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• FCC counters Verizon, aims to dismiss its data roaming complaints
• Panasonic details US availability for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs
• Vocre 2.0 for iOS brings live translation to video calls
• February's gaming sales a mixed bag: up for the month, down for the year
• Toshiba Tech's erasable toner lets you photo-uncopy (video)
• iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on (video)
• Sony Xperia S available now from Three UK
• New iPad has power-sipping Bluetooth 4.0
• Engadget Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note, courtesy of Bell Canada
• IDC: iPhone becomes top-selling cellphone in Japan over the Fall quarter, gives Sharp a run for its money
• Early estimates say new iPad cuts Apple's profit margins
• Plex Media Server upgraded, Google TV app gets a reboot
• Orange's Santa Clara Medfield phone gets benchmarked, well, the browser does
• Distro Issue 31: Tales from the South Pacific, Apple's new iPad and the Woz
• Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking (video)
• Stephen Wolfram reveals the personal analytics of his life
• FujiFilm's $1,700 X100 Black Edition now shipping, limited to 10K units worldwide
• Lenovo ThinkCentre PCs recalled over fire hazard defect
• Parrot AR.Drone joins with Epson Moverio BT-100: UAV gets down with HMD (video)
• Sky Store replaces Sky Box Office in the war against everyone else
• Thunderbolt is everywhere, now let's make it faster with PCI-Express 3.0
• Sony shows off PlayStation Vita's augmented reality chops at GDC, leaves the AR marker cards at home
• Glove-based CRTouch project turns old monitors into touchscreens
• Is the BBC the next contestant in the quest to take on iTunes?
• Happy Biiiirthday Mr USAF X-37B Robot Space Plane
• NCAA March Madness Live app comes to iOS, Android by tourney tip-off
• ZTE Fury coming to Sprint on March 11th for $20 after rebate
• Nokia submits yearly SEC report, details €1.4b loss and Windows Phone risks
• Microsoft: OnLive Desktop may violate licensing agreements
• Toshiba builds scanner that can identify fruit without a barcode, yup (video)
• Vizio welcomes YouTube as part of its Internet Apps arsenal
• Super Talent teases whip-fast RAIDDrive UpStream PCIe SSD
• Apple TV update takes Digital Copy to the iCloud
• DirecTV and Pandora join forces, let you jam out via connected HD DVRs
• Heavy Rain creators produce 'Kara' PS3 tech-demo (video)
• Panasonic prices 2012 Blu-ray lineup, high-end units due in May
• Bell Canada Mobile TV service hands-on
• Samsung Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) to get ICS on March 10th (update: recalled)
• Angelina: the experimental AI that's coming for our game dev jobs
• Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play

FCC counters Verizon, aims to dismiss its data roaming complaints Posted: 09 Mar 2012 09:52 AM PST Verizon and the FCC have been going at it for sometime over a variety of issues, but one of the more notable has been the data roaming rules that narrowly passed last year. In May of 2011 the carrier filed suit against the commission, claiming it had overstepped its authority by demanding larger providers enter into to voice and data roaming agreements with its smaller "competitors." The regulatory agency has finally responded in kind, by saying that Verizon's case is invalid and that its powers are clearly spelled out under Title III of the Communications Act of 1934. Now its just a matter of waiting to see if Big Red's case is indeed dismissed, or if the FCC is headed to court. Stayed tuned to find out -- we know we will.

Panasonic details US availability for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs Posted: 09 Mar 2012 09:30 AM PST Too busy multitasking to make any important decisions? You might want to bookmark this post, then, because Panasonic just spat out a wallop of a press release outlining US availability (but not pricing) details for 25 of its 2012 HDTVs. Starting with those Infinite Black Ultra plasmas we saw at CES, the 65-inch VT50 is coming later this month, but you'll have to wait until April for the 50-inch GT50. If you can settle for a set with an Infinite Black Pro panel, though, the ST50 series is available now in 50- and 55-inch sizes, with the 60- and 65-inchers coming this month and in April, respectively. Moving down the 3D Plasma totem pole, the UT50 series will start tricking out this month in 42- and 50-inch flavors, with 55- and 60-inch counterparts following in April and May. The most affordable of the models listed, the 50-inch XT50 series, will go on sale before the month's end. Had your heart set on an LED number? If you recall, Panasonic announced a boatload of those at CES, and this press release doesn't even mention all of them, but so far we know the E5 series (32 and 37 inches), the E50 series (42, 47 and 55 inches), the lower-end X5 series (32 inches) and the 47-inch TC-L47DT50 (part of the high-end DT50 series) will all be available this month. Want the best and the biggest? Panasonic is shipping its 3D-capable, 55-inch DT50- and WT50-series sets in May. Rounding out the list, there's Panasonic's first polarized 3D TVs, which will be available later this month in 47- and 55-inch flavors, with a 42-incher following in April. Got it? Good. You sure? In case you need a moment to digest all those dates and model numbers, tap the source link below to find detailed specs, along with confirmed pricing -- something you won't see anywhere in that extensive press release. Show full PR text PANASONIC'S FIRST WAVE OF AWARD WINNING 2012 SMART VIERA® HDTVS NOW AVAILABLE Smart VIERA Plasma, LED and LCD Models Focus on Enhancing the User's TV Experience With Expanded Pristine Picture Quality, Easy Operation, VIERA Connect™ and Networking Capability, Cutting Edge Design and Eco Advances SECAUCUS, NJ (March 8, 2012) – Continuing its history and tradition of producing award winning HDTVs and following on its success at the recently concluded 2012 CES, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, the industry and technology leader in High Definition televisions, today announced the availability of the company's initial wave of 2012 Smart VIERA® Plasma, LED and LCD HDTVs, defining the core of a new Internet connected lifestyle. Panasonic models in the ST50, UT50, and XT50 Plasma series and the E50, ET5, E5 and X5 LED series will be available this month. The LED models introduce two new screen sizes – a 47-inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) that will be available this month, with 55-inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally) models to follow in April and May. In addition to the two new screen sizes, Panasonic has increased its LED model line-up from seven models in 2011 to 16 in 2012. The 2012 models expand Panasonic's 3D lineup and enhance its commitment to its Internet platform, VIERA Connect™1. With this in mind, new for 2012 is a cloud-based architecture that opens the VIERA Connect IPTV platform to an infinite number of apps, thereby cementing its reputation for creating innovative and cutting-edge products while focusing on providing the consumer with the ultimate in home entertainment2. In addition, Panasonic continues its commitment to the environment by improving the panel luminance efficiency of the VIERA Plasmas, as evidenced in the 100,000 hour life span of the panels, as well as producing mercury-and lead-free panels. Enhanced power efficiency has been addressed with, among other technology advances, new and improved phosphor mixtures and more efficient electronics. The new advanced LED IPS (In Plane Switching) panels reduce on-mode power consumption by about 25% compared with last year's comparable models. Panasonic is dedicated to bringing new picture-improving technologies to HDTVs and the 2012 Plasma lineup also builds upon that philosophy. The 2012 Smart VIERA® Plasma HDTVs produce black levels that have in the past been consistently recognized as among the best in the industry. The VIERA HDTVs also feature super fast response time, intuitive and therefore easy to operate controls, a vast number and variety of internet apps, and a new, clean and simple design incorporating Panasonic's Glass and Metal concept to express an elegant and luxurious theme. "Our enhanced and very strong 2012 model lineup builds on Panasonic's priority to be the highest quality entertainment company, providing the consumer with many options and our new lineup does just that," said Henry Hauser, Vice President Merchandising, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "Panasonic is extremely proud that for the last three years our Plasma HDTVs have been nominated as CES Best in Show and our LED and LCD lineup is stronger than ever with the addition of two larger screen sizes, the 47-inch and the 55-inch. We continually strive to surpass the previous year's commercial and critical success. And, Panasonic's new cosmetics and design make for a truly beautiful TV, further elevating our brand awareness with the consumer. That is precisely why Panasonic's 2012 Smart VIERA models will once again prove to be the industry leader. Panasonic is also very proud to have been named one of the top ten global green brands of 2011." Select Smart VIERA Plasma models employ NeoPlasma Black 2500 to provide a crisp image with 2500 FFD (Focused Field Drive) technology even when the content shows very fast motion, and to control the light, which enables viewers to see subtle details in dark scenes, with the new 24,576-steps super fine gradation. The 2012 panel further reduces reflections and creates sharper pictures with higher contrast in brighter environments. In addition, a new panel structure with improved filter and pre-discharge control technology contributes to an increased native contrast level. Additionally, all the 3D models include DLNA connections for easy link-up to other DLNA equipped products. The Smart VIERA LED line-up continues to benefit from the addition of the IPS LED Panel technology. The 2012 LED models deliver a wide viewing angle with almost no picture degradation at off angle viewing and offer up to1920 backlight scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes with a reduction of afterglow resulting in a smooth, crisp image. The high performance, high speed, high transmittance panel materials contribute to the 178° color viewing angle, high contrast performance and fast response time, which in turn dramatically reduces artifacts and 3D crosstalk. The first Smart VIERA® Plasma series to hit the market features self illuminating panels with deep black levels and Neo Plasma technologies, providing an Infinite Black Filter with a high efficiency panel that generates the best balance of black and white under bright environments. Select 2012 models employ the NeoPlasma Black 2500 (VT/GT/ST), a two million pixel dimming driver, a new custom driver LSI and a fast switching phosphor panel on all of Panasonic's 1080p 3D models. The ST50 series is the first of Panasonic's highly regarded Plasma HDTVs to ship. The TC-P50ST50, 50-inch class (49.9 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-P55ST50, 55-inch class (55.1 inches measured diagonally) are now available, while the TC-P60ST50, 60-inch class (60.1 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-P65ST50, 65-inch class (64.7 inches measured diagonally) will be available later this month and in April respectively. The ST50 models include the Infinite Black Pro Panel; Full HD 3D; VIERA Connect™ with a web browser and built-in WiFi; 1080p Full HD resolution; 2500 FFD (Focused Field Drive); fast switching phosphors; 2D 3D conversion; Social Networking TV which allows the user to simultaneously view a program on the TV and connect with their Twitter and/or Facebook account on the same screen ; 3D Real Sound with 8-train speakers –eight dome type micro speakers with reflectors that deliver wide ranging, high quality sound; a new louver filter; Media Player; Bluetooth; DLNA; VIERA Link™; three HDMI connections and two USB ports. There are four screen sizes in the Full HD 3D UT50 series – the TC-P42UT50, 42-inch class (41.9 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-P50UT50, 50-inch class (49.9 inches measured diagonally) will be available later this month. The TC-P55UT50, 55-inch class (55.1 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-P60UT50, 60-inch class (60.1 inches measured diagonally) will be available in April and May, respectively. All offer Full HD 3D; 1080p Full HD resolution; VIERA Connect (WiFi ready); 2500 FFD (Focused Field Drive); fast switching phosphors; 2D 3D conversion; Social Networking TV; Media Player; Bluetooth; DLNA; VIERA Link; two HDMI connections and two USB ports. The XT50 series provides the consumer with an affordable 3D solution and the Online Movies feature, a service that provides select Panasonic IPTV functionality by adding five of the most popular movie sites to the TV's internet functionality. The TC-P50XT50, 50-inch class (49.9 inches measured diagonally) produces 720p resolution and features 2D 3D conversion; 600 Hz subfield drive; Bluetooth; Media Player; DLNA; VIERA Link™; two HDMI and two USB connections and will be available this month. Panasonic's move to larger LED screen sizes is evident in the E50 Series, featuring the IPS LED panel, a slim design and brilliant picture. The E50 is available in three screen sizes. The TC-L42E50, 42-inch class (42 inches measured diagonally) shipped in February, while the TC-L47E50, 47-inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-L55E50, 55-inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally) will be available later this month. Featuring 360 backlight scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, and a crisp image, the E50 models also feature1080p resolution; VIERA Connect™; Social Networking TV function; DLNA; a PC input; four HDMI terminals and two USB ports. The series is Wi-Fi ready and Energy Star certified. The ET5 Series signals Panasonic's initial entry into the polarized 3D arena. The TC-L47ET5, 47-inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) and the TC-L55ET5, 55-inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally) ship this month while the TC-L42ET5, 42-inch class (42 inches measured diagonally) ships in April. The ET5 models incorporate the IPS LED panel; 360 backlight scanning for higher moving picture resolution during fast action scenes, and a smooth, crisp image; VIERA Connect with built-in WiFi and browser; 2D 3D conversion; Social Networking TV function; Media Player; DLNA; four HDMI and two USB terminals and a PC input. Furthermore, each of the ET5s comes with 4 pairs of polarized 3D glasses. The ET5 series is also Energy Star certified. The four LED HDTVs in the E5 series – available this month - include the IPS LED panel and feature 1080p resolution; Online Movies; DLNA; four HDMI terminals; two USB ports and a PC input. The TC-L32E5, 32-inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally), TC-L37E5, 37-inch class (36.5 inches measured diagonally), TC-L42E5, 42-inch class (42 inches measured diagonally) and TC-L47E5-inch class (47 inches measured diagonally) are Wi-Fi ready and are Energy Star certified. Also available this month is the TC-L32X5, a 32-inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally) model. Featuring the IPS LED panel, the L32X5 includes three HDMI and one USB connection. The LED HDTV also incorporates a SD Memory card slot, allowing the user to view digital still images and video recorded on a SD card. Panasonic's top of the line Plasma series, the VT50 and GT50 will be available later this month and in April. The top of the line LED models will begin shipping this month - the TC-L47DT50 ships later this month, the TC-L55DT50 ships in April and the TC-L55WT50 and the TC-L47WT50 will be available in May.

