
in Three of the World's Biggest LTE Markets

SEOUL, Dec. 14, 2011 – Following launches in North America and Korea, LG Electronics (LG) today introduced its Optimus LTE (Model L-01D) smartphone in Japan, one of the largest LTE-serviced countries. The launch of the handset comes on the heels of LG's successful collaboration with NTT Docomo in 2010 to introduce the country's first LTE data card, affirming LG's commitment to supporting NTT Docomo's commercial LTE service rollout.

"The Optimus LTE is one of LG's most promising devices and has already been received well in Korea, Canada and the United States," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. "As a worldwide innovator in mobile LTE technology, we are committed to developing high-quality devices that showcase our technical experience and True HD IPS display."

LG and NTT Docomo collaborated to make the Japanese Optimus LTE as unique as possible. The red color available on the Japanese edition of LG Optimus LTE will be available exclusively to Docomo customers as will the 1seg digital TV and NFC (Near Field Communication) features.

Pre-launch word of mouth in Japan for the Optimus LTE, one of LG's best-selling smartphones in Korea, has been favorable. Leading Japanese IT publication Get Navi wrote that the Optimus LTE was the best product in NTT Docomo's high-end lineup. Nikkei included the Optimus LTE as one of its top 10 smartphones recommendations in 2011.

Most reviewers praised the Optimus LTE's 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 (16:9 ratio) True HD IPS display which portrays sharp and crisp images with 2.76 million sub-pixels. The display, developed in partnership with sister company LG Display, is superior in color accuracy, clarity, natural color and battery efficiency providing the ultimate viewing experience for HD content.

According to a recent report by Jefferies & Company, LG was listed as the global leader in LTE patents with ownership of 23 percent of approximately 1,400 LTE patents filed worldwide, with a financial value of almost USD 8 billion. LG demonstrated the world's first LTE technology in 2007 and developed the world's first LTE modem chipset in 2008. LG introduced the world's fastest LTE technology in 2010 and conducted the world's first video phone call on a LTE network in 2011. LG's first LTE smartphone, RevolutionTM, was launched in the US earlier this year.

Reports: American Airlines wins FAA approval for in-cockpit iPads, will launch Friday

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 04:02 AM PST

If you fly as an American Airlines premium passenger, you'll get to play with a Galaxy Tab. If you actually fly the plane, though, you'll have to make do with an iPad. According to ZDNet, the carrier has already won FAA approval to use iPads "as electronic chart and digital flight manual readers," making it the world's first airline to be totally tablet friendly. A source close to the situation tells ZDNet that AA "will begin iPad operations on B-777 aircraft" before expanding to other planes, and that both first and second generation devices have been cleared for cockpit use. An AA pilot, meanwhile, tells TechCrunch that the company's tablets will feature JeppTC (a flight chart app available in the App Store), and that all onboard slates will be required to fly with an extra battery. The program, slated to kick off this Friday, could also offer substantial savings in paper and fuel costs. According to Seattle Pi's estimates, a single iPad would replace some 35 pounds of paper per year, translating to approximately $1.2 million in saved fuel costs. Insiders say United and Delta are pursuing similar initiatives, with the latter reportedly looking for an Android-specific solution, though at the moment, only American Airlines has won the FAA's seal of approval.

Love Hulten shows off R-Kaid-6 game console, resurrects Octorok from 'Zelda'

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 03:28 AM PST

In a perfect world, you could have a cool, original retro gaming peripheral and impress the sort-of-snooty steampunk nerds at the same time. That day has arrived to do just that, as Love Hultén has created a new wooden video game console called the R-Kaid-6. Inspired by various retro game consoles, the R-Kaid-6 features a custom version of the Maximus Arcade front-end for emulators and runs on PC innards from 2001. The unit also sports customized cables and two arcade joysticks that can be stored in the top of the base unit when not in use. So far, there's no set price for the R-Kaid-6, though the website states that the creator can be contacted if you're interested in purchasing the works displayed. Take a look, and remember that even the most annoying Modern Warfare 3 opponent screaming epithets at you over Xbox Live has to respect retro gaming goodness in its purest form.

Griffin and Third Man Records team up to add vinyl to your iPhone case

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 02:24 AM PST

In the market for a new case for that iPhone 4S? A fan of all things Jack White? If so, Griffin and Third Man records have teamed up to put a vinyl spin on your next Apple-friendly smartphone case. The pair has introduced a set of accessories that make use of a legit 7-inch record die-cut to protect the back of your mobile device, blending analog and digital without making a sound. Each case is comprised of a two-part frame that wraps those precious edges -- with openings for controls and jacks, of course -- and a piece of genuine vinyl, pressed right in Nashville. You'll have your choice of three color variants that come with a Third Man-branded vinyl. If that's not enough, you can spring for a set of three inserts, one from each of Mr. White's musical projects. Protip: If you happen to opt for the extras and snag The Racounteur's insert, this collaboration marks the first pressing of "Steady, As She Goes." Each case is $30 and the set of extra inserts will set you back another Jackson. If you want a closer look before parting with fifty bucks, hit the gallery below.
Griffin / Third Man Records vinyl iPhone 4S cases
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Griffin and Third Man Records Put a Spin on Your iPhone 4S with a Case Custom Cut from a 7" Vinyl Record

iPhone makes it possible to carry tens of thousands of songs in your pocket and Griffin + Third Man Records put you in touch with where it all began.

