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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

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AT&T to adjust data plans January 22nd, offers more gigs for more money

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 01:32 PM PST

Good news and bad news here, folks: the good news is that AT&T will begin offering new data plans with a higher monthly allotment. The bad news is that, once again, it's going to cost you more. The plans, which will offer 300MB of data for $20, 3GB for $30 and 5GB (including mobile hotspot access) for $50, will take effect beginning this Sunday. Are you still on one of the older plans? Fortunately, you're still grandfathered in and won't have to change unless you absolutely want to. But remember that once you move to the new data rate, there's no going back; the only legacy plan sticking around is AT&T's 250MB tablet feature for $15. The change in plans appears to be right on par with Verizon's normal offerings, though the $30 plan on AT&T has an advantage in that it hooks you up with an extra gigabyte of data capacity. The question is, will it be worth paying an additional $5 per month for that extra gig? Oh, and we're still waiting on that shared data plan in the meantime, Ralph.
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AT&T LAUNCHES NEW DATA PLANS

Customers Get More Data, More Value

DALLAS, JANUARY 18, 2012 - AT&T today announced new data plans for smartphone and tablet customers that will launch this Sunday, January 22. The plans give customers more data and value.

The new smartphone plans include:

· AT&T Data Plus 300MB: $20 for 300MB

· AT&T Data Pro 3GB: $30 for 3GB

· AT&T Data Pro 5GB: $50 for 5GB, with mobile hotspot / tethering

Smartphone customers needing additional data can pay $10 per additional gigabyte on the AT&T Data Pro 3GB and Data Pro 5GB plans; AT&T Data Plus users will receive an extra 300MB for $20.

The new tablet plans* include:

· AT&T DataConnect 3GB: $30 for 3GB

· AT&T DataConnect 5GB: $50 for 5GB

Existing smartphone and tablet customers will have the choice of keeping their current plans or choosing one of these new plans, and the current $14.99 for 250MB plan for tablet customers will remain available.

To help customers determine which data plan best matches their needs, AT&T has helpful tools at www.att.com/dataplans – including a data calculator where customers can estimate usage for their typical data activity. Once smartphone and tablet customers are on a plan, AT&T keeps them informed of their usage levels by sending usage alerts as they consume data within their plan. For example, a smartphone customer with AT&T DataPlus 300MB will receive a text message when they consume 65 percent of their data bucket, plus two additional alerts as they approach the 300MB provided with their plan.

"Customers are using more data than ever before," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Our new plans are driven by this increasing demand in a highly competitive environment, and continue to deliver a great value to customers, especially as we continue our 4G LTE deployment."

Customers are encouraged to keep their device's Wi-Fi turned on because data usage over Wi-Fi does not count against a customer's monthly data plan. As an added value, AT&T smartphone and tablet customers have access at no additional charge to AT&T's 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide – the nation's largest Wi-Fi network.** Customers can get more information at www.att.com/wifiaccess.

Kodak says smile Samsung, you're being sued for infringing five digital imaging patents

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 12:28 PM PST

Kodak's been in a bit of a financial bind lately, and has been exploring various options to maximize profitability and get its balance sheet back in the black. After recently filing actions against Apple and HTC in the International Trade Commission, Kodak's legal team now has Samsung in its sights. According to a press release, Kodak has filed a federal suit in the Western District of New York alleging that several Sammy slates are infringing five of Kodak's digital imaging patents. The patents in question claim various image capture and transmission technologies, from taking and sending images via email to transferring digital pictures over a cellular network. We haven't gotten a peek at the complaint just yet to see which devices allegedly run afoul of Kodak's IP, but you can find the five patents in question in the PR after the break.
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Kodak Alleges Patent Infringement Against Samsung

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., alleging infringement of certain patents related to Kodak digital imaging technology.

"Automatically Transmitting Images from an Electronic Camera to a Service Provider Using a Network Configuration File"
The complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, alleges that certain Samsung tablets infringe patented Kodak digital imaging technology.

Kodak has licensed its digital imaging patents to more than 30 leading technology companies, including LG, Motorola, and Nokia, with all of the licenses royalty-bearing to Kodak.

The complaint against Samsung alleges infringement of the following five patents:

U.S. Patent No. 6,292,218 – "Electronic Camera For Initiating Capture of Still Images While Previewing Motion Images"

U.S. Patent No. 7,210,161 – "Automatically Transmitting Images from an Electronic Camera to a Service Provider Using a Network Configuration File"

U.S. Patent No. 7,742,084 – "Network Configuration File for Automatically Transmitting Images from an Electronic Still Camera"

U.S. Patent No. 7,453,605 – "Capturing Digital Images to be Transferred to an E-Mail Address"

U.S. Patent No. 7,936,391 – "Digital Camera with Communications Interface for Selectively Transmitting Images over a Cellular Phone Network and a Wireless LAN Network to a Destination"

Google+ web app adds two new features, iOS and Android soon to follow

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 11:51 AM PST

Twitter recently revamped its web interface, and now Google has decided to do the same for the Google+ web app, bringing two new features that should be a boon for the Big G's thriving social network. You can now see who's been rolling out +1's to your latest Hello Kitty pics with a simple click of the +1 count near the button. There's also a "What's Hot" stream, a section focused on the most interesting shared content that's accessed by flicking your thumb right on the main Circles timeline. The only casualty from this update was the Incoming feed page, which was replaced due to lack of use according to its creator. The iOS and Android applications are expected to make the jump soon, but in the meantime, the web app should satisfy the need to indulge.

Kindle Fire firmware update 6.2.2 brings full-screen browsing

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 11:23 AM PST

The fine folks over at Amazon have further flushed out the firmware on its fiercely popular Fire tablet. Upgrading your Kindle Fire to version 6.2.2 will bring a handful of small performance tweaks, bugs fixes and, most notably, add a full-screen mode to the device's Silk browser. If you've gone ahead and rooted your Fire, applying the firmware bump will kill superuser access -- although a fresh build of BurritoRoot 2 should get you back on the straight and narrow. The new code is being pushed out over-the-air as we type, while those that enjoy the endorphin rush associated with instant gratification -- and know how to manually update a Kindle -- can find a link to the 6.2.2 firmware file below. Happy updating!

3DS eShop to get free game demos, Nintendo throws users DLC bone

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 10:58 AM PST

Never let it be said that good things don't come to those who wait and wait and... well, you get the point. Having finally delivered a much-delayed firmware update to the 3DS last December, the Big N appears ready to make good on its DLC promises. Starting tomorrow, gamers visiting the eShop will be able to take a tour of Racoon City and fire off a few shots at its zombie denizens with a downloadable demo of Resident Evil Revelations. The company's only announced one other title, Mario & Sonic At The London Olympic Games, for later this month, but plans are on deck to refresh the service with new trial content from Rayman Origins and Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, amongst others in the coming year. Sure, it's no Kid Icarus, but this is Nintendo we're talking about -- you have to take what you can get.
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FREE NINTENDO 3DS GAME DEMOS HEAD TO NINTENDO ESHOP

Resident Evil Revelations Demo Available Tomorrow

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 18, 2012 - Nintendo 3DS™ owners soon will be able to play free downloadable demo versions of select games. Starting tomorrow, owners can go to the Nintendo eShop to download a free demo version of Resident Evil® Revelations from Capcom. A free demo version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games™ published by SEGA will launch on Jan. 26. The Nintendo eShop will be periodically updated with new game demos.

"The demo program allows Nintendo 3DS players to be among the first to test-drive select games," said Tony Elison, Nintendo of America's senior director and general manager of Network Business. "Players can try out new genres or series, often weeks before the full versions are available in stores."

Additional demos coming soon include Rayman® Origins from Ubisoft and METAL GEAR SOLID® Snake Eater 3D from Konami Digital Entertainment. Specific dates and other games in the demo program will be announced at a later time.

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

ASUS MeMic hits the FCC, reminds us of its existence

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 10:32 AM PST

Remember the ASUS MeMic? It's okay if you don't -- after all, it's been nearly a year since we first saw the thing. But the transparent-screened handset that takes calls for the Eee Pad MeMO appears to have reared its little head over on the FCC's site. No word on whether this is the same MeMic we saw so many moons ago or an updated version, though the above image does look a fair amount like the rear of the device we saw back in February. There's also no word on what such a governmental visit could mean so far as a stateside release date, though the device did reportedly show up at CES last week.

