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Friday, March 16, 2012

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'This American Life' issues retraction episode over FoxConn report

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 10:59 AM PDT

This American Life is airing a new episode today titled "Retraction." The title and show are a direct response to January 6th edition of the popular public radio program titled "Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory," an adaptation of a one-man show that helped put Cupertino's involvement with Foxconn back in the public spotlight. "Regrettably," the show writes in the description of this week's episode, "we have discovered that one of our most popular episodes was partially fabricated." The hour-long show has been dedicated to clearing up some of the misconceptions, including an interview with Mike Daisey to discover "why he misled This American Life during the fact-checking process." For his part, Daisey responded on his personal blog, explaining, "What I do is not journalism." Daisey adds,

My show is a theatrical piece whose goal is to create a human connection between our gorgeous devices and the brutal circumstances from which they emerge. It uses a combination of fact, memoir, and dramatic license to tell its story, and I believe it does so with integrity.

An MP3 download of the episode will be made available on Sunday.

Samsung shareholders approve spin-off of LCD business

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 10:46 AM PDT

It's been less than a month since Samsung confirmed that it would be spinning-off its LCD business into a separate company, and it looks like things are proceeding along speedily. The company's shareholders have now approved the spin-off, paving the way for the tentatively-titled Samsung Display Co. to come into existence on April 1st. Samsung Electronics will have a 100 percent stake in that company, and the current executive vice president of its LCD business, Park Dong-gun, will take on the position of president in the new firm. All of that, Samsung says, is being done in an effort to make the company more nimble and able to respond to its clients' needs more quickly.

Samsung Rugby Smart review

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 10:00 AM PDT

Not every smartphone stakes its claim on speedy processors, huge gorgeous screens or slim and sexy physiques. Some take a relatively modest set of specs and add a little wrinkle to make them stand out from the crowd. The Samsung Rugby Smart is one such device. Though it adds Android to what we'll now refer to as the Rugby Dumb, we can already tell you this handset isn't for the spec snobs among you. But, if you're more concerned with durability and tank-like construction, you might want to stick around a while. This AT&T-branded phone is built to mil-spec 810F standards, meaning it's shockproof, dustproof and can be immersed in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes. If these are qualities you desire in a phone, meet us past the break to see how it stacks up against its competition.
Samsung Rugby Smart review

Hardware


The Samsung Rugby Smart is easily the sleekest of the supposedly military-grade smartphones we've laid hands on... at least since the Motorola Defy. That's not saying much, though. The field isn't particularly crowded, and compared to phones like the G'zOne Commando, even a brick would seem like an ergonomic miracle. At 12.19mm thick the Rugby is hardly svelte, but it's almost a full 3mm thinner than the Commando. (To give you some perspective, the Galaxy Nexus is another 3mm skinner still.) The most notable physical difference between the Commando and AT&T's durable new addition is the height. Despite having a slightly larger screen (3.7 inches versus 3.6), the Rugby Smart is actually 6.1mm shorter.

It's quite pedestrian in appearance and there's very little that hints at its abuse-absorbent design. The body is fashioned primarily out of plastic, with rubberized grips on the side and a sheet of tough, scratch-resistant glass up front covering a 480 x 800 Super AMOLED panel (yes, kiddies, that means this is PenTile). Sadly that display and protective cover conspire to keep sunlight visibility to a minimum. The screen simply doesn't get bright enough and the glass is extremely reflective.

Hardware

The Rugby bucks the recent trend towards capacitive keys, and instead sports four physical buttons up front. They're lightly textured and depress with a rather satisfying click, though for all sound produced they have surprisingly little travel. The right edge of the phone is home to the power / lock key and over on the left is the volume rocker. A nifty trick: hold down volume-up to use the blindingly bright LED flash as a torch. In what has become a pretty standard layout, the micro-USB port lives on the bottom, with the headphone jack up top. Both are hidden behind plastic doors designed to keep out dust and dirt. You'll also find the pair of cameras in the usual places -- the primary 5-megapixel shooter 'round back and a 1.3-megapixel cam up front in the top left-hand corner.

Despite being largely plastic, the phone feels solid in the hand, if not exactly "premium." The rubberized grips lend some gravitas to its design and, at 4.4 ounces, it weighs slightly less than the glass-and-metal iPhone 4S. The rounded backplate and its raised diamond pattern don't feel quite as tactile as soft touch plastic, but the phone should rest comfortably in your hand nonetheless. The most distinguishing physical feature is the lock on the rear, which holds the battery cover in place. It doesn't seal the door any tighter to keep out water, but it does prevent it from flying off when dropped -- say, 10 feet onto a rock-strewn driveway (guilty).

Performance

Performance

Underneath that impeccably sealed hood is a rather paltry 512MB of RAM and a 1.4GHz, single-core Snapdragon S2. For casual use these components are passable, if noticeably slower than what you'll find in competing devices. While the performance isn't unbearable, per se, there does seem to be a bit of lag to almost every action -- enough to infuriate the more impatient among us. In benchmarks the phone consistently brings up the rear. Sure, its relatively high clock speed helps it keep pace in the single-thread Linpack (it even edges out the decidedly higher-end Droid RAZR), but its 4,319.45ms finish in SunSpider is one of the worse runs we've seen in recent memory, as was its 41.5fps average in the graphics test NenaMark.