Nashville, TN – December 13, 2011 – Griffin Technology, one of the world's foremost creators of innovations for everyday life, today announced their partnership with Third Man Records. The relationship is focused on blending vinyl records and mobile technology. The first collaboration, the Third Man 45 iPhone 4S Case incorporates a genuine 7" vinyl record, custom-cut into a protective iPhone case.

Griffin and Third Man share a love of all things musical and vinyl. Both companies call Nashville home, making a collaboration between the two both accessible and natural. The team-up has worked tirelessly to create a unique case for music lovers who want to display their love of vinyl on their iPhone.

To create the Griffin and Third Man Records Case for iPhone 4S, the team incorporated a genuine 7″ vinyl record, pressed by United Record Pressing in Nashville, Tennessee, then die-cut to form the protective back of the case. A molded frame snaps around the iPhone, holding the record insert in place and protecting the controls, edges, and screen, with cutouts for volume, headphone, hold switch and dock connector.

The Third Man 45 iPhone Case is available in three different variations, with a yellow, black or white frame that includes a black vinyl record back featuring a Third Man Records printed label. The packet of 3 interchangeable vinyl record inserts is also available separately, inspired by Third Man Records recording artists, and includes:

- 1 white vinyl record back, cut from The White Stripes' "Candy Cane Children" single.
- 1 black vinyl record back, cut from The Raconteurs' "Steady, As She Goes" single, from their first album, Broken Boy Soldiers. These Raconteurs inserts represent the first pressing of this single, soon to be available as a reissue from Third Man.
- 1 yellow vinyl record back, cut from The Dead Weather single "Treat Me Like Your Mother," from their first album, Horehound.

Each Third Man 45 iPhone Case is available for $29.99, and the Interchangeable iPhone Record Insert set is $19.99 from GriffinTechnology.com/third-man-records, ThirdManRecords.com, or in person at the Third Man Records store in downtown Nashville.

LG Prada 3.0 peeks out from the curtain ahead of its catwalk launch (update: it's official)

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 01:47 AM PST

While our shirt is still being pressed ahead of the launch event in London later today, yet more details have leaked on the LG Prada 3.0. Some decidedly realistic press shots have surfaced ahead of the phone's big debut, alongside some concrete-looking confirmed specifications. The dual-core OMAP 4430 processor seen last week is apparently clocked at 1GHz, with a high definition screen showing off a classy monotone Android skin, lying over Gingerbread version 2.3.7. The spec sheet also reveals 8GB of storage, expandable by microSD, with an eight megapixel auto-focus camera peering out from the textured backing. Interestingly, the slab with style will also pack NFC according to the leak. We've got a few more hours to wait until we can give it a personal going-over -- fashion phone obsessives, hold on.

Update: We've added the (Google-translated) press release after the break.

LG Prada 3.0
Show full PR text
PRADA and LG create a style icon

PRADA and LG PRADA phone by LG, the present 3.0 - the ultimate synthesis of form and function


London, 14 December 2011: PRADA and LG, which have in the past, jointly developed mobile phones with maximum functionality and elegance reveal, today launched the PRADA phone by LG 3.0, the latest must-have smartphone. The highly anticipated phone is the third resulting from this collaboration, and embodies the design standards of both companies.

The PRADA phone by LG 3.0 combines the unmistakable style of Prada with LG's innovative technology, including one of the biggest and brightest screens on the market at 4.3 inches and 800 cd / m².

The completely decorated in classic black smartphone meets the clear and straightforward design philosophy of PRADA and is equipped with a large and bright touch screen on the front, and the PRADA Saffiano typical decoration on the back. Every detail exudes a simple elegance, with the special floating mass of Technology LG's flat shape with the already impressive 8.5 mm thin still further emphasized. To complete the minimalist look of the phone has only a minimum of physical buttons.

The performance of the PRADA phone by LG 3.0 is its stunning appearance in no way inferior: the gigahertz Dual-Core/Dual-Channel-Architektur provides a high-speed performance and dual-band WLAN enables fast browsing on the move.

The high design standards of the smartphone is also evident when it is switched on. The PRADA phone by LG 3.0 offers a specially developed control concept with a unique menu and symbols in black, gray and white. This interface allows users to benefit from the latest features of the Android Gingerbread operating system, an upgrade to Android Ice Cream Sandwich is provided in the future.

The special user interface is presented to users on the NOVA High Brightness display with a size of 4.3 inches (10.9 centimeters) and a brightness of 800 cd / m², where it all their favorite photos and content, even in direct sunlight can enjoy. And true to the motto of LG "Life's Good" can be customized with the 8 MP camera with up to 8 GB of memory to capture all the beautiful moments in life and play in high quality.

In addition, available to users a full range of PRADA phone accessories like a docking station and a Bluetooth headset with PRADA logo available. You can use your phone by LG PRADA 3.0 also bring in a fashionable Prada bag.

The main technical data:

o Operating System: Android Gingerbread

o Memory: 8 GB

o Screen: 4.3 "/ 10.9 cm

o Resolution: WVGA (800 x 480)

o Display NOVA: NOVA Plus, 800 cd / m²

o Camera: 8 MP

o Dual-Core/Dual channel processor with 1.0 GHz

o Battery: 1540 mAh

# # #

The collaboration between Prada and LG in retrospect

With the cooperation of PRADA and LG, which began in 2006 and the launch of two premium-phones in the years 2007 and 2008 led to the key elements are the focus of a smartphone - starting with software and user interface to design and packaging.

