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Saturday, January 7, 2012

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Comcast Xfinity Skype webcam for cable boxes revealed by FCC

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 10:29 AM PST

About six months after we first heard Comcast would release a Skype webcam built for its cable boxes Wireless Goodness has uncovered the FCC filing for just such a unit. There's no pictures of the device itself, but scans from the manual and the diagram above give a good idea of the experience available, including the ability to have video as an overlay on top of TV content, or as a picture-in-picture. Video and audio calls are both possible, as well as instant messaging, and while the Xfinity-branded camera itself clips onto your flat-panel, a small adapter hooks into the set-top box. There's no word whether or not we'll see this accessory on display at CES, but the timing certainly lends itself to the possibility.

China trumpets completion of 'world's largest battery energy storage station'

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 09:28 AM PST

See that above? That's the world's largest battery energy storage station, or so says the State Grid Corporation of China and BYD. The two entities have just wrapped up construction on the Zhangbei-based project, which marries 40 Mega-Watts of renewable energy generation (both wind and solar), 36 Mega-Watt-Hours (MWh) of energy storage and a smart power transmission system. The goal? To provide a "stable solution for transferring vast amounts of renewable electricity safely to the grid on an unprecedented scale." As it stands, BYD products 1GW of solar panels annually, and with China's population still rising, it's solutions like these that'll help it grow while keeping efficiencies high. Soaking up rays for solar energy is all fine and well, but having a facility to capture and store it is where the equation really comes together; something tells us a few other nations will be scrambling to snatch the record in short order.

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China's State Grid and BYD Launch World's Largest Battery Energy Storage Station

ZHANGBEI, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BYD and the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) have finished construction on what may be the world's largest battery energy storage station. This large utility-scale project, located in Zhangbei, Hebei Province, combines 140 Mega-Watts of renewable energy generation (both wind & solar), 36 Mega-Watt-Hours (MWh) of energy storage and a smart power transmission system. While there are renewable generation systems of this scale in service today, there are no battery systems of this size. The State Grid system is demonstrating a stable solution for transferring vast amounts of renewable electricity safely to the grid on an unprecedented scale. Although BYD manufactures 1GW of solar panels annually, their role in this project was primarily providing energy storage batteries in arrays larger than a football field.

"This State Grid project demonstrates a solution and will be the model of development for China's new energy resources."

SGCC chose BYD's Iron-Phosphate battery technology because of its superior service life (over 20 years) and also used BYD's "peak shaving & load leveling" charge and discharge methodologies. BYD's announcement September 30th, 2011, "China's Largest and First Environmentally-friendly Battery Storage Station," was the first of many MegaWatt-level cooperative projects with China's Southern Power Grid (CSG). This new project with the State Grid has outpaced other grid projects in China and, though independently designed by SGCC, is part of the national "Golden Sun" program. The first phase investment with 100MW of Wind, 40MW of Solar and 36MWh of Battery is worth over $500M USD (~3.3 Billion RMB).

"The large-scale implementation of clean and green energy, such as wind and solar power, can only be realized when the technical difficulties of this new energy application in the utility system are resolved," said Xiu Binglin, Deputy Director of the National Energy Administration. "This State Grid project demonstrates a solution and will be the model of development for China's new energy resources."

BYD's battery energy storage system provides a solution for the realization of energy storage in the smart grid that improves renewable energy efficiency by 5%-10%.

He Long, Vice President of BYD, said, "BYD is honored to cooperate with China and SGCC to build this large energy storage station and to make a contribution in the utilization of renewable energy resources."

For more information, visit BYD at www.facebook.com/bydcompany and www.byd.com

Motorola teases wireless power, invites you to 'Stay Unplugged' (video)

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 08:46 AM PST

Motorola teases wireless power, invites you to 'Stay Unplugged' (video)
Frowny-faced USB adapters? They're the future, says Motorola. The company has just posted a teaser video inviting us all to "Stay Unplugged," featuring an animated USB brick that will break your heart as it sheds a single tear. What does this mean? Wireless power is going to be a big part of the company's CES plans, we'd say, but we'll all have to wait and see the details. In the interim, don't feel bad for the poor thing. It is, after all, a vampire.

ASUS promises Windows 8 on ARM tablet, 3G Transformer Prime, 7-inch Eee Memo Pad

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 07:09 AM PST

ASUS
We're still days away from CES but the promises show no signs of slowing down. ASUS is the latest, hosting a Taipei event in which its representatives rattled off a long list of fabulous devices to whet your appetite. First up is a 3G version of the Transformer Prime, presumably boasting some more capable AGPS onboard. We're told the 7-inch Eee Memo Pad will be on display here at CES as well but, most interestingly, that a tablet running Windows 8 on ARM is coming a little further down the road. It's said to be at least similar in design to the Prime but an indicated release of late 2012 sadly leaves us wanting.

