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- Sprint says it has disabled Carrier IQ on its devices
- Engadget Podcast 268 - 12.16.2011
- Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) comes to GSM / UMTS Nexus S starting today
- OLPC XO 1.75 pops up at the FCC
- Samsung Series 7 Slate PC review
- Boeing 787 review: ANA's Dreamliner flies across Japan, we join for the ride
- Orange Amps upgrades OPC lineup, gives you the best of both worlds (video)
- Android 4.0.3 announced, bringing 'variety of optimizations and bug fixes' to phones and tablets
- David Attenborough to produce Galapagos islands documentary for Sky 3D, be really British
- AT&T brings free WiFi to four more NYC parks, will occupy your downtime
- Editorial: What's wrong with TV, and what it might take to change it
- Swype won't initially be available on Ice Cream Sandwich, but it's in the works
- Sony backtracks (again), multiple accounts not supported on PS Vita
- Cox Communications sells 20MHz wireless spectrum to Verizon for $315 million
- Engadget Primed: Why your camera's sensor size matters
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus spills its guts, gets Ice Cream Sandwich all over the floor
- The Engadget Show - 028: Boeing's 787, the Tokyo Motor Show and the year in review
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus review
- USB Biofeedback Game Controller lets you play Mario with your guns (video)
- Coming soon: pick airline seatmates via social networks
- PocketCloud Explore arrives for Android, enables file searching and viewing across multiple computers
- FCC Fridays: December 16, 2011
- Apple co-founder Ron Wayne's stash of early documents (eyes-on)
- Distro Issue 18 explores the life of Ron Wayne, Apple's lost founder
- Echo Nest is the man behind the Spotify Radio curtain
- Nintendo 3DS tour guides might make the Mona Lisa less underwhelming
- Sony's XBA balanced armature in-ear headphone lineup headed to the US, we go ears-on
- Qualcomm's Gobi 3000 finds a home in HP laptops, delivers standard agnostic DataPass
- Gamers spending more time streaming video to their consoles, Nielsen finds
- IDC: iPad maintains tablet dominance, HP's TouchPad fire sale burned brightly
- Android team takes developers to school with Android Training program
- Sony Tablet S update lets you play with PS3 controllers, cable adapter required
- VIA adds Android support to embedded x86 line (video)
- CyanogenMod team bails on Samsung Vibrant, cites inability to dial '911' as cause
- Man illuminates electromagnetic waves using coffee cans and LEDs, Christmas-colored science ensues
- iTunes Match rolls out to international community, makes music lovers flinch
- Senator Al Franken gets answers regarding CarrierIQ, still not satisfied
- Pantech P9070 brings a dose of AT&T LTE love to the FCC
- Windows Phone 7.5 SMS bug breaks messaging hub, hard reset is the only remedy
- Samsung Galaxy Note for AT&T to ditch Exynos, sport 4G LTE?
| Sprint says it has disabled Carrier IQ on its devices Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:22 PM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Podcast 268 - 12.16.2011 Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:15 PM PST  Host: Brian Heater, Dana Wollman, Darren Murph Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Nightcall 02:53 - CarrierIQ execs meet with FTC and FCC officials to address privacy concerns (update) 08:44 - Carrier IQ issues lengthy report on data collection practices, sticks to its guns 16:49 - Verizon to begin selling Galaxy Nexus tomorrow for $300 27:04 - Lenovo IdeaPad U400 review 40:25 - Prada phone by LG 3.0 hands-on (video) 45:22 - Meizu MX review 53:20 - Google Zeitgeist goes live, reminds the world of Rebecca Black's existence Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) Contact the podcast Send your questions to @tim_stevens. Leave us a voicemail: (423) 438-3005 (GADGET-3005) E-mail us: podcast at engadget dot com Twitter: @bheater, @tim_stevens, @rjcc This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) comes to GSM / UMTS Nexus S starting today Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:05 PM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OLPC XO 1.75 pops up at the FCC Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:59 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Series 7 Slate PC review Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:30 AM PST  Hardware If you were to take our last few reviews of Samsung tablets and scoop out the paragraphs where we talk about design, they'd be more or less interchangeable. The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus looks kind of like the Galaxy Tab 8.9, which reminds us of the 10.1. Heck, we've even fallen into a pattern describing Samsung's phones: they're plasticky, we say. Not premium-feeling, exactly, but lightweight and solidly built. But the Series 7 is no Galaxy product. In fact, it comes from an entirely different division within Samsung: not the mobile group, but the team responsible for the Series 9 and other laptops we've been ogling lately. Unsurprisingly, then, it feels more like a keyboard-less PC than the kind of consumer tablet we tend to review. Which is to say, it's a serious-looking thing, with full-sized ports, a charcoal, brushed aluminum lid and three vents hinting at the powerful Core i5 CPU that lies beneath. It has style, to be sure, but also the kind of gravitas that makes even the Transformer Prime look like a toy in comparison. Here's the thing about gravitas, though: it connotes weight. Dignity, yes, and in this case, a stunning 2.06 pounds (934.4g). It's not just that the Series 7 is heavy, or thick, at 0.51 inches (13mm): with an 11.6-inch, display, it's simply outsized. Particularly because of that 16:9 screen orientation, it feels like a cousin to most other tablets, not a member of the same species. That said, though, it's not as unwieldy as you'd think. It's surprisingly easy to cradle in landscape mode -- much more so, certainly, than the Grid10, another of the few 16:9 tablets we've seen. Samsung was also smart to put the vents toward the top of the back side, near the three megapixel rear camera; even though the vent is quick to spew out warm air, it sits high enough that you're unlikely to graze it with your fingers. Still, we tended to avoid using the tablet in portrait, as the weight distribution at the other end made it uncomfortable to hold up (viewing angles became an issue then, as well). We'd add that the 16:9 aspect ratio makes it easy to slip under your arm and carry hands-free. It also helps that the metal surface is blessedly scratch- and fingerprint-resistant (those wide bezels are another story). And as hefty as it is, we regularly slipped it into a shoulder bag and toted it to and from the office without any real burden. Still, pile on the keyboard, dock, charger and a Bluetooth mouse and that journey turns into a schlep.  As you might expect from a Windows tablet, the Series 7 is well-stocked with ports and once again, Samsung arranged them in pretty intuitive way. Imagine for a minute that you're holding it in landscape mode. On the bottom, all you'll find is the docking connector that allows it to work with the accompanying dock (more on that in a bit). On the right edge, toward the top, there's a power / lock button, which you can press lightly to turn off the screen, and hold to force a shut-down. Next to that, there's a button for locking the screen orientation. As with the rear camera, we appreciate that Samsung put these in a place where you're unlikely to hit them by accident in either landscape or portrait mode. Moving on to the left side, you'll find a USB 2.0 port up top, along with twin volume buttons that sit within reach of where your fingers would be. Also on this side is a micro-HDMI socket and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Finally, on the top edge you'll find a microSD slot, hidden behind a sliding door. The one thing we wish it had is a full-sized SD slot, like the kind you'll find on the ThinkPad Tablet. Even if Samsung couldn't fit it on the tablet itself, perhaps it could have squeezed it into the dock, as ASUS did with both generations of its Transformer keyboard. And, not to be confused with an iPad or Android slate, the Series 7 has a button on the lower bezel that would appear to be a Start button -- after all, it bears the same logo as the one on your PC. Ironically, though, the button acts as a shortcut for Samsung's Touch Launcher -- a proprietary skin that makes the tablet feel a little less like a Windows tablet. There's a good reason for having this finger-friendly UI, of course (Windows 7 is best used with a pen or keyboard-mouse combo), but before we get ahead of ourselves, let's continue talking about the hardware. Accessories Depending on the configuration you choose, your Series 7 may or may not come with Samsung's accessories, which include a Bluetooth keyboard ($100) and dock ($80). As it turns out, our top-shelf configuration did, but everything else comes with just the pen. In case you were wondering why the tablet has only one USB port and no full-sized HDMI socket, fear not: all of that and more sits on the back edge of the dock. In total, you'll find an Ethernet jack, an extra headphone port, along with USB 2.0 and HDMI. The dock itself has a flap on top that opens to reveal the docking connector, and against which you can rest the tablet to prop it up. Close the flap, though, and the dock becomes a pocketable slab, decked out in the same brushed metal as the tablet. We especially appreciate that it has a soft, rubbery finish on the bottom, making it difficult to accidentally slide it out of place on your desk. As for the keyboard, what you'll get is much more generously sized than what you'll find on the Transformer Prime dock, which is to say all of the major keys (Enter, etc.) are plenty large. The keys themselves are easy to press, albeit a bit gummy. We do like that the module on the back holding the two AAA batteries gives the keyboard a nice lift, which makes for some comfortable typing. All told, it's no match for your laptop keyboard, but it's certainly an improvement over what you'd get if you went with the Prime. And, of course, you're not limited to Samsung's Bluetooth keyboard: if you don't like it, you can sub in your own. One thing Samsung isn't selling alongside the Series 7 is a mouse, so be prepared to bring your own if you plan on making good use of the keyboard. For our part, we used Microsoft's Touch Mouse, and had no problem connecting it using the small USB dongle that came with it. Display The tablet's expansive, 11.6-inch, PLS display has a 1366 x 768 pixel count, which we see all the time on small- to mid-sized laptops, but rarely on tablets. Indeed, it's crisp enough for comfortable web surfing and working with a few windows open. But mostly, the display shines on account on its vibrant, punchy colors. This is a 400-nit panel, making use of Samsung's SuperBright Plus technology -- just like the screen in the Series 9 laptop, except with a glossy, not matte, finish. As sunny as it is, though, we were hesitant to crank the brightness when using it outdoors, just because the battery life is so skimpy (spoiler!). In general, we were quite pleased with the way the display responded to finger input. Whether we were working in Windows 7 or Samsung's more finger-friendly overlay, the tablet reacted precisely and nimbly to our various taps and swipes. In particular, it offers solid palm rejection; you should have no problem carrying it around one-handed with your fingers grazing the screen. The one time this failed us was when we happened to have a note-taking app open; in this particular scenario, your finger-presses may well show up as virtual scribbles. Etc.No surprise here, but the sound coming from the speaker has a metallic, hollow feel to it, and the volume is fairly tame, even when pushed to the maximum setting. We can't say we've ever been bowled over by the audio on tablets, but it's worth pointing out given that this thing starts at $1,100. For that kind of money, laptops offer sound quality that's, well, not quite as tinny as this. Pen inputAnd what would a Windows 7 tablet be without a little pen action? The Wacom-compatible pen comes included (unlike with some tablets), but oddly, there's no place on that thick hunker of a tablet to actually store it. But what a pleasure it is to use. From the start, writing on the screen felt buttery smooth, even if we pressed lightly on the pen. In what might be our favorite design touch, it has what looks like a classic, rubber eraser on top (except made of black plastic), and you can rub it against the screen to remove any markings. Also intuitive: if you press and hold the button and then tap the screen you'll bring up all the options you would have if you right-clicked. Similarly, if you're in Windows Journal, the included notepad app, you can hold the button and then circle text for options such as changing the changing text color. The problem is, not every app supports pen input. Windows Journal does, of course, and you can use the pen to tap menus and shortcuts throughout Windows 7. But even the included "Notes" app (also part of Samsung's finger-friendly UI) doesn't accept pen input; just typed words. You also can't use the pen to mark up webpages or email attachments. There's no native way to grab screenshots, aside from the Printscreen function on your keyboard. Out of the box, at least, the pen is clearly meant for scribbling notes and navigating the OS, though you can bet any business buying this already has some pen-optimized, industry-specific apps in mind. Battery life
And this, friends, is why a tablet running Windows 7 on a Core i5 processor might not be such a fantastic idea. Though the tablet promises up to seven hours of battery life, in our rundown test (movie looping, WiFi on) it managed just three hours and 33 minutes. As always, we'll add the caveat that that's a more taxing routine than just surfing the web, but it's still not much of an excuse -- after all, the Transformer Prime lasted 10 hours and 17 minutes on the same test, and that was without the battery-extending dock. We know, we know: this isn't an apples-to-apples comparison; we're not aware of any Windows 7 tablet capable of 10-plus-hour battery life. But really, what good is a tablet this bulky if it can't justify its heft with generous runtime? At the very least, this kind of pitifully short battery life should make you think twice about how much you need Windows 7 in tablet form. If all you want is to stream video, check email and surf the web, you can do that on any tablet, even adding a Bluetooth keyboard if you so choose. And depending on how much you're willing to settle for a lighter feature set, you'll also find various office suites, photo editors and the like for iOS and Android. If you require certain Windows apps, fair enough, but even then, you have other options such as the new HP Slate 2 to consider. We just don't buy the idea that if you're dead-set on Windows you have to settle for that little endurance. PerformanceOur test unit (the highest-end configuration sold in the US) came loaded with a 1.6GHz Core i5-2467M processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB Samsung-made solid-state drive, integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics and Windows 7 Professional. Compared to an Ultrabook with similar components, its score of 4,195 on the benchmark PCMark Vantage isn't impressive, though it's real-world performance is generally on par with what we've seen from ultraportable laptops. Similar to an Ultrabook with a Core i5 CPU and SSD, it boots in an insane 19 seconds, while its read / write speeds peak at 250 MB/s and 200 MB/s, receptively. In fact, we probably spent more time using the Series 7 as a laptop replacement than we did as a standalone tablet. Between the large-enough screen, laptop-grade components, included keyboard and matching dock, there's little reason not to use this as you would a computer. And if it weren't for the fleeting battery life (and the hassle of transporting a dock, keyboard and mouse), it would feel even more versatile. Software Though the Series 7 was running an early version of Windows 8 in one of our first two outings with it, it's currently shipping with Windows 7 Home Premium and Professional. As we've seen with other business-focused machines, the bloatware load is light, though hardly spartan. These programs include: CyberLink's YouCam software, a trial of Microsoft Office 2010, Norton Internet Security and Norton Online Backup, Skype 4.2 and Windows Live Essentials 2011. Mostly benign stuff, except for Norton, which pops up to say hello as soon as you boot up the tablet for the first time. Until Windows 8 gets the final seal of approval, likely sometime in 2012, companies like Samsung have to make do with Windows 7, which as we all know, isn't nearly as easy to navigate with fingertips as it is a mouse-and-keyboard or pen. So, Samsung leaned on its TouchWiz know-how and whipped up a more finger-friendly UI, dubbed the Touch Launcher. As we said, to launch the Launcher (sorry, guys), you just press the Start button on the front side of the tablet. Now, if this isn't related to TouchWiz, we don't know what is: the interface consists of two home screens with grids of large, candy-colored shortcuts, similar to what you'll find on any of Sammy's Galaxy phones or tablets. To move from one home screen to the other, just swipe. If you're so inclined, you can organize apps into groups, as well as add a shortcut to a desktop program. With us so far? Okay, then. At all times -- whether you're looking at the homescreen or one of the 24 touch apps -- you'll see the Windows Taskbar at the bottom of the screen, so you'll never be too far removed from any programs you've pinned down there. That also makes it