Vocre 2.0 for iOS brings live translation to video calls Posted: 09 Mar 2012 09:08 AM PST Let's say you've just landed on home soil and happened to meet a charming partner during your stay abroad -- yet your unrequited love is separated by a nasty language barrier. Sure, it didn't seem to matter in the moment, but now that you've moved onto -- you know -- communication, you could use a bit of an assist. Thankfully, the folks at MyLanguage seem to have a worthwhile solution with the new Vocre 2.0 app for iOS. The software allows two individuals to engage in video chats in their native tongues, and the app removes the language barrier by providing translations (both text and spoken) on-the-fly. While Vocre 2.0 is currently in private beta, it'll debut as a free, ad-supported application. Further, users may take advantage of paid, premium services that include on-demand human translation. You can follow a similar story of two young lovers in a video after the break. Think it'll work out for 'em? Show full PR text Vocre Unveils Live Translated Video Calling Tool; Debuts Private Beta at LAUNCH Ambitious start-up takes language services market to next level with Vocre 2.0 San Francisco (--March 7, 2012--) At the 5th annual LAUNCH festival today, Vocre debuted the next revolutionary step in its race to automate and innovate the $30b language translation market. Vocre 2.0 takes a gigantic leap into the future, enabling users who speak different languages to communicate with one another using an unprecedented live translation video calling solution. The disruptive start-up garnered the attention of tech tastemakers Michael Arrington and Robert Scoble last fall with its first iOS version, which enables anyone to communicate with others who speak a different language. The young company received "Best Mobile App" and "Audience Choice" awards upon their launch on stage at the TechCrunch Disrupt SF Battlefield. Today, the company announced that it has opened a private beta for Vocre 2.0. Those who have signed up for the beta version will be notified as the company rolls out the service in the near future. The new 2.0 update features an entirely new FaceTime-like interface, allowing simultaneous audio translations within a video call, which not only adds a new interactive experience, but also adds another dimension to this new type of instant communication: the body language and tone to each conversation. "To all those who thought it was magical how we made sci-fi fantasy a reality with Vocre 1.0, we're here to further blow their minds with today's sneak peek at Vocre 2.0," said Andrew Lauder, co-founder and CEO. "The language translation market is ripe for innovation and disruption and our intent is to continually usher in services and products that up the ante and help make it easier to remove all language barriers from the world. We strongly believe Vocre 2.0 is the beginning of a new communication revolution by enabling anyone to carry an interpreter in their pocket." Vocre 2.0 Features include: · Live Translated Video Calling – People no longer need to be in the same room -- or to speak the same language – in order to communicate with one another live via video conference. · Translated Messaging – Vocre 2.0 is not only for those that speak different languages; video calling and messaging can go between two devices set to the same language as well, similar to Skype. · Conversation History -- In-Person, Messages & Video Calling all feature transcription support. · Freemium model that will be ad-supported. · Premium Services, such as Live/On-Demand Human Translator/Interpreter API guaranteeing higher translation quality. Improving translation database/memory (continually getting better/faster over time). The debut of Vocre 2.0 follows last week's release of Vocre 1.1, which dramatically improved the mobile app that is now both free and supports 23 languages from 22 countries making the app accessible on a global scale. Altogether, 23 languages are available, featuring Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese), Danish, Dutch, English (Australia, United Kingdom, United States), French (Canada, France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil, Portugal), Russian, Spanish (Mexico, Spain, United States), and Swedish. Vocre is the latest product from myLanguage , which boasts a rapidly growing user-base, now approaching two million users, and has regularly been featured as the premiere language translation solution on the Apple App store. The Vocre App is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. It can be found and downloaded following this link: http://www.vocre.com

February's gaming sales a mixed bag: up for the month, down for the year Posted: 09 Mar 2012 08:46 AM PST At this point, every time NPD releases its numbers, the video game industry collectively holds its breath. The last couple of months have not been kind, as hardware sales continued to drop. But, in February there was finally some good news -- console sales were 87 percent over January. More impressively, that jump only falls to 62 percent if you exclude the Vita. Still, after so many disappointing months, even that stratospheric jump left sales 18 percent lower than the same period last year. Even when taking software into account sales were down 20 percent -- with the industry as a whole raking in just $1.06 billion last month, down from the $1.33 billion the previous February. Individually there was good news for companies, though. Nintendo saw Super Mario Galaxy cross the five million mark, while all of its consoles (the DS, 3DS and Wii) all saw more than 50 percent spikes in their sales compared to January. Meanwhile, Microsoft held on to its number one slot by moving 426,000 Xbox 360s. Hit up the various source links for more info.