Motorola Droid 4 gains DLNA certification as it slides into Verizon

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 05:18 AM PST

It should come as no surprise that Motorola's upcoming Droid 4 smartphone would carry a DLNA certification -- just like its predecessor, the Droid 3 -- but if there were ever any doubt in your mind, then wonder no more. This handsome slider destined for Verizon Wireless has just earned its media chops from the Digital Living Network Alliance, which further solidifies indications of its near-term arrival. Sure, we're definitely looking forward to Moto's latest, although perhaps we're not quite so anxious as Best Buy.

Brando gives the world the sub-$200 glasses-free 3D tablet it demands

Posted: 07 Jan 2012 02:40 AM PST

We wouldn't be entirely shocked to see a handful of 3D tablets pop up at CES next week. In the meantime, however, Brando's got a pretty good hold on the market, with the clunkily-named GADMEI T863-3D Tablet. The Gingerbread slate offers up 3D images and video on its eight-inch display, without the need for glasses. You'll also get HDMI out, a microSD slot and a front-facing camera on the thing. With 512MB of RAM on-board, this $199 tablet won't be the quickest one around, but at least you'll be able to brag about being the first person on your block with a 3D slate, for whatever that's worth. Video of the tablet in action after the break.

Samsung SCH-R930 clears FCC with LTE bands, appears destined for US Cellular

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 11:28 PM PST

Just yesterday, US Cellular let it be known on Twitter that its first LTE smartphone would arrive in April. Now, we've a rather strong indication that the device in question will be from Samsung, known internally as the SCH-R930. Previously outed by Pocketnow in September as a US Cellular device, the handset has just made its way through the FCC -- and yes, it has LTE support in tow. While the Belief Network currently lacks a top-tier Samsung smartphone, the model number indicates we may be looking at a clone of the clone of the Galaxy Indulge. Here's hoping for something a bit less stale.

Evigroup drops SmartPaddle Pro price to €699, optional head-tracking feature watches you intently

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 09:56 PM PST

Are you and all of your friends flocking to buy that thing shown above at full retail price? Exactly. Evigroup's SmartPaddle Pro tablet is now available from €699 (under $900) for the base 10-inch configuration with no GPS, no 3G and a 32GB solid-state hard drive. Additional configurations are available with 1 or 2GB of RAM, and the high-end configuration, which includes 3G and GPS goes for under $1,500. The SmartPaddle Pro, with all the trimmings (including head-tracking), retails for around $1,530. Other specs include a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, five hour run time, mini-HDMI port and capacitive touchscreen, none of which seem to justify the (still bloated) new price tag. Click past the break for the full video, which is apparently set to an Enya album.


SmartPaddle by nruiz

Motorola Xyboard WiFi models hit pre-order, hit wallet less

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 09:30 PM PST

Liked those 'iconic' corners but not willing to foot the LTE bill? You'll be glad to hear that WiFi-only versions of the Xyboard duo will arrive at these shores on January 19th. Each model lops $200 off Verizon's LTE models, with the 8.2-inch model priced at $400 for 16GB or double the space for $500. Its bigger brother is priced at $500 for 16GB of storage and $600 for 32GB. Smitten with the idea of an IR emitter in a tablet? The pre-order page beckons below.

Vuzix designs Smart Glasses to look like sunshades, tout connected transparent display

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 08:01 PM PST

Vuzix has announced plans to develop a stylish head-mounted display solution in the form of Smart Glasses, through a licensing partnership with Nokia. The yet-unnamed product would integrate a bright, high-contrast display with a pair of seemingly ordinary-looking sunglasses -- sounds like a perfect companion to the ZionEyez in-glasses camera prototype we saw last month. In Vuzix's words:

This amazing new technology starts with a compact display engine capable of hi contrast and brightness for outdoor use. The output is then relayed into a 1.4 mm thick plastic waveguide lens with input and output hologram structures on the surface which squeezes the light down the waveguide and then two dimensionally expands the image back into the user's eye, creating an image that is then mixed into the real world.

Naturally, the company envisions its Smart Glasses solution as a web-connected device, letting you watch videos or browse the internet while still being able to see-and-avoid pedestrians as you walk on the sidewalk or obstacles while behind the wheel -- try doing that with a Kindle or smartphone (better yet, please don't). Vuzix expects its Smart Glasses solution to start appearing as early as this summer, but we'll be getting an early look next week at CES.
Vuzix SMART Glasses Technology
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Vuzix Announces Plans for SMART Glasses Technology - Holy Grail of Wearable Display Industry, See-Through HD Glasses in a Designer Sunglasses Form Factor - at CES 2012

See New Vuzix SMART Glasses Technology in action at CES – Central Hall Booth #13646

LAS Vegas – January 10, 2012 – Vuzix Corporation (TSX-V: VZX, OTC:BB: VUZI, FMB: V7X), award-winning manufacturer of video eyewear, is excited to unveil SMART Glasses Technology - Integrated HD display engines and waveguide optics that literally break the boundaries of conventional optics and display solutions. For decades wearable displays have been referred to as Head Mounted Displays because of their bulky size and odd appearance; primarily attributable to the displays and conventional refractive and or reflective optics that they employ. This older technology is limited by the laws of optical physics that result in form factors that are large, heavy, and practically impossible to make into fashion eyewear.

