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Engadget News |
- Eee Pad Transformer to receive Ice Cream Sandwich after January 12th, ASUS confirms
- HP Spectre spotted on CES show floor
- Refresh Roundup: week of January 2, 2012
- AT&T Galaxy Note confirmed at CES, carrier branding and four-button controls
- Mobee's Magic Feet and Power Bar juice up Mac peripherals, no more battery swapping for you
- Belkin reveals Advance N900 DB router, keeps your MW3 marathon top priority with IntelliStream
- Pantech Element goes up for pre-order, get those water buckets ready
- C Spire's LTE rollout appears stalled, GPS interference doesn't help matters
- Verizon Wireless goes down in Montana and Wyoming, gets put right back up again
- Samsung pushes SwipeIt media sharing app, AirPlay competitor to Smart TVs
- Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes?
- O2 begins rolling out 'Europe's largest free WiFi network' in London this month
- Switched On: The Three Ds of CES TV
- NASA goes open source with code portal for agency projects
- Cubify brings 3D printer and Kinect app to CES
- YouTube's got big plans for web TV: specialized channels with niche and original content
- BBC launches news app for Sony connected TV, joins Samsung and Panasonic
- Microsoft working on Vermeer, a 'touchable' 360-degree holographic display (video)
- Linux kernel hits version 3.2, plenty of power-saving features in tow
- Fujifilm X-Pro1 lenses get Amazon product pages, prices
- Windows Phone Marketplace now accepting app submissions for China, five other countries
- Pantech Element poster spied at AT&T store, launch coming next week for $300?
- Blue Microphones outs Tiki, Spark Digital and Mikey Digital; looks to feed your mobile recording habit
- Fujitsu's Arrows ES IS12F has the light stuff, baby, heads to KDDI January 7th
- Nielsen's 2011 media usage report: conventional TV still rules, but online viewing is skyrocketing
- Ask Engadget: best sub-$70 smartphone battery pack?
- LG Cinema Screen LCD HDTVs slice bezel to 1mm, let two players share one TV
- SolarKindle cover basks in the sun's rays, charges for days and days
- LG home theater system adds vertical speakers for 9.1 surround sound
- Parrot launching new AR.Drone2.0 at CES?
- Motorola launches MOTOLUXE and DEFY MINI Android sets (video)
- Mobile Miscellany: week of January 2, 2012
- Intel collaborating with more system-on-chip vendors, bringing Wireless Display to more places
- ViewSonic ViewPhone 3 clears FCC, prepares for Latin American arrival
- New Nikon DSLR seemingly emerges on German site, D800 hiding in plain sight?
- Sony Ericsson 'Pepper' MT27i surfaces, has some design spice
- Xi3's TAND3M software enables two users to tap into a single modular PC, microSERV3R en route
- Lenovo taps former Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci to lead new Europe, Middle East and Africa division
- Nokia Lumia 900 coming to AT&T, further details expected on Monday
- Sony quits OLED TV in the consumer market, we quietly shelve hopes for the XEL-2
Eee Pad Transformer to receive Ice Cream Sandwich after January 12th, ASUS confirms Posted: 08 Jan 2012 10:49 AM PST ASUS' Eee Pad Transformer is about to get a healthy scoop of Ice Cream Sandwich. The company's UK branch confirmed the news today on its Facebook page, announcing that its original tablet-netbook hybrid device will make the jump to Android 4.0 sometime after January 12th. That date, as you may recall, is when the Transformer Prime is slated to receive the update, though ASUS has yet to confirm a specific date for the predecessor's update, saying only that it'll roll out "ASAP." As always, we'll be sure to let you know when we hear more. |
HP Spectre spotted on CES show floor Posted: 08 Jan 2012 10:44 AM PST What's this here? It's the stuff of CES 2012 legend -- the HP Spectre. Now, granted, we had a pretty good idea that the sexy new ultrabook is headed our way soon, but hey, here it is, in the flesh, spotted by a blurrycammed tipster roaming around the Intel booth on the CES showroom floor. It's nice to know that the thing will be there waiting for us when those doors officially open on Tuesday. |
Refresh Roundup: week of January 2, 2012 Posted: 08 Jan 2012 10:30 AM PST Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy! Official Android updates
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AT&T Galaxy Note confirmed at CES, carrier branding and four-button controls Posted: 08 Jan 2012 10:13 AM PST Well, well, it looks like Samsung has let the cat of the bag a hair early. The company's Galaxy Note is indeed headed to AT&T, confirmed by several posters in the public area of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The banner appears to be a Photoshop job rather than an actual device photo, since there's no 4G LTE indicator to be found. The AT&T branding is prevalent, however, leaving little doubt that the device will in fact be making its way to Ma Bell. More details will surely come to light during tomorrow's Samsung press conference, and we'll be back with a hands-on shortly after. |
Mobee's Magic Feet and Power Bar juice up Mac peripherals, no more battery swapping for you Posted: 08 Jan 2012 09:22 AM PST Mobee's no stranger to the world of Mac peripherals these days, and you would've already come across the brand if swapping batteries is too much for you. Following its Magic Charger (for Apple's Magic Mouse) and Magic Bar (for Apple's wireless keyboard and Magic Trackpad), at this year's CES the company's decided to dish out an all-on-one charging station that features a second inductive charging pad plus four USB ports. But of course, there's a trade-off for this big daddy: in addition to the USB connection to your Mac, the Magic Feet also requires an AC adapter. However, given that each device has a battery life of up to 10 days only, this external power will actually come in handy for night time charging. Alternatively, if you're not a fan of clogging up desk space with a charging station, then you can consider Mobee's Power Bar. Unlike its inductive-charging counterpart, this stick simply adds a 10-day battery and a micro-USB port to the Magic Trackpad, thus letting you plug-and-charge when needed. Oddly enough, Mobee doesn't say whether the Power Bar is also compatible with Apple's wireless keyboard, but the response we received was that it isn't a matter of technical limitation; but rather, it's simply that the company believes the Magic Bar is the better solution for owners of the wireless keyboard. Well, we'll let you be the judge. |
Belkin reveals Advance N900 DB router, keeps your MW3 marathon top priority with IntelliStream Posted: 08 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST Belkin has added another wireless networking kit to it's N-series lineup here at CES. The company has announced its Advance N900 DB, a dual band WiFi router capable of 450Mbps speeds per band. Featuring six MultiBeam antennas, the tech makes watching Hulu Plus from your basement much easier and looks to cut down on those pesky dead spots. Also outfitted with IntelliStream, the device automatically prioritizes video and gaming streams and houses a 600MHz multi-thread processor that multitasks across all networked devices. For connected storage or wireless printers, the N900 packs two USB 2.0 ports enabling access to those peripherals from workstations other than your desk. If you're looking to take the leap, the router will be available for pre-order this month and at retailers in April, setting you back two Benjamins. See the PR after the break for all the details. MAXIMIZE Wi-Fi® PERFORMANCE FOR MULTIPLE WIRELESS DEVICES WITH BELKIN'S NEW ADVANCE N900 DB HIGH-PERFORMANCE WIRELESS ROUTER Exclusive MultiBeam Technology and up to 900Mbps Combined Speeds Delivers the Ultimate in Wireless Speeds, Range and Performance LAS VEGAS - January 8, 2011 –– Belkin today unveiled its best-in-class wireless networking solution for maximum speed, range and performance, the Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router. With Belkin's exclusive MultiBeam technology, the N900 creates a robust, blazing-fast network that supports an entire household of Wi-Fi devices and media-intensive activities like online gaming and 3D video streaming. The N900 will debut at CES Unveiled on January 8, 2012, and be on display at the Belkin booth #30651 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 2012 International CES. Featuring dual-band combined speeds of up to 900 megabits per second, the Advance N900 delivers maximum data speeds on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands simultaneously. Built for high speeds, the N900 uses the IEEE 3x3 standard to transmit data on three streams, which gives 50 percent better throughput. Additionally, Belkin's exclusive MultiBeam technology delivers a high-powered signal that allows for higher and more consistent network speeds and minimizes the number of wireless dead spots. With 6 embedded MultiBeam antennas, the N900 enables optimized video streaming from multiple devices, throughout the whole home. Though the Advance N900's speed and range set the benchmark for the router's performance, other features of the router combine to create the ultimate wireless home networking experience for laptops, tablets, smartphones and AV devices. IntelliStream quality of service (QoS) automatically prioritizes video and gaming streams to eliminate buffering for uninterrupted streaming, and a 600MHz multi-thread processor enables high-bandwidth multitasking across all devices on the network. The Advance N900 also includes two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for ultra-fast access to attached network storage or wireless printing, and gigabit wirespeed routing for downloading at gigabit speeds and streaming from multiple devices simultaneously. Furthermore, a hardware-based Network Address Translation is implemented in the core chipsets to enable lightning-fast NAT speeds (up to 900+ Mbps) and the ability to route at these speeds-without compromising the performance of the rest of your home network. The Advance N900 is a snap to install with Belkin's Easy Setup, a simple process for getting the router out of the box and online in three easy steps, and also comes with pre-configured encryption settings for built-in wireless security. Belkin Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router (F9K1104) - $199.99 • Dual-band technology with simultaneous wireless speeds of up to 450Mbps (2.4GHz) + 450Mbps (5GHz) • Exclusive MultiBeam antenna technology for high-powered wireless signal and maximum throughput • 600MHz multi-thread processor to power through media-intensive multitasking • Two high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast access to network storage or wireless printing • Download at gigabit speeds and stream from multiple devices at the same time • IntelliStream QoS prioritizes video and gaming streams • 4 gigabit ports for ultra-fast wired connections • Guest network access for enhanced security • Self-healing feature automatically resolves potential network problems • Easy setup and pre-configured security Availability The Belkin Advance N900 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router will be available for pre-sale on Amazon.com in January and at major retailers across the United States and on Belkin.com in April. |