easy to dive back into a full-fledged Windows app you may have had open. Throughout, the Touch Launcher shows a big "X" in the upper right corner for closing apps or returning to the classic desktop, though you can just as easily do that by clicking the "show desktop" button at the end of the Taskbar. On the left side of the home screen, there's a pane that slides out to reveal a little glanceable information: the weather, battery status and any items you have outstanding in the native ToDo app. It's altogether a different experience than if you were to install Windows 8 Developer Preview on here, where you'd move back and forth between the classic desktop and Windows Phone-inspired tiles -- a jarring experience, if you're not used to it. Here, you can make use of both Windows and this more touch-friendly UI, but you can also quarantine the dumbed-down Touch Launcher and open it only when you need it. In addition to ToDo, the nearly two dozen pre-installed apps include: Photos, Videos, Music, Bing Map, Notes, Yahoo Finance, Social Dashboard, Recipe, Clock, Weather, Internet Explorer, Windows Journal, Twitter, RSS Reader, Calendar, Camera and Amazon's Kindle reader. There's also an icon for YouTube, but that's just a browser shortcut. We won't exhaust you with a run-down of every single app, but suffice to say, there's promising stuff here, but also room for improvement. Some highlights: the calendar app syncs with your various Gmail calendars within seconds, even preserving the colors you had originally assigned them. Social Feed lets you cherry pick people whose updates you really want to read, and then cobbles those together into a patchwork of tiles. Still, we wonder why Samsung didn't include a touch-friendly email app, especially since the software can already go so far as to pull in data from Google Calendar. And though you can swipe between home screens, you can't do that inside apps. For instance, if you've got five pages worth of recipes calling for turkey sausage, you'll need to tap an onscreen arrow to move through them. Ditto if you want to jump to another week on your calendar. If this special interface is designed specifically for finger input, why not let us really touch it? We also noticed the occasional hiccup in these touch apps, particularly with Social Feed, which frequently froze as we searched for friends to add to our update list. Camera The truth is that even if the primary camera on this guy had higher resolution, we might still have had a problem with it; after all, tablet cameras haven't exactly been carving out a reputation for their sterling optics. But it might have helped. Our 3-MP stills taken with the rear lens are blurry in some areas, with a good deal of detail stripped out. Predictably, too, it suffers in low light -- not to mention twilight, harsh backlight and even dull light. In retrospect, we shouldn't have been surprised, though when we tested the camera around town we found it was relatively quick to focus and the images at least looked crisp on that smaller, 1366 x 768 display. Maybe they're best left there -- everything goes down hill when you offload them to the cloud and download them on some device with more viewing space. Ditto for the video: we had a hard time fully making out faces a few feet away from us, they were so blurry. Configuration optionsThe Series 7 tablet is sold worldwide, with different configurations offered in each region. In the US, at least, there are four pre-built models ranging in price from $1,099 to $1,349. Across the board, it comes with that same Core i5-2467M processor and 4GB of RAM, and are rated for up to seven hours of battery life. Other details, such as the 802.11 b/g/n radio, Intel HD 3000 graphics card and 1366 x 768 resolution are also non-negotiable. Starting with the base model, $1,099 gets you a 64GB SSD and Windows 7 Home Premium. For an extra hundred bucks, you can get the same model, but with Windows 7 Professional (from here on out, they all run this version of the OS). The other two models graduate to a 128GB solid-state drive, though one runs Home Premium and comes with the Bluetooth keyboard and dock, while the other has Windows 7 Professional installed and doesn't come with any accessories. To be clear, our unit came with the accessories and ran Windows 7 Professional, which means it's not a configuration you'll find in US stores. Wrap-up More than anything, it's the battery that dampened our enthusiasm. As much as this guy triumphs as a laptop replacement, even a travel one, it fails where standalone tablets are supposed to succeed: it doesn't even last four hours on a charge. Between that and the unusually high price, any business considering this has to need Windows, specifically -- not Android or iOS, but Windows. In particular, they need to be running apps that require a pen, Core i5 muscle and, possibly, a keyboard. Because if even one of those caveats doesn't apply, you can surely find something less expensive and longer-lasting, whether it be another Windows 7 slate or even an Android tablet with a pen and keyboard dock. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boeing 787 review: ANA's Dreamliner flies across Japan, we join for the ride Posted: 16 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST  But while the 787's efficiency makes it an attractive option for airlines, it also serves up a more comfortable ride for passengers. We recently had a chance to fly on a domestic round trip between Tokyo and Okayama in Japan aboard an All Nippon Airways (ANA) Dreamliner -- one of the first two ever delivered. Quieter engines, dimmable windows, LED lights, huge overhead bins, an in-flight bar and on-demand entertainment enhance comfort, even during shorter flights, while higher humidity, a greater internal pressurization level and a gust alleviation system reduce the effects of turbulence. Care to take a ride? Jump past the break to join us on board Boeing's brand new Dreamliner. HardwareThe 787 concept originally began as the Sonic Cruiser, a Mach 0.98 airliner with a proposed fuel burn in line with the 767. Over the last decade, however, Boeing began shifting its focus towards efficiency and away from speed as the airline industry suffered over the last decade, and the Dreamliner as we know it today was born. The aircraft was originally scheduled to begin service in 2008, but a complicated design resulted in several delays, with the first delivery to ANA completed this September. Despite the timing of its launch, the 787 is not Boeing's answer to the Airbus A380, a double-decker with a seating capacity between 525 and 853. Instead, the outfit focused on building an aircraft that was both fuel- and space-efficient, with enough seating to accommodate 210 to 250 passengers.  The primary design improvement over previous Boeing aircraft is the use of composite materials. In fact, 50 percent of the 787's fuselage and wing structure is made up of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic and other composites, resulting in a lighter-weight, more robust design. Aluminum, titanium, steel and other materials comprise the remaining 50 percent. With a one-piece fuselage, Boeing was able to avoid using 1,500 aluminum sheets and some 50,000 fasteners, which naturally would have added to the weight and created more potential fault points. The titanium and composite materials are also more durable than aluminum, reducing the number of hours each aircraft will be out of service for maintenance.  Because enormous components like the main fuselage were pre-assembled, Boeing modified four 747s to become "Dreamlifters," which are used to ferry major assemblies from plants around the world to the company's headquarters in Everett, Washington. The extra effort and transportation expense is worthwhile, though, considering the new materials make it possible to enhance passenger comfort as well. Because composites are resistant to corrosion, Boeing was able to boost interior humidity levels from four to 15 percent, with higher cabin pressure to boot -- fixed at 6,000 feet, compared to 8,000 on older aircraft. A new air-conditioning system improves air quality, removing ozone from the atmosphere outside the plane, while also filtering out odors and harmful elements from recirculated air. Finally, a computer-controlled active gust alleviation system helps counter the effects of turbulence.  The 787 is powered by a pair of turbofan engines -- either the General Electric GEnx or the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 -- each capable of 64,000 pounds of force. The engines employ a tooth-like cover, which cuts noise when mixing exhaust with outside air -- it's not silent, but the improvement is definitely noticeable from inside the cabin. Boeing made the engine type interchangeable at the wings, enabling Dreamliner owners to change the engine to match others in their fleets. Different engine types require different mechanic training, so this flexibility benefits airlines that tend to standardize their inventories. Speaking of maintenance, the 787 includes a computerized monitoring system that allows it to report potential issues to crews on the ground, so teams don't always need to come on-board to troubleshoot. CockpitNaturally, the Dreamliner's cockpit is home to four huge primary LCDs with an industry-standard interface, including gyroscope, elevation, fuel and other status indicators. Secondary displays control the radios and other communications equipment, while heads-up displays (HUD) for both the pilot and co-pilot display orientation and elevation without the need to direct attention away from the windows. Overhead panels have been simplified as well, with only critical, yet seldom-used used controls remaining.  The cockpit also employs a variety of security and comfort features. It's quite roomy, with enough space for more than one person to move around at once. All told, there are two seats for the pilot and co-pilot, along with two extras behind those for relief pilots and other authorized personnel. A closed-circuit camera system allows the co-pilot to monitor cameras outside the entry door, along with two angles in the first class galley, while a five-digit PIN panel limits access while in-flight. Interior featuresDepending on how the flight attendants have the aircraft configured, you may board the Dreamliner to a rainbow of LED lights, alternating colors throughout the cabin. The 787 is a bulbless plane that trades traditional florescent lights for a variety of single- and tricolor LEDs. Without the dramatic rainbow effect, the lighting appears natural at first glance -- until the colors change, you may not notice that thousands of bright, cool LEDs are illuminating the cabin. You'll also find LEDs inside those individual overhead reading lights, along with gooseneck lamps in the premium cabin.  Those flexible reading lamps are pretty nifty, but how about an in-flight bar? The so-called premium cabin (think business or first class) includes just that, with permanent fixtures keeping bottles in place during take-off and landing. The ANA aircraft we rode will eventually be used for long-haul international flights, but is currently on a short domestic route between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Okayama, a city near Osaka. As its current configuration includes just 12 seats in the premium cabin, the bar is positioned in between coach cabins for the time being, so it wasn't in use during our short flight. That particular 787 will soon be reconfigured with a larger premium cabin, however -- let the sake bombs ensue! While seating will change slightly, some features are consistent between both cabins. Enormous overhead bins provide plenty of space to store carry-on bags, which will be particularly useful for domestic flights in the United States, where passengers have begun carrying on more bags to avoid fees for checking their luggage.  After you toss your overstuffed roller overhead, you'll probably notice the giant shadeless windows. The larger size makes it easy to look outside the plane without slouching, while traditional shades were replaced with electro-chromatic dimmable smart glass, rated for 70,000 cycles or 20 years of use. Think of it as an enormous Transitions lens, but with manual control. Want to dim the cabin? Simply press a button below the window to adjust the opacity. When the window is at its darkest setting, light won't enter the cabin, but we were still able to see details outside -- in bright daylight, at least.  There's one place in the cabin where you can still find a window shade -- the lavatory. The in-flight bathrooms that we used were quite large, and -- unlike any other aircraft we've seen -- include a window. It's the same size window used in the rest of the cabin, and comes complete with a dimmer switch, though a plastic shade is include as well for additional privacy (on the ground, we presume, since you won't encounter any voyeurs at 35,000 feet). ANA's variation also included a Japanese- style bidet, along with an automatic toilet seat lowering mechanism and a touchless sink. We imagine other airlines will opt out of the bidet option, which has become popular even at public washrooms in Japan. Premium cabin We didn't have a chance to fly in ANA's premium class, but we did spend a few minutes in the seat on the airline's standby plane. It was reasonably comfortable, as expected, but not extraordinary by any means. Currently arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, this aircraft offered just 12 premium class recliners -- we're told that additional seats will be added once the plane begins international service. The seats reclined further than those in economy, but don't lie flat, though ANA will be introducing staggered flat-bed seats on its international routes, with additional storage and connectivity options. (As configured, our 787 included a USB port and universal power outlet for charging devices.) There was only a brief beverage service in economy during our short hour-long flight, but premium passengers received a light meal. There's a larger display for the in-flight entertainment system, which we'll return to in a moment. Economy cabin Home sweet home. Beyond the windows and larger overhead bins, not much has changed in ANA's 2-4-2 (two seats on each side, four in the center) economy cabin. Middle seats are separated into pairs of two with a large space in between -- not nearly wide enough to be considered a third aisle, but at least middle passengers don't need to feel like they're sitting on top of the person to their side. We flew on All Nippon from New York to Tokyo earlier this year, and experienced the same seats with 34-inch pitch (the amount of space from one seat to the next). The unusual seat design prevents you from disturbing the passenger behind you when reclining -- the bottom cushion slides forward up to three inches as the back slides down, but if you're tall, you may find your knees up against the forward row at full sprawl. You're essentially shifting discomfort from your back to your knees. There was a beverage service during our flight, with drinks served in special "787 - We Fly First" ANA cups. Naturally, you'll see the same windows here as you will in the premium cabin, but with a smaller in-seat display and no meal service to keep passenger distracted, those dimmer switches will likely get quite a bit more use. Entertainment systemAnd speaking of that in-seat display the 787 (like any modern aircraft) includes a basic on-demand entertainment system. Sadly, there's nothing special about ANA's setup, with a basic 16:9 touchscreen display with a privacy filter and standard wired controller -- it's virtually identical to the system we used on an ANA 777 earlier this year. Since it's up to each airline to configure its Dreamliners as desired, it's possible that other carriers will dress to impress when it comes to their interiors. While the in-seat entertainment system didn't blow us away with a crisp display or vast selection of HD movies, it's perfectly fine for an hour-long flight. Considering that the 787 can fly non-stop from New York City to Hong Kong, however -- a roughly 16-hour trip -- a more modern configuration would make the in-flight experience more pleasant, and memorable.  As configured, the system we used includes a live flight map with multiple viewing options, including detailed and overview maps, along with a text overlay outlining departure and arrival time, distance traveled, elevation and ground speed. The "high resolution" map view is the only HD picture you'll get on this screen -- menus and demo videos we saw weren't sharp, and many were displayed with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Speaking of content, not much was loaded for our flight -- movies wouldn't play, and short programs were limited to a (rather informative) 787 overview and an extended ANA advert. The music menu appeared to be the only option that was fully populated, with channels for Japanese pops, jazz, classical and variety.  Since we've also traveled on transpacific ANA flights with a system that appeared to be identical, it's safe to say that long-haul planes will be better equipped when it comes to programming, including a selection of Japanese and Western (read: American) flicks and TV shows. There's also an in-seat messaging system if you'd like to try your luck at flirting with neighboring passengers -- simply type their seat number in the "To" field and input your message using the QWERTY wired remote or on-screen keyboard. Wrap-upIf you haven't already gathered, the actual in-flight experience isn't drastically different on-board the 787 Dreamliner, but let's face it: that adage about how an adventure is more about the journey than the destination can never ring true with air travel in the day of mile-long TSA queues, baggage fees and fuel surcharges. Still, the 787 is noticeably more comfortable than nearly every other airliner, thanks to its oversized dimmable windows, large overhead bins, higher humidity and cabin pressure, LED lighting and quieter engines.  