Now after years of internal developments and our recent licensing relationship with Nokia Corporation SMART Glasses Technology is finally here. This amazing new technology starts with a compact display engine capable of hi contrast and brightness for outdoor use. The output is then relayed into a 1.4 mm thick plastic waveguide lens with input and output hologram structures on the surface which squeezes the light down the waveguide and then two dimensionally expands the image back into the user's eye, creating an image that is then mixed into the real world. And, all this technology neatly fits into the temples & lenses of a conventional pair of eyewear!

As the name implies, SMART Glasses are much more than just a wearable TV. Designed to work with SMART Devices that are typically connected to the internet, SMART Glasses are interactive and merge virtual information with the real world. They can be used at night or outdoors in full daylight.

Vuzix is planning a line of both monocular and binocular SMART Glasses for the Commercial, Industrial and Consumer markets. With integrated head tracking and options for multiple camera technologies Vuzix SMART Glasses can broaden the users' sensory perception across a greatly expanded light spectrum; additionally they can be used to recognize their environment along with their position in the real world, all-the-while recording and transmitting what the user sees.
From standalone solutions for night vision and first responder use to fully internet connected and geospatially aware devices for amazing Augmented Reality applications.

Look for Vuzix SMART Glasses technology initial release into the commercial and industrial markets by summer 2012.

Vizio's next market? Desktop and laptop PCs (Update: pictures!)

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 07:11 PM PST

Just when it seems like everyone is running away from the PC business, well known HDTV company Vizio has apparently decided that after dabbling in lightbulbs, it's a great time to get in. Chief Technology Officer Matt McRae revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that it will introduce two desktop all-in-ones and three notebooks at CES next week, the former which probably explain that sleek display it flashed during its 2012 Rose Bowl advertisement. As usual, the focus is on value pricing, as he promised they would arrive by June (we're still waiting on the phone from last year, we'll chalk up the missing high end TVs to Google TV delays for now) at prices that "don't seem possible". The desktops are expected to be 24- and 27-inch models, while the laptops are a standard 15-incher, along with 14- and 15-inch ultralight models. We'll get our hands on the new PCs as quickly as possible to see if they match up to the ultrabook competition, and if Vizio can finally provide a PC AIO we're truly interested in.

Update: Check the gallery below for actual pictures of all the models in the lineup (24-inch All-in-One PC, 27-inch All-in-One PC, 14-inch Thin + Light Notebook, 15.6-inch Thin + Light Notebook, 15.6-inch Notebook ), while we don't know how they'll run from here, they certainly have sleek -- and familiar -- designs. Also, if you think Vizio's forgotten its roots, think again (peep the wired subwoofer and remote idling by that 27-incher). Just like its Tablet featured universal IR control built-in, the tie-ins are getting deeper, according to comments in the Wall Street Journal there are plans to allow for second screen information on a laptop or PC on the same network as one of its smart TVs.
Vizio Laptops, All-in-ones

OLPC outs XO 3.0 tablet at last, will make its debut at CES (update: pictures!)

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 06:25 PM PST

OLPC's XO 3.0 tablet has been in the works for what seems like forever, and now it's finally ready to be unveiled at CES. Nicholas Negroponte apparently either found the unbreakable screens he was looking for or simply decided the crowds at CES 2012 should get to see the new slate first. It's powered by a Marvell ARM PXA618 SoC that runs Android or Linux and has the same Pixel Qi display seen in other OLPCs. Plus, it has special charging circuitry so it can top up its battery using solar cells and hand cranks like its XO 1.75 sibling -- a particularly useful feature in places where electrical sockets are hard to come by. Unfortunately, pictures of the tablet are still scarce, but come on back next week when we get our hands on one at CES. Until then, check out the PR after the break.

Update: We just got pictures of the XO 3.0, and as you can see above, it's coming with a pretty robust cover that doubles as a solar panel for charging the thing. More to come when we see it for ourselves tomorrow.
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Marvell and One Laptop per Child Unveil the XO 3.0 Tablet at CES

Also: The first Marvell ARMADA powered XO 1.75 laptop will begin shipping in March
to school children in Uruguay and Nicaragua

SANTA CLARA, Calif. / LAS VEGAS – (Jan. 9, 2012) – Marvell (Nasdaq: MRVL), a worldwide leader in integrated silicon solutions, and One Laptop per Child, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help every child in the world gain access to a modern education, demonstrated a fully functional version of the much-anticipated XO 3.0 – a low-cost, low-power, rugged tablet computer designed for classrooms around the globe – at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show.