Toshiba Tech's erasable toner lets you photo-uncopy (video) Posted: 09 Mar 2012 08:25 AM PST Put away the matches, finally there's an eco-friendly way to get rid of those ill-thought photocopy pranks. Toshiba Tech has developed a toner that can be erased, letting you use a sheet of paper up to five times. Unlike similar solutions, you don't need special paper, but you will need one of the compatible copiers. The idea is similar to Pilot's erasable ball-point pen system, but uses heat instead of friction. As you'll see in the video over the break, a trace of the erased image remains slightly visible, so you'll still want the shredder for those sensitive documents. A built-in scanner means you can archive documents and also lets the machine sort paper into what can and can't be reused automatically. At the minute, you can only print in blue, but Toshiba Tech promises more options are on the way, and a full-color version is in the pipes. While the price is still undecided at this time, the creators hope that with the long-term paper savings, it'll only be the toner, not your budget, doing the disappearing.

iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on (video) Posted: 09 Mar 2012 08:03 AM PST iRobot's Bedford, Massachusetts headquarters is literally crawling (well, rolling) with robots of all shapes and sizes, from friendlier household fare like Scoobas and Roombas, to the 450-pound Warrior battlefield 'bot, which patrols the perimeter, looking for mock IEDs. The highlight of our trip this week, however, had to be the time we spent with 110 FirstLook. Sure, durability is job number one, when you're building products for the military, but the plucky little robot takes things to a whole new level. At five pounds, you can pick the thing up and toss it -- in fact, the company encourages such action. The FirstLook was built to be thrown into dangerous areas, and it's rugged enough to smash through plate glass windows to get there. The 'bot has a patch of skateboard-like grip tape on its top, opposite the bendable antenna, so you can easily grab it with a single hand. You toss the FirstLook side arm, like a frisbee, and no matter what side it lands on, the rubber treads will cushion the blow a bit. If it happens to hit the ground upside down (with the antenna on the bottom), the triangle wings on either side can be slowly extended in either direction to right the robot. Same goes for when it bounces down a flight of stairs, unharmed. iRobot 110 FirstLook hands-on FirstLook gets its name from the four cameras that dot its sides, allowing soldiers to do reconnaissance from a safe distance -- up to a couple hundred meters (though one iRobot employee told us that the company has gotten up to 500 meters unobstructed). You can view all camera angles simultaneously using the large display on the robot's beefy remote control. The remote has a small joystick to the left of the display. It's really like playing a video game -- we jokingly mentioned that we'd been training for it all our lives with our console games, and the iRobot rep had to agree. Anyone who's spent any time sat in front of a TV, playing Nintendo can start driving it immediately. There are two buttons on the top of the controller for righting the robot, a menu button and a one that alternates FirstLook's speed. The robot can cruise up to three miles per hour -- it was really quite zippy rolling over the rocky terrain of iRobot's testing ground. Part of us sort of wishes that there were a consumer version of FirstLook we could take home -- and heck, with the company's recent reorg, strides made on the well-funded military side of the company will likely have even more influence on its consumer-facing products. In the meantime however, it will certainly go a ways toward keeping soldiers out of harm's way.

Sony Xperia S available now from Three UK Posted: 09 Mar 2012 07:44 AM PST Sony's new Xperia flagship has arrived. While we've already revealed our thoughts on the S model, UK customers can now lay their hands on one -- provided they're willing to go with data-happy Three. Expect to pay £370 for the device on pay-as-you-go, while you'll need to splash out at least £30 per month for the contract option. You'll also have to make the trek to the nearest bricks-and-mortar outlet to pick one up -- the phone remains non-existent on the carrier's online store. Show full PR text Sony Xperia™ S – now available on Three. The powerful Sony Xperia™ S is available from Three on Pay as you go and Pay monthly now. Built for high-definition content, the stylish Sony Xperia™ S displays images and video in vivid detail on its 4.3" HD Reality Display. The smartphone's premium features extend to the styling, with the handset boasting a unique illuminating transparent strip at its base for quick access to updates and features. With a 12 megapixel camera and Exmor™ R sensor, users can also shoot impressive photos and full HD video even in low light conditions. Plus, pictures and footage can be shared on TVs and laptops in HD using the Sony Xperia™ S' supplied HDMI cable. Sylvia Chind, head of handsets at Three said, "With a striking display, this is an ideal smartphone for those looking for high-definition entertainment. Plus, as the only network to offer all-you-can-eat data on both Pay as you go and Pay monthly, Three customers can enjoy all of the rich content that YouTube, BBC iPlayer and Spotify have to offer without ever having to worry about data limits." The Sony Xperia™ S is available on PAYG for £369.99. All in One 15 costs £15 and gives 30-days access to all-you-can-eat data along with 300 any-network minutes and 3,000 texts. Or All in One 25 costs £25 and offers 500 minutes, 3,000 texts and all-you-can-eat data for a 30-day period. Pay monthly customers can get the Sony Xperia S from £30 a month or £36 a month on The One Plan with all-you-can-eat data, 2,000 minutes and 5,000 texts. Key features: · Unique design. · 4.3" HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA© Engine. · 12MP camera with Exmor™ R sensor + HD video. · HD sharing with HDMI (cable in-box). · Super-fast1.5GHz dual core processor. · 32GB internal memory. · NFC compatible.

New iPad has power-sipping Bluetooth 4.0 Posted: 09 Mar 2012 07:21 AM PST There are already 2,048 x 1,536 reasons to covet the latest iPad, but here's one more: it's the first tablet to incorporate the latest Bluetooth 4.0 "Smart" standard. Like the iPhone 4S, Apple's new slate is ready to pair with other Smart devices that drain far less power than previous modules. Want to complement your purchase with a wireless keyboard whose batteries will last for years? Or to plaster your body with tiny low-power sensors so you can, erm, monitor yourself on your iPad? Oh yes, Bluetooth 4.0 can make that happen. Show full PR text The New iPad First Bluetooth Smart Ready Tablet Apple Embraces Bluetooth 4.0, Readies for Explosion of Bluetooth Devices and Data KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The new iPad, unveiled today by Apple, Inc. [NASDAQ: AAPL], is the world's first Bluetooth Smart Ready tablet, incorporating Bluetooth v4.0 and its hallmark feature low energy technology. As a Bluetooth Smart Ready tablet, the new iPad gives any Bluetooth device, from a static data-collecting sensor to a laptop or mobile phone like the iPhone 4S, 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 market. "We've seen a steady stream of Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart devices since the beginning of the year and expect today's news to propel that wave even higher." The fact that Apple's new iPad is a Bluetooth Smart Ready hub is big news for the broad CE ecosystem – accessory manufacturers, app developers, and most importantly, consumers. Every second, there are over 60 Bluetooth enabled devices commercialized worldwide – Classic Bluetooth technology and now Bluetooth Smart devices joining the 7 billion Bluetooth enabled devices already in market. This massive ecosystem is expected to expand remarkably within the next two years: 2B Bluetooth enabled devices will ship in 2012 and 3B are expected to ship in 2014, according to Peter Cooney, practice director, semiconductors at industry watcher ABI Research, Inc. So why is the new iPad better with Bluetooth technology? For manufacturers: • As a Bluetooth Smart Ready hub, the new iPad is ready to connect to the expanding universe of Bluetooth devices, both Classic Bluetooth technology (think existing mice, keyboards, and speakers,) and new Bluetooth Smart devices (fitness sensors like the Polar H7 or Wahoo Blue Heart Rate Monitors, Casio G-Shock GB-6900 Smart Watch, etc.). • The new iPad joins the iPhone 4S and the Motorola Droid Razr as some of the first Bluetooth Smart Ready devices that are already available to connect to the increasingly diverse and massive number of Bluetooth enabled devices. The release of Windows 8 PCs and tablets will further propel the millions of Bluetooth Smart Ready hubs that will ship this year. For app developers: • As a Bluetooth Smart Ready hub, the new iPad (like the iPhone 4S) enables app developers to turn data coming securely from Bluetooth peripherals into compelling information for consumers via apps. OEMs as well as third-party app developers can distribute their apps through the app store and allow them to easily connect to whichever Bluetooth Smart device they like. This is all enabled through Apple's API. • Data coming from Bluetooth devices is app and cloud friendly– secure, diverse, real-time and inherently lightweight. For consumers: • Like all other Bluetooth Smart Ready devices, the consumer now has the opportunity to seamlessly connect their diverse Bluetooth devices (Classic Bluetooth technology or new Bluetooth Smart devices) to the new iPad. Not only will a consumer be able to buy an ultra-efficient Bluetooth Smart keyboard that won't require a change of batteries for the life of their new iPad, they can also track the data that might be securely coming off of their many Bluetooth Smart devices through apps on their new iPad. • For example, fitness buffs can track and record their workout analytics (heart rate, distance, speed, elevation, etc.) on an app that's talking to their Bluetooth enabled heart rate monitor. Diabetics can seamlessly and securely track their blood sugar levels from their Bluetooth enabled glucose meter through an app on their new iPad. At their next visit, they can simply show a chart of their blood sugar levels over the past six months on their new iPad (in full HD) when the doctor asks how their readings have been since the last check-up. Or consumers can use their new iPad as a remote control to their Bluetooth enabled home audio system, TV or thermostat. • Consumers can trust the security of the data being transported via Bluetooth technology. Data coming from Bluetooth Smart peripherals feature military grade 128-bit AES encryption. Not only are Bluetooth Smart devices ultra power efficient, but they are also ultra secure. "The new iPad is the first of its kind, showing Apple really understands how their products are better with Bluetooth technology, and the value of the Bluetooth ecosystem – to the developer community, to the manufacturer, and to the ultimate benefactor – the consumer," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director, Bluetooth SIG. "We've seen a steady stream of Bluetooth Smart Ready and Bluetooth Smart devices since the beginning of the year and expect today's news to propel that wave even higher."