Pantech Element goes up for pre-order, get those water buckets ready Posted: 08 Jan 2012 07:52 AM PST Looks like there was some truth to those coming attractions, after all. Pantech's eight-inch waterproof tablet, which is set to get its close up next week at CES, is now available for pre-order, a fact we've confirmed with a few AT&T stores -- though the physical locations have yet to actually get some demo models for you to play around with. The tablet is set to start shipping on January 22nd. It'll run you $300 with a two-year contract and $450 with, so you'll have to stick to the cheap champagne for a while with those at home splash tests. |
C Spire's LTE rollout appears stalled, GPS interference doesn't help matters Posted: 08 Jan 2012 07:28 AM PST Target dates come and go, and other times, they're merely brushed aside. That seems to be the case for C Spire Wireless, which (back in its days as Cellular South) announced that it would have a live LTE network by the close of 2011. At the time, the regional provider had linked arms with Samsung to build up the necessary infrastructure, although now, all the carrier can muster is, "We did not launch 4G LTE at the end of 2011. We have no further comment beyond that." Its homegrown ambitions for LTE aren't the only front that's stalled, either. If you'll remember, the network had previously inked a deal with LightSquared to provide additional LTE coverage, although without regulatory approval, it seems that C Spire will be forced to find a new game plan if it cares to match speed with the big boys. |
Verizon Wireless goes down in Montana and Wyoming, gets put right back up again Posted: 08 Jan 2012 07:24 AM PST [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
Samsung pushes SwipeIt media sharing app, AirPlay competitor to Smart TVs Posted: 08 Jan 2012 07:18 AM PST According to a blog post by entrepreneur Amit Kumar, a new app called Samsung SwipeIt has started popping up on that company's smart TVs, and may be positioned as competition for Apple's AirPlay media sharing technology. Kumar mentions the app started rolling out to TVs at the beginning of the year, while the companion app for Android appeared on the Market around the same time (nothing on iTunes yet, despite a listing for an iOS app on Samsung's Korean site), promising easy sharing of photos and videos to Samsung's connected TVs. It's built by last year's Free The TV Apps competition winner MOVL and is based on that company's Connect platform, which as seen in the diagram after the break is all about pulling together media across screens and platforms. So far, it seems like a (potentially) simpler-to-set-up version of the DLNA-based "Throw" feature Sony has already integrated into its Android tablets (and Samsung's own AllShare), but if the Connect platform can be integrated into other apps (and even other devices -- MOVL has also focused on technology for Google TV), SwipeIt could track AirPlay's trajectory more closely. Samsung didn't reveal much in its Smart TV teaser trailer a couple of weeks ago, but a planned panel focusing on convergence Tuesday hints at where the company's focus is. |
Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 full details leaked, 720p camera and new flight modes? Posted: 08 Jan 2012 07:07 AM PST [Thanks, Symon Davis] Parrot 'AR.Drone 2.0': High-Definition Excitement! At CES Las Vegas 2012, Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, reveals the AR.Drone 2.0, the new generation of its renowned high-tech quadricopter that can be controlled by Wi-Fi using a smartphone or tablet. With a new high-definition camera, video recording, flight data sharing, new piloting mode, increased stability and brand-new look, the AR.Drone 2.0 offers an experience like no other! A flying HD camera While in flight, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0's front camera transmits real-time what the quadricopter sees onto the pilot's device screen. For the first time the AR.Drone 2.0 camera, with a 1280x720 resolution, shows a view from the sky in high definition with smooth and unbelievable images. The pilot enjoys an experience like never before, as if he was on board. For gaming purposes, this camera also can recognize specific shapes and colors to show augmented-reality elements on the smartphone's screen. Record and share flying experiences Thanks to the new AR.FreeFlight 2.0 piloting application, players can record their own HD videos and watch them or share them with the AR.Drone community. Additionally, with the "travelling" feature, the pilot can film HD video sequences like a professional! Simply select the direction of travel (forward, back, sideways) and the duration, and the AR.Drone 2.0 does the rest. AR.FreeFlight 2.0, a new piloting and sharing platform In addition to flying the AR.Drone, new application AR.FreeFlight 2.0 – available to download for free from the AppStoreSM and AndroidTM Market – offers players a new interface and several options. . FreeFlight: Access to the piloting application. . The pilot can record flights, take HD videos or photos and save them in the piloting device. All the flight data (altitude, speed, duration and place) can be saved, checked by the pilot and shared with the community. . Guest Space: Access an overview of the AR.Drone 2.0, the best flight videos and practical information. . Drone Update: Access the AR.Drone 2.0's free software updates. . AR.Drone Academy: Get geolocation data of the best flight zones, watch other pilots' videos and access their shared flight data. . AR.Games: Access applications/games available for the AR.Drone. . Photos/Videos: Directly access your own videos and photos. Watch or upload to YouTube for the community to enjoy. 'Absolute Flight', a revolutionary ultra-intuitive flight mode After the AR.FreeFlight 2.0 pilot application has been loaded onto an iOS or AndroidTM smartphone or tablet, the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 connects to the device via Wi-Fi. After connection, all the on-board instruments appear on screen with a cockpit view. Press the take off button briefly and the four brushless motors turn on. The AR.Drone 2.0 takes off. Flying is very simple. With your thumbs placed on either side of the screen, a control button automatically forms beneath: . Press and hold the left button and the AR.Drone 2.0 follows the movement of the pilot's device: it moves forward, backwards or sideways when you tilt the tablet forward, towards you or to the left or right. . Slide your finger over the right button, and the quadricopter rises, descends or rotates right or left. Thanks to Parrot's patented new 'Absolute Control' mode, the player accesses an even more intuitive piloting system. With a 3D magnetometer, the AR.Drone 2.0 knows its precise orientation with respect to the smartphone, which becomes the reference point. The pilot no longer needs to care about the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0's front camera, which will accurately track the smartphone's motion and tilt. Experienced players will select 'Relative Flight' mode, the conventional flight mode. This disables Parrot AR.Drone 2.0's magnetometer. The pilot manages the quadricopter's orientation with no assistance. Surprising stability at any altitude The heart of the AR.Drone 2.0 contains MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). A 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis gyroscope, a 3-axis magnetometer and a pressure sensor give the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 surprising stability, complete with: . 2 ultrasound sensors, which analyze flight altitude up to 6 meters. New! A pressure sensor completes the device and provides great vertical stability. . 4 blades, specially designed for the AR.Drone 2.0, make it possible to carry out smooth flights. . A second camera, placed beneath the quadricopter and connected to the central inertial unit, measures the craft's speed using an image comparison system. 2 hulls made for both types of flight The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 has 2 hulls with specially designed contours. Made of PA66 (a material used in designing car bumpers), they are light, highly resistant and protect the quadricopter. For outdoor flight, the contoured hull, available in three colors (orange/yellow; orange/green; orange/blue), reduces wind resistance and preserves the AR.Drone 2.0's handling and stability. When indoor, a second hull protects the blades from any impact. The black-and-white cockpit, underlined with a red stripe, reinforces the quadricopter's mysterious, thrilling appearance. Finally, light-emitting diodes (green in front, red in rear), positioned on the landing gear, help the pilot track the orientation of the AR.Drone 2.0 for easier flying. An Open Development Platform In order to expand the use of the Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 and its compatibility with other operating systems and to develop new flying games and applications, Parrot is providing developers and members of the Apple® and AndroidTM communities with a software development kit. By logging in at https://projects.ardrone.org and accepting the terms of the license, developers can access the source code used to fly the AR.Drone 2.0. A wiki and a tutorial also are available. A forum is available to discuss new developments and share feedback with Parrot engineers. *** The Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (included). Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 will be available for purchase at selected retailers in Q2-2012 in the United States for $299 MSRP |
O2 begins rolling out 'Europe's largest free WiFi network' in London this month Posted: 08 Jan 2012 06:35 AM PST UK carrier O2 will be rolling out its ambitious free WiFi network this month, just in time to let the throngs of tourists update their Facebook statuses during the 2012 Olympic Games and Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. The plan will cover London's Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea boroughs, creating Europe's largest free wireless network, according to O2. The deal, which the company adds will not be footed by the taxpayer, is part of a larger plan announced this time last year. Official information and lots of quotes from important sounding people after the break.
