Sponsoer by :

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Engadget News

Sponsored

Engadget News

Google Books for Chrome gets offline support, one less excuse for not reading the 'classics'

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 10:45 AM PST

Google Books Offline
So, you can read all those tomes you've picked up through Google Books offline on your smartphone and tablet, but what about on your laptop? Well, if for some reason you've got the desire to power through Finnegans Wake in your browser (though, we're not really sure why you'd do that to yourself) we've got good news -- the Google Books app for Chrome now caches your titles for local reading. To download a book, just hover over the cover in library view and select "make available offline" from the pop-up. Then, even when you can't get your Chromebook connected, you'll be able to sit back and relax with a classic novel or seedy romance tale.

Switched On: Open source, open issues for webOS

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 10:30 AM PST

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.


HP's decision to contribute webOS to the open source community represents, at the very least, a detour from the company's plans to "double down" on the operating system acquired from Palm, Inc. The good news for fans of the OS is that HP will continue to invest in the software's development, albeit probably not at the unsustainable rate at which it was going it alone. And for webOS fans, the decision is certainly more favorable than another possibility that HP considered -- ending the development of webOS software as abruptly as it ended the hardware..

Still, webOS faces an uphill climb if it is to emerge as a viable option for device makers. HP itself says that it may not enter the webOS device market again until 2013 and we've seen no public statements from other major device makers champing at the bit to build devices based on the software, at least not in its current state. That means that the addressable market for webOS updates is the relatively meager installed base of TouchPads and the handful of Pres, Veers and Pixis, and many owners of those smartphones will likely move on as their contracts expire.. Surely, the clever open source community will find a way to get webOS on all kinds of existing devices. Here, the software may even get something of a helping hand from its rivals Android and the coming ARM-based version of Windows. However, as Switched On discussed with regard to an Android netbook, that's an even smaller hobbyist market.

One of the challenges that HP faced with webOS was that it had never been at the center of an ecosystem trying to build a developer base for a consumer operating system. Likewise, though, it has never been at the center of a major open source project, which involves managing not only internal development constituencies but external ones as well. Still, HP says it is ready to step into the kind of role that Google serves for Android.

Speaking of Android, its incredible momentum begs the question of whether we need another open source mobile operating system from which to choose. Perhaps the most viable recent open-source challenger to Android, MeeGo, managed to find its way onto one phone (the Nokia N9) and one netbook (the ASUS X101) from major manufacturers before being folded into yet another merged OS offering called Tizen. WebOS will also continue to face intense competition from closed-source vendors Apple, RIM and Microsoft. These competitors will have development in high gear during a year when webOS is going through yet another transition.

Perhaps the biggest question, though, lies not in whether HP and the open source community can execute on making webOS a stronger competitor, but whether anything can carve out turf between the iOS monolith and the Android skyline. So far, such ground has not proven fertile in the mobile OS turnaround attempts of Microsoft and RIM. However, as mobile devices, particularly tablets, take on more PC-like tasks, there is the highly successful example of Windows on the PC to pursue, the very offering that HP -- and many other companies -- won't hesitate to embrace in future tablet generations before revisiting webOS..

Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is executive director and principal analyst of the NPD Connected Intelligence service at The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.

UMG v. Veoh: victory has never been so pyrrhic

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 09:59 AM PST

The US appeal court has ruled that "YouTube on steroids" site Veoh can't be sued for copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Judge Raymond Fisher said that rights holders (like UMG) were in a better place to identify infringing content than the video sharing site, putting the burden of finding and reporting dodgy vids on the record company's shoulders. The old-slugger's victory means that Viacom has less of a leg to stand on in its upcoming appeal against YouTube, since Judges can use the case as precedent to make their decisions. Sadly, victory will ring hollow for Veoh since the onslaught of litigation caused it to file for chapter seven bankruptcy before getting flogged on the cheap to Qlipso last year.

AMD Radeon HD 7970 review roundup: supremely fast, relatively efficient

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 09:13 AM PST

AMD's next flagship graphics card was only announced a few hours ago, and it won't arrive on the gaming public's plate until January, but already the tech punditry has tasted it, tested it and spat out a soggy little piece of paper that reads: "the fastest single-GPU card in the world." What we're really looking for, though, is the type of performance that beats older rivals like NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 580 without blowing the house up like a dual-GPU product. As it turns out, most reviewers agree that is exactly what this new $549 Radeon delivers, albeit with the few caveats summarized after the break.

AnandTech found that the 7970's power draw under load in Metro 2033 was 391W -- that's 34W less than the GTX 580 despite a 20-30 percent performance lead, thanks to the 28nm process. That said, it was also the noisiest single-GPU card under heavy load, being only slightly quieter than the dual-GPU GTX 590.

HotHardware, on the other hand, generally praised AMD's redesigned cooling, saying that the 7970 was "somewhat quiet in real world use cases" and "all but silent" when idle.

Bit.tech noted that NVIDIA cards handled anti-aliasing better in Battlefield 3, making that the only game in which AMD failed to trump the GTX 580 by a significant margin. Nevertheless, the 7970 showed 30 percent better performance than its rival in Arma II, and was also faster with Skyrim played at 2,560 x 1,600.

Hexus said the 7970 scored best in its 'Bang4watt' aggregate metric but the high launch price pushed it towards the bottom of the table in terms of 'Bang4buck'.

HardOCP reckoned that the 7970 was a minimum of 31 percent faster than the Radeon HD 6970 and a minimum of nine percent faster than the GTX 580, and concluded that "these percentage differences were enough to allow us to play at higher settings in every single game."

Transistor pioneer Norman Krim dies at 98

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 08:43 AM PST

A man who helped make our world smaller died last week. As noted in the New York Times obituary linked below, Norman Krim didn't invent the transistor, but he was a driving force behind its use, having persuaded his employer, Raytheon, to manufacture them on a large scale. They were designed for use in hearings aids initially but, as IEEE Spectrum's Harry Goldstein explains, some later batches proved too "noisy" for that purpose and wound up in the hands of hobbyists instead, who used them in a variety of electronic projects. Krim was also intent on making things smaller even before the transistor, and led a team at Raytheon in the late 1930s that developed miniaturized vacuum tubes for use in battery-powered radios. Later in his career, he was also involved the early days of the Radio Shack chain, buying two stores in Boston then expanding to seven before selling the business to the Tandy Corporation. He was 98.

The Engadget Interview: Fusion Garage's Chandra Rathakrishnan... post-fallout

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST

If we learned anything from our last encounter with Chandra Rathakrishnan, it's that the Fusion Garage CEO is nothing if not candid when discussing his company's past failings. Of course, such admissions came amidst great deal of hype from the executive, who was, at the time, heralding the second coming of his company in the form of the Grid 10, Grid 4 and the innovative Grid OS that fueled the devices.

It was the latest chapter in what's proven to be a long and bizarre tale, one that began with the dream of a $200 internet tablet. After countless scheduling pushbacks, fights and price hikes, the proposed CrunchPad finally came to life as the JooJoo, a $499 device that was greeted with scathing reviews, poor timing (thanks mostly to Apple's long-awaited announcement of the iPad) and rather lackluster sales, to put it kindly. In spite of attempts to rally the line, the tablet died a lonely death, and most suspected that it had taken the rest of the company with it.

Read on for the full interview.

Fusion Garage's second coming arrived in a shroud of viral marketing, with ads heralding the arrival of TabCo, a supposed new company that offered the promise of escape from an iPad-dominated landscape. When time came for the great unveiling, we were met with a bizarre press conference led by Rathakrishnan, announcing the arrival of the Grid 10 and Grid 4, a tablet and smartphone running the company's own Grid OS, an innovative operating system built on the Android Kernel.

Along with the announcement, Rathakrishnan and Fusion Garage managed to get something quite rare in this industry: a second chance. The company drummed up a fair amount of excitement with the promise of a legitimate iPad alternative. Ultimately, however, the comparisons between the Grid10 and JooJoo proved a bit too close for comfort -- big ideas that hit the market half-baked, or at the very least, not quite ready for public consumption. The poor tablet's poor reception came to a head last weekend, when the product's site crashed, an event that led to the discovery that the company had been dropped by its PR agency. These facts, compounded with the severing of the its ties to the law firm that was representing it with its ongoing Crunchpad legal battles, fueled speculation that Fusion Garage had finally thrown in the towel, once and for all.

In the wake of all of this information, we managed to get Rathakrishnan on the phone from Singapore, to discuss what all of this means for the future (or lack thereof) of Fusion Garage.


So let's start by discussing what exactly has happened over the last few days.

We had a DNS problem and the site went down, which lead to the speculation that the company was dead. It was a DNS problem that happened and it was nothing more than that.

And your PR firm is no longer representing you.

Yes. The site went down and then news came out that they were no longer representing us, which led to the speculation that we were no longer around. The reason they are no longer representing us is due to a couple of things. One is, as they said, we've been uncommunicative for some time, because the company has been locked down, trying to figure out options that would be required for us to continue surviving. We have been trying to raise new funding and that has taken a lot of our time and focus.

So the fact that you haven't been as product focused recently is why they're no longer with you?

It was a mutual decision. We did talk about it and they made it very clear that it was difficult for them to continue, due to what happened over the last few weeks. We had been largely uncommunicative with them and they haven't been able to do their job for us in an efficient fashion. So it was totally understandable that they could no longer continue representing us.

I would assume that there are generally periods of non-communication between tech companies and their PR firms.

Fusion Garage is not dead [..] we are in the midst of finding a new line of funding.

Sure. Well, not for a lengthy period of time. They were completely unaware of the situation. This is a transparent conversation and I want to be clear about what's happening with Fusion Garage. While Fusion Garage is not dead, [the situation] as it is right now is that we are in the midst of finding a new line of funding that we need to close to continue our existence. If we are unable to close the funding that we need, then we will certainly be in trouble. I think that it's best that the company focuses on finding the funding it needs before proceeding.

Is it safe to say that part of the reason why they backed out was that they were wary about the future of the company?

Yes. I think we are not able to say definitely that if we will close this round of funding. We've been exploring several options including the possibility of an acquisition.

Grid10 review

Do you share that concern at all? Are you also worried about the future of the company or are you confident that it will continue?