The PRADA phone by LG 1.0, a pioneer of the fashion-house phones on the market was, with more than one million units sold an unprecedented success. This premium mobile phone combined with modern technology, refined design. Thus, the PRADA phone by LG 1.0 a place in the history of product design and conquered is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Shanghai.

The PRADA phone by LG offered to the users also revolutionary new technologies. Thus, the PRADA phone by LG 1.0 was the first mobile phone in the world with a touch screen, and his successor, which provided 2.0, for an entirely new mobile experience thanks to an additional wristwatch with Link technology for the display of caller information, SMS messages, call logs, blocked numbers and alarm indications.

Swisscom slip-up hints at Nokia Lumia 900 coming end of February

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 01:12 AM PST

Is the Lumia 900 a real device or an Arctic mirage? We've seen clues that Espoo might be working on a bigger Windows Phone to complement the Lumia 800 and 710, to the point where the strange Twitter conversation above doesn't strike us as totally surprising. A customer named Xavier Hahn tweeted support staff at Swiss operator Swisscom, to ask about a timeline for the "Nokia Lumia 800 or 900." Apparently forgetting that the 900 is an unknown and unannounced device, Swisscom responded that the 800 is expected on its shelves by the end of January, and the 900 at the "end of Feb." Of course, this could be a genuine mistake rather than a leak, and when we asked Nokia about it, its spokesperson refused to comment on "market rumor or speculation." Nevertheless, this little episode surely deserves to be filed away in our burgeoning Nokia 900 evidence cabinet.

Yo-Yo wireless mouse concept charges with the flick of a wrist, saves your back

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 11:56 PM PST

Yo-Yo Mouse
We've seen plenty of round mice, including Apple's infamous puck, and many devices that derive power from a yo-yo-like pull string mechanism. So we're not quite sure why we've never seen those two concepts married before. In retrospect, a wireless mouse charged by the kinetic energy of using it as a yo-yo seems like a painfully obvious idea. As an added bonus, this tiny pointer with an LCD battery gauge makes you get up every so often and get your limbs moving -- thus saving you from chromic back pain. Huzzah! Of course, there's no guarantee you'll ever actually see one of these on shelves. Check out the source for a few more pics.

Square snags one million merchants, liberates the cashless

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 11:08 PM PST

For those of us addicted to plastic, "I love you" hardly holds the same clout as those three magical words: "we accept credit." Taking the dream one step closer to plastic payment monogamy is the mobile checkout service, Square. According to founder Jack Dorsey, the company has hit a milestone today, signing up over one million small business owners ready to swipe. For merchants, all it takes is a Square reader and an iPhone, iPad or Android to start processing the plastic of the cash-o-phobic -- practically rendering those ATM pit stops pre-taco run or flea market excursion useless.

Click KeyPad Watch is the timewasting retro-timepiece you've been waiting for

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 09:41 PM PST

We do like a good indecipherable timepiece 'round these parts and Click's KeyPad certainly fits the bill. Resembling an old-school mechanical numerical keypad, each button packs an LED -- press any number and it'll blink out the time in single digits, so if it was 9:15am, the zero, nine, one and five buttons would flash in sequence. Push the hash key and the watch will oblige you for today's date. If you enjoy frustrating colleagues who ask you for the time, then you'll be delighted to hear that it costs $90 and is shipping now. However, we're not sure we could pull one off -- maybe the hipster down the street will have better success.

Google gives the gift of gab, extends free domestic calling in Gmail

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 08:52 PM PST

Just in time to thank Grandma for that polyester blend sweater, comes more free domestic calling in Gmail for the US and Canada. In the spirit of holiday giving, Mountain View has decided to extend its gratis VoIP program for another year of free chatter. Of course, we're not sure if the holiday cheer will last forever, which may once again give us a valid excuse to avoid Uncle Lester's calls.

Next-generation GPS satellite inches closer to space, countdown begins to 2014

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 08:01 PM PST

Kvetching about your PND's inability to get a proper lock could soon become a thing of the past, thanks in large part to a fresh breed of GPS satellites designed by the whiz-kids at Lockheed Martin. The program -- which is estimated to eventually cost around $5.5 billion to complete -- is set to hit its prototype phase by 2014, with a pathfinder being recently delivered to the same Colorado facility that we toured earlier this month. The Block III prototype (more accurately known as the GPS III Non-Flight Satellite Testbed), won't actually be hurtled into space, but the Air Force is slated to launch 32 of the final versions over the next few years. The aforementioned birds should improve power, reliability and accuracy, while also promising to be "harder for enemies to jam and easier for receivers to tune in, especially in urban canyons or under thick tree canopies." Moreover, they're expected to enable both denizens and military users to grab a position within three feet, compared to ten feet using today's technology. In other news, they're sure to cause LightSquared all sorts of new headaches.

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Lockheed Martin Delivers GPS III Pathfinder Satellite to Denver on Schedule
New GPS Satellite Factory Opens for Business

DENVER, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Lockheed Martin LMT -0.23% team developing the U.S. Air Force's next generation Global Positioning System has delivered the program's pathfinder spacecraft to the company's Denver-area facility. The pathfinder, known as the GPS III Non-Flight Satellite Testbed (GNST), will now undergo final assembly, integration and test activities in a new facility designed to maximize efficiencies and reduce costs of satellite production.

The GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites while improving capability to meet the evolving needs of military, commercial and civilian users worldwide. GPS III satellites will deliver better accuracy and improved anti-jamming power while enhancing the spacecraft's design life and adding a new civil signal designed to be interoperable with international global navigation satellite systems.

The GNST is a full-sized, flight equivalent prototype of a GPS III satellite used to identify and solve development issues prior to integration and test of the first space vehicle. The approach significantly reduces risk, improves production predictability, increases mission assurance and lowers overall program costs. Now in Denver, the GNST will be mated with its core structure, navigation payload and antenna elements before completing pathfinding activities and checkout of environmental test facilities. The GNST will then be shipped to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., for pathfinding activities at the launch site.

"The on schedule delivery of the GPS III pathfinder is a key indicator that this program is on firm footing and poised to deliver on its commitments," said LtCol Don Frew, the U.S. Air Force's GPS III program manager. "In this challenging budget environment, we are committed to delivering the critical GPS III capabilities to users affordably and on schedule."

GPS III Processing Facility

To reduce the cost of each GPS III satellite, the program invested in an advanced technology facility designed to create a true production line for GPS III. The facility, designated the GPS Processing Facility (GPF) and modernized from the company's former Atlas rocket assembly building, has nearly 40,000 square feet of spacecraft assembly and test area, including a clean room high bay and dedicated thermal vacuum and anechoic test chambers.

The high bay was designed to flow with maximum efficiency by minimizing space vehicle lifts and distances between operations. To do this, the GPS team studied the Corporation's high-volume aircraft production lines and utilized virtual reality modeling technology to lay out the factory floor. Like in aircraft and automobile production, each GPS III satellite will move through sequential work stations for various assembly and integration operations, culminating with environmental test procedures. Starting with the GNST, the GPF will significantly reduce cycle time and shave cost for each sequential GPS III satellite.

"The new GPS Processing Facility is truly state-of-the-art and its capability will allow our team to execute an extremely efficient GPS III production timeline," said Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin's GPS III program director. "The government and industry GPS III team has demonstrated outstanding commitment to this program. Together, we are constantly searching for ways to reduce costs while ensuring we deliver the most reliable, capable GPS satellite ever."

In parallel with the GNST, progress on the first space vehicle is progressing on schedule. Lockheed Martin received the core structure for the first GPS III satellite in Stennis, Miss., on August 4, and is now integrating the space vehicle's flight propulsion subsystem. The integrated core propulsion module will be shipped to the GPF in the summer of 2012 and will then undergo final assembly, integration and test in order to meet its planned 2014 launch.

The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Lockheed Martin is the GPS III prime contractor with teammates ITT, General Dynamics, Infinity Systems Engineering, Honeywell, ATK and other subcontractors. Air Force Space Command's 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Sony's Music Unlimited cloud service comes to limited non-cloud Walkmans

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 07:11 PM PST

Sony's connected Music Unlimited offering is already available online, on gaming devices, on Android phones and tablets, so nice to see it's finally available on its, you know, Walkman music players. In what feels somewhat like an afterthought, "compatible Walkman devices" (currently just the NWZ-E465) can play your favorite channels and playlists on the move -- no connection required. Only those paying the $9.99 premium, however, get to add songs from the actual Unlimited music catalogue. Plug-in at home, sync the music, and listen at your leisure offline via the dedicated app, but with so many other competing ways of enjoying your music from the cloud, on a plethora of connected devices, it really is surprising this wasn't already possible. Still, if you own an NWZ-E465, and subscribe to the Music Unlimited, you can feel all gooey knowing Sony has your back. Hit the PR after the break for more info.
Show full PR text
SONY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK'S MUSIC UNLIMITED SERVICE COMES TO WALKMAN

--Access Your Favorite Music Unlimited Playlists and Channels On the Go with Walkman

December 13, 2011 – Sony Network Entertainment today announced that select Sony Walkman® MP3 players can now access its Music Unlimited cloud-based digital music service through a downloadable application1.

The new Walkman® application allows users to listen to their favorite Music Unlimited channels and playlists without being connected to the Internet. Simply connect the device to a PC, select the channels and playlists from your Music Unlimited account, and synch to your Walkman®. The selected music will be accessible on your Walkman® wherever you go.

Sony Entertainment Network's Music Unlimited service features an ever expanding global catalogue of over 10 million licensed songs2 and is currently available in nine countries including Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States.

The service is also available across Sony's 2010, 2011, and future models of network-enabled BRAVIA® HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, Bly-ray Disc Home Theatre Systems as well as PlayStation®3, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), personal computers including VAIO® personal computers, Android-based tablets including Sony Tablet as well as others, and Sony Ericsson's Android-based mobile devices including Xperia™ arc, Xperia PLAY, Xperia X10, Xperia X8 and Xperia neo, and Android-based third party devices.

Further details on the Music Unlimited service and compatible Walkman devices, can be found here: www.munlimited.com/walkman.

Additional information about Sony Entertainment Network can be found by visiting: www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com, www.facebook.com/sonyentertainment, and www.twitter.com/sonyentnet.

Spectral Layers takes a cue from Photoshop, offers visual audio editing

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 06:26 PM PST

Seemingly cooked up in the Law and Order squad room comes Spectral Layers, a Photoshop-inspired audio editing software from Divide Frame. The visual tool allows users to isolate, enhance and chop sounds using multiple layers and channels -- giving them complete control over individual voices, instruments and background noises. The whole process takes place within a 3D real-time display with commands reminiscent of the tried and true photo correcting staple. The software will set you back $695 for a single Mac or PC download, or $2199 for multiple licenses -- a small price to pay for musicians, sound junkies or Benson and Stabler wannabes. Check out the video after the break.