Those in-flight enhancements may improve the passenger experience -- perhaps even prompting some aviation geeks to put their loyalty aside and try out a new carrier -- but they aren't enough for an airline to justify overhauling its fleet. For that, the industry will turn its attention to the Dreamliner's fuel efficiency, versatility and low-maintenance design. As ANA representatives explained to us, adding medium-size long-haul aircraft to the fleet will allow the largely domestic airline to become more competitive in the international market, adding daily flights from Tokyo to destinations like Denver and Boston, where jumbos like the Airbus A380 or Boeing's new 747-8 Intercontinental would fly far below full capacity, yielding a loss for the airline. When you consider that connecting flights can be an enormous inconvenience, especially when returning to the US, this proposition is likely to be hugely appealing to business and holiday travelers alike. So how can you ride a Dreamliner? All Nippon Airways is currently the only carrier in the world to have received the 787, with two already in its fleet and two more expected sometime this month. There's only been one international flight so far, when one of the planes was used on a charter between Tokyo and Hong Kong in late October. It's currently in use on flights NH751 and NH754 between Tokyo's Haneda airport and Okayama every morning, and flights NH683 and NH686 between Haneda and Hiroshima each evening, with service to Itami, Yamaguchi and Matsuyama, Japan beginning soon. A flight between Tokyo and Beijing is scheduled to begin later this month as well, with overnight service between Haneda and Frankfurt expected to launch in February. Overall, the flight was quite enjoyable, but from the passenger's perspective, the 787's launch isn't as significant as, say, the Concorde in 1976 or the A380 in 2007, and probably doesn't warrant a trip to Japan. Is the 787 a solution for the struggling airline industry? That remains unclear -- even with this Dream finally becoming a reality. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orange Amps upgrades OPC lineup, gives you the best of both worlds (video) Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:47 AM PST  ORANGE AMPS LAUNCH NEW UPGRADES FOR THE ORANGE OPC WITH A BIG PRICE DROP BY SELLING DIRECT Orange Personal Computers have upgraded the Orange OPC and features an unlocked 2nd gen Core Intel i7 CPU with 8 virtual cores, the RAM has been doubled to 8GB DDR3. Greatly increased demand coupled with selling direct from their website www.OrangeOPC.com makes this all-in-one recording studio, complete with inbuilt instrument/mic amplifier and stereo JBL speakers, an excellent and unbeatable value. The new prices for the variants are as follows: Dual Core i3 2100 - 4GB RAM £795 VAT included ($1125) Quad Core i5 2400 - 6GB RAM £985 VAT included ($1395) Quad Core i7 2600k (8 threads) - 8GB RAM £1115 VAT included ($1579) The great advantage with the OPC is it comes complete with premium software (over £500 in value) already installed and configured; it's easy to use and is very user friendly. It's ideal for making Demos or Master digital recordings. Just plug- in, play/record, multi-track/mix, and then upload straight onto the Web for the world to access. As a Windows audio workstation, the OPC can be easily expanded with any additional hardware or software as needed. The OPC is light, portable and can also be used as a powerful computer; it measures only (h) 32cm x (w) 35cm x (d) 24cm. There's so much more in an OPC. Go to www.OrangeOPC.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Android 4.0.3 announced, bringing 'variety of optimizations and bug fixes' to phones and tablets Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:27 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| David Attenborough to produce Galapagos islands documentary for Sky 3D, be really British Posted: 16 Dec 2011 10:21 AM PST  Sky announces further groundbreaking 3D project with Sir David Attenborough GALAPAGOS 3D SEES NATURALIST EXPLORE REMOTE ISLANDS IN STUNNING 3D Following on from the BAFTA-winning Flying Monsters 3D and the soon to premiere Bachelor King 3D (Sky 3D, New Year's Eve, 8pm), David Attenborough is to embark on his fourth 3D project with Sky, a three-part natural history series which tells the story of the remote Galapagos islands. Galapagos 3D, which is scheduled to air on Sky 3D in late 2012, will be written and presented by Attenborough and is the first film to be produced by Colossus Productions - the production company formed by Sky and Atlantic Productions this summer. The joint venture was created to develop original 3D programming for UK and International audiences, including the rapidly growing number of Sky 3D homes. The commission is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in UK originated content by 50% to £600million a year by 2014, to cement its position as one of the biggest investors in the UK's creative economy. Galapagos 3D follows several successful collaborations between Sky and Atlantic Productions, including the BAFTA-winning Flying Monsters 3D, The Bachelor King 3D (which airs on Sky 3D on New Year's Eve) and Kingdom of Plants 3D, a series based at Kew Gardens (due to air on Sky 3D next year). David Attenborough commented: "Galapagos is one of the most wonderful places in the world. There are extraordinary creatures living there that live nowhere else – a whole slew of marvelous animals. But one of the things that make them even more extraordinary is that because the islands were not discovered by human beings until relatively recently, and they had remained isolated for so long, the animals still haven't become frightened of human beings. You can walk among them carrying your own snap shot cameras or even carrying a 3D rig and they won't go away. They continue behaving in just the way that they would do naturally. Galapagos is full of drama, full of charismatic creatures which you can film; it is a natural for 3D." John Cassy, Director, Sky 3D, adds: "The Galapagos is one of Earth's greatest treasures but it is unreachable for the vast majority of us. 3D will bring the islands to life for our customers in a way that has never been possible before. Sir David and Atlantic Productions are the natural partners to take on this ambitious project on - and ensure our natural history programming continues to break new ground." Executive Producer, CEO of Atlantic Productions and Co-Founder of Colossus Productions, Anthony Geffen adds: "We are very excited to be making our first 3D project at Colossus Productions – it is our most ambitious yet and will involve micro and macro filming on location and state-of-the art 3D visual effects which will peel away the Earth's surface and shed light on the hidden forces that have built and shaped the islands." Since launching Sky 3D in October 2010, Sky has broken new ground across a range of genres, including natural history, live music, the arts, spots and movies. Highlights have included Flying Monsters 3D, a number of summer music festivals, opera and ballet, Kylie Minogue live from the O2, Got to Dance, the 3D TV world premieres of Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and the Toy Story Trilogy, as well as more than 150 live sports broadcasts spanning a range of domestic and international sports. The series was commissioned by Sky's Head of Factual and Features, Celia Taylor. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T brings free WiFi to four more NYC parks, will occupy your downtime Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:55 AM PST  New York City Parks Visitors Made More Than 750,000 Connections to Free AT&T Wi-Fi Since June AT&T Launches Four More Parks Locations to NYC Wi-Fi in the Parks Initiative NEW YORK, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Visitors are busy logging on with the expansion of free AT&T* Wi-Fi service in New York City parks across the five boroughs, including four additional parks locations launched today: Mineral Springs and Tavern on the Green in Central Park, Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Devoe Park in the Bronx. Since the parks first installation in June: Park visitors have made more than three quarters of a million connections to the AT&T Wi-Fi Network. More than 200,000 connections have been made in popular parks like Battery Park and Central Park. Visitors are making more than 4,000 connections per day to the AT&T Wi-Fi network from NYC Parks. "With so many visitors taking advantage of free Wi-Fi in the parks since June, this initiative has been a huge success," said Tom DeVito, AT&T vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. "By adding four new locations today, we're thrilled that millions more parks visitors can take advantage of this service all year round." "Parks are not only great places to throw a ball, read a book, or catch some rays or waves, they are also ideal for surfing the net," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Thanks to our partnership with AT&T even more New Yorkers have benefitted from free Wi-Fi access in their local parks and we are thrilled that new sites across the city are continuing to come online." The launch is part of a five-year digital initiative with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the City of New York to provide free Wi-Fi at 26 locations in 20 New York City parks across the five boroughs. In addition to the four locations announced today, New Yorkers can now access free AT&T Wi-Fi at many other park locations across all five boroughs including: Herbert Von King Park McCarren Park Field House Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park Prospect Park Picnic House Astoria Park Tompkins Square Park Marcus Garvey Park Clove Lakes Park Battery Park (Battery Bosque and Ferry Landing) Rumsey Playfield Areas of Thomas Jefferson Park Joyce Kilmer Park AT&T Wi-Fi at city parks will be free for all users. From most AT&T smartphones and devices, customers will be able to automatically connect and switch seamlessly between AT&T's Wi-Fi and wireless networks. Virtually all new AT&T smartphones come equipped with Wi-Fi technology, and Wi-Fi use doesn't count toward customers' smartphone data plans. Consumers are increasingly relying on AT&T Wi-Fi to connect in more places from more devices. New York City consumers made 24.5 million AT&T Wi-Fi connections in the third quarter of 2011 – more than all the connections made in all of 2008. In addition to New York City parks, AT&T offers Wi-Fi hotspots and hotzones across the city. New York City Times Square was the site of the very first AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone, and AT&T has added hotzones near Rockefeller Center, near St. Patrick's Cathedral, along Park Avenue and near the Ed Sullivan Theater. AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zones supplement mobile broadbandcoverage in areas with consistently high traffic. AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 29,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, including more than 1,250 hotspot locations in the New York metro area. For more information on AT&T Wi-Fi locations and instructions on how to connect, visit AT&T Wi-Fi Access. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. ** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Editorial: What's wrong with TV, and what it might take to change it Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:30 AM PST  What is wrong with TV?Many in the TV business would argue that there's nothing wrong with TV. Well, those are probably the same folks who said there was nothing wrong the music industry, smartphones and -- go far enough back -- the horse-drawn carriage. The number one problem with TV today is there are too many options and no easy, enjoyable way to find what to watch. Bruce first sang about there being 57 Channels And Nothin' on in 1992. Almost 20 years later, we have 1,000 channels and there's still nothing on. Obviously, something's on, but who can find it? There are so many options because we have 24/7 channels with four hours of original content a week -- if that. And, even when you do find a channel you like, good luck finding it again when you're on the road or visiting family when every market has a different lineup. Then there are those channels that seem to have completely lost their way: instead of creating a new channel, they lie about who they are. Some of the biggest offenders are MTV, The History Channel and The Learning Channel. What's there to learn from American Chopper, exactly? And what history is revealed in Ice Road Truckers? What we have is a load of bad channels, with bad programing burning the 5Gbps of usable throughput. A few good channels subsidize the rest, while the majority only get in the way of us finding something to watch. So why are people hitting the guide button before the recorded TV or on-demand button? Maybe it's because most DVRs offer a terrible user experience. On-demand UIs in particular are designed to sell content -- not to mention, make it near-impossible to find non-pay-per-view programming. Even when you do find something, good luck getting back to it later. The DVR was a great idea ten years ago, but having to make hard decisions because of the lack of recording space or paucity of available tuners is a far cry from the passive TV experience most of us crave -- seriously, who wants DVR maintenance to feel like checking a to-do list?  And then there's the remote. Is there any better example of completely blowing it than the slew of remotes that litter most people's living rooms? Why is it that in the age of the internet, no one can make a remote that just works? Why must they be programmed? The UPnP forum was founded 10 years ago and has yet to find a meaningful way into the living room. HDMI-CEC was introduced in 2003 and I can't think of a single set-top box source that supports it. Instead, everyone wants to try and force you to use theirs, which leads to remotes with twice as many buttons as needed. I mean, when the Harmony is the best consumer programmable remote available, and looks about the way it did when Logitech bought it in 2004, we have a serious problem.  What won't workThe great thing about ten years of watching big companies spend millions on terrible ideas is that we can learn from them, which gets us one step closer to the real future. The first lesson, which hasn't been learned yet, is that keyboards have no place in the living room. It didn't work when Microsoft did it with the WebTV in 1996 and it doesn't work on the Google TV. A keyboard is simply too complex for the lean back, relaxing atmosphere of the living room. The reality is that small touchscreen devices and voice recognition are better suited for searching, and due to the passive nature of TV viewing, I think people want to browse first and search second. Channels as apps is also a really bad idea. The idea of jumping in and out of multiple apps to find something to watch is just ridiculous. Even if the user experience differences weren't so jarring, the time it takes to open and close an app and the lack of truly personalized channels makes it a fail. Unified search across all apps might make it tolerable, but like I said, people want to browse first and search second. Not to mention, the possibility that a box maker would return honest search results unmolested by advertisers is nil. And then there is the DVR. If mine stopped working today, I'd consider giving up TV completely. But there's no place for it in the future of TV. I no longer want to think about when shows are coming on, if I have enough tuners or if I have enough space to save everything I want to watch someday. Of course, the DVR is popular because it's not tied down by content windows, so as long as streaming content has a shelf life out of our control, the DVR is a necessary evil. Obviously, multiple boxes are a bad idea, but they're also necessary for various reasons. The key is for them to play nice with each other, and the answer isn't a one-way interface like IR, or an HDMI pass-through with multiple user interfaces layered on top of each other. Forcing one box to get along with the other via one way communication and control interfaces like IR will always lead to kludge. Multiple companies making boxes that are designed to not work with others in the name of a bad business model will not work. So called over-the-top streaming services also can't enjoy any mainstream success. It might seem like a service like Netflix could become so compelling and competitive that it would motivate millions to cut the cord and jump into the twenty-first century. But believe me, if such a service was actually causing people to cancel their TV service, the companies who own the lines that the service ran over would do whatever it could to preserve its revenue stream. Indications of this reality have already lead to the current net neutrality debate. Barriers to the future of TVSo if it's obvious what's wrong with TV, why hasn't anyone done anything about it? The reason is simple: the keepers of the content have existing business models to protect, and understandably, they aren't willing to risk proven revenue sources for an unproven one -- I typically accept a new job before quitting a gig too. The hard truth is that charging consumers for programming and at the same time getting them to sit through commercials is a very lucrative business and technology doesn't change that. The telecom companies own the content because they own the wires that run into our homes. There simply isn't another way to get content into homes in the same quantity or quality. That in and of itself isn't a problem, but what is a