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- Joystiq's PlayStation Vita launch guide
- Firefox on Windows 8: Metro build is in the works
- Iran blocking access to Google's encrypted search, YouTube, and webmail
- Google gets European Commission approval for its purchase of Motorola Mobility
- Prada phone by LG 3.0 review
- The Engadget Show returns with DJ Spooky and Google, Saturday February 18th!
- AT&T U-Verse iPad app combines DVR control and companion features
- Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar tulip, new discovered molecule and a colossal statue of Coca Cola crates
- iFixit pries apart the Droid 4, strips slider to see its silicon insides
- Battle Machines hands-on (video)
- Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Nokia Lumia 710s on T-Mobile, courtesy of Nokia!
- Nokia Lumia 800's CDMA cousin coming to China Telecom in March?
- Googleplex expansion plans hint at Project X lab, wireless testing facilities
- iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video)
- LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 8.9 gets European approval
- PlayStation Vita review
- Apple opens up inspection of its Foxconn plants to Fair Labor Association
- Apple refreshes its education bundles, replaces white MacBook with MacBook Air
- White Galaxy Nexus hands-on: a taste of vanilla-flavored Ice Cream Sandwich (video)
- Samsung unveils Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), offers Ice Cream Sandwich on a seven-inch platter (Updated: video)
- LG Optimus Vu gets pictured alongside Samsung Galaxy Note, hints at possible stylus
- Penguin halts over-the-air Kindle borrowing again, this time it's serious
- HTC Endeavor specs revealed in leaked ROM: Tegra 3, 720p, Sense 4.0 (update: screenshots)
- Lego-built robotic arm will pour you a drink, collapse under pressure (video)
- Apple files patent for interactive 3D interface, keeps rumor mills turning
- Reports: Authorities removing iPads from stores in China, following trademark ruling
- Google makes 'next gen personal communications device,' is testing it in employee abodes
- Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on
- How would you change the T-Mobile Springboard?
- Refresh Roundup: week of February 6th, 2012
- Google TV Facebook page teases new announcement (Update: It's a new YouTube app)
- Switched On: The fit and the pendulum
- Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter, we go gloves-on (video)
- LG Miracle appears in real life, we start to believe
- zAPPed board games hands-on
| Joystiq's PlayStation Vita launch guide Posted: 13 Feb 2012 10:48 AM PST  Hardware
Games
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| Firefox on Windows 8: Metro build is in the works Posted: 13 Feb 2012 10:28 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iran blocking access to Google's encrypted search, YouTube, and webmail Posted: 13 Feb 2012 10:01 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google gets European Commission approval for its purchase of Motorola Mobility Posted: 13 Feb 2012 09:39 AM PST  Google is one step closer to making it through the gauntlet of regulatory approval for its proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility, as it now has the thumbs-up from the European Commission, according to Reuters. Commissioner Joaquin Almunia stated that the transaction was approved because it "does not itself raise competition issues." That's not to say the EU won't be watching Mountain View like a hawk to ensure it doesn't go overboard on patent disputes, however, as each legal matter will be reviewed separately for compliance with antitrust laws. And while this is an incredibly important step for Google, the software giant's not through with the regulatory process -- it still needs to be signed off by the US Justice Department (expected later this week), as well as governing bodies in China, Israel and Taiwan. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 13 Feb 2012 09:00 AM PST  LG and Prada have a history of collaboration; their debut phone arrived around the same time as the first iPhone, sporting a black and white display, a petite footprint and a 2-megapixel camera. Next, the Prada II brandished a sliding QWERTY keyboard, a 5-megapixel camera and arrived at a time when WiFi functionality was a big enough deal to note on the press release. Four years on, the pair have rolled their sleeves and attempted to reclaim a place among the top devices, with classy aesthetics backed up by a strong hardware and attractively customized software. This is the team's first attempt at an Android device, and on paper it's got some respectable specifications, including a 4.3-inch NOVA Plus display, a dual-core processor and an 8-megapixel camera sensor that appears to be the same one found on LG's 2011 flagship models. Granted, LG probably wasn't ever planning to include its latest HD IPS screen on a phone where branding was dominated by the other partner, but this smartphone still wants to appeal beyond its good looks. HardwareThose Prada consultants have done a lot of favors for LG here. The phone feels solid, despite the plastic backing and removable battery -- there's been more time and thought expended on the phone's design compared to LG's Optimus family. It's in the details, like the machined metal buttons and USB port cover, the slightly recessed display and those capacitive Android buttons that disappear when the screen is off. This phone has a screen almost as long as its full name. This 4.3-inch display encompasses the majority of the front plane, with the 1.3-megapixel camera and Prada branding the only things undulating the black calm. The 9mm profile makes it a bit tricky to keep hold of at times and while Prada and LG are both quick to herald the fashion label's Saffiano pattern along the black panel, this solid plastic sheet isn't remotely like the leather that pattern dreams it was.  It does, however, help you keep a grip on the phone and will help disguise any confrontations with pocket change and car keys. Awake the screen with a touch of the power button, and LG's NOVA Plus display comes alive, with LG's staple capacitive line-up lighting up below. LG continue to hold onto a haptic four-button arrangement -- we're still waiting to see how it juggles this setup when the promised Android 4.0 update rocks up to the Prada 3.0. Along the top edge, you'll find the power button, micro-USB port and camera button. The power button lights up once you've managed to get a finger to it, while the MHL-compatible USB socket has a machined sliding cover that feels anything but fragile. Unfortunately, the camera button is a one-press affair; all focusing will need to be done with a tap on-screen -- one of the minor failings on what is a solid, professional hardware design. On the back, the textured cover is perforated by the loudspeaker, another Prada label and an embossed LG logo that's keeping itself in the shadows. The curved sides help keep it in your hands, with solid volume control keys located on the left edge.  We're now getting plenty of attractive phone designs from a lot of places, and while this is a confident entry, it's perhaps a little too safe for us -- some high-end materials are what's missing here. A genuine bare metal finish instead of the glossy paint and high-end backing would have been appreciated. Anonymous blank slabs -- we've seen a surfeit of 'em. We also found a pair of Prada-branded in-ear buds hiding in the base of that outlandish gift-box and, surprisingly, they're pretty decent earphones. They're loud, with a good level of base, they also an in-line mic for hands-free calling. It was a pleasant surprise, given the ever-so-slightly underwhelming quality of the phone's hardware. Screen LG's NOVA Plus display is a divisive beast. It's not Super AMOLED Plus, but more like a very good TFT display. Viewing angles are respectable, although we've been spoiled by IPS. LG's gone in a different direction and like on its Optimus Black; it's a very bright direction. It can blast out up to 800 nits of brightness and we can honestly say you'll have no problems reading this display in full daylight. In daily use, we kept brightness at around 50 percent, and it was hardly an issue in cloudy London. The WVGA (800 x 480) resolution will disappoint many -- count us as one of them -- and while we get that the high price does factor in that label, we're approaching the next generation of smartphones. High-definition displays are here. Fortunately, there is a Gorilla Glass coating to maintain the screen's good looks while in your pocket. Camera Packing an eight-megapixel camera with flash, the software behind it is largely unchanged from LG's latest Android devices -- aside from the monochrome styling that we'll get to a bit later. Auto white balance performance is a little muted, but the presets generally do their job. Focal options are limited to automatic (tap to focus), face tracking and continuous, but our shots were generally well detailed, with compression artifacts thankfully minimal. There's no specific macro option, but automatic doubles up for this. The camera app includes timer and shot options like continuous shot and a panorama option which follows a logical 'line up the boxes' approach to ensure that your handful of VGA snaps align up nicely. The results seemed a step above the panorama settings we've tested on the Galaxy Nexus or Xperia Arc S. The third Prada phone also takes the leap into 1080p video, with results comparable to the LG Spectrum -- that is, light performance is good but, like its LTE half-brother, there's no autofocus. The built-in mic also works well compared to other phone's we've tested; it effortlessly picked up our voice. Performance and battery life The Prada phone 3.0 runs a dual-core OMAP4430 1GHz processor, with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. This is expandable by a microSD slot, found beneath the battery cover, but above the battery. With phone manufacturers attempting to either limit phone storage or plump for minimal built-in storage and expect the customer to foot the bill of expansion,we're glad that LG continues to offer both comfortable built-in storage and the option of microSD expansion. In use, the phone behaves snappily, responding to our swiping whims with ease. It's worth noting that Prada and LG's home-brewed skin may take its toll on that dual-core might, but we find it doesn't impinge on performance much. If anything, it's a shame there's no AMOLED display to "freeload" on the phone's predominantly dark, monochromatic palette. The phone arrives with a 1,500mAh battery; worrying on a 4.3-inch dual-core smartphone and compounded by Motorola's latest battery-rich RAZR Maxx. Running our typical battery rundown test (WiFi on, movie looping, screen brightness fixed at 50 percent), we managed seven hours of constant playback. For some reason -- perhaps it's that luminous screen -- we were pleasantly surprised. In more typical use, the fashion phone generally outlasted out the day, as long as we weren't getting lost and whittling down the battery with GPS. We'd still recommend plugging it in to charge daily. The sub-seven hour battery life places it around its high-definition screened LTE phones like the Spectrum and Nitro HD, unsurprising, and is an average benchmark for a mid-range dual-core phone.