We have seen a lot of problems in the past, and this is just another challenge that we have on our hands. Over the last couple years, we've worked through the problems. But our current investors are unable to continue funding the company to a point that's required to get it to the stage where we can have sufficient market share in the industry. So, we need a new round of investment. While the traditional method of funding is one route that we will be exploring, we are also exploring every possible option that will allow us to continue in some fashion.

Is it true that the law firm that was representing you is no longer representing you, as well?

Yes, for exactly the same reason. We have been upfront and transparent with everybody that we've been working with, which is why you see both the firms pulling out at the same time.

With this kind of radio silence, it certainly doesn't help that we are only a week out from Christmas. This should be a good time of year for you guys.

Well, this is a brutal industry. Even the big boys like HP have pulled out, and you've seen what has happened with webOS. So, for a company that is way smaller both in relation to manpower as well as financing, it's difficult. Couple that with the challenge that we've had, and it's a difficult position.

When you mention the concerns that the funders had. Are they the same as those of the PR and law firms? Was it also a lack of communication, or perceived lack of success of the devices?

It's not lack of communication. The investors are obviously people that keep in touch very regularly, and clearly on the list of priorities is that we get the kind of support that we need. They have funded the company to this point, most of them right from the inception, and we have raised a significant amount of money over this time. But to continue to do what we need to do, the company needs a significant round of funding.

The Grid 10 was in a far better state than the JooJoo ever was, when it was released. But I think [...] we fell short.

If you look at what we were doing in hardware and what we were doing in software, we were doing the whole bit. How many hardware startups are there? There are hardly any hardware startups because the amount of financing required to play the hardware game is significant. And then when you couple that with an industry like the kind that we are in with clear leaders, to try and do hardware, software and then marketing, the amount of funding required to sustain itself, to give it a shot at success is fairly significant. And the current investors are unable to continue funding at that range. With the reviews that we received, coupled with the fact that we need a large amount of funding to sustain ourselves, they are of the opinion that they are not the right players to help out. Once that opinion was made known to us, we began the process of trying to find the funding we require.

The last time we spoke, we covered the JooJoo a fair amount. You told me that you thought the reason the device wasn't successful was that it was delivered too early and there were too many issues with it. Are you seeing a reflection of that at all in the Grid 10?

I think it is sort of the same. I believe that the Grid 10 was in a far better state than the JooJoo ever was, when it was released. But I think that in an industry where the benchmarks benchmarks are the high test of the world, we fell short.


Do you feel like the reviews have been at all unfair to the device?

I think the reviews were harsher than they should have been, but I do agree with a lot of the points that were made. Clearly the production had shortcomings. There's no denying that. When compared to what the big boys had to offer, it wasn't good enough.

You launched a big viral campaign ahead of the announcement and threw that press conference. Do you think that you may have oversold the device?

Yeah, I think we were responsible for raising the hype around the product. I think we needed to, to ensure we were noticed in a very crowded market. I guess that the product not being ready at the point when it was given to reviewers, coupled with the hype that was created, wasn't a good combination. The expectations were high. It was like a good movie trailer with a movie that couldn't live up to it.

You mentioned before, the concern about funding, since it costs a lot of money to simultaneously develop hardware and software. Do you worry that the company took too much on?

We've certainly been trying to do a lot for a small product, and the funding required for that is significant. I think it's worth considering that if we were just doing software itself and not hardware, we would do an Android solution. When we don't have an Android solution, it becomes hard to compete in a market where it's Androids and the Apples only. So I think it was the best solution, in trying to do what we did, to be able to compete. And the moment you get into the hardware space, regardless of what you do with software, the amount of financing required is significant.

There have been some issues with users attempting to return Grid 10 devices.

We don't discuss numbers but it is safe to say that it is a fairly small amount.

There were several categories of customers: customers who ordered the device and got it -- this is largely in the US. Then there are people who ordered their device and did not get it -- this is the case in the European market, where they did a pre-order but we did not launch in time, and the delays meant that the customers did not get their device as of yet. Then there was a third category of customers who bought the device, did not like it, and returned it, but have not had their refunds credited yet. The second two situations need to be resolved, and we will ensure that they get resolved by providing refunds for those people.

Can you shed any light on how many devices have been sold?

We don't discuss numbers but it is safe to say that it is a fairly small amount.

I know that you never discussed the number of JooJoos, but is it larger than that number?

Yes, it is larger than the JooJoo numbers, yes, but it is also worth mentioning that the JooJoo sales numbers that were reported on the web -- 93 units or something like that -- were fairly inaccurate.

How are the return numbers looking?

They are fairly small as well.

They are small overall in proportion to the actual devices being sold?

Yes.

Is it possible to buy a device right now? Can I go on the website and buy a Grid 10?

No. We've stopped selling the device at the moment. We think that until we resolve the future of the company, it's not fair to continue selling it. Until this situation with the existing customers has been resolved satisfactorily from their point of view, and until the future of the company is decided one way or the other, I do not think it's fair to continue selling the device.

Will everybody who already ordered a device get a device?

That is one of the options that we are clearly working on, but it is conceivable that if that option does not pan out then we will give them a refund as well.

I know that you were working out a deal where people who bought JooJoos got a Grid 10 as well, have those been delivered?

Yes, people in the US who bought a JooJoo and verified their addresses with us received their devices. So the US customers who have bought a JooJoo have been taken care of. This isn't the case for Europe yet, because we've not launched in Europe. The European launch has been delayed. That means the customers in Europe who ordered the JooJoo before have not received their Grid 10.


We talked about the legal firm earlier, are you able to discuss the ongoing lawsuit?

The case is still ongoing and there's nothing more to that than what we have discussed before. I have no new information.

Ok, but I assume that you will be getting new representation?

Getting counsel is something that we are working on right now.

During our last conversation, we discussed how rare second chances are in this industry. Do you feel like you are running out of chances?

We were given a chance after the JooJoo did not succeed, and we gave it our best shot.

If we don't get the funding that we need, and if none of the options work out, then it's obvious there's not going to be a third chance. We were given a chance after the JooJoo did not succeed, and we gave it our best shot. We could have taken the easy route and done something simple, but instead we chose to try and do something different. But the scale of it and the resources just didn't measure up. I think that is ultimately why we are in the situation that we are in right now. Having said that, we do have options on the table and we are exploring those options. These options are really taking longer than we would have liked, but we will have them figured out soon.

Are potential funders receptive now? Are you hopeful?

We are in discussions. Clearly being in discussions means that we have a shot. But it's still early. I've been here before, where it looks like we're going to complete something and it breaks. We're doing everything we can to close this quickly, since there's just too much at stake.

Aussie bank debuts Kaching app, accompanying iCarte case for mobile payments on iPhone 4

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 07:39 AM PST

This certainly isn't the first time we've seen an attempt to bring NFC to the iPhone, but the Commonwealth Bank of Australia certainly deserves kudos for integrating the iCarte case with its mobile payment app known as Kaching (think Ka-ching). Available as a standalone free application, Kaching allows users to send money to others, either via text message, email or through Facebook. For those looking to dig deeper, an iCarte case may be purchased for $54.95 from within the app, which allows the iPhone 4 and 4S to be used for mobile payments at all PayPass terminals. From within Kaching, users may check account balances and choose which card they care to pay with. All in all, it looks like one sweet (albeit temporary) solution.

[Thanks, Phil]

German court's preliminary ruling says Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1N isn't aping the iPad

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 07:10 AM PST

Round a few corners, a bit of nip-tuck and a tossed-on N. Oh, and probably just being sick and tired of the whole ordeal. We're assuming that's the recipe for getting the Cupertino-sourced gorilla off of Samsung's back, as a judge at the district court in Düsseldorf, Germany just issued a preliminary ruling that effectively clears the Galaxy Tab 10.1N from claims that it too mimics the iconic iPad. If you'll recall, the court blocked German sales of the original Tab 10.1 back in September, following Apple's arguments that Sammy's tab just looked too much like the iPad. Not surprisingly, the subtly-redesigned Tab 10.1N still drew fire from Apple's lawyers, but it's looking like they'll be riding home on the losing train this go 'round. A final verdict is expected on February 9th, of which we're sure you'll be resting uneasily on the edge of your seat to hear the result of. Courtroom fever -- catch it!

Engadget's Holiday Blues-buster 2011: win a Verizon Galaxy Nexus, courtesy of Appitalism!

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 07:01 AM PST

Get drooling, gadget fans, because Day Four of our weeklong Holiday Blues-buster giveaway is upon us -- and if none of the other items get your heart pumping this week, this one will. At stake here is a freshly-minted Verizon Galaxy Nexus LTE, thanks to the folks at Appitalism (the mobile app superstore)! We hear these little pocket calculators are pretty hard to come by right now, and we imagine you won't hesitate to jump at the chance to win one, so jump past the break to see all the rules and leave a comment!

Oh, and as a nice little bonus, Appitalism is also adding a pair of Beats over-the-ear headphones (a $300 value) to sweeten the deal even more, just in case the Galaxy Nexus doesn't have enough sugar for you. Good luck!

The contest:

December 19 - Roku 2 from Broadcom
December 20 - Unlocked GSM iPhone 4S from Wyse
December 21 - Unlocked Samsung GT-I9100 Galaxy S II (international version) from Broadcom
December 22 - Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE from Appitalism
December 23 - iPad 2 WiFi 16GB from Broadcom

The rules:
  • Leave a comment below. Any comment will do.
  • You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
  • If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
  • Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive a Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus LTE.
  • If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
  • This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Appitalism and Engadget are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
  • Entries can be submitted until December 22nd, 2011 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
  • Full rules can be found here.

EFF takes the fight to Carrier IQ, requests reinforcements

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 06:19 AM PST

If we didn't love the EFF already, we'd be proposing marriage now that it's managed to reverse-engineer Carrier IQ's pernicious monitoring software. CIQ exists in phones in three parts, the app itself, a configuration file and a database -- where your keystrokes and coded "metrics" are logged before being sent to the company. Volunteer Jared Wierzbicki cracked the configuration profile and produced IQIQ, an Android app that reveals what parts of your activity are being monitored. Now the Foundation is posting an open call for people to share their data using the app in order to decipher what personal data was collected and hopefully decrypt the rest of the software. Hopefully, our thoughts can soon turn to who's gonna play the part of Trevor Eckhart in the All the Presidents Men-style biopic.

