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Friday, February 10, 2012

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Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 10:32 AM PST

Acer CloudMobile phone wins design award, lets cat out of the bag

Sometimes, you're just so darn full of pride you can get lost in the moment. We assume that's what Acer's done, having revealed possibly its trump handset weeks before the global mobile event, MWC, even starts. Its CloudMobile has won the iF design award for 2012, and the company just wanted everyone to know. So what can we expect to see later this month? Well, the phone will pack a 4.3-inch high-definition touchscreen, with a Dolby-branded speaker plate on the back, all wrapped in a sub-10mm "Sleeve DNA" contoured shell. Expect the device to be tightly integrated with Acer's cloud technology -- we grabbed a hands-on with this just last month -- using peer-to-peer connectivity to sync pictures, music and other files, while also offering up printer functionality. Pocket-Lint believes we'll see the device running Android 4.0 on arrival -- it's currently posited for a Q3 release. We'll be scouring the show floor for it when Mobile World Congress kicks off in earnest.

Show full PR text
Acer Flagship Smartphone Wins iF Product Design Award

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (February 10, 2012) - The Acer CloudMobileTM smartphone has just received the iF design award 2012, in recognition of outstanding achievement in design.

Acer CloudMobileTM is the first smartphone to offer AcerCloud technology, which securely connects personal content from Cloud PCs through CloudMobileTM anytime, anywhere. Users can push thousands of photos to and from CloudMobileTM and listen to their entire music collection whether at home or on the go.

AcerCloud also enhances mobile productivity by providing seamless document management. Users can access and browse all recent files from CloudMobileTM and print wirelessly with Acer Print.

Designed to showcase Acer's most advanced technology, Acer CloudMobileTM is ultra-slim with a depth of less than one centimeter. Its Sleeve DNA design has soft, wrapping contours which enhance the handheld experience.

The stainless steel receiver on the front, and the Dolby speaker plate on the back, have tiny perforation that exude style and high-quality craftsmanship. Tactile details on the volume button and rear side of the phone further enhance the exquisite look and feel. A narrow bezel slims Acer CloudMobileTM down, while still providing room for a 4.3-inch fully laminated HD display.

Organized by the International Forum Design of Germany, the iF awards have been held since 1953 and are regarded as an indicator of outstanding quality in design.

An international panel of experts judged on numerous criteria including design workmanship, choice of material, environmental compatibility and functionality. According to iF, participation in the iF design awards demonstrates the will to innovate and the courage to be compared next to others in competition.

Acer smartphone design has been awarded for its innovation the last two years in a row (Iconia Smart S300, 2011 Computex Design & Innovation).

The Acer CloudMobileTM smartphone will be unveiled at the end of February 2012 at the Mobile World Congress exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, and will be available in Q3, 2012.

About Acer

Since its founding in 1976, Acer has achieved the goal of breaking the barriers between people and technology. Globally, Acer ranks No. 2 for notebook PCs. A profitable and sustainable Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continuing growth, while its multi-brand approach integrates Acer, Gateway, Packard Bell, and eMachines brands in worldwide markets. Acer designs environmentally friendly products and has established a green supply chain through collaboration with suppliers. Acer is proud to be a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Movement, including supporting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and London 2012 Olympic Games. The Acer Group employs 8,000 people worldwide. Revenues for 2010 reached US$19.9 billion. Visit www.acer-group.com for more information.

Apple seeks injunction against Samsung in California with newly acquired patents

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 10:07 AM PST

You can now add one more case to the long list of disputes between Apple and Samsung. As PaidContent reports, Apple filed a lawsuit against Samsung in the Northern District of California federal court on Tuesday, seeking a temporary injunction on the basis of two patents it obtained in December. One of those reportedly concerns the autocorrect feature found on iPhones and iPads, but details on the case otherwise remain a bit light as the complaint itself is still under seal. We'll keep you posted as we get more information.

Withings Smart Baby Monitor drops through FCC's chimney

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 09:28 AM PST

Baby monitors. If you're in the market for one (er, congrats) and you run an Apple-flavored household, then this Withings device looks sufficiently over-specced for your needs. It's been out in the UK for a couple of months already priced at £269 ($425), and judging from the FCC filing it's coming to the US too, where it'll face sibling rivalry from the likes of Samsung, Evoz and the Exmobaby bodysuit. The base station fixes to the side of the crib, hooks up over WiFi or Ethernet, and streams audio and three-megapixel video (with night-vision mode) over the web, so you can access it via the iOS app using 3G or any good internet connection -- not only when you're within range of your router. It's even said that if you turn the mic's sensitivity right up, you'll hear the sounds of your old life, calling to you.

AMD outs cheap Athlon II X4 Llano-based processors, minus integrated graphics

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 08:56 AM PST

Given that superior integrated graphics was one of the key selling points of AMD's low-power Llano desktop chips, it might seem like a strange move to offer two new Athlon-branded variants that have been stripped of their GPUs. However, while one hand slaps your face, the other hand gives you more cash to spend on a proper graphics card for your ultra-cheap rig -- because both the Athlon II X4 641 and it's lower-power buddy, the 638, are priced at just $81. Go out and buy yourself something nice.

Samsung's NP700 gaming laptop goes up for pre-order with Ivy Bridge pride

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 08:34 AM PST

Jonesing for some more of Samsung's 17-inchers? Jones no more, because the Korean manufacturer has just put its NP700G7C gaming laptop up for pre-order. Packing 16GB of memory, this new Series 7 lappy made a brief appearance on Best Buy's website last month, but was quickly pulled. This time, though, it looks like it's for real, with Samsung touting its new "Gaming PC" on its very own website, alongside a $1,700 price tag. For that money, you'll get a 17.3-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution and, most compelling, a taste of Ivy Bridge, courtesy of the laptop's third-generation Intel Core i7-3610QM quad-core processor, which clocks in at 2.3GHz. It's available now, at the source link below.

Motorola Droid 4 available on Verizon today for $200

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 08:11 AM PST

It can be tough to keep track of which Droid is launching when these days, but those waiting patiently for the Motorola Droid 4 will be glad to know that the QWERTY slider is available on Verizon today for $200 on-contract. That of course buys you a pass onto Verizon's LTE network, along with a 4-inch qHD display, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, a 8-megapixel camera (paired with a lower-res front-facing cam), 16GB of storage and Android 2.3.5 for an OS. An Ice Cream Sandwich update is promised, but there's unfortunately no date for its release just yet. We'll have a full review of the phone shortly, but in the meantime you can check out our hands-on with the device from last month.

Netflix Android app adds onscreen volume slider, Facebook integration (where available)

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 07:47 AM PST

Now that Netflix is available on most Android devices and even sporting a fresh tablet interface, what's there left to tweak? Plenty actually, and the company just pushed a new 1.7 version of the app that adds Facebook sharing and discovery in the countries where those features are enabled (read: not the US). Also new is a software volume slider for tablet users as shown above by Android Community, as well as tweaks for AV sync and resolution of some other tablet incompatibilities. HD streaming support for tablets will have to wait for another day, but for now users can grab the latest version from the Android Market at the link below.