LG's Magic Remote is powered by Nuance

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 10:09 AM PST

It was Monday morning at CES when LG unveiled its Magic Remote: a television zapper that recognized Wii-style motion control and voice recognition -- stripping out the fiddly array of buttons that most TiVo users are familiar with. Nuance, of Dragon Dictation fame, got all excited and lifted the lid on which company's voice recognition technology was powering the unit (hint: it's Nuance). Thanks to the handy press release after the break, we've learnt that if you bellow "Lady Gaga" into the unit, it'll return materials related to Ms Germanotta herself -- although if you've seen Jack Donaghy's voice-activated TV from 30 Rock, you might not be too convinced that you can kiss goodbye to buttons just yet.


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Nuance's Dragon TV Powers New Voice Capabilities in LG Magic Remote

Nuance's Latest Digital TV Voice Platform Lets LG Magic Remote Users Simply Speak to Find and Watch Shows, Movies and More

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nuance Communications (NASDAQ: NUAN) today announced that its new Dragon TV platform powers the new voice recognition features in the LG Magic Remote for the LG CINEMA 3D Smart TV, initially supporting US English, American Spanish, Canadian French, and Korean. With the LG Magic Remote, people can simply speak to quickly find and immediately experience their favorite shows, movies, music and more.

The explosion of digital media and content available on TV has far out-innovated the traditional TV remote control, making the content discovery process frustrating for consumers. LG's Magic Remote revolutionizes the digital living room experience with the power of Nuance's Dragon voice recognition, enabling people to discover and access movies, music and games by name and, even actors and keywords. For instance, they can simply say:

"Boston Red Sox"
"College Football on FX"
"Desperate Housewives"
"Amazing Race"
"Bradley Cooper"
"Angry Birds"
"Lady Gaga"

And, because LG's smart TVs deliver a connected experience, people can even use the voice capabilities on the Magic Remote to search for Web content by keyword or phrase, or access social media content like Facebook or YouTube.

"LG's smart TV portfolio was designed to give consumers a unique and unmatched living room experience, an array of entertainment and media content at their fingertips. And by integrating Nuance's voice technology, it's quickly and easily available with the spoken word," said Taegil Cho, Vice President and Leader of TV Product Planning Group, LGE.

Dragon TV is Nuance's new interactive voice platform for TV, device and set-top box OEMS and subscription operators that makes finding and accessing shows, movies and content in today's digital living room easy and fun. Leveraging Nuance's renowned voice and language understanding capabilities, Dragon TV lets people just sit back while they quickly and easily find content by speaking – be it channel numbers, station names, show and movie names – and the ability to stay connected via Skype, Twitter and Facebook.

"TV manufacturers like LG have rapidly innovated their TVs and media content capabilities, but the traditional remotes and television guides have fallen behind – that's where voice comes in," said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. "Nuance's Dragon TV portfolio brings entertainment and media front and center with the ability to simply speak to find almost anything that is on TV or On-Demand."

Availability

The LG Magic Remote will be made available from LG in early Q1 2012. To learn more, visit http://www.lg.com.

Dragon TV is now available for TV manufacturers and subscription TV operators supporting all major hardware and software platforms, including Linux, Android and iOS. For more information, visit www.nuancemobilelife.com

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

LightSquared says obsolete devices used in 'rigged' testing of its LTE network

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 09:46 AM PST

LightSquared's encountered many bumps on the road to winning clearance for its LTE network, but it's not ready to throw in the towel just yet. During a conference call today, Jeff Carlisle (Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs), Geoff Stearn (Vice President of Spectrum Development) and Ed Thomas (Former FCC Chief Engineer, now a LightSquared consultant) refuted the government's claims that the network interferes with GPS receivers, lambasting the use of "obsolete" devices and other tests that don't "reflect reality." The LightSquared executives went as far as calling the entire process "rigged" and "shrouded in secrecy." In their opinion, the testing was "set up to be a failure," thanks in part to the involvement of GPS manufacturers. Moreover, when questioned about what the next step would be, the company stated that all it'd like are "valid scientific results," the use of non-obsolote devices and a "fair process with proper testing." Needless to say, we can expect the drama to continue over the coming months -- after all, LightSquared is claiming it's got enough money to keep the battle going for at least a few quarters yet.
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Former FCC Chief Engineer and LightSquared Question Validity of Test Results Rigged by GPS Industry Insiders

After learning that some devices tested have been out of production for over a decade, the parties call on NTIA to objectively audit testing and apply proposed mitigation standards

RESTON, Va., January 18, 2012 – LightSquared said today that the process used to test GPS devices by Air Force Space Command on behalf of the Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee (PNT EXCOM) was rigged by manufacturers of GPS receivers and government end users to produce bogus results, and revealed details of the testing to document its accusations.

PNT EXCOM advises and coordinates among U.S. government agencies on GPS matters and is comprised of representatives from those agencies with GPS expertise.
LightSquared has called on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to objectively re-evaluate this initial round of testing and also to evaluate mitigation proposals the company has proposed. Additionally, the company has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the NTIA to conduct the second round of tests on high-precision devices at an independent laboratory to ensure objectivity and transparency.

In a call with reporters, Jeff Carlisle, LightSquared's Executive Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy; and Geoff Stearn, LightSquared's Vice President for Spectrum Development; outlined how GPS industry insiders and government end users manipulated the latest round of tests to generate biased results. Also on the call was Edmond Thomas, former chief engineer at the FCC who explained how fair and accurate testing should be conducted.

1. Testing was shrouded in secrecy, no transparency. The GPS manufacturers cherry-picked the devices in secret without any independent oversight authority in place or input from LightSquared. The GPS manufacturers and the government end users put non-disclosure agreements in place for the PNT EXCOM's tests, preventing any input by an independent authority or from LightSquared before the tests began. This secrecy made it impossible for independent experts to properly oversee or challenge the process and results, thereby leaving taxpayers who paid for the testing no option but to take the PNT EXCOM's word for it.



2. The testing protocol deliberately focused on obsolete and niche market devices that were least able to withstand potential interference. When LightSquared finally obtained a list of the devices tested, after all testing in this first phase of tests had been completed, it was able to determine that the testing included many discontinued or niche market devices with poor filters or no filters. The units tested represent less than one percent of the contemporary universe of GPS devices. In fact, the only mass market device alleged to "fail" during this round of testing performed flawlessly during the Technical Working Group testing, which used best practice protocols agreed to by all parties, thus raising doubts about the integrity of PNT EXCOM's process.


3. The testing standard does not reflect reality. To guarantee favorable results, the PNT EXCOM selected an extremely conservative definition of failure – one dB of interference. Independent experts agree that a one dB threshold can only be detected in laboratory settings and has no impact on GPS positional accuracy or user experience. In fact, GPS devices are designed with the ability to withstand eight dB or more of loss of sensitivity due to man-caused and natural interference. By setting the definition of interference at one dB, the testing was rigged to ensure that most receivers would fail. It should be noted that PNT EXCOM and others have justified the one dB threshold by citing an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard. However, that standard explicitly states that it does not apply to general purpose GPS receivers.



GPS and government end users should have opened the process for transparent review, chosen a representative sample of devices that reflect the scope of general purpose GPS receivers in the marketplace today, applied best practice standards to the testing protocol, and – most importantly, the tests should have been conducted by an independent laboratory rather than by the GPS manufacturers themselves, since they had a large incentive to ensure that the tested receivers would not pass the testing.
LightSquared recommends that reporters consider asking PNT EXCOM the following questions to ensure accountability:



· Why did the government choose to ignore LightSquared's proposed power levels?

· Why did the government choose a power level 32 times greater than the level at which LightSquared will operate?

· Why did the test protocol select the 1dB degradation to noise as the interference standard, since it does not apply to general purpose GPS receivers and GPS units are typically designed with an 8dB level of tolerance?

· Who determined what acceptable interference is for the current round of testing? What is that standard?

· Why was the testing conducted using outdated/discontinued devices rather than a representative sample of what is currently in the market?