Engadget Giveaway: win a Samsung Galaxy Note, courtesy of Bell Canada Posted: 09 Mar 2012 07:01 AM PST To celebrate Bell Canada's improved Mobile TV service -- which is particularly nice on a large display -- we could think of no better way than to gift a Samsung Galaxy Note to some lucky Canadian. So how do you win the Note with its beautiful 5.3-inch Super AMOLED display and crazy fast LTE? All it takes to enter is a comment posted below, the ability to follow the rules outlined in this article and that you're a Canadian. Yeah, that's right, our first Canada-only contest -- and no we're not hating on anybody, them's just the rules this time. So apply northern friends and good luck! Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning. Contest is open to all residents of Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will receive one Bell Canada Samsung Galaxy Note. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Bell Canada service will NOT be included. Also, Samsung, Bell and Engadget are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service. The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here. Entries can be submitted until March 10, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

IDC: iPhone becomes top-selling cellphone in Japan over the Fall quarter, gives Sharp a run for its money Posted: 09 Mar 2012 06:40 AM PST Think the iPhone is popular in the States? Well, the device is taking off in Asia as well. Based on a report from research firm IDC Japan, Apple snagged the largest share of mobile phone shipments in the country for the quarter at 26.6%, ending the market dominance of local manufacturers. Popularity of the iPhone 4S rose during the period from October to December and propelled the device maker past Fujitsu / Toshiba's mark of 18.3% and third place Sharp, coming in at 15.7%. Sharp still owned the top spot for 2011, though, with 20.1% of total shipments while Apple finished the year third with 14.2%. For more stats on the Japanese smartphone market, hit the source link below to read on.

Early estimates say new iPad cuts Apple's profit margins Posted: 09 Mar 2012 06:17 AM PST These estimates are always to be taken with a grain of salt but, if UBM TechInsights is to be believed, Apple is cutting into its precious profit margins to keep the price of the iPad flat. According to the research firm, the total cost of components in the 16GB 4G model is around $310 -- not including assembly and shipping. With a final price of $629, Cupertino is pulling in about a 51 percent profit, a sizable drop from the estimated 56 percent profit margin on the similarly specced iPad 2 at launch. A large chunk of that increased cost of production is made up by the new retina display, which is estimated to cost around $70, and the LTE chipset, which UBM priced at $21. In contrast, current pricing on the panel in the iPad 2 and its 3G radio rest at around $50 and $10, respectively. We're sure Tim Cook isn't losing any sleep though, there are plenty of other ways to make up that lost dough -- like selling more iPads.

Plex Media Server upgraded, Google TV app gets a reboot Posted: 09 Mar 2012 06:09 AM PST Real-time media streamer Plex has been refreshed on Google TV, following the smart TV's own recent firmware upgrade. The UI now looks easier to navigate with quicker access to recently added content. When it comes to the streaming media itself, you'll still need to have a Plex server setup on a separate PC or Mac but the app still supports your dedicated myPlex content and your friends' shared files. Plex's latest Media Server update also solves some iOS app problems alongside a handful of other stability and compatibility issues. The new Google TV version of the catch-all media platform isn't live just yet, but you can grab last month's version at the source and gird yourself for the incoming update.

Orange's Santa Clara Medfield phone gets benchmarked, well, the browser does Posted: 09 Mar 2012 05:51 AM PST Wondering how those Medfield handsets stack up to their ARM-powered competition? Well, we can't promise a full suite of benchmarks just yet, but we do have a peek at a pair of browser-centric tests. The German Caschys Blog managed to get a hold of Orange's upcoming Santa Clara device at CeBit and ran Qualcomm's Vellamo and Rightware's BrowserMark on the Atom handset. In both metrics the Z2460 more than holds its own, scoring an 89,180 on the web-based BrowserMark -- putting it just ahead of the iPhone 4S which clocks in at 87,801, but well behind the Galaxy Nexus' 98,272. Things look just as promising on the slightly more hardware-intensive Vellamo where it trounced the latest Nexus and was hot on the heels of the Xiaomi Mi-One Plus and Transformer Prime. Of course, neither of these tests really tax the CPU or measure 3D graphics performance. We're not even sure what the clock speed on chip inside the handset is. We were originally led to believe 1.6GHz, though, Caschy is reporting the model he manhandled was running at just 1.4GHz. Then, there's perhaps the biggest question of all -- battery life. For that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Distro Issue 31: Tales from the South Pacific, Apple's new iPad and the Woz Posted: 09 Mar 2012 05:30 AM PST Let's just call Issue 31 the New Issue, shall we? That's what Apple did this week with the refresh of the iPad, and in this week's refresh of Distro, we'll bring you our first-hand impressions of Cupertino's latest slate. Also in this issue, Darren Murph takes a look at the challenges of bringing wireless to the disconnected, in "Internet Tales from the South Pacific," and Steve Wozniak tackles the Distro Q&A like only he can. We'll also bring you our reviews of Lytro's debut light field camera and Dell's XPS 13 Ultrabook. So go on and download the new issue. Distro Issue 31 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

Siine Keyboard for Android brings 'Sexy Delete,' icons do all the talking (video) Posted: 09 Mar 2012 05:15 AM PST It goes without saying that one of the beauties of Android is how easily customizable it can be. For example, you're not shackled to its stock keys and can easily swap in a third-party solution such as Siine; which is packing strange, but useful, features like "Sexy Delete." To go along with the provocative erasing, Siine offers an array of tap-driven icons that act as phrase shortcuts, allowing you to enter anything from "what's up" to "miss me" -- you can even program your own. Siine Keyboard won't ask anything from your wallet, and you can grab it now via the source link below. We're also hooking you up with a quick tutorial courtesy of its creators after the break.

Stephen Wolfram reveals the personal analytics of his life Posted: 09 Mar 2012 05:02 AM PST Stephen Wolfram may now be best known as the creator of Wolfram Alpha, but he's been involved with data in one way or another for decades, and it turns out he's been collecting plenty of data about himself all that time. Now, he's taken things one step further and made some of that data public, offering a detailed analysis on his blog of his daily email and phone use, and even things like steps, keystrokes, and the occurrence of years in the 230,000 odd pages of documents he's scanned. What's perhaps most interesting, though, is that Wolfram only sees this as the beginning of personal analytics. He eventually hopes to be able to ask Wolfram Alpha all sorts of things about his life, with it not only able to "act as an adjunct to my personal memory," he says, "but also to be able to do automatic computational history -- explaining how and why things happened -- and then making projections and predictions." Interested in doing the same thing yourself one day? Better start hanging onto all that data.