problem is that they leverage that control to not only control what content makes it into the home, but also how the content is bundled -- and eventually how the content is discovered. This problem was recognized by Congress when they enacted the Telecommunications Act of 1996, but sadly governments aren't known for their vision and as a result the mandates created by the FCC has been unable to separate the box and its user interface from the content. The problem is that there is no motivation for the incumbents to advance the technology of TV in a meaningful way or to permit others to compete with them. When asked at The D conference last year why Apple hadn't moved its TV business beyond the hobby status, Steve Jobs explained: "It's not a problem with technology, it's not a problem with vision, it's a fundamental go-to-market problem." There are a number of examples of no-name technology companies coming to power and changing the landscape, but in the case of TV, content is king and wires that lock us into our provider also lock us into a box and its user experience, no matter how bad it is. Allowing outside third parties to make a box and a user interface means real competition (on the level playing field that is input one) -- something the current giants will never enter into willingly. The solutionI doubt many people would argue that telecommunications is as essential a service to our modern society as water and electricity. I joke that if I were broke, the last two bills I'd pay would be my internet and my electricity, and the only reason I'd pay the electricity is because otherwise I couldn't use the internet. Obviously, in a post-apocalyptic world, water is far more important, but just imagine for a second the negative impact on the world's economy if the internet was down for any extended period of time. Now of course TV isn't an essential service - beyond news during a disaster -- but as any geek can tell you: TV, phone, the internet, are all just bits. So while digital connectivity to the outside world is an essential service in our world, the various types of service carried by those bits may not be. Utilities like electricity have been monopolies tightly regulated by the government for a long time and telecommunications should be regulated the same way. In fact the telephone is/was considered a essential service, but the laws that control that are as outdated as analog phones themselves. Monopolies aren't always a problem, the problem is when an essential resource is tied to sub-par service (in this case, hundreds of bad channels and unsatisfying user interfaces). So the solution is simple: content offerings should not be tied to telecommunication services. This would allow competing companies to find alternative ways for you to take advantage of the typical 5Gbps of throughput that is available, and not just use it to show reruns. What would be interesting to see is what types of businesses might come from a model like this. When we switched from land lines to mobile phones we traded our flat rate local calling for pre-allocated blocks of minutes and now we don't expect to pay for long distance. Would channels still be purchased as bundles? Would à la carte channels, or even programs prevail? Would most of the programs be free with advertising, or would people have an option to pay to watch commercial free? Ideally, a model would exist that would make more niche programming possible without forcing popular programming to subsidize it. If the competitive laws of our society applied to America's favorite pastime, who knows what TV might look like, but I sure hope we get to find out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swype won't initially be available on Ice Cream Sandwich, but it's in the works Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:16 AM PST  Swipers won't be swiping on Ice Cream Sandwich... at least, not for a while. Swype tweeted the above message, indicating that the third-party keyboard company has its work cut out for it. It appears that Android changed things up this time around, including the way it reports screen resolution -- a crucial element to a keyboard, which naturally would cause a company like Swype a little bit of grief. No timeframe for availability has been set, but don't panic if you have to stick with the stock 'board on your brand new Galaxy Nexus for a spell. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony backtracks (again), multiple accounts not supported on PS Vita Posted: 16 Dec 2011 09:01 AM PST First, we we're told multiple user accounts were a no-go, then this was withdrawn. Now, it seems that's now been retracted. According to an email send by a Sony representative to Wired, the PSN account on the PlayStation Vita is "tied to the hardware and the memory card" and a simple removable storage switch-out won't suffice. You'll need to hit the big red factory reset button in order to use a different account on Sony's online network, the doorway to both online gaming and their digital store. This will lock down the opportunity to flit between different regional networks -- barring a wipe -- and is something to bare in mind if the temptation of an early Japanese release has you reaching for transpacific import options. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cox Communications sells 20MHz wireless spectrum to Verizon for $315 million Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:46 AM PST  Hot on the heels of its acquisition of a glut of AWS licenses from cable giants Comcast, Time Warner and Bright House for a few billion, Verizon's at it again. This time, Big Red's grabbing a swath of 20MHz AWS spectrum from Cox Communications for a tidy $315 million. In a separate agreement, Cox and VZW will begin selling each other's services as well. Of course, this is all pending FCC approval, but it looks like this latest purchase will have Verizon only further extending its LTE lead over Ma Bell. Cox Communications sells wireless spectrum to Verizon for $315 million Cox Communications Announces Agreement to Sell Advanced Wireless Spectrum to Verizon Wireless Cox and Verizon Wireless will become agents to sell each other's residential and commercial products ATLANTA, Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell to Verizon Wireless its 20 MHz Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum licenses covering 28 million POPs for $315 million. The sale of Cox's AWS spectrum to Verizon Wireless is an important step to ensure that consumers' growing demands for mobility will be met. This agreement does not include Cox's 700 MHz spectrum licenses, the company's Cox Wireless customer accounts or any other assets. Separately, Cox and Verizon Wireless will also become agents to sell each other's residential and commercial products and services through their respective sales channels. Over time, Cox may have the option to sell Verizon Wireless' services on a wholesale basis. In addition, Cox expects to enter into arrangements with the innovation technology joint venture formed by Verizon Wireless, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to better integrate wireline and wireless products and services. "These agreements provide Cox customers with key enablers to mobility, such as access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network and iconic wireless devices," said Pat Esser, president of Cox Communications. "We look forward to the many benefits this will bring to customers." The sale and transfer of Cox's advanced wireless spectrum to Verizon Wireless is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission and review under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act and other customary conditions. Cox announced last month that it would no longer sell its Cox Wireless service, but would continue to provide service to its wireless customers through March 30, 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Primed: Why your camera's sensor size matters Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:30 AM PST Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. You can follow the series here. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com.  In writing my first installment for Primed, I'll give a few definitions to clear things up a bit when it comes to a camera's image sensors and size, explain in detail the parts of a sensor, how it alters the photos (or video) you capture, where it came from, and why it's important to consider its size – I'll cover the meat and bones, get to the heart of the matter, the nub, the crux, the nuts and bolts, get down to the brass tacks, all while exhausting our thesaurus. Let's dive in, shall we? |
Image Sensor 101 | Return to top |
In today's digital SLR camera, the image sensor is what film was to a 35mm SLR camera. It isn't a setting you can control in your camera's menu, yet a specification you may wish to purchase. Known as a solid-state device, it's a silicon chip of a certain size containing millions of photosensitive diodes called photosites (or sensels) that record light or photons, transforming them into an electric signal displaying color, tone, highlight, and shadow -- to convey the moment you just captured. A digital image file is created from this process, which stores the recorded light data as a set of numbers corresponding to the color and brightness of each pixel. (It's the smallest addressable screen element -- also known as a pel standing for "picture element" on a display -- just keep clicking the magnifying tool in Photoshop and you'll meet one face to face.) In a magical way only Doug Henning would be proud of, all of these pixels come together to create a single image, a photograph.
Sensors come in two forms – either a charged-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) – and are predominantly used in digital cameras: everything from your smartphone to a point-and-shoot, a Four Thirds to a DSLR, to a medium format system. They range from 3 to 3,200 megapixels, although the consumer market at the moment lies below the 80MP range.
Leaving the evolutionary branch of film | Return to top |
Image sensors came into the world through the public and private sector – one avenue through the government's use of digital technology to further a desire in their peeping Tom business of spy satellites. Their work advanced the science of digital imaging and in the 1960s engineer Eugene Lally, working for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), described the use of mosaic photosensors to digitize light signals, which in turn produced still images. NASA followed this discovery over subsequent years developing small, light, powerful image sensors for use in the harsh conditions of space. JPL engineer Frederic Billingsley first used the word pixel in 1965. I wonder if he was related to the Beaver's mom, Barbara Billingsley?
On the private end, in 1969, Bell Labs' need for developing a solid-state camera for use in video telephone service also played a part in the invention of the image sensor. George Smith and Willard Boyle, attempting to create a new kind of semiconductor memory for computers, designed a new form of imaging technology, the very first CCD. This got the ball rolling for the development of digital photography, and the Nobel Prize in Physics for Boyle and Smith in 2009.
There's some dispute as to who created the first digital camera – some say Texas Instruments is to thank. It patented a film-less electronic camera in 1972 – today, 96 percent of its business deals with semiconductors (acquiring National Semiconductor earlier this year for a cool $6.5 billion). Other reports say Eastman Kodak made the first one in 1975 (developed with NASA's JPL), then again some believe it was Sony's 1981 analog electric camera Mavica which was the first consumer SLR camera to use CCD, 100 x 100 pixel, eliminating the need for film – although I'm not sure I'd want my precious family reunion photo created by one of those things.
Nikon put its chips on the table in 1986 with its prototype called SVC, and then in 1990, Kodak introduced the first commercially available fully digital SLR, the DCS-100, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera back that attached to a Nikon F3 SLR film body – this modified drive unit not only had an external storage unit connected via cable and could produce a 5x7-inch digital photo-quality print, but also ran a hefty $30,000 US. Ouch. Needless to say, we've come a long way in 21 years. During this period, image sensor quality, efficiently, size and availability increased while prices dropped – the first sign in the consumer market that film might not be dead, but it was dying. Sure, it still remains a favorite medium of hard-core artist-photographers and up-and-comers who never had the chance to try techniques like cross-processing, but the market is small and getting smaller.Throughout the 1990s, JPL continued to further the advancement of CMOS image sensors. Its goal was to maintain scientific image quality while creating a camera for interplanetary spacecrafts. CMOS sensors appealed to NASA than the more widely used CCD because CMOS sensors were easier and cheaper to manufacture, and offered a slightly different method of recording the signals. This, in turn consumed less power -- up to 100 times less -- and when it comes to space, battery power is critical. Later, JPL invented the CMOS active-pixel sensor (CMOS-APS), widely used in mid-range DSLR models today, which, through amplification, improved the image quality still with less power demand. CCDs were the original technology for image sensors and are still used today in other applications, but the digital imaging direction seems to have shifted toward CMOS – at least in the consumer market – most cellphone cameras use CMOS sensors as do the most compact and DSLR models.
By 1999, Nikon's D1 was a fully integrated DSLR offering the use of its manual-focus and auto-focus lenses. Other manufacturers entered the digital market soon after: Fujifilm in 2000, Canon in 2001 with its 4.1 megapixel EOS-1D, not to mention Minolta, Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Samsung, Sigma and Sony. Canon continued the push the boundaries, introducing its 6.3 megapixel EOS 300D SLR camera in 2003, with an MSRP under a grand. Since the CCD was originally invented for video, it wasn't long until Nikon caught on and released the D90 in 2009, the first DSLR to feature video recording.My first experience with digital was in 1995, in the middle of the Utah desert shooting with Nikon's E2s digital SLR. While digitally documenting the Eco-Challenge adventure race I transmitted my images over phone lines every evening, watching my filmless photos appear across four columns in the Salt Lake City Tribune the following day – it was a weird and wild experience. Over the past seven to eight years not only has digital technology taken over the market in consumer purchases, but improvements and options added in the majority of DSLR cameras also helped digital match film in quality and detail. I finally eBay-ed my last film camera earlier this year, my beloved medium format system, mainly because I hadn't used it for a while and didn't feel like adding the bulky, expensive digital back to an already cumbersome heavy camera. Admittedly, I've also been super pleased with the detail obtained from my DSLR system.
Where we are now | Return to top |
Larger, more efficient image sensors continue to be manufactured. Megapixel counts are on the rise, as is high ISO performance, and the minimization of digital 'noise' produced by the sensor – which is a major downer, so fixing this would be cool. These new sensors can capture a massive amount of detail, with little noise producing vibrant photos with rich hues and crystal clear detail. Sony is a major player in the digital market, most unaware of its role as a huge manufacturer of camera sensors, supplying many of its competitors. Even though you may decide to buy a certain non-Sony brand of camera, there's very possibly a Sony image sensor inside regardless.Even though you may decide buy a certain brand of camera, you may have a Sony image sensor inside regardless.
Sony NEX-C3 sensor compared to Nikon J1 sensor
Today, many high-end pro-level DSLRs come with full frame image sensors - equal to the size of 35mm film (36 x 24 mm), thus the name "full frame." Of course, full frame doesn't come cheap -- nowhere near it, actually. High quality equates to high price. However, in 2009 with the release of the Alpha 850 (the first full frame DSLR under $2000), Sony broke that mold by offering an affordable alternative at an amateur-level price. I'm not entirely sure why manufacturers like Nikon have chosen to offer only one DSLR model above 20 megapixels at a current astronomical cost of $8000, while Canon offers two, its lowest at a much more reasonable $2500. Sony's Alpha 900 rates highest in this 35mm full frame image sensor class with a 24.6-megapixel resolution. Having said that, I hear this may be changing in the upcoming months as whispers of a robust image sensor in Nikon's new D800 moves through the tech rumor mill... or is it the D4? No definitive news as of yet.
Translucent mirrors in DSLRs have also entered the market, replacing reflex mirrors that flip up and down to expose the sensor – these new versions allow photographers to shoot faster with minimal shake and hesitation between frames, but don't necessarily offer an advantage when it comes to image sensor quality. Another form of the digital advancement we're seeing more of this year is mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILC). Positioned between compact cameras and DSLRs, these non-viewfinder cameras have created a new format called Micro Four Thirds (MFT), and vary in image sensor size, five to nine times larger than the Four Thirds system, yet smaller than DSLR sensors – the advantage being a larger sensor in a smaller camera.