Unknown HTC phone running ICS pops up, looks Incredible

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 07:17 AM PST

What's this we have here? Well, clearly it's an HTC phone, but it looks different to what we've seen before. If the pictures are to be believed, we're looking at an Android 4.0 device with HTC's Sense 4.0 on top. There's LTE on board, and what looks like Verizon's splash-screen, meaning there's every reason to believe this is destined for the US. The rest of the specs suggest it's packing a dual-core 1.2 GHz Snapdragon processor, backed up by 1GB of RAM, Beats Audio and an 8-megapixel shooter. Given that the Rezound already purrs along on a 1.5GHz chip and that embossed backing looks oh-so familiar, it doesn't seem out of line to wager this is the next-gen Incredible with a bump in clock speed. What also catches our eye is the inclusion of hardware buttons, leaving open the possibility that this might just be a prototype after all. We're too not hopeful we'll learn much more before MWC, but we'll keep our eyes on the trail all the same.

NEC Casio Medias LTE N-04D launches in Japan next week

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 06:46 AM PST

It was mere weeks since we saw NEC's last smartphone that will probably never take the plane ride away from Japan, but contrary to its recent financials, the company doesn't appear to be letting up. The NEC Medias LTE N-04D, arriving on NTT DoCoMo, is a little chunkier than its predecessor, but that 11.6mm shell manages to squeeze in 4G connectivity and a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor Along LTE credentials, the specification reads like the majority of Medias phones we've already seen recently. This includes a waterproof shell, 4.3-inch 720p LCD screen, mobile wallet and TV tuner. It'll also join the handful of smartphones compatible with Casio's Bluetooth-connected G-Shock, adding mail and call notifications to your wrist. The phone will arrive February 15th in the tangy orange and black guise seen above. Japanese residents can now preorder theirs (while the rest of us gaze on wistfully) at the source below.

DarwinBot is a surrogate play partner for man's best friend

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 06:17 AM PST

The problem facing Microsoft developer Jordan Correa and his wife was hardly an uncommon one. They both have full time jobs (that's not the problem), but they also have an adorable dog Darwin that is left alone for about eight hours each day. Correa decided to keep his pup active and virtually bridged their physical divide by building his own telepresence robot using Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, a Kinect and a pile of other parts. Jordan can connect to his pup by dialing into the bot via Skype, allowing him to bark commands, pilot it around the house with an Xbox 360 controller and even play catch using the integrated ball launcher. The Parallax-powered platform can even dispense treats and autonomously retrieve the ball with a retractable arm. To see DarwinBot in action check out the video after the break.

Phones 4u 'JUMP' plan lets you swap phones every six months, for a price

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 05:44 AM PST

Britons! Dedicated followers of fashion! If your clothes are loud (but never square) and you've just gotta keep up with the latest trends, then Phones 4u should be your next stop. The independent phone retailer is offering customers JUMP (short for "Just Upgrade my Phone"): a 24-month deal that'll let you upgrade your handset every six months. Rather than signing a vanilla deal with your carrier, you plump for a cheaper plan and then rent-to-buy the handset from the store. It's a little more complicated -- and costly -- than your average contract, so keep a calculator handy as you try to follow the math (sorry, 'maths') after the break.
Show full PR text
PHONES 4U LAUNCHES 'JUMP'

New type of contract gives customers the freedom to change their
handset as often as every six months

10th February 2012: Phones 4u is today announcing the national rollout
of JUMP ('Just Upgrade My Phone') – a new type of contract which
enables consumers to upgrade their mobile phone, from a selection of
the latest smartphones on the market, as often as every 6 months.

Differing from other flexible offerings on the market, JUMP doesn't
require any upfront fees at the point of upgrade and customers own
rather than lease the handset. For the added flexibility of being able
to upgrade as often as every six months, customers will only need to
initially pay an average added monthly cost of £2.99 - £3.99,
dependent on the original JUMP contract chosen.

JUMP has been successfully trialled since May 2011 in 100 stores. The
national rollout begins today and the offering is expected to be
available in all of Phones 4u's 586+ stores, via Phones 4u online and
via Phones 4u telesales by May 2012. We will also be supporting JUMP
as part of a wider multi-million pound ATL Phones 4u campaign this
year.

Alistair Firth, Director of Customer Development at Phones 4u said:
"Technology is moving fast and innovative handsets are launching all
the time on the market but to date there's been a disconnect between
the frequency of smartphone releases and the length of mobile phone
contracts on offer.We want to give our customers the freedom to own
the very latest smartphones like the iPhone 4S without having to wait
18-24 months for an upgrade. The idea for JUMP was born out of
research we conducted that revealed people were frustrated by the
inability to upgrade their handsets sooner".

JUMP's unique proposition is that instead of offering one contract to
customers with a mobile network, it's been broken down into two; one
with the airtime provider for minutes, texts and data and one with
Phones 4u for the handset, which are both for a minimum term of 24
months. This provides the customer with total ownership of the handset
and their monthly pay plan. When customers choose to upgrade, there is
no upfront fee involved – they can trade in the handset, which Phones
4u guarantees will be worth at least £100 for the first 12 months[1],
along with up to two more, and create a new plan. Alternatively, they
do have the option of keeping it for themselves or giving it to
someone else.

"We conducted extensive research prior to the trial and national
roll-out to inform the JUMP model and ensure it truly met consumer
needs", adds Firth. "We discovered 18-35 year olds don't want to
return a handset on a leasing model. This is because they are used to
keeping handsets as part of their mobile phone contract, they hold
concerns over losing data or voiding the warranty if they customize
the phone, and worry about paying a surcharge if the phone is damaged.
We used these findings to help shape the JUMP offering and believe it
offers the best flexibility and benefits of any deal currently
available on the market".

As part of the JUMP service, Phones 4u is also offering remote data
back-up and storage for contacts, music, pictures and videos, as well
as dedicated customer support accessible via a dedicated number and
website. Phones 4u aims to attract new customers with the JUMP
offering, who want the option to own the latest smartphones when they
want, at an affordable monthly cost, and which offers additional
services currently not available as part of other smartphone
contracts.