Benchmark
Rugby Smart
Huawei Honor
Pantech Burst
AT&T Galaxy Note
Quadrant v2 1,386 N/A 3,189 2,667
NenaMark 1 (fps) 41.48 52.2 56 54.9
NenaMark 2 (fps) 22.8 30.3 53 36.3
Neocore 59.4 59.9 56.2 55.6
Linpack single-thread (MFLOPS) 50.09 52.83 50.1 42.98
SunSpider 0.9.1 (ms, lower scores are better) 4,319.45 2,428 2,692 3,059
Vellamo 758 N/A 1,151 554

When compared to the rest of the rugged smartphone field, however, those numbers are pretty darn good. The Commando, its primary competitor at this point in time, settles for a measly 800MHz single-core CPU. Perhaps an even bigger plus here is the inclusion of 4G (or faux-G, as it were). While the other military-grade Android phones we've seen have been stuck with aging EVDO radios, the Rugby Smart packs an HSPA+ antenna that pulled down an average of 7.1Mbps -- about five times what you can realistically expect from the Commando or Motorola Admiral, a rugged phone sold through Sprint. The Rugby Smart's upload speeds were equally impressive, hovering around 6.2Mbps near our New York City hideout.

The 1,650mAh battery was more than enough to get through a day of normal usage, and perhaps a bit more. Under the pressure of our constant manhandling early in the review process we had to pause and charge midday, but that would probably make us the exception rather than the rule. On our standard battery drain test it stunned by blowing past the 11-hour mark which, if we hadn't witnessed it ourselves and double checked the settings, we would never believe. It finally petered out after 11 hours and 38 minutes of looping a movie.

Software

Software

We're sure the laggy performance of the sub-par hardware isn't helped any by the TouchWiz'd Gingerbread that limps along on the tiny screen. And, let's not kid ourselves, 3.7 inches is small by today's standards, and you'll realize it as you try to peck out messages with the cramped on-screen keyboard. Now, the fourth iteration of Sammy's Android skin is definitely a vast improvement over its predecessors and one of the less offensive customizations on the market, but that doesn't mean you've got to like it. Manufacturer-designed interfaces continue to be a contentious issue, especially around the Engadget compound. That being said, we'd rather deal with TouchWiz than Blur on the Admiral or whatever it is that Casio did to Android with the Commando.

Less contentious is bloatware -- and there's plenty of it here. Present and accounted for: AT&T Code Scanner, FamilyMap, Navigator, Live TV, myAT&T, Qik, QuickOffice, YellowPages, AllShare and, of course, Sammy's various "hubs." Some of the included software is uninstallable and, though there's thankfully no Let's Golf in sight, we'd still prefer to be able to remove any app we want.

The lone bright spot, as far as we're concerned, is Kies air which turns your cellphone into tiny server that you can connect to wirelessly and manage your mobile from the comfort of your desktop browser. It didn't always work as smoothly as we would have hoped, occasionally refusing to download files from the phone, but it's still a good deal slicker than plugging into a PC and opening your file manager. You can even connect a pair of Samsung handsets and share content between them with the app.

Camera


The 5-megapixel camera certainly isn't a revelation, but it's a capable enough performer. In fact, images and video aren't materially different from those we captured with the Galaxy Nexus. Now, we weren't exactly blown away by that device's shooter either, but that's because it's a flagship handset and our expectations were loftier. The Rugby, on the other hand, is a middle-of-the-road device. Pics taken under particularly bright sunlight look a tad hazy and darker images show significant noise, but at least the color reproduction and white balance are decent. Given ideal lighting, it even manages to capture some rather impressive macro shots.
Samsung Rugby Smart sample shots

Video quality, on the other hand, is a bit disappointing. That single-core processor means you're topping out at just 720p, and noise reduction is basically nonexistent. Again, the color here is clear and balanced, but there is a noticeable amount of artifacting and wobble visible in frames -- even when you're panning slowly. We've seen plenty of phones where the video can stand next to your average pocket camcorder and hold its own, but this just isn't one of them. It's fine for the occasional quick clip, but the movies produced are definitely more YouTube- than Vimeo-quality, if you catch our drift.

Ruggedness

Ruggedness

The Rugby's durabilty is something of a mixed bag. The fortified glass was as scratch resistant as they come, but were concerned about its ability to absorb a strong impact without shattering. We haven't hit it with a hammer to find out just how easily it will break into a million pieces... yet. Still, we dropped the phone -- repeatedly -- on hardwood floors and rock-covered drive ways and the phone came away with little more than a few scuffs. Even when we took it up to 10 feet. We have no sandstorms in New York City, so testing its dust-proofing was a bit hard, but we were able to submerge it in water. Now, we didn't put it three feet under for half an hour, but it's probably better that way. While it survived a glass of water for 20 minutes and a running sink for about five, there were some issues after the dunkings -- something the Commando shook off with ease. In the immediate aftermath of a thorough soaking the menu button stopped responding and the touchscreen became much more finicky. It (mostly) recovered after we left it out to dry, but the menu key still occasionally gives us fits. Granted, such abuse would have killed a lesser device -- we've seen even a brief dampening destroy an iPhone -- but we did expect a bit more from Sammy's tough handset.

Wrap-up

Wrap-up

Well, this is a pretty easy decision to make, really. Are you on AT&T? Do you cherish the ability to give your phone a beating over laying claim to top-shelf specs? Then pretty much your only option is the Rugby Smart. Even if you're free to pick whichever carrier you please, this is still probably the way to go if you're in the market for a ruggedized smartphone. Though the Commando does seem to stand up to abuse a bit better, its significantly chunkier design, even paltrier specs and egregiously customized take on Android make the Rugby Smart the clear champion. And, unless you absolutely need a QWERTY keyboard, we can't find a compelling reason to recommend the Admiral over this. That's not to say there aren't drawbacks, obviously. The performance is hardly brisk, and the modest screen might pose a challenge to the the large callused hands for which this was clearly intended. Still, if you're looking for a smartphone you'll feel comfortable taking out in a hurricane, this is it.