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Switched On: The Three Ds of CES TV Posted: 08 Jan 2012 05:30 AM PST Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. The walls of Las Vegas casinos -- devoid of clocks and windows -- form chambers in which time loses its mastery over the existence of those who dwell within them. So is it too for the products on display at CES, which run the gamut from things currently in stores to concept products that may not materialize for years, if ever. Nonetheless, with Mobile World Congress and the CTIA Wireless show still vying for the attention of handset introductions and Apple and Microsoft relying more on their own events for major PC OS announcements, television remains a staple of the show, with nearly all major U.S. brands having a presence on the show floor or off-site. At CES 2012, one can surely still expect a lot of focus on 3D television. Increasingly, though, three other "D"s are coming to represent the direction of television. Defined. For a few years now, companies have shown off prototypes of "4K" or ultra-high definition televisions that quadruple the resolution of today's 1080p televisions, continuing the old pattern of migrating technologies from the cinema to the home. Beyond the question of price, which it is too early to tackle, these sets raise several issues. First is the addressable market for such sets. As we've seen with 1080p, the benefit of higher resolution becomes more evident on larger sets. Most manufacturers have been showing 4K on sets that are 80 inches are larger. This represents a tiny fraction of the TVs in the U.S. and an even smaller fraction outside it. It could just be that our TVs are finally starting to outgrow our homes. Next, of course, is the old issue of content that once held back HDTV and now dogs 3D, although a new generation of movies developed for 4K cinema projectors can help with that. But this raises the third question, how to distribute them? There has been no "Blu-ray 4K" announced on the horizon and the public is wary from the last disc format migration. Decoupled. With broadcasters in many cases still stuck on 720p for over the air video and cable systems strapped for capacity, the answer would be broadband. But streaming 4K programming would overwhelm consumer broadband connections so movies would have to be delivered to a hard drive. That sounds a bit like the original premise of the Vudu box, which used a peer network to create a BitTorrent-like system for broadband HD distribution. Vudu gave up on that idea, and ultimately the boxes altogether, becoming a video service provider competing with Netflix, Amazon.com and the like. Regardless, connected TVs will be taken up a notch at CES. There have been long been rumors that companies such as Apple and Sony have been plotting to take on cable companies more directly with a subscription service that offered a core of cable-like programming on demand. It is still likely to early for such a major move to be made effectively. Increasingly, though, connected TV is progressing from a cable augmentation to something that relies on the pipe as a primary source of programming. 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. |
NASA goes open source with code portal for agency projects Posted: 08 Jan 2012 04:01 AM PST NASA is consolidating it efforts in open source software and offering the world an easier way to peruse its projects by launching code.nasa.gov. The current version offers a simple directory of open-sourced projects being developed by the agency and points of contacts for each (along with details and a download link, of course). There are two more phases of development planned -- first is to roll out a forum system, then an ambitious full-fledged platform for tracking, hosting and planning the various pieces of software created by the government's space agency. Check out the source for more details. |
Cubify brings 3D printer and Kinect app to CES Posted: 08 Jan 2012 03:11 AM PST At this point it's kinda tough to get excited about 3D printing -- actual devices and services are a dime a dozen, but Cubify has a decidedly user-friendly vibe working in its favor. 3D Systems is rolling in to CES with its Cube 3D printer, but it'll also be showing off Cubify.com and its new Kinect-To-Print app. The app will allow users to design objects with "coloring book simplicity," then have them printed up and shipped to their door, or they can post their creations to the web for others to purchase and earn cash. The site will also be prepopulated with a selection of games and other custom objects ready to be printed on demand either at home on the Cube 3D or by the company and shipped out to customers. Cubify.com will go live in a beta version on January 10th and, while you wait, you can check out the video and PR after the break. 3D Systems Unveils Cubify.com At CES Release Date: Thursday, January 5, 2012 - 09:30 ROCK HILL, South Carolina, January 4, 2012 – 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE: DDD) announced today that its Cubify.com 3D @home create-and-make online experience will go live in a beta release January 10, 2012. The company plans to unveil Cubify.com at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 10th–13th 2012 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in the exclusive 3D @Home section. Cubify.com combines coloring book simplicity with cloud gaming excitement to deliver a vivid 3D create-and-make experience through a fully integrated, fluid interface. With intuitive 3D apps, rich 3D printable content libraries of games, puzzles and collections, Cubify.com turns any mobile device, tablet or Kinect® into a powerful, digital canvas that unleashes creativity and brings ideas to life in 3D. Compelling content creation, capture and customization apps make it simple and fun to personalize creations and Cubify them at home on a Cube™ 3D printer or have them Cubified using our online 3D printing service. Now everyone can unleash their creativity and earn money by marketing their own 3D creations or by developing new apps for Cubify.com. To get engaged, 3D Systems will be demonstrating a new Kinect-To- Print app powered by Geomagic and a variety of Tablet-To-Print content creation and manipulation apps powered by its 6000+ strong developer community. The company will showcase its new Cube™ 3D consumer printer and make available 3D collection libraries as downloads. 3D Systems calls on all aspiring 3D app developers and designers to become part of its groundbreaking Cubify.com community. "We invite all CES attendees to experience the full impact of Cubify.com live," said Rajeev Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Solutions for 3D Systems. "We expect Cubify™ to become the preferred destination for all kids and adults seeking to earn money by marketing their own 3D creations or by developing new apps for Cubify™." © 2012, 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The 3DS logo, Cubify, and Cube are trademarks of 3D Systems, Inc. Kinect is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe such risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements in the conditional or future tenses or that includes terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" to be uncertain and forward-looking. Forwardlooking statements may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements," "Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors," and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. About 3D Systems Corporation 3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides creative content development, design productivity tools and curation services and downloads. Its expertly integrated solutions replace, displace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype and produce functional parts, empowering its customers to create with confidence. More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com. To experience 3D Systems' entire range of 3D content-to-print products and services please visit www.printin3D.com, www.zcorp.com, www.production3dprinters.com, www.toptobottomdental.com, www.quickparts.com, www.3Dproparts.com, www.alibre.com, www.bitsfrombytes.com, www.botmill.com, www.The3dStudio.com, www.freedomofcreation.com, www.sycode.com, blog.3dsystems.com, or via email at moreinfo@3Dsystems.com. About CEA and CES 2012 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.Innovation Movement.com. Follow CES at www.CESweb.org |