FujiFilm's $1,700 X100 Black Edition now shipping, limited to 10K units worldwide Posted: 09 Mar 2012 04:34 AM PST We somehow missed this retro-styled gem at back at CES, but no matter -- Fujifilm's X100 Black Premium Edition is now shipping and available for purchase. This is exactly the same 12.3-megapixel camera that's been pleasing photographers for nearly a year, albeit in a darker, single-tone finish that's limited to a run of 10,000 units worldwide. Priced at $1,700, the black X100 is 500 more bones than the standard-issue variant and features the same 23mm fixed lens, but it comes with a lens hood, leather case, clear lens filter and an adapter ring; all of which are all painted to match. We'd say this blacked-out shooter gives the NEX-7 a run for its money in the dapper looks department, but you can decide for yourself at the source link below. Full press release past the break. Show full PR text FUJIFILM NOW SHIPPING LIMITED EDITION FUJIFILM X100 BLACK, INTRODUCED AT CES 2012 Valhalla, N.Y., March 8, 2012 – Following the introduction of the FUJIFILM X100 Black Premium Edition during the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas in January, FUJIFILM North America Corporation today confirmed that the camera is now shipping and available for purchase. The FUJIFILM X100 Black Premium Edition ($1,699.95 MSRP) is a limited release all black version of the high-end compact FUJIFILM X100 digital camera that is currently available. The X100 Black Premium Edition will come with a genuine leather case, a lens hood, an adapter ring and a protective filter; and will also include a Limited Edition numbered card for product authentication. Since debuting last spring, the FUJIFILM X100 continues to be one of the top-selling digital cameras, and it is known for delivering professional performance and unsurpassed high resolution images. The premium compact camera features the newly-developed FUJINON 23mm (135 equivalent: 35mm) F2 lens and the 12 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor to deliver those premium images. The camera is also equipped with the world's first "Hybrid Viewfinder," which switches between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Lenovo ThinkCentre PCs recalled over fire hazard defect Posted: 09 Mar 2012 04:17 AM PST Lenovo is recalling more than 50,000 of its PCs due to a possible fire risk. The 2010 ThinkCentre M70z and M90z both house a defective component in their power supplies that can overheat. Worse still, the power units are embedded within these all-in-one models and so are not readily replaceable. The manufacturer is arranging appointments to fix the power supply problem. Fire-averse customers can double-check all the details at the source below.

Parrot AR.Drone joins with Epson Moverio BT-100: UAV gets down with HMD (video) Posted: 09 Mar 2012 03:55 AM PST Let's say you've explored all the abandoned cathedrals in your hometown and have decimated all comers on the virtual battlefield -- if your interest in the Parrot AR.Drone has begun to wane, then take a gander at this bit of handiwork from Thomas Sohmers and dream of what could be. Essentially, he's taken the popular UAV from Parrot and has combined it with a transparent, head-mounted display that allows one to simultaneously view the AR.Drone and an overlay of its video feed. More than just a set of glasses, the Epson Moverio BT-100 was ideal for the task as it also features a handheld controller that just so happens to run Android. While Sohmers has met with good success in combining the two devices, the product isn't quite ready for mass consumption -- for example, it's said the AR.Drone can only rotate and move vertically at this point. While you'll have to use a bit of your imagination for the heads-up display component, you can find a demonstration of Sohmers' creation in a video after the break.

Sky Store replaces Sky Box Office in the war against everyone else Posted: 09 Mar 2012 03:31 AM PST In the face of increasing competition from movie services like Lovefilm, Knowhow Movies and iTunes, Sky has reportedly decided to reinvent Box Office as Sky Store. Rather than the limited number of pay-per-view titles each month, it'll be repositioned as an online movie library with over 1,000 titles to view on your set-top-box, desktop or mobile device. New releases will be priced at £3.50 in standard-definition or £4.00 ($6.30) in HD. Back-catalogue titles will be priced at £1.99, with discounts on that figure on an infrequent basis. Sadly the service is only available to the five million or so subscribers with Anytime+, those who currently remain using SD services will get to keep the old-school Box Office.

Thunderbolt is everywhere, now let's make it faster with PCI-Express 3.0 Posted: 09 Mar 2012 02:59 AM PST Things are different on Planet Intel. Over there, Thunderbolt drives and peripherals are as cheap and abundant as artificial intelligences in a Culture novel, so the population's attention has already turned to what comes next. Some are prepared to wait for a promised 50Gbps optical interconnect by 2015, but an impatient few are trying to make Thunderbolt exploit the new PCI-Express 3.0 standard for more immediate thrills. PCWorld claims the latest form of PCI-Express found in Sandy Bridge E, Ivy Bridge and Xeon E5 chipsets could make 10Gbps Thunderbolt run "significantly faster", thanks to a 60 percent speed boost over PCIe 2.0. Maybe they're right, but back on this planet we're still 33 percent of the way through transferring The Best of Leo Sayer to our USB 2.0-equipped Xperia S.

Sony shows off PlayStation Vita's augmented reality chops at GDC, leaves the AR marker cards at home Posted: 09 Mar 2012 02:14 AM PST The PlayStation Vita's current augmented reality mini-games may be anchored to a handful of marker cards, but it doesn't have to be that way. Front and center at Sony's GDC booth was "Magnet," a developer tech demo that shows off the next generation handheld's markerless chops. The application maps out the texture and patterns to create its own marker, which would allow developers to create more natural AR experiences that won't burden players with the hassle of carrying around marker cards. Sony says the tech demo won't be evolving into a full game, but hopes it will inspire developers to build something new and exciting for the handheld. Although staff on hand couldn't say for sure that this is an off-shoot of Sony's SmartAR technology, we think it looks awfully familiar.

Glove-based CRTouch project turns old monitors into touchscreens Posted: 09 Mar 2012 01:04 AM PST As anyone who's ever played a game of Duck Hunt is aware, there are ways of directly interacting with CRT monitors that don't require any modifications to the display itself (a la resistive overlays). A group of students from the University of Hasselt in Belgium have now taken that idea further than most, however, and developed a glove-based system that uses a pair of phototransistors in the fingertips to detect the electron beam as it makes its way across the screen. While not quite "multitouch," the student's current setup (dubbed CRTouch) does let them draw on the screen with one finger and call up additional options (like an eraser or color palette) with the second. Head on past the break to check it out in action.

Is the BBC the next contestant in the quest to take on iTunes? Posted: 09 Mar 2012 12:04 AM PST PaidContent is claiming the BBC has some pretty advanced plans to launch a video market, one meant to compete directly with the iTunes of the world. According to its source, the British Broadcasting Corporation plans to offer its vast back catalog of movies, TV shows and specials as £1.89 downloads. Though much of its newer material is already licensed through BBC Worldwide, older content is not. The idea is to make all of that material available digitally and through its own branded service. The public broadcaster even plans to offer producers a larger chunk of the profits (roughly £0.40 per episode) in an effort to get a leg up on its potential competitors. Of course, these plans could still collapse if negotiations with independent producers fall through. Or, the plans could be less grand and far more preliminary than we've been led to believe. Still, don't be shocked it the iPlayer starts telling you to buy old episodes for a couple of quid in the next few months.

Happy Biiiirthday Mr USAF X-37B Robot Space Plane Posted: 08 Mar 2012 11:04 PM PST The X-37B was only meant to stay up in space for a gestational nine months, but a full year has now passed since launch and the US Air Force apparently has little interest in bringing its baby home. On the contrary: according to Space.com, the plan is to send up another unmanned space plane to keep the X-37B company on its [CLASSIFIED] missions. Whatever it's getting up to in that airless playground, it must be doing something right. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom McIntyre says the craft is "setting the standard for a reusable space plane and, on this one-year orbital milestone, has returned great value on the experimental investment." Which is a fine way of saying [STILL CLASSIFIED].

NCAA March Madness Live app comes to iOS, Android by tourney tip-off Posted: 08 Mar 2012 09:56 PM PST Following in last year's steps, the NCAA and Turner Sports have taken the wraps off their March Madness 2012 goodies for handsets, slates and PCs. Though, unlike its 2011 variants, you'll now have to part ways with a one-time $3.99 charge in order to catch your favorite college team in action. Paying such a fee will give you an all-access ticket to watch every game during the tournament, which gets rolling this Tuesday, March 13th. Moreover, you'll also be able to customize channels to your viewing pleasure, test your knowledge in live trivia and check out how the bracket's shaping up. The action-packed March Madness Live app is available now to folks on iOS, with the Android version coming to "selected" devices by the time the tourney is underway. Show full PR text NCAA MARCH MADNESS LIVE is Available in the Apple App store and Android Market for the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship An expanded suite of products, available across online and mobile platforms, includes live video, game scoring and stats, personal channel lineup features and social media integration Turner Sports, CBS Sports and the NCAA today announced the availability of NCAA March Madness Live in the Apple App store and Android market [now Google Play]. NCAA March Madness Live, formerly March Madness on Demand, is a suite of live products presented across multiple platforms, including online, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and select Android smartphones over Wi-fi and 3G/4G for $3.99. Fans can download NCAA March Madness Live from the Apple App store today, while the Android app will be available by tournament tip-off. Fans will be able to enjoy live streaming video of every game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship as they are televised by TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV, starting with the NCAA Basketball® Selection Show on Sunday, March 11, and continuing through the Men's Final Four semifinals games and the national championship game from New Orleans on March 31 and April 2. NCAA March Madness Live will offer higher quality live video streams across platforms; video highlights for every game of the tournament on Android smartphones, including the LG Nitro HD, and iPhones; live game alerts on Android smartphones, iPhones, and iPads; and live radio broadcasts courtesy of Westwood One/Dial Global Radio Network for all 67 games. In addition to the new offerings, NCAA March Madness Live will again provide the same fan-favorite features from last year, including: schedules and live game scoring, live tournament brackets, the official NCAA Bracket Challenge game, My Channels personal channel lineup, live stats, and live social companion views. Presenting app sponsors of NCAA March Madness Live on iOS are Buick, Capital One and Coke Zero, while AT&T, Infiniti and LG Electronics are the presenting sponsors for the Android app. To view screenshots of NCAA March Madness Live, click the text below: NCAA March Madness Live screenshots NCAA March Madness Live features include: • My Channels: Using this personalized channel finder, fans can easily find games by plugging in their zip code and selecting their TV provider in order to see their channel lineup for every game on TBS, CBS, TNT and truTV. • Game Center View: The Game Center view provides fans with a control center at their fingertips for live in-game stats such as player stats, team leaders, scoring streaks, biggest lead and foul trouble, depending on which device they use - along with a graphic lead tracker – live social features, and access to live game radio and video. • Coke Zero™ NCAA March Madness Social Arena: Extending the conversation beyond the broadcast, Coke Zero NCAA March Madness Social Arena will return as the "social water cooler" for March Madness conversation. New this year, features will be live across the entire NCAA March Madness suite of products and, for the first time, let fans grab key game moments and share them with friends and family from a computer. Additional social features include: o Social commentary from other fans o Live tournament trivia o Chant and cheer features for their favorite teams Coke Zero NCAA March Madness Social Arena will extend onto Facebook - offering a complete video gallery of all fan-grabbed moments, complete access to special-aggregated Twitter feeds of all 68 teams, a uniquely-visualized bracket view of the loudest fans, and more. Fans will also have multiple ways- via social media- to be heard, stay informed and engage with rivals or other team enthusiasts: • On Twitter, fans can follow: o @marchmadnessTV which serves as the official home of March Madness TV providing game updates, tip-off times, breaking news alerts and channel details from all the game action on TBS, TNT, truTV and CBS. o @marchmadness which serves as the official NCAA account offering behind-the-scenes access at tournament games and events. • On Facebook, fans can like: o NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness – By liking this account, fans can unlock special video content, behind-the-scenes photos and much more. NCAA March Madness Live is available to purchase from NCAA.com/marchmadness, the Apple App store at www.apple.com/itunes and the Android Market at www.android.com/market.