Google to end support for cookie-free log-ins on mobile devices

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:57 AM PDT

Chances are this won't affect you but, just in case, we figured we'd give you a little heads up -- Google will soon end app support for mobile browsers that don't support cookies. This primarily means that older phones, most of them in Japan as the web giant points out, will no longer be able to log in to Google services. Some, like search and Maps, which don't require you to log in, will still be available through the aging browsers, but things like Calendar will not. The change will go into effect on May 1st, so, if you're still using a six-year-old flip phone to check your Gmail -- it might be time for an upgrade.

[Thanks, Num0]
[Original cookie photo via Shutterstock.]

Nokia applies for skin-friendly haptic material patent, hints at notification system

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:23 AM PDT

If US patent application 20120062371 is to be correctly understood, Nokia has at least thought about a topical haptic notification system. The first claim covers "An apparatus comprising: a material attachable to skin, the material capable of detecting a magnetic field and transferring a perceivable stimulus to the skin, wherein the perceivable stimulus relates to the magnetic field." It then goes on to clarify its relation to telecommunications messages and communications indications. Based on ferromagnetic powder, the material would respond to magnetic fields and vibrate in response. Our guess is that this could be used as a notifier that could be "painted" onto the skin, and although there is mention of the word tattoo, we're hoping that's just part of the required legalese. But alas, until it's granted, it's just a subject of our curious imaginations. Those curious, can read more at the source.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung NX20 WiFi gets unofficial reveal

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:17 AM PDT

Dutch site Focus Media got its hand on Samsung's new mirrorless camera. While it's labeled up as pre-production model, that didn't stop it getting the once-over. A larger frame than the existing NX11 apparently makes space for a new 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor now capable of 1080p video. Other specification bump-ups include a new max ISO of 12800, a minimum shutter speed now reaching 1/6000 of a second and WiFi connectivity to boot. Pricing and release information remain non-existent, but once it gets acknowledgment from Samsung's higher powers, we'll get you the full technical rundown. Until then, a full gallery is waiting at the source.

The Engadget Show is live tonight with Douglas Rushkoff, Sony, iRobot, MWC and air combat!

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 09:00 AM PDT

We hope you're having a nice March. Ours has been pretty swell so far. We've been hanging out in Barcelona, flying over the skies of Nevada, playing around with robots in New England, interviewing Sony bigwigs and four-wheelin' through desert sandstorms. Thankfully, all it hasn't been in vain -- we've got a heck of an Engadget Show for all of our hard work. Media theorist Douglas Rushkoff will be joining us live in the studio, and even if you didn't manage to get one of those tickets in time, you can join us live as well. We'll be getting this party started at 6PM ET tonight, so point your browsers to this here URL. You won't want to miss it.


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Wanna take a trip into space and back on a solid rocket booster? (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:47 AM PDT

Ever reminisce about NASA's space shuttle launches by watching them on its Ascent iOS movie app? The footage was shot by cameras attached to the solid rocket boosters that pushed the craft heavenward and provides one of the best ways of experiencing what all that rocket thrust feels like. We're stilling getting over the intestine-tugging video and in awe of those who strapped themselves in for the trip, but soon there could be a high-def version to make those charred thermal tiles even more intimidating. Plans are afoot to put all of these clips out on a Blu-Ray, but only if NASA can find a partner willing to distribute it.

Apple's second slide-to-unlock case against Samsung stayed in Germany

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:21 AM PDT

Nothing like a little drama in the ongoing never-ending saga between Samsung and Apple to spice up your Friday morning, eh? As legions of consumers are cashing in a vacation day in order to pick up one of Apple's newest iPads, a court in Mannheim, Germany has stayed Apple's second slide-to-unlock case. According to FOSS Patents, the decision was made for the "duration of a parallel proceeding before the German Patent and Trademark Office that could lead to the revocation, in whole or in part, of Apple's slide-to-unlock utility model." Purportedly, the judge said that the court was not convinced of the "validity of that intellectual property right in all respects, with particular concern about the broadest group of claims." Lawyers who'd love to do nothing more than read about things related to their profession can tap that source link; everyone else can resume their best efforts of trying to be Woz when they grow up.

Engadget Giveaway: win one of two ASUS Transformer Primes, courtesy of NVIDIA!

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 08:01 AM PDT

Boom. Just like that, another giveaway materializes out of the ether, and it's a doozy. There's a particular tablet getting a whole bunch of attention today, and NVIDIA has a sinister idea to distract you from the newest slate on the block: offer up a couple Tegra 3-powered ASUS Transformer Primes, complete with keyboard docks! No matter what kind of fanboy or girl you are, everybody wins today in one way or another, and it's hard not to be interested in anything that uses a quad-core CPU (with a 5th battery saver core thrown in for good measure) with a bunch of games to take advantage of the experience. So as usual, make sure you read the rules and leave a comment to enter the contest.

The rules:
  • 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 the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  • Winners will be chosen randomly. Two winners will win an ASUS Transformer Prime with keyboard dock.
  • 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. ASUS, NVIDIA 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 17, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

Google's Flight Search engine adds 500 international destinations, more on the way

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 07:47 AM PDT

Google's Flight Search -- which was conjured up after its acquisition of ITA -- has been giving Kayak and Bing Travel a run for their respective dollars here in the States, but an airline search engine is only as good as its reach. This week, the company announced that over 500 airports outside of the US are now being included in the results (but, sadly, only if you start in the US), and while no specific promises were given, Google says that it's "working hard on expanding [its] global coverage and adding more routes in the future." Oh, and for those looking to disconnect in Samoa, APW totally made the cut here. Happy trails!