Example plans to upgrade to the new iPhone 4S on JUMP

A customer could take out a standard contract for a non-iPhone device on a £35 a month tariff. Alternatively they could purchase it on JUMP for £37.99 on a 24 month agreement

Today on JUMP £37.99

Split as
Airtime commitment with Orange £15.00
JUMP service agreement 24months £22.99

Move to iPhone 4s after 6 months

Balance outstanding on JUMP
= 18months @ £22.99 £413.82
Trade in value of handset* £175.00
(You can trade in up to 2 more additional handsets to increase your total trade-in value and reduce your remaining balance further)

Balance remaining £238.82

Split over new JUMP contract (per month) £9.95
(No need to pay upfront)

Monthly cost of iPhone 4s on JUMP service agreement £28.49
+ £9.95 over 24months

Total new JUMP cost £38.44

Plus airtime (dependent on airtime package chosen) £20.00

New monthly commitment £58.44

Move to iPhone 4s after 12 months

Balance outstanding on JUMP
= 12months @ £22.99 £275.88
Trade in value of handset* £150.00
(You can trade in up to 2 more additional handsets to increase your total trade-in value and reduce your remaining balance further)

Balance remaining £125.88

Split over new JUMP contract (per month) £5.25
(No need to pay upfront)

Monthly cost of iPhone 4s on JUMP service agreement £28.49
+ £5.25 over 24months

Total new JUMP cost £33.74

Plus airtime (dependent on airtime package chosen) £20.00

New monthly commitment £53.74

Distro goes 'Beyond the Revolution' to explore tech in post-Mubarak Egypt

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 05:15 AM PST

Nearly one year ago, dictator Hosni Mubarak was forced to step down after 18 consecutive days of protest by Egyptian citizens. Those demonstrations were organized largely through the use of social networking, cell phones and banned TV channels, a greater trend that permeated the revolutionary period now known as the Arab Spring. To mark the anniversary of Mubarak's ousting, Sharif Sakr traveled to Egypt to speak with five Egyptians about the role that technology plays in their lives today. This issue of Distro also features reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, Motorola's Droid RAZR Maxx, Sony's Alpha NEX-7 and a Q&A with the founder of the Ubuntu Project, Mark Shuttleworth. If you've been looking for a good reason to download an issue of Distro, look no further.

Distro Issue 27 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter

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

CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show wrap-up

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 04:47 AM PST

It's never easy to leave Japan -- the friendly people, incredible food, cutting-edge tech, clean streets and efficient public transit network mean we never hesitate when given an opportunity to visit this incredible country. But sadly, our latest adventure has come to an end. This year's CP+ Camera & Photo Imaging Show brought thousands of photography fans to Yokohama, a metropolis just a short train ride away from Tokyo. And while CP+ is still primarily a Japanese trade show, it served as the global launching ground for dozens of top camera models, including the Nikon D800, Olympus E-M5 and Pentax K-01, just to name a few. Bag and tripod manufacturers could be found spattered amongst the Japanese camera giants, but overall this show was more about the latest cameras than gimmicky accessories. There was still plenty of entertainment to be found on the show floor, so scroll through our gallery below for an inside look at life at CP+, or jump past the break for a roundup of our hands-ons and related news stories. Sayonara!
CP+ 2012 wrap-up

Hands-on
Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video)
Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video)
Canon EOS-1D X and Nikon D4 ISO 204,800 shooting hands-on (video)
Sony Cyber-shot TX300V inductive charging camera and dock hands-on (video)
Olympus black E-M5 Micro Four Thirds camera and internals eyes-on
Pentax K-01 mirrorless camera doesn't feel as cheap as it looks, we go hands-on (video)
Olympus OM-D E-M5 five-axis sensor-shift image stabilization hands-on (video)

News
Sigma DP1, DP2 get 46-megapixel makeover
Kodak to shutter digital camera production this year
Sony promises eight more NEX E-mount lenses by the end of 2013, doesn't elaborate
We're live from CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan!

Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on (video)

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 04:11 AM PST

You don't see many lenses pop up 'round these parts, but Sony's new 500mm f/4 G SSM optic is impressive enough to warrant some hands-on attention. We spotted the new A-mount telephoto mounted on an Alpha A77 at Sony's booth at CP+ 2012, and queued up for a chance to take some shots. The lens focused surprisingly quickly, especially given its massive 500mm fixed focal length. Moving from subject to subject at varying distances, we were typically able to achieve focus in a fraction of a second. Long lenses have traditionally been tricky on the focus front, but this guy handled it like a champ, with speeds that appeared to rival far shorter primes. The SAL500F40G, as it's to be known, will be hand built to order beginning in March, with a yet-to-be-confirmed (likely sky-high) price tag. Click on past the break to see just how quickly we can zero in on some wild CP+ show floor action.
Sony 500mm f/4 G SSM lens hands-on

Canadian gets PlayStation Vita early thanks to faith, good works

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 03:24 AM PST

Today's lucky beggar award goes to Graham Innes in Canada, who wrote in to tell us that he found a PlayStation Vita sitting on his doorstep. It wasn't a total surprise, since he'd ordered one from Amazon, but what's weird is just how soon it arrived -- the early-bird First Edition doesn't launch until February 15th and the general release is a whole week after that. We're not sure what Graham did to deserve this, but we do know from our Joystiq buddies that he's not the only one -- Amazon.ca has apparently sent out a few of these premature parcels. If the injustice burns, console yourself with the thought that Graham and his blessed compatriots probably can't access the store to download any games.

Nokia N9 spotted running Ice Cream Sandwich, dual-boot in the works

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 02:37 AM PST

This above is the first glimpse of Android 4.0 running on the Nokia N9. Yes, it looks like Ice Cream Sandwich is in being ported to the company's iconic handset by no other than Alexey Roslyakov and team NITDroid -- the folks who previously put Android on the Nokia N900. The project, which is still in its early stages, made significant progress after recently overcoming a framebuffer driver/HAL hurdle, allowing ICS to be displayed on the phone. In addition, a dual-boot solution is in the works letting Meego and Android 4.0 coexist on the device. We certainly can't wait to experience using Ice Cream Sandwich on some of the hottest white hardware around. Can you?

German court dismisses Motorola's patent lawsuit against Apple

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 01:30 AM PST

Motorola suffered a setback in Germany this morning, after a Mannheim Regional Court struck down one of the company's several patent lawsuits against Apple. The patent in question, EP1053613, is considered essential to the 3G/UMTS wireless standard and, more specifically, pertains to a "method and system for generating a complex pseudonoise sequence for processing a code division multiple access [CDMA] signal." Motorola Mobility had argued that Apple's products infringed upon this patent, but Judge Andreas Voss today dismissed these claims, on the basis that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate Cupertino's violation. It's undoubtedly a welcomed victory for Apple, which had been suffering through something of a losing streak against Motorola, but their ongoing tug-of-war is far from over. Neither Motorola nor Apple have commented on the decision.

Intel settles antitrust lawsuit with New York attorney general, pays hardly anything

Posted: 10 Feb 2012 12:46 AM PST

Intel's three-year tussle with the state of New York finally came to an end yesterday, with a settlement of relatively harmless proportion. Under the arrangement, Intel will have to shell out a mere $6.5 million to resolve a 2009 antitrust lawsuit filed by then-attorney general Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo, who has since ascended to the seat of governor, had accused the chipmaker of intimidating PC manufacturers and handing out billion-dollar kickbacks, as part of what he called a "systematic worldwide campaign" to assert its market dominance. The case has since been helmed by Cuomo's successor, current attorney general Eric Schneiderman, but its sails lost a lot of wind when U.S. District Judge Leonard Stark barred the state from seeking triple damages, limiting its claims to a three-year period, rather than the four-to-six that the state had been pursuing. As a result, Intel suffered only the slightest of financial blows.

