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- CERN scientists explain what would happen if you put your hand in the LHC's beam (video)
- $129 Swivl-it is a cheaper motion-tracking dock for your smartphone, ditches built-in mic
- Rovio intros Angry Birds Facebook Share & Play, helps you get your feathery fix
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 now available for your pre-ordering pleasure
- BBC to launch app companion for Antiques Roadshow, asks you to price up British heritage
- Samsung releases... Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1 source code
- Visualized: Apple and Samsung occupy the 99 percent... of phone profits
- Nintendo patent application tech tracks your DS from above, serves as tour guide
- Jetman soars over Rio, flies circles around historical landmarks (video)
- Series revisits ARM's humble beginnings, BBC Micro and all
- iPad drag-to-edit keyboard prototype shows Apple how easy it could be (video)
- Distro Issue 39 takes a look back at 40 years of Atari and the console's cultural impact
- Google News updated with enhanced Google+ integration, real-time coverage
- New Leaf Credo camera back series for the Mamiya 645DF to ship in June
- HTC exec: we didn't have much time with ICS when making Sense 4, but our skin is still better
- Electronic House hands out its Home of the Year awards, offers yet more excess and inspiration
- Samsung's Mobile Unpacked 2012 event now available to watch online (video)
- Dell to upgrade unshipped Alienware orders to Ivy Bridge CPUs for free
- CyberPower jumps on the GeForce GTX 690 bandwagon, promises to melt your eyes for $1,700
- Nikon confirms woes with D4 and D800, joins Canon in high-end doghouse
- Packard Bell EasyNote LV, TV laptops bring Ivy Bridge to speed-hungry Europeans
- Samsung's SGH-i667 "Mandel" Windows Phone surfaces, still shrouded in mystery
- Buying an iPad 2? Here's the rarer, more efficient specimen you need to (somehow) track down
- MTV on demand launches in the UK, now everyone's got a 'banker' for those cold nights
- Google Play adds shared song playlist to Music, helps you relive your friends' terrible taste in tunes
- Audi, GM, others unite on 20-minute EV charging standard for green drivers in a rush
- Nintendo patent application lends a look at Wii U's core technology, add-ons too
- PlayThru hopes to kill text captchas with game-based authentication
- MasterCard gives PayPass blessings to HTC One X, 16 other NFC phones
- CFC backtracks on Slim's near-billion dollar fine in Mexico, lays out other terms and conditions
- iPhone 4 named latest recipient of untethered iOS 5.1 jailbreak, exploit remains MIA
- Samsung Galaxy S III US sign-up page goes live
- Bowers & Wilkins kicks out P3 headphones, brings upscale sound to the commoners (update)
- Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support
- HTC launches kickstand-tastic One S cases, we go hands-on
- LG announces Optimus LTE2, coming to Korea mid-May with True HD IPS and 2GB RAM
- Patent application highlights Apple's continued flirtation with haptic feedback
- Samsung Galaxy S III wrap-up
- Beam-switching endows electron microscopes with 3D, added gross-out
- Samsung Game Hub, Video Hub hands-on (video)
| CERN scientists explain what would happen if you put your hand in the LHC's beam (video) Posted: 04 May 2012 11:31 AM PDT
Sure, concerns about the Large Hadron Collider creating a world-destroying black hole may have been more or less put to rest, but there's still plenty of pressing questions that remain unanswered. Like, what would happen if you put your hand in the beam? The folks from Sixty Symbols recently asked some physicists that very question and got some rather puzzled responses, so they went straight to CERN itself to get a definitive answer. You can see that in full after the break, but the short version is that it's something like the force of a moving aircraft carrier concentrated down to a laser-like one-millimeter-wide beam (accompanied by a wider beam of particles that would irradiate your entire body). Bad news. As they're quick to point out, though, actually getting anywhere near the beam is virtually impossible.