[Thanks, sciwiz]

Engadget Podcast 285 - 03.15.2012

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 07:16 AM PDT

Now that the new iPad is out, we don't have anything to talk about because it changed our world in so many ways that we're not even sure what we're doing with out lives when we're not staring at an 8.5 by 11-inch slab covered in zillions of lilliputian pixels. JK! Not much is that different, which means another 80 minutes of totally tubular tech talk from your favorites. And a healthy dose of beluga/Mariachi duets.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater, Dana Wollman
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Orbital - Never

00:01:50 - Bringing wireless to the disconnected: internet tales from the South Pacific
00:12:30 - HP Envy 14 Spectre review
00:22:28 - Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft: three very different takes on portable gaming at GDC 2012
00:40:55 - Samsung Galaxy Player 70 Dual Core hands-on (video)
00:44:00 - Samsung considering Android-based digital camera
00:48:07 - The Engadget Show returns Friday, March 16th with Douglas Rushkoff, Sony, iRobot, MWC and air combat
00:52:30 - iRobot Scooba 390 hands-on






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Insert Coin: JuiceTank is a two-pronged iPhone case

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 07:04 AM PDT

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
Granted, claims by the JuiceTank's creators that their product is "the first ever iPhone charger and case in one" may be a bit overblown, but its design is certainly novel enough to make us give it a second look. The product looks like a pretty standard hard-shelled iPhone 4 / 4S case from the front -- flip it over though, and you'll see two charging prongs embedded in the back. Click the button just below and they'll pop up, allowing you to plug the handset directly into the wall -- no cords or separate chargers needed. Of course, this initial version is made specifically for North American-type outlets, so if you live outside the region or travel a lot, the novelty might be lost on you. If you're covered, however, you can pick up a limited edition green version by being one of the first 400 people to pledge $40 or more. Check out a video explanation / plea after the break.


Previous project update: Still time to get in on some of that robot fighting action -- 21 days to be exact. Currently the Mech Warfare Robot Arena is at $2,441 pledged out of a goal of $6,000.

Sprint to LightSquared: it's over

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:56 AM PDT

The writing's been on the wall for a few weeks and now Sprint's officially severing its partnership with LightSquared. Philip Falcone's project had a contractual deadline of March 15th to gain regulatory approval for its LTE service on the 1.6GHz spectrum, which was shot down by the FCC in February. A day later, Big Yellow exercised its right to pull the plug, paying back $65 million in prepayments and continuing to build out a LTE network on its own. Nextel's better half didn't slam the door shut entirely, however. If, by some miracle (and it would be a big one), the company can change Julius Genachowski's mind, it'd certainly consider teaming up again, so no hard feelings, eh?

For its part, LightSquared has issued a formal response, saying that the contract termination is in "the best interests of both parties" and "not unexpected given the regulatory delays." On the upside, the company has had its coffers swelled by a not inconsiderable $65 million, which is the first good news it's had for a while.
Show full PR text
Sprint Elects to Terminate Spectrum Hosting Agreement with LightSquared

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 16, 2012 - Sprint (NYSE: S) today issued the following statement regarding the spectrum hosting agreement it signed with LightSquared in June 2011. Per the agreement, Sprint agreed to deploy and operate an LTE network capable of utilizing the 1.6 GHz spectrum licensed to or available to LightSquared. The agreement contained contingencies related to possible interference issues with LightSquared's spectrum, including Sprint's right to terminate the agreement if certain conditions were not met by LightSquared.

"Sprint has been and continues to be supportive of LightSquared's business plans and appreciates the company's efforts to find a resolution to the interference issues impacting its ability to offer service on the 1.6 GHz spectrum. However, due to these unresolved issues, and subject to the provisions of the agreement, Sprint has elected to exercise its right to terminate the agreement announced last summer. We remain open to considering future spectrum hosting agreements with LightSquared, should they resolve these interference issues, as well as other interested spectrum holders.

"Late last year, both companies agreed to halt deployment design and implementation of LightSquared's network to ensure that Sprint's Network Vision project remained on schedule. While unfortunate, termination of the agreement will have no impact on Sprint's current customers and is not material to Sprint's ongoing business operations. Network Vision remains on schedule and on budget, and we look forward to begin launching our 4G LTE network mid-year.

"Per the terms of the agreement, Sprint has returned $65 million in prepayments LightSquared made to cover costs that were not ultimately incurred by Sprint."

---

LightSquared Says Sprint's Contract Termination is in the Best Business Interests of Both Companies

RESTON, Va., March 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LightSquared, a wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE wireless broadband and satellite network, today said that the decision by Sprint Corp. to end its contractual relationship with LightSquared is in the best business interests of both companies, and was not unexpected given the regulatory delays that have impacted LightSquared.

"These regulatory delays are unfortunate because they will deprive the American people of the benefits of additional competition in the wireless industry," said Doug Smith, chief network officer and interim co-chief operating officer of LightSquared.

"For LightSquared, Sprint's decision will enhance our working capital and provide more flexibility," he said.


LightSquared's objective, through its wholesale business model, is to provide increased competition and lower prices in the telecommunications industry, and to bring broadband cellular phone service to rural areas currently underserved. LightSquared remains committed to moving forward with its nationwide network build out.


As LightSquared moves forward, it will also continue to focus on providing mobile satellite voice and data communications to private industry, public safety organizations and emergency responders across the United States and throughout North America.

"Sprint has been a valued partner to LightSquared and we look forward to working together in the future," said Mr. Smith.

Kainy remote desktop app brings PC games to Android (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:36 AM PDT

Watching Skyrim run smooth and sweet on a Tegra 3 slate did a lot to re-kindle our excitement for remote gaming on mobile devices. Hoping to cash in on that buzz, a $5 app called "Kainy" has appeared on Google Play that promises to bring PC games to Android handsets at up to 60fps with customizable control interfaces, 100 preset templates and accelerometer control. The demo video after the break is full of fast cuts that make it hard to judge performance, and user reviews suggest Kainy may prioritize lag-reduction over resolution with some ugly results, but then these are still early days. One thing is for sure: picking an Android device for its processor grunt will make a lot of sense in 2012.