According to Reuters, the $6.5 million sum represents just five hours worth of profit for the company, which reported a net income of nearly $13 billion last year. Intel was pleased with the news, pointing out that the agreement doesn't require it to admit any wrongdoing. Schneiderman, on the other hand, seemed notably less enthusiastic, with office spokeswoman Jennifer Givner telling reporters that the state's lawyers still think they have a case against Intel, but "in light of the court's decision believe that no purpose is served by pursuing the matter further."

Roku adds BBC iPlayer channel as it starts shipping in the UK

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:41 PM PST

Just as Netflix is nearly ubiquitous on media streaming platforms in the US, BBC's iPlayer is pretty much a default app in the UK so it's no surprise to see it show up on Roku's boxes just as they start shipping across the Atlantic. As detailed in the press release after the break, those shiny new Roku LT and Roku 2 XS hockey pucks are well on their way to punters who've shelled out £50 / £100, respectively, with over 40 available channels. Unfortunately, that announcement doesn't extend to global iPlayer support outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, so we'll have to catch up on Spooks some other way.
Show full PR text
Roku Increases Selection of Entertainment Content; Begins Shipping Roku Players to Customers in the UK
Roku Players Feature More than 40 Streaming Channels Including Region-Specific Programmes


Saratoga, Calif. and LONDON – Feb. 10, 2012 – Roku ®, the leading streaming platform in the U.S., today announced the addition of BBC iPlayer to its growing selection of video, music and games in the UK. Joining Netflix, FoxNews.com and others, the new channel will allow Roku's UK customers to catch up on recent BBC programming on their television sets without the need for a PC.

"Roku recognizes the importance of region-specific programmes so today we are excited to announce the addition of BBC iPlayer to our platform," said Clive Hudson, vice president and general manager for Europe at Roku. "This is among the first of many significant content partnerships for Roku in Europe and we look forward to making additional announcements in the coming weeks."

Roku streaming players are known for their low prices, simplicity and quality of content. Two models of Roku players – Roku LT and Roku 2 XS – are available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland for suggested retail prices of £49.99 and £99.99 respectively (customers can visit www.roku.co.uk to find retailers). Both models feature more than 40 channels of streaming entertainment including on-demand films and programmes from Netflix and Crackle (Crackle is available in the UK only); live and on-demand sports from MLB.TV and Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation; music from Classical TV and TuneIn; photos and videos from Facebook and Flickr; news and entertainment from WSJ Live from the Wall Street Journal, FoxNews.com and others from around the world – plus casual games like Angry Birds.

About Roku, Inc.
Roku is a leading streaming platform. Since launching the first Netflix streaming player in 2008, Roku has delivered entertainment content to approximately 2.5 million streaming players. The Roku platform features a growing collection of channels that vary by country but include Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Crackle, Hulu Plus, HBO GO™, MLB.TV, Pandora, Facebook and Angry Birds. Renowned for their ease of use, value and selection of content, the award‐winning Roku streaming players are available for purchase through leading retailers in the U.S., UK and Ireland. Roku was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the DVR. For more information, visit www.roku.com.

Wolfram Alpha Pro now available, $4.99 a month will let you throw almost anything at it for analysis

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:07 PM PST

Wolfram Alpha has made some fairly big strides in its few short years of existence, but the so-called computational knowledge engine has now rolled out what founder Stephen Wolfram says is the "the single most important development for Wolfram Alpha since the original website launched in 2009." That development is Wolfram Alpha Pro, a new premium service that will run you $4.99 a month (or $2.99/month for students) and give you access to a wealth of new options for both input and output. On the input end, you can now upload images, audio and other files (over 60 types in all) for automatic analysis and a detailed report -- according to Stephen Wolfram, the ultimate goal being "to do what a top data scientist would do if given the user's data." As for output, you'll now be able to take advantage of a number of richer download options, including the ability to interact with and tailor the reports to your liking. As you might expect, however, that's just scratching the surface -- you can get a detailed look at the new service at the links below, or take it for a spin yourself with a free trial subscription.
Show full PR text
Wolfram|Alpha Pro Launches; Applies Computational Knowledge to Data From Users

CHAMPAIGN, IL, Feb 08, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Wolfram Alpha LLC today announced the immediate availability of Wolfram|Alpha Pro, a new service building on its widely used Wolfram|Alpha computational knowledge engine.

"Wolfram|Alpha Pro is a major step forward for Wolfram|Alpha and the concept of computational knowledge," said Stephen Wolfram, Founder and CEO of Wolfram Alpha LLC. "It is the single most important development for Wolfram|Alpha since the original website launched in 2009."

Wolfram|Alpha Pro emphasizes closer interaction between the user and the Wolfram|Alpha computational knowledge engine. A key feature is the ability to upload virtually any common kind of file or data for automatic analysis. Raw tabular data, images, audio, XML, and dozens of specialized scientific, medical, and mathematical formats are among the more than 60 formats currently supported by Wolfram|Alpha Pro.

"Our goal is to do what a top data scientist would do if given the user's data -- but to do it automatically in just a few seconds," said Stephen Wolfram. "Wolfram|Alpha Pro automatically applies a large number of algorithms and heuristics, as well as uses its built-in knowledge, to derive the most important conclusions from data, and generate an organized report for the user." Wolfram|Alpha Pro also allows free-form linguistics to be used to make specific queries about uploaded data.

Wolfram|Alpha Pro also adds richer output to Wolfram|Alpha, automatically generating CDF (Computable Document Format) with interactive controls for animation and manipulation. In addition, users of Wolfram|Alpha Pro gain options for customizing graphical and tabular output for presentations and other purposes, and for downloading raw generated data in more than 60 formats.

Wolfram|Alpha Pro includes a host of other convenient new features, such as history, favorites, display options, whole-page download, and an on-screen keyboard for special technical symbols.

Free trial access to Wolfram|Alpha Pro is available immediately, with subscriptions starting at an introductory price of $4.99 per month, or $2.99 per month for students. Educational and site pricing are also available. The "standard" Wolfram|Alpha will remain free of charge to everyone, but only subscribers will have access to new Pro-level features and functionality.

More information is available at www.wolframalpha.com/pro .

About Wolfram|Alpha

Wolfram Alpha LLC is a Wolfram Research company whose long-term goal is to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone. The company aims to collect and curate all objective data; implement every known model, method, and algorithm; and make it possible to compute whatever can be computed about anything. Wolfram|Alpha builds on the achievements of science and other systematizations of knowledge to provide a single source that can be relied on by everyone for definitive answers to factual queries. In addition to the WolframAlpha.com website, Wolfram|Alpha is used in a variety of prominent mobile applications.