Our benchmark tests prove that the Prada phone 3.0 lags behind LG's other recent smartphones -- we used the Nitro HD here, with a performance more in line with the Samsung Galaxy S II. The phone scored particularly high in SunSpider testing; we re-ran these tests but returned to a score, bordering on 5,000. For standard smartphone tasks, it's a capable device, while also able to handle existing processor-intensive gaming titles like Shadowgun. Call quality was generally excellent, although we found that any noise cancellation feature wasn't quite up to the job; our caller found that background noise in a relatively quiet cafe interfered with the call quality. The Prada phone 3.0 packs in radios for GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800 and 1900, while the HSPA+ 21Mbps radio works on 900, 1900 and 2100 frequencies, meaning US importers will find their carrier choice limited to either AT&T or T-Mobile. In our speed tests, the handset topped out at around 4,000 kbps down, averaging out at around 2,500 kps on both O2 and Three networks in the UK. Software Prada and LG didn't stop at the front-facing hardware when it came to this project -- they decided to plunge right into the software, crafting their own 'interpretation" of Android. Stock Android fans probably felt a chill down their spines after reading that, but we'd like to state that it's not all bad. At its core, it's the same Android Gingerbread experience you'll get on a pile of recent smartphones, albeit with most of the color drawn out of it. The Prada Phone 3.0 runs Android 2.3.7, with LG faithfully promising a jump to Ice Cream Sandwich in the future. However, given LG's past form on smartphone upgrades, we're not particularly confident about seeing it that soon. The monochrome skin pervades everything we normally cover in our software reviews, including icons, widgets, menus, the keyboard and the notification bar. It's the line-drawing-inspired icons that will catch your eyes first. LG's built-in apps arrive with their own stylized icons, but the designers made the clever choice to add in a list of extra icons (including the Google-themed standards, like YouTube and App Market), with a whole alphabet to assign to those third-party apps, meaning you can just about stick to the monochrome styling, regardless of your app preferences. The notification bar is decked in a few shades of grey, with shortcuts to mute, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and data traffic. There's a music player resting beneath that went largely untouched by us. The keyboard is a simple affair; a predictive input option can be toggled on or off. Stock widgets, like email, calendars can also be expanded and contracted; a nod to the Android 4.0 future? Built-in LG apps include wireless media streaming and two display options. Car Home will lock down the standard capacitive buttons, offering a simplified version of your phone for calls and navigation, while Desk Home will furnish that NOVA display with a digital clock read-out. There's also an app task manager, LG's curated app store, Polaris Office and a relatively comprehensive image editor that includes a smattering of Instragram-style filters. The Prada phone 3.0 has a capable web browser too. Although it looks a bit aged in comparison to high-definition screened rivals, the 4.3 inches of screen means scrolling and zooming are both done with ease; multi-touch works well through the phone's complete interface. Wrap-up Sure, most of you have probably made your mind up about this phone as soon as you saw Prada in the title, emblazoned on the box and etched on the screen. The good news is that this fashion phone's specifications aren't a joke -- unfortunately, it's last year's flagship specs, dressed up in a Prada suit -- a bigger 4.3-inch number. The understated, stylized black-and-white skin will be an acquired taste; but it also magnifies that LG Nova display -- for better and worse. Those whites will boom out from black backgrounds in daylight on that NOVA display, but it looks washed out in comparison to AMOLED rivals. We're torn on the design, too. It echoes one our favorite handsets from last year, but doesn't inspire the same wow factor -- things have moved on. This is a designer phone, but while it's solid, at the same time it's plain -- although Prada would probably prefer the term "classic." It's running a specification sheet we saw around this time last year -- are you willing to pay up for that label? Off-contract, it's going to set you back £500 ($787); while it's better looking than the rest of LG's smartphone fare -- and far less temperamental -- it also costs around $150 more. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this review. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Engadget Show returns with DJ Spooky and Google, Saturday February 18th! Posted: 13 Feb 2012 08:41 AM PST  Happy Valentine's week! What better way to show that we care than with an exciting new February edition of the Engadget Show? We're moving to bigger digs this time out, bringing the magic to the Times Center in midtown Manhattan. Hopefully it will be large enough to contain all of the show we've got planned for you. That Subliminal Kid, DJ Spooky will be popping by the studio to perform some iPad songs and discuss his post-modern approach to music making. We'll also swing by Google's Mountain View headquarters, visit a pinball museum in Asbury Park and play around at Toy Fair. Best of all, if you're in New York City, you can be a part of the live show. We'll be letting you know how to get tickets soon so stay tuned! Subscribe to the Show: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V). [Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V). [RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T U-Verse iPad app combines DVR control and companion features Posted: 13 Feb 2012 08:21 AM PST  AT&T Launches Enhanced U-verse App for iPad AT&T announced today its AT&T U-verse for iPad App, which makes it easy for users to connect their iPad to their TV for an even better viewing experience, is available on the App Store. Recent studies indicate that the majority of tablet owners use their device simultaneously while watching TV, and with this app users can link their iPad to their choice of any U-verse TV receiver and access several great new features like: Extra content and information about the TV show you're watching, including series overview, episode synopsis, photos, cast and crew information, related TV shows and more. A full-featured, intuitive U-verse remote control with channel, guide, DVR, interactive app and on-demand controls, eliminating the need for extra (or lost) remotes throughout the home. Advanced search functionality to help you find the content you want. Recommendations on what to watch with ratings and reviews. Ability to share information about what you are watching with friends on Facebook. And while you're on the go, you can: Watch hit TV shows and movies over any Wi-Fi connection. Choose from a library of popular content based on your U-verse TV package, including shows and movies from STARZ, ENCORE, TBS, TNT, truTV, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, with more choices added on an ongoing basis. Access the U-verse programming guide and DVR scheduling, similar to the functionality available on the U-verse app for iPhone and iPod touch. You can view a video demo of the app here. "Today, we are taking our best in class TV experience to a whole new level by joining two very powerful platforms: your TV and iPad," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. "With our new app, AT&T U-verse customers have access to incredible functionality to make the TV experience much richer, from superior search and control functionality, to fresh content that tells you more about what you're watching, to the ability to share what you're watching with your friends through social networks. And, when they leave the home, our customers can take the U-verse experience with them." Using the U-verse IP platform and in-home U-verse Wi-Fi network, customers can link the app to any U-verse TV receiver in their home. Using a simple one-time set up process for each U-verse receiver, customers just tune to channel 9301 and go through intuitive steps to name their U-verse receivers using a default name like "living room" or "bedroom," or create a personalized name, to enable the functionality and features. AT&T U-verse TV was the fastest growing TV service in the country in 2011** and is the only 100 percent Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV) service offered by a national service provider. AT&T U-verse TV ranked "Highest in Residential Television Service Satisfaction in the North Central, South and West Regions," according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction StudiesSM. The AT&T U-verse for iPad App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. ** Claim based on comparison of major TV providers' percentage growth in subscriber counts and national market share data over the last 11 quarters combined. About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse. Call or go to www.att.com/uverse to see if you qualify. AT&T U-verse TV: Residential customers only. Prices, programming and offers subject to change without notice. A one-time TV Service Activation Fee of $36 applies. U-verse App for iPad: Access to select content requires compatible device, qualifying U-verse TV plan, and WiFi connection and/or cellular data connection. Available content may vary by device and/or U-verse TV subscription and is subject to change. Data charges may apply. AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet service is required to connect a qualifying tablet to an AT&T U-verse receiver. Wireless Receiver: A one-time fee of $49, and monthly recurring fee of $7, per wireless receiver applies; power outlet and connection of receiver to TV required; Limit 2 per household; Go to att.com/freedom for details. Technical restrictions apply; may not be available to all customers. U-verse App for Smartphone: Access to select content requires compatible device, qualifying U-verse TV plan, and WiFi connection and/or cellular data connection. Available content may vary by device and/or U-verse TV subscription and is subject to change. AT&T U-verse received the highest numerical score among television service providers in the North Central, South and West regions in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Residential Television Service Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 23,880 total responses from measuring 12 providers in the North Central region (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI), 13 providers in the South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX), and 10 providers in the West (AZ, CA, CO, ID, IA, MN, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY) and measures consumer satisfaction with television service. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in Nov. 2010, Jan. 2011, April 2011 and July 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com. © 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 13 Feb 2012 08:02 AM PST Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.  The big news that had the world of green transportation buzzing this week was Tesla's unveil of its brand new Model X luxury car and we also saw the blazing fast Lightning GT EV hit the track for the first time. We also shined light on the futuristic solar-powered SPV car while Mitsubishi's i-MIEV electric car stole the greenest vehicle title from the Honda Civic and the Boulder EV became the first electric truck capable of hitting 70 mph. We were also excited to announce that San Francisco is set to launch its electric bike sharing program, French cyclists won the controversial right to run red traffic lights, and Volkswagen unveiled its Think Blue Beetle, which is made from 2,805 pieces of recycled trash. Energy news sent shock waves around the world this week as Inhabitat reported that the US approved its first nuclear power plants in 30 years and the temperature of Japan's damaged Fukushima nuclear plant suddenly soared up to 45 degrees celsius. We also saw an energy-generating "Solar Tulip" power tower spring up in Spain, and a 10-year-old girl discovered a new molecule that stands to improve energy storage. Meanwhile, we brought you the scoop on the world's next tallest skyscraper in Azerbaijan and industrial giant AAB announced plans for a worldwide electric vehicle charging network. In recycled design news, we saw a colossal statue made from 4,200 Coca Cola crates rise up over Cape Town and we shared a set of larger than life beasts made from recycled motorcycle parts. We also brought you a brilliant line of lamps made from recycled e-waste and a set of LEGO-like Earth Blocks made from coffee beans and tea chaff. Last but not least, we showcased an electronic suit that treats nerve disorders, and since Valentine's day is on the way we took a look at BIG's interactive LED heart sculpture in NYC, 6 adorable DIY cards, and 6 simple DIY V-Day gifts. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iFixit pries apart the Droid 4, strips slider to see its silicon insides Posted: 13 Feb 2012 07:49 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battle Machines hands-on (video) Posted: 13 Feb 2012 07:22 AM PST  Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. THE MISSION RAGES ON WITH "BATTLE MACHINES" Battle Machines from Jada Toys is the only line of R/C vehicles that combines the action of vehicle play with interactive laser combat play. Carrying on the tradition of the Battle Machines line, Jada launches two cool new sets including high powered, heavily armored vehicles, designed in post-apocalyptic styling, with the ability to take on any adversary. BATTLE HELI Battle Machines has taken laser combat to the skies. The conflict began with Air vs. Land, and continues with Battle Heli, a Battle Helicopter with realistic lights and sounds that is an easy-to-fly helicopter with five direction flying and gyro stabilization. With two Battle Heli helicopters, kids can go head-to-head against each other in the air creating an epic conflict. Battle Machines Battle Heli is for ages 8+ and will be available in August with a SRP of $29.99. BATTLE QUADS Ground skirmishes take on a new dimension with Battle Quads, the speedy, full-function radio control vehicles with lights and sounds. Each Battle Quads set comes with two Quad Bikes and two controllers. These four-wheeled armored vehicles are ready for laser combat and are available in red, blue, yellow and green. The Battle Quads are for ages 6+ and will be available in August with a SRP of $59.99. Now in its eleventh year, Jada Toys, Inc. is a privately held, leading manufacturer of authentically licensed and highly stylized die-cast collectibles, radio control vehicles, and toys. Popular brands produced by Jada include Cutie Pops, Battle Machines, Lopro, Big Time Muscle, Hero Patrol, Badge City Heat, and Big Time 4-Wheelin'. Jada has also acquired major toy licenses for top brands such as Marvel Entertainment, Guitar Hero, Speed Racer and Hello Kitty. Jada Toys' products can be found at major retailers and hobby stores worldwide. For more information about Jada Toys and all its innovative products, please visit www.jadatoys.com | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Giveaway: win one of five Nokia Lumia 710s on T-Mobile, courtesy of Nokia! Posted: 13 Feb 2012 07:01 AM PST  Note: You'll definitely want to read the fine print this time around, as there are a few caveats: the Lumia 710s being given out are strictly locked to work with T-Mobile US SIMs, and service is not coming with the prizes. The rules:
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| Nokia Lumia 800's CDMA cousin coming to China Telecom in March? Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:45 AM PST  An employee of the Qingzhou branch of China Telecom went a bit camera-happy over the weekend, but we'd do the same if we were handed a CDMA Nokia Lumia 800. The since-pulled images and text confirmed our feeling that it's arriving in early Spring (i.e "March"). The tipster revealed to WMPoweruser that both the 800 and 710 would arrive at the same time, potentially joined by the 900 in April -- and that all three handsets would be available in black, cyan and white, as well as coming preloaded with Tango as standard. We'll take the latter claims with a pinch of salt until we see 'em, okay? As you were, China. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Googleplex expansion plans hint at Project X lab, wireless testing facilities Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:25 AM PST  Google's eyeing up some vacant space at the end of its lawn to throw $120 million at a Grand Designs-style extension to its Mountain View campus. Residents will soon see the @Home lab, purportedly to test fully formed consumer devices and whatever secret home entertainment / wireless communications gear we've heard rumblings about. The new development will enable Project X (the interesting one with the James Bond-gizmos, not the lecture series website) to move into a meatier facility where they can perfect projects like Majel and the self-driving car. The most notable development (according to business-types, anyway) is the "Experience Center," a 120,000 square foot private museum / demonstration space for Google to schmooze its most important clients in style (wait, aren't we the most important clients?). VIPs will be invited to play with the newest toys the company can produce before gorging themselves on canapés, or something. Californians wandering past 1600 Shoreline Blvd down the road from the Googleplex, might also notice a new building that's not covered in official branding -- because it's going to be a new wireless testing facility that's being shielded from external signals. At least, that's where we'll be pitching a tent with a couple of long lenses when it opens for business. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iCade 8-Bitty hands-on (video) Posted: 13 Feb 2012 06:00 AM PST  Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. ThinkGeek unveils pocket-sized D-Pad, leveling up the gaming experience of iOS and Android smartphones and tablets FAIRFAX, VA – February 13, 2012 – ThinkGeek is set to unveil its newest product, iCADE 8-Bitty, at the 2012 Toy Fair in New York City. Its big brother, the iCADE gaming cabinet, began as an April Fool's joke and soon became the most anticipated ThinkGeek product to date. The iCADE 8-Bitty will bring the magic of the iCADE to the pockets of smartphone and tablet users by delivering an enhanced gaming experience everyone can enjoy. "We're excited to extend on the success of the original iCADE," said Ty Liotta, head of ThinkGeek's GeekLabs. "And with millions of iOS and Android devices in circulation it only makes sense to widen the field and bring the fun of iCADE to every possible device." The iCADE 8-Bitty is a wireless game controller that sports a classic D-Pad and button layout reminiscent of retro 8-bit game consoles from the 80's and 90's. The 8-Bitty is battery powered, and connects with your device wirelessly. It features a fully-functional directional game pad and eight buttons, just like the iCADE. The 8-Bitty supports the iCADE's growing list of hundreds of top games, including the Atari Classics collection, Pac Man, Super Mega Worm, and many more. Developers of iOS and Android games can tap into the public API specification to make just about any game compatible with iCADE, and the list of supported games grows every week. More information on compatible games can be found on ThinkGeek's website at http://thinkgeek.com/iCADEGames. The iCADE 8-Bitty will be available later this year for $24.99 at ThinkGeek.com. To see it up close at Toy Fair, stop by the ThinkGeek booth #3125 ABOUT THINKGEEK ThinkGeek is the premier retailer for the global geek community. A wholly owned subsidiary of Geeknet, Inc. (NASDAQ: GKNT), ThinkGeek was founded in 1999 to serve the distinct needs and interests of technology professionals and enthusiasts. Today, ThinkGeek has grown to become the first choice for innovative and imaginative gifts that appeal to the geek in everyone. For more information, please visit thinkgeek.com or call 1-888-GEEKSTUFF. ABOUT GEEKNET Geeknet is home to some of the best known brands in the geek universe, and is the online network for the global geek community. We serve an audience of 53 million users* each month and provide the tech-obsessed with content, culture, connections, commerce, and all the things that geeks crave. Want to learn more? Check out geek.net. (*December 2011 Unique Visitors 53M. Source: Google Analytics and Omniture) Geeknet is a trademark of Geeknet, Inc. SourceForge, Slashdot, ThinkGeek, and freecode are trademarks of Geeknet, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks or product names are property of their respective owners. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LTE-equipped Galaxy Tab 8.9 gets European approval Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:25 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 13 Feb 2012 05:00 AM PST  And here it is, an extremely familiar looking slab of plastic, glass and electronics that calls itself the North American 3G / WiFi PlayStation Vita. Sony's new region-free tradition ensures that it won't be too different than Japan's native model, but we're diving in for a more detailed look anyway. Read on for a peek at its content management system, backward compatibility, the particulars of its fancy new thumbsticks, the latest firmware update's contribution to the platform and much more. HardwareThe PlayStation Vita's face is dominated by its luxuriously large 5-inch OLED display, and with good reason: this touchscreen not only pops with rich colors, crisp textures and deep blacks, but it's also the user's primary method of input outside of games. Yes, this gorgeous display is capacitive, and is responsive enough to make the 3DS' resistive screen feel decidedly dated. The 960 x 544 panel boasts some fantastically wide viewing angles, to boot. We did encounter a hiccup or two with the touchscreen, though. After sucking the battery dry during Engadget's requisite endurance tests, the rebooted handheld failed to respond to finger input. Things were right as rain after a hard reset, but we braced ourselves anyway -- the US release may have to ride the same bumps its Japanese counterpart hit late last year. (Note: shortly after the incident, our Vita was updated to system firmware 1.60, and as of this writing, the issue hasn't returned.) Flanking either side of the screen are the unit's primary physical controls, with a classic D-pad on the left, and the traditional PlayStation triangle, circle, square and X buttons on the right. Each side also has its very own miniature thumbstick, situated above the port side's PlayStation "home" button and the starboard's start and select buttons.   Both the face buttons and directional pad are conveniently located just north and to the outside of the handheld's dual-analog thumbsticks -- that's right, there's two of them. Rather than simply adding one later or mimicking the original PSP's layout, the Vita simply includes both analog sticks up front, giving the handheld controls reminiscent of its big brother, the PS3. The sticks have been shrunken significantly, however, and don't have quite as much play as the joysticks that inspire them. Compared to a DualShock 3, these petite sticks don't tilt as far from their center, but because they still offer an appropriate level of resistance to their size, it's still possible to execute delicate maneuvers. The twin sticks also have a smaller turning radius than the 3DS' solitary circle pad, but their height lends them a feeling of leverage that Nintendo's handheld simply can't emulate. Unfortunately, that height also makes them stick out of the handheld's surface somewhat oddly, which returns us to an issue haunting the original PSP: portability. Measuring 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (7.1 x .73 x 3.3 inches), the Vita's pushing the edge of pocket-friendly gaming. We haven't had so much trouble getting a portable gaming system into our pants since the Sega Game Gear, though the Vita is of course smaller. A pair of large, "only around the house" cargo pants held the Vita just fine, but any pair of trousers worthy of wearing public will hug the handheld with an awkward and uncomfortable firmness. This is a portable console, not a pocketable one, and prospective owners should plan on keeping it in their backpacks, suit jacket pockets or at home, on the nightstand. The 3G / WiFi version of the handheld logs a respectable 9.8 ounces (279g), but it seems lighter. The same wide, long body that makes the Vita look heavy at first glance also distributes its weight evenly, creating the illusion of a featherlight handheld. Yes, it's a hair heavier than the PSP 3000 and Nintendo's latest, but not by enough that you're likely notice the difference.  The Vita's perimeter is laden with ports, slots and even more buttons. The handheld's topmost edge is home to power buttons and volume controls, an unmarked accessory port and the PS Vita game card slot. Rounding out the top edges are the console's left and right shoulder buttons, which complete the handheld's oval curvature and mold to the insides of your index fingers. On the 3G model, a SIM card slot adorns the Vita's left side, made flush by a small, attached door. The handheld's south edge houses its proprietary goods: a combination data / charging port, and a slot for Sony's new (and unofficially required) PlayStation Vita memory card. The card looks remarkably similar to a MicroSD card, although it's a bit wider, a bit thicker and significantly more expensive -- a 32 GB MicroSD card will set you back about $30, versus the $100 you'll spend on Sony's equivalent storage media. Thankfully, the Vita's south side isn't a completely Sony exclusive zone --the headphone jack supports the 3.5mm standard. The console's backside is painted with hundreds of Sony-styled triangles, circles, squares and crosses, highlighting the console's rear touchpad in between a pair of matte black grips. This new piece of hardware hopes to give players a smartphone-like interaction without crowding the screen with fingers -- an admirable goal, considering how well the Vita's glossy exterior collects fingerprints. In our time with the handheld, we didn't stray too far from our microfiber cloth; the console's smooth surface is a magnet for oil, dust and assorted fibers just begging to be wiped away. The edges collect minor scratches quite easily, and proved vulnerable to scuffs even when we casually placed it on a wooden table. We'd definitely recommend a case for the exacting perfectionists out there. Meanwhile, the handheld's back is headlined by the VGA rear-facing camera, but we'll get to that (and its front-facing companion) later. Now that we've got a good feel for the machine, let's see what it can do. Software The Vita's smartphone-esque user interface hasn't changed one bit since we first smudged it at San Francisco's Vita Hill Social Club. Its staggered icons are still accounted for, as are the intuitive touch controls. And touch is indeed the name of the game; the menu won't accept any input, save that of your capacitive-friendly digits. Blowing off the buttons is a bit of a bold move, but when the touch controls work this well, we really don't mind. Navigation is simple and intuitive -- flicking north or south brings you through as many as ten pages of staggered icons, each representing an app, game or feature. Tapping an icon opens up a starboard path, allowing up to five open apps to trail to the home screen's right. Scrolling horizontally allows you to mange these applications through their "LiveArea" screens. Here you'll find a centered launch button, as well as various shortcuts peppering the screen -- these might take you to the camera's photo album, for instance, or perhaps to a featured movie available for rent in the PlayStation store. A diagonal swipe closes a LiveArea tile with an animated flourish, "peeling" the program off of the Vita's screen and effectively terminating the program. Open applications headline the status bar at the top of the screen, and can be viewed in a cascading file view with a quick click of the PlayStation button. Holding the button down produces a quick menu, allowing the user to adjust the screen's brightness, manage music playback and fiddle with the chat and microphone settings. A long press on any of the Vita's home screens will allow you to rearrange the icons, delete programs and customize any specific page's background with a new color scheme or an image from your photo gallery.  