YouTube's got big plans for web TV: specialized channels with niche and original content Posted: 08 Jan 2012 02:35 AM PST YouTube's come quite a long way from its roots as a repository for random videos from the public. It's gone from "Chocolate Rain" and the Tron guy to streaming Disney classics and now creating original, quality content. The New Yorker spoke extensively with YouTube's Global Head of Content Robert Kyncl about the site's future plans, and YouTube's got its sights set on grabbing a big slice of TV's $300 billion pie. Kyncl thinks the future of TV is in niche content, and YouTube's original channels are just the vehicle to deliver it direct to your digital door. The site is commissioning people and companies to create the channels (as opposed to individual shows or pieces of content) which gives the creators freedom to program their channels as they see fit -- all YouTube asks is that they provide a certain number of hours of programming per week. This production model is apparently pretty attractive to content producers, given the talent that's on board and the amount of content that'll be rolling out over the next six months. The idea is that all the original content will get people watching YouTube for longer periods of time, and in turn grant more opportunities to reap ad revenue. Of course, these specialized channels don't provide the wide advertising reach of traditional television, but they do allow advertisers to target very specific audiences with focused ads. That presumably provides them with better bang for their buck. Time will tell if YouTube's new plan will win the war against traditional television and web TV (including Kyncl's former employer Netflix), but free, quality on-demand content certainly sounds good to us. Get a fuller accounting of Kyncl's vision at the source below, and feel free to sound off in the comments if you're picking up what he's putting down. |
BBC launches news app for Sony connected TV, joins Samsung and Panasonic Posted: 08 Jan 2012 01:41 AM PST Trading tradition for tech, the BBC has officially launched its news app for Sony connected TVs -- joining the ranks of its other offerings made for Samsung and Panasonic displays. With a third TV app under its belt, the Beeb is already talking about launching a fourth HTML-based variant designed to access all the newsy goodness from Virgin Media's TiVo boxes. Recently trading its Flash site for an HTML5 upgrade and launching its iPlayer for iPhone app in the UK, there's no doubt Austin Powers won't even recognize the joint when cryogenically unfrozen. Check out the tribute track after the break. |
Microsoft working on Vermeer, a 'touchable' 360-degree holographic display (video) Posted: 08 Jan 2012 12:29 AM PST Touchable is a stretch when talking about Vermeer, but we'd definitely call it interactive. Instead of hiding the 360-degree display under an acrylic or glass dome it uses a parabolic reflector to float a 3D "object" in space and tracks hand motions with an IR sensor or Kinect. It's not unlike RePro3D, but with slightly less bulky hardware. Don't take our word for it though, check out the video after the break. |
Linux kernel hits version 3.2, plenty of power-saving features in tow Posted: 07 Jan 2012 11:32 PM PST It's a little later than originally anticipated, but Linux kernel 3.2 is finally here. As per usual, it packs a number of improvements -- most them under the hood. Perhaps most exciting are some power-saving features related to graphics drivers, which should help get those battery life issues under control in Ubuntu 12.04. Other improvements include better (and hopefully more stable) WiFi drivers and faster read access to EXT4 formatted file systems. The list of changes is pretty epic to say the least. You can find plenty more detail at the source as well as a link to download the kernel for yourself, though, we highly recommend you wait until it comes to your distro of choice on its own. |
Fujifilm X-Pro1 lenses get Amazon product pages, prices Posted: 07 Jan 2012 10:03 PM PST |
Windows Phone Marketplace now accepting app submissions for China, five other countries Posted: 07 Jan 2012 09:10 PM PST It wasn't long ago that the Windows Phone Marketplace hit 50,000 unique titles, and very soon, developers may find themselves with a whole lot more exposure. Microsoft's virtual store is expanding once again -- this time to Argentina, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru and the Philippines. While it's not yet live in these countries, proactive developers may submit their apps now to benefit from early certification. Practically speaking, this also enables Microsoft to have its "shelves" fully stocked come opening day. So, unless you're an odd duck who doesn't like more money, the time seems ripe to get those apps submitted. |
Pantech Element poster spied at AT&T store, launch coming next week for $300? Posted: 07 Jan 2012 08:18 PM PST We've had a pretty good inkling that the Pantech Element LTE tablet would make an appearance at CES in the coming days, and our confidence level just rose another notch. It appears that one corporate-owned AT&T store got the official marketing material for the new tablet a few days prior to the device's launch and was a little too eager to put it on display ahead of time. The tipster also spilled the beans on a few specs, lending credence to earlier rumors: it's a waterproof 8-inch tablet with a 1.5GHz CPU, 16GB of internal storage and LTE, and will go for $300 on a two-year commitment ($450 without). As for availability, we were informed that we should expect it to be available on direct fulfillment (special order) the week of January 15th, with actual units hitting store shelves in the coming weeks. We'll hopefully get the full laundry list and hands-on time on Monday. Jetstream, anyone? [Thanks, Anonymous] |
Posted: 07 Jan 2012 08:00 PM PST
Blue Microphones Announces Tiki USB Microphone with Noise Cancelation, Voice Isolation and Intelligent Mute Ultra compact and built for portability, Tiki is the first USB microphone with advanced DSP that mimics the intelligence of human hearing CES 2012, South Hall, Booth 21642 – January 8, 2012) - Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces Tiki (www.bluemic.com/tiki), the world's first USB microphone that mimics the intelligence of human hearing by focusing on desired sounds, minimizing background noise and knowing when to mute altogether. Combining proprietary noise-cancelling technology, Voice Isolation and Intelligent Mute, Tiki dramatically improves the intelligibility of communication in any environment. Tiki offers two modes that allow users to switch between Intelligent Speech Mode for communication and Natural Recording Mode for CD-quality recording of vocals, instruments or podcasts. Similar in size to a standard USB flash drive, Tiki's portable, cable-free design allows it to plug directly into your laptop's USB port. "We are excited to introduce Tiki as the smartest, most compact USB mic on the market. Designed to mimic human hearing, Tiki brings the conversation into focus and attenuates distracting background noise, like the human ear does naturally in conversations," said Brian Biggott, CTO of Blue Microphones. "Being a microphone from Blue, Tiki is also designed to deliver professional-quality audio for impromptu vocal tracks or instrument recording. Whether you're on a conference call or recording guitar, you can now achieve crystal clear audio wherever you go." For conference calls and chats, Tiki's Intelligent Speech Mode uses Voice Isolation to bring your voice to the forefront while noise-canceling technology simultaneously minimizes unwanted, competing background noise such as computer fans, keyboard typing and ambient sounds. Tiki uses front-and-back facing microphones to capture the highest quality audio based on your orientation to the mic. Tiki's Intelligent Speech Mode also includes Intelligent Mute which automatically soft-mutes the mic when you are not speaking. By muting your mic, Intelligent Mute eliminates any contribution of background and computer noises during conversation, allowing you to perform other tasks, such as typing, in perceived silence. When you resume speaking, Tiki instantly detects your voice and automatically un-mutes to bring you back into the conversation. Not limited to speech and VOIP, Tiki's Natural Recording Mode captures a wide range of sources from vocals to acoustic guitar to location recordings. Using custom condenser capsules and professional-quality preamp circuitry, Tiki records high-fidelity audio with exceptional clarity. Natural Recording Mode delivers a full and rich sound directly from the microphone. Tiki's two modes give any musician, podcaster or Skype user the versatility to quickly choose the best option for the situation. Tiki's cable-free design allows for direct connection to a USB port, while an included docking cable provides extended connection where necessary. For portable protection, Tiki's packaging doubles as a durable compact carrying case. With all processing performed on-board, Tiki requires no drivers and is plug-and-play with both PC and Mac. For more information about Tiki, MSRP $59, visit www.bluemic.com/Tiki. Blue Microphones Announces Spark Digital, iPad and USB Microphone Spark Digital is the first studio-grade condenser microphone for both iPad and USB, bringing true studio recording capabilities to the iPad mobile platform (CES 2012, Booth 21462 – January 8, 2012) - Blue Microphones, a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces Spark Digital (www.bluemic.com/sparkdigital), the world's first studio-grade condenser microphone to offer both USB and iPad connectivity. As an extension of Blue's renowned analog Spark microphone, Spark Digital is the first professional recording option for the iPad mobile platform. Spark Digital also offers USB connectivity, delivering studio-quality audio to any computer, laptop or tablet with USB input. "Spark Digital is the first studio microphone for the iPad. With both USB and iPad connections and a wide range of available recording apps like GarageBand, Spark Digital is the missing link for achieving truly professional results on the mobile platform," said Brian Biggott, CTO of Blue Microphones. "Bridging the gap between analog quality and digital portability, Spark Digital completes the true mobile studio." Spark Digital features the same studio-grade condenser capsule and hand-tuned components as the original, analog Spark, for high-fidelity recording and consistent performance in any situation. Spark Digital also delivers the same detailed and uncolored audio found in original Spark, making it ideal for a wide range of situations: vocals, drums, guitars, piano, speech, location recording and more. In addition, Spark Digital features professional studio capabilities including a zero-latency headphone out for direct monitoring, volume and gain control and instant mute. Following the professional footprint of its analog predecessor, Spark Digital also employs a feature found only on the original Spark: the Focus control, providing two different sonic options in one mic. 