What to look for and why | Return to top |
Now you know what an image sensor is, how it came to be, and why you may need to work a few extra hours to afford this expensive hobby, but digital imaging still remains a mathematical game -- not surprising since a photograph is comprised of numbers determining pixel color, placement, intensity, as well as millions that make up a digital image file. When it comes to getting frisky, Dr. Drew might say it's the motion of the ocean, but when you consider a camera's image sensor, size matters, and knowing the differences, advantages, and disadvantage becomes critical.
I recently watched an interview NBC's Brian Williams did with Annie Leibovitz who, when asked what kind of camera one should buy, remarked the iPhone – "that is the snapshot camera of today... it's the wallet with the family pictures in it." Although I truly dig the iPhone 4S' new 8 megapixel camera and all the revolutionary technology crammed into the smartphone, the Sony-made image sensor is just not large enough to rival images captured with a DSLR – and that's expected. Apple describes its A5 chip, designed with an image signal processor, as "just as good as the ones found in DSLR cameras" and this might be true, but the image sensor is not – big difference between a signal processor and a sensor. It might allow you to shoot faster, or capture nice color and tonal range, or to use when you don't have a camera handy, but it can't match the quality of a larger image sensor that's comes with a higher-quality lens. Simply put, you can't squeeze a V8 engine into a moped. Then again, I can't make a call, text, tweet, Google Map a route, or play Fruit Ninja with my DSLR camera, either. I will say the iPhone makes a great compact portfolio.
To know what to look for, you must first consider an image sensor size comparison between camera types, as seen in Table 1-1 below.
Image Sensor | Size | Camera types |
| Medium format | 50.7 x 39 mm | High-end Pro digital medium format |
| Full frame | 36 x 24 mm | High-end Pro DSLRs |
| Half frame | 24 x 16 mm | Prosumer-based DSLRs |
| 2/3 | 17.3 x 13 mm | Four Thirds System |
| 1/1.8 | 7.2 x 5.3 mm | High-end compact cameras |
| 1/2.5 | 5.3 x 4.0 mm | Consumer-based compact cameras and high-end cellphone cameras |
Compact cameras and cellphones start off tiny – anywhere from 5.3 x 4.0mm up to 20.7 x 13.8mm; this goes back to the V8 vs. moped reference – the trade-offs for lightweight and small size equates to lower quality image files.
Amateur and mid-level DSLRs usually house a decently sized APS sensor ranging from 22.2 x 14.8mm to 28.7 x 19mm – larger than a compact and Micro Four Thirds camera, yet smaller than a high-end DSLR. Combine this APS sensor size with a DSLR lens and you add a crop factor of 1.3x to 1.6x (depending on the size of the sensor) changing the length of your lens. If your lens is 100mm, with an APS-sensor camera, it's now a 130mm with a 1.3x crop factor, or 160mm with a 1.6x crop factor. This isn't an advantage or disadvantage, just a mathematical fact. Some manufacturers produce sensor-specific modes (such as Nikon's D3 and D700 DSLRs) to counteract this issue, accommodating different lens formats.
As mentioned earlier, pro-level DSLRs come with full frame image sensors around 36 x 24mm, matching the 3x2 format of 35mm film, offering a larger sensor with no crop factor. Medium format digital cameras go a step further storing the largest image sensors in the consumer market, up to four times larger than full frame, from 50.7 x 39 mm to 53.7 x 40.3mm, producing the highest-quality image files; however, you lose mobility with the size and weight of these bulkier systems, and their costs can match a new car loan. Unless, of course, you're a pro photographer charging Leibovitz-level rates or were left a nice trust fund from Grandpa Rockefeller. For the majority of consumers, this slice of photographic heaven is out of reach.
With this newfound knowledge of 'larger equals more money' when it comes to image sensor versus price, why pay the additional cost? Answer: better image quality in the form of detail, low light performance, reduced noise, and a greater dynamic range. In case you were wondering, here comes the meat and bones.
Detail
Quality and detail go hand in hand. We see this today when we compare a VHS tape to a DVD, or even a DVD to a Blu-ray Disc. The theory follows the same film-based fact the master B&W photographers utilized throughout the 20th century: the larger the film size, the more information they secured. This transfers into sharpness of intricate details within a photograph. It may not seem to make a difference when viewing photos as small JPEGs on the web or your smartphone screen, but shift to a larger high-res display or print enlargement and you begin to see what I mean. Step up to the next level with a 5 x 7 print and again the quality comparison becomes more evident. Once you decide to zoom into the original image file in Photoshop, or blow it up to a 20 x 30 print, major differences rear their ugly heads in the form of fuzzy detail, less dynamic range and digital noise.
Low light performance / High ISO noise
The definition of digital noise in a photograph is randomly spaced, brightly colored pixels – in a sense; it's interference showing up in your images, often seen in darker sections like shadows or large single-toned areas like a clear sky. The more you raise the ISO in your camera, increasing the image sensor's sensitivity to light, the more noise shows up – very similar to grain with high ISO films. Just crank up your ISO over 800, or use your auto ISO (one feature I'm not fond of) and every time the camera decides to blast your ISO into noise hell, you begin to see the after-effects.
Digital noise can replace small features and proper color – lack of richness in shadow areas and less-than-smooth detail –the reason why I recommend using a higher ISO only as a last resort.
Besides the amount of pixels increasing, the larger your sensor, the less noise you acquire at higher ISO settings.
However, image sensor size also plays an important role when it comes to noise. Besides the amount of pixels increasing, the larger your sensor, the less noise you acquire at higher ISO settings. This is due to the larger pixel's ability to receive more light, creating a greater signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio (as with any electrical system, whether sound or image based, the better the signal, the less audible or visual noise you receive). Photosites on the sensor can also be farther apart creating less contamination from electrical signals if they were closer. The result? Smoother photographic renditions on higher ISOs, expanding the range of light a photographer can capture, especially with moving subjects in low light. I think I'm salivating.
How to find out which camera has the best S/N ratio depending on the ISO setting? An independent test lab known as DxOmark rates sensors depending on a camera's S/N ratio and charts performance at each ISO setting, pointing out unacceptable level of noise, measured in decibels.
Greater dynamic range
The larger and higher quality your image sensor, the greater dynamic range it can cover in a single image file -- yet another big advantage in photography. In their tests, DxOmark looks for a dynamic range of at least 9EVs (or 9 stops of light) in each sensor – a measurement of the range from highlight to shadow – the more range covered, the better the image quality. As an expert in exposure, having written a book on the topic, another misconception of most photographers is the ability to capture all detail in all details of any given scene. This is impossible for most scenes since many fall out of the dynamic range of the image sensor; it was no different with film, and actually the dynamic range was smaller – around 6 stops of light.
DxOmark considers 9EVs or less too limiting for image sensors, showing less than smooth gradations between shades and colors below this level. Leaf -- a digital back manufacturer that entered the market in 1992 and partnered with Phase One in 2009 -- claims its latest full frame 53.7 x 40.3mm sensor can cover an "unsurpassed 12 f–stop dynamic range." DxOmark agrees, listing Phase One's top medium format digital back as the highest image sensor quality in the consumer market with a 91 out of 100 rating; but then again, a $42,000 price tag should get you no less. Nikon's more reasonable (yet still costly at $5100) D3S ranked highest in the DSLR category, and Pentax's K5 was tops for APS-C sensor followed closely by Sony's NEX-7 mirrorless camera.
What your camera might be packin' in the future | Return to top |
With changes in digital technology moving at a rapid pace, it's hard to say which direction image sensors will go in the near future – we may even see a new type of technology take over the market. I would guess organizations like NASA may play a big part in determining what goes into our cameras of tomorrow. Having an interest in securing as much detail about distant stars and galaxies, much of its visual work relies on the quality and size of the image sensor inside space-based telescopes.
DALSA Semiconductor successfully manufactured a 111 megapixel image sensor as early as 2006. Then, in 2009, it was announced the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (the world's largest sky-survey telescope partially sponsored by Mr. Microsoft himself, Bill Gates) had a massive 3,200 megapixel camera to cover the universe, delivering near real-time images to the public -- that's right, 3,200 megapixels -- space is large, dudes. Fermilab followed this up in 2010 with its 4-ton Dark Energy Camera cranking upwards of 570 megapixels. These sensors may be too large to fit into any current consumer-based digital system, but I'm sure the technology to shrink 'em down is in the works. Wrap-up | Return to top |
[Image credits: Wikipedia, Cambridge in Colour, Digicam History]
Sean is a commercial photographer, author of The Complete Guide to Nature Photography, photo expert, and all around nice dude.
Verizon Galaxy Nexus spills its guts, gets Ice Cream Sandwich all over the floor
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:15 AM PST
What treasures lurk beneath the surface of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus? Well, erm, broadly the same ones that we saw when the HSPA+ version was torn down back in November. Big Red's version carries a smaller microSIM slot (it's also moved), presumably to cram in the Silicon Motion FCI FC8870 CDMA/EV-DO/LTE unit that's suddenly appeared on the motherboard. Check out the full teardown at the source link below, but be warned -- spilled Ice Cream Sandwiches always result in ant infestation.
The Engadget Show - 028: Boeing's 787, the Tokyo Motor Show and the year in review
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST
Darren joins Tim and Brian in-studio to talk the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the Motorola Xyboard and the Asus Transformer Prime and Engadget founder Peter Rojas pops by the show to discuss the year that was. We close the episode and the year with an Engadget Show highlights reel and a performance by Brooklyn's own My Best Fiend.
Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Special guests: Peter Rojas, Darren Murph, Damon Lavrinc, Zach Honig
Producer: Guy Streit
Director: Michelle Stahl
Executive Producers: Joshua Fruhlinger, Brian Heater and Michael Rubens
Music by: My Best Fiend
Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 028 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 028 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted) / The Engadget Show - 028 (Small)
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This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 07:15 AM PST
However, there's something missing: Google Wallet. That company's attempt at reinventing commerce isn't here and, while nobody's saying for sure, it surely has something to do with Verizon not wanting to kneecap the Isis payment service it has invested in. That leaves us wondering: with restrictions on what apps can be installed, and some rather prominent carrier branding on the back, is this really a Nexus device at all? And, more importantly, is it a good phone? Those answers and more wait for you below.
Hardware
If we had to guess, we'd say the Verizon Galaxy Nexus is a compulsive eater -- you know, if it feels sad or guilty it just can't help but eat. Surely it's a bit down on itself for making all you gadget lovers wait, gnawing its way through a couple-dozen crullers as it suffered through delay after delay after delay. We're only speculating, of course, but the phone has definitely put on some weight since the HSPA+ version was released.The phone has definitely put on some weight since the HSPA+ version was released.
This LTE release is 9.47mm (.37 inches) thick and hits the scales at 150g. That's 15g heavier than the 135g HSPA+ version and a half-millimeter thicker than its 8.94mm predecessor. A half a mill may not sound like much, and it isn't, but that's not to say it isn't noticeable. The weight is more of a concern, extra heft seeming to imbalance the phone somewhat. The HSPA+ version feels like it has much more of its mass situated at the bottom, so it rests nicely in the hand. The LTE version, annoyingly, is just a bit more top-heavy.
That said, these are all incredibly subtle distinctions that don't make for an LTE phone that's too heavy but, if you had your choice, the HSPA+ version is definitely the one you'd want to hold in your hand or toss in your pocket.
Some of that extra weight comes from the healthy 1,850mAh battery nestled in the back beneath a typically flimsy plastic cover, just the sort that we've seen on plenty of other superphones from Samsung. That's a slight boost from the 1,750mAh model in the HSPA+ phone, but the difference in size and weight between the two cells is so minor that the extra girth and heft are definitely coming thanks to the boosted internals here. This is most noticeable at the top, where phone is visibly thicker.
Also under that battery cover lies a micro SIM card, smaller and in a different location than the HSPA+ SIM, which is up next to the camera assembly. Look closely and you'll see the screws, connectors and other details are all very differently positioned between these two devices, leaving us wondering just how similar they are internally. We're very much looking forward to iFixit's prying eyes and tools to tell us.
Interestingly, the differences are enough to make the near-identical looking backplates non-interchangeable. So, if you were hoping to pick up an HSPA+ cover to get rid of the Verizon branding, you're out of luck. And yes, we'll say that again: there's Verizon branding on this thing. That's the first strike against this being a true "Nexus" device. The second is the loss of Google Wallet, which we'll cover in a bit.If you were hoping to pick up an HSPA+ cover to get rid of the Verizon branding, you're out of luck.
Despite the lack of Wallet there is still NFC here, as is the 1.2GHz dual-core processor paired with 1GB of RAM. Our phone is offering 32GB of built-in storage, but still there's no USB mass storage mode, meaning you'll still be relying on MTP or PTP for file transfers -- not the end of the world, but certainly an inconvenience.
To transfer files you'll be connecting over the micro-USB port built into the bottom, which is situated next to the 3.5mm headphone jack. The power button is on the upper-right side, volume rocker on the left, and not much of anything is up on the top. There is no dedicated micro-HDMI output, but the micro-USB port supports MHL, so that's almost as good. Also, we're fans of the three-color LED situated in the bezel below the display. It fades in and out gently and looks a good bit classier than your average blinking email notifier.
And of course we can't end the hardware discussion without discussing that superb 4.65-inch 1280 x 720 Super AMOLED display. Yes, there's been a lot talk about the RGBG pentile layout here and how that results in poor color reproduction, lower effective resolution and male pattern baldness. Those things may be true, but you'll be too busy staring at it to care. It's bright, it's beautiful, the viewing angles are as close to 180 degrees as you can get.
And then there's the resolution. If you have the eyesight to match the 316ppi pixel density you will love being able to browse desktop versions of websites without having to scroll all over the place. We loaded up Distro and were able to read full magazine pages without trouble -- a task some tablets struggle with. It's simply a great display, and the subtle curve given to the glass adds an extra touch of class.