SOURCE: Wolfram Alpha

Bluetooth SIG forms new working group focused on fitness gadgets

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 09:44 PM PST

We've been seeing Bluetooth make more and more inroads into fitness gadgets as of late, and it looks like the Bluetooth Special Interest Group is intent on seeing that trend continue. It announced the formation of a new Sports and Fitness Working Group today, which will be tasked with increasing the interoperability between wearable gadgets and other sensors and so-called "hub" devices like smartphones, TVs and gym equipment. That's a fairly natural fit for Bluetooth now, but it's taken until Bluetooth 4.0 for the standard to really emerge as a viable alternative to lower-power options like ANT+ (now commonly used in heart rate monitors and the like).
Show full PR text
Bluetooth Technology To Change How We Play Sports, Exercise And More

Bluetooth SIG Invites Members to Help Drive Technology's Use and Growth in Sports and Fitness Markets

KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the creation of the Sports and Fitness Working Group and is now accepting members. This group will work together to enhance interoperability between Bluetooth enabled sports and fitness sensor products and training computers (Bluetooth Smart devices) and hub devices such as smartphones, PCs, TVs (Bluetooth Smart Ready devices), gym equipment, watches and more to allow a new generation of functionality.

Bluetooth v4.0 with low energy technology gives any device, from a static data-collecting sensor to a laptop or tablet, the ability to connect, share and distribute information in real-time. No other wireless technology is able to provide the limited energy consumption, usability, functionality and install-base that Bluetooth v4.0 brings to the sports and fitness market.

Bluetooth SIG member company, Mosoro, has announced a Bluetooth Smart sensor that connects to a golf club and can instantly send information about the player's golf swing to a smartphone for real-time feedback on how to improve. In 2011, Motorola introduced the MOTOACTV, a Bluetooth Smart fitness watch that can support low energy devices - like a heart rate sensor, can receive alerts from your phone, and even stream music through Bluetooth enabled ear buds. Fitness giant, Nike, recently introduced its Nike+ FuelBand, a wristband that uses Bluetooth technology to automatically sync with your smartphone to let users easily track and analyze physical activity.

These unique products are a few examples of how sports and fitness devices are being made better with Bluetooth technology and just the beginning of what users can expect to see in this market. IMS Research forecasts more than 60 million Bluetooth enabled sports, fitness and health monitoring devices will ship between 2010 and 2015 including over 17.7 million heart monitors, more than seven million sports watches and over two million speed and distance monitors.

Registration for the Sports and Fitness Working Group and Sports and Fitness Bluetooth Ecosystem Team (BET) are open to Bluetooth SIG Associate and Promoter members. Members are encouraged to join either or both of the groups. Those interested in distilling and prioritizing key scenarios and identifying ways to make products better with Bluetooth technology should join the BET. Members interested in working directly on the specification itself should join the Working Group. For more information on becoming a member, visit the Membership page at www.Bluetooth.org.

Supporting Quotes

Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG:

"While there has been potential for innovation in the sports and fitness market, the introduction of Bluetooth v4.0 makes this potential nearly limitless and we are excited about the adoption and use cases we have seen from our members - the Nike+ FuelBand, Polar's heart rate sensor, and Wahoo Fitness' wide array of sensors - to name a few. Our members are choosing to utilize Bluetooth v4.0 instead of other wireless options because of its massive install base, simple paring and low power features. Sports and fitness devices that have never had a wireless component, as well as devices that previously used proprietary wireless technologies, are now connecting further and made better with Bluetooth technology."

Yuichi Masuda, director, Casio Computer Co., Ltd.:

"Casio has been redefining the wristwatch for years by applying the latest technologies. Bluetooth low energy technology has let us create new possibilities for the way people use their watches while exercising, playing sports and more. Using Bluetooth's low power consumption, we are able to fuel these functions with a single button-cell battery."

Marco Subilaakso, group product director, Polar Electro Oy:

"The time is right for a truly open and global wireless standard for the sports and fitness market that will support seamless interoperability with other Bluetooth enabled products like smartphones and tablets. Bluetooth Smart devices, with standardized profiles for heart rate sensors, cycling power systems, treadmills, training computers and other fitness equipment, will accelerate cross-category innovation and will deliver amazing new benefits with rewarding experiences for all exercisers and athletes."

Olli Osara, business unit director, Suunto Oy:

"It is fantastic to see so many sports and fitness industry leaders backing Bluetooth technology. Suunto is excited about the opportunities brought by a protocol that enables a connection between our sports instruments and other devices. This creates potential for a new level of user experience and usability that will help our users have more rewarding experiences in their activities."

Mike Stashak, vice president sales and marketing, Wahoo Fitness:

"Wahoo Fitness is excited to be working with some of the world's top sport and fitness companies to develop new ways to connect fitness enthusiasts with their favorite devices. The clear winner is the end user, who now has increased functionality and flexibility while pursuing the fitness activities they enjoy."

Craig Ochikubo, vice president and general manager Wireless Personal Area Networks, Broadcom:

"Bluetooth low energy technology will play an important role in expanding the usefulness and capabilities of smartphones by enabling interaction with heart rate monitors, shoe sensors and other sports and fitness devices without significant impact on phone battery life. Broadcom continues to support and help drive proliferation of this exciting new technology in mobile devices to enable innovative applications that will have real impacts on people's lives."

Paul Williamson, product marketing manager for health and fitness, CSR:

"CSR is actively supporting leading brands in the deployment of Bluetooth low energy technology for the fitness market. The formation of the sports and fitness working group will accelerate the development of profiles that enable exciting new experiences for consumers."

Svein-Egil Nielsen, director emerging technologies and strategic partnerships, Nordic Semiconductor:

"The release of Bluetooth v4.0 with Bluetooth low energy technology as a hallmark feature gives users the ability to seamlessly track all kinds activity - often via their smartphones or computer - have that data automatically backed up to the Internet, analyzed by motivational apps, and even shared across various social media platforms. We are excited about the possibilities and potential that Bluetooth technology has in this market."

About Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Bluetooth wireless technology is the global wireless standard enabling simple connectivity for a broad range of electronic devices. Version 4.0 featuring Bluetooth low energy technology creates new application opportunities for products within the mobile phone, consumer electronics, PC, automotive, health & wellness, sports & fitness and smart home industries. With nearly two billion devices shipping annually, Bluetooth technology is the only proven wireless solution for developers, product manufacturers, and consumers worldwide. Backed by industry leading companies, the Bluetooth SIG empowers more than 15,000 member companies to collaborate, innovate and guide Bluetooth wireless technology. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com. Bluetooth wireless technology: Simple. Secure. Everywhere.

Rogers One Number service offers free computer-based calls and texting, unified inbox

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 08:33 PM PST

Got a Rogers wireless account? Then you can now take advantage of a new service that, for a change, won't cost you anything extra. While it's not quite a full-on Google Voice alternative, the company's new Rogers One Number service will let you make phones calls, video calls, and send and receive text messages for free from your computer (Windows or Mac), as well as let you maintain a unified inbox and contact list across all of your devices (assuming you use Gmail or Yahoo Mail). You're also able to switch a call from your cellphone to your computer without hanging up, and then turn that voice call into a video call if you choose, but your options are otherwise a bit limited on the mobile end; you can manage your contacts and such, but not use one number for multiple devices, or take advantage of free calling or texting. Rogers' demo video can be found after the break, and you can get a more in-depth look courtesy of MobileSyrup's hands-on at the link below.