· Isn't it a violation of conflict of interest laws for representatives of GPS manufacturers to sit on the PNT advisory board and play a central role in its consideration of LightSquared when those companies are actively lobbying on the same issue?

· Is it fair that taxpayers funded a testing regime they cannot review?



LightSquared has agreed to meet every technical guideline requested by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), FCC and NTIA and will continue to work in collaboration with the federal government to resolve the GPS interference issues. The secretive behavior of the PNT EXCOM indicates a co-opted process. The inappropriate influence of the private sector on their decision-making has been brought to the attention of NASA's Inspector General in a separate conflict of interest complaint filed by LightSquared.

LightSquared is asking for fair and transparent oversight of the testing process by the FCC and NTIA, much like the agencies provided in the first round of testing that was openly agreed to by all parties. Transparency is the only way taxpayers can be assured that the testing process is not manipulated to benefit one particular set of self interests. LightSquared is confident that a fair process will allow the company to move forward with its plan to deliver wireless broadband to hundreds of millions of consumers.

Editor's Note: For a link to the bios of members of PNT advisory board, please click here. You will see that some members, including Dr. Bradford Parkinson, have professional connections to companies that are members of the Coalition to Save Our GPS. LightSquared has asked NASA's Inspector General to investigate this apparent conflict of interest.

Virgin Media suffers three hour outage days after announcing super-fast broadband

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 09:22 AM PST

Less than a week after announcing it would double customers broadband speeds nationwide, Virgin Media suffered a nationwide blackout that sent the network dark for most of Tuesday evening. At 5:00, the service dropped after router hardware decided it couldn't go on streaming the same episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show to the nation. The company admitted to the fault and service was restored by 8:00pm. Had it been smarter, it could have gotten away with passing the whole thing off as a SOPA protest, but we admire Virgin's honesty -- even if it did lead to the brilliant comment on Twitter pictured above.

Tomorrow's Apple event to focus on digital textbook publishing tools, says Bloomberg

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 08:59 AM PST

We've already seen some rumors about what Apple has in store for its education-minded announcement in New York City tomorrow, and now Bloomberg is out with a report of its own that backs up some of those earlier rumblings and offers a few new details. Citing two people with knowledge of the announcement, it says that the main focus of the event will be a set of tools that will "make it easier to publish interactive textbooks and other digital educational content." That not only includes tools for the big textbook publishers, but self-publishers as well -- Bloomberg gives the example of teachers preparing materials for that week's lesson, or scientists and historians who could publish professional-looking content without a publishing deal. According to Bloomberg's sources, Apple is expected to use a modified version of the ePub standard for the content, and it's main focus is said to be the K-12 market.

In case you needed a reminder, we'll be there live to report on the announcement as it happens -- the event gets underway tomorrow at 10AM Eastern.

Grooveshark goes dark in Germany over 'unreasonably high' license fees

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 08:42 AM PST

The masses of online music streamers in Germany have discovered that there's one less option for blasting Cee Lo Green. Grooveshark has pulled the plug on its services in the country due to the seemingly truckloads of cash it was shelling out to GEMA, the performance and reproduction rights organization. The US-based music streaming service is no stranger to licensing quarrels, though, as they've been in scuffles with Sony, Universal, Warner and EMI in the States.

Nominate your favorite gadgets for the 2011 Engadget Awards!

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST


Welcome to the 2011 Engadget Awards! This year we've got 15 categories up for grabs, with 30 total awards to be decided. All finalists for Engadget Awards are reader-nominated, and the editors of Engadget will then select the best of those nominations (usually somewhere between 4-6 devices) as finalists. There are two awards per category: Readers' Choice (voted on by you!), and Editors' Choice (selected by us). The vote will take place in a few weeks once the nominees are picked, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.

Submit your favorite devices for consideration using the form just past the break, and feel free to elaborate in the comments. You don't need to fill in every field, but you are required to answer at least one question in order for your form to be processed. You've got until 11:59PM ET on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 to get your entries in. Now, go nominate!

Submit your nominations for the 2011 Engadget Awards!

Sony dashes Dash development: is Bieber's favorite tablet on the way out?

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 07:50 AM PST

The towering cultural colossus that is Justin Bieber giveth, yet he must also taketh away. Merely days after appearing as the pitchman for dancing crotch-speaker robot Tosy mRobo, the last tech-product he was tasked with selling might have been quietly put to sleep behind Sony's barn. The Dash was a pseudo-tablet powered by Chumby OS that, perhaps inexplicably, never caught on, angering the floppy-haired Canadian infant. A developer who was signed up to produce apps for the platform received the following email from Sony's HQ, which subsequently appeared on the Dash Developer's website:

Beginning February 29th, 2012, the Sony Dash developer website will close and no longer support development of new applications. This closure includes the Dash developer forum and Dash developer support, which will close on March 31st. Sony Dash applications will remain available. Thank you for your contributions and we encourage you to continue your development activity on Sony's other platforms available at SonyDeveloper.com

Again, thank you very much,

Team Dash

There's been no official word (yet) if this is the end for the device, but it doesn't augur well for future revisions. If you'll excuse us, we're going to go pour one out for the beloved little, erm tablet-thing.

[Thanks, Darwin]

Chegg's online textbooks hope to captivate minds, market share (video)

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 07:42 AM PST

Someone's about to get schooled, and if it's not the youth of America, then it'll be one of the companies rushing to release educational products this week. While Kno takes the interactive approach, and Apple typically keeps us guessing, Chegg hopes its new online reader will capture students' imaginations. The HTML5, cloud-based platform clearly thinks it's portability the kids want, working on almost any connected device. There are interactive features, such as an "Always on Q&A" where questions about material can be answered by the community and -- for the lazy -- a "Key Highlights" option, which uses crowd-sourced data to spotlight the popular sections -- much like on Amazon's Kindle. We all know, however, that the tech-ucation battle was convincingly won some time ago. Hit the PR after the break for the full rundown.

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Chegg Launches All New eTextbook Reader

eTextbook Reader gives access to eTextbooks on any connected device delivering advanced eLearning Services designed specifically for students

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chegg, the leading network that saves students time, money and helps them get smarter, announced today the launch of its new eTextbook Reader, providing students with a cloud-based service to access their eTextbooks on any connected device. The innovative design and exclusive productivity tools are unrivaled in today's education landscape, furthering Chegg's position as a market leader.

"At Chegg, we strive to make learning technology easier, more accessible and more productive for today's college students," said Dan Rosensweig, president and CEO of Chegg. "With Chegg's all new cloud-based eTextbook Reader, we're raising the bar on innovation and productivity for our network of students, creating a personal experience connecting them to the most important content and eLearning services they need to get better grades."

Optimized for computers and iPads, Chegg's eTextbook Reader utilizes HTML5 to deliver a highly interactive user experience, offering access to the most relevant textbooks on any connected device. Led by recently acquired engineering team, 3D3R, the eTextbook Reader was created with the student in mind to offer easy navigation, enhanced highlighting, note taking, search and an advanced set of features including:

Instant Definitions: Select any word or short phrase and instantly see the dictionary and Wikipedia definition.
Always-on Q&A: Search any text and select "Ask A Question" to instantly connect to Chegg's Homework Help service. Chegg's community of subject matter experts answer questions, often in fewer than two hours.
Key Highlights: Turn on a view of the most important content from each eTextbook, crowd-sourced from other users' eTextbook activities.

Chegg's network of student advisors has made incredible contributions to the product features and functionalities.

"I love using Chegg's new eTextbook Reader!" said Nichole Fisher, senior at Lee University. "I thought I would be more apprehensive to use an eReader because I have preferred to have a physical book in front of me, but Chegg's eTextbook Reader is so helpful and easy to navigate."

As Chegg continues to increase its offering and services for today's students, it now provides students digital services and textbooks in any format from the leading higher education publishers. To learn more about Chegg's all new eTextbook Reader, go to http://www.chegg.com/etextbooks.

Comcast's connected cable box making a run at the FCC?