The Vita comes equipped with a small suite of apps, and most of them are pretty straightforward. Through Photos you can manage your images and control the Vita's cameras (more on that below), while the Music and Videos apps allow you to organize and -- you guessed it -- play your music and videos. These three media applications all share the same general layout: categories, artists or items flow in a vertical list. We've seen prettier media apps, but these get the job done just fine. There are also a few applications pertaining to PlayStation Network that do the obvious. Group Messaging, Friends and Trophies all do exactly what you think -- that is, send PSN messages, organize your buddies and manage your Trophy data, respectively. The other shortcuts peppering the home screens are a bit more unique. Party, for instance, brings cross-game voice chat to the Vita, allowing friends to catch up using the Vita's internal microphone and send each other chat messages and game invitations (you can thank the Vita's extra RAM for that). Parties also monitor a user's status, letting your pals know if you've started a game or left the room.  The Near app also hopes to strengthen social ties between Vita owners, although the execution is less intuitive than we'd hoped. Diving into the Vita's online manual tells us that Near finds players in your area and exchanges play history data, in-game items and, if you allow it, usernames with local gamers. In practice, however, this is a bit more confusing; the app's "out and about" menu does indeed find a smattering of local Vita owners, shown on a friendly looking radar-screen. From here we were able to view expanded information on a recently played game, including a "buzz rating," the number of people playing and a map of emoticons detailing how players felt about the game. The application is interesting, to be sure, but far from straightforward; even after thumbing through the Near portion of the Vita's manual, we found ourselves stumbling through the program, unsure what, exactly, to do with it. It seems like a more robust (or maybe just complicated) version of Street Pass on the 3DS, but in the end we just found it to be the Vita's most muddled feature. We're hoping it'll make more sense as our local userbase fills out. Sadly, the Vita's web browser hasn't improved one iota since we reviewed the Japanese model. It remains shockingly slow, struggling to render most websites at a respectable clip. It's not that it doesn't load pages fast -- it does -- it just doesn't tolerate much navigation. Even after fully loading a page, scrolling and zooming in feels painful, if not stunted, and that's true even if you're returning to an area of the screen that had previously been drawn. Some pages fared better than others, however. Google, for instance, didn't suffer any of the above maladies, nor did the mobile versions of Engadget, Facebook or any other watered-down site, really. In a pinch, the Vita's web browser is serviceable, but any modern smartphone simply crushes it in terms of usability -- which is surprising, considering how smoothly the rest of the Vita's applications run. Hopefully future updates will make up for the PSV's clunky introduction to the world wide web.  Our review unit didn't have Google Maps in tow when we first unboxed it, but firmware update 1.60 handily tacked it on. The Vita's map app is relatively simple, tapping Google's servers for traffic data, directions and satellite imagery. Zooming in and out or panning to a new section of the map usually causes the app to stutter, though it recovers faster than the web browser. It won't replace your GPS, or even your PC's Google Maps bookmark, but it's a nice feature to have if you're lugging around a 3G-enabled games console. Content Management and backwards compatibility The Vita's proprietary memory card won't play nice with your laptop's multi-card reader, so you'll be loading media and backing up games with the help of Sony's Content Manager Assistant, a piece of desktop software designed to help you, well, manage content. This is no iTunes, however: the PC / Mac GUI does little more than tell the Vita what folders it has permission to play with (the Vita itself browses the file system, selects content and initiates the data transfer). Cutting out the necessity of learning a separate desktop interface for data management keeps things easy, and creates a uniform experience that doesn't change regardless of platform. In other words, backing up files and transferring data works exactly the same way with a PC / Vita pairing as it does with a PS3 / Vita setup. It keeps thing simple, with just two menus: copy content, or backup utility. The copy content section lets you pick and choose the files you copy from your handheld to your host device or visa versa, and the backup utility lets you backup your Vita, restore it from a backup, or delete your previously saved backup files altogether. Update: The Content Manager Assistant was made available to Mac OS users when the Vita was updated with firmware 1.60. While the device-controlled environment is easy to use and refreshingly uniform, it has some drawbacks, mainly stemming from the very strengths we just mentioned. Ease of use comes with a consequence. By making the PC syncing experience identical to the one you'll enjoy on the PS3, Sony abandoned the opportunity to build a more robust file management system on the desktop end. The Vita will only browse files located in a handful of pre-specified folders -- if the Content Manager Assistant isn't assigned to the folder that contains the particular picture or video you want to transfer, your Vita isn't going to find it. Even then the Vita is only looking at certain types of files. It favors MP3, MP4 and WAVE audio files, likes its films in MPEG-4: SP (Level 3) and H.264 and plays nice most major image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, GIF, BMP and PNG. Knowing exactly what kind of game data will transfer, on the other hand, is a little less straightforward. Yes, the Vita has a degree of backward compatibility with its father handheld, but its love of last-generation games isn't universal. Be it licensing issues or a fault of the Vita's PSP emulation, a chunk of the PlayStation Store's PSP library, such as LittleBigPlanet and Killzone: Liberation, simply won't run on the next-generation portable. These games won't appear in the PlayStation store when you're browsing from the device itself, but you can still download them through the PS3. And in case you were wondering, no, the Content Manger isn't a loophole to compatibility. Purchase with care, or live with the consequences.  When the stars (or licensing agreements, or emulation compatibility or whatever) are aligned, PSP gameplay on the Vita's gorgeous OLED display is a sight to behold. The colors are brighter and more vibrant, and have shed the washed-out look that the PSP's LCD screen sometimes produced. It's bigger, too, making full use of the Vita's 5-inch display -- although this can make the stretched classics look a bit more jaggy than they might have on Sony's last-gen hardware. We could live with this caveat, and probably would without much question if we didn't read the Vita's online manual. As it turns out, momentarily holding the touchscreen while playing a PSP game brings up a settings menu, offering players a handful of tweaks. Not a fan of jaggies? Bi-linear filtering should smooth out those rough edges. Nostalgic for your PSP's LCD? Switch on the Vita's color space mode to give the handheld's bright screen the appropriate muting. The menu even has camera options for scant few PSP games that pulled the augmented reality trick. If all this wasn't enough, the Vita's secondary thumbstick can be given the power to emulate the D-pad, face buttons or left analog stick. Bilinear filtering won't make every game look better -- in fact, as far as we can tell it didn't make any difference at all when applied to Mega Man Maverick Hunter X -- but it adds a caring touch to a passable PSP emulator. Games Despite its modest collection of multimedia apps, the PlayStation Vita is, first and foremost, a PlayStation. A portable games console, out to claim its place as king among handheld gaming beasts. It would stand to reason, then, that the PlayStation Vita has games. It does. Perhaps in response to the mistakes its competitors made, the Vita is hurtling towards launch day with a strong library of diverse launch titles. Even Engadget's resident Nintendo fanboys had to give Sony's new portable props: these are by far the finest handheld console graphics we've ever seen. Still, it's not perfect -- close ups of Nathan Drake's shirt in Uncharted: Golden Abyss betrayed the games low-res textures, and a careful eye can see that some edges just aren't as smooth as they would be on a home console. We didn't expect anything else, of course. You aren't going to give up your PS3 for the sake of the Vita's graphical chops, but they're still darn impressive. PlayStation Store Although gamers around the world breathed a collective sigh of relief when Sony backed away from the PSP Go's digital exclusivity, Sony is still gunning for a future of games untethered by physical media. Getting there will mean making digital purchases more convenient and more appealing than the alternative. The Vita's PlayStation store isn't the solution, but it's a start. The handheld shop's main page is headlined with a rotating banner of featured content and four categories: featured, new releases, top downloads and all. Sony told us