[Thanks, Adam]


Tesla unveils Model X SUV, wants to be your all-electric crossover

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 07:40 PM PST

We're here at the Tesla Design Studio in Los Angeles, where Elon Musk just unveiled his startup's third vehicle: an SUV it calls the Model X. It's party piece is a pair of double-hinged "Falcon Wing" rear doors which apparently make loading people and things easier, as you reach into the car not over it. According to Musk they'll open in tighter spots than a traditional door, and swivel high enough to fit a standing human. Powered by an AWD variant of the Model S' drivetrain, it'll do 0-60MPH in 4.4 seconds in its most performant guise, a figure that matches the most brawny variant of Tesla's sedan, despite being a much larger vehicle. And because it's devoid of a space-hogging ICE, that front portion is a trunk, Musk lovingly calls the "Frunk." Per GigaOm, the seven-seater will cost in the $50,000 to $70,000 range, with first deliveries of the "Signature Series" arriving in late 2013 before mass production starts in 2014. If that sounds like your kind of beat, those interested can begin reservations on Tesla's website tomorrow at noon.
Tesla Model X launch
Tesla Model X eyes-on

2012 HDTV pricing leaks out for Panasonic, Sony, Sharp and Samsung

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 06:58 PM PST

The madness of CES 2012 is long over and now that we've seen all of the new HDTVs, it's time to find out when they're actually going on sale, and for how much. HDGuru has just dug up advertised pricing for some of the new models from Sony (BX, EX and HX lines) and Sharp (640, 745, 844, 847 and 945), while US pricing and ship dates for Panasonic's new plasmas have been revealed by Value Electronics. For Samsung, some of the new HDTVs have already showed up for preorders at retailers like Vanns, including the top of the line 75-inch ES8000 priced at $7,999, while a more reasonably sized 46-inch model is $2,699. Sony's prices range from $399 for the KDL-32BX320 to $2299 for the KDL-55HX750, while Sharp's range from LC-46-L540U for $1,099 to the LC-80LE844U for $6,499. Most of the ship dates are still TBA, although Panasonic is planning to unleash the ST50 later this month, followed by the UT50 and GT50, then the top of the line VT50 in May. While we wait for official announcements, you can hit the source links below for more details, and let us know if you've seen any other 2012 model information peeking out early.

Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS WiFi iPad transfer hands-on (video)

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 06:09 PM PST

Sure, your iPad 2 has a camera, but that doesn't mean you should be using it to take pictures. One of the biggest point-and-shoot trends to pick up speed in 2012 is built-in WiFi, letting you capture higher quality stills and videos with your dedicated imaging device and transfer them directly to the web, or to a smartphone or tablet on the same WiFi network. The PowerShot ELPH 530 HS is Canon's latest pocket shooter to employ this feature, and the company had a few samples on hand at CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan to demonstrate how it works.

We took the 530 HS for a cordless spin, connecting the iPad to the camera's Ad-Hoc (point-to-point) network and launching the Canon CameraWindow app. After a few seconds (and quite a few taps on the 10-megapixel cam's 3.2-inch LCD), we had the two devices communicating, with a final click sending the image from the ELPH directly to the iPad's screen. That seconds-long connection delay may be inconsequential when transferring a day's worth of photos, but it's a slight inconvenience if you're only trying to transfer a single image. The camera also includes built-in Twitter and Facebook upload functionality, though, bypassing the Apple middleman entirely. The $349 ELPH 530 HS won't be shipping until April, at which point you may be refreshing your tablet as well. Jump past the break for a quick video demo.
Canon PowerShot ELPH 530 HS hands-on

Canon PowerShot D20 ruggedized point-and-shoot camera hands-on (video)

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 05:24 PM PST

Remember the Canon PowerShot D10? The company's first ruggedized underwater cam was a solid snapper, but its bulky submarine-like design made it impractical for most surface-based shoots. The PowerShot D20 offers a drastic improvement over its predecessor in the appearance department, more closely resembling a compact point-and-shoot than a subaqueous vessel. We can't speak to the cam's image quality just yet, but assuming its on-par with the D10, we'd say the latest D model is worth some serious consideration as an upgrade, even for a reduction in footprint alone. The D20 includes a 12.1-megapixel HS (high-sensitivity) CMOS sensor, a bright 3-inch LCD and a 5x 28mm optically stabilized zoom lens. It's waterproof to depths of 10 meters (33 feet), can survive drops from a height of 1.5 meters (5 feet) and can operate in temperatures ranging from 14 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. There's also a top sensitivity of ISO 3200, and a built-in GPS.

We spent a few minutes with the D20 at Canon's booth at CP+ 2012 in Yokohama, Japan, and were quite impressed with the improved design. Naturally, it's a solid-feeling point-and-shoot, with protected components and airtight port covers. Company reps didn't bat an eye when we unintentionally tested the camera's durability with a mild drop. There's a standard-issue PowerShot interface, with a fairly straightforward menu structure, and the camera felt plenty snappy, focusing and firing off an image almost instantaneously. It's noticeably larger than the company's more compact land-limited models, but there's no reason you wouldn't feel just as comfortable using this to shoot your child's first birthday party as you would their first scuba lesson. The $349 PowerShot D20 won't be hitting stores until May, but you can jump past the break for a quick look in the meantime.
Canon PowerShot D20 hands-on

That's hot: Heat-based recording could boost magnetic drive speed, performance

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:08 PM PST

Magnetic fields are pretty nifty for levitating stuff, carving sponge-like thingamajigs and, of course, data storage. But an international team led by the University of York in the UK has figured out a way to replace magnetic fields for the latter by using ultra-short heat pulses instead. Conventional thinking typically dictates that an external magnetic field is required to store data on a magnetic medium. By using heat, however, researchers were able to record terabytes of information per second in a way that is also more energy-efficient compared to current hard drive technology. As for the time it'll take for the tech to make it to market, well, we have a feeling it won't be as fast.

Nanoshells trap light for more efficient solar panels

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:11 PM PST

Scientists at Stanford are hard at work trying to improve the efficiency and durability of solar panels -- two key factors that have kept the Sun from becoming a more popular source of energy. Their latest effort involves nanocrystalline-silicon, a material that has proven resilient and highly conductive, but not very good at absorbing light. Their solution, nanoshells -- hollowed out spheres of silicon that trap and recirculate light much like a whispering gallery does sound. Balls of the crystalline material are dipped in silicon, then hydrofluoric acid is used to eat way the center of the sphere, leaving a path for light to enter. The shells trap the light, allowing more of it to be absorbed, and also reduces the effect of non-optimal angles on energy production. Hit up the source for a few more details.

Sprint launches early upgrade promo, wants you to stay and chat awhile

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:29 PM PST

In an industry where customer churn can be likened to the fearsome troll under the bridge, Sprint has launched a program designed to keep its favored subscribers around for another two years. While not everyone is eligible -- those who've upgraded less than eight months ago, corporate outfits and those in collections need not inquire -- the program lets customers buy their way out of their current commitment and become eligible for a new, subsidized handset. The promotion begins February 12th and is set to run through the 14th of April, where the amount you pay correlates to the time since your last upgrade. So if you're currently pining for the Epic 4G Touch or the iPhone 4S, just give your local Sprint store a call this Sunday. They just may be able to hook you up.