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 07:12 AM PST

Well, it's no secret that Comcast is starting to experiment with web-connected cable boxes, and now it looks like one of those set tops is moseying on through the FCC. The Pace-made "Parker" appears to have passed muster with regulators and you'll find both label examples and a user manual at the source link as evidence. There isn't much to learn about the tuner or, at least not much surprising. The usual bevy of coax, HDMI, composite and component ports are around back, as well as a CableCARD slot. What is of interest is the eSATA port and SD Card slot -- the later of which appears to be meant for servicing the box. Sadly, when it comes to connectivity, there is no WiFi on board, only Ethernet. Which means you'll run more wires to connect to your local network. Hit up the source if you're a fan of bureaucratic filings.

T-Mobile, Walmart do another kumbaya with contract-free unlimited family plan for 3G users

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 06:39 AM PST


Remember that 4G plan that T-Mobile and Walmart started collaborating on last year? Well, the two companies are making yet another announcement, teaming up on an improved Family Mobile Plan with unlimited 3G talk, text and web. For those who like cheap dates with no long-term commitments, the news gets even better at $45 per month for the first line ($35 for each additional line) with no contract necessary. There is a bit of a catch as your data speed gets throttled after you exceed your cap -- 5GB if you sign up before March 16 and 250MB if you sign up after that. But, hey, that's still better than being charged overage fees. You also have to pay a one-time $25 Starter Kit fee for each line.

The Amazing Gecko-Man: a superhero future made possible by probable science

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 06:15 AM PST

There's no superhero origin story that begins with a bite (or a lick?) from a gecko. Plain 'ol wall climbing powers are, it seems, just not as sexy as wearing skintight suits, slinging webs and crawling up buildings. But if a few bright minds at the University of Southampton have anything to say about it, we could soon find ourselves walking like real-life lizard people (V, anyone?) and suctioning onto various surfaces using the managed properties of light. Lead researcher John Zhang and his UK team have predicted the existence of a force more powerful than gravity and the short-range pull of the Casimir effect, whereby plasmons (electromagnetic waves) captured on a metamaterial and the electrons on a metal resonate and form a bond of attraction. The resultant particle field is supposedly strong enough to "overcome the Earth's gravitational pull" and could even be used to alter the reflectivity of a material. Obvious military and aerospace applications aside, this invisible adhesive could also make its way into our everyday lives -- they just need to need to prove that it, y'know, actually exists first.

Kno adds new smart textbook capabilities: Kno Me, gets to know you (video)

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 05:48 AM PST

Remember those iPad textbooks from Kno? Well, conveniently in advance of that other education announcement this week, the company has added two new features to the edu-party: Kno Me and Kno Flashcards. The former is an interactive graphical dashboard that details your learning habits, such as time spent in a book, understanding of key terms and test grades -- perfect for nosey moms. Kno Flashcards, on the other hand, puts a new spin on the classic analog memory-jogger. Key points are automagically drawn from the book and compiled into cards, the software then uses metacognition, spaced repetition and episodic memory -- three terms that need flashcards right there -- to help you learn. Both are detailed in the video and PR after the break. Yes, there will be a quiz later.

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Kno Unveils Major Advances in Smart Textbook Technology

Kno First to Market with Real Time Behavioral Analytics and Automated Flashcards to Stimulate Learning

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kno Inc., a pioneer in education software, today announced the upcoming release of two major smart textbook capabilities, Kno Me and Kno Flashcards. The new highly interactive features aim to significantly increase learning efficiencies and engagement through cutting edge technology, behavioral analytics and learning automation.

"The future of education will be driven by analytics and self paced learning. We are taking the first step by making the student more self-aware of their study behavior to help them visualize how they engage with materials or benchmark themselves against previous students who took the class"

Kno Me gives students an unprecedented look into their studying habits through an interactive graphical dashboard that presents key learning metrics. The feature provides students with instant feedback on the time spent in a book, knowledge of key terms and even quiz results. Kno Me helps students establish goals for themselves in order to improve study habits and to produce better learning outcomes.

"The future of education will be driven by analytics and self paced learning. We are taking the first step by making the student more self-aware of their study behavior to help them visualize how they engage with materials or benchmark themselves against previous students who took the class," said Osman Rashid CEO and Co-Founder of Kno. "This will eventually lead to improved outcomes for students and near real-time insights for professors on student engagement."

The Kno Flashcard technology automatically converts any key term from within a textbook into an interactive flashcard so that students can test their understanding of terms. This powerful capability is scientifically designed based on cognitive and pedagogical research on metacognition, spaced repetition and episodic memory to facilitate true learning and long-term memory retention. The feature will bring over 40 million flashcards to more than 150,000 eTextbooks.

Kno makes it affordable and convenient for every student to access their textbooks and study materials whenever and on whichever platform they prefer. Kno's digital textbook app takes mundane, academic content and brings it to life through more than 70 interactive features including highlighting, note-taking, bookmarking, Quiz Me, 3D, Smart Links and Journal features which make learning engaging, effective and social for students. Kno offers 15-Day Free Trials on over 150,000 eTextbooks.

Recon partners with Scott and Smith, brings MOD to the masses

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 05:26 AM PST

We love Recon's MOD system for Ski-goggles, especially now that it's open to developers. Starting soon, an avalanche of new winter-sports enthusiasts will be able to wear the multi-sensor based statistics system atop their eyeballs, thanks to a new partnership with both Scott and Smith. The GPS touting in-goggle display will be unveiled in the new family of eyeware at a slew of outdoor sports events this month. Of course, if you're still unsure the tech is up to your hardcore ski routine, have a word with these guys. Want to know more? We thought so. Slide on past the break to read the full PR.
Show full PR text
Recon Instruments Welcomes Smith Optics and SCOTT Sports to Growing Family of Brand Partnerships

Goggles with MOD and MOD Live compatibility from Smith and SCOTT will be unveiled this month at the OR (booth # 40151) SIA (booth # 423) and ISPO (Booth # A3 225)

SALT LAKE CITY – January 17, 2012 – Recon Instruments, award winning innovator of Micro Optics Display (MOD) technology for action sport athletes, is excited to announce official partnerships with Smith Optics and SCOTT Sports to debut new goggles and color-ways compatible with MOD and MOD Live displays for skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. The displays utilize GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter and temperature sensors to provide skiers and riders with precise speed, jump, vertical, altitude, location, distance, and temperature measurements and readings in real-time. MOD Live boasts additional smartphone connectivity and advanced onboard apps.

"We are thrilled to expand our family of world-class partnerships with the addition of these two pre-eminent global goggle brands," said Dan Eisenhardt, CEO Recon Instruments. "MOD and MOD Live will deliver a variety of real-time data to Smith and SCOTT's loyal skiers and riders, allowing millions of more people to enhance their experiences and relive trips on Recon HQ, our online community."

The latest goggles will be unveiled this month at Outdoor Retailer (OR), Snow Industries America (SIA), and ISPO winter sports trade shows. Partnership discussions have been going on for years between these pioneering brands, culminating as the consumer pull and market need for Recon's MOD offerings has become overpowering.

"Over the last six years we have often dreamed of incorporating Heads Up Display technology into Smith goggles, and it is extremely exciting to finally be incorporating a product that does all it claims to do," said Eric Carlson, VP of Product & Design. Smith Optics. "Our partnership with Recon Instruments has already helped Smith push past current boundaries as well as set us up for future innovation. Anyone can buy parts from a supplier, but true partnerships like ours with Recon will bring new products to market that neither group could have imagined alone."

"Having the opportunity to combine our high-quality goggle and lens manufacturing know-how, with the innovative MOD and MOD Live products from Recon Instruments, is a great asset for both SCOTT and Recon," said Clovis Henzen, Sports Division Manager of SCOTT Sports. "With our new Recon Ready goggle, the NAV-R-2, we are underlining our position as a leading brand in the sports eyewear market"

MOD Live currently ships with several industry first applications including: Jump Analytics, Buddy Tracking, Smartphone Connectivity, a Navigation app pre-loaded with the largest database of trail maps in the world, and even Music Playlist Mode. The company has plans to unlock a camera connectivity app for use with point of view action cams next month and an SDK (software developer's kit) in May 2012, allowing users to create their own apps for MOD Live.