LHC discovers 'particle', starts repaying back that five billion

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 05:41 AM PST

The Large Hadron Collider at CERN was built to discover new life forms and new civilizations particles to complete the Standard Model of physics, of which the Higgs-Boson is only a part. The $5 billion project has finally found something previously unseen, according to the BBC. ATLAS has picked up Chi-b 3P: a Boson (building block of nature) comprised of a "beauty quark" and a "beauty anti-quark," bound together with a strong nuclear force -- believed to exist in nature, but never seen until now. Yesterday's discovery is so new, it hasn't even had a sigma rating yet, but we don't expect CERN to confirm the find until its next two hour keynote.

Rhapsody soars past a million paying customers, president Jon Irwin shaves his head in celebration

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST

Whatever Spotify can do, Rhapsody can do better? Not quite, but it's getting there. While the former cruised past 2.5 million paying customers last month, Rhapsody has just announced that it has "gone platinum." It's now serving a cool million paying subscribers, right on the heels of its ten-year anniversary. The company's delivering around ten million songs per day, while making itself available on over 60 devices. What's next? Well, president Jon Irwin has to grow his locks back (seriously!), and we're guessing it'll try to lock down a few more carrier partnerships as the months drag on. When pinged for comment, Billy Corgan said: "I'm on vacation."
Show full PR text
Rhapsody Goes Platinum

Over One Million Paying Subscribers are Listening to Unlimited Music with the #1 Premium Music Service in the Country

SEATTLE-December 22, 2011-- Rhapsody has cemented its position as the largest premium subscription music service in the United States with the announcement today that it has surpassed the one million paying subscriber milestone. On the heels of its ten-year anniversary, Rhapsody is delivering more music-averaging more than 10 million songs a day-to more music lovers than ever before.

"We've accomplished quite a bit over the past decade, so it's no small statement to say that 2011 was probably our biggest year yet," said Jon Irwin, president, Rhapsody. "I told our team that when we topped one million paid subscribers, I'd shave my head... it was probably the best free haircut I've ever had."

In addition to surpassing the one million mark, it's been a noteworthy year for Rhapsody, which launched a new, social music experience in September, completed an acquisition of Napster November 30 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in early December.

Rhapsody's ongoing commitment to accessibility has also helped create separation in the space. Now available on more devices (60+) than any other subscription music service, Rhapsody has shown that access beyond the PC is a premium feature consumers are willing to pay for, as demonstrated both by subscriber growth and usage. 2011 was the first year that a majority of the playback came on a device other than a PC-40 percent of which was mobile--a trend that's expected to continue.

Partnerships with companies such as MetroPCS, which bundles Rhapsody with its prepaid unlimited text and data plans, continue to introduce Rhapsody to new consumers who value having their music on the go.

What's next for Rhapsody?

"The next frontiers for subscription music are the living room and the car," said Irwin. "Consumers will be able to enjoy Rhapsody from even more connected audio and video systems, as well as other platforms and distribution channels-at home, in the car and everywhere in-between, domestically and abroad. This has been an incredible year, marked by several notable achievements, and we're entering 2012 with big plans to bring music to even more people, in more places."

2011 Rhapsody Milestones

1/07/2011: Verizon Wireless announces Rhapsody will ship on its LTE devices, with integrated billing

3/1/2011: MTV and Rhapsody launch the "60-Day Free-For-All," giving new subscribers two months of free music and the largest free music promotion of its kind

3/18/2011: Rhapsody hosts Rhapsody Rocks Austin, with Deerhunter, Kurt Vile, Ty Segall, Small Black and Glasser at SXSW

3/31/2011: Rhapsody hires Rob Harvilla, former Village Voice music editor, as managing editor of The Mix

3/21/2011: Rhapsody launches on Windows Phone 7

7/11/2011: Rhapsody announces 800,000 subscribers

8/17/2011: Rhapsody announces partnership with MetroPCS for Rhapsody Unlimited Music

9/14/2011: Rhapsody announced remixed and remastered social Web experience

9/22/2011: Rhapsody launches in Facebook Music

10/3/2011: Rhapsody announces acquisition of Napster

12/7/2011: Rhapsody celebrates its 10-year anniversary with a concert with Built to Spill in Seattle

12/22/2011: Rhapsody surpasses one million paying subscriber milestone

Nokia ready to start shipping Lumias to Launchpad developers

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:17 AM PST

Things were a lot less clear back in early 2011 when Nokia announced it would abandon its burning platform for Windows Phone 7. Amidst that uncertainty, Espoo pledged to give select developers an E7 as well as a mystery device running Redmond's bits in the near future. The company's now making good on the latter part of that promise, informing those registered under its Launchpad program that their gratis hardware is ready to ship. Kindly forwarded by a tipster is email proof (seen after the break), which in non-redacted form would provide instructions for procuring a complimentary Lumia 800. Previous whispers suggested the Lumia 710 will also be part of the scheme, so your mileage may vary. Still, a free handset is better than none -- or at the very least a Nokla, right?

[Thanks, Jota]

Dear Nokia Developer Programs member,

We have received a bunch of questions from you on when you will be getting your free Nokia Lumia 800 device. We would like to thank you for your patience with the long wait and share some great news with you – we are now ready to ship your brilliant device to you!

Nokia Lumia 800 delivery

Getting the free Nokia Lumia 800 requires one action from you – you will need to place an order for it through your membership account. This process ensures smooth delivery of the devices and you'll be able to provide your desired shipping address.

Please follow the below steps to place the order for your Nokia Lumia 800:
...

Adobe releases EchoSign app for iOS, enables legally binding contracts to be signed with a 'click'

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 03:41 AM PST

We're not going to twist your arm, but if you're sitting on some beachfront property that you're willing to deed over to your favorite Engadget writers, the folks at Adobe are making the process all too easy. The company is delivering a free app for iOS that enables EchoSign subscribers to attach legally binding signatures to virtually any document, all from the comfort of their preferred fruit-filled device. What's more, the software also allows users to send documents to others for a one-click stroke of the pen and track the status of said agreements with real-time updates. Now, please excuse us. We've got some aboveboard contracts to draft.

Samsung launches two dual-sim Galaxy Y phones for carrier cheaters

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 02:55 AM PST

Samsung is rolling out a pair of dual-SIM blowers for everyone who wants to keep their working and private lives separate, or take advantage of constantly changing carrier deals. The Galaxy Y Duos packs a 3.14-inch QVGA (243 x 320) touchscreen, HSDPA modem, three megapixel camera, microSD storage that's expandable up to 32GB and an 832MHz processor that runs TouchWiz flavored Gingerbread. The Galaxy Y Pro Duos' only difference is its smaller 2.6-inch LQVGA TFT screen, to make space for the physical keyboard below. Both models will be available from January in Europe, Russia, Latin America, Asia, Africa and China and while there's no word on pricing, the specs suggest it won't be high. Head on past the break for the deep dish (or as some squares like to call it, "press release").
Show full PR text
Balance work and play with GALAXY Y DUOS and GALAXY Y Pro DUOS

2011.12.22

Samsung adds Dual SIM smartphones into its GALAXY smartphone line-up

SEOUL, Korea – December 22, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today announced the latest additions to the GALAXY smartphone series, Samsung GALAXY Y DUOS and Samsung GALAXY Y Pro DUOS. Beginning in January 2012, these new devices will be available in Russia, and GALAXY Y DUOS will be gradually rolled out to Europe, CIS, Latin America, Southeast and Southwest Asia, Middle East, Africa and China. GALAXY Y Pro DUOS will be coming to Europe, CIS, Latin America, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Africa.

GALAXY Y DUOS and GALAXY Y Pro DUOS feature a unique Dual SIM system that maximizes communication flexibility by allowing two separate phone numbers and a simultaneous use of data on the same device. Users who need to balance busy professional and social lives can access and seamlessly switch from one line to the other with GALAXY Y DUOS or GALAXY Y Pro DUOS.

"With the tremendous success of the Dual SIM feature phones, we are now very pleased to be introducing the first Dual SIM smartphones powered by Android™. "We have been actively exploring this market and are well aware of the need for Dual SIM smartphones," said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "With the GALAXY Y DUOS and the GALAXY Y Pro DUOS, Samsung will be offering more choices for all consumers."

Samsung's First Full Touch Smartphone with Dual SIM, GALAXY Y DUOS
GALAXY Y DUOS is for young and practical consumers who want to manage their professional career and busy social life with affordable price. Beyond the flexibility of its dual SIM card system, GALAXY Y DUOS is a beautifully designed smartphone contained in a 11.98mm polished metallic casing. Its ergonomic design is complemented by a 3.14'' full touch display that provides optimal legibility for a smartphone of its size.

Powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread and running on a powerful 832MHz processor, GALAXY Y DUOS offers advanced performance and versatility needed to successfully manage busy professional and social lifestyles.

GALAXY Y DUOS also provides users with multiple options to enrich their social lives. It features ChatON, Samsung's unique cross-platform communication service that connects all mobile users into a single community. Users can also stay connected through Social Hub, which supports email, social network integration and instant messaging, displaying all of your communication in a single inbox.

Samsung's First QWERTY Smartphone with Dual SIM, GALAXY Y Pro DUOS
Samsung is also introducing GALAXY Y Pro DUOS, which offers additional benefits for young professionals with the combination of a full QWERTY keyboard with a 2.6'' display, giving them more business-friendly experience with better flexibility and usability.

GALAXY Y Pro DUOS offers enhanced productivity with the inclusion of Polaris and Find My Mobile professional tools. Polaris offers easy viewing and editing of a wide range of Office documents, enabling you to work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and even PDF files while on-the-move. Samsung's Find My Mobile Service ensures peace-of-mind by letting users remotely lock the phone at anytime, as well as trace the phone or remotely wipe its contents in case of loss or theft.

The users can also enjoy Social Hub Premium, offering support for push email and messaging, and seamless calendar and contact synchronization between the phone and users' Google, Yahoo and MSN accounts.