"We're proud to introduce the XO 3.0 tablet, showcasing the design, durability and performance features that make it a natural successor for our current laptops, which have been distributed to more than 2.4 million children in 42 countries and in 25 languages," said Edward McNierney, Chief Technology Officer of One Laptop per Child. "The XO 3.0 builds on many of the technology breakthroughs we made with the XO 1.75, including the use of the Marvell® ARMADA® PXA618 processor, resulting in a significant decrease in power consumption-a critical issue for students in the developing world."

"Marvell is committed to improving education--and the human condition-around the world through innovative technology for Smartphones, tablets and a myriad of new cloud-delivered services. Partnering with One Laptop Per Child is one way we can deliver a revolution where it matters most-to benefit children in some of the poorest places on the planet," said Tom Hayes, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. and a member of the OLPC advisory board. "Marvell has been with One Laptop per Child from the start and we're doing whatever it takes to help the organization realize its mission of providing meaningful educational opportunities to the 500 million school-aged children around the world."

Marvell and One Laptop per Child also announced today that the XO 1.75 laptop will begin shipping to customers in March 2012. Over 75,000 units of the XO 1.75 have already been ordered by OLPC projects in Uruguay and Nicaragua. The XO 1.75 uses the Marvell ARM-based ARMADA PXA618 SOC processor, which compared to the earlier XO 1.5, maintains performance while using only half the power. The XO 1.75 features a sunlight-readable screen and all the other features and design characteristics of the two previous versions of the XO laptop.

The XO 3.0 tablet will also feature the Marvell ARMADA PXA618 SOC processor and Avastar Wi-Fi SOC. Other features include:

• Unique charging circuitry; the XO 3.0 is the only tablet that can be charged directly by solar panels, hand cranks and other alternative power sources
• Standard or Pixel Qi sunlight-readable display
• Android and Linux operating system support

Tesla's Model X SUV reportedly pushed to February, first deliveries coming in 'late 2013'

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 05:51 PM PST

Tesla confirms plans to unveil electric Model X SUV this year, $30k car by 2015
So much for December, eh? While Tesla's been talking up an electric sport utility vehicle for months on end, it's evidently harder than expected to actually deliver it. Shocking, we know. The latest hit in the saga comes via GigaOM, who has confirmed with Tesla CEO Elon Musk that the Model X will finally -- finally -- see a public unveiling on February 9th. Details beyond that aren't yet known, but Musk seems adamant that the first paying customers will see theirs in "late 2013," with 15,000 units per year being pushed out starting in 2014. We'll let you know if get an invite, deal?

Visualized: How Verizon preps LTE and 3G services for CES

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 04:57 PM PST

With the population of Las Vegas growing by a few hundred thousand each year during CES, cell phone carriers begin planning boosted coverage weeks before the crowds arrive. We noticed a temporary cell site parked near the Las Vegas Convention Center, and asked if we could pop in to get an idea of how AT&T, Sprint and Verizon plan to accommodate all those extra devices. The trailer we saw (often called a "bull" or "cow") was connected to a standard fiber line and serves as a Verizon LTE and 3G cell site -- one of eight added for the show -- and will be tasked with keeping thousands of devices online. We'll be using Verizon LTE along with AT&T's recently launched LTE network to bring you all of this coming week's gadget news, making these temporary sites absolutely critical to our operations as well.

Fusion-io breaks one billion IOPS barrier, pauses to congratulate itself

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 04:35 PM PST

Let's get a little perspective, shall we? Corsair's Force Series 3 SSD -- a wholly awesome product in its own right -- is capable of hitting around 85,000 IOPS. On a good day. Fusion-io has been pushing the NAND storage envelope for years now, but even its recently-unveiled ioDrives deliver between 700,000 and 900,000 IOPS. Today, however, the company's pausing to pat itself squarely on the back -- and rightfully so. It managed to achieve one billion input and output operations per second in a technology demonstration conducted at DEMO Enterprise: An Evening of Innovation.

We're told that it was during a preview of the company's latency reducing Auto Commit Memory (ACM) extension, part of the Fusion ioMemory subsystem, and that it's "rethinking how to provide powerful modern CPUs with the data they need through sophisticated software architectures." The demo utilized eight HP ProLiant DL370 servers, each equipped with eight ioDrive2 Duos, to break the one billion IOP barrier when transferring 64 byte data packets. 'Course, that'd probably cost you a few dozen years of work if you were to buy such a setup yourself, but hey -- at least someone's working to eliminate the mechanical drive sooner rather than later, right?
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Fusion-io Breaks One Billion IOPS Barrier

New Breakthroughs in Low Latency Data Performance Achieved with Technology Preview of Upcoming Auto Commit Memory Software at DEMO Enterprise

SAN FRANCISCO – Jan. 5, 2012 – Fusion-io today announced that it achieved one billion input and output operations per second (IOPS) in a technology demonstration conducted at DEMO Enterprise: An Evening of Innovation, in a preview of the company's latency reducing Auto Commit Memory (ACM) extension, part of the Fusion ioMemory subsystem.