Samsung's Bada - Tizen merger still looking pretty likely

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 05:04 AM PST

Last week, rumors began circulating around Samsung's Bada OS, with Forbes reporting that the platform would soon be merged with Intel's Tizen project. If finalized, the move would reportedly allow Bada apps to run on Tizen, though it remains unclear whether or not a decision has been made yet. On Monday, a company spokesman apparently confirmed these rumors to Reuters, though Samsung later denied these claims, in a statement provided to All Things D:
Samsung and other members of Tizen Association have not made a firm decision regarding the merge of bada and Tizen. We are carefully looking at it as an option to make the platforms serve better for customers. As Samsung's essential part of multi-platform portfolio, bada will continue to play an important role in democratizing smartphone experience in all markets. Samsung will also support open source based development and continue to work together with other industry stakeholders.
So, um, is it happening? We'll let you know.

June 6th 2012: IPv6 goes live

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:42 AM PST

When Vint Cerf and his friends at DARPA concocted a system that allowed for 4.3 billion IP addresses, it was never conceived that everyone's computer would be able to access the internet -- before the age when your telephone, fridge and air conditioning unit would too. The IPv4 system officially ran out of addresses last year, but fortunately the moment was prepared for: June 8th 2011 was "World IPv6 Day," where a host of sites including Google, Bing and Facebook quietly tried out the new system for 24 hours to make sure it wouldn't cause the internet to explode. June 6th this year will see the final activation of the new network provision that has a capacity of around 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 unique addresses, which we figure will keep us going until Black Friday, at least.

HP India to expand web access with Vayu Internet Device

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:20 AM PST

The Internet is gradually seeping its way into homes across India, but there are many within the country who remain too poor to actually purchase a PC. Fortunately, HP India has just developed new technology known as the Vayu Internet Device, or VInD, that could dramatically lessen this gap. According to the Times of India, the company's new set top box will essentially allow users to access web content via traditional TVs, using standard remotes, rather than keyboards or mice. All they'd have to do is plug it in, subscribe to an internet service, and turn on their in-home televisions. The idea, of course, is to deepen web penetration across lower-income populations, as well as among the elderly, who may have difficulties manipulating more complex computer equipment. No word yet on when the VInD could hit the market, but the Times of India has a more comprehensive rundown, at the source link below.

ASUS offers refunds and extended warranties to piqued Prime customers in the UK

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 03:59 AM PST

If the Ice Cream Sandwich update, bug fixes and piles of apologies from the folks at ASUS just aren't cutting it and you happen to live in the UK, then we've got some good news for you. You are free to take your Transformer Prime back to the shop for a full refund. Don't expect turn around and pick up that updated TF700T with your haul, though, it won't be hitting shelves in merry ol' England till at least June. If you choose to keep your dockable tablet, ASUS will offer an extended warranty of 18 months, just to soothe your panicked mind that wakes you with night terrors about GPS issues and unknown serial numbers.

Nielsen: Android still top dog, but Q4 buyers preferred iPhone 4S

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 03:01 AM PST

Nielsen crunched Q4 numbers today, and the results will likely have Apple analysts jumping up and down. The findings, focused on those who've purchased a smartphone within the previous three months, indicate a huge spike -- from 25 percent in October to 45 percent in December -- in iPhone purchases since October as an obvious result of the launch of the 4S. Conversely, the number of recent Android buyers fell by 14 percent in the same period. Of course, these numbers are directly affected by Apple's latest product launch and by no means should be any indicator that Apple is poised to win the battle against its bitter rival, as iOS continues to trail Android by over 16 percent in market share. Looking at the war for the third spot, RIM's US market share declined by 2.9 percent from Q3 to Q4, falling to 14.9 percent -- not a surprise, since it only captured the hearts of six percent of recent buyers this quarter -- and Windows Phone slightly increased from 1.2 to 1.3 percent. Full press release and chart can be found after the break.

Show full PR text
More US Consumers Choosing Smartphones as Apple Closes the Gap on Android

According to the latest research from Nielsen, the high-profile launch of Apple's iPhone 4S in the Fall had an enormous impact in the proportion of smartphone owners who chose an Apple iPhone. Among recent acquirers, meaning those who said they got a new device within the past three months, 44.5 percent of those surveyed in December said they chose an iPhone, compared to just 25.1 percent in October. Furthermore, 57 percent of new iPhone owners surveyed in December said they got a 4S.

Android continues to hold the lead among all smartphone users, with 46.3 percent of all smartphone owners surveyed in Q42011 reporting they have an Android-based mobile phone.

As of Q42011, 46 percent of US mobile consumers had smartphones, and that figure is growing quickly. In fact, 60 percent of those who said they got a new device within the last three months chose a smartphone over a feature phone.

Leaked Sony 2012 smartphone roadmap reveals potentially birdy, minty flagships

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 02:55 AM PST

Grab a bowl of salt and start pinching, folks. A sales report for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications India is floating around the internet that's purportedly packing a list of 2012's planned handsets along with suggested pricing. The 11-strong list is in Rupees, and whilst we've reproduced it in full above, it's worth bearing in mind that cellphones in the "developing world" (no offense intended) are often more expensive than the equivalent handset in the US (the 16GB iPhone 4S, for example costs $650 in the US but $882 in India). The "Pepper" codename seems to tie in with what we've been expecting, but the Nypon blurrycam images we've seen don't follow the company's 2012 design language -- so we doubt they're real. That said, it's clear that a pair of flagships will arrive in the second half of the year: the code-names don't shed too much light, since Hayabusa means "Peregrine Falcon" and Mint -- well, we can hardly expect Sony to produce a phone with a built-in breath freshener, can we?

US Wi-Fi Xooms now getting Ice Cream Sandwich OTA

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 02:34 AM PST

You might have thought being the first Honeycomb tablet, and offering a completely stock Android experience, would give the Motorola Xoom some sort of priority when it comes to updates to Android 4.0. Sadly and surprisingly for tablet early-adopters that was not the case, with the Transformer Prime first to hop the update train to Ice Cream Sandwich Town. A week later the Xoom is now catching up, with an OTA update percolating down from the cloud to users, but for the moment it appears only American Wi-Fi versions of the slate are receiving. International and LTE-equipped ones are going to have to wait at least a little longer.

MakerBot releases free-to-download Playsets, will have you printing a Captain Kirk Chair in no time

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 01:33 AM PST

So, you've always wanted to build a dollhouse out of ABS plastic? Well here's your chance. MakerBot has announced the release of its "MakerBot Playsets," a collection of free-to-download schematics used to create objects such as dolls, dollhouses and furnishings with the company's 3D printer. The files are available in .stl and .dxf formats for use with CAD programs, and take away the guesswork involved in coming up with a uniform design for larger projects. Take a look at the current collection -- including such objects as a Telescope, Moon Rover, Captain Kirk Chair, Treasure Chest and Suit of Armor -- and see what you think. You'll find the entire collection at the Thingverse link just below.

Canon EOS C300 cinema cam gets pre-order status, ships at month's end for $16,000

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 12:24 AM PST

Back in November we joined Martin Scorsese and other Hollywood luminaries at Paramount Studios for the unveiling of Canon's latest cinema video camera, which is now available for pre-order. The EOS C300, that aims to compete directly against the Reds of the world, carries a Super 35mm CMOS sensor capable of up to 4K resolution 1080p capture, and should be helped in large part by the company's top-shelf lenses; like the 14.5 - 60mm and 30 - 300mm. When we first met the C300 we told you it'd be priced at a hefty $20,000, but that's no longer the case, instead it'll cost a less painful $16,000 for the body only. The camera will begin shipping "after January 30th," and if it seems like a little too much for you, at least you can still watch our precious hands-on time with it.