For multimedia content and more detailed information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com

NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank found consortium to support global NFC standards in Japan

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 02:01 AM PST

Mobile payments are nothing new to the people of Japan, who've used NTT DoCoMo's Osaifu-Keitai as the de facto standard for years. Based on Sony's FeliCa smart card, the system is incompatible with the NFC Type A and B technologies that are spreading across the globe. Hence, there's a growing concern for interoperability in the Land of the Rising Sun, prompting NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank to establish the Japan Mobile NFC Consortium in an effort to keep pace. Moving forward, the three carriers will work with suppliers and manufacturers to guarantee a smooth transition to the Type A and B standards, ensuring that future handsets will speak the proper NFC lingo throughout the world. Full PR is just after the break.

[Tokyo photo via Shutterstock]
Show full PR text
DOCOMO, KDDI and SOFTBANK Establish Consortium to Promote NFC Services Compatible with Multiple International Standards Partnerships

TOKYO, JAPAN, December 21, 2011 --- NTT DOCOMO, INC., KDDI CORPORATION and SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. announced today their establishment of Japan Mobile NFC Consortium to coordinate the adoption of multiple international standards for near field communication (NFC) technologies incorporated in their mobile devices and services.

Japan's three mobile operators already offer Osaifu- Keitai™ (wallet phone) mobile services based on the contactless-IC smartcard called FeliCa®. Overseas, however, mobile operators and service providers are increasingly adopting Type A and Type B standards to develop growing markets for NFC services. In view of this worldwide trend, the consortium intends to work with mobile industry groups in Japan, including service suppliers and handset manufacturers, to incorporate compatibility with the Type A and B standards in the Japanese mobile ecosystem.

By ensuring compatibility with multiple NFC standards, the consortium aims to:

- Free mobile users in Japan, both residents and international travelers, from having to concern themselves about different NFC service standards.

- Create an environment in Japan where service providers can offer efficient, low-cost NFC services based on common standards and rules adopted by the three mobile operators.

Transformer Optimus Prime wants his name back, right now preferably

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 01:04 AM PST

In a cunning bid to remind the adult world of its long-lost childhood, in which even the most vacuous fictional characters could somehow seem magical, Hasbro has suddenly decided to sue ASUS over its 'Transformer Prime' branding. It doesn't matter that the Transformer Prime really does transform -- you know, in real-life -- or that it exists in a non-competing market, or that the latest Transformers movie was a complete waste of everybody's time. Nope, Hasbro still feels the need to "aggressively protect its brands and products" from illusory enemies, and it's fully prepared to threaten ASUS with a sales injunction until some sort of conciliatory gesture appears on its bank statement. If this lawsuit takes hold -- please, not another Düsseldorf -- then we promise that our future children will never buy, watch or touch a single Hasbro product. Except maybe that R2-D2 version of Operation, which is pretty sweet.

LG gets ready for CES with a new gang of IPS monitors

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 12:47 AM PST

It looks like LG couldn't wait until next month's CES to share its very latest selection of monitors. They're all IPS screens, and include the D43 3D monitor, which offers a conversion mode from 2D images and a 3D hotkey. It's joined by the 27-inch, slim-bezeled DM92 and the DM82; a 23-incher with built-in seven-watt speakers. The DM52 straddles both sizes and will be up for grabs alongside the rest of LG's new display family starting February. Monitor mavens can consult the press release below.

Show full PR text
NEW LINE-UP OF MONITORS FROM LG TAKES FULL ADVANTAGE OF IPS

With Industry-Leading 3D Technology and IPS Display Panel,
LG Introduces State-of-the-Art IPS Monitors at CES 2012



SEOUL, Dec. 22, 2011 –- LG Electronics (LG) will unveil its 2012 IPS monitor line-up at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month. LG's new IPS monitors will provide consumers with the most optimal 3D viewing solution, offering immersive 3D viewing with higher resolutions from wider viewing angles. The new IPS monitors are divided into the DM92, DM82 and DM52 series, in addition to the D43 3D monitor.


"The quality and technological superiority of LG's 3D display products are second to none, according to the findings of internationally renowned research organizations and respected media outlets," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "The 2011 IPS monitor line-up shows LG's commitment to further build upon on this reputation and technological prowess in order to provide consumers with the most immersive home entertainment experience possible."


The DM92 series showcases a premium design by employing the slim bezel of LG's technology- and design-driven CINEMA SCREEN whose aesthetic superiority is accompanied by the lustrous chrome stand. Through the monitor TV's attractive 27-inch display, users can access files on their PC, play games or simply kick back and watch their favorite TV shows. The DM92 series is also optimized for enjoying exciting 3D content. By incorporating an IPS panel, the DM92 series enables greater depth, consistent color and brightness at wider viewing angles compared with conventional 3D displays.


The 23-inch DM82 series exhibits a chic and futuristic design, employing a metallic neck supported by a square, slim base. The 3D display quality is among the industry's best, with superior color tone from any viewing angle. The beautiful images are accompanied by 7-watt built-in speakers, enabling the DM82 to function as a comprehensive entertainment centerpiece.


The 27- and 23-inch DM52 series offers versatility and efficiency in a flexible package. Combining immersive 3D with IPS, the DM52 series comes equipped with a range of connectivity features, such as HDMI and USB, for content-sharing with external devices.


Optimized for 3D, LG's D43 monitor offers a host of new technologies and features. The monitor ensures bright 3D images as well as SUPER Resolution and vivid colors through the 3D effect mode. The D43 easily converts 2D content into 3D without any additional software. A 3D hot key enables users to easily adjust and control the depth of 3D images.


LG's new 2012 IPS monitor line-up will be available globally starting February 2012.

Sony Ericsson LT28at with 4.55-inch HD display, 13MP camera and LTE gets Bluetooth certification

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:55 PM PST

Reading entries to the Bluetooth SIG for device certification can be a frustrating activity. They're generally void of any telling detail aside from the device's model number, and they rarely give any insight into what we can expect from the upcoming product. The Sony Ericsson LT28at, a handset we haven't seen or heard from before, decided to be a little different and use the opportunity to get a little pre-CES scoop. The LT28a -- not to be confused with the LT26i (Nozomi), a rumored handset with a 4.3-inch HD screen and 12MP camera -- claims to offer LTE, a 720p HD Reality display, 13MP rear camera with an LED flash and a front-facing cam capable of taking 720p HD video, and is said to take the Xperia lineup into "superphone territory." Sounds nice, but we have a feeling the land will be populated by hostile forces of all kinds at CES, so we hope they're prepared.

AMD updates Fusion A-Series chips, offers overclockers two new options

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:05 PM PST

AMD Fusion A-Series
Just in time for the holidays AMD is fleshing out its lineup of Fusion A-Series APUs. The chips, which only got official in June, already saw their laptop-loving Llanos get a minor spec bump. Now their desktop brethren are catching up. The two stars, though, are clearly the A6-3670K and A8-3870K, which feature unlocked CPU and GPU clocks for the avid overclockers out there. Both are 100W quad-core parts with 600MHz Radeon graphics cores, but the A8 runs its CPU at 3GHz while the A6 starts at a more modest 2.7GHz. The 3870K also has the edge in GPU cores -- packing a grand total of 400 to the 3670K's 320. Head on after the break for the complete PR and all the nitty gritty details of the latest AMD APUs.
Show full PR text
AMD Raises the Bar on Desktop and Notebook A-Series APUs
New APUs enable an enhanced visual and performance experience for end-users

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -12/20/2011

What: AMD (NYSE: AMD) today updated its A-Series line-up of desktop and notebook Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), further improving its top-performing family of dual- and quad-core APUs. Along with speed and performance improvements, AMD Steady Video update make this unique feature more compelling than ever.1 For desktop users, AMD extends its overclocking pedigree to the APU; for the first time users can tune both x86 and graphics settings in a single processor for boosted performance.2

The updated AMD A-Series APUs combine up to four x86 CPU cores with up to 400 Radeon™ cores, delivering powerful DirectX®11-capable, discrete-level graphics and dedicated HD video processing on a single chip. These new APUs increase performance and deliver a richer feature set than existing AMD A-series APUs. Plus, only AMD APUs offer AMD Dual Graphics for an up to 144 percent visual performance boost when a select APU is paired with a select AMD Radeon™ HD 6500 Series graphics card.3

The AMD A-Series family of APUs also features AMD Steady Video, designed to stabilize videos during playback – making unsteady, jumpy content look steady and smooth as you watch. On select systems using AMD A-Series APUs, Internet Explorer 9 will include an AMD Steady Video plugin, unlocking one-click control to simplify access to the premium AMD Steady Video feature for video stabilization.

All AMD A-Series processors are powered by AMD VISION Engine Software, a suite of software that provides end-users with regular updates designed to improve system performance and stability, and can add new software enhancements.

AMD A-Series Desktop APUs
A8-3870K: Four CPU cores, 3.0 GHz CPU base (unlocked), 100W TDP, 400 Radeon cores, 600 MHz GPU base (unlocked), 4 MB L2 cache
A8-3820: Four CPU cores, 2.5 GHz CPU base (2.8 GHz Turbo Core), 65W TDP, 400 Radeon cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A6-3670K: Four CPU cores, 2.7 GHz CPU base (unlocked), 100W TDP, 320 Radeon cores, 600 MHz GPU base (unlocked), 4 MB L2 cache
A6-3620: Four CPU cores, 2.2 GHz CPU base (2.5 GHz Turbo Core), 65W TDP, 320 Radeon cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A4-3420: Two CPU cores, 2.8 GHz CPU base, 65W TDP, 160 Radeon cores, 1 MB L2 cache

AMD A-Series Notebook APUs
A8-3550MX: Four CPU cores, 2.0 GHz CPU base (2.7 GHz Turbo Core), 45W TDP, 400 Radeon Cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A8-3520M: Four CPU cores, 1.6 GHz CPU base (2.5 GHz Turbo Core), 35W TDP, 400 Radeon Cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A6-3430MX: Four CPU cores, 1.7 GHz CPU base (2.4 GHz Turbo Core), 45W TDP, 320 Radeon Cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A6-3420M: Four CPU cores, 1.5 GHz CPU base (2.4 GHz Turbo Core), 35W TDP, 320 Radeon Cores, 4 MB L2 cache
A4-3330MX: Two CPU cores, 2.2 GHz CPU base (2.6 GHz Turbo Core), 45W TDP, 240 Radeon Cores, 2 MB L2 cache
A4-3320M:Two CPU cores, 2.0 GHz CPU base (2.6 GHz Turbo Core), 35W TDP, 240 Radeon Cores, 2 MB L2 cache
A4-3305M:Two CPU cores, 1.9 GHz CPU base (2.5 GHz Turbo Core), 35W TDP, 160 Radeon Cores, 1 MB L2 cache
E2-3000M: Two CPU cores, 1.8 GHz CPU base (2.4 GHz Turbo Core), 35W TDP, 160 Radeon Cores, 1 MB L2 Cache

Why: The new AMD A-Series family of APUs improves the first generation of highly successful and revolutionary desktop and notebook processors, providing an outstanding experience for consumers seeking more responsive multitasking, long battery-life, vivid graphics, lifelike games, lag-free videos and the ultimate multimedia performance.