'Focus Off' captures crisp, powerful audio with enhanced low frequency sensitivity for recordings with greater impact and definition, and the 'Focus On' captures greater clarity and detail for a tighter, more focused sound. For the recording novice, the Focus control provides the freedom to experiment with different sonic signatures in one mic, while providing the experienced recordist with versatile options. Spark Digital comes with a proprietary angle-adjustable desk stand with built-in shockmount that allows users to quickly position Spark Digital without any additional mic stands or hardware. For each platform connection (USB and iPad), Spark Digital includes a y-cable with an attached, extended female headphone jack for direct monitoring. Spark Digital is plug-and-play with driverless installation on iPad, iPad 2 and both PC and Mac. For storing and sharing, Spark Digital also includes an exclusive Cloud Production Bundle with free access to production tools for easy organizing, storing and streaming of audio content across the web. Spark Digital includes a 25 GB storage and transfer account for six months from Gobbler, a leader in music backup and organization, along with a six month Pro Account from SoundCloud, the leading social sound platform that lets anyone create, record, promote and share their sounds on the Web, a $125 total value. From recording high-quality audio with Spark Digital to easily storing and sharing in seconds, this free access to SoundCloud and Gobbler gives musicians, podcasters and more the valuable tools the need to create and promote, wherever they go. For more information about Spark Digital, MSRP $199, visit www.bluemic.com/SparkDigital. Blue Microphones Announces Mikey Digital, External Microphone for iPod touch, iPhone, iPad Bringing unmatched audio quality to portable recording, Mikey Digital offers stereo recording, automatic gain and auxiliary input (CES 2012, Las Vegas, Booth 21642 – January 8, 2012) – Blue Microphones (www.bluemic.com), a leading innovator in microphone technology and design, announces Mikey Digital, a plug-and-play external microphone for recording stereo audio on the latest iPod touch, iPhone and iPad models using iOS audio apps or the video function. Mikey Digital features automatic and manual gain control and a multi-source auxiliary input for direct recording of guitar and other sound sources. "Mikey Digital is the highest quality and most versatile solution for capturing professional recordings on your iOS device with most audio apps or the built-in video camera," said John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. "Mikey Digital brings more than professional-quality recording to these mobile platforms, it also turns your iOS device into a studio interface for recording guitar, connecting a lavaliere mic or capturing line level audio straight to your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad." Mikey Digital features two custom-tuned condenser capsules for capturing studio-quality audio-the same capsules used in Blue's award-winning Snowball and Yeti USB microphones. Mikey Digital users can switch between Automatic and Manual gain settings, allowing the automatic gain control to intelligently adjust to fluctuating volume levels or manually locking in a high or low sensitivity level. Mikey Digital is also equipped with an LED clipping indicator that signals whenever volume levels are producing distortion, providing immediate feedback to adjust for best recording results. Furthering its capabilities, Mikey Digital also features a multi-source 3.5mm auxiliary input jack for stereo line-in, instrument-in and mic-in. This versatile input turns Mikey Digital into a multifaceted professional recording interface for direct recording of other sources including guitar, handheld mics, mixers and more. Using a built-in, high-quality mic preamp and a CD-quality A/D converter, Mikey Digital records the highest fidelity possible on the iOS platform and can handle the high SPL of loud environments. Mikey Digital also features a USB pass-thru connection for charging your device while in-use for continuous recording without draining battery life. Featuring a 230-degree rotating head for optimal positioning, Mikey Digital can also capture enhanced audio while recording video by rotating the mic to align with the front- or rear- facing camera. Further, Mikey Digital incorporates an advanced microprocessor allowing for upgradeability and future control through iOS applications. Plug-and-play, Mikey Digital directly connects to latest iPod touch, iPhone 4/S, iPad 2 and iPad and is instantly recognized for use with most audio and video applications. For more information about Mikey Digital, MSRP $99, visit www.bluemic.com/mikeydigital. |
Fujitsu's Arrows ES IS12F has the light stuff, baby, heads to KDDI January 7th Posted: 07 Jan 2012 07:30 PM PST A little junk in the mobile trunk never hurt nobody, but don't tell that to Fujitsu, where thin is clearly in. The company's gone all out on its latest handset -- the Arrows ES IS12F -- for Japanese carrier KDDI, hitting marks for both svelteness and ruggedness: pairing a 6.7mm profile with a Gorilla Glass and scratch-resistant body coating (think: the Brawny Man as a phone covered in Teflon on a Master Cleanse). This 4-incher's outfitted with an 800 x 480 AMOLED display, single-core 1.4GHz Qualcomm MSM8655 processor running Android 2.3, 5.11 megapixel rear shooter and, in keeping with the Arrows tradition, it's also waterproof. If you're living in the Land of the Rising Sun, you can snag this slight smartphone in Ruby Red and Gloss Black starting January 7th. Sorry, chubby phone chasers, you're gonna have to sit this one out. |
Nielsen's 2011 media usage report: conventional TV still rules, but online viewing is skyrocketing Posted: 07 Jan 2012 06:46 PM PST 2011's come and gone, but Nielsen's media report on the year remains. The latest figures from the year that was have been published, and conventional television is still riding a wave of popularity. We're told that 290 million Statesiders are still ogling at least one television, with around one in three American homes (35.9 million for the mathematicians) owning four or more of the things. Across the wire, some 211 million Americans are online, with a staggering 116 million aged 13 and up accessing the mobile web. Other figures include 253 million DVD players owned, 162 million game consoles, 129 million DVRs and 95 million satellite subscribers. There's also some 111 million people watching timeshifted programming, and Netflix itself has four times the average viewing time per person, per month compared to the boob tube. Concerned about mobile? Android's US market share (again, according to Nielsen) is pegged at 43 percent, while the iPhone has 28 percent and RIM's BlackBerry OS claims 18 percent. Hit up the links below for more charts, numbers and things that your grandmother couldn't possibly care less about. |
Ask Engadget: best sub-$70 smartphone battery pack? Posted: 07 Jan 2012 06:14 PM PST We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Arif, who needs a heavy-duty smartphone battery for his nomadic life. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. This is going to be a tough one, we know -- our first thought was toward a Powerbag with a 6000mAh battery, but that costs $170, more than twice Arif's budget. Is there something cheaper you could suggest to our nomadic friend that'll enable him to stay off the grid long enough to become a modern day Grizzly Adams? All we ask for is a comment, and your knowledge to steer it by. |