that more options are on the way, noting that game demos will start showing up after February 14th and that Netflix is due to arrive on the 21st. The default view, "All," offers the choice of PS Vita games, PSP games, minis, media as well as the chance to search by genre. Jumping in is a fairly smooth, if somewhat basic, experience -- we easily hopped into the Vita category to see a short, alphabetized list of titles available for download. The PSP and Minis sections didn't stray too far from the formula, though here, the larger lists are further split various categories, arranged in alphabetical order. The Vita's online shop suffers the same faults as its PS3 counterpart: it's well organized, but no fun to use. While alphabetized games and clearly marked categories may make it easy to find the specific game you're looking for, but it doesn't make us want to just "look for games." The over-organized structure makes it difficult to browse, and the scarcity of gameplay screenshots put casual shopping out of the question. The aforementioned "Near" app seems to lean heavily on discovering new games that are being played in your local area, but users (this reviewer included) who find the location based social sharing application confusing won't find refuge here. The Vita's incarnation of the PlayStation store is no more engaging or creative than its big brother's online shop, but at the very least it's easier to navigate than its PS3 compadre, and for now, simpler as well. CameraMuch like the Vita's web browser, not much has changed about the handheld's camera since its Japanese launch. Its rear-facing camera still whimpers with a maximum resolution of 640 x 480, often producing noisy images that skimp on detail. Swapping to the front-facing camera will frame the player's mug at the very same resolution, though its lens' off-center positing ensures they won't be looking at the birdie. These shooters work well enough for games like Little Deviants to use for augmented reality mini-games, but the Vita won't make you consider leaving your point-and-shoot camera (or even your cell phone camera) at home. Still, firmware update 1.60 gave the camera a small kick in the pants, tacking video recording to the end of the list of things that the handheld's camera is "sort of okay" at. Videos adopt the camera's native resolution, keeping the same noisy grain and washed out colors that plague stills. It isn't any worse off than the 3DS' offering, but the Vita's camera simply doesn't measure up to the standard the rest of its hardware sets. A turn of the century camera phone, on the other hand, might be able to give it a run for its money. Battery life
We already know better than to expect the Vita to pack enough juice to get us through an international (or even domestic) flight, but we couldn't resist running it through a handful of battery tests anyway. Our first few power drains matched our review of the Japanese unit almost exactly -- three hours of dedicated gaming on the console's default settings left our handheld dead. Dragging the Vita's brightness slider down to its dimmest setting scored us another hour of playtime, and kicking the console into flight mode seemed to buy it another twenty minutes. We were able to game for a little longer in PSP mode, stretching the battery to nearly six hours of gameplay on the minimum brightness level with WiFi and audio disabled. We were hoping to drag the handheld's longevity out a bit further than this, but were unable to get the Vita off of the company line -- our game-heavy battery tests match the Vita's official battery life estimates almost blow-for-blow. Three to five hours of gameplay -- it's what Sony promised, and it's what we got. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple opens up inspection of its Foxconn plants to Fair Labor Association Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:58 AM PST
Fair Labor Association Begins Inspections of Foxconn CUPERTINO, California-February 13, 2012-Apple® today announced that the Fair Labor Association will conduct special voluntary audits of Apple's final assembly suppliers, including Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu, China, at Apple's request. A team of labor rights experts led by FLA president Auret van Heerden began the first inspections Monday morning at the facility in Shenzhen known as Foxconn City. "We believe that workers everywhere have the right to a safe and fair work environment, which is why we've asked the FLA to independently assess the performance of our largest suppliers," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "The inspections now underway are unprecedented in the electronics industry, both in scale and scope, and we appreciate the FLA agreeing to take the unusual step of identifying the factories in their reports." As part of its independent assessment, the FLA will interview thousands of employees about working and living conditions including health and safety, compensation, working hours and communication with management. The FLA's team will inspect manufacturing areas, dormitories and other facilities, and will conduct an extensive review of documents related to procedures at all stages of employment. Apple's suppliers have pledged full cooperation with the FLA, offering unrestricted access to their operations. The FLA's findings and recommendations from the first assessments will be posted in early March on its website, www.fairlabor.org. Similar inspections will be conducted at Quanta and Pegatron facilities later this Spring, and when completed, the FLA's assessment will cover facilities where more than 90 percent of Apple products are assembled. Apple has audited every final assembly factory in its supply chain each year since 2006, including more than 40 audits of Foxconn manufacturing and final assembly facilities. Details of Apple's supplier responsibility program, including the results of more than 500 factory audits led by Apple throughout its supply chain over the past five years, are available at www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility. In January, Apple became the first technology company admitted to the Fair Labor Association. The FLA conducts independent monitoring and verification to ensure that the FLA's Workplace Standards are upheld wherever FLA company products are made. Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple refreshes its education bundles, replaces white MacBook with MacBook Air Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:30 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| White Galaxy Nexus hands-on: a taste of vanilla-flavored Ice Cream Sandwich (video) Posted: 13 Feb 2012 04:00 AM PST  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 13 Feb 2012 03:23 AM PST  It looks like Samsung has just taken the wraps off its latest tablet offerings, with the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) -- an ICS-laced follow-up to the company's original seven-incher. Available in both 3G and WiFi varieties, this redux doesn't mark a huge departure from its predecessor, packing a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and a 1024 x 600 LCD. The big changes, however, come in the software department, with the Galaxy Tab 2 shipping with Android 4.0 straight out of the box. Other than that, you'll find a three-megapixel rear-facing camera, a VGA shooter up front, Bluetooth capabilities, and HSPA+ connectivity. No word yet on pricing or availability, but it's worth noting that we first saw this announcement hit Samsung's RSS feed earlier this morning, and it appears to have been pulled since then. It all looks awfully official to us, but when it becomes officially official, we'll be sure to update this post accordingly. Until then, be sure to head past the break for a shot of its backside. Update: Samsung has just issued an official press release for today's announcement, specifying that the device will launch first in the UK, beginning in March. Price remains a mystery, but you can find more information in the full release, after the break. Update 2: After the break, you'll also find the keynote announcement as recorded by dotekmánie.  Samsung's new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers optimal multimedia experiences in life February 13, 2012 Samsung expands the GALAXY Tab range with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) powered by the AndroidTM 4.0 and a 1GHz dual core processor Prague, February 13, 2012 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, today introduced its first line-up of tablets for 2012 with the launch of the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0), expanding the choice of tablets to customers. Light and portable, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) is the ideal personal on-the-go device, available in 3G and WiFi versions. Starting from UK, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will be launched in global market from March. "Two years ago, Samsung GALAXY Tab began to offer customers more possibilities on the go. Since then, Samsung has actively enhanced our tablet line-up with several tablets in different sizes," said JK Shin, President of IT & Mobile Communications Division at Samsung Electronics. "The new GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) will provide people with delighted multimedia experience and allow efficient communication." Samsung's first Android 4.0 Tablet Samsung's first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)-powered tablet offers a variety of new and improved Android OS features. An upgraded Android Market enables access to