Scosche bassDOCK blasts Weezer from any iPad, available now for $150

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:51 PM PST

If you're having trouble wading through the pool of iPad dock prospects, we're about to add another to the mix. Scosche has announced that its bassDOCK for both iPad models is now shipping. The dock will blast "My Name is Jonas" from a pair of 1.6-inch stereo speakers and a 3-inch subwoofer. As you'd expect, the kit charges your Apple slate in a cradle that sports both landscape and portrait orientations alongside tilt positioning for the optimum viewing angle. If you find yourself needing to switch over to a smartphone to bump your tunes, the bassDOCK has a 3.5mm aux jack for just that purpose. The speaker dock is available now via the source link for $149.99 and a closer look awaits you in the gallery below.
Scosche bassDOCK for iPad
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Scosche Announces Availabilitiy of bassDOCK for all iPad Models

Oxnard, CA – February 9, 2012 – Scosche Industries, award-winning innovator of consumer technology, is excited to announce the availability of the new Scosche bassDOCK – speaker dock for all iPad models. The adjustable speaker dock tilts and rotates for both landscape and portrait viewing angles and features a 2.1 sound system with 40mm stereo speakers to deliver smooth mids and brilliant highs. A 3″ subwoofer produces rich and powerful bass.

"The bassDOCK transforms the iPad into a complete entertainment system," said Kas Alves, Executive Vice President of Scosche Industries. "It provides the power, sound system and flexibility to make your movies, music and games come alive."

bassDOCK users can charge their iPad or iPad 2 while they watch, play games or listen. The dock provides 10 Watts (2.1 Amps) for the fastest charge possible.

The Scosche bassDOCK is available now at Scosche.com for $149.99.

Follow Scosche at twitter.com/scosche or facebook.com/scosche for the latest news on all of Scosche's award-winning products.

Google reportedly working on wireless home entertainment system to be sold under its own brand

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:09 PM PST

Details are still fairly light at the moment, but The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Google could be about to make big push into the hardware business. Citing people briefed on the company's plans, the WSJ says that Google is now developing a home entertainment system that would stream music wirelessly throughout the home (including to web-connected devices and "Google-made speakers"), and be able to be controlled using a smartphone or tablet -- making it sound a whole lot like a Sonos competitor. What's more, unlike current Android and Google TV devices, this system will reportedly be marketed under Google's own brand. An attempt to really turn it up to eleven, perhaps?

The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 5PM!

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:30 PM PST

Tim has to sit this one out, sadly, but Brian will be joined in studio by Terrence and Dana, fighting the good podcast fight. You can join us live, as well, by checking out the video below and following along in the chat after the break.


*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.

Jarre AeroSystem One gets a Lalique crystal facelift, we go hands-on

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:05 PM PST

We saw the original AeroSystem One saunter into our lives a couple of month's back, and now Jarre Technologies has collaborated with crystal house Lalique to give it a makeover. The partnership sees the original iPod dock covered in smooth glass and cut metal, which certainly sets it apart from pretty much any other dock we've ever seen. The dock connector sits at the top, and being inset, isn't suitable for iPads, but if you're getting one of these, we imagine you don't want to ruin the aesthetic by perching a slate on top anyway. There is, however, a USB connection meaning this isn't an iDevice only affair. If you've got the estimated £10,000 (or about $15,840) lying around, it'll have to keep burning that hole in your pocket until some time in March. We managed to get a quick hands -- and ears -- on with the only two units in the UK, but couldn't explore much beyond how it looked in-store, bar an awkward moment when we placed an iPhone on it, only to discover it set to full volume. Check the gallery below for a closer look, or hit the PR after the break for more info.
Jarre AeroSystem One arrives in a new Lalique edition

Mat Smith contributed to this post
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AeroSystem One by Lalique

A marriage of innovation and craftsmanship, born from a meeting between Silvio Denz, CEO of the prestigious house of LALIQUE, and Jean Michel Jarre, the genius of electronic music.

Two worlds, which on the surface seem to be completely opposite of each other, have come together in their quest for excellence.

To further their pursuit for innovation, these two men have combined their values and talents. Together, they have created an object that combines their expertise: the AeroSystem One® by LALIQUE.

In one respect, Jean Michel Jarre created the Aerosystem One® for Jarre Technologies, as the embodiment of a unique experience known for its unbeatable sound quality.

In the other respect, LALIQUE cultivates its tradition of excellence and innovation by seeking new forms in new worlds.

From these two worlds, the Aerosystem One® by LALIQUE was born, a speaker with extraordinary acoustic qualities, enhanced by crystal.

LALIQUE crystal, which decorates this speaker, reveals sparkling jets of water which emerge from the intriguing Masque de Femme, an iconic motif of this prestigious crystal house. This Art-Deco style mask reveals the face of a mysterious woman, with subtle features, surrounded by aquatic wildlife. Like a fingerprint, the face seems perfectly captured in the crystal. To create this piece of work, 13 master glass-blowers blow, cut and polish crystal with their expert hands into a design that is so emblematic of LALIQUE.

The artisans from LALIQUE have managed to enhance and illuminate the speaker created by Jean Michel Jarre and to raise it to the rank of a true piece of contemporary art.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

MULTI FUNCTION BUTTON
Mute and volume control

PORTS
30-pin for iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone
Auxiliary input for mini-jack 3.5 mm
USB with WMA & MP3 decoder

AMPLIFIER OUTPUT POWER
Total power 120 W
1 subwoofer 60 W RMS
2 speakers 2 x 30 W RMS

IR REMOTE
iPod and iPhone functions

POWER INPUT VOLTAGE
200 V ~ 240 V - 50/60 Hz

DIMENSIONS
Height: 1085 mm (42.7 in)
Diameter: 115 mm (4.5 in)
Base external diameter: 260 mm (10.2 in)

MATERIAL
Stainless steel and Lalique crystal

Canonical to end official Kubuntu support with 12.04, crushes your Plasma-powered dreams

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:44 AM PST

Standard Ubuntu, with its Gnome roots and Unity interface may get most of the attention, but there are many different varieties of the world's most popular Linux distro. Most, like Xubuntu and Edubuntu, are community efforts entirely maintained by volunteers. Now Kubuntu, the KDE-sporting edition will be joining the ranks of the unofficial. After seven years, Canonical has decided to focus all of its efforts on Ubuntu proper, and will be ending paid support for Kubuntu with version 12.04. That doesn't mean that the variant is dead, only that it might not be a great choice for enterprise customers. Check out the source for the full letter from (former) lead developer Jonathan Riddell announcing the change.