ZTE Fury coming to Sprint on March 11th for $20 after rebate Posted: 08 Mar 2012 08:52 PM PST We've previously heard rumblings of the ZTE Fury's pending arrival on the Now Network, but now you can safely circle your calendars -- in pencil, anyway -- for a March 11th debut. For those unfamiliar, it'll be a rather low-end smartphone targeted at the budget market, where $20 (after a $50 mail-in rebate) will snag an Android 2.3 handset that packs a 1GHz processor, a 3.5-inch touchscreen and 5MP camera. For those keeping score, it also features 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. Perhaps we'll find out on March 11th whether less truly is more.

Nokia submits yearly SEC report, details €1.4b loss and Windows Phone risks Posted: 08 Mar 2012 07:58 PM PST Nokia submitted its annual report (Form 20-F) to the SEC today, and -- as required of all publicly traded companies -- the information provided a candid overview of its financial health and market risks. Based on its quarterly reports, we've already known it was a rather bleak year for the Finnish outfit, which saw a €1.4b annual loss compared to €1.3b in profit just one year ago. Further, its net sales similarly took it on the chin, which amounted to €38.6b in 2011 versus €42.4b in the previous year. In terms of units sold, Nokia pushed out 339.8m feature phones during the year -- a three percent decline from the 349.2m units sold during 2010. The company attributed the drop to its aggressively priced competitors, as well as its lack of a dual-SIM handset for the first half of the year. Nokia's smartphone segment took an even harder hit, which fell to 77.3m units sold -- a 25 percent drop from the 103.6m devices shipped just one year ago. Once again, the company cites its aggressive competition as the primary factor for the decline, along with a waning interest in the Symbian platform. In its discussion of potential threats to the company's bottom-line, Nokia provides a rather forthright assessment that accurately pegs its future success in the smartphone marketplace upon the acceptance of Windows Phone among developers and consumers. Likewise, its projections to sell 150 million Symbian units is failing to materialize -- big shocker there -- and Nokia now expects demand for its homegrown platform to continue deteriorating. Nonetheless, it remains stalwart in the commitment to support Symbian through 2016 -- though surprisingly, no comment on how this in itself could be a disaster to the company's bottom-line. Should Nokia's smartphone effort fail, that leaves it with the Series 40 feature phone segment, which it characterizes as a low-margin business that may see its demand erode as smartphones reach even lower price points. Nobody ever said that the mobile industry was a bed of roses, but if you'd like to view the world through Nokia's eyes, you're certain to find its commentary (pages 13 - 47 of the source document) an interesting read.

Microsoft: OnLive Desktop may violate licensing agreements Posted: 08 Mar 2012 06:56 PM PST Typically, when a product hits the market, you'd hope details like nitty-gritty licensing and IP would have all been worked out prior to going on sale. Of course, things in the real world are never that simple. Take for example, OnLive and Microsoft, which according the latter, says OnLive Desktop isn't exactly in the clear when it comes to its remote Windows 7 slinging abilities. Clarified on Microsoft's Volume Licensing blog, Joe Matz, VP of worldwide licensing, said the company is "actively engaged with OnLive" in the hopes of "bringing them into a properly licensed scenario." When asked, an OnLive representative responded with: "We have never commented on any licensing agreements." Sounds like it'll all get resolved soon, but in the meantime do your homework kids -- lawyers are expensive.

Toshiba builds scanner that can identify fruit without a barcode, yup (video) Posted: 08 Mar 2012 06:05 PM PST During our hurried supermarket sweeps, we're aiming for the Granny Smith, yet somehow always come away with French Jonagold. That's why we're in awe of this new supermarket scanner from Toshiba-Tech that can identify individual species of fruit and veg from sight. Rather than a cashier keying in a produce code, a camera with optical pattern recognition technology filters out "visual noise" before identifying the genus of your apple by shape, surface pattern and coloration. It's also able to scan labels and coupons, but so far the database only contains a handful of items. It'll take over a year (when each thing has been harvested and scanned) to build a database necessary to make it commercially useful. Still, if you can't bear to wait those precious seconds as your server finds the right code for lettuce, head on past the break to watch your future in action.

Vizio welcomes YouTube as part of its Internet Apps arsenal Posted: 08 Mar 2012 05:29 PM PST Not long after bringing some Redmond vid-calling to your living room, Vizio's introducing another app that may just enhance your couch entertainment. Via its Twitter account, the outfit announced YouTube will now be a part of its Internet App portfolio. Though, it's worth mentioning the Tweet didn't specify if it'll support all internet-ready TV models. The Tube (as the cool kids are calling it) is joining the likes of Hulu Plus and Blockbuster On Demand as part of Vizio's entertainment offerings. We know you can't wait to make yourself cry watching Kony 2012, so be on the lookout for the Google-owned video service to hit your smart TV shortly.

Super Talent teases whip-fast RAIDDrive UpStream PCIe SSD Posted: 08 Mar 2012 04:44 PM PST Super Talent's developed a PCI Express flash storage system that's far faster than your current SSD yet promises to be cheaper than the company's current PCIe offerings. The RAIDDrive UpStream uses a Sandforce controller to push around 1GBps of data at twice the speed of a SATA unit. Available to buy in 220GB, 460GB and 960GB editions, it sandwiches in four RAID drives to competitor OCZ's two, and is promised to be an "upsetter" by marketing director Peter Carcione. The company's hoping to get the devices into boxes and onto shelves by the end of April, for a price that's yet to be decided. Just remember, powerful SSDs are like having a butler: desirable, yes, but also a little pricey if your surname isn't Abramovitch or Buffett.

Apple TV update takes Digital Copy to the iCloud Posted: 08 Mar 2012 04:17 PM PST The cloud is everywhere around us these days and while some cloud services are the greatest thing ever, others? Not so much. Taking our digital content to the cloud is obviously a good thing and Apple's iTunes Match takes all your music to the cloud and the latest Apple TV and iOS updates bring your Digital Copies there too. This makes it all too obvious why Apple choose to be the odd man out in the UltraViolet club -- as if the terrible user experience wasn't enough of a clue. Basically, like UV, you can buy a Blu-ray or DVD and use the included Digital Copy unlock code to authorize both a downloadable file and stream an HD copy to your updated Apple TV. Tech of the Hub was able to watch a previously activated Digial Copy in 720p (we'd assume 1080p on the new Apple TV) on the 2nd-gen Apple TV with yesterday's update, as well as download it to an iPhone with iOS 5.1. All of this without signing up for five different user accounts -- no HBO or Universal content yet, though.