more than 400,000 applications which can be enjoyed across phones or tablets. Furthermore, a more intuitive user interface includes the ability to swipe-control applications as well as a wholly redesigned app gallery for easier sharing of content. The new OS's vastly faster performance and response times across multiple applications is further enhanced by HSPA＋ 21Mbps or WiFi connectivity. Additionally, Android 4.0 includes a selection of embedded Google applications that enables users to quickly launch sites and applications that they use frequently; meanwhile, the innovative Face Unlock feature unlocks the tablet through unique facial recognition software. A complete experience with enriched multimedia content The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) offers users easy multimedia access, playback and sharing experiences with Samsung Hub services. Samsung's Music Hub provides a full music store solution with access to over 17 million tracks. Additionally, the Readers Hub provides the user with access to over 2.3 million e-books, 3,500 magazines and over 2,000 newspapers in 51 languages, while the Game Hub instantly connects users to the latest game titles. Samsung is also introducing the Video Hub, which offers over 1,000 film titles for purchase or rent, and provides reviews, trailers and recommendations for easier content selection using the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0). Complementing the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)'s multimedia offering is Samsung's upgraded Touchwiz user interface that features Hub widgets for one-step access to users' content in Hubs; the device also presents S Suggest, a new service offering recommendations of apps suited to users' tastes directly on a home screen. The GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)'s superb multimedia experience is further boosted by Samsung's AllShare Play, a new content-sharing service available for the first time on any Samsung mobile device. AllShare Play allows users to play or live-stream their multimedia content on their GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) from PCs, other Samsung smart devices as well as third-party web storages. Users can also easily transfer content to other devices or directly to web services. Better Communication Capabilities Connecting socially has never been easier with GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0)'s built-in powerful communication capabilities.With the voice call capability, the GALAXY Tab 2 (7.0) can be used just as easily as a phone, affording users the handy convenience of a second device in case they misplace their primary phone. It also lets users to spontaneously arrange multi-party video calls via Google＋ hangouts, as well as engage in group chats or micro-communities to collectively chat or share content. In addition, ChatON, Samsung's cross-platform communication service, connects all phone users of any platform into a single community. ChatON uses phone numbers instead of ID and passwords, and provides easy instant messaging and group chatting in various formats-images, video, voice, contacts-to make messaging simple and intuitive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Optimus Vu gets pictured alongside Samsung Galaxy Note, hints at possible stylus Posted: 13 Feb 2012 03:09 AM PST
LG's recently leaked five-inch Optimus Vu has been showing of its curious 4:3 proportions again -- this time, alongside its closest rival, Samsung's Galaxy Note. It looks like you're going to get those suit pockets let out a little if you're interested in picking up the Optimus Vu -- it's a fair bit wider than even the Galaxy Note. We also get a real world glimpse at the Vu's hardware, which sports a bevel design similar to that of LG's recent Prada team-up. Unfortunately, there's just the one lonely comparison photo to go on, although an extra screen grab of some note-taking features has also surfaced. Will the LG's big phone / tiny tablet arrive packing a stylus? We'll have to wait until we get our hands on one -- or a more detailed leak. We've included a peek at the note annotation app right after the break.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penguin halts over-the-air Kindle borrowing again, this time it's serious Posted: 13 Feb 2012 02:21 AM PST  Penguin already signaled it'd stop providing newer titles to OverDrive's lending service, but apart from a temporary interruption last year, Kindle borrowing of older books has escaped largely unscathed. That's no longer the case: as of this month, Penguin says that "eBooks loaned for reading on Kindle devices will need to be downloaded to a computer then transferred to the device over USB." Why add the extra hassle, compared to direct wireless transfer via Amazon's servers? According to Infodocket, Penguin has simply indicated that this form of distribution breached the terms of its agreement with OverDrive. However, the American Library Association (ALA) has a more developed explanation of what's going on in this nascent industry. It says that publishers are worried about the lack of "friction" involved in eBook lending, compared to the effort required to visit a physical library. This, the ALA thinks, is leading to fears that readers will borrow more and buy less. So, perhaps the wireless delivery of borrowed titles to Kindles was just too easy for Penguin's liking? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC Endeavor specs revealed in leaked ROM: Tegra 3, 720p, Sense 4.0 (update: screenshots) Posted: 13 Feb 2012 01:37 AM PST  Update: Screenshot gallery just added below, via Android Central. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lego-built robotic arm will pour you a drink, collapse under pressure (video) Posted: 13 Feb 2012 01:29 AM PST We've seen countless robotics projects made either partly or entirely out of Lego, but this pneumatic arm built by Max Sheppard has to rank among the most impressive. As you can see in the video above, while it may be a bit on the slow side, the arm's range of motion is remarkably life-like (even by non-Lego standards). It's also able to grip objects of different sizes, and with enough precision to pour water out of a cup, although Sheppard says it can't lift anything more than a couple of pounds. No word if he has any plans to attach the arm to something. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple files patent for interactive 3D interface, keeps rumor mills turning Posted: 13 Feb 2012 12:41 AM PST
Murmurs of an iPad 3 on the horizon not doing it for you? How about a new pseudo-3D interface? A patent filing has whet our appetites with the possibility (that's what it is; a possibility) of a future Apple device capable of gauging depth and displaying a 3D environment based on the user's eye movement. On-screen content would adjust to your eye movement, expanding items where ever your eyesight falls. It would also create a "virtual 3D operating system environment," where the user would feel like the UI projects beyond the two-dimensional screen. The patent includes details on 'realistic' drop shadows for icons and other OS furniture based on the degree and angle of ambient light. The filing, from April 2010, says that the technology would use an accelerometer, GPS and 'gyrometer' to reference the placement of the device and report on its movements. Sound interesting? Those in need of more foggy details and line drawings can hit up the full patent request at the source below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reports: Authorities removing iPads from stores in China, following trademark ruling Posted: 12 Feb 2012 11:44 PM PST  Government authorities and retailers have reportedly begun removing iPads from stores in China this morning, in apparent response to a ruling issued in December. According to China's Hebei Youth Daily, local representatives of the country's Administrations of Industry and Commerce (AIC) have started confiscating Apple's tablet from retail outlets, with some merchants are voluntarily removing the device from their storefronts as a pre-emptive measure. The scope of this operation remains unclear, though China.com reports that as of 5:00 PM yesterday, authorities had seized some 45 iPad 2s. Retailers who voluntarily removed their iPads apparently did so to protect their stocks from confiscation, and are reportedly continuing to sell the tablet behind the counter. These reports come nearly two months after Apple lost a trademark lawsuit against Proview Technology, which successfully defended its ownership of the iPad name within China. We're still waiting to see whether this is part of a larger nationwide campaign and Apple has yet to comment, but we'll update this post as soon as we hear more. Update: China's iFeng is now reporting that these seizures took place in the city of Shijiazhuang, as part of what appears to be an isolated campaign. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google makes 'next gen personal communications device,' is testing it in employee abodes Posted: 12 Feb 2012 09:53 PM PST  Why? Well, Google wants to track its Bluetooth performance and evaluate "the throughput and stability of the home WiFi networks that will support the device" in a real-world setting. Other details about the device are scant, but we do know that testing on this second Google-made gadget is ongoing through July 15th, so here's hoping we can get a glimpse of one between now and then. Check out the FCC docs for both devices at the source below, and feel free to sound off on what you think Google's got in store in the comments after. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yo-Yo Factory brings Hyper Scanner yo-yo gaming to Toy Fair, we go hands-on Posted: 12 Feb 2012 07:27 PM PST  Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| How would you change the T-Mobile Springboard? Posted: 12 Feb 2012 05:56 PM PST  What's in a name? That which we call a T-Mobile Springboard by any other name, like the Huawei Mediapad, would smell as sweet. Multiple names aside, the Honeycomb slate was teasingly cheap as it coaxed you to a two year marriage with the pinky/purple (magenta, okay) mobile network. It had some great build quality but our issue stemmed more from the pricey contract you had to sign up to alongside it -- but we figure thousands of you picked one of these up and you've had a couple of months happy or horrible surfing under your belt. You've gotten under the skin of the device, you know what its foibles are, it's strengths and weaknesses, what do you love, what do you hate and most importantly, what would you change? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refresh Roundup: week of February 6th, 2012 Posted: 12 Feb 2012 03:50 PM PST  Official Android updates