Rara.com: a new music service for the techno techno technophobe (video)

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 05:39 PM PST

Music lovin' grampas here and in Europe will be doing The Charleston when they hear about Rara.com, a cloud-based music service with them in mind, which launched today. Powered by Omnifone, the same whitelabel service behind Sony's Music Unlimited, Rara hopes to appeal to the 70 percent of people its research shows "do not 'do' digital music." There's access to the same ten-million-strong music library as other services, and pricing starts at a frugal 99c/p for the first three months (rising to 4.99 from there on in) for the web-only option. Those with a little more tech-smarts can use an Android service too, which launches at 1.99 (going to 9.99) with the web-service bundled in. Those directly north and south of the border can look forward to access later this week, with Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore lighting up before Christmas. An iOS app will complete the set soon. Tap the PR after the break for more.




Show full PR text
Global digital music service rara.com brings music to >900m people in 23 markets

13 December 2011: 08.00 EST – New York – rara.com, a revolutionary new digital music service designed specifically for the mass market who still use CDs and want an easier way to adopt digital music, launches across 16 countries today, including the USA, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. rara.com will also launch in Canada, Mexico and five additional markets later this week, bringing the new service within reach of more than 900m people.

To enable as many consumers as possible to experience the joys of rara.com, consumers will be able to gain instant access to rara.com and a catalogue of over 10 million tracks ad-free for just 99 cents/pence, for the first three months.

The new web based service will also be available on Android, iOS and other platforms.

Imogen Heap, who will sit on the new service's Music Advisory Board as an Associate Editor, said, "I'm really excited to be an associate editor for rara.com. As an artist in this transitional music business phase I believe that rara.com is heading sharply in the right direction. I've travelled the world this year and have realised that even if fans want to pay for artists' work consuming it legally online can often be very difficult. rara.com is a super easy service for everyone to use and I love the information on tracks and artists that rara.com gives you. This is just the beginning for rara.com and it's a great start."

"Uniquely, you can experience access to all the music you want, ad-free, for less than the price of a single track," said Tim Hadley, rara.com Director. "Whether you're into Gaga or Elgar, rara.com is a new kind of streaming music service which makes accessing the music you love online easier and more delightful than ever; type rara.com into your web browser and you have a world of music at your fingertips."

The new service was developed following ICM Research* commissioned by rara.com which shows at least 70% of consumers have not bought a digital music track in the past six months, and that 60% have never experienced any form of digital music.

rara.com reaches this market by utilising a simple and beautiful user interface, which removes the need to navigate or manage lists of digital media files, through a standard web browser.

rara.com also features a wide selection of expertly curated music channels to suit your every mood at the touch of a button making playing music online with rara.com as easy as switching on your radio or CD player.

rara.com users can also share playlists and tracks through Facebook and other social networks.

rara.com has secured international licensing agreements with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music and Warner Music Group. Publishers and collection societies have also licensed the service internationally with Omnifone creating a catalogue of over 10 million tracks for rara.com users to enjoy.

"rara.com has delivered a music service that taps into an entirely new type of music consumer," said Rob Wells, President of Global Digital Business for Universal Music Group. "Instead of competing with existing digital music services, it's designed for the mass market of consumers who have yet to do digital music at all."

"We are pleased to be partnering with rara.com on the launch of their new music service," said Michael Paull, Executive Vice President, Global Digital Business, Sony Music Entertainment. "Growing the audience for digital music around the world requires services that resonate with the mass market. rara.com has been designed with broad consumer appeal in mind with a simple interface that provides a great music experience and accessibility across a range of devices."

"rara.com is a great new way for a whole new audience of fans to find, listen to and share music online, building deeper connections with the artists they love and discovering a world of new music as well," said Mark Piibe, Executive Vice President - Global Business Development at EMI Music.

"The intuitive and thoughtfully designed interface combined with the curated channels makes rara.com a service that will be accessible and appealing to a wide audience and, potentially, an entry point for many people just starting the transition to digital music." said Stephen Bryan, Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy and Business Development, Warner Music Group.

rara.com is powered by global cloud music service provider Omnifone. "Omnifone is proud to be behind this global digital music service," said Omnifone CEO Jeff Hughes, "rara.com's unique service is a great example of how a company can utilise Omnifone's MusicStation Platform and unique global licensing services to bring a truly innovative service to market."

rara.com's global footprint will more than double by the end of 2012.

Notes to editors:

*ICM Research: Sample 1000 adults.

Unique introductory pricing

Access to rara.com costs just 99c/99p Euro cents per month for the first 3 months followed by a flat fee of $/€£4.99 per month for online access (web), with mobile access to rara.com on Android smartphones (web + mobile) just $/€/£1.99 per month for the first 3 months then $/€/£9.99 per month.

Users are free to unsubscribe from the service at any time.