When: Desktop APUs in the component channel as well as systems based on the new AMD A-Series APUs will hit the retail market over the next several weeks.

Who: The new AMD A-Series family of APUs is for mainstream users and performance enthusiasts seeking an outstanding experience on their desktop or notebook PC.

Supporting Resources

Get the latest info on AMD APU-based systems and components at http://shop.amd.com/
Follow all the news from AMD on Twitter at @AMD_Unprocessed
Like AMD on Facebook

About AMD
AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a semiconductor design innovator leading the next era of vivid digital experiences with its groundbreaking AMD Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that power a wide range of computing devices. AMD's server computing products are focused on driving industry-leading cloud computing and virtualization environments. AMD's superior graphics technologies are found in a variety of solutions ranging from game consoles, PCs to supercomputers. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

BBC moves towards HTML5 for websites, tells Flash it'll still be friends

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 10:21 PM PST

Even the British occasionally have to change with the times. Following a study stating that 80 percent of all web video is now compatible with HTML5, the BBC has formally adopted the standard for videos on the desktop and mobile versions of its website. The full roll-out across BBC.com follows a pilot program in which the broadcaster tested HTML5 on the Health section of the site. According to Electronista, the BBC has been working with HTML5 delivery systems throughout 2011 to build its iPlayer apps for the iOS. In other news, the BBC has just texted Flash and said it's totally open to staying friends and meeting up for coffee sometime.

Sony details Xperia's Ice Cream Sandwich progress, remains on track for late March kick-off

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:17 PM PST

Yes, Sony Ericsson has already gone about communicating its intention to deliver Android 4.0 to its Xperia smartphone collection, but the company is now sharing further details about the pending arrival. So, we thought you'd like to be in on the know. For starters, the first devices to receive the upgrade will be the Arc S, Neo V and Ray, each of which are on-track for a late March / early April rollout. Then, beginning in late April / early May, Sony intends to deliver Ice Cream Sandwich to the Active, Arc, Mini, Mini Pro, Neo, Play and Xperia Pro handsets. Even the Live with Walkman is set to receive a new lease on life during the time frame. In each case, the latest version of Android will be rolled out in phases, over the course of a few weeks. Now, let's just hope that Sony Ericsson is able to keep to its schedule.

AMD announces next-gen Radeon HD 7970 for $549, says it 'soundly beats' rivals

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 08:01 PM PST

A fresh contender for your blow-out 2012 Olympic gaming rig: AMD's first 28nm GPU, the Radeon HD 7970. It's scheduled to arrive on January 9th, priced at $549 -- nearly $200 more than its direct ancestor, the 6970. Then again, this newcomer packs some supremely athletic specs, including a 925MHz engine clock that can be readily OC'd to 1.1GHz, 2,048 stream processors and an uncommonly muscular 384-bit memory bus serving 3GB of GDDR5. At the same time, AMD hopes to make the card more practical than the dual-processor 6990 by bringing the card's power consumption down to less than 300W under load and a mere 3W in 'long idle' mode, and promising quieter cooling thanks to improved airflow and a bigger fan. We'll have to wait for benchmarks in January before we hand out any medals, but in the meantime NVIDIA's forthcoming 28nm Kepler GPU might want to step up its training schedule.

Update: Pre-release reviews are out already and our round-up will follow imminently.
Show full PR text
AMD Launches World's Fastest Single-GPU Graphics Card – the AMD RadeonTM HD 7970
- The AMD RadeonTM HD 7970 graphics card is first to market with 28nm process technology and PCI Express 3.0; harnesses AMD GCN Architecture, AMD ZeroCore Power and AMD Eyefinity 2.0 technologies -
SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Dec. 22, 2011 - AMD (NYSE: AMD) today launched the AMD RadeonTM HD 7970 graphics card for desktop PCs, introducing the world's fastest single GPU graphics card and the only GPU based on 28nm production technology. With the arrival of the AMD Radeon HD 7970, AMD has unleashed its revolutionary new Graphics Core Next Architecture that enables new levels of gaming and compute capabilities – realizing an improvement of over 150% in performance/sq mm over the prior generation. Engineered with support for PCI Express 3.0 and AMD CrossFireTM technology, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 graphics card arrives prepared for the next generation of gaming.

"True to the adage, "never settle," AMD is once again aggressively advancing the state of the graphics industry – this time with the arrival of the world's fastest single GPU graphics card, the AMD Radeon HD 7970,‖ said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and general manager, GPU Division, AMD. ―This graphics card represents a revolution in the graphics industry. To put it bluntly, at 28 nm the AMD RadeonTM HD 7970 changes everything!"

AMD further extends its GPU leadership with the AMD Radeon HD 7970 through AMD App Acceleration, which enables exquisite high-definition video images and exceptional performance improvements for everyday applications. Ground-breaking advancements with AMD Eyefinity technology enable gamers and desktop enthusiasts to connect up to six displays to one graphics card, delivering immersive stereoscopic 3D experiences and astonishing 16k x 16k display resolutions. It's also armed with the latest PCI Express 3.0 standard to enable uncompromised image quality, and is additionally equipped with GDDR5 memory, enabling accelerated GPU performance. Through its intelligent AMD PowerTune and AMD ZeroCore Power technologies, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 enables higher performance levels while maximizing power efficiencies.

"The AMD Radeon HD 7970 is an awesome tool in any gamer's arsenal,‖ said Johan Andersson, Rendering Architect at DICE. ―We have worked closely with AMD during the development of the Frostbite 2 game engine to take full advantage of AMD Eyefinity multi-display technology and DirectX® 11 for a more realistic, entertaining and visceral gaming experience in Battlefield 3."

Efficient Architecture for Leading DirectX® 11 Performance
- New architecture for greater performance: AMD has further enhanced its GPU design efficiency through the introduction of the 28nm process technology and Graphics Core Next Architecture, realizing an improvement of over 150% in performance/sq mm over the prior generation.
- Refined AMD PowerTune technology: Designed with the most advanced power management features, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 is equipped with the intelligence to convert unused power headroom into extra performance by dynamically controlling clock speeds, allowing gamers advanced performance inside of the power envelope they specify.
- AMD ZeroCore Power Technology: Gamers asked, AMD delivered – the AMD ZeroCore Power technology found in the AMD Radeon HD 7970 ensures that no power is wasted when the graphics card is not in use, enabling lower idle power than any other currently available graphics card. With support for AMD CrossFire technology, AMD ZeroCore Power eliminates wasted power, as well as additional heat and noise from extra cards when you are not using them.
- PCI Express 3.0: The AMD Radeon HD 7970 comes natively equipped with support for PCI Express 3.0. With world-class performance scaling, enthusiasts' GPU experience is maximized when paired with the latest platforms.
- Discrete Digital Multi-Point (DDM) Audio: DDM Audio provides multiple independent audio streams for audio-capable displays via DisplayPort or HDMI signals. DDM Audio delivers unique experiences in cases where multi-display video conferencing, directional audio or multi-room entertainment hubs are being used.
- Enhanced Multi-GPU Capabilities: AMD CrossFire technology is the ultimate multi-GPU performance gaming platform. Unlocking game-dominating power, AMD CrossFire technology, coupled with PCI Express 3.0, will allow for unprecedented bandwidth in TriFire and QuadFire configurations.

The Ultimate Immersive Gaming Experience and Innovative AMD Eyefinity 2.0 Technology
- Next Generation AMD Eyefinity technology: AMD Eyefinity 2.0 features all-new support for stereo 3D, universal bezel compensation, brand new display configurations and an expanded and more immersive field of view. This allows users with 2560x1600 monitors in an AMD Eyefinity 5x1 landscape configuration to achieve a horizontal resolution of 12,800 pixels, driving more than 20 million pixels of screen real estate. More than 70 game titles have been AMD Eyefinity- validated, while many are AMD Eyefinity-ready, and hundreds more are AMD Eyefinity-compatible.
- DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4a: With full support for 3GHz HDMI 1.4a and DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 is set to drive next generation displays at up to 4K resolution.
- 3D entertainment choices with AMD HD3D technology: With the arrival of the latest in stereo 3D technology, AMD continues to deliver an enhanced visual experience on stereo 3D-capable desktops and notebooks powered by AMD Radeon graphics. The AMD Radeon HD 7970 is backed by AMD's open 3D initiative for stereo 3D gaming and Blu-ray 3D movies.
Better Performance through AMD App Acceleration
- AMD App Acceleration lets you do more, faster: Enthusiasts will enjoy improved GPGPU performance and new features in many top media, entertainment and everyday productivity applications with AMD App Acceleration.
- Extensive support of industry standards: AMD Radeon HD 7970 fully supports DirectCompute® and OpenCLTM technologies, enabling broad application support today and tomorrow.

The AMD Radeon HD 7970 is available January 9, 2012 from retailers worldwide, with select models starting at $549 US SEP.

Dell delivers official Gingerbread ROM to the discontinued Streak 5

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 07:49 PM PST

Although we wouldn't go as far as saying the Streak 5 is coming out of its grave, we can tell you that Dell is making an effort to help it regain consciousness -- which is great news for those of you who own the device. Don't mind that ICS is here, or that it's been 12 months since we first met Android 2.3, what's important is that the smartphone / tablet is ready to get its first (official) taste of some Gingerbread goodness. Needless to say, we know you're thrilled to make the OS transition, but before you do so, hit up the source link for all the nitty-gritty from the XDA folks to help guide you in your quest.