Performance and battery life
This device may not have the highest clock speed in the world but it is definitely a strong performer. It's still hard to know how much of the responsiveness of the device comes from its Ice Cream Sandwich build and how much of that is thanks to the silicon its running on, but that's a debate we can sort out later. Right now all that matters is that this thing is fast. Really fast.This thing is fast. Really fast.
Apps load quickly, webpages render in a snap, scrolling and pinch-zooming are butter smooth. Through and through, this is a fast phone. Even the installation of apps seems to happen far more quickly than on other devices. It's a revelation, and you won't want to put it down.
This oomph comes from a TI OMAP 4460 processor and PowerVR SGX540 GPU, helped along by 1GB of RAM. This is the same configuration as the HSPA+ version but, curiously, benchmark scores here came up notably lower in both Quadrant and Sunspider. Not by a huge amount, mind, and we tend to not put a lot of weight behind such synthetic numbers, but it is a somewhat curious result that we verified on two Verizon phones. Other benchmarks were generally within spitting distance.
| Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE | Samsung Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ | Samsung Galaxy Note | HTC Rezound | |
| Quadrant | 1,623 | 2,032 | 3,998 | 2,347 |
| Linpack Single-thread (MFLOPS) | 44.54 | 42.85 | 64.30 | 52.0 |
| Linpack Multi-thread (MFLOPS) | 74.4 | 69.37 | 95.66 | 60.3 |
| Nenamark 1 (fps) | 52.02 | 53.03 | 56.67 | 53.5 |
| Nenamark 2 (fps) | 24.00 | 24.26 | N/A | 35.8 |
| Neocore (fps) | Would not run | Would not run | 51.77 | 59.8 |
| SunSpider 9.1 (ms) | 2,256 | 1,985 | 2,902 | 2,961 |
And then there's the battery life. It's well known that LTE can put a real hurting on phone longevity and that appears to be the case here as well, our Nexus struggling to hold on to a charge in day-to-day use with all antennas firing. We've as of yet had very limited time with the thing, but in our 24 hours of intensive testing we had to reach for the charger multiple times. Using Google Navigation with LTE enabled? The battery drained so fast our in-car charger couldn't keep up, leaving us unsure of which exit to take off the 101.
However, disable the LTE in favor of just CDMA and the story is very different. In our standard run-down test, a looped video with the display locked at 50 percent brightness and the phone connected via CDMA (LTE disabled), the phone managed six hours and 15 minutes. That's a full hour longer than the HSPA+ model, surely thanks in most part to that bigger battery. So, if you can refrain from drinking from that sweet, sweet fountain of 4G, this is actually a respectably long-lived phone.
Open up the spigot, though, and you'll see some great speeds. Data rates are predictably well into double-digits, but consistently slower than other LTE devices we had hanging around. Your performance will vary based on your region but average downloads hovered around 14Mbps, with uploads around 10. We saw peak speeds higher, up to around 18Mbps down, but a Droid Charge at the same location was pulling down 25 - 30Mbps. That is, needless to say, a significant difference.
Software
The big story here is Ice Cream Sandwich, the 4.0 release of Google's Android that's designed to unify the tablet and smartphone experience while also creating world peace and curing the common cold. It doesn't quite succeed on all-fronts, but it is a significant step up over Honeycomb both in terms of responsiveness and sheer visual appeal. We won't re-hash our entire thoughts on the OS here, as they've been comprehensively expressed in our full Ice Cream Sandwich review, so suffice to say ICS is quite good. It won't do much to convert the Android haters, but it will make the lovers very, very happy.ICS won't do much to convert the Android haters, but it will make the lovers very, very happy.
What will surely make them upset, however, is the lack of Google Wallet. It's safe to say that the company's mobile payment solution has yet to take the retail world by storm, but it certainly has the potential to do so. The thought of being stuck sitting on the sidelines while the platform develops is troubling to say the least, and so we would respectfully ask that Verizon end its "commercial discussions" and enable the damned app already.
While Nexus phones tend to have advanced hardware and designs, ultimately its their unbridled access to the most recent flavors of Android that makes them most appealing to many buyers. This software restriction leaves us wondering whether this otherworldly Nexus will be similarly supported down the road.
It was, at least, first to receive Android 4.02, an update pushed the morning of release. Such a patch being delivered on the very day something ships is usually a good sign that things were coming down to the wire, as they most certainly were on this version of the Galaxy Nexus. But, all appears to be rock solid now, as we never encountered any stability issues.
Camera
The camera module here is identical to that found in the HSPA+ version, which we found to be a bit less than exemplary. That's not to say bad -- it's a perfectly average performer, but that's still a disappointment compared to the otherwise top-shelf optics found in some of Samsung's other cameras. Why didn't Samsung put a top-shelf eight megapixel unit in here? It's a frustrating mystery and more than a little disappointing.
Low-light images are noisy while bright ones are often soft. The 1080p24 video suffers similar faults but does at least offer continuous autofocus. And, for those who like taking a lot of stills, the zero shutter lag on the Nexus is a nice touch. Just tap-tap-tap on the screen and the camera rarely fails to keep up. It is even faster than Apple's iPhone 4S and a perfectly good way to fill up that 32GB of internal storage.
Wrap-up
Oh, and does it truly deserve to wear the Nexus name? No, not quite, but we're not going to let ourselves get too worked up about that.
Myriam Joire and Zach Honig contributed to this review
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
USB Biofeedback Game Controller lets you play Mario with your guns (video)
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 07:07 AM PST
Those gun-show tickets you've been offering out to everyone (that nobody ever takes) can suddenly do a lot more, thanks to Advancer Technologies. It's developed an Arduino-based plug-and-play bio-feedback game controller that uses EMG (electromyography) sensors to monitor the electrical activity in your skeletal muscles and turn them into game controls. For example, a bicep twinge represents jump, a gripped fist means run forwards -- as long as you've sufficient definition for those two to be distinctive. Check out the must-see muscle action after the break, or see how it's done at the source link.
[Image courtesy of Dreamworks]
[Image courtesy of Dreamworks]
Play Video Games Using Biofeedback
Biomedical company develops muscle sensor based computer game controller; releases construction instructions to cultivate next generation of great minds and ideas.
Raleigh, NC, December 15, 2011 – Advancer Technologies has developed a plug-in-play USB device that harnesses the power of electromyography (EMG) to allow players to directly control computer games with their muscles. This technology is demonstrated in their latest video, in which they navigate their way through the first level of the classic Nintendo game Super Mario Brothers 3 using only the signals generated from their muscles. You can now make one for your own by going to Instructables.com and working your way though the tutorial. In these illustrated instructions, Advancer Technologies goes through each step in detail to reproduce and program this remarkable controller.
Founded in 2010 and located in Raleigh, NC, Advancer Technologies is a small company devoted to developing innovative game-changing biomedical and biomechanical technologies. One of their core aspirations is to help cultivate and educate the next great minds and ideas in the field. They seek to accomplish this auspicious task by posting informative step-by-step tutorials and videos on their innovative technologies. To learn about Advancer Technologies and see more of their exciting projects in biomedical and biomechanical technologies, visit www.advancertechnologies.com.
Biomedical company develops muscle sensor based computer game controller; releases construction instructions to cultivate next generation of great minds and ideas.
Raleigh, NC, December 15, 2011 – Advancer Technologies has developed a plug-in-play USB device that harnesses the power of electromyography (EMG) to allow players to directly control computer games with their muscles. This technology is demonstrated in their latest video, in which they navigate their way through the first level of the classic Nintendo game Super Mario Brothers 3 using only the signals generated from their muscles. You can now make one for your own by going to Instructables.com and working your way though the tutorial. In these illustrated instructions, Advancer Technologies goes through each step in detail to reproduce and program this remarkable controller.
Founded in 2010 and located in Raleigh, NC, Advancer Technologies is a small company devoted to developing innovative game-changing biomedical and biomechanical technologies. One of their core aspirations is to help cultivate and educate the next great minds and ideas in the field. They seek to accomplish this auspicious task by posting informative step-by-step tutorials and videos on their innovative technologies. To learn about Advancer Technologies and see more of their exciting projects in biomedical and biomechanical technologies, visit www.advancertechnologies.com.
Coming soon: pick airline seatmates via social networks
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 06:45 AM PST
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines plans to launch a service in 2012 that will enable you to pick who you sit next to on an airplane by visiting their Facebook or LinkedIn pages. "Meet & Seat" will be an opt-in service (similar to that already toyed with by Malaysia Airlines), so you can still fly anonymously -- as anonymous as air travel gets these days, anyway. It could be great for making friends or developing business contacts on your next international flight, or it could make for some really awkward conversation too. "So, your Facebook profile says you like Justin Bieber?"
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 06:23 AM PST
PocketCloud Explore Debuts as First Multi-Device Content Search App, Now Available in the Android Market
Search laptops, PCs and your mobile devices all from one app
SAN JOSE, Calif. – December 15, 2011 – Wyse Technology, the global leader in cloud client computing , is changing the way people search, view, and organize their digital lives while on the go with the launch of the Wyse PocketCloud Explore mobile cloud app. The app also pioneers multi-device search, allowing users to easily access files anywhere on their device or remote computers.
Connecting Android devices to content on computers, Wyse PocketCloud Explore enables users to view and share that content from mobile devices. For example, if a user wanted to find the folder of photos from a combined business and vacation trip but could not remember whether it was on their home computer, work computer or office server, they could search all the devices at once and open it on their Android phone.
"At its core, Wyse PocketCloud has always been about making computing on mobile devices easy, intuitive and secure, and Wyse PocketCloud Explore is a perfect example of our dedication to this philosophy." says Daniel Barreto, general manager of the mobile cloud business unit at Wyse. "With Explore we are providing a way for people to finally search their entire digital lives from absolutely anywhere."
The Wyse PocketCloud Explore app provides the convenience of remote file storage and access without the extra cost or security risk of placing files in third-party storage clouds. Where cloud storage companies charge hundreds of dollars to store files, Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows unlimited access to the files already on users' devices. This allows users to remain in control of their own content and still have anytime, anywhere access to their digital lives. In short, it no longer matters which device a file originated from or where you saved it, with Wyse PocketCloud Explore you'll be able to find it, organize it, and share it and quickly and easily.
Wyse PocketCloud Explore features include:
• Search and browse all files and folders on your computers and Android devices
• Unlimited copying and moving of video, image, and audio files between Mac or Windows computers and Android devices
• Open remote files in the app viewer or edit in your choice of Android apps
• Create and delete folders and rename or delete documents
• Open a remote computer file from Android email client and send as attachment
Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows users to finally achieve a sense digital harmony with the efficiency of multi-device search, the power of full mobile computing, the beauty of a native Android interface, and the security of retaining control of digital content. Wyse has not only pioneered multi-device mobile search, they have created true digital Zen.
Wyse PocketCloud Explore for Android is available now for $4.99 and can be downloaded here: http://market.android.com/details?id=com.wyse.filebrowserfull
Search laptops, PCs and your mobile devices all from one app
SAN JOSE, Calif. – December 15, 2011 – Wyse Technology, the global leader in cloud client computing , is changing the way people search, view, and organize their digital lives while on the go with the launch of the Wyse PocketCloud Explore mobile cloud app. The app also pioneers multi-device search, allowing users to easily access files anywhere on their device or remote computers.
Connecting Android devices to content on computers, Wyse PocketCloud Explore enables users to view and share that content from mobile devices. For example, if a user wanted to find the folder of photos from a combined business and vacation trip but could not remember whether it was on their home computer, work computer or office server, they could search all the devices at once and open it on their Android phone.
"At its core, Wyse PocketCloud has always been about making computing on mobile devices easy, intuitive and secure, and Wyse PocketCloud Explore is a perfect example of our dedication to this philosophy." says Daniel Barreto, general manager of the mobile cloud business unit at Wyse. "With Explore we are providing a way for people to finally search their entire digital lives from absolutely anywhere."
The Wyse PocketCloud Explore app provides the convenience of remote file storage and access without the extra cost or security risk of placing files in third-party storage clouds. Where cloud storage companies charge hundreds of dollars to store files, Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows unlimited access to the files already on users' devices. This allows users to remain in control of their own content and still have anytime, anywhere access to their digital lives. In short, it no longer matters which device a file originated from or where you saved it, with Wyse PocketCloud Explore you'll be able to find it, organize it, and share it and quickly and easily.
Wyse PocketCloud Explore features include:
• Search and browse all files and folders on your computers and Android devices
• Unlimited copying and moving of video, image, and audio files between Mac or Windows computers and Android devices
• Open remote files in the app viewer or edit in your choice of Android apps
• Create and delete folders and rename or delete documents
• Open a remote computer file from Android email client and send as attachment
Wyse PocketCloud Explore allows users to finally achieve a sense digital harmony with the efficiency of multi-device search, the power of full mobile computing, the beauty of a native Android interface, and the security of retaining control of digital content. Wyse has not only pioneered multi-device mobile search, they have created true digital Zen.
Wyse PocketCloud Explore for Android is available now for $4.99 and can be downloaded here: http://market.android.com/details?id=com.wyse.filebrowserfull
FCC Fridays: December 16, 2011
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST
We here at Engadget tend to spend a lot of way too much time poring over the latest FCC filings, be it on the net or directly on the ol' Federal Communications Commission's site. Since we couldn't possibly (want to) cover all the stuff that goes down there, we've gathered up an exhaustive listing of every phone and / or tablet getting the stamp of approval over the last week. Enjoy!
Phones
- BLU Deejay Lite
- Motorola XT320 (Defy Mini)
- Motorola XT681 (China)
- Pantech P9070 (AT&T LTE)
- Samsung SCH-i929 (Galaxy S II LTE variant)
- Samsung GT-C3310
- Samsung GT-I9228 (Galaxy Note variant)
- Sharp 103SH (Softbank)
- Sharp SHI14 (KDDI)
- Sonim XP5520, 5530 and 5560
- ZTE WP650
Tablets and peripherals
- Archos Arnova 10b G2
- Huawei K3772 USB data stick (Vodafone)
- Pantech P4100 (AT&T LTE tablet)
Apple co-founder Ron Wayne's stash of early documents (eyes-on)
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 05:40 AM PST
During our time in Pahrump, Wayne was kind enough to let us comb over a number of papers from his days with the nascent computer company. The documents, stashed in a USPS mailer kept by the door of his office, were a veritable treasure trove of information, including pages of pages of plans and pencils drawings of an Apple I enclosure Jobs asked Wayne to build -- his creation was ultimately rejected by Apple and lost to history as the company gained steam.