Non-$/€/£ monthly territory pricing for rara.com is as follows:

Mexico

web: Mexican Peso (MXN) – first 3 months $11.99 / then $58.99

web + mobile: Mexican Peso (MXN) – first 3 months $23.99 / then $118.99

Denmark

web: Danish Kroner (DK) – first 3 months kr.9.99 / then kr.49.99

web + mobile: Danish Kroner (DK) – first 3 months kr.19.99 / then kr.99.99

Norway

web: Norwegian Kroner (NOK) – first 3 months kr.9.99 / then kr.49.99

web + mobile: Norwegian Kroner (NOK) – first 3 months kr.19.99 / then kr.99.99

Sweden

web: Swedish Kroner (SEK) – first 3 months kr.9.99 / then kr.49.99

web + mobile: Swedish Kroner (SEK) – first 3 months kr.19.99 / then kr.99.99

Switzerland

web: Swiss Franc – first 3 months chf. 1.99 / then chf. 7.99

web + mobile: Swiss Franc – first 3 months chf. 2.49 / then chf. 12.99

Highlights of the service include:
  • Ad-free access to >10 million tracks from just 99c/99p per month
  • Grammy award winning Imogen Heapnamed first Associate Editor of rara.com
  • rara.com secured licensing from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music, Warner Music Group
  • rara.com released consumer research showing 70% of consumers do not "do" digital music today
  • The service will launch in 7 additional markets including Canada, Mexico launching later this week

Nintendo to release Circle Pad Pro to US through Gamestop: February 7th for $20

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 04:52 PM PST

That extra analog stick and three shoulder buttons -- they make all the difference and net you additional street cred in the process. Following up on its Japanese release of the Circle Pad Pro over the weekend, Nintendo has stated that it will release the accessory to the US exclusively through Gamestop on February 7th with a retail price of $20. Though still relatively unknown in American gaming circles, the Circle Pad Pro is cited as running for 480 hours on one AAA battery, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nintendo has stated that upcoming games will need to be optimized for the device but suggest that it can bring tighter controls to titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Also, it makes your 3DS mildly huge. Click the break for the full PR and a quick video guide of the Circle Pad Pro's features.

NINTENDO UNVEILS DEEP AND DIVERSE SOFTWARE LINEUP FOR EARLY 2012

New Kid Icarus, Pokémon, Rhythm Heaven and Mario Party Games Are on the Way

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 13, 2011 – As some people hunker down for a long winter's nap, Nintendo is getting things fired up. The first quarter of 2012 offers great new installments in popular franchises for both the Nintendo 3DS™ system and the Wii™ console. Nintendo has something for everyone, from family fun to three-dimensional adventure.

On the Nintendo 3DS system, Capcom's Resident Evil® Revelations launches on Feb. 7. In a new chapter of the hit survival-horror franchise, players fight a new enemy and virus in 3D without the need for special glasses. METAL GEAR SOLID® 3D Snake Eater from Konami arrives in the first quarter of 2012. The game is a re-interpretation of METAL GEAR SOLID 3: Snake Eater, and offers a rich jungle world with customizable stealth and camouflage options. On March 23, the epic odyssey Kid Icarus™: Uprising soars into stores and lets players help the winged warrior Pit fight Medusa and her Underworld Army.

The Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS will also be busy with a variety of downloadable offerings. Dillon's Rolling Western™ brings tower-defense strategy and touch-screen driven action to the Old West. Armadillo ranger Dillon defends pioneer villages against waves of attacking rock monsters using gun towers, defensive structures and his own exciting attack abilities. In Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword™, players travel to ancient Japan and guide a young warrior as he battles waves of enemy soldiers. Players must identify the enemy's attack, dodge and counter-attack with the mystical Sakura Sword to win the battle. The critically acclaimed VVVVVV and NightSky from Nicalis, mind-bending action of Mighty Switch Force from WayForward and immersive 3D visuals of Mutant Mudds™ from Renegade Kid™ round out a diverse selection of downloadable games.

Nintendo is also introducing an optional accessory that gives Nintendo 3DS owners a second analog stick to control compatible games. The Circle Pad Pro will launch in the United States on Feb. 7. It will be sold through GameStop stores and online at http://www.gamestop.com at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The Circle Pad Pro is a comfortable cradle that holds the Nintendo 3DS system while adding an analog Circle Pad on the system's right side. The attachment also adds additional shoulder buttons to give it a feel more akin to traditional console controllers. It is designed as an optional accessory and is compatible with Resident Evil Revelations and METAL GEAR SOLID 3D Snake Eater.

On the Wii console, Rhythm Heaven™ Fever arrives on Feb. 13 at a suggested retail price of $29.99 in the United States. The game asks players to test their rhythm in more than 50 easy-to-learn, tough-to-master minigames to prove they've got the groove. Two weeks later on Feb. 27, PokéPark™ 2: Wonders Beyond lets players take on the role of Pikachu™ and his Pals - Oshawott™, Snivy™ and Tepig™ - as they try to make it through PokéPark and discover the secrets of a mysterious new world. On March 11, Mario™ and friends reunite for a new party game adventure in Mario Party™ 9, which introduces new game-play elements to the series such as boss battles and vehicular travel across a wide assortment of stages.

Below is a partial list of upcoming games for Nintendo systems. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.