DirecTV and Pandora join forces, let you jam out via connected HD DVRs Posted: 08 Mar 2012 03:39 PM PST It looks like DirecTV's got more than just college hoops on the brain: it's just announced a new hook up with Pandora. The newly minted agreement will let you access your favorite tunes via DirecTV's fresh 1080p guide on connected HD DVRs -- and, yes it's free. Additionally, you'll be able to search for artists, songs and browse through different genres, as well as set up jam stations to your liking. Those of you interested in blasting Boyz II Men playlists from your DVR, can do so by simply hitting that Menu button (on your oversized remote) and heading over to the Extras section where the musical goodies await you. Show full PR text DIRECTV and Pandora Create Ultimate In-Home Music Destination DIRECTV Customers Can Now Create Pandora Personalized Radio Stations at No Additional Cost with DIRECTV's New 1080p HD Guide EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV), one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services, and Pandora (NYSE: P), the leading personalized radio service, are now giving customers unlimited access to personalized radio stations that play only the music they love from the comfort of their homes. Customers can easily search for their favorite artists, songs or musical genres and create personalized radio stations by using DIRECTV's new 1080p HD Guide, one of the industry's most intuitive and sophisticated HD on-screen guides. DIRECTV customers nationwide with connected HD DVR's can now access Pandora at no additional cost by pushing the "Menu" button on their DIRECTV Remote Controls and selecting the 'Extras' option. Customers will be asked to either create a new Pandora account online or to activate their existing Pandora account on their DIRECTV HD DVR. Once activated, Pandora will allow customers to easily create and listen to personalized radio stations, as well as play Pandora over the video that they are watching. "We're thrilled that DIRECTV is making Pandora available to their customers," said Ian Geller, Pandora vice president of Business Development. "Close to 35 percent of all radio listening takes place in the home and Pandora delivered through the DIRECTV set-top box allows everyone in the family to easily access and enjoy music they love through their personalized radio stations." "Pandora offers a unique service that has revolutionized the way people consume music from their favorite artists," said Tony Goncalves, Tony Goncalves, senior vice president, Product Management, DIRECTV. "The addition of Pandora is just one of dozens of ways DIRECTV is enhancing our customers' overall viewing experience and giving them the most value for their money every month." For additional information on Pandora's personalized radio service on DIRECTV, please visit DIRECTV.com/Pandora. About DIRECTV DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 32 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its more than 19.8 million customers access to more than 170 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 12 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 60 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com. About Pandora Pandora gives people music they love anytime, anywhere, through connected devices. (OK, we've added comedy as well so we're also up for playing some jokes you'll love.) Personalized stations launch instantly with the input of a single "seed" - a favorite artist, song or genre. The Music Genome Project®, a deeply detailed, hand-built musical taxonomy, powers Pandora's personalization - using musicological "DNA" and constant listener feedback to craft personalized stations from a growing collection of hundreds of thousands of recordings. Tens of millions of people in the United States turn on Pandora to hear music they love.

Heavy Rain creators produce 'Kara' PS3 tech-demo (video) Posted: 08 Mar 2012 03:03 PM PST Heavy Rain creator David Cage was showing off Quantic Dream's new game engine at GDC, which includes an innovative new performance-capture technology the company's developed. He's directed a seven-minute original short called Kara, which is the story of a female android as she becomes self-aware. Unlike traditional game production methods, this technology is able to record face and body movements at the same time as recording the actors voice -- ensuring natural and consistent performances from the characters. Actress Valorie Curry wore 90 sensors on her face, unlike in, say, Avatar, where the performers wore head-mounted cameras. Cage promises that the short is nothing more than a demo (it was rendered in real-time on a PlayStation 3) and none of these elements will appear in his next game. You can catch the impressive-looking footage after the break with one disclaimer: there's nudity throughout and a reference to adult themes, okay?

Panasonic prices 2012 Blu-ray lineup, high-end units due in May Posted: 08 Mar 2012 02:38 PM PST Panasonic has officially priced-out its 2012 Blu-ray player lineup announced back at CES, and it includes no fewer than six boxes (and price-points) for you to choose from. Four of the new players -- ranging in price from $150 to $350 -- are capable of playing your favorite Blu-ray flicks in 3D and come with Panasonic's Viera Connect service, which provides access to online content from Amazon, Hulu and Netflix and a host of applications including Facebook, Skype and Twitter. The 2D models -- which range from $90 to $120 -- aren't left out in the cold when it comes to connectivity, and include IP VOD support for streaming web-content. What's more, the entire 2012 lineup is DLNA-enabled, can be controlled via a smartphone app and, with the exception of the DMP-BD77, has WiFi built-in. Four of the six units are available for purchase immediately, but you're going to have to wait until May if you're interested in the two higher-end models. Mosey on past the break to view the full press release. Show full PR text PANASONIC ANNOUNCES PRICING AND AVAILABILTY FOR 2012 BLU-RAY DISCTM LINEUP New Models Feature Enhanced VIERA ConnectTM, Smartphone Remote, Improved Super Resolution Processor, Built-In WiFi System and Reduced Power Consumption SECAUCUS, NJ (February 6, 2012) – Panasonic, a major developer and contributor to the success of the Blu-ray DiscTM format, today announced pricing and availability for an expanded 2012 Blu-ray Disc player lineup featuring four new Full HD 3D models – the DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320, DMP-BDT220, and two 2D Blu-ray Disc players – DMP-BD87 and the DMP-BD77. All four of the 3D models include Panasonic's proprietary VIERA ConnectTM IPTV platform1, while the 2D models feature IP VOD1, a service that offers a targeted selection of sites including Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTubeTM on TV Panasonic's Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players (BBT01, BDT500, BDT320 and BDT 220) include an improved UniPhier chip processor, 24p output for VOD, an expanded VIERA Connect functionality, and FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec),192Hz/32bit Audio DAC (not available on the DMP-BBT01), Smartphone remote control capability, a new touchpad remote control (available on DMP-BBT01, DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320), 2D-to-3D up-conversion2, which can convert 2D images from VIERA Connect1, DVDs and Blu-ray discs into 3D with natural depth perception, a new slim design and a unique slot-in drive that is found in two of the models (the DMP-BBT01 and DMP-BDT320). The slot-in drive allows the user to insert a disc without the need for a tray and prevents inadvertently loading a second disc. In addition, the DMP-BBT01 introduces a new design concept and a greatly reduced form factor featuring a stand and enables operation either vertically or horizontally. The DMP-BDT220 (SRP $149.99) and the DMP-BDT320 (SRP $199.99) are the first of the Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players to ship and are now available. Also now available are Panasonic's two 2D Blu-ray DiscTM players -- the DMP-BD87 (SRP $119.99) and the DMP-BD77 (SRP $89.99). Panasonic's two top-of-the-line Full HD 3D Blu-ray Disc players; the DMP-BDT500 (SRP $349.99) and the DMP-BBT01 (SRP $269.99) will be available in May. The 2012 Panasonic Blu-ray Disc player line builds upon the company's commitment to continually seek improvements to its state-of-the-art products. With that in mind, the 2012 lineup includes a number of improvements over last year's models. The UniPhier single chip signal processing LSI employs a simplified circuit architecture that eliminates unnecessary wiring and reduces noise on the picture and sound signal to the absolute minimum. The UniPhier chip produces high clarity sound and turns off the analog video circuit when not needed – otherwise the analog video circuit is working even when not in use, causing interference to the other circuits. Adaptive Chroma Processing, a high quality image processing technology, precisely processes the video signal of each pixel in vertical and horizontal directions, resulting in a 50% increase in vertical color data processing as compared to 2010 models. A redesigned DVD Super Resolution Processor helps produce natural pictures with no false contours, higher resolution for details and a reduction in noise, all resulting in richer gradation. The new 2012 models can convert 2D content from VIERA ConnectTM 2, DVD discs and Blu-ray Discs into 3D images with stunning depth. Also new for 2012 is technology that allows for VOD 24p output, thereby synching with the original 24 fps (frames per second) video format and delivering film-like motion characteristics. Using 24 fps, each frame is uniformly converted, so more natural and flickerless images are reproduced. Recognizing that audio is an essential component to any viewing experience, Panasonic has made a number of improvements to insure that the audio quality meets the same high standards as the video quality. To that end, the DMP-BDT500, DMP-BDT320 and the DMP-BDT220 utilize a 192kHz/32bit audio DAC, while the BDT500 also includes high-grade audio parts (gold plated terminals, high grade electric capacitor and insulator) to reproduce audio content that is faithful to the original. The BDT500 also provides for 7.1 channel output and includes twin HDMI outputs, allowing one to be dedicated for audio output. Not only does this result in less interference with the video signal, but the additional HDMI makes the BDT500 compatible with legacy amplifiers. Audio is further improved via Panasonic's unique clock control technology that drastically reduces jitter during HDMI transmission, thereby lessening noise and delivering pure sound. Furthermore, the 2012 players are compatible with a variety of formats such as the lossless audio codec FLAC, an audio format similar to MP3, but lossless, meaning that audio is compressed in FLAC without any loss in quality. In addition, the Blu-ray DiscTM players simulate the warm, comforting sound of tube amplifiers with six distinct sound environments, Panasonic's VIERA ConnectTM IPTV platform, now under the Smart VIERA umbrella, has been expanded and now utilizes cloud technology to offer access to a virtually unlimited collection of many of the most popular applications for social networking (including Skype™ voice and video calling, YouTube™, Facebook, and Twitter), video content (including Amazon Instant Video™, Netflix, HuluTM Plus, and Ustream), professional sports (including FOX Sports ,MLS Matchday Live, NBA Game Time, and NHL Game Center), gaming (Accedo Funspot, Gameloft, and PlayJam), fitness (including BodyMedia, ifit, and Withings), music (including Pandora and Shoutcast) news and information (including AccuWeather, Associated Press, and WSJ Live) and more. The two 2D players (DMP-BD87 and DMP-BD77) features IP VOD, a targeted internet solution that offers consumers access to Netflix, CinemaNow, Vudu and YouTube. Connectivity and ease of use continue to be of prime importance to Panasonic. The entire 2012 line features easy connection to other DLNA-equipped products and VIERA Link, which provides connectivity to other VIERA Link-compatible products and NAS compatibility. This year's players are also compatible with the NTFS format HDD. Five of the six Blu-ray Disc players provide built-in WiFi, while the DMP-BD77 is wireless ready. To personalize the experience, the new multi-user mode allows one to register four users and each can record individual, favorite settings. They can also select a personal icon from 16 pre-installed images, or photos from an external source. To further personalize the player, there is the option to customize the home screen with any image the consumer chooses. Also new this year is the ability to use any Smartphone3 as the remote control. There is also a new touch pad remote control that offers simple, intuitive operation. Always mindful of the impact on the environment, the 2012 models are ENERGY STAR qualified. Additionally the DMP-BDT320 features a Smart Eco Sensor which detects the user's movement and switches to the quick start mode (boot time 0.5 seconds) automatically. When a user is within16 feet of the player it is in ECO mode, using approximately 0.1 watts. When motion is detected within 16 feet the player turns on the quick start mode (approximately 3.2 watts). The BDT 320's new slim design also cuts down on packaging, thereby saving on paper and allowing more players to be placed on a pallet which can reduce carbon emissions due to transportation. "Panasonic is always working to improve its technology, design, and commitment to providing the consumer with the best possible video and audio experiences. We are also very mindful of the need to provide products that are user friendly and easy to operate," said Alex Fried, Product Manager, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America. "Features such as the slot-in drive, home screen customization, enhancement of VIERA ConnectTM allow consumers to easily personalize their entertainment experience to fit their lifestyle. And a feature like the slot-in drive is one that makes it extremely easy for the user to insert and play the disc."