LG Cinema Screen LCD HDTVs slice bezel to 1mm, let two players share one TV Posted: 07 Jan 2012 05:55 PM PST LG has been pushing its flavor of 3DTV as Cinema 3D, and now it has slipped the theater related nomenclature onto another feature, the 1mm thin LCD bezels it has dubbed "Cinema Screen". It claims this move brings the experience closer to the theater, but that's not the only new feature for 2012. LG announced it will offer Dual Play, where it uses polarized glasses to let two different players see only their perspective on the full screen at once in games that support it. Vizio demonstrated the feature last year as Versus and Sony brought it to market in the PlayStation 3D display. We'll likely get more time with those razor thin bezels once CES is truly underway, for now check after the break for the press release. LG'S CINEMA SCREEN DESIGN REDUCES CINEMA 3D SMART TV BEZEL TO ONE MILLIMETER Share New LG CINEMA 3D Smart TVs Create Optimal Environment for Immersive Viewing Through New 3D Technologies Led by CINEMA SCREEN Design SEOUL, Jan. 8, 2012 -– LG Electronics (LG) will introduce the CINEMA SCREEN Design at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Featured in the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs for 2012, CINEMA SCREEN Design reduces the bezel to just 1 mm, creating a more optimal and comfortable environment for immersive 3D viewing. "The 3D experience is still evolving and we at LG intend to push the limits of what 3D can deliver," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "With our 2012 CINEMA 3D Smart TVs, we have been able to take a significant step forward, thanks to a series of new and upgraded 3D features led by the CINEMA SCREEN Design." The CINEMA SCREEN Design translates the latest advances in LG's display technology into an aesthetically superior form. Bezels that surround the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs have been slimmed down to negligible levels, removing physical obstructions to allow greater immersion of 3D effects, reminiscent of movie screens at cinemas. The CINEMA SCREEN Design is accompanied by new CINEMA 3D glasses for 2012. Presented in three elegant models, the new CINEMA 3D glasses are 20 percent lighter than the previous ones, increasing their comfort to allow longer 3D viewing. Such optimal setting for immersive 3D viewing is complemented by a range of new 3D technologies. Using the theory of 3D TV technology, Dual Play is the solution for an ultimate gaming experience. With LG's Dual Play function and the special Dual Play glasses, players see two entirely different full images, as opposed to the traditional split screen, where each player has to focus on half the screen. Meanwhile, 3D Sound Zooming generates audio output that is synchronized with the location and movement of the various on-screen objects, so immersive sound can complement immersive visuals. As always, the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs come equipped with LG's Smart TV function. Featuring over 1,200 apps, LG's Smart TV offers a variety of premium content services, including 3D World, where viewers can access a growing abundance of 3D content. Furthermore, the built-in 2D to 3D conversion engine makes 3D content practically limitless. All aforementioned features of the new CINEMA 3D Smart TVs will be available for viewing at CES 2012 in Las Vegas starting on January 10, 2012. |
SolarKindle cover basks in the sun's rays, charges for days and days Posted: 07 Jan 2012 05:27 PM PST Direct sunlight and Amazon's Kindle have always gone hand in hand -- you simply can't read E-Ink without a strong light source. So, it would make sense to pair that lighting requirement with a solar panel, pack it into a convenient case, toss in a reading lamp and give readers the gift of effortlessly extended battery life -- which is exactly what SolarFocus intends to do. Scheduled to be shown off at this week's CES, the company's SolarKindle adds three months of unplugged use, in addition to 50 hours for its included LED lamp. And unlike most innovations that take their sweet time getting to market, this cover's slated for a January 15th bow, priced at $80. Take that paperbacks. SOLARFOCUS ANNOUNCES "SOLARKINDLE" AT CES 2012 FIRST PRACTICAL SOLAR GADGET WINS CES INNOVATIONS 2012 ECO-DESIGN & SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES AWARD HONOREE SolarKindle Guarantees 3 Months Unplugged Kindle Reading Time & 50 Hours of Reading Lamp Use -- Employs Clean, Green, Renewable Energy of the Sun Las Vegas, NV, January 7, 2012 – SolarFocus Technology Company Ltd. www.solarmio.com, winner of the CES 2012 Innovation Award, will introduce at CES the first practical solar gadget -- SolarKindle, the world's first solar powered e-reader cover. The first product in SolarFocus' innovative new solar gadget line, SolarKindle features a unique eco-friendly design with a flexible, lightweight high performance solar panel built right into the cover and a dual-charging (USB/solar) reserve battery that greatly extend reading time -- with a guarantee of three-months of unplugged Kindle use under normal sunlight environment. In addition, the built-in LED reading lamp can be powered continuously for up to 50 hours without using the Kindle's main battery for the best illumination and coverage, allowing you to use your Kindle comfortably as long as you wish -- day or night, indoors or outdoors. First in Line of Solar Gadgets - Solar Patented Technology Wins CES Award Based on years of solar research resulting in numerous patents and winning a 2012 International CES Innovations Design & Engineering Awards Honoree, SolarKindle will be introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas, January 10-13, 2012, at the SolarKindle Booth #70402, Venetian and will be on display at CES Unveiled: the Official Press Event of CES on Sunday, January 8 from 4-7 p.m in the Venetian Ballroom, Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas. Makes Unplugged E-Reading Come True The first practical solar gadget that makes unplugged e-reading come true, SolarKindle is designed with the utmost attention to detail with premium leather offering protection and functionality. SolarKindle's renewable solar energy panel and integrated reserve battery provide superior lighting and extended reading time, especially useful when conventional power sources are not available, such as while traveling, camping, or away from home or office -- the perfect solution for readers on the go. SolarKindle's custom-designed solar panel and integrated solar charging circuitry deliver high charging efficiency, making the best use of the clean, green, and renewable energy of the sun. SolarKindle Features: · Solar powered e-reader cover with flexible, lightweight solar panel built into the cover. · Dual-charging (USB/solar) reserve battery greatly extends reading time. · 3-month guarantee for unplugged Kindle use under normal sunlight environment. · LED reading lamp turns on with one touch release. · Integrated reserve battery runs the LED lamp for up to 50 hours continuously without using the Kindle's main battery. · Integrated reserve battery can also transfer energy to the Kindle's main battery to extend reading time. · Integrated solar panel collects and converts solar energy "on the go" -- one hour under direct sunlight can provide up to 3 days reading time. · Premium leather cover. "For the past six years, SolarFocus has been dedicated to developing the most technologically advanced portable solar powered solutions for consumers," said Dick Lu, Executive Vice President at SolarFocus. "From starting the company in a brand new and undeveloped market, to establishing the SolarFocus brand of outdoor solar powered products, we are very happy to see our SolarKindle Lighted Cover receive such honorable recognition from the International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards. We will continuously improve the price/performance ratio of our solar powered solutions on even more consumer electronic products to reduce carbon emissions." SolarKindle Lighted Cover will be available Jan. 15, 2012, priced at $79.99 from www.solarmio.com and other retailers. For more information, see www.solarmio.com. |
LG home theater system adds vertical speakers for 9.1 surround sound Posted: 07 Jan 2012 04:51 PM PST While 3D video is already running rampant throughout the latest HDTVs, another new bullet point feature is 3D sound, and naturally LG's newest home theater systems have it. LG will have four new home theater systems on display this week at CES, but the first one it's showing off is the BH9420PW, which uses "3D Sound Zooming" to match the positioning of sounds with 3D video being displayed on one of LG's TVs. It achieves this thanks to four upright speakers added to the traditional 5.1 layout and algorithm that detects depth of effects being watched in 3D. According to LG, this makes for a wider sweet spot than usual, but as always we'll let our ears be the judge. There's a few more details in the press release after the break along with a couple more pictures to tide you over until the press conference kicks off at 11AM ET, January 9th. LG'S NEW HOME THEATER SYSTEMS TO DISRUPT HOME ENTERTAINMENT LIKE NEVER BEFORE LG Takes Aim at Audio Visual Market by Integrating 3D Sound and Smart TV Technologies into HTS SEOUL, Jan. 4, 2012 –- LG Electronics is introducing four new home theater systems at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) equipped with LG's latest 3D sound technology. By combining its 3D Home Theater Systems with the company's popular CINEMA 3D Smart TVs, LG aims to solidify its position as the leader in 3D home entertainment. The synergy between LG's CINEMA 3D Smart TV and CINEMA 3D SOUND HOME THEATER products will be apparent in retail outlets, where they will be displayed paired together. Of the four new 3D SOUND HOME THEATER models scheduled for launch during the first half of 2012, the BH9420PW will be the first to be unveiled at CES 2012. "Whether it's TVs or audio systems, LG continues to offer the most immersive 3D home entertainment experience possible," said Havis Kwon, President and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "Our CINEMA 3D Smart TVs will now be accompanied by a wider variety of CINEMA 3D SOUND