Update: We've updated to clarify that while the sensor is 4K the camera only captures in 1080p.

pureSilicon announces Kage K1 SATA and USB SSDs, up for pre-order now

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 11:05 PM PST

It seems like only yesterday that pureSilicon released its new Nitro N2 and Renegade S4 SSDs. Today, the company followed up on that announcement with the Kage K1 USB SSD, and the Kage K1 SATA SSD. The former is a USB 3.0-based SSD drive that measures around 4.5mm in thickness and offers up to 240GB of MLC space. It's available for pre-order now, at a price of $230, with shipments expected to start up sometime during Q1 of this year. As for the Kage K1 SATA SSD, it's more in line with what you'll find with the aforementioned Nitro N2 and Renegade S4 varieties. Capable of delivering up to 6Gb/s, the eMLC NAND flash memory-based SATA SSD promises reading speeds of up to 540 MB / sec, writing speeds of 520 MB / sec, and boasts up to 400 GB of usable eMLC. That'll cost you a bit more, though, with a price tag of $975. It too, is available for pre-order now, with shipments slated for early this year.
Show full PR text
pureSilicon Debuts Kage Series High-Performance USB and SATA SSDs
Aimed At Enterprise & Prosumer Markets

"Impossibly thin" Kage Series USB SSD drive redefines the flash drive, offering 240 GB to go; Kage Series SATA drive offers IT administrators the ultimate in price-performance for enterprise power users.

GOLDEN, Colorado – January 18, 2012: pureSilicon™ Inc. (www.puresi.com), innovator of high-performance storage technology for the industry's most demanding applications, has launched a new line of enterprise-focused storage devices that give IT administrators high-performance options for power users. The new Kage Series comprises the Kage K1 USB Flash Drive - an "impossibly thin" (4.5 mm) USB 3.0-based SSD drive that redefines portable performance and capacity for mobile enterprise and prosumer users; and the Kage K1 SATA SSD that leverages the advanced technology pioneered in pureSilicon's recently announced Renegade and Nitro devices, making it available at a lower price point aimed at power users in the financial services, science, and engineering sectors, as well as creative professionals who need fast, high-capacity storage for digital media.

"These are the devices that IT managers and prosumers have been asking us to make ever since we launched our range of ultra-performance Nitro and Renegade SSDs," said Jason Breakstone, founder and CEO of pureSilicon. "The Kage Series devices will appeal to anyone that craves more performance and storage capacity from their solid-state drive but doesn't need ruggedized packaging and advanced security features. We're particularly proud of the Kage Series USB, which delivers the essential benefits of an SSD in something the size of a USB drive, while offering high transfer speeds and 240 GB - all in killer packaging."

Kage K1 USB: a 4.5mm-thin flash drive that packs 240GB
The Kage K1 USB SSD features a USB 3.0 interface that brings new levels of performance and storage capacity to customers that need the ultimate in speed, capacity and portability. A novel USB-attached SCSI protocol provides 2-4x performance improvements over other devices on the market by queuing data commands in a fashion similar to that used in SATA and SAS drives. With data storage capacity of 240 GB, the Kage K1 USB offers the highest ever in a 4.5 mm form-factor.

Technical specifications: Kage K1 USB
Up to 240 GB usable MLC
USB 3.0 interface delivering up to 400 MB/s sequential performance
Impossibly thin: 4.5 mm
2X nanometer flash components
Dimensions: 76.75 mm x 22 mm x 4.5 mm (L x W x H)
Pricing starting at: $230 USD

Kage K1 SATA: aimed at power-hungry enterprise users in a broad range of applications
The Kage K1 SATA SSD is based on the technology and features found in pureSilicon's high-end Renegade SSD and Nitro SSD products, but employs eMLC NAND flash memory to bring PureSi's reliability and performance to a wider audience. The Kage SATA series delivers 6 Gb/s and includes a proprietary power supply design called VoltStream™ that monitors power quality and uses solid-state capacitors to provide energy during a host-side power failure.


Technical specifications: Kage K1 SATA
Up to 400 GB usable eMLC: high capacity and reliability
Up to 60K random read and random write IOPS – great for small block-size, system-level workloads
SATA 6 Gb/s interface delivering up to 540 MB/s sequential read, 520 MB/s sequential write
Self-encrypting drive for data security
VoltStream: an innovative technology that monitors power quality and provides a safe power-fail mechanism using solid-state ceramic capacitors
Dimensions: 100.2 mm x 69.85 mm x 7.0/9.5 mm (L x W x H)
Pricing starting at: $975 USD

Energy-efficient and planet-friendly
pureSilicon is committed to energy efficiency and designs storage products that yield high performance per Watt. Whether the goal is to increase productivity in a mobile environment or reduce energy costs in a datacenter, deploying pureSilicon SSDs will help achieve these objectives. Legacy storage products such as hard disk drives are becoming less energy-efficient as manufacturers strive for higher performance, whereas SSDs offer superior performance and scalability, with lower energy consumption.

Availability
Both products will be available for pre-order today on www.puresi.com, and will begin shipping in late Q1. Volume orders should contact our sales team directly at sales@puresi.com.

CyanogenMod 9 Alpha 0 brings Ice Cream Sandwich to HP TouchPads

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 10:19 PM PST

If you'd like to run Android 4.0 on your HP TouchPad in stead of watching videos of someone else doing it, your time is now, as an early Alpha 0 build of CyanogenMod 9 has just rolled out. Now, living on the bleeding edge will cause some discomfort when it comes to Market access, hardware accelerated video and using the slate's camera, but fixes are expected as the project continues on. Also fresh for this release is the full source code, if you'd like to truly roll your own edition of Ice Cream Sandwich -- if you're wondering, a triple boot webOS / CM7 / CM9 configuration is reportedly possible, but not recommended. Hit the source link and head over to the RootzWiki forum thread for all the information and software necessary to make it happen, or check out another video preview embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Brandon]

Google, Wikipedia and others protest SOPA / PIPA

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 09:10 PM PST

At this point, SOPA needs no introduction. But if you've been diligently ignoring it up until this point, good luck getting through January 18th as an uninformed citizen. Google, Wikipedia and a host of other websites are either going dark or making huge, unmistakable statements on their homepages in protest. Google's tagline? "End Piracy, Not Liberty." Pretty much says it all, really. If you've spotted another site rebelling today, shout it out in comments below -- and while you're in the shouting mood, give your local officials a holler and let 'em know just how much you disapprove.

P.S. - An amazing breakdown of this whole thing can be found here at reddit.

Months after Gingerbread's arrival, HTC Sense remains fussy, users can't get no satisfaction

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 08:52 PM PST

Many HTC Sense users have experienced less than ideal conditions ever since their upgrade to Gingerbread. In an issue that's likely tied to the operating system's new memory management techniques, we've seen the launcher sporadically restart upon return to the home screen, and in rarer cases, cause Sense to revert entirely to its factory settings. While the glitch is hardly new, it's rather well documented and the longstanding nature demands a proper (and expedient) update from HTC. Until that moment comes, we've included a few tips to help affected users get through the day.

First, the most straightforward solution involves using an alternate launcher, such as ADW, Go or LauncherPro. If you want to keep Sense and its goodies, you can try to keep widget use to a minimum, but if you're willing to gain root access, the command "echo ro.HOME_APP_ADJ=1 >/data/local.prop" has also proven successful at holding Sense in memory. Of course, dropping Sense entirely and replacing it with an AOSP ROM is another solution. Regardless of which route you choose, we hope you'll sound off in the comments and join us in the call for an update.

YBUY allows impulse tech buyers to wonder, 'Why not?'

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 07:35 PM PST

It's always helpful when tech start-ups scheme new ways for you to burn through that bank account. Like YBUY, the membership-only site that charges a monthly fee in exchange for trying out the latest and greatest in gadgetry, like an iPad 2 or Xbox 360, sans shipping fees. The fresh-out-of-beta portal offers approved users the ability to return or purchase the pre-selected goods after a 30 day trial period, with that recurring charge going towards the full retail price if you choose to opt-in. Its co-founders claim to curate the ever-changing roster of high-end kit, taking into account the best product reviews (ahem) and even featuring certified refurbs. So, what's the catch? Well, there doesn't really appear to be any. It's simply up to you to curb that tech enthusiasm and keep your credit card balance resting peacefully at zero.