Biological computer can decode images stored in DNA chips, applications remain unclear

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:19 AM PST

Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute and Technion–Israel Institute of Technology have taken biological computing one step further, with a new molecular machine capable of decoding images stored on a DNA chip. Though it's referred to as a "biological computer," the researchers' machine isn't much like a CPU at all -- unless your CPU was manufactured in a test tube filled with a smoothie of DNA molecules, enzymes and ATP. Once they found the right mix, the team proceeded to encrypt images on a DNA chip and used their Turing machine-like creation to decode them, with fluorescent stains helping to track its progress. The above image, read from left to right, gives a more literal idea of what the system can do -- basically, it takes a hidden image and extracts a given sequence. Storing data on DNA isn't anything new, but decrypting said data in this fashion apparently is. The applications for this kind of organic computing remain a bit fuzzy, but it's pretty clear that whatever follows probably won't look anything like a typical computer. The team's findings were recently published in a paper for the journal Angewandte Chemie, the abstract for which is linked below. For a slightly more readable explanation, check out the full press release after the break.
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Scripps Research and Technion Scientists Develop Biological Computer to Encrypt and Decipher Images

LA JOLLA, CA – February 7, 2012 – Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute in California and the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology have developed a "biological computer" made entirely from biomolecules that is capable of deciphering images encrypted on DNA chips. Although DNA has been used for encryption in the past, this is the first experimental demonstration of a molecular cryptosystem of images based on DNA computing.

The study was published in a recent online-before-print edition of the journal Angewandte Chemie.

Instead of using traditional computer hardware, a group led by Professor Ehud Keinan of Scripps Research and the Technion created a computing system using bio-molecules. When suitable software was applied to the biological computer, it could decrypt, separately, fluorescent images of The Scripps Research Institute and Technion logos.

A Union Between Biology and Computer Science

In explaining the work's union of the often-disparate fields of biology and computer science, Keinan notes that a computer is, by definition, a machine made of four components-hardware, software, input, and output. Traditional computers have always been electronic, machines in which both input and output are electronic signals. The hardware is a complex composition of metallic and plastic components, wires, and transistors, and the software is a sequence of instructions given to the machine in the form of electronic signals.

"In contrast to electronic computers, there are computing machines in which all four components are nothing but molecules," Keinan said. "For example, all biological systems and even entire living organisms are such computers. Every one of us is a biomolecular computer, a machine in which all four components are molecules that 'talk' to one another logically."

The hardware and software in these devices, Keinan notes, are complex biological molecules that activate one another to carry out some predetermined chemical work. The input is a molecule that undergoes specific, predetermined changes, following a specific set of rules (software), and the output of this chemical computation process is another well-defined molecule.

"Building" a Biological Computer

When asked what a biological computer looks like, Keinan laughs.

"Well," he said, "it's not exactly photogenic." This computer is "built" by combining chemical components into a solution in a tube. Various small DNA molecules are mixed in solution with selected DNA enzymes and ATP. The latter is used as the energy source of the device.

"It's a clear solution-you don't really see anything," Keinan said. "The molecules start interacting upon one another, and we step back and watch what happens." And by tinkering with the type of DNA and enzymes in the mix, scientists can fine-tune the process to a desired result.

"Our biological computing device is based on the 75-year-old design by the English mathematician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist Alan Turing," Keinan said. "He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing a formalization of the concepts of algorithm and computation, and he played a significant role in the creation of the modern computer. Turing showed convincingly that using this model you can do all the calculations in the world. The input of the Turing machine is a long tape containing a series of symbols and letters, which is reminiscent of a DNA string. A reading head runs from one letter to another, and on each station it does four actions: 1) reading the letter; 2) replacing that letter with another letter; 3) changing its internal state; and 4) moving to next position. A table of instructions, known as the transitional rules, or software, dictates these actions. Our device is based on the model of a finite state automaton, which is a simplified version of the Turing machine. "

Unique Biological Properties

Now that he has shown the viability of a biological computer, does Keinan hope that this model will compete with its electronic counterpart?

"The ever-increasing interest in biomolecular computing devices has not arisen from the hope that such machines could ever compete with electronic computers, which offer greater speed, fidelity, and power in traditional computing tasks," Keinan said. "The main advantages of biomolecular computing devices over electronic computers have to do with other properties."

As shown in this work, he continues, a wealth of information can be stored and encrypted in DNA molecules. Although each computing step is slower than the flow of electrons in an electronic computer, the fact that trillions of such chemical steps are done in parallel makes the entire computing process fast. "Considering the fact that current microarray technology allows for printing millions of pixels on a single chip, the numbers of possible images that can be encrypted on such chips is astronomically large," he said.

"Also, as shown in our previous work and other projects carried out in our lab, these devices can interact directly with biological systems and even with living organisms," Keinan explained. "No interface is required since all components of molecular computers, including hardware, software, input, and output, are molecules that interact in solution along a cascade of programmable chemical events." He adds that because of DNA's ability to store information, major computer companies have been extremely interested in the development of DNA-based computing systems.

The first author of the study, "A Molecular Cryptosystem for Images by DNA Computing," is graduate student Sivan Shoshani of Technion. In addition to Keinan and Shoshani, authors include postdoctoral fellow Ron Piran of Scripps Research and Yoav Arava of the Technion. For more information on the paper, see Angewandte Chemie at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.201107156/abstract

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Israel-US Binational Science Foundation, and the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, as well as graduate fellowships from the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Foundation, the Fine Foundation, the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, and the Israel Ministry of Science and Technology.

G-Form pulls a hat-trick with iPhone case hockey video

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:57 AM PST

It wouldn't be a proper G-Form product release without the accompanying outlandish promotional video. So, when the company offered up its new iPhone 4/4S case, it made its way to an empty ice skating rink, grabbed a hockey stick and went to town, showing how the thing holds up to the punishment of an 82 mph slapshot. The case incorporates the company's favorite shock absorbing substance, Poron XRD and comes in two styles: X Protect and Extreme Grid. They'll run you $40 each, when they ship at the end of the month -- the video below, on the other hand, is free.



Show full PR text
iPhone Survives 82 mph Slapshot Protected by G-Form's New "X Protect" Case

PROVIDENCE, RI (February 8, 2012) – G-Form, a company world famous for it's protective athletic and electronics gear, and for its recent demonstration protecting an iPad from a 100,000 foot free-fall from the stratosphere, has announced availability of its first protective cases for iPhone® 4/4S. In typical G-Form fashion, the company released a demonstration video of its new iPhone® case taking some extreme punishment, this time using a G-Form protected iPhone® as a puck in a hockey rink, where it takes on the dramatic forces of a full out slapshot.

"Our energy absorbing technology doesn't rely on thickness like typical foams or hard plastics, so we are able to design both athletic and electronic protective gear that offers unbelievable protection from impact, but without the bulk of any traditional technology," said Thom Cafaro VP Innovations. "The new G-Form iPhone 4 case is a perfect example of this, with its sleek design and unsurpassed impact protection."

The cases for iPhone 4, like all of G-Form's electronic protective gear are fully designed and manufactured in the United States of America, and are protected by RPT™ material - a revolutionary composite, blending Poron® XRD™ material with other proprietary G-Form materials and technology

G-Form's iPhone cases are being released in two designs, the "X Protect" and "Extreme Grid", and each design is available in both black and yellow. The complete selections of styles and colors can be found at www.g-form.com for $39.95. The cases are available now for pre-order and deliver end of February 2012.
at 12:01 PM

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