[Thanks, Drew]

Canon EOS 5D Mark III reportedly goes on sale March 25th, manual already online

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:32 AM PDT

We already knew Canon's pro-caliber EOS 5D Mark III would hit shelves by the end of March, and now it looks like you can circle a very special date in your calendar. A tipster sent in that shot of Best Buy's database, which confirms the retailer will start selling the camera on March 25th, a week from Sunday. Already have your $3,500 saved up and ready to go? You can spend the next week poring over the 404-page user manual, which you'll find in PDF form at the source link below.

Distro Issue 32: HP's glass-clad Envy 14 Spectre and the state of portable gaming

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:15 AM PDT

With the Ultrabook onslaught in full effect, manufacturers are doing their best to make their Air opponents stand out from the crowd. For its part, HP has outfitted its ultra offering, the Envy 14 Spectre, with a touch of glass and NFC baked-in. In this issue of Distro we'll find out if those two additions are enough to make it worth the $1,400 starting price. Also in this issue, Sean Buckley reports from GDC 2012 with a look at the portable gaming industry's "big three." In addition, we put HTC's Sense UI 3.6 and Sony's Xperia S to the test, Tango's Eric Setton takes on the Q&A and Box Brown draws a Last Word with the drinksman in mind. So grab yourself a beverage and get to downloading.

Distro Issue 32 PDF
Distro on the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Android Market
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
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This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Neo Geo X goes official, celebrates Grandpa's 20th anniversary

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 06:01 AM PDT

We've already seen the device in the real world, but now it's confirmed -- this portable Neo Geo is legit and heading to both the US and Europe. Blaze is crafting the retro gaming handheld with SNK's blessing and 20 baked-in titles confirmed, including Metal Slug, King of Fighters '94 and -- yes -- King of the Monsters. It'll tie into the Neo Geo's 20th birthday and the manufacturer promises that the new device will deliver the same arcade thrills "in a more affordable manner," although there's still no pricing specifics. Check the press release below for the full game selection and expect a release some time in Q2.
Show full PR text

NEOGEO Handheld Games Console Officially Announced

Tommo Inc and BLAZE set to release Limited Edition NEOGEO Handheld for Worldwide sale Q2 2O12

Los Angeles

The "NEOGEO X" will be released in Q2 2012 following the 20th anniversary of the ground breaking NEOGEO AES console. This Limited Edition handheld console will feature 20 officially licensed NEOGEO games including retro classics such METALSLUG, THE KING OF FIGHTERS and FATAL FURY.

Along with these 20 built in NEOGEO classic titles, the NEOGEO X will also feature, SD card expansion, a 3.5" LCD screen, A/V output, internal stereo speakers and a headphone socket.

The full game list is as follows:

1. ART OF FIGHTING
2. BASEBALL STARS
3. CYBER LIP
4. FATAL FURY
5. FATAL FURY SPECIAL
6. FOOTBALL FRENZY
7. KING OF THE MONSTERS
8. LAST RESORT
9. LEAGUE BOWLING
10. MAGICIAN LORD
11. METAL SLUG
12. MUTATION NATION
13. NAM 1975
14. SAMURAI SHODOWN
15. SENGOKU
16. SUPER SIDEKICKS
17. THE KING OF FIGHTERS'94
18. THE ULTIMATE 11
19. TOP PLAYERS GOLF
20. WORLD HEROES


Jonathan Wan of Tommo commented
"I am very proud to be working with SNK PLAYMORE, as NEOGEO is a strong brand with an excellent gaming pedigree"

Jason Cooper of BLAZE commented
"The NEOGEO console has always been a personal favorite of mine and I am delighted to be involved with the development of this new handheld console. We hope to re-ignite the excitement many of us felt twenty one years ago, in a more affordable manner, to a much wider audience."


The Limited Edition NEOGEO X will be distributed by Tommo Inc in the United States and retro gaming specialists BLAZE throughout Europe, Middle East and Australia. A distributor for Japan and the Far East will be confirmed shortly.

Ghost Pedal: the virtual wah pedal that Rock Band wishes it had (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:44 AM PDT

Jimi would be proud. Eight Purdue University students have concocted what's being dubbed a Ghost Pedal; for all intents and purposes, it's a sensor-based processor that's worn around the ankle of the player, and it enables wah-like effects to be commanded from anywhere on stage. Specifically: "The variable resistor sensor records what the user is doing with their ankle, and a sustain sensor either accepts the transmission feed or ignores / sustains it." We're also told that once it's turned on, the user enters a 10-second mode during which the variable resistor calibrates the ability to flex the foot from the floor in a normal pedal motion; after calibration mode, the guitarist enters freeplay mode. As of now, it's available for licensing, and there's a video just past the break to help you make up your mind.