"Rethinking how to provide powerful modern CPUs with the data they need through sophisticated software architectures has enabled us to deliver the ultra low latency performance needed to achieve one billion IOPS with existing hardware and Fusion ioMemory solutions," said David Flynn, Fusion-io Chairman and CEO. "This breakthrough is not something that could be achieved with hardware alone. Intelligent software that optimizes NAND flash as a low latency, high-capacity, non-volatile memory solution for enterprise servers can transform the way organizations process the immense amounts of data that powers our lives today."

This demonstration used eight HP ProLiant DL370 servers, each equipped with eight ioDrive2 Duos, to break the one billion IOP barrier when transferring 64 byte data packets. This was a preview of an extension to the ioMemory architecture called Auto Commit Memory, which significantly reduces latency and system overhead in transferring data. Auto Commit Memory leverages the unique architecture of ioMemory to reliably deliver data at peak performance levels. Data integrity is assured by the ioMemory architecture's ability to flush all in-flight data, even if the power is abruptly cut, without the need for super capacitors or batteries. The Auto Commit Memory extension will provide developers with new semantics to directly control the datapath to persistent memory, introducing a fundamentally new building block for how modern data systems are designed.

"Breaking the one billion IOPS barrier is certainly a powerful way to demonstrate our ioMemory architecture. As an engineer, what really excites me about extensions to our core technology such as ACM are the possibilities introduced when flash is utilized as a new memory tier," said Steve Wozniak, Fusion-io Chief Scientist. "Instead of treating flash like storage, where data passes through all of the OS kernel subsystems that were built and optimized for traditional storage, our core ioMemory technology offers a platform with new programming primitives that can provide system and application developers direct access to non-volatile memory."

To learn more about Fusion-io, go to http://www.fusionio.com. Follow Fusion-io on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fusionio and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fusionio.

About Fusion-io

Fusion-io has pioneered a next generation storage memory platform for shared data decentralization that significantly improves the processing capabilities within a datacenter by relocating process-critical, or "active", data from centralized storage to the server where it is being processed, a methodology referred to as data decentralization. Fusion's integrated hardware and software solutions leverage non-volatile memory to significantly increase datacenter efficiency and offers enterprise grade performance, reliability, availability and manageability. Fusion's data decentralization platform can transform legacy architectures into next generation datacenters and allows enterprises to consolidate or significantly reduce complex and expensive high performance storage, high performance networking and memory-rich servers. Fusion's platform enables enterprises to increase the utilization, performance and efficiency of their datacenter resources and extract greater value from their information assets.

Say 'ta ta' to the Tata eMO: the $20,000 EV you'll never set eyes on

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 03:42 PM PST

This story ends before it even starts, but it's nice to look at what could have been, should destiny -- or a corporate boardroom -- have taken a different course. Tata Motors, maker of the Nano EV, has been working on new concept -- the eMO -- that it already tells us, we'll never see. It claims the nifty looking car would do 100 imaginary miles per charge and a theoretical 65 mph top speed. It would cost a fictitious 20,000 dollars, thanks to lots of non-existent weight being saved through thrift design principles -- such as space saving suicide doors. There isn't even a hatch for the trunk to easily put away all that shopping you didn't buy. Back in the real world, however, we'll be seeing at least a little more of this fantastical EV as the firm enters it into the Michelin Challenge Design at next week's Detroit Auto Show.
Tata eMO

VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX board intended for POS, but HTPCs might want a piece too

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 02:32 PM PST

VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX board intended for POS, but HTPCs might want a piece too
We love a powerful punch in a puny package, and VIA's latest embedded Mini-ITX board is just that. You can have up to a 1.6GHz C7-D processor or dual-core 1.2GHz Nano X2 paired with 4GB of DDR3 memory and an onboard ChromotionHD 2.0 video processor that'll do hardware video acceleration up to 1080p. It's intended for Point of Sale terminals and the like but, at just 17 x 17cm, it could make for a potent little HTPC.

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VIA Announces Latest VB7009 Mini-ITX Embedded Board

Extremely flexible, power efficient platform for POS and kiosks

Taipei, Taiwan, January 3, 2012 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the VIA VB7009 embedded Mini-ITX board. Measuring only 17cm x 17cm, the VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX is an extremely flexible embedded board with top class functionality and performance for POS and kiosks.

The VIA VB7009 is a cost effective solution offering a broad range of power efficient VIA CPU choices, including the dual core VIA NanoTM X2 processor, providing superior flexibility to match customers' embedded computing needs. Paired with the VIA VX900 unified all-in-one media system processor, the VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX embedded board delivers a highly optimized platform that boasts stunning HD video performance of the most demanding video formats at resolutions of up to 1080p.