Alienware announces X51 small form factor gaming PC, starting at $699

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 07:24 PM PST

Alienware may have just upgraded its Aurora gaming rig, but that's not to keep the company from giving more diminutive form factors some love. Just this evening, the subsidiary of Dell announced the X51, a slim gaming PC that's designed to orient itself either vertically or horizontally on the desktop -- complete with an Alienware logo that properly rotates depending on positioning. The system includes both Core i3 and i5 options, and features a slot-loading optical drive with an option for Blu-ray. While it's no shocker, the X51 can be upgraded to 8GB of RAM and a full 1TB of storage. Further, the case accommodates a single, full size NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphics card, (with the GTX 555 available as an upgrade), and features an external power supply that's available in 240W or 330W versions. Users can also expect HDMI 1.4, on-board WiFi, USB 3.0 and digital 7.1 surround sound. As a nifty trick, the computer's accent colors can be conveniently modified with the Alienware Command Center software. Touting immediate availability, customers can place orders for the X51 right away, with configurations starting as low as $699. For the complete set of specs that make up this Mini-ITX gamer, just follow the break.
Alienware X51

Alienware X51 Product Specifications:
  • Intel Core i3 Dual Core (standard) and Intel Core i5 and i7 Quad Core Processor Options
  • Intel H61 Express Chipset Architecture
  • Mini-ITX Motherboard
  • Powerful NVIDIA Graphics Card Options
    • 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 (Standard)
    • 1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 555
  • Configure with up to 8GB of DDR3 Memory (4GB Standard); 2x 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Slots
  • Fast 7,200RPM 1TB Hard Drive
  • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
  • Internal High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio with Waves MAXX Audio Software
  • Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (standard)
  • USB 2.0 (6x); USB 3.0 (2x); Microphone In; Headphone/Speaker Out; HDMI 1.4 Output; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet; Front, Rear and Center Speaker Ports; SPDIF Digital Output (TOSLINK); SPDIF Digital Output (Coax)
  • Alienware 240 Watt Power Supply (Standard) or optional 330 Watt Power Supply
  • Dual-orientation tower system dimensions: h: 13.5" (343mm) x w: 3.74" (95mm) x d: 12.52" (318mm)
  • Starting Weight: 12.1 lbs. (5.49 Kg.)

Show full PR text
Dell's Alienware X51 Desktop Brings Immersive HD Gaming Within Reach

Powerful, High-Resolution Gaming Performance in a Small Form Factor
Sophisticated Desktop Design That Fits in Nearly Any Living Space
New Alienware Service Offerings Tailored Specifically for the Needs of Gamers
Tweet This: Dell unveils the Alienware X51 gaming desktop – an immersive, big game experience now within reach. http://dell.to/y03Ln7 #Alienware

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alienware, Dell's high-performance, PC gaming brand, invites customers to join in the ultimate gaming experience with the Alienware X51, its smallest gaming desktop ever with outsized performance capabilities. The latest in Dell's PC gaming portfolio, the X51 is designed to deliver an exhilarating 1080p high definitioni and 3D gamingii experience of today's top-tier game titles while the new, smaller chassis design offers the flexibility to turn nearly any living space, from the living room to the dorm room, into an entertainment and gaming mecca.
The Alienware X51 gives customers the freedom to focus on the game with the performance expected in an Alienware gaming PC and a thoughtful design for post-purchase upgrades, and the latest in performance technology. The versatile design of the X51 enables customers to achieve high performance computing in virtually any living space with a dual-orientation chassis supporting 7.1 surround-sound audio and an optional Blu-Ray disc drive.
"The Alienware X51 allows us to bring the exciting nature of high-definition, immersive gaming within reach of more gamers than ever before," said Arthur Lewis, vice-president, Alienware and Product Management for Consumer, Small and Medium Business. "With the X51, we've expanded our gaming desktop offering to cater to all gamers in addition to our core enthusiast and competitive gamers. Now everyone can enjoy the latest games on a sleek, powerful, compact and customizable system. The X51 desktop delivers an incredible feature set for its size and price."

High Performance Gaming and Sophisticated Design

Alienware X51 features powerful 2nd generation Intel Core i processors, NVIDIA GeForce GT or optional GTX class graphics cards for intense gaming performance, Wireless-N technology for easy Internet access, HDMI 1.4 for connecting to 3D TVs and watching 3D Blu-ray moviesii, two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports for fast data transfer, High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio and GDDR5 graphics memory - the most advanced graphics memory offering available. At its entry-level configuration with a Core i3 processor, 4GB memoryiii, 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 545 graphicsiii, and a 1TB 7,200rpm hard driveiv, the raw power of the X51 yields an average 34 frames per second in Battlefield 3 at high settings and a resolution of 1080pv, starting at $699.

The Alienware X51's intelligently designed chassis blends function and style. The desktop's sleek matte black finish with dark chrome accents and three customizable lighting zones, controlled by AlienFX® software, create a distinguished appearance. The gaming desktop's thoughtful design with an ultra-quiet dual orientation chassis allows for a horizontal or vertical set-up, allowing flexibility in the X51's footprint without sacrificing performance. The intuitive internal layout with a mini-ITX motherboard allows customers to perform their own hard drive, graphics card and memory upgrades quickly and easily, giving them peace of mind for the system's longevity.

Complete Control and Support

All Alienware laptops and desktops come with Alienware Command Center, which provides intuitive, user-friendly access to exclusive applications and controls, including AlienFXTM lighting effects and the AlienFusion power management system. AlienAdrenaline, a new module for the Alienware X51, enables gamers to create unique profiles that launch a series of customizable events when activated, such as opening specific programs, changing AlienFX themes, opening key web links and more. Updates and new releases download directly into Command Center, creating a constantly evolving tool for users to modify and personalize their system.

Alienware Gaming Services Specifically for Gamers

The newly available Alienware Gaming Services enable gamers' lifestyles by providing services, which support the latest games on the market and come with a "No Fix, No Fee" policyvi. Services offered include New Game Setup, Game Performance Optimization, Game Customization and Personalization, and In Game Troubleshooting. These services can be found on Dell's Solution Station web portal.

Product Leadership

Alienware is recognized throughout the industry and with customers alike for performance, functionality and design. The Alienware M17x gaming laptop with Intel Sandy Bridge processors recently won "Best Gaming Laptop" of 2011 from PC Magazine, with the Alienware M11x laptop coming in as runner-up. As new technology is released, Alienware will continually offer the latest in PC gaming hardware, partnering with other industry leaders to deliver an optimized gaming experience.

Alienware X51 Product Specifications:

Intel Core i3 Dual Core (standard) and Intel Core i5 and i7 Quad Core Processor Options
Intel H61 Express Chipset Architecture
Mini-ITX Motherboard
Powerful NVIDIA Graphics Card Options
1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 545iii (Standard)
1GB GDDR5 NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 555iii
Configure with up to 8GB of DDR3 Memoryiii (4GB Standard); 2x 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Slots
Fast 7,200RPM 1TB Hard Driveiv
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (Standard) or optional Blu-ray Disc Reader
Internal High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio with Waves MAXX Audio Software
Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIC and Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Wireless LAN (standard)
USB 2.0 (6x); USB 3.0 (2x); Microphone In; Headphone/Speaker Out; HDMI 1.4 Output; RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet; Front, Rear and Center Speaker Ports; SPDIF Digital Output (TOSLINK); SPDIF Digital Output (Coax)
Alienware 240 Watt Power Supply (Standard) or optional 330 Watt Power Supply
Dual-orientation tower system dimensions: h: 13.5" (343mm) x w: 3.74" (95mm) x d: 12.52" (318mm)
Starting Weight: 12.1 lbs. (5.49 Kg.)
Availability and Pricing:

Alienware X51 is available now on Dell.com and Alienware.com with a starting price of $699. Alienware Gaming Services is available in the U.S. and Canada at this time.

ZTE reaches for the sky, aims to double phone shipments in 2012

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 06:28 PM PST

Talk about a New Years Resolution: ZTE's head of handset strategy Lv Qianhao, in an interview with Reuters, mentioned that in 2012 his company expects to double the number of smartphone shipments made last year, as well as expand its Windows Phone efforts. While we're not completely certain as to what that specific number was, Lv stated that it far exceeded its target of 12 million. Regardless of how much it shipped last year, we can't imagine it would be terribly easy to double it, but it signifies ZTE's intent to grow and expand in markets like the US and China. This news seems to coincide with the company's plans to introduce high-end LTE-capable smartphones in the US market in the middle of this year. Does this mean the OEM will be pushing hard to gain more acceptance from stateside carriers? If it results in new top-notch devices coming into the market, then we sure hope so.