OnStar ready to flaunt LTE Skype-enabled system on GM rides

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 06:11 PM PST

Last year at CES, OnStar wasn't too shy about teasing its partnership with Verizon that would assist in bringing applications like YouTube, Wikipedia and Skype to your vehicle. At that point, though, it was just an idea. Fast forward to next year's iteration of the Consumer Electronics Show and that's turned into a reality. It's safe to say that Skyping-and-driving wouldn't be the best of ideas, but fortunately the system will keep you from making that mistake by only running when your car is immobile -- so don't make any plans to call your friends to tell them how fast you're going. Your kids, or other backseat passengers, won't be too worried since they'll be able to take full advantage of all the gimmicks; including the aforementioned, video streaming and the usual Angry Birds frolic. The in-car system is set to be shown on Volt and Cadillac models, and OnStar has said that there's more deets to be unveiled -- you'll just have to wait until we head to Vegas to find out.

Firefox 9 for Android makes tablet support official (video)

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:32 PM PST

It's been a busy week over at Mozilla. Between releasing a new version of its desktop browser and then re-upping its search agreement with Google, we almost didn't notice a new version of Firefox for Android. Version 9 of the mobile browser marks the first time a tablet interface makes the jump from beta to the release channel, a scant four months after first seeing it in mockup form. For those unaware, that means a layout with tab previews when in landscape, which swap to a more traditional setup when rotated into portrait. Rounding out the update is a new action bar, quick access buttons and a faster start-up time, amongst other things. If that sounds like your beat, a video awaits after the break, while you get your download on at the source links below.

iMAME emulation app hits the App Store, humanity cheers in unison

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:10 PM PST

No interest in snapping up an iCade? No sweat. Jim VanDeventer has just pushed today's app-to-end-all-apps into Apple's App Store, and while it's only been live for a few hours, iMAME is already on a mission to change the world. Built-in titles include Circus, Crash, Hard Hat, Fire One, Robot Bowl, Side Track, Spectar, Star Fire and Targ, and while it's not officially endorsed by Nicola Salmoria or the MAME Team, you can certainly pretend. It's available now in the source link for precisely nothing, and yes, both the iPhone and iPad (and iPod touch!) are supported. Get it while the gettin' is good.

[Thanks, Gary]

ultrasn0w bumped to version 1.2.5, now unlocking even more iOS 5.0.1 devices

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 05:00 PM PST

Given that you're out on Christmas break and all, isn't it about time you finally tried out that whole "unlocking" thing you've been hearing about? A new build of ultrasn0w just hit the Cydia app store, with v1.2.5 adding more support for iOS 5.0.1. Of note, novice jailbreakers may want to reach out to more experienced pals before embarking, as you'll need a a compatible baseband in order for the unlock to work. The iPhone 3GS (running iOS 5.0.1.) is supported with the following basements: 04.26.08 – 05.11.07 – 05.12.01 – 05.13.04 – 06.15.00. The iPhone 4 is supported if your baseband checks in as 01.59.00. If you're looking to upgrade from a dustier firmware, make sure you preserve your baseband before unlocking. Hit the source link for a few tips, and remember: friends don't let friends jailbreak before completing a backup.

Researchers develop self-healing electronics, adamantium sadly not included

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 04:56 PM PST

In today's feature-laden electronics devices, the failure of one little electronic component can scuttle the entire package. To make matters worse, if the damage happens to strike something like a multilayer integrated circuit, then you pretty much need to replace the whole computer chip. But what if the chip could repair itself like a certain vertically challenged Canadian mutant? That's exactly what researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign managed to do after placing self-healing polymers on top of a gold circuit. Once a break occurred, microcapsules with liquid metal filled the crack and restored 99 percent of conductivity in mere microseconds. Self-healing electronics would especially be helpful on things like aircraft, where miles of conductive wires can make finding a break difficult, researchers said. The research is just the latest in a field that also has seen self-healing sensors and shape-memory polymers, but sadly, there's still no word on using this stuff to self-heal a broken heart....

Are You Watching This?! sports tracker for Android adds remote control for DirecTV, TiVo, Google TV

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 04:24 PM PST

The Are You Watching This?! app has a long history of making sure sports fans don't miss the big games with its bookmarklets and apps that popped up notifications or emailed reminders. Now a new upgrade on Android, along with a few connected TV platforms, has taken things to the next level. In its newest iteration, the free app ties into DirecTV, TiVo or Google TV setups with IP control for one click switching to the appropriate channel -- key when a game is coming down to the last play and you're not sure where the remote is or which channel NBA / NFL / MLB etc. action is on. There's varying levels of filtering options so users can see alerts just when their team is playing, any decent matchup or just the must-see finishes.

We gave it a shot and found it worked as advertised, only requiring the app to be installed and enabled on the Google TV and our Android phone (DirecTV and TiVo boxes should be ready to go), however even though we already had our local channels set up on the TV, we had to enter our ZIP and cable provider on the remote app as well. We're starting to see similar companion technology built into apps from DirecTV, TiVo and Comcast, as well as Dijit's software, however the RUWT? game tracker algorithm and focus on live scores gives it a leg up for sports freaks. Check out the video trailer embedded above for a quick look or hop over to the Android Market to install it on phone, tablet and/or TV.

Samsung's in a gifting mood, is giving away up to 16 free games for select Galaxy devices

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:49 PM PST

Well, it seems as if the holiday freebies won't stop coming. Chances are, if you own a smartphone you're an app collectionista (sorry, guys), and if you've got a certain Samsung Galaxy device in particular you're about to get a major boost to your application arsenal. In the spirit of the holidays, or maybe its 100 million downloads, Sammy's going to hook you up with some free virtual treats from its Apps store. The selection of up to 16 games won't be available for the entire line of galactic phones -- and may vary by region -- but if you own a Galaxy WiFi 5.0, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note, Galaxy Ace or Galaxy Gio, then you are amongst the lucky ones. Included in the deal are games such as: Air Penguin, Air Attack HD, Bubble Fish, Samurai 2 and a few others (full list after the break). There's no word on when the bargain ends, so hop into the store before you miss out.

Verizon sidesteps Galaxy Nexus antennagate, claims signal indicator is to blame

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 03:11 PM PST

This is just hilarious. Remember when Verizon Wireless stated rather unequivocally that its Galaxy Nexus suffered from a "signal strength issue" and that a fix was coming? Worry not, dear readers, because the company now claims that it's identified the issue: apparently, there's really no problem at all. According to Big Red, the Galaxy Nexus doesn't suffer from poor reception, but simply reports its reception poorly. To resolve these 'perception' issues, the carrier states that it will deliver a software update that "will adjust the signal strength indicator to more closely match other Verizon Wireless devices." So, whether or not there really is a problem with the Galaxy Nexus (LTE), one thing is for certain -- very soon, its owners will have more bars to look at. Huzzah, indeed?

Ben Heck delivers holiday cheer to gamer with modded macro controller

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 02:22 PM PST

Patrick Crowley
Benjamin J. Heckendorn is no stranger to game pads designed for people with disabilities, but the macro controller he just whipped up for Patrick Crowley (pictured above) might be his most impressive accessibility hack yet. On the latest episode of his show the modding extraordinaire crafts a breakout box that allows a complex set of commands to be triggered with just the touch of a button or foot switch. The box at the heart of the project is powered by a PIC microcontroller that takes inputs from a series of modular switches (up to eight) and turns them into virtual button presses that are fed to an Xbox 360 through a standard controller. In addition to being able to swap in eight different inputs, each one can be programmed to perform a different macro. We won't ruin all of the fun -- check out the PR and full episode in the source link to watch everything from Ben Heck's holiday epiphany through the final testing.
Show full PR text
element14 and Ben Heck celebrate the spirit of giving with accessibility Xbox controller mod on latest episode of "The Ben Heck Show"

Ben honors the request of a show fan to create controller mod for 13-year old boy with Pompe Disease

CHICAGO – Dec. 19, 2011 – On this week's episode of "The Ben Heck Show," exclusively sponsored by element14, Ben receives a request from a teacher in New Jersey to create an accessible controller for a student living with Pompe disease, a neuromuscular disorder causing muscle weakness. With Ben's mod, 13-year-old Patrick Crowley will be able to play video games requiring complex button sequences, such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine™.

Patrick and his family have blazed a trail of hope and inspiration since he and his sister were diagnosed with Pompe in March of 1998. The Princeton, New Jersey-based family have dedicated their lives to discovering newer and better treatments for the disease, including co-founding a start-up biotech company focused exclusively on developing a treatment for Pompe. The family's remarkable battle to stay strong in the face of adversity is captured in their memoir, Chasing Miracles, and was dramatized in the 2010 motion picture, Extraordinary Measures.

"When I first decided to take on this request from a show fan, I didn't know the Crowley family's story and the incredible journey they've led to help their children and others living with Pompe disease," said Ben. "This was an interesting project to work on from a technical perspective and I am extremely humbled by the chance to create a tool that helps Patrick enjoy one of his favorite pastimes."

For this build, Ben creates a breakout box with eight input switches to act as the interpretation layer between the Xbox 360™ controller and simplified controls. Ben first explains how the signals travel from the Xbox controller button to the game itself, then takes viewers through the necessary steps – from desoldering and relocating signal pins to rewiring connections to each signal line for easier game play.

"As demonstrated by the recently announced Innovation Series, our element14 electronics community prides itself on celebrating and enabling collaboration and innovation, especially when applied to such a wonderful cause," said Kevin Yapp, chief marketing officer, Premier Farnell. "The Crowley's story is truly inspiring and we are honored to work with Ben to gift Patrick with his new controller just in time for the holidays."

Ben wraps up the episode by programming macros, one for each button sequence, using a 16-inch x 2-inch LCD backlit display and standard Arduino library. Show fans are invited to join the element14 community to send Ben a challenge for a future build, engage with community members, and enter for a chance to win a year's subscription to a popular DIY magazine or one of Ben's builds featured on the show.