"The range of customer needs for interactive embedded devices is rapidly expanding," said Epan Wu Head of the VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. "The VIA VB7009 provides a flexible and cost effective solution that can be configured to satisfy a broad range of customer requirements."

VIA VB7009 Embedded Board

The VIA VB7009 Mini-ITX embedded board offers a wide variety of CPU choices ranging from a fanless 1.0GHz VIA C7® to more powerful options of either a 1.6GHz VIA C7®-D or 1.2GHz dual core VIA NanoTM X2 processor. In addition to enabling support for up to 4GB of DDR3 system memory, the VIA VX900 MSP features the VIA ChromotionHD 2.0 video processor, boasting comprehensive hardware acceleration for the latest VC1, H.264, MPEG-2 and WMV9 HD formats at screen resolutions of up to 1080p without incurring a heavy CPU load.

Rear I/O includes one VGA port, four USB 2.0 ports, one COM port, two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one PS/2 keyboard/mouse port and three audio jacks for line-in/out and mic-in. Onboard pin headers provide support for an additional four USB 2.0 ports, three COM pin headers, an LPC connector, SMBus connector, PS/2 support, audio jacks, and LVDS. The VIA VB7009 is fully compatible with Microsoft® and the most popular Linux operating systems and is available in a variety of configurations.

For more information about the VIA VB7009 embedded board please visit: http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/ProductDetail.jsp?productLine=1&id=1770

AT&T talking up LTE-enabled Windows 8 tablets at Developer Summit

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 01:48 PM PST

If you're looking for maximum exposure for your developer event, might as well host it during the same week at CES. For bonus points, have it in the same city. That's precisely what AT&T has done for its 2012 Developer Summit, and while the majority of the sessions won't tickle the fancy of everyday consumers, there's one slot in particular that's giving us pause. Titled "A Metro Style Hemi," an afternoon session at the event will showcase a Windows 8 tablet, reportedly powered by one of Qualcomm's many chips. There's no details on whether or not a physical unit will be on hand with an active LTE radio, but it's useful to know that Microsoft's already talking with the carrier about hosting such devices. After all, we're still believing that Win8-based tablets are a few months out (at the very least), but if AT&T's already got one in its lab for testing, we could be looking at a little LTE + Windows 8 love sooner than anticipated. Let's just hope it doesn't pull a Jetstream on the pricing, eh?

Motorola estimates 10.5 million devices shipped in Q4 2011, over half smartphones

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 01:32 PM PST

We'll need to wait for the company's earnings later this month for the final numbers, but Motorola has now provided some preliminary results for the fourth quarter of 2011 that indicate smartphones accounted for more than fifty percent of all the mobiles devices it shipped. Specifically, Motorola estimates that it shipped a total of 10.5 million devices in the quarter, 5.3 million of which are smartphones (there's no further breakdown beyond that). That's up from 4.8 million smartphones in the previous quarter, although the number of total mobile devices slipped from 11.6 million. The company also says it expects "modest profitability" with estimated sales of $3.4 billion for the quarter, and it reaffirmed that it expects Google's $12.5 billion acquisition to close in "early 2012" if all goes as planned. Head on past the break for the press release.
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Motorola Mobility Provides Business Update


LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., Jan. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) ("Motorola Mobility") today announced preliminary results for the fourth-quarter 2011. Although the Company has not finalized its financial results for the fourth-quarter, it estimates sales of $3.4 billion with modest profitability on a non-GAAP basis. These estimates include shipments of approximately 10.5 million mobile devices, of which approximately 5.3 million were smartphones. Motorola Mobility's fourth-quarter results were impacted by the increased competitive environment in the Mobile Device business and higher legal costs associated with ongoing Intellectual Property (IP) litigations. The Company estimates sales of $900 million for the Home business in the fourth-quarter. Motorola Mobility will issue its fourth-quarter 2011 earnings results at approximately 3:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time on Thursday, January 26, 2012.

As previously announced on August 15, 2011, Motorola Mobility and Google Inc. ("Google") (NASDAQ: GOOG) entered into a definitive agreement for Google to acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of approximately $12.5 billion. On November 7, 2011, Motorola Mobility stockholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed merger with Google at the Company's Special Meeting of Stockholders.

The Company continues to work closely with Google to complete the proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility as expeditiously as possible. The Company notes that the transaction remains subject to various closing conditions, and currently expects the transaction to close in early 2012 once all conditions have been satisfied. The Company reminds stockholders that it is possible that the failure to timely meet such conditions or other factors outside of the Company's control could delay or prevent completion of the transaction altogether.

Information on the Google acquisition can be found at investors.motorola.com.

Motorola Mobility also noted that it will be showcasing and introducing several new products at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas beginning January 10, 2012. Please visit the Company's exhibition booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Central Hall Booth No. 8644 to see the latest innovative products and experiences from the Mobile Devices and Home businesses.