Bell Canada Mobile TV service hands-on Posted: 08 Mar 2012 02:00 PM PST Bell Canada's updated its Mobile TV service to introduce a bevy of new features and content. The mobile TV service now offers 26 channels of live programming and a pile of on demand content thrown in for good measure. The interface has been tidied up, a programming guide has made an appearance, alerts are now here so you won't miss shows and flipping to portrait mode from landscape lets you browse the new guide while your current show plays on. Bell's Mobile TV service is priced at $5 a month for five hours of content; overages -- measured in hours -- cost an additional $1 per hour, though using the service with WiFi is thankfully free. Is it worth the $5 on top of your already potentially pricey phone bill? Follow on through while we take Bell's TV offering for a quick spin with words and some pretty video, too. Interface Mobile TV loads up quickly, leading you to the screen you see above. The app is broken into tabs on the bottom half of the display, with currently-playing files sitting up top. Scrolling back and forth on the topmost row, you'll see a list of main menu items: Now Playing, Live, On Demand, Alerts, Guide, Radio and Settings. Navigating into any of the tabs offers sub-rows based on whichever you've touched. Click On Demand, for example, to expose the various types of on demand content: recently added to shows, sports and the like. This last row of tabs reveals the channels, so under News we see CTV News, CBC or AccuWeather. It took our S-Pen -- and minds -- just a few taps to find our way around as the layout is dead easy to use. Navigation and use The useful 'Now Playing' tab offers up some info on the show you're peeking at and what's next in the lineup. Live, On Demand, are fairly self-explanatory: Live TV will run whatever is on air at the moment on any chosen channel from the 26 available and On Demand has a pretty decent selection of shows that you can start and stop at will. Skipping past Alerts for a moment, is the TV Guide which lists all the content that you can watch from the current time up to two weeks from now. Alerts come in to play when you've scrolled ahead in the guide and clicked a few time slots into the future, now instead of the program starting a box pops up asking if you'd like to set an Alert for when it starts. The Radio tab is a gateway to a Sirius add-on if you choose to opt in for $8 a month for some 20 channels, and lastly settings. The settings tab doesn't have many options for tweaking the app. Just a FAQ, a login page to get additional content tied into your Bell Canada TV account -- if you have one -- and a pane to buy more services. In addition to that Sirius add-on, you can opt into HBO for a cool $5 a month. Content From kid's channels to sports, entertainment and news, there's pretty much a piece for everybody here. We'd like to see movies in this app, we know that the focus is TV, but movies are still part and parcel of what TV offers. Notable live channels in the line-up include TSN, TSN2 -- we'll definitely appreciate the Formula 1 racing this summer -- CTV, CBC and Treehouse for the youngsters. HBO is another example of opt-in service for which you'll need to pay an additional $5. On Demand content gets refreshed on some unknown schedule, though, there seems to be a pretty deep selection on most shows we've looked up. An additional nicety would be to have an alert pop up when new On Demand content shows up, rather than us chasing the shows, they could simply let us know they've arrived. Wrap-Up Ultimately Bell Mobile TV is a pretty straightforward app that delivers TV without too much muss or fuss. Of course, some like the fiddling and seeing as that's us, we were hoping for some advanced settings for quality in here, but alas none were present. In fact, no matter what type of connection we had -- LTE, HSPA+ -- the video quality seemed to stay about the same. Don't get us wrong, that quality is pretty good; we're not talking HD, at least not yet, though with the speed of connections we could see this sort of thing becoming a reality. Pricing is fairly low, so if five hours of content for your commute serves your needs this service might be worth having a look at. We like that Bell's taken the confusion out of the equation and eliminated the worry about how much data you're using by simply billing by the hour. But on the flip side, if you're a heavy TV user, those 5 hours could disappear pretty quickly and things might get costly. As long as we can fit two Formula 1 races on TSN2 in during the summer months without blowing our monthly time allotment, we're kind of on board. The app is sitting in the app store now if you're curious to have a look. Oh, and if you'd like to give the service a whirl on your very own Samsung Galaxy Note from Bell, pop back to the site tomorrow around lunch as we'll be giving one away to some lucky Canadian -- just the phone mind you, you'll have to spring for the service.

Samsung Galaxy S II (GT-I9100) to get ICS on March 10th (update: recalled) Posted: 08 Mar 2012 01:44 PM PST Two days. That's the amount of time remaining for you, dear Samsung Galaxy S II owner, before the long-awaited upgrade to Android 4.0 -- the dessert known as Ice Cream Sandwich -- becomes readily available for your device through Kies. Naturally, this is going to be adorned with Sammy's TouchWiz UI, and it's only going to be ready on the GT-I9100 (global version) for now. According to the notes, we can expect to see Face Unlock, Android Beam and data usage included, and multitasking and some apps will be improved. We're sure this is just the tip of the feature iceberg, however. Curiously, the site specifies that because of "ICS OS feature," Flash and Bluetooth 3.0 HS won't be supported. The update will come to individual carriers and their own GSII variants eventually, after a hefty amount of testing on their end, but at least this -- combined with HTC's rollout of Sense 3.6 to the Nordic countries today -- means the ICS ball is officially rolling for custom skins. Let's just hope it's going down a steep hill. If you happen to be packing a GT-I9100, be sure to check the links below for the full set of instructions, and let us know what you find. [Thanks, Argel and Roger] Update: Samsung's just tweeted that March 10th date is (sadly) wrong. It added that once the upgrade schedule is concrete, it'll confirm through its dedicated Twitter account.

Angelina: the experimental AI that's coming for our game dev jobs Posted: 08 Mar 2012 01:29 PM PST Ok so, maybe Angelina couldn't have created Skyrim all on her own, but the experimental AI from Michael Cook (a computer scientist at Imperial College London) is still quite impressive. The artificial dev is able program enemy behavior, layout levels, and distribute power ups with random attributes. While many elements of a game like Space Station Invaders (which you can play at the more coverage link) are designed by human hands, it's Angelina's ability to act as a composer building something fun from the various ingredients that's so interesting. Before setting a level in stone she plays through the possible combinations, determining which will be most enjoyable for a human player. Hit up the source link for loads more info.

Music Unlimited app arrives on PlayStation Vita, Android version gets offline play Posted: 08 Mar 2012 01:07 PM PST Listening to music isn't the best reason to take the plunge with the PS Vita. However, a new feature's a new feature, and Sony's very happy to tell you that its own subscription-based Music Unlimited service has arrived on UK devices, courtesy of its own dedicated app. Now you've had your fill of the games, Twitter and Facebook apps, it must be time to integrate with Sony's verticals and hand over more cash. The Android app has also been updated to include offline playback to songs added to your playlists -- like another certain streaming music service. You can grab the latest version at the source below.

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