HOME THEATER products that offer consumers a complete 3D experience and further strengthen LG's leadership in 3D." The BH9420PW incorporates LG's very own 3D Sound Zooming technology, which constantly synchronizes sound output with the location and movement of the on-screen 3D images on a CINEMA 3D Smart TV. In turn, 3D Sound Zooming plunges the viewer into the middle of the action, as the events that unfold on their 3D TVs immerse and surround the viewers as both images and sound in real 3D. 3D Sound Zooming is capable of generating variety of depth in sound based on a complex algorithm that analyzes the varying depth of numerous on-screen objects displayed on the 3D TV. Such immersive 3D sound quality is enhanced further by the BH9420PW's 9.1 speaker system, which adds four Upright 3D Speakers to the 5.1 channels of a conventional home theater system. The four Upright 3D Speakers pump sound upward, ensuring that the vertical space is completely filled with sound. Meanwhile, a 360º Reflector inside each of the Upright 3D Speakers reflects sound in all directions, creating acoustics as rich as those in a concert hall. Moreover, by applying LG's unique 3D effect DSP algorithm, the Sound Field Expansion technology further expands the horizontal sound field, and works in harmony with the Upright 3D Speakers to create a truly immersive, 360º sound experience. Additionally, the audio "sweet spot" is further extended so viewers always feel as if they are right in the middle of the action, regardless of their location in a living room. In order to provide viewers with a wide range of 3D experiences, the BH9420PW is equipped with a Smart TV function. In turn, any ordinary 3D TV can have access to LG's Smart TV ecosystem, which is composed of a growing variety and quantity of 3D content through various premium content services and apps, such as LG's 3D Zone. The BH9420PW will hit stores in March 2012. |
Parrot launching new AR.Drone2.0 at CES? Posted: 07 Jan 2012 04:04 PM PST We happened upon Parrot's outdoor AR.Drone corral at CES and this signage immediately caught our eyes. Parrot AR.Drone2.0 Fly - Record - Share: is this an all-new device or a firmware bump that adds some new functionality? The social media aspect of the poster is pretty self evident -- and might be accomplished with a device firmware upgrade -- but we're kind of hoping for a new Drone with better cameras, speed, battery life, and while we're listing things, a dedicated remote control wouldn't hurt a bit. While we're not sure exactly what AR.Drone2.0 is, you can be sure we'll be back in a few days with hands-on of whatever shakes out of Parrot's PR. |
Motorola launches MOTOLUXE and DEFY MINI Android sets (video) Posted: 07 Jan 2012 03:12 PM PST CES hasn't even officially gotten underway and Motorola's already launching not one, but two handsets for the Greater Chinese, European, and Latin American markets. First off we have the higher end of the two, the not quite new Motorola MOTOLUXE -- which we've already seen in China as the XT615 and more recently in the hallowed halls of the FCC -- packing a 4-inch display, 8 megapixel camera with flash, and a nifty lit lanyard slot on the front for email, text, and voicemail notifications. The least dynamic of this duo is the dust-proof, water-resistant, Gorilla Glass-toting DEFY MINI. This downmarket set features a 3 megapixel cam, 3.2-inch display, and a relatively beefy 1650 mAh battery that touts 10 hours talk and 21 days standby time. Sadly there was no mention of pricing, but both devices are slated for February availability in the aforementioned markets. Video and PR after the break. Motorola Mobility Introduces Two Stylish Smartphones That Break Boundaries, but Won't Break the Bank LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Jan. 5, 2012 – This spring, Motorola Mobility, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) is helping you flaunt your individuality by adding two stylish and unique Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) powered smartphones to its growing budget-friendly portfolio. MOTOLUXE is a hip, slim touchscreen device and Motorola DEFY MINI is dustproof and water-resistant, making it the ideal "life proof" phone for active users. And they come in different shapes, sizes and colors – so you can choose a phone that best reflects your personality. No matter what device you choose, Motorola's MotoSwitch user interface changes the way you manage your life. With MotoSwitch, your smartphone learns who you talk to and which apps you use and keeps all of that information front and center. The Social Graph feature gives you easy and fast access to the people who really matter. It learns who's most important to you and uses that information to populate the home screen. The more frequently you communicate with someone, the bigger their icon becomes. The Activity Graph gives you quick and easy access to your favorite apps, automatically changing to reflect the apps you use the most. With Music Now you can easily play your favorite music while the Smart Gallery displays your favorite pictures as collections. With Google Mobile™ services you'll be able to search for anything with Google Search™, chat with your friends using Google Talk™, or find your way anywhere you want to go with Google Maps™ with navigation. Strike While the Iron Is Hot The ultra-vogue, very-slim, MOTOLUXE sets the bar high in terms of style with a 4-inch edge-to- edge touchscreen display. This hip device is perfect for writing emails, surfing the Web and watching movies. And, for the amateur photographers out there, the 8-megapixel autofocus camera with flash lets you shoot like a pro and capture life clearly and fully. MOTOLUXE also sets itself apart with a lanyard slot that has a lighting effect. So you can see when you've missed a call, received a text or have an email waiting for you. Other cool stuff includes: * Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family * Available in licorice or white * 1400 mAh battery for up to 6.5 hours of talk time, 19 days of standby time Strong and Sturdy Water-resistant, dust-proof and with a scratch resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass display, Motorola DEFY MINI is the ideal smartphone for active users who need a device as resilient as they are. With a 3.2-inch touchscreen good for emailing, texting and browsing the Web, and a long battery-life, you can keep this phone on and by your side all day long no matter where you go, so you'll never miss a beat. But wait... there's more: * 3MP rear-facing camera with flash * Front-facing VGA camera for video chatting with friends and family * Easy access to all your favorite outdoor apps with the "Instrument Dashboard" * 1650 mAh battery for up to 10 hours of talk time, 21 days of standby time You can get your hands on MOTOLUXE and Motorola DEFY MINI at Motorola's booth (LVCC, Central Hall, Booth NO. 8644) at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 10 - 13, 2012. Pricing and Availability Both devices are expected to be available in Greater China, Europe and Latin America starting this spring. MOTOLUXE is already available in China under the name Motorola XT615 and is expected to be available in Greater China, Europe and Latin America starting in February. Motorola DEFY MINI is expected to be available in China under the name Motorola XT320 and in select countries in Europe and Latin America starting in February. 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. |
Mobile Miscellany: week of January 2, 2012 Posted: 07 Jan 2012 03:00 PM PST This week may not have been incredibly packed with news in the mobile world, but it was still easy to miss a few stories here and there. Here's some of the other stuff that happened in the wide world of wireless for the week of January 2, 2012: Samsung Galaxy Nexus coming to Rogers, Fido and Telus The Galaxy Nexus has been available on Bell and Virgin Mobile for nearly a month now, and other Canadian carriers are jumping on the bandwagon as well. Telus tweeted out a statement that the flagship device will be available on January 13th, and Samsung Canada sent out a tweet mentioning that it's coming out on Rogers the same day. We've also heard from several other carriers, such as Fido, WIND, Videotron, and Mobilicity, that the Nexus is "coming soon" to their stores. [The Verge, MobileSyrup] LG Connect 4G MS840 leaked for MetroPCS The LG Connect 4G MS840 for MetroPCS was leaked. It appears to be a mid-range LTE phone that will debut on the regional carrier and is reported to be on the menu for Verizon as the VS840 and Sprint as the LS840. From the leaked specs, the Connect should have a 4-inch WVGA NOVA display, 5MP rear camera, VGA front-facing cam, dual-core processor of unknown speed and 1GB RAM. [PocketNow] HTC rumored to bring two quad-core phones to MWC 2012 We know, we know -- we're just getting started with CES 2012, and the rumors about the upcoming MWC are already flying. This week's rumor involves HTC's plans; the manufacturer's certainly going to have a presence at the show, no doubt, but Digitimes reports that two quad-core devices are in the works (the HTC Edge as well as another mystery handset) and should be making their presence known there. There's no official confirmation on the story at this point. [Stuff, Digitimes] |