Business Risks

Motorola Mobility cautions the reader that this communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected closing date of the proposed Google transaction. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, fourth quarter performance and the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to secure regulatory and other approvals at all or in a timely manner; and the other risks and uncertainties contained and identified in Motorola Mobility's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Motorola Mobility undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or update the reasons that actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

About Motorola Mobility

Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visit motorola.com/mobility.

Engadget Mobile Podcast 120 - 01.06.2012

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 01:11 PM PST

Can you simply not wait another day for an avalanche / flood / tsunami of mobile news to arrive on your doorstep courtesy of the yearly Gathering of the Juggalos Tech Bloggers and Enthusiasts? It's a good thing the industry didn't shut down this week, and we didn't forget to podcast at you, Engadget Mobile Podcast listener. Stick with us. These next couple of days are going to get weird.


Hosts: Myriam Joire (tnkgrl), Brad Molen, Joseph Volpe
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Tycho - Coastal Brake (Ghostly International)

00:34:05 - Nokia Lumia 710 for T-Mobile review
00:52:30 - Leaked memo details Verizon's $2 fee for paying your bill; autodraft or ACH the only way out (update: confirmed)
00:55:30 - Verizon's $2 convenience fee inconveniences the FCC
00:58:30 - Verizon backs down from convenience fee, values your two cents
01:03:25 - Eldar Murtazin gives RIM six months to win back customers, says Nokia is selling its soul to Microsoft
01:10:10 - RIM reportedly scraps the Colt and Milan, leaving London as sole BlackBerry 10 device?
01:16:55 - AT&T expands LTE coverage to eleven new markets, including NYC, San Francisco and Los Angeles
01:17:20 - HTC Radiant tipped for AT&T: don't call it an LTE-enabled Titan
01:17:35 - AT&T-branded Nokia Ace possibly leaked in holiday card
01:19:30 - Engadget's CES 2012 Preview
01:22:02 - Samsung outs revamped Galaxy Ace Plus: bigger screen, worse resolution


Hear the podcast


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podcast (at) engadgetmobile (dot) com.

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PSA: Signed up for a free Spotify account at launch? Time to whip out the credit card

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 12:49 PM PST

Sure there will be plenty of good news for gadget fans at CES next week, but here's a bit of a downer for early software adopters in the US -- that free unlimited Spotify account that you signed up for six months ago will be drawing to an end. Yep, it's time to either break out the old credit card number or learn to start rationing your listening. When the trial period ends next week, those who signed up at launch will be limited to 10 hours a month of listening and five plays a track. So, how many of those free account holders will be willing to drop the $5 or $10 a month for a premium account? The lure of apps may be too strong to resist.

BitTorrent harnesses technology for friendly filesharing service, Share

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 12:17 PM PST

Want to send large files, without the whole world catching on? BitTorrent's going the DropBox route, with the launch of the simply -- and friendly -- named Share, a desktop app that allows you to transfer HD movies, photo collections, et al. by dragging and dropping files. The service, which is built on top of BitTorrent's much loved technology, doesn't impose any size limits and stores the content in the cloud, so you can share with offline users. Share also lets you set groups for transfers, so the rest of the world doesn't get a crack at your files. And, because you can't launch a service without some manner of social functionality these days, the aforementioned recipients can comment on the transferred files, Facebook-style. No word yet on any plans for boy band tie-ins.

We're live from CES 2012!

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST

We've landed in Vegas, just in time to enjoy the proverbial calm before the storm that will be the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. Motorized carts zoom around the parking lot as the Las Vegas Convention Center begins to take shape -- as always, getting the million-dollar-booths fully dressed before the curtain comes up next week seems an impossible task, but the crews will come through, making the finished product a far-cry from what we see today. And as exciting as it can be to roam the halls of the LVCC and surrounding venues during the show, the pageantry of CES is really about the products, including many of which we haven't heard so much as a peep about in the weeks leading up to the show. But as the booths inside will remain veiled until company heads have a chance to brief attendees, a few hints have begun popping up outside the convention center, as workers hang sponsored banners above and along the massive entranceways. Some of these product hints serve to confirm previous rumors, so join us past the break for an early look at what's to come.
CES 2012 preview in photos


Samsung may have shipped more than one million Galaxy Notes so far, but you wouldn't know it walking down any street in the United States. Sure, it works just fine stateside (quite well, in fact, on AT&T's HSPA+ network), but Korea's massive 5.3-inch smartphone has of-yet eluded the U.S. market, with early adopters forced to procure the handset from overseas vendors, instead. We absolutely love this surprising gem of a pocketable Android slab as is, but AT&T LTE and a carrier subsidy could definitely sweeten the deal. And if the banner hanging above the Central Hall is any indication, that may come -- perhaps even as soon as next week.