About "The Ben Heck Show"

"The Ben Heck Show" is a bi-weekly online television series aired in English that's dedicated to the science and art of system and hardware modding with a global audience of design engineers, students and electronic enthusiasts. Now in its second year, the show has already attracted more than 3 million views. Sponsored exclusively by element14, each episode spotlights Ben's mods of popular electronic devices while educating viewers on the underlying technology powering each project.

About element14

element14 is a high-service distributor of technology products and solutions for electronic system design, maintenance and repair. It brings together the latest products, services, and development software, all connected to an innovative online engineering community where purchasers and engineers can access peers and experts, a wide range of independent technical information and helpful tools. When researching a new technology, designing an electronic product, or looking for parts to repair an existing system, they can rely on element14 to find the answers and parts they need to keep projects on the fast track, right from the start.

Kindle Fire stops blocking Android Market site, hijacking your browser

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 01:55 PM PST

Silk Browser
Some of you may have noticed, when perusing the interwebs on your Kindle Fire, that a certain Google-branded Market refused to load in the slate's Silk browser. In fact, it automatically redirected you to the Amazon App store in an unsettling bit of URL hijacking. Well, with the latest update to the tablet, that slightly befuddling restriction has been lifted and the questionable behavior rectified. Presumably this was originally intended to save customers confusion and support staff headaches when trying to install an app from the Android Market failed. But, actually intercepting and redirecting a user isn't becoming of a company that expects us to trust it with our data -- especially our browsing and financial info. Thankfully now, you can visit the Market in all its glory on your Fire, just don't expect to install apps from it any time soon (...at least not without some hacking).

Google Voice for iOS joins the mass texting party

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 01:31 PM PST

Google Voice
Well, it's about a month and a half behind its Android counterpart (and what feels like decades behind the web interface), but the iOS Google Voice app finally (finally!) has support for multi-recipient texting. Version 1.4.0.2372 adds few other nice tweaks, including one touch copy and paste on the dialpad and a larger text entry field with a character count but, obviously, the mass texting capabilities here steal the show. So hit up the App Store to update now and start spamming all your friends.

CES 2012 to feature 94 startup companies in 'Eureka Park TechZone'

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 01:16 PM PST

CES hasn't exactly been known as the place where small startup companies catch their big break, but the CEA seems intent on changing that notion this time around. The organization announced today that its new 'Eureka Park TechZone" will feature 94 startup companies occupying some 9,000 square feet of floor space at The Venetian -- up considerably from the 28 companies that were signed on when the new area was first announced this summer. As CNET's Daniel Terdiman notes, digital imaging companies look set to have a particularly big presence in the area, including the likes of smartphone accessory-maker Kogeto (its Dot device pictured above) and the Cornell Research offshoot Mezmeriz, which is focused on pico projector technology. Needless to say, we'll be there next month to see what comes out of it.
Show full PR text
Eureka Park TechZone Triples Since Launch
Ninety-Four Tech Start-up Exhibitors Featured at 2012 International CES

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ninety-four companies will exhibit in the new Eureka Park TechZone at the 2012 International CES(R), a dedicated area in partnership with the National Science Foundation, Startup America Partnership, CNET and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), showcasing innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs. Owned and produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)(R), the 2012 International CES(R), the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, is scheduled January 10-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Entrepreneurship is a driving force in today's economy, and exhibiting at CES is a great way for growing companies to gain recognition in the CE industry," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences, CEA. "We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response from companies interested in exhibiting within the Eureka Park TechZone since its initial launch in June. This new area at the 2012 CES will be a must-see for CES attendees."

The Eureka Park TechZone, located in The Venetian, launched in June 2011 with 28 companies signed on to exhibit. The area has since grown to include 94 companies, spanning more than 9,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

The Eureka Park TechZone is designed to benefit budding entrepreneurs, fledgling start-ups, home grown innovation and small companies looking to gain footing in the consumer electronics industry. The Venetian will also feature CES keynotes and the Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase, as well as Eureka Park, a hot spot for venture capitalists, investors, media and more than 140,000 industry professionals looking for the next big thing in technology.

In November, UKTI hosted a competition at its event, TechWorld, with the top three innovative companies awarded space within the Eureka Park TechZone at the 2012 CES. Winners included UK-based Blippar, Stereo Grafix and Yoskhi, which will be among the 94 companies exhibiting within Eureka Park.

CEA recently announced its collaboration with the Startup America Partnership, an independent nonprofit entity launched at the White House in 2011 to help young companies succeed in order to accelerate job growth in America. Several Startup America Firms will exhibit in Eureka Park.

The 2012 CES will feature more than 25 market-specific TechZones covering product categories such as broadband services, safe driving and sustainable technologies. Companies interested in exhibiting in the Eureka Park TechZone should contact Kristen Nafziger at knafziger@CE.org or 703-907-7648.

For more information on the 2012 International CES, visit CESweb.org.

Note to Journalists: Please note the correct event reference is 2012 International CES. Media information is available in the "For the Press" section of CESweb.org. Media are encouraged to arrive in Las Vegas by Sunday, January 8, 2012 to take advantage of all the preshow press events, including CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the 2012 International CES. CES Press Day will be held on Monday, January 9 at The Venetian.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $190 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES -- The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA's industry services. Find CEA online: www.CE.org and www.DeclareInnovation.com . Follow CES at www.CESweb.org and through social media: http://facebook.com/InternationalCES , http://twitter.com/IntlCES , http://blog.ce.org/ .

Spotify hits some BlackBerry smartphones, Angry Birds finally reaches the PlayBook

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 12:47 PM PST

It may not exactly be the good news RIM fans have been hoping for, but those committed to the company's products do now at least have two more big-name apps at their disposal. First up is Spotify, which is now out of beta and available for GSM-based BlackBerry smartphones including the Bold 9780, Bold 9700, Curve 9300, Bold 9000, and Curve 8520. The app itself is free but, as with the company's other mobile apps, you'll need a $10/month Spotify Premium subscription to take advantage of mobile streaming. While there's no word on it hitting the PlayBook any time soon, users of RIM's tablet can now finally get a taste of that little Angry Birds game that's apparently available for a few other platforms. That includes the original game, plus Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio, each of which will set you back $5 apiece.

[Thanks, Jason]

Samsung Captivate Glide review

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 12:00 PM PST

The QWERTY slider hasn't exactly gone the way of the dinosaur, but it's definitely approaching giant panda status. That is to say, it's become rare for a major device manufacturer to output anything other than candybar touchscreen smartphones. And why not? Slimmer, faster, beastlier is the mobile motto as of late and that's precisely what consumers seem to gravitate towards. But for diehard fans of tactile feedback, Samsung's birthed the Captivate Glide, a handset that marries the best of both form factors. Sitting just below its high-end brethren, Sammy's 4-incher runs along AT&T's 21Mbps HSPA+ network and bundles an 800 x 480 Super AMOLED display with a dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB of internal storage, a 1,650mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, a 1.3MP front-facing camera and an 8MP rear camera capable of 720p video capture. At $150 on a two-year contract, it's just half a Benjamin short of the top-tier, LTE-capable HTC Vivid. With that small of a price divide, you have to wonder: is the downgrade really worth it for the Captivate Glide's (comparatively) slower speeds and physical buttons? Are you willing to trade-in thin and sleek for messaging convenience and a bit of bulk? Follow on past the break as we deliver the answers to those burning questions.
Samsung Captivate Glide review

Hardware

There's no sidestepping it: the Captivate Glide is built like a brick, although it possesses none of the associated heft. Fans of distinctive form factors won't find much to love in the way of design, as this handset is neither RAZR-thin nor oval like the DoublePlay. At 4.9 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches (124.5 x 63.5 x 12.7mm), it's 0.13 inches (3.3mm) thinner than LG's unique slider and 1.5 ounces (42.5 grams) lighter at 5.2 ounces (147.4 grams). In typical Samsung fashion, there's lightweight plastic used throughout its construction and, of course, that signature textured backing which makes for a secure hold.

For all its chunky dimensions, you'd think the Captivate Glide would be awkward or uncomfortable to grip. But Samsung made sure to round out all of the phone's edges, giving way to a well-sculpted, palm-pleasing fit. In fact, it feels much the way cellphones used to, before tall and svelte became all the rage. It's thick enough to have a reassuring presence in the hand, with a large enough screen for easy one-handed navigation. Around back, the finely grooved, black casing is broken up by Samsung's logo at the bottom, a brushed metal plate that stretches across the top, housing a secondary mic, 8MP camera, LED flash and speaker grill. A 3.5mm headphone jack and covered micro-USB port sit at the top of the phone, with the volume rocker and power button residing on the upper left and right sides, respectively. The phone's main mic is hidden in a notch at its base that can be peeled back to expose the SIM and microSD card slots, both of which are easily accessible without removing the 1,650mAh battery.


On the front face, AT&T's managed to keep its logo rather discreet. That logo sits smack dab below the equally diminutive ear piece, which is flanked by a 1.3MP front-facing camera on the right and ambient light sensors on the left. And in case you missed it on the posterior, Samsung's once again brandished its logo, this time between the four capacitive buttons and the Captivate Glide's bright 4-inch screen. The phone's a gentle homage to Sammy's original Galaxy S line, borrowing a sprinkling of design elements (think the PenTile display and covered micro-USB port), while still harking back to the Captivate of 2010.

As you may have guessed, the Captivate Glide's display is of the Super AMOLED variety -- not Plus or HD, just regular Super AMOLED. The tech is something of a hallmark for the company's phones and while the 800 x 480 resolution used here won't wow you in the way the Rezound, Galaxy Nexus or Nitro HD might, it does an excellent job for this mid-range tier. Blacks appear rich and deep, while colors pop with an expected vibrancy. Viewing angles are excellent and we didn't have much trouble discerning the contents of the screen while outdoors, though brightness was set to 50 percent.

Keyboard


Touchscreen keyboards have come a long, long way and, when paired with an appropriately sized display, remove the majority of frustration and misspellings that are now considered par for the mobile course. If, however, you still cling to the notion that physical feedback is superior to capacitive tech, then the Captivate Glide's for you. Unlike the flimsy hinges used on T-Mobile's G2 or the stiff mechanism employed by the Droid 3, this keypad snaps out smoothly and securely. It is slightly difficult to get a handle on the device while you attempt to slide it open and there were more than a few instances when it almost flew out of our hands given its relative lightness and the force of the slider.