LG makes Optimus Pad LTE official, 8.9-inch IPS tablet coming first to South Korea

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 05:39 PM PST

You've already seen this little guy in the wild, but LG has gone ahead and made its first LTE tablet very official -- ladies and gentlemen, meet the Optimus Pad LTE. The 9.3mm thin slate packs a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm CPU and an 8.9-inch 1280 x 768 IPS display, along with an 8 megapixel camera on the rear and a 2 megapixel option up front. Users can expect an SD card slot that supports modules up to 32GB, and there's also HDMI connectivity and DLNA certification for good measure. It's powered by a 6,800mAh battery, but out of the gate, it'll ship with Android 3.2 -- no word on when the latest Pad hopes to grab a bite of Ice Cream Sandwich. The Optimus Pad LTE's scheduled to arrive first in LG's home territory of South Korea, but for those interested in a more complete rundown, be sure to check the PR after the break.
LG Optimus Pad LTE
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LG TO INTRODUCE ITS FIRST LTE TABLET

Expanding LTE Leadership into Tablets to
Meet the Needs of Consumers' Faster Lifestyles

SEOUL, Jan. 18, 2012 – LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled its first LTE-capable tablet, the Optimus Pad LTE. Initially launching in Korea, LG has equipped the tablet with both LTE technology and True HD IPS display, the two features that have helped LG differentiate its latest smartphone, Optimus LTE, from the competition.

"With tablets generating five times more traffic than the average smartphone, it's not a huge jump to assume that tablet users need and want faster connectivity," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Mobile Communications Company. "The combination of LG's LTE technology with the tablet form factor is a clear advantage for consumers who use a tablet as their primary consumption device when on the move."

Boasting the best-in-class in the tablets, LG Optimus Pad LTE provides the ultimate user environment to enjoy HD multimedia with a 1280 x 720 True HD IPS display and 8 megapixel camera for shooting high definition video. The Optimus Pad LTE is also the world's first tablet to support an SD memory card expandable to 32GB, recognizing the importance multimedia would play for owners of this device.

Along with these features, the Optimus Pad LTE offers easy-to-use controls and functions such as the Smart Movie Editor for editing pictures and videos more easily. Moreover, Web Duet allows for e-mailing, messaging and SNS sharing with search functions, and On-Screen Phone (OSP) ensures compatibility with LG smartphones.

LG Optimus Pad LTE is extremely portable and aesthetically pleasing, weighing in at a svelte 479g and only 9.34mm thin. Equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor running Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS, LG's newest tablet guarantees superior performance. It also supports High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA).

Key Specifications:
Operating System: Android 3.2 Honeycomb
Memory: User 32GB (Micro SD up to 32GB)
Size: 245 x 151.4 x 9.34 mm
Weight: 497 g
Display: 8.9-inch IPS True HD Display
Resolution: 1280 x 768
Camera: 8MP (Rear) / 2MP (Front)
Processor: Qualcomm 1.5GHz Dual-Core / Dual Channel Processor
Battery: 6,800mAh
Others: HDMI, DLNA

BMW's DesignworksUSA, Thermaltake reveal Level 10 M gaming mouse concept

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 05:34 PM PST

Themaltake and BMW's DesignworksUSA are apparently a design-team match made in PC gaming heaven. After previously partnering up for the elegant (and functional) Level 10 modular PC case, the two are back at it again -- this time with a focus on peripherals. While details are sparse, the Level 10 M mouse concept you're looking at is the first of the bunch to be revealed, and it's said to arrive sometime during the spring. It's not exactly a shoo-in for MadCatz's Rats, but considering the wire and an aggressively breathable design, it's clearly aimed at pro-gamers. Sadly, key specs like its DPI rating and details about any macro functionality are currently non-existent, however, it does appear to be of the optical variety. Here's to hoping it'll perform just as good at as looks to the eyes, and for now, hit up the press release past the break for a totally vague description.
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DesignworksUSA designs concept for a new series of innovative gaming peripherals for Thermaltake.

09.01.2012

Munich, 9th of January 2012. The collaboration of BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and Thermaltake has reached the next level. The design consultancy has developed a design concept for an innovative series of gaming accessories of which the first product, the Level 10 M Mouse, will be launched in spring 2012.

As a Think Tank of BMW Group the design consultancy DesignworksUSA works for many industries with only one aim: to transfer design know how between cultures, markets and industries in order to come up with the most innovative, forward thinking and consumer oriented design solutions. In 2009 Thermaltake, the leader and innovator of pro-gaming computer chassis, for the first time partnered with the wholly owned BMW Group subsidiary. The studio had been tasked with the design concept of the Level 10 high end gaming tower. The result was a chassis which triggered off a lot of praise from the IT and pro-gaming world and many awards for its sheer revolutionary approach to computer housing. Now the collaboration continues with the expansion of the Level 10 experience to a range of gaming peripherals for Thermaltake´s e-sports division.

For the upcoming range of Level 10 accessory products DesignworksUSA challenged Thermaltake with most progressive design concepts. They aim at extending the Level 10 experience of the chassis to products that gamers directly interact with. The first product to be launched out of the new series of gaming peripherals is the Level 10 M Mouse. It will give testimony to the delicate thinking of the designers when applying the Level 10 design language to additional products. For the designers this task meant to extend the Level 10 gaming experience to all the gamers' senses. Facing the challenge of translating the design language of the expressive geometrical Level 10 chassis onto products which by nature require ergonomic design solutions the design team came up with an array of innovative solutions to provide pro-gamers with products that speak the Level 10 design language but still provide them with the most pleasant and comfortable equipment for heavy use.

Way-Go flashlight uses lasers to light your path, GPS to tell you where to go

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 04:42 PM PST

We love just about anything involving lasers or robotics here at Engadget, so naturally, we're intrigued by Sriranjan Rasakatla's Way-Go flashlight that combines the two. It's comprised of a laser pico projector, GPS module, altitude and heading reference system (AHRS) to not only light your path but also tell you which way to go. It can be used strictly as a flashlight, but users can also input starting and destination points to have the Way-Go guide them. There's also a wander mode that displays info about your surroundings as you stroll around -- though naturally, such information must be pre-programmed into the device. Because it displays stuff that needs reading, the projector's connected to servos that can keep it locked on a projection point to keep it readable no matter how much you move the Way-Go around. Rasakatla sees the device being useful in search and rescue, backcountry trekking, and campus tour guiding -- odd, 'cause in our day, kids walking around campus at night were trying to find out where the party was at, not learn about the architecture of the academic buildings. Regardless, you can see the Way-Go in action after the break.

Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case uses self-healing paint, won't un-crack your screen

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 03:58 PM PST

Well hey there, butterfingers. Do your smartphone cases often slip from grip, hitting the deck and resulting in a bevy of tiny nicks that leave you self-conscious about your inability to maintain a firm grasp? Well, Nissan (yes, that Nissan) may just have an answer, in the form of a self-healing iPhone case. Naturally, the Scratch Shield -- which we first heard of back in 2009 -- protects your device from garnering unwanted blemishes, but it also features a polyrotaxane-based finish that helps maintain the case itself, covering over small scratches in as little as an hour. Nissan is keeping its magic paint on home turf for the time being, licensing the material to Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo, though the Leaf-maker is also said to be considering a commercial launch later this year. Until then, you'll need to stay strong (gripped), though a self-mend solution may well be in your future.

Samsung wasn't interested in buying RIM, still isn't interested in buying RIM

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 03:01 PM PST

Samsung already passed on webOS, and now, it's passing on RIM. The flagging handset maker was reportedly in talks with Samsung about a buyout, but according to a fresh Reuters report, Sammy's "not interested" in taking over Research In Motion. Samsung spokesman James Chun said the following: "We haven't considered acquiring the firm and are not interested in (buying RIM)." Why even respond to a rumor? Well, RIM's shares surged some ten percent at just the whisper, further proving that stocks in the digital age are little more than sophisticated gambling blocks when unfounded rumors are bandied about. So, that's that -- Samsung's not buying RIM, the sun's still warm, and RIM is still too far away from BlackBerry 10.
at 3:04 PM

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