Also stored in the envelope were a facsimile of the contract signed by Wayne, Woz and Jobs, which recently sold on auction for more than $1 million -- in fact, it was Wayne's original copy that hit the auction block. He had parted ways with it for far, far less some time ago. Wayne's Statement of Withdrawal is in the pile as well -- the document effectively ended his term with the company, filed for a $5 fee. Also inside are an Apple I operation manual, with the company's original logo, designed by Wayne himself and an Apple II order form. Check out all of the above in the gallery below.
Distro Issue 18 explores the life of Ron Wayne, Apple's lost founder
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 05:15 AM PST
Some have pegged Ron Wayne as unlucky; not only did he lose big by backing out of one of the most successful companies in consumer electronics, but a set of documents he once sold for a reported $500 recently demanded $1.6 million at auction. Earlier this month, Brian Heater spent two days in the Nevada desert following Apple's third founder, a man known best for his proximity to two guys named Steve and notoriously unfortunate timing. In this issue of Distro, we'll get a glimpse inside Ron's world -- a place occupied by slot machines, antique firearms and collectible coins -- and discover what he really thinks about his onetime business partners. Also in this issue, we'll double your pleasure with a pair of LG smartphone reviews: the Nitro HD and DoublePlay. Dana Wollman will rip through Jawbone's troubled fitness device, the Up, and take Lenovo's IdeaPad U400 for a spin. Ross Rubin will serve up his opinion on "WebOS' Open Sores" and we'll explore the gadgets we can't let go of in IRL. So get to downloading!
Distro Issue 18 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Echo Nest is the man behind the Spotify Radio curtain
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST
The Echo Nest Powers New Spotify Radio
SOMERVILLE, MA, December 16, 2011 - The Echo Nest, a music intelligence platform powering smarter apps across the web and devices, will provide music intelligence to power intelligent radio and radio playlisting within the new Spotify Radio app, which starts rolling out to its users today.
The relationship sees The Echo Nest powering Spotify Radio, which lets users create personalized radio stations based around songs or artists in Spotify's catalogue of around 15 million tracks. The Echo Nest's deep musical intelligence helps Spotify users build playlists dynamically around any song or artist for an amazing radio experience.
"Playlists are the cornerstone of the Spotify user experience," said Jim Lucchese, CEO of The Echo Nest. "The Echo Nest has invested heavily to ensure our intelligent playlist engine is the most sophisticated in the world. Combining The Echo Nest's intelligent playlist engine with Spotify Radio's incredibly intuitive and inherently social service will certainly give Spotify users an amazing music discovery experience."
Ken Parks, Chief Content Officer of Spotify, commented: "We can't wait to hear what our users think of Spotify Radio, which offers unlimited stations and unlimited skips, as it begins rolling out this week. With the help of The Echo Nest's recommendation wizardry and our multi-million track library, Spotify Radio is now a music discovery experience without equal."
Spotify Radio is located within Spotify Apps, which will this week be made available to both users of the free service plus the Unlimited and Premium subscription tiers. Spotify is the most popular music service of its kind in the world, with over 10 million active users and over 2.5 million paying subscribers in 12 countries worldwide.
About The Echo Nest
The Echo Nest powers smarter music applications for leading media companies and thousands of independent developers, with a customer base that reaches over 100 million music fans every month. Over 250 applications have been built on The Echo Nest platform. With the world's only machine learning system that actively reads about and listens to music everywhere on the web, The Echo Nest opens up the largest repository of dynamic music data in the world – over 5 billion data points on over 30 million songs -- to help developers re-shape the experience of playing -- and playing with -- music. The Echo Nest was co-founded by two MIT PhDs. Investors include Matrix Partners, Commonwealth Capital Ventures, and three co-founders of MIT Media Lab.
SOMERVILLE, MA, December 16, 2011 - The Echo Nest, a music intelligence platform powering smarter apps across the web and devices, will provide music intelligence to power intelligent radio and radio playlisting within the new Spotify Radio app, which starts rolling out to its users today.
The relationship sees The Echo Nest powering Spotify Radio, which lets users create personalized radio stations based around songs or artists in Spotify's catalogue of around 15 million tracks. The Echo Nest's deep musical intelligence helps Spotify users build playlists dynamically around any song or artist for an amazing radio experience.
"Playlists are the cornerstone of the Spotify user experience," said Jim Lucchese, CEO of The Echo Nest. "The Echo Nest has invested heavily to ensure our intelligent playlist engine is the most sophisticated in the world. Combining The Echo Nest's intelligent playlist engine with Spotify Radio's incredibly intuitive and inherently social service will certainly give Spotify users an amazing music discovery experience."
Ken Parks, Chief Content Officer of Spotify, commented: "We can't wait to hear what our users think of Spotify Radio, which offers unlimited stations and unlimited skips, as it begins rolling out this week. With the help of The Echo Nest's recommendation wizardry and our multi-million track library, Spotify Radio is now a music discovery experience without equal."
Spotify Radio is located within Spotify Apps, which will this week be made available to both users of the free service plus the Unlimited and Premium subscription tiers. Spotify is the most popular music service of its kind in the world, with over 10 million active users and over 2.5 million paying subscribers in 12 countries worldwide.
About The Echo Nest
The Echo Nest powers smarter music applications for leading media companies and thousands of independent developers, with a customer base that reaches over 100 million music fans every month. Over 250 applications have been built on The Echo Nest platform. With the world's only machine learning system that actively reads about and listens to music everywhere on the web, The Echo Nest opens up the largest repository of dynamic music data in the world – over 5 billion data points on over 30 million songs -- to help developers re-shape the experience of playing -- and playing with -- music. The Echo Nest was co-founded by two MIT PhDs. Investors include Matrix Partners, Commonwealth Capital Ventures, and three co-founders of MIT Media Lab.
Nintendo 3DS tour guides might make the Mona Lisa less underwhelming
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 04:32 AM PST
[Image courtesy of TrendHunter]
Sony's XBA balanced armature in-ear headphone lineup headed to the US, we go ears-on
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST
We just met with Sony at its New York City store on Madison Ave. in Midtown, and boy did it have some excellent news for in-ear headphone lovers. While sitting down in the PlayStation Lounge, we briefly demoed nearly every piece of its lineup of XBA balanced armature intra-aurals, which if you'll recall, were announced for parts of Asia back in September. While the 11-model lineup, ranging from standard buds to Bluetooth and noise-cancelling sets, is just beginning to hit those regions now, we've been told that folks in the US can expect them to arrive on American shores next year, with official availability details due at CES. The units we checked out are voiced and finished as those set to hit production, but according to Sony, some of the cabling now in place will change before the stateside release. Interested audiophiles and music lovers can click on past the break for the full details, as well as our initial -- and brief -- impressions.
On the standard IEM front, you've got the $80 XBA-1, $200 XBA-2, $280 XBA-3 and the $350 XBA-4, which as the names imply, feature single to quad-driver setups. To get an idea of sound quality, we played sections of Bassnectar's "Bass Head" along with Jimmy Eat World's "Futures," while going back and forth between the headphones. The XBA-1's single mid-focused driver delivered acceptable performance with a decent amount of clarity, but it unsurprisingly struggled to reproduce lows and highs, sounding slightly thin and tinny -- reminiscent of our time with the (now-defunct) Nox Audio's Scout. The XBA-2s step things up with a single woofer added into the mix. Our music was delightfully injected with a punchy low-end kick, reminding us that bassists do in fact exist. Being that the 2s (as with the others) merely pile more armatures on top of the ones that exist in each underlying model, we still noticed that treble reproduction remained nearly identical to the XBA-1s.
Our favorite of the bunch was the XBA-3, thanks to its addition of a treble-focused driver. The sound just felt right with this set, and gave us the most intelligible rendition of our two-song playlist. Cymbals and guitar strums remained crisp without hurting our ears and the overall mix remained well-balanced, with the treble, mids and lows maintaining their own space. Overall, the voicing is very similar to that of the MDR-NC200Ds we enjoyed back in September. Worth noting, though, is that the 3s had an unbalanced fit, which required us to wear them wire-up like a traditional IEM for an improved feel. Notably, the chromed-plastic fit and finish of each set is very similar, and despite the weirdness we experienced with the 3s, each was essentially light and forgettable and offered a moderately noise-isolating seal. To be fair, the lounge we tested in wasn't exactly loud, though.
Rounding out the bunch, we gave the XBA-4s a spin. This set adds in Sony's "super woofer" to that of the XBA-3's setup -- bass enthusiasts rejoice. While our inner bassist loved the extra ear-rattling lows, we did notice that the exaggeration drowned out of some of the clarity we loved with the 3s. Still, fans of dubstep and the like will undoubtedly get a sparkle in their eyes for this set. If you're an iDevice user, you'll also be pleased to know that for an extra 20 bucks any of the four models will come with an Apple-certified inline remote / mic for walkin' and talkin' between bouts of rockin'. Sadly, however, these weren't available for us to view in the flesh.
Of course, it didn't end there, as Sony had three other BA models to show us. Each variant basically features the XBA-1's driver in different type of purpose-built kit. First off, we tried the $90 BA Sports (XBA-S65) for size. The S65s are loaded adjustable silicon loops to keep them in place when you're active. The loops wrapped around our ears with comfortably snug, fitness-worthy fit. We're also told that they feature a slight amount of water resistance so that your jams don't cut out when you work up a sweat -- and they can even be "rinsed" afterward.
If you enjoy headphones with active-noise cancellation, the $500 BA digital noise cancelling set (seen before the break) might be up your alley. We're happy to report that the NC85Ds are loaded with the same intelligent noise-cancellation circuit found on the NC200Ds, and best of all, forgo the bulky battery units usually required for this kind of kit -- a world's first, according to Sony. You'll still find a tiny inline remote for activating the ANC, but it's no bigger than what you'd find on iPhone 'buds. Although both earpieces are tiny, one of them features a NiMH battery that's rated for an impressive 20 hours of use. Unlike the NC200Ds, however, they don't feature a talk-through mode and won't work passively. This disappointingly means you'll need to ensure that you're charged on long bouts away from power sources. To charge, you'll simply plug the headphone's 3.5mm jack into a USB dongle, which in turn plugs into your computer. Admittedly, for all its noteworthy specs and features, the $500 price feels very steep given that the sound quality is on-par with the $80 XBA-1s.
Lastly, we were able to look at -- but not listen to -- the BA Bluetooth XBA-BT75. This $300 set with an around-the-ear wire looks very similar to offerings by Jaybird, but has the sort of funky and forwardly-thinking aesthetic that's typical of Sony. The BT75s feature on-bud controls and their case can hold up to 2.5x worth of charging power for juicing up on go. No word on expected battery life, however.
Although we didn't spend nearly the amount of time needed for a proper review with these pieces, our first thoughts on the lineup are positive. The only extremely notable neg we have is that the latter models -- while offering some intriguing features -- are only available with the XBA-1's driver, which is a shame considering how much the sound improves with each driver addition. Still, it's safe to say that come next year, companies such as Westone and Sennheiser should expect some venerable competition from Sony in the US.
Qualcomm's Gobi 3000 finds a home in HP laptops, delivers standard agnostic DataPass
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 03:21 AM PST
Qualcomm's Gobi 3000 Technology for Embedded Connectivity Modules Power New Pay-as-You-Go Mobile Broadband Plans from HP
- New No Contract Mobile Broadband Data Plans Running on Gobi-enabled Laptops Deliver the Mobile Internet to Consumers on the Go -
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its Gobi™ 3000 technology, which powers a popular line of embedded data connectivity modules, is enabling a new form of pay-as-you-go mobile broadband data service in laptops from HP. Known as HP DataPass, this pay-as-you-go data plan brings mobile broadband to the consumer who wants access to the Internet when occasionally travelling away from the home or office but does not need a regular service contract. In the business world, these plans would complement existing corporate contracts and give IT managers a more flexible enterprise mobility solution to meet the needs of the employee on the go.
"Our Gobi technology is enabling advanced mobile data services on PC and tablet products from top-tier OEMs," said Fram Akiki, senior director of product management for Qualcomm. "Innovative pay-as-you-go plans like HP DataPass will provide network operators with new and untapped channels of service and deliver mobile broadband to a broader set of end users."
Qualcomm's Gobi technology provides embedded connectivity solutions for all major carrier networks worldwide. The solution features the Gobi Application Programming Interface (API) combined with industry leading modem chipsets to help spur innovation in mobile broadband connectivity for PC and tablet OEMs.
For more information about Qualcomm's line of Gobi embedded 3G/4G connectivity solutions, please visit http://www.gobi.com.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of CDMA components on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which CDMA is deployed, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 26, 2010, and most recent Form 10-Q.
Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Gobi is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
- New No Contract Mobile Broadband Data Plans Running on Gobi-enabled Laptops Deliver the Mobile Internet to Consumers on the Go -
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its Gobi™ 3000 technology, which powers a popular line of embedded data connectivity modules, is enabling a new form of pay-as-you-go mobile broadband data service in laptops from HP. Known as HP DataPass, this pay-as-you-go data plan brings mobile broadband to the consumer who wants access to the Internet when occasionally travelling away from the home or office but does not need a regular service contract. In the business world, these plans would complement existing corporate contracts and give IT managers a more flexible enterprise mobility solution to meet the needs of the employee on the go.
"Our Gobi technology is enabling advanced mobile data services on PC and tablet products from top-tier OEMs," said Fram Akiki, senior director of product management for Qualcomm. "Innovative pay-as-you-go plans like HP DataPass will provide network operators with new and untapped channels of service and deliver mobile broadband to a broader set of end users."