Samsung's spread out the QWERTY fun over four rows, so there's a sense of spaciousness to the keyboard where other efforts come off as cluttered. Except for the oblong menu, home, back and search buttons bordering the layout, the rest of the keys are rounded squares that lie virtually flush with the pad. You'll have to rely on muscle memory to punch out those texts and emails or just keep a fixed eye on your thumb placement, considering the lack of any raised surface or texture to guide you, save for the slight notches on the F and J keys. The keys are backlit, however, so typing at night won't pose much of an issue, nor will using the keyboard while lying prostrate thanks to the equal weight distribution between the screen and slide out pad.


Much as you'd expect, popping open the keypad automatically reorients the screen into landscape mode, giving you the option to touch to navigate or use the provided physical buttons. Pressing any of the letter keys triggers the search function which displays a list of alphabetically relevant contacts and applications selectable via the OK button. It's an unintuitive setup that'll have you opting for a swipe instead of a button push. And speaking of Swype, the application comes pre-loaded onto the device as an alternative input option should you fall out of love with tactile feedback.

In our time with the Captivate Glide, we found typing on the keypad to be a mixture of fluid and frustrating -- the fault of which lies with the flat layout. Too often, our fingers would slip and depress the wrong key or even no key at all. If Samsung had only added a bit of a curve to the physical keys, the experience would be that much smoother. As it is, you won't be able to focus solely on the screen while you bang out messages and, if you do intend to rely solely on the keyboard, expect a few hiccups.

Performance and battery life


We pitted the Captivate Glide against fellow stablemate, the Galaxy S II and AT&T's $50 pricier LTE offering, the HTC Vivid in a battery of benchmark tests. The result? Sammy's QWERTY slider managed to mostly keep in step with the SGS II, while outperforming the Vivid in Quadrant and Linpack multi-string -- a testament to its swift real-word performance. From the scores listed below, you can clearly see that the SGS II's overall excellence is without peer, but the Captivate Glide does an admirable job aspiring to that level of quality given its mid-range grounding.

Captivate Glide Vivid Galaxy S II
Quadrant 3,061 2,005 3,616
Linpack single / multi (MFLOPS) 33.35 / 59.3 44.9 / 38.9 57.0 / 84.6
Vellamo 672 893 763
NenaMark 1 (fps) 56.3 43.7 59.8
NenaMark 2 (fps) 28.9 30.1 48.4
Neocore (fps) 56.1 58.3 59.7
SunSpider 9.1 3,998 4,540 3,455

Need a daily driver? The Captive Glide won't let you down. With its stock 1,650mAh battery, we managed to push this handset over the 12-hour mark in moderate to heavy usage. That's with Twitter set to sync at 15 minute intervals, one push email account, light browsing, ample use of Google Maps, brightness at 50 percent, GPS and WiFi enabled. Under less intensive use, you'll easily manage to hold a charge for well over a full day. As for our formal battery rundown test, in which we play a video in a continuous loop, the outcome was equally as longlasting. After eight and a half hours, the phone had fully depleted from a 100 percent charge. Bear in mind, you'll need to consume a heavy amount of media to achieve this same performance.

Voice calls made on the handset were incredibly disappointing. Not only did our caller sound distant and disjointed, but there also appeared to be some sort of delay, rendering a fluent two-way conversation impossible and forcing us to end the call. This could very well have been an AT&T network issue and not a flaw in Samsung's construction. Still, should you be the gossiping type, prepare to embrace decent call quality.

Network speeds


AT&T may have recently deployed its 4G LTE network here in New York City, but the Captivate Glide isn't among the chosen few handsets to take advantage of those 700MHz radio waves. Rather, the operator's given Sammy's phone the next best thing -- 21Mbps HSPA+. That is, when it's available. Coverage in the city is inconsistent at best and we found the majority of our speeds coming within the confines of HSPA -- no plus -- and averaging about 2Mbps to 3Mbps down and 0.20Mbps to 0.95Mbps up. When we did latch onto an HSPA+ signal, downlink speeds increased drastically, maxing out at 8.12Mbps down. The same, however, could not be said for uploads, as performance only improved marginally, topping out at 1.17Mbps.

Camera


You'd be hard pressed to find a rear-facing camera these days that seriously underwhelms. The majority of contemporary smartphones are equipped with above average modules that do a fine job taking photographs, though we wouldn't ditch that DSLR just yet. And so it goes that the Captivate Glide's powers of picture taking are, understandably, solid. It's 8 megapixel rear shooter is on par with those found on variants of the Galaxy S II and delivers muted and slightly grainy images when awash in direct sunlight. Shots taken at full zoom displayed a noticeable loss of detail, but we were more surprised by the camera's low light performance. Aided by a single LED flash, photos taken with a shallow depth of field exhibited a clarity and precision not present in other lighting conditions.
Samsung Captivate Glide sample shots


We've become spoiled by the recent influx of smartphones capable of full 1080p HD video capture and though the Captivate Glide falls short of that mark, it does maintain a smooth framerate when recording in 720p. Again, the overall image quality was muted and softly blurred, though we didn't notice any distortion in the recorded audio.


Software


Of all the OEM skins floating about and fragmenting the Googlefied mobileverse, TouchWiz seems to be the least offensive pollutant. Sammy's skin replaces Android's multi-layered UI with a user experience that skates firmly upon the surface, welcoming even the most tech hesitant with its ease of use. We're still dealing with Gingerbread here -- 2.3.5, to be exact -- and it's unclear whether the future harbors an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade. Still, the company's managed to optimize this iteration of Android to create an uninterrupted user experience that is unfailingly brisk and consistent.

Out of the box, you'll be treated to seven homescreens that scroll in a continuous loop. If that available real estate proves too much, you can easily reduce it by pinching the screen and trashing what you deem unnecessary. Similar to other Sammy devices, a long-press brings up a screen preview and submenu which offers an array of widgets, folders, shortcuts and wallpaper options. Customization, however, isn't as pervasive throughout TouchWiz as it would be on LG's doppelganger UX. Have a preferred set of apps you often use and need to access regularly? Well, you're out of luck. Samsung's pinned the four basic apps -- phone, messaging, web and applications -- to the homescreen dock, so don't bother trying to swap them out. Bloatware on the device isn't overwhelming and, thankfully, some of it's uninstallable -- a growing trend for AT&T handset that we hope continues. There's the usual assortment of carrier branded apps like Code Scanner, Family Map, Navigator and Live TV, in addition to Qik Lite, Facebook, Amazon Kindle and Quickoffice.


Web browsing was especially speedy when within range of an HSPA+ signal, as full desktop pages rendered in under 15 seconds. Naturally, you're in store for longer load times should your network default to plain HSPA. Pinch to zoom was remarkably fluid and kept close track of our finger movements with only momentary instances of checkerboarding.

Wrap-up


Android in 2011 has been defined by Samsung. Omitting the company's recently released Nexus refresh, its Galaxy S II and resulting variants have served as the bellwether for all the Gingerbread handsets which followed. While the Captivate Glide may not achieve the svelte form factor and nigh weightlessness of its high-end elders, Sammy's done its darnedest to replicate that polished experience in QWERTY slider form. Given the demand for slim and sleek candybar phones, the company could have easily overlooked the market for physical keyboards, however increasingly niche, and focused on outputting more of the same. Instead, the company's earned an internet high five for creating an all around well-performing device and loading it up with respectable specs. True, a little more attention could've been paid to the design of the slider's flat, textureless keys, but somehow that minor oversight doesn't terribly cripple its purpose; you'll still be able to craft emails and texts at a reasonable speed.

No doubt, the Captivate Glide is an excellent option for QWERTY aficionados, but its $150 on contract price is too close to the lowest tier LTE option for our liking. For only $50 more, beefier specs and access to AT&T's faster, 700MHz 4G network are within reach on the HTC Vivid. Is it worth the jump in cost? Well, that depends on your predilection for slide out keyboards. If you've had your eye on an SGS II-like device, can't seem to part with AT&T's service (read: contract chains) and rely upon tactile feedback for messaging, then by all means make the Captivate Glide your own. If, however, you find your 'wants list' lacking in any of these criteria, indulge your senses with the Vivid.

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

Nokia Lumia 800 infiltrates Washington, succumbs to FCC teardown

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:54 AM PST

It's a rite of passage for any stateside-bound communications device, and now Nokia's darling Windows Phone handset has arrived at FCC HQ to lay disrobed alongside the agency's imposing L-square ruler. The Lumia 800 has been available through carriers in other countries since shortly after its Nokia World launch, but it has yet to land in the US with a carrier subsidy. It's not clear exactly where the shiny slab is headed after its mandatory pit-stop near the nation's capital, though with no reports of 1700 MHz AWS on board, it's safe to say that this iteration won't be joining its Lumia 710 sibling over at T-Mobile.

T-Mobile, Motorola respond to Senator Franken's Carrier IQ questions

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 11:37 AM PST

The deadline has passed for T-Mobile and Motorola to respond to Senator Al Franken's Carrier IQ questionnaire, and both companies' reports are in. We'll first tackle T-Mobile's letter: the carrier stated that it began installing CIQ last August, and nearly 450,000 Android and BlackBerry devices are infested with the IQ Agent software, which is used for individual troubleshooting cases and marketing purposes. This is a more moderate use than Sprint or AT&T, which both mentioned that it was actively pinging their CIQ-enabled phones to collect data on service and wireless performance on their networks. Nine T-Mobile devices in total contain the IQ Agent: the HTC Amaze 4G, Samsung Galaxy S II and Exhibit II 4G, LG MyTouch and MyTouchQ, LG DoublePlay and the BlackBerry 9900, 9810 and 9360. Motorola, meanwhile, admitted that CIQ is installed on four of its devices: the Admiral, Titanium, Bravo and Atrix 2. While this rounds up all of the companies that were asked by Senator Franken to respond, we're still anxious to see what kind of effect this will have. We've already witnessed one major change, as Sprint's agreed to disable the software on its phones, but who's next? Where do we go from here?
at 12:14 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

My Blog List