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| Google TV Facebook page teases new announcement (Update: It's a new YouTube app) Posted: 12 Feb 2012 02:40 PM PST  Update: Just that fast, the official blog has revealed the big announcement and it's.... an updated version of the YouTube app. For what it's worth, the new version is supposed to be faster with smoother navigation when it starts rolling out "in the next few days." It also adds a "Discover" feature for browsing by category, new channel pages and better tie-ins for related videos, which should help viewers browse its growing library of premium content, but isn't exactly the big announcement some may have anticipated. Check the blog for more details and return to DEFCON 5. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Switched On: The fit and the pendulum Posted: 12 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.  In the pre-smartphone era, the industry focused on making cell phones smaller. In the 2001 movie Zoolander, the title character played by Ben Stiller uses a humorously diminutive flip phone closer to the size of a Bluetooth headset than the StarTAC it parodies. But if the movie were being made today (IMDB lists a sequel slated for 2014), the fictional male model might hold up an iPad 2 or Toshiba Excite to his head: particularly since 2010, phones have been expanding to accommodate their sprawling displays. Once upon a time, phones such as the 4.3-inch HTC HD2 and EVO 4G seemed wall-like. But those dimensions are workaday now, especially compared to the likes of the 4.5-inch Samsung Infuse, the 4.65-inch Galaxy Nexus and the 4.7-inch HTC Titan. These, too, will soon be dwarfed by the 5.3-inch, AT&T-bound Galaxy Note -- the very definition of that unfortunate moniker, phablet. That amply sized Android phone might be dismissed as a fringe device à la the ill-fated Dell Streak, but Samsung clearly had enough confidence in its potential that it forked over the the sum required to promote it with a Super Bowl commercial. Of course, there are phones with smaller displays, but their miniaturization is often driven by an effort to lower costs -- a compromise that tends to entail slower processors and less memory. One of the few handsets that made a statement in contrast to all this super-sizing was the HP Veer, the last phone the outfit released in the US. HP executives positioned it as an ideal companion for consumers who were increasingly migrating to tablets like its own short-lived TouchPad; this was a twenty-first century spin on the old assumption that phones would stay dumb while we used tethered PDAs. While the Veer sold as respectably as any webOS phone, it certainly was not enough to stem the tide of titans -- much less HP's fortunes in the smartphone world. The Droid RAZR Maxx is hardly a brick; its bigger battery simply makes the back side near-flush with the bulge you'll find on the original. But with less than two millimeters separating the Droid RAZR from the RAZR Maxx, the original feels more like an engineering statement, in retrospect. As LTE chips become more power-efficient, there will be less of a need to compromise between perseverance and profile. Tall and thin should continue to set the agenda for some time to come. Derek Zoolander would approve. Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is executive director and principal analyst of the NPD Connected Intelligence service at The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Force Flyer accelerometer-controlled RC helicopter, we go gloves-on (video) Posted: 12 Feb 2012 01:24 PM PST  Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Miracle appears in real life, we start to believe Posted: 12 Feb 2012 12:28 PM PST
LG's smartphone workshop is keeping itself busy. Alongside the manufacturer's attempt to out-Note Samsung, its latest Windows Phone has resurfaced. A kindly mole has offered some better focused (but unfortunately watermarked to heck) shots of LG's first Mango-laced Windows Phone. Skinnier that we expected, we can now make out a front-facing camera, paired up with a rear-facing five-megapixel primary shooter on the back. It's still a prototype, judging by that not-so-subtle "not for sale" etching on the back, but expect the Miracle -- when it does go official -- to match those middleweight credentials leaked so far. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 12 Feb 2012 11:21 AM PST  Monopoly uses the same trick to differentiate player debit cards. When it comes time to make a transaction, you swipe the card across the screen of your iPhone and funds are automatically added or subtracted from your account. Monopoly also adds a few more play options, including a mini game for escaping jail. The Game of Life, of course, lets you spin a virtual wheel, but also customize virtual pegs -- adding hair and accessories where once you were stuck with plain pink or blue ones. Game of Life zAPPed Edition is out now for $25, while Monopoly will land in June, followed by Battleship in September. Check out the gallery below and the PR after the break. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. THE GAME OF LIFE, MONOPOLY AND BATTLESHIP GET 'ZAPPED' WITH NEW REVOLUTIONARY APP ENHANCED HASBRO ZAPPED GAMING Hasbro introduces a whole new way to game that merges digital gaming and a game board with the release of THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed on February 10, 2012 PAWTUCKET, R.I. (February 10, 2012) – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), a global branded play company, is once again leading innovation across the gaming industry with the launch of Hasbro zAPPed Gaming. These new games will allow players to combine traditional analog, face-to-face gaming with the increased functionality of today's consumer technology. In 2012, Hasbro zAPPed games will kick off a new era of gaming with three iconic brands – THE GAME OF LIFE, MONOPOLY and BATTLESHIP. Elements of these games will come to life when apps on iOS devices join with a game board to create a unique social twist on the digital gaming experience. "Knowing that families are more attached than ever to their mobile devices, we wanted to revolutionize face-to-face gaming with our world famous brands and our proprietary technology to create a unique gaming experience," said Eric Nyman, Global Brand Leader for Hasbro Gaming. The first game to hit store shelves is THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed, which will be available on February 10, 2012. With more than 100 laugh-out-loud clips from "America's Funniest Videos" mixed with humorous animations, the game provides a new spin on the beloved classic game. Simply download THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed app onto the iPad, cue up the game, place the iPad on the game board, and watch as game comes to life on each turn as you travel around the game board. Players can create and upgrade their own Peg Person and spin THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed virtual spinner in the accompanying iPad app. THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed game will be available first on Amazon.com and ToysRUs.com for the approximate retail price of $24.99. The game will be available in Toys R Us Times Square immediately and in stores the week of February 17 before rolling out to other retailers later this year. The game is recommended for 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up. THE GAME OF LIFE zAPPed app is available as a free download from the App Store. With MONOPOLY zAPPed, an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch will be turned into a banking unit and will add and subtract money from virtual accounts with a simple tap of a special bank card on the iOS device. Plus, players will see the Chance and Community Chest cards come to life through fun and challenging virtual mini games as the players work their way towards becoming a property mogul. (Available June 2012) In the BATTLESHIP zAPPed game players, inspired by the "BATTLESHIP" feature film from Universal Pictures, use their iPad screen as the playing surface when waging epic battles by executing strategic maneuvers, launching devastating missile attacks and initiating lethal airstrikes. Once ship pawns are placed on the screen, the iPad will automatically recognize which pawns are in play and when they are moved. (Available September 2012) |
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