Hands-on with TheAppBuilder at SXSW (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 05:23 AM PDT

What if within minutes, anyone could visit a website to build a native iOS, Android and Windows Phone app, then install and run it on any phone? That's exactly what TheAppBuilder -- which launched at Mobile World Congress -- promises. It features a simple HTML5-based user interface that lets you create an app by choosing and populating some widgets -- like RSS feed, webpage, Twitter, Facebook, news and photo gallery (to name a few). Once finished, you'll receive an email with links to download and install a native iOS, Android and Windows Phone version of your app for free. From there you're able to customize and submit your app to the App Store, Play Store, and Marketplace for $29 per month. We caught up with TheAppBuilder's Matthew David at SXSW and put the product's claim to the test by making and deploying our very own Engadget app -- all in record time. Browse the gallery below for some screen shots and hit the break to see the magic unfold in our hands-on video.
TheAppBuilder at SXSW 2012

All-electric VW Golf Blue-e-emotion still on track for 2013 release, in white

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 04:56 AM PDT

It's about time Volkswagen made an EV that fits more than one blogger and his smartphone. There's not much longer to wait, though: "Late 2013" is the latest word on the arrival of the Golf Blue-e-motion, which will hopefully be a happier ride than the name suggests. A 2014 date had been mooted a few weeks back over at Autoblog Green, but the 100-mile range vehicle is now being tested in California and the estimated release in North America and Europe has duly been brought forward. Til then, we'll just have to make do with gawping at Beetles in drag.

Where's Steve Wozniak? He's doing his regular waiting-in-line thing

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 04:39 AM PDT

Sure it's marketing, but it's also a nice little ritual. Speaking to an interviewer from What's Trending, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak acknowledged he doesn't have to wait in line for his new iPad, but said he'd "rather be genuine, like the real people". They're the ones you can see pretending to sleep / read in the background.

Visualized: giant 'metal moles' ready to chew through London's underground

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 03:49 AM PDT

The city of London will soon have a new underground train to climb aboard, dubbed the Crossrail. But, before anyone can ride the line, tunnels will have to be dug. That means its time to break out the TBM beasts. Over 490 feet long and topping 1,000 metric tons, these giant metal moles will slowly carve new tunnels under the city at about 330 feet per week. At that rate the Crossrail won't open until 2018 but, until then, we can all sleep soundly knowing that machines -- more than thrice as tall as a man -- are slowly eating away at the largest city in the British Isles from underneath. For more images of London's mayor, Boris Johnson, standing next to the German-made monstrosities, dressed in his daddy's suit hit up the source link.

Sky Sports for iPad 2.0 launches with live TV streaming, F1 Race Control companion

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 03:08 AM PDT

Another day, another app release from the folks at Sky, who have this time around delivered v2.0 of Sky Sports for iPad (formerly Sky Sports News). Coming just in time for the F1 2012 season, this iteration includes not only live streaming of the four Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports F1 HD, but it also has a new F1 Race Control companion feature built-in. During a race, it lets viewers choose from eight different camera feeds with in-car and pit lane views, in-race highlights, live race data like lap times and integrated social media feeds -- while these are just for racing now, according to Sky's blog post, we may see similar ones for other sports soon. Access to the app is included with various Sky TV packages, while those in the UK and Ireland without a TV plan can get access to the app and Sky Sports News channel streaming for £4.99 per month, billed through iTunes. Check it out there for a few more screenshots or to download and get ready for the Australian GP.

Microsoft PSA: Internet Explorer 9 can do more than download other browsers (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 02:26 AM PDT

See that up there? It's called inertia, and it's what the crew at Microsoft is trying to overcome. For the past 17 years, Internet Explorer has been little more than meme fodder and a litmus test of whether you knew how to navigate the web -- and let's be honest, the addition of the 'Go' button in IE5.5 only reinforced the stigma. Sure, Internet Explorer 9 was a huge leap in the right direction, but it's done little to restore the product's lousy reputation or stem its dwindling user base. Fortunately, Microsoft knows how to poke fun at itself, and the company's latest ad campaign fundamentally screams: our product's no longer awful, so please use it for something other than downloading another browser. Yeah, it smacks of desperation, but now that Mammon's awoke and realized, "Lo! It was naught but a follower," we can appreciate its sense of humor. Follow the break for a good laugh, and just for the hell of it, use IE while you're at it.

Aakash 2 to land in April, set budget tablet lovers back a measly $40

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 01:33 AM PDT

The device that started as a $10 laptop, graduated to a $35 tablet and settled on a $60 reality is about to get its first successor: the Aakash 2. Like its predecessor, the new Aakash is twist on a DataWind Ubislate, namely the Ubislate 7+. According to TechSnapr, $40 (or 2,000 Rupees) buys a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, a 3200 mAh battery and a 700MHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor -- nearly doubling the oomph of the original. Datawind, however, pegs the Ubislate 7+ at familiar 2,999 Rupees (about $60), noting that the unbranded hardware runs Android 2.3 and features WiFi and GPRS connectivity. Students in India should be able to pick up the budget-friendly slab sometime in April.

[Thanks, Pravesh]

Arduino-powered Artbot writes the time, erases it, writes again (video)

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 12:27 AM PDT

Watching the seconds go by is a frightening reminder that time pauses for no one, but somehow, a hacker going by the name of Ekaggrat has figured out how to make the process a bit less daunting. The so-called Doodle Clock is an Arduino-powered robotic arm that's been trained to jot down the time with a dry erase marker; once the minute passes, he erases the last digit and rewrites it -- a number beyond what he just erased, of course. Per usual, these things are better seen than read about, so why not hop on past the break and mash play? Smiles await.

Google Earth for Android and iOS reaches version 6.2, supports custom KML overlays and more

Posted: 16 Mar 2012 12:08 AM PDT

Good news for fans of the iOS and Android ports of Google Earth: the apps are getting updated to version 6.2, which brings more customizable experience with it. Just like the browser and desktop variants, Keyhole Markup Language files are now accessible, meaning you'll be able to open up information overlays you find on websites, or from the app itself now that Google Earth Gallery's been added. Better yet, Android users will be pleased to know that their even gets baked-in screenshot functionality, while both versions feature "improvements in navigation." Although the iOS version will get released sometime soon, those of you running Google's goods can download the update from Google Play right now to get exploring. As per usual, make your way over to the source link below for all the details.