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| $129 Swivl-it is a cheaper motion-tracking dock for your smartphone, ditches built-in mic Posted: 04 May 2012 11:07 AM PDT
If you're aching to bring some motion-tracking video action to your smartphone but can't stomach the Swivl's $179 price tag, you might find the new Swivl-it more palatable. For $129, you get the same automatic panning, horizontal follow and remote control features of the original product, but you'll miss out on the built-in microphone and automatic tilt (there's manual tilt instead). The Swivl-it is available for pre-order now and will start shipping in late May. Click through to the Swivl site for a closer look. |
| Rovio intros Angry Birds Facebook Share & Play, helps you get your feathery fix Posted: 04 May 2012 10:43 AM PDT
Granted it's not quite, you know, organ donation, but Rovio's offering up some Facebook magic of its own. The casual game maker has rolled out the Share & Play feature, which lets users embed their latest Angry Birds level onto their friends' Timelines for some slingshot-happy bragging rights. Sharing goes beyond just Facebook however -- you can embed the playable level on other sites as well. Behold: after the break. <p><p><iframe width="600" height="335" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fdvkgeveHEc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen> |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 now available for your pre-ordering pleasure Posted: 04 May 2012 10:21 AM PDT
Not sick of all the Samsung talk yet? Great news! The 10.1 version of the Galaxy Tab 2 just went up for pre-order, courtesy of the cubicle stockers at Office Depot. As previously noted, the slate's being priced at $400, and you can secure one of your very own by clicking that cool blue button. The site is reporting a May 11th release for the tablet. |
| BBC to launch app companion for Antiques Roadshow, asks you to price up British heritage Posted: 04 May 2012 09:56 AM PDT
Perennial evening schedule-filler Antiques Roadshow will launch a new companion app in the UK, connecting PCs, smartphones, tablets and BBC's red button feature on TVs to the show, as it goes out live. It's shaping up to be very different to the existing PBS app, this time combining your incredulity over whether a painting is really worth that much with a quiz format. You'll be able to guess the value against the clock, with separate amateur and expert levels. (We're all experts when it comes to 18th century pottery, right?). It's the Beeb's first public launch of its companion feature, following closed trials with shows like Frozen Planet. When it eventually launches in September, you'll be able to poll the rest of the British Isles to see what they reckon before you make your decision. Until then, we're stuck vocalizing our disbelief at the TV.
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| Samsung releases... Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and 10.1 source code Posted: 04 May 2012 09:35 AM PDT
Did you hear the news? Y'know, about Samsung's latest release? No, not the Galaxy S III -- that's officially yesterday's news. No, today's story is all about tablets, Galaxy Tab 2's more specifically. The Korean tech giant has released the source code for both the seven- and ten-inch varieties, effectively handing developers the keys to the customization kingdom. So if you love the technology, but the interface less so, you might not have to wait all that long for a better option. The exact models that have been opened up are: GT-P3100, GT-P3110, GT-P3113, GT-P5100, GT-P5110, and GT-P5113. Got a feature you'd really like to see? Better get poking the fine chaps at xda-developers with your requests. |
| Visualized: Apple and Samsung occupy the 99 percent... of phone profits Posted: 04 May 2012 09:17 AM PDT
Financial maven and maker of beautiful graphs Horace Deidu has found that between the top eight mobile phone vendors, Apple and Samsung share 99 percent of the total spoils. Of RIM, LG, Sony (Ericsson), Motorola, Nokia and HTC, only the latter made a profit -- claiming that left over one percent. The remaining six all recorded losses for the quarter, Mr. Deidu adding that several of those companies are carrying feature phone businesses that they should shed before they become an albatross around their neck. |
| Nintendo patent application tech tracks your DS from above, serves as tour guide Posted: 04 May 2012 08:47 AM PDT
Nintendo is already guiding you through the Louvre with a 3DS, but a newly published US patent application takes that kind of tourism to a very literal new level. Legend of Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto's concept describes a way to direct lost tourists by beaming position information through an overhead grid of infrared transmitters to a mobile device (portrayed as