Intel collaborating with more system-on-chip vendors, bringing Wireless Display to more places Posted: 07 Jan 2012 02:48 PM PST Intel's Wireless Display hasn't exactly generated AirPlay-level buzz, but there's no question that it's a beautiful feature to end up with on insert-your-next-system-here. In a bid to bring WiDi to even more places (and in turn, generate even more buzz), the company's reaching out to System-On-Chip (SoC) vendors -- including Cavium, Mstar Semiconductor, Sigma Designs, Realtek, and Wondermedia -- in order to slide the feature over to even more connected TVs, set-top boxes and "other home consumer electronic devices." In other words, "you'll soon be able to enjoy streaming your PC to your HDTV with WiDi technology built-in, without the need for an external adapter." Naturally, we'll be looking for proof as soon as the CES show floor opens up. |
ViewSonic ViewPhone 3 clears FCC, prepares for Latin American arrival Posted: 07 Jan 2012 02:26 PM PST Well, wouldn't you know it, but another ViewSonic smartphone has just reared its head -- this time the ViewPhone 3 (V350) -- which has just cleared the FCC. Previously geared toward Russian and European audiences, its creator now hopes to make a splash with the device at CES. The ViewPhone 3 features dual-SIM technology and will be primarily marketed in Latin America. Connectivity wise, it offers quadband GSM and EDGE, although for North American purposes, 3G is limited to the 850MHz spectrum. Further, it carries a 3.5-inch HVGA display, 512MB of RAM and delivers two upgrades over the international version -- an 800MHz Qualcomm CPU and Android 2.3. For those in the states who really want in on the action, ViewSonic intends to sell an unlocked version for a mere $250. |
New Nikon DSLR seemingly emerges on German site, D800 hiding in plain sight? Posted: 07 Jan 2012 02:13 PM PST See that row of cameras up there? A stately bunch, no doubt. It's a shot from Nikon's German website, and while the newly-announced D4 is shown, there's a curious beast four units in from the left that we haven't seen before. As The Verge and Nikon Rumors have astutely pointed out, that's not a render of any current Nikon body, leaving the inquisitive among us wondering if it's just an awkward image or an heretofore unannounced device. Naturally, all signs are pointing to the rumored D800, and given that the D700 could hardly be any longer in the tooth, it's certainly possible that someone slipped up when polishing up ze website for the day after the D4's launch. So, what say you? An improperly resized D700? Or the next-gen camera of your dreams? |
Sony Ericsson 'Pepper' MT27i surfaces, has some design spice Posted: 07 Jan 2012 02:10 PM PST While we wait mere days for Sony to unveil whatever it's got cooking for its smartphone arm, another mysterious phone has leaked ahead of any formal reveal. This prototype black and white handset still carries the full Sony Ericsson branding, and it's rumored to pack a 3.7-inch screen at 480 x 854 resolution. It's purportedly powered by a dual-core 1GHz processor and is, according to Xperia Blog, the successor to the moderately-priced Xperia Neo. There's the same three capacitive buttons, with an unspecified front-facing camera and a five megapixel camera rumored on the back. If Sony has deigned it worthy of a Vegas showing, expect to see some close-up impressions very soon. [Thanks Joseph] |
Xi3's TAND3M software enables two users to tap into a single modular PC, microSERV3R en route Posted: 07 Jan 2012 01:46 PM PST Hard to say how many Xi3 "modular computers" have been moved to date, but enabling a single one to serve two masters might just create a new market for it. The outfit's here in Vegas to introduce its new TAND3M software, described as a program that'll enable two people to simultaneously share and use one Xi3 Modular Computer for all computing functions. The outfit's trumpeting the lower overall cost of implementation, and while the app itself will demand $100, that's far cheaper than paying a few hundred bones for an entirely new rig. In order to take advantage, you'll need to have two separate monitors, keyboards and mice, and it'll play nice with Xi3 machines using either Linux or Windows. We're told to expect availability in "the first half of 2012," and in related news, the company's launching new 4x4x4-inch microSERV3R (yeah, it's a full-blown server). We'll be jonesing for a look ourselves as soon as the show floor opens up Xi3 Corporation to Unveil TAND3M Software at CES 2012 Company's first software offering allows two people to simultaneously share and use one Xi3 Modular Computer for all computing functions-surfing the Web, watching and uploading videos, producing documents, sending/receiving email and more-for only $100 more SALT LAKE CITY and LAS VEGAS, Nev. - January 6, 2012 Xi3 Corporation today announced its TAND3M™ software application, a program that allows two people to simultaneously share and use one Xi3® Modular™ Computer for all computing functions, significantly lowering overall computing costs in the process. The first public demonstrations of Xi3's TAND3M program will be conducted in booth #36805 of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center at the 2012 International CES tradeshow (held Jan. 10-13, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada). "The Xi3 Modular Computer is already a very compelling computer, but when you buy one with TAND3M pre-loaded or load TAND3M onto an existing Xi3 Modular Computer, the entire equation changes," said Jason A. Sullivan, president and CEO of Xi3 Corporation. "By taking advantage of the underutilized resources of the Xi3 Modular Computer, the operating system and the other applications, TAND3M essentially cuts your computing costs in half-without any drop-off in performance." To deploy TAND3M, users connect two separate monitors, keyboards and mice to an Xi3 Modular Computer. The two users then log onto TAND3M consecutively and that's it-both can now use the underutilized resources of the Xi3 Modular Computer, the operating system and the various applications simultaneously. "Because it only needs 20 Watts to operate, the Xi3 Modular Computer is already one of the most ecofriendly desktop computers on the planet," Sullivan said. "TAND3M also increases the 'green factor' by dramatically dropping the electricity needs by 50 percent to only 10 Watts per seat." TAND3M is slated for general availability in the first half of 2012 at a suggested retail price of $100 and will be available for Xi3 Modular Computers running either Linux or Windows. When it begins shipping, TAND3M will be available either as a pre-installed application on new Xi3 Modular Computers or as a standalone application that can be loaded by users onto an Xi3 Modular Computer they already own. For more information about TAND3M or other Xi3 Corporation products, please visit www.Xi3.com. |
Lenovo taps former Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci to lead new Europe, Middle East and Africa division Posted: 07 Jan 2012 01:43 PM PST It looks like former Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci's recent gig as a consultant for Lenovo has worked out pretty well -- Lenovo confirmed today that it's bringing on Lanci in a permanent position as the head of the its new Europe, Middle East and Africa (or EMEA) division. As The Wall Street Journal reports, that move is part of a broader reorganization within the company (going into effect April 2nd), which will see it have four units focused on different regions instead of the current three. Current Lenovo execs will head up the three other divisions. |
Nokia Lumia 900 coming to AT&T, further details expected on Monday Posted: 07 Jan 2012 01:18 PM PST Lookie here -- The New York Times has confirmed that Nokia's much-rumored Lumia 900 (800 shown above) will be coming to AT&T, with official details expected here at CES. There's no word on where it'll be hawked outside of the States, but it looks like T-Mob's Lumia 710 is about to get upstaged. We're told to expect more information here on Monday, and in case you had any questions, Elop was quoted as affirming that no Android plans are in the pipeline. Shocker. As for rumored specifications, there's a 4.3-inch WVGA capacitive touchpanel, half a gig of RAM, Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) and an 8-megapixel shooter. Keep it locked here for more details as we get 'em. |
Sony quits OLED TV in the consumer market, we quietly shelve hopes for the XEL-2 Posted: 07 Jan 2012 01:08 PM PST Hope you're in the mood to pour one out, because the Daily Yomiuri Online has just confirmed that Sony is giving up the OLED TV in its consumer business. According to the report, it has discontinued production of OLED TV sets for the mainstream market, and while it'll continue selling 'em to its corporate clients, it'll concentrate the home-use TV portion on LCD models. For historians in attendance, they'll no doubt (fondly) recall the XEL-1 -- a devilishly thin personal OLED TV that never stood a chance at filling anything other than a luxury niche. The same sect will also remember that it discontinued OLED TV sales domestically back in 2010, but exports to America and Europe continued up until now. The real question? Whether or not those rollable OLEDs are still getting researched in a Sony lab; the futurist in us can only pray so. |
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