Nintendo 3DS

2K Play
Nicktoons MLB 3D - March

Capcom
Resident Evil® Revelations - Feb. 7

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
METAL GEAR SOLID® 3D Snake Eater - Q1
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 - January

NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
TEKKEN 3D Prime Edition™ - February
Tales of the Abyss® - Feb. 14

Nintendo
Kid Icarus: Uprising - March 23

Published by SEGA® of America
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ - Feb. 14

SEGA® of America
CRUSH™3D - Q1

Ubisoft
NCIS The Video Game (Based on the TV Series) - March 6
Horses 3D - March 6
Funky Barn - Q1
Rayman® Origins - Q1

Nintendo eShop

Collecting Smiles
Colors! 3D - Q1

Nicalis
VVVVVV - Q1
NightSky - Q1

Nintendo
Sakura Samurai: Art of the Sword - Q1
Dillon's Rolling Western - Q1
Kirby's Block Ball™ - Q1

Renegade Kid
Mutant Mudds - Q1

Shin'en Multimedia
Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH - Q1
Jett Rocket Super Surf - Q1

WayForward
Mighty Switch Force - Q1

Zen Studios
Zen Pinball - Q1

Wii

2K Sports
MLB 2K12 - March 6

GameMill Entertainment
Country Dance™ Special Edition - Feb. 1

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
Karaoke Joysound - Q1

Nintendo
Rhythm Heaven Fever - Feb. 13
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond - Feb. 27
Mario Party 9 - March 11

WiiWare™

Nicalis
La Mulana - Q1

Nintendo DS™ Family

2K Sports
MLB 2K12 - March 6

ATLUS
Shin Megami Tensei®: Devil Survivor™ 2 - February

GameMill Entertainment
Silverlicious™ - March 20
Xia Xia™ - March 20
Gogo's Crazy Bones™ - March 20

Mentor Interactive
Chess for Kids - Feb. 14
NARABA: The Labyrinth of Light - Feb. 21
NARABA: The Mysterious Palace - Feb. 21

Nintendo DSiWare™

Cosmigo
Box Pusher - Q1

Cypronia
Cake Ninja - Q1

Remember that Wii and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii and http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.
For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.8 billion video games and more than 610 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Caltech sets 186Gbps Internet speed record, makes our 5Mbps look even more inadequate (video)

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 04:11 PM PST

Did you know that the Large Hadron Collider at CERN has already produced 100 petabytes of data that needed to be sent out to labs across the world for analysis? Pushing that amount of information across the Internet is a gargantuan task, which is why Caltech teamed up with the Universities of Victoria, Michigan and Florida (International) amongst others to try and break the internet speed record. Using commercially available gear (including Dell servers with SSDs), it was able to push 98Gbps and pull 88Gbps down a single 100Gbps fibre-optic connection between the Washington State convention center in Seattle and the University of Victoria computing center in British Columbia. Head on past the break for a video that shows you how it was done and why it probably won't be commercially available in time to super-size your Netflix queue.

Roku 2, LT update adds support for both MKVs and an upcoming official iOS remote app

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 03:37 PM PST

Logitech's Revue isn't the only connected TV platform getting some holiday season update action, as Roku just announced a major update coming to all of its Roku 2 players (and the LT) with a slew of new features to. The two biggest additions we noted were support for MKV playback -- but no official local streaming channel yet, only USB playback is listed -- and mobile support for an official Roku iPhone app (unofficial ones are already available on many platforms, expect an Android version afterward) it says is "coming soon." That's not all however, as 3D (read: polygons, not glasses) game performance has been upgraded with new titles arriving soon to take advantage of it, while WiFi, Bluetooth remote battery and audio performance have all been tweaked. Hit the company blog for the official list of tweaks and keep an eye peeled for v4.2 build 1006 rolling out over the next couple of days to experience them firsthand. OG Roku boxes unfortunately appear to be left out of the fun for now -- the march from a onetime Netflix-only streamer to 300+ channels is not without a few casualties.

Chrome stable channel hits version 16, adds multi-user sync support (video)

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 03:04 PM PST

Chrome users
Subscribers to the beta and dev channels of Google's browser have been enjoying the fruits of the company's syncing labor for sometime now. But, with the stable release of Chrome 16, the Mountain View crew is finally bringing those features to less adventurous users. An entry in the wrench menu offers you the option to "sign in to Chrome," automatically syncing your installed apps, extensions, bookmarks, browsing history and settings. But, if you've got more than one user sharing the same PC, you can keep your experiences separate and customized by adding new users from the "Personal Stuff" page in the options menu. Then you're just a couple of quick clicks on the user menu (that new icon in the upper left- or right-hand corner depending on your OS) away from alternating between sets of synced data. Head on after the break for a quick video demo.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus extended battery makes blurrycam debut, shows off its hump

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 02:36 PM PST

LTE's dirty secret is also an open one -- it's a juice hog. So, if you're planning on snatching up a Big Red-branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus, you'll probably want to leapfrog that stock 1,850mAh battery for an extended one. Good thing, then, that Mr. Blurrycam stopped by Droid Life to give prospective owners a cure for what's about to ail them. The heftier battery only ups the ante to 2100mAh -- a far cry from the Droid Bionic's 2760mAh -- but, hey, it's better than the alternative. And for the style-obsessed mobile maven, it appears that de rigeur unsightly hump is less severe than you'd expect. You can check it out in the video after the break or in-store -- whenever that is.