Qualcomm's Gobi technology provides embedded connectivity solutions for all major carrier networks worldwide. The solution features the Gobi Application Programming Interface (API) combined with industry leading modem chipsets to help spur innovation in mobile broadband connectivity for PC and tablet OEMs.
For more information about Qualcomm's line of Gobi embedded 3G/4G connectivity solutions, please visit http://www.gobi.com.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to successfully design and have manufactured significant quantities of CDMA components on a timely and profitable basis, the extent and speed to which CDMA is deployed, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 26, 2010, and most recent Form 10-Q.
Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Gobi is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Gamers spending more time streaming video to their consoles, Nielsen finds
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 02:33 AM PST
Nielsen, the purveyor of all things statistical and demographic, published a new study this week on game console usage within the US. According to the report, released on Wednesday, gamers this year spent notably more time streaming video to their consoles than they did in 2010, due in large part to the growing availability of services like Netflix, Hulu, MLB Network and ESPN3. Xbox 360 users spent 14 percent of their console time streaming video this year (compared with ten percent last year), PlayStation 3 owners devoted 15 percent (nine percent in 2010), and Nintendo Wii users spent a whopping 33 percent -- a 13 percent increase over last year's study. Each console, moreover, seems to appeal to different functions. Xbox 360 users, for example, devoted 34 percent of their time to online gaming, Wii owners spent 55 percent of their console time on offline gaming, and the PS3 was the device of choice for DVD and Blu-Ray viewing, comprising 22 percent of usage. Overall, Nielsen found that usage increased by seven percent over the last year across all three platforms, which suggests that streaming may be keeping us glued to our consoles for even longer. Read more at the source link below.
IDC: iPad maintains tablet dominance, HP's TouchPad fire sale burned brightly
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 01:46 AM PST
While the Android tablets continue to roll in, Apple can still lay claim to the lion's share of the tablet market according to IDC's latest report. Its research suggests that the iPad holds onto 61.5 percent of the worldwide market share, down from 63.3 percent last quarter. Android devices in total also saw a slight contraction, down from 33.2 percent to 32.4 percent. This is partly explained by the HP TouchPad's final hurrah, which rocketed the ill-fated webOS tablet up to third place with a 5 percent of share of tablet sales and an estimated 903,354 devices sold. Samsung maintained its Honeycomb tablet crown, nabbing 5.6 percent of all tablet sales. The Korean manufacturer was closely tailed by Barnes and Noble's Nook Color with 4.5 percent and Asus, arriving at fifth place with a four percent share. Tablets in total sold less than the analysts had predicted, although growth has still exploded 264 percent compared to this time last year. Meanwhile, E-readers outperformed estimates, with 6.5 million E-readers sold in the third quarter, up 165.9 percent from last year. IDC expects some disruptive new tablets will spice up the fourth quarter results and you can take a look at its findings and predictions at the full press release below.
Media Tablet Shipments Miss Third Quarter Targets, But New Entrants and Holiday Demand Will Spark Fourth Quarter Growth, According to IDC
15 Dec 2011
FRAMINGHAM, Mass., December 15, 2011 – Worldwide media tablet shipments into sales channels rose by 23.9% on a sequential basis in the third calendar quarter of 2011 (3Q11) to 18.1 million units, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Media Tablet and eReader Tracker. That represents an increase of 264.5% from the same quarter last year, but 5.8% below the original forecast of 19.2 million units. Despite these slightly lower-than-expected shipments in 3Q11, IDC sees strong demand in 4Q11 and has increased its worldwide shipment forecast for 2011 to 63.3 million units, up from a previous projection of 62.5 million units.
Apple continued to drive worldwide media tablet shipments in 3Q11. The company shipped 11.1 million units in 3Q11, up from 9.3 million units in 2Q11. That represents a 61.5% worldwide market share (down from 63.3% in 2Q11). HP entered and left the market in 3Q11 with its TouchPad product. The company shipped 903,354 units to grab a 5% share of the worldwide market, number three behind Samsung's 5.6% market share. After IDC updated its taxonomy to move LCD-based devices such as Barnes & Noble's Nook Color into the media tablet category, Barnes & Noble shipped 805,458 units to achieve the number four spot with a 4.5% market share. ASUS rounded out the top five with a 4% share.
After ceding share in 3Q11 (down to 32.4% from 33.2% the previous quarter), IDC expects Android to make dramatic share gains in 4Q11 growing to 40.3%. That increase is due mostly to the entrance of Amazon's Kindle Fire, and to a lesser extent the Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet, into the market. The share increase comes at the expense of Blackberry (slipping from 1.1% to 0.7%), iOS (slipping from 61.5% to 59.0%), and webOS (slipping from 5% to 0%). Despite HP's announcement last week that it would contribute webOS to the Open Source community, IDC does not believe the operating system will reappear in the media tablet market in any meaningful way going forward.
"Amazon and Barnes & Noble are shaking up the media tablet market, and their success helps prove that there is an appetite for media tablets beyond Apple's iPad," said Tom Mainelli, research director, Mobile Connected Devices. "That said, I fully expect Apple to have its best-ever quarter in 4Q11, and in 2012 I think we'll see Apple's product begin to gain more traction outside of the consumer market, specifically with enterprise and education markets."
"Apple's larger portfolio of tablet-specific apps, upcoming iPad versions, and growing physical store presence in key emerging markets like Asia/Pacific will help maintain its global leadership. However, an improving Android OS experience and lower competitor pricing in an environment with worldwide economic concerns should help Android to increase its market share," said Jennifer Song, research analyst, Worldwide Trackers.
Despite the loss of LCD-based products (relocated into the media tablet category), ePaper-based eReaders continued to see strong shipment growth. In 3Q11 the worldwide total improved to 6.5 million units, up from 5.1 million units in 2Q11, representing quarter-over-quarter growth of 27% and year-over-year growth of 165.9%. IDC expects growth to continue in the fourth quarter thanks to new products introductions and price cuts from the major vendors.
"Amazon's introduction of the $79 entry-level Kindle and $99 touch-based Kindle (both with ads) led to a round of price cuts from competitors," Mainelli said. "That drops these products well into the range of impulse and gift buys for many, and we expect a very strong 4Q11 as a result."
"From a worldwide perspective, eReader volumes in the U.S. are expected to remain a huge majority at 80% share. Europe, the second largest market, should rise to its highest volume levels in 4Q11 due to holiday shopping, but is not growing at the expected rate due to lack of local language content and the uncertain euro zone climate," added Song.
Android team takes developers to school with Android Training program
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 01:20 AM PST
Dust off your Trapper Keeper and strap on those brand new sneakers, because Android school is now in session. Yesterday, the Android Developers team announced the launch of Android Training -- a set of online classes designed to help users create better apps. The tutorials, available for free, provide aspiring devs with step-by-step instructions and tips on how to implement effective navigation tools, optimize battery life and solve other "common Android development problems." At the moment, the program is divided into 11 sections with a total of 34 individual lessons, though the team plans to expand its offerings "over the coming months." Try it out for yourself at the source link below.
Sony Tablet S update lets you play with PS3 controllers, cable adapter required
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:57 AM PST
We've got some good news for gamers that were willing to plunge into the PlayStation-certified world of Sony's tablets. The latest update to the company's divisive Tablet S will let you connect your PS3 controllers with those 32-bit games of yesteryear. The update is available now in Sony's homeland of Japan and the company is also rewarding its tablet faithful with a free download; an Ape Escape-themed mini-game collection. It's not all good news, however. The clamshelled Tablet P doesn't get the controller hook-up and you'll need to buy an additional USB adapter cable to connect a controller to the monoscreened Tablet S. A briefly worded, vaguely translated release awaits after the break.
Update: We've heard from Japanese users that you'll only need to the cable to initially pair the controller with the tablet. After that, you're free to wirelessly play away.
SGPT111JP / S · SGPT112JP / S · SGPT113JP / S · SGPT211JP / S
Android 3.2.1 (release2) News Updates
Marketing of Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation, December 15, 2011
Patronage purchased, before purchasing the Sony product, Thank you.
Sony Tablet "SGPT111JP / S · SGPT112JP / S · SGPT113JP / S · SGPT211JP / S" will guide you to update.
For this update, you will ask a series of operations required to perform the update for you.
Please read the following instructions, thank you for your update and implement this.
Contents of the [Update
PlayStation (R) * 1 * 2 wireless controller support for three
Video Chat plugged into Skype (TM) * 3 Additional Applications
S Series only cradle (SGPDS1) works better when mounting
To use the USB adapter cable * 1 (SGPUC1 sold separately) is required.
* 2 Sony Tablet (TM) S-series offers only.
* 3 Sony Tablet (TM) offers the only P-Series.
[Products]
Products type:
Sony Tablet "SGPT111JP / S · SGPT112JP / S · SGPT113JP / S · SGPT211JP / S"
Android 3.2.1 (release2) News Updates
Marketing of Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation, December 15, 2011
Patronage purchased, before purchasing the Sony product, Thank you.
Sony Tablet "SGPT111JP / S · SGPT112JP / S · SGPT113JP / S · SGPT211JP / S" will guide you to update.
For this update, you will ask a series of operations required to perform the update for you.
Please read the following instructions, thank you for your update and implement this.
Contents of the [Update
PlayStation (R) * 1 * 2 wireless controller support for three
Video Chat plugged into Skype (TM) * 3 Additional Applications
S Series only cradle (SGPDS1) works better when mounting
To use the USB adapter cable * 1 (SGPUC1 sold separately) is required.
* 2 Sony Tablet (TM) S-series offers only.
* 3 Sony Tablet (TM) offers the only P-Series.
[Products]
Products type:
Sony Tablet "SGPT111JP / S · SGPT112JP / S · SGPT113JP / S · SGPT211JP / S"
VIA adds Android support to embedded x86 line (video)
Posted: 16 Dec 2011 12:12 AM PST
CyanogenMod team bails on Samsung Vibrant, cites inability to dial '911' as cause
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 11:02 PM PST
Man illuminates electromagnetic waves using coffee cans and LEDs, Christmas-colored science ensues
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 10:28 PM PST
Electromagnetic radiation is all around us, but we're largely unaware that our bodies are constantly bathed in waves of the stuff because our eyes aren't equipped to see most of it. Dr. Gregory Chavat decided to give us a glimpse of an EM waveform, however, by using a coffee can radar system, a couple of LEDs, and long-exposure photography. The setup consisted of a radar emitter made out of one coffee can and a second can with a couple of LEDs attached to serve as a tethered receiver antenna. Those LEDs were then set to that light up red or green to illuminate the EM wave peaks and valleys. By moving the receiver closer and further away from the emitter while taking a long exposure photo, the good doctor was able to capture the wavefront radiating on film, and let you see the unseen with a bit of Christmas-colored flair. Check the video below for a fuller explanation, and hit the more coverage link to learn how to build a coffee-can radar and perform some basement black magic yourself. iTunes Match rolls out to international community, makes music lovers flinch
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 09:18 PM PST
Senator Al Franken gets answers regarding CarrierIQ, still not satisfied
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 08:25 PM PST
It's been two weeks since the CarrierIQ story caught the eye of Senator Al Franken, who swiftly put his fist down and began demanding answers from the companies that admitted to allowing the tracking software on their handsets, as well as CarrierIQ itself. The deadline for the companies to respond is over for all but two -- T-Mobile and Motorola were both given until December 20th -- and the good Senator's had the chance to look over their questionnaires. Here's what Sen. Franken had to say about what he read:
Kind of makes you wonder exactly how each company answered the Senator's questions, right? Wonder no longer, our curious friends -- the responses in their fullness can be found on Senator Franken's website, linked below. In addition, tune in tomorrow when we'll dive into the responses in-depth. There's one question that we still want answered, though: what will each company do about the matter, now that it's caught public scrutiny? Our bet is on "not much."I appreciate the responses I received, but I'm still very troubled by what's going on... People have a fundamental right to control their private information. After reading the companies' responses, I'm still concerned that this right is not being respected. The average user of any device equipped with Carrier IQ software has no way of knowing that this software is running, what information it is getting, and who it is giving it to -- and that's a problem. It appears that Carrier IQ has been receiving the contents of a number of text messages -- even though they had told the public that they did not. I'm also bothered by the software's ability to capture the contents of our online searches-even when users wish to encrypt them. So there are still many questions to be answered here and things that need to be fixed.
Pantech P9070 brings a dose of AT&T LTE love to the FCC
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 07:50 PM PST
Pantech's making all sorts of progress in the US LTE market, first with the budget-friendly Breakout on Verizon and then the mysterious P4100 tablet that went through the FCC this week carrying AT&T 700 / 1700 LTE bands. Now, a handset that has the same frequencies as the aforementioned tablet (including Band 5, which uses 850MHz) just made it through the Federal approval process. Known only as the P9070, little is known about this device other than the fancy blueprint above and diagram-o'-measurements below. It already received WiFi certification in August, so it seems to have been in testing for a while. Could this be Pantech's big hit for CES 2012?
Windows Phone 7.5 SMS bug breaks messaging hub, hard reset is the only remedy
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 07:24 PM PST
An SMS message on your Windows 7.5 handset could knock messaging out cold, a one shot kill you can't prepare for. Apparently, WP devices that receive a text containing a certain string of characters will reboot and return with a non-functional messaging client which can only be restored via a hard reset. The flaw is not device-specific and has been found to affect other parts of the OS, locking up your handset if you've pinned a friend as a live tile and that buddy posts the magic bug words on Facebook or Windows Live Messenger. Fixing the problem requires quick tapping fingers, as you've got to remove the pinned tile after rebooting before it flips and freezes the phone again. Before you go abandoning WP7's ship, just know that SMS issues are a known phenomenon and have affected all the major mobile players, iOS and Android included. Until Microsoft releases a fix, cross your fingers and hang tight, but in the meantime, all you mobile masochists can see the bug in action after the break.
Samsung Galaxy Note for AT&T to ditch Exynos, sport 4G LTE?
Posted: 15 Dec 2011 06:32 PM PST
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