ZTE blasts past the speed barrier with field test of 1.7Tbps data transmission

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 11:15 PM PDT

That bank-breaking 150/35Mbps FiOS connection you're so proud to call your own? Yeah, it looks like dial-up next to the searing terabit speeds recently achieved by ZTE's optical network. The Chinese telco, mostly known stateside for its mobile handsets, has successfully completed an experiment designed to highlight the possibility of migrating "from a 100G transmission system to a 200G system." In layman's terms, that's a data punch of 200Gbps-plus sent over eight channels, which in this case, totals about 1.7Tbps. Impressed? You should be, but don't cast your home connection the side-eye just yet. Like Deutsche Telekom's comparatively lesser feat, you'll likely amass a few wrinkles and lbs before this tech becomes consumer-ready. Check out the official PR after the break.
Show full PR text
Experiment proves seamless upgrade to 200G possible


15 March 2012, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation ("ZTE") (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, announced it has conducted an industry first field demonstration of a 8x216.4Gb/s WDM transmission through a 50GHz optical spectrum grid.

The demonstration utilized patented ZTE high-frequency technology to accomplish a 200Gb/s polarization multiplexing QPSK signal transmission at 50GHz through 1,750km of standard single model fiber optic cable. This resulted in a 25 per cent increase in spectrum efficiency and an increase in transmission efficiency. The experiment proves a seamless upgrade from a 100G transmission system to a 200G system is possible. A record of the demonstration was presented at the OFC/NFOEC 2012 conference.

ZTE is committed to 100G and beyond-100G research. The company was the first in the world to successfully complete a single-channel 11.2Tbit/s optical signal transmission experiment.

ZTE is also an industry leader in next-generation bearer network solutions and high-speed optical communications transmission technology. As such, it was the first company to release whole-course 100G solutions in 2010. The company has completed several trial network projects in the 100G and beyond-100G fields with the mainstream operators from China, Germany, Russia and the United States.

TED expands its reach with streaming talks on Netflix

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 10:11 PM PDT

You can already watch TED talks on any number of devices via the web or the various apps available, but the oft-debated conference / organization has now added another fairly big feather to its cap: it's streaming on Netflix. That includes around 200 talks to start with, which have been grouped into 14 different "shows" with titles like Space Trek, Cyber Awe, Building Wonder and Video & Photo Mojo. Those are naturally all available in HD, and they can be seen in Canada, Latin America, the UK and Ireland in addition to the US.

New Roku HD shows up at the FCC, looks like a fusion of current boxes

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 08:56 PM PDT

If a recent FCC pit stop is to be believed (and it should), Roku's next-gen HD box may very well be on its way. Physically, the miniature device keeps the same form factor as its siblings save for the purple splash on its base -- much like a color-flipped LT. Still, the main highlight isn't its minimal makeover, but instead the resurgence of full-sized composite outputs, which had been absent since the first HD-flavored Roku. Furthermore, FCC docs reveal a Broadcom BCM7208 CPU alongside 2GB of flash memory in the box's innards, while it lacks the microSD slot found in the current model. More info is sure to spill over the next few days; in the meantime, give the source link below a click to check out the rest of the Federal treatment.

Confirmed: ICS coming to the Nexus S in the next few weeks

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 08:29 PM PDT

Own a Nexus S or Nexus S 4G? Wondering when you'll finally get to enjoy a tasty bite of Ice Cream Sandwich? One of our trusted sources has confirmed that Google is not abandoning you, and that an official Android 4.0 update for last year's Nexus is expected to drop in the next few weeks -- for reals this time. We'll keep you posted as we find out more, but for now there's always the DIY route if you're rocking the AWS model.

Sonos shows off upcoming Controller apps for Windows and Mac

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 07:27 PM PDT

You unfortunately can't download them yet, but Sonos has now detailed just what folks can expect from its newly redesigned Sonos Controller apps for Mac and Windows. In addition to a completely revamped look, they'll offer an improved search box that promises to make it easier to find music across various services, as well as expanded drag-and-drop functionality, more accessible sleep timer and alarm settings, and an all new mini player -- not to mention a "one-touch Party Mode," which lets you adjust the volume in grouped rooms simultaneously. Head on past the break for a quick video, and look for the updates themselves to be available sometime next week.

Lumia 610 to ship with internet sharing enabled, smartphone first-timers to be none the wiser

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 06:38 PM PDT

Wireless tethering, free of any carrier-imposed data shackles, is something of a reward for the well-informed smartphone buyer. Save for a sprinkling of Android handsets that natively include the feature -- specifically, Google's Nexus line -- only Windows Phone Mango offers users that same option, should the operator and OEM choose to enable it. So, it wasn't much of a surprise when Nokia unleashed its Lumia 800 and 710 to the market without internet sharing switched on. Their lil' bro the 610, on the other hand, stands poised to be the first to offer that WiFi hotspot access right out of the box. From an operator standpoint, the move make sense -- power users are less likely to claim the low-specced, wee handset as their own and, thus, sidestep potential network congestion. Will this knowledge force your credit card-wielding hand at the virtual register? Probably not, since most of our geek eyes are set firmly on that 900. Still, it's a good show of faith from 'ol Espoo.

Sparrow for iPhone released: just a POP and Push away from email perfection

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 05:52 PM PDT

Sparrow's made a name for itself over on the Mac desktop side, and now it's doing its darnedest to do the same on iOS. The email-client-that-could has launched its long-awaited iPhone edition into the App Store today, with $2.99 netting you a highly polished program that integrates a "pane navigation" concept, a unique threading system and full IMAP support. In other words, Gmail, Google Apps, iCloud, Yahoo, AOL and custom email addresses are fine to use here, but there's no support for POP or Push notifications just yet. The latter is apt to put off the power users, but more casual readers may appreciate the unified inbox, direct-attachment feature and plenty of other details that provide for an overall delightful experience. It's available now in the source link (or the App Store, if you're up for a search), and we're told that localization, landscape mode, a built-in browser and 'Send and Archive' will be coming in future builds.