Apple's founding documents pull in $1.6 million at auction

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 02:06 PM PST

Over two weeks ago, the internets were abuzz with talk of Apple's founding documents hitting the auction block. Word was, they'd rake in a sizable $150,000 on the high-end, but it appears even Sotheby's underestimated the power of paperwork. The three sheets of dead tree in question, signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne (Apple's often forgotten third founder) fetched a whopping $1.6 million today. The documents originally belonged to Mr. Wayne, who reportedly received just $2,300 after relinquishing his stocks and agreeing to forfeit claims against the big Apple. According to Bloomberg, Sotheby's identified the winning bidder as Eduardo Cisneros, CEO of the Cisneros Corp.
Over two weeks ago, the internets were abuzz with talk of the Apple's founding documents hitting the auction block. Word was, they'd rake in a sizable $150,000 on the high-end, but it appears even Sotheby's underestimated their value. The three pieces of paper in question, signed by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne, Apple's short-lived third founder, fetched a whopping $1.6 million dollars today. The documents originally belonged to Mr. Wayne, who reportedly received just $2,300 after relinquishing his stocks and agreeing to forfeit claims against the big Apple. According to Bloomberg, Sotheby's identified the winning bidder as Eduardo Cisneros, CEO of the Cisneros Corp.

The Engadget Show is live, here at 6:00PM ET!

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 01:30 PM PST

The Engadget Show! It's happening! Right here! Tonight! We'll be celebrating the holidays in style tonight at 6PM ET, and you can join us at this very URL -- so keep your browser locked to this spot. We'll be wrapping up the year by touring the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, taking a trip to Tokyo Motor Show and checking out the best gadgets of 2011.


*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.

Gemalto chosen by Isis to keep its NFC and mobile payment service secure

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 01:07 PM PST

Let's face it: one of the only ways we'll ever see mobile payments become mainstream is to get the general public on board. To do so, we have to be confident it's safe, and mobile wallets are currently viewed as anything but. Isis, the joint NFC venture between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, understands this, and just announced that it's teamed up with Gemalto to deploy a Trusted Service Manager to provide secure provisioning of consumer information and sensitive financial data. The Google Wallet competitor appears to be gaining momentum, as the three carriers have pumped $100 million into the initiative, and several OEMs have pledged to support the service in their phones. Isis also went on to discuss that its focus is not going to be entirely on the mobile wallet; it will offer a few other NFC-related services, such as smart posters that can beam coupons and tickets to your phone, using your handset as a key to get access to an office or home, and storing your train or bus tickets. The question remains: if you're confident that your financial information is secure, are you willing to try out contactless pay? Or is it ever truly safe?
Show full PR text
Gemalto Selected by Isis to Deploy Mobile Payment and NFC Services in the U.S.

Gemalto to Provide Isis Mobile Commerce Platform with Trusted Service Manager (TSM) Solution

Austin, December 12, 2011 – Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, has been selected by Isis to secure its mobile commerce platform through Gemalto's Allynis Trusted Service Manager (TSM) solution. Isis, the mobile commerce joint venture between AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, will provide consumers and merchants with an open and secure mobile commerce platform that will revolutionize how consumers shop, pay and save.

"We selected Gemalto for their long-standing relationships with financial institutions and mobile operators, which includes experience in securely provisioning services over the air and issuing sensitive financial information to the consumer," said Ryan Hughes, Chief Marketing Officer of Isis. "Gemalto's dedication to security is unmatched in the industry and will provide the Isis Mobile Commerce Platform with the necessary infrastructure to ensure consumer and merchant confidence in the Isis Mobile Wallet."

Isis will enable consumers to enjoy the speed, security and convenience of mobile contactless payment using NFC technology at retail outlets such as restaurants, movie theaters and drug stores. Consumers will be able to securely pay, present loyalty cards, and redeem coupons all with a tap of their phones.

"Gemalto is thrilled to support Isis in delivering the speed, security and convenience of mobile contactless payment," added Sébastien Cano, Senior Vice-President, Gemalto North America. "Using our extensive experience with worldwide commercial deployments Gemalto has designed a solution for Isis to support mobile payment and a host of NFC services like digital couponing and loyalty programs, access control and mass transit."

Engadget HD Podcast 278 - 12.13.2011

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 12:48 PM PST

The DirecTiVo has arrived, and most shockingly, the world has not ended before we get a chance to talk about it. There's plenty of new tech on deck for this week's podcast, as the new Xbox 360 dashboard has finally rolled out, 4K displays are hitting the streets and the Logitech Revue finally received an upgrade to Honeycomb. Speaking of Google TV, Eric Schmidt had a bold prediction at Le Web 2011 -- press play to see if we're buying what he's selling.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
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[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

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

Producer: Trent Wolbe

10:00 - DirecTV's TiVo ready to return December 8th in a few markets
16:53 - Verizon planning streaming video service, gets ready to take on Netflix
17:50 - Verizon rumored to be working with Redbox on its internet video streaming service
18:53 - Logitech Revue Android 3.1 upgrade starts rolling out (Update: It's official)
19:31 - Google's Eric Schmidt sees Google TV embedded in most new TVs by summer of 2012
26:43 - Xbox 360 fall dashboard update 'slightly' delayed (update: it's live!)
32:35 - Fall Xbox 360 Dashboard update brings WTV file support, but don't get too excited
35:00 - Dish Network surfaces as possible Plan B for T-Mobile if AT&T merger falls through
36:09 - Sharp nearing 1 million big-screen TV sales in North America, expanding global market
37:43 - Toshiba 55X3 4K 3DTV launches December 10th in Japan, no glasses necessary
39:01 - JVC's Procision, Reference Series projectors now available, replete with '4K precision'
40:10 - Westinghouse is bringing new LED HDTVs to CES, acronym lovers reportedly 'delighted'
41:18 - Hulu 'Face Match' feature attaches an actor's entire history to their mug
43:58 - Must See HDTV (December 12th - 18th)


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