Year after year, HDTV continues to take the spotlight at CES, with Samsung often leading the pack with sleek sets and flashy booths. 2012 is likely to be no different, and it appears that OLED models will definitely be making an appearance on the LVCC floor. Pricing has been one of the technology's primary barriers to entry thus far, but if Samsung has found a way to produce OLED panels without reaching too deep into consumers' pockets, it may just have a chance at taking large displays mainstream -- perhaps even to a living room near you.


When it comes to televisions, bigger is definitely better -- assuming you have the space to accommodate a large gap between seat and screen. Sharp has already boosted its HDTV range to 80 inches at the high-end, launching the LC-80LE632U last September. But is 80 inches big enough? It may be a stretch to assume that Sharp will be revealing an even larger panel at this year's CES, but even with the 80-incher remaining at the top of its game, we'll probably see an updated model or two debut at the company's presser next week.


With 3D panels drawing premium pricing and pesky glasses collecting dust even after TV owners decide to take the plunge, many would argue that there's nothing smart about buying a 3D TV. But LG would beg to differ, proclaiming that its 3D solution is, in fact, Smart. We'll have to wait to see if that translates to brilliant glasses-free sets with a bevy of slick, on-demand content and lower pricing. What we're almost certainly going to see, however, are slimmer housings and even sleeker designs -- perhaps not smart enough to force you to make the jump, but slim is definitely in.


All signs point to Fujifilm throwing an X-series curveball our way during the company's press conference next week, after the rumored rangefinder-like model was mysteriously excluded from this week's camera announcements. The camera will reportedly include an interchangeable lens mount and will either replace the high-end X-series model or join the family instead. Sadly, it's not pictured on the banner above, with an X100 on the left and the X10 we saw at IFA on the right.


Nokia announced its commitment to Windows Phone during the company's Nokia World expo in London late last year, but it's quite likely that we'll see the Lumia family grow at Monday's CES press event. Of course, we could hear about more U.S. partners for the Lumia 800 and 710 as well, with additional devices also making an appearance at the show. More information will no doubt be forthcoming at the company's press conference, if not before. As always, we'll be there to bring it to you live, so check back at 3PM (EST) on Monday to get your Nokia fix.


And where do we pump out most of that quality CES content? Well from our double-wide trailer, of course, branded with the Engadget logo and parked just outside the Las Vegas Convention Center. We'll be bringing you updates every few minutes during the show, along with a handful of liveblogs and reports from the floor, so bookmark this page and check back several times every hour, all day and night, to get the full scoop on the show. We'll also be doing live podcasts directly from the floor every night next week, so dig out those headphones and stay tuned for more info.

Sprint merging consumer and business sales / marketing units, giving four execs the boot

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 11:56 AM PST

According to a brief report that just went live at Reuters, Sprint is "merging its sales and marketing operations for its business and consumer operations in a streamlining that includes the departure of four top executives." Reportedly, that news was delivered by none other than CEO Dan Hesse himself, who has been in the news a fair amount since 2012 began. Reportedly, the carrier is aiming to "gain efficiencies" in a market where hordes of customers snap up services as individuals, but actually use services tied to "employer-related contractual discounts." Hesse's exact words? "As the wireless market has evolved, the lines between consumers and businesses have blurred." Evidently, they've blurred enough to oust four unnamed bigwigs, too.

Samsung Galaxy Note for AT&T: press shots confirm what you already knew

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 11:45 AM PST

As if you weren't convinced that Samsung's almost-certainly-gigantic Galaxy Note was coming to AT&T, well... good luck refuting this. Just a day after an accessory vendor seemingly outed the truth, PocketNow has stumbled upon what appears to be the first legitimate press images for the Gingerbread-based handset. It's going by SGH-I717 internally, and it'll purportedly boast a 5.3-inch display (1,280 x 800), a 1.4GHz Exynos processor and a promise to get its user all kinds of stares. As for a release date? Betters might place a few bills on Valentine's Day -- we'll let you peer some more and ponder why.

Toshiba's 55-inch 4K glasses-free 3DTV ships in the US early this year, can we borrow $10k?

Posted: 06 Jan 2012 11:33 AM PST

It's not a big surprise after launching in Germany and Japan, but Toshiba PR has confirmed to us and CNET that the company's 3,840x2,160 resolution autostereoscopic 3DTV will make its US debut in the first quarter of 2012, matching the "end of fiscal year" prediction we'd heard previously. There's no details on pricetag or model #, but given its $10,000~ sticker price overseas, we'd start shaking out those couch cushions now. The LCD maintains its QuadHD resolution when displaying 2D content, however switching into 3D mode drops the resolution to 720p. Other than removing the need for viewers to wear glasses to see the effect, it also uses face tracking to fine tune the experience for up to nine people. We'll have more info once it's officially unveiled in a few days, until then feel free to drool over the prototype it showed off last year.
at 12:04 PM

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