Psst... hit the More Coverage link to read Sparrow's explanation of why Push is being left out. If you couldn't guess, it's about privacy.

Sprint kicks LightSquared to the curb as it contests FCC ruling

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 05:02 PM PDT

Sometimes when you start heading downhill, it can be hard to stop. Take LightSquared for instance -- not only were its LTE plans repeatedly contested and eventually shot down, but now Sprint, its long time partner, will be cutting ties with the wireless start-up. According to the Wall Street Journal, the move will officially be announced on Friday, leaving LightSquared alone with its dreams. A representative from the start-up says its filing a 150-page defense of its network on the same day, hoping to refute the Feds' claims that its network interferes with GPS signals. The outfit made no comment on Sprint's plans, but mentioned that it has enough funds to operate on its own for several quarters. We'll let you know when Sprint officially drops the ball.

Hulu video player gets a 'big picture' update, now 55 percent larger

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 04:17 PM PDT

Not a fan of giving up screen real estate to make room for a fresh episode of Alcatraz? Hulu's got your back (or in this case those eagle eyes of yours). Via its blog site, the Plus creator announced a minor but "big picture" refresh to its web video player. The update, along with the 55 percent size increase to the browser picture box, also brings a new frame and drop shadow to blend with the novel player. Naturally, all vid info has been moved underneath the content, next to some of your favorite sharing links. Now, if only we could use one of those 65-inch TVs as external monitors...

Swimming robots break wave-powered distance record, don't even stop for high-fives

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 03:47 PM PDT

Remember those autonomous sea-faring robots we saw back in November? Well, it looks like their self-propelling paddles have slowly waded them into the record books. The bots have traveled a distance of 3,200 nautical miles (2,876 land miles), cutting the previous record of 2,500 adrift -- not bad considering there's no fuel involved. The quartet of data-hunting droids initially set off from San Francisco, before completing the first leg of their journey in Hawaii four months later. The quadrumvirate are now set to split, with two heading off to Japan, crossing the Mariana Trench (believed to be the deepest place on earth) while the other pair head south to Australia, with both duos aiming to reach their final destinations later this year.

Sony applies for 'head control' patent to frustrate non-verbal communicators

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 03:19 PM PDT

The company formerly known as Sony Ericsson applied for a patent in 2010 that's yet to be granted, but you never know, one day it might wind up in a handset near you. Having recently introduced the "floating touch" Xperia Sola that doesn't require your hands to make contact with the display, the next logical step is to make the whole thing controlled just with the movement of your head. Wearing a Bluetooth earpiece with a motion sensor, you then map a custom motion onto a phone action, so shaking your head could answer a call, nodding up and down ends it and going from side-to-side will fire up an app. Designed for when it's not safe to jab at your phone (i.e. driving) we think it's a pretty neat idea, unless you're the sort who, even on the phone, nods in agreement to what the other person is... oh, nope, hung up again.

Square gets a few more Chinese clones, Jack Dorsey may or may not be flattered

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 02:53 PM PDT

Never mind what PayPal has just unveiled today -- look at these mobile phone credit card readers from China instead. If you ask Square CEO Jack Dorsey, we're sure he'll have to a thing or two to say about these familiar-looking dongles (and not to mention the various weibo microblogging services that were inspired by Jack's Twitter platform). Coincidentally, all three of these pictures above showed up on Sina Weibo earlier today, albeit from different accounts with very little detail in each post -- we'd like to think they're trying to make a point one after the other. So who's behind these little plastic bricks from the Far East?

Starting from the left (courtesy of Xiaomi Vice President Li Wanqiang) we have Lakala, a well-known Chinese payment service provider whose POS terminals are featured in major supermarkets and convenience stores. We spoke to the company's CEO Sun Taoran who assured us that this is a booming business in China, as credit cards are more popular than you'd expect these days (most large eateries, supermarkets and even karaoke bars in domestic cities will happily accept them); and of course, he'd certainly want a slice of that massive smartphone pie over there. The Beijing-based company also said its dongle will function even without a phone client installed, but it wouldn't further elaborate at this point. Expect to see Lakala's product launch in May.

Obviously, Lakala isn't alone. iBoxPay, the Shenzhen company featured in the middle (though branded by the almighty UnionPay), announced its own dongle back in last summer, though it's not exactly sure if this latest version has all the extra functions (RFID plus barcode scanning) that the company promised -- its bland website still teases the original bulky design. At least the company's weibo account confirmed that it's currently running a closed trial program with the new one.

Lastly we have 99bill who announced a similar product back in September, and it looks like a small group is also trialing this dongle. As we dug deeper, we also came across YeahKa who launched its Square clone last September; while at about the same time four-year-old startup QianDaiPay first demoed a similar card reader, but with NFC support built into it as well (pictured right).

It'll be interesting to see which of these companies will become the big boy in China's mobile payment space. While most of these cheap card readers aren't even yet available on the market, Lakala appears to have the best chance with its existing network and porfolio, though we'd also like to see QianDaiPay beating the odds with its ambitious combination of two mobile payment technologies. Still, in a country like China, we can imagine security remaining the first concern for all potential customers -- not so much the security of the devices itself, but how scammers could cash in with them or even use KIRF readers to skim the credit cards. Whoever can convince Chinese consumers that this is unlikely to happen will score major brownie points.

[QianDaiPay image credit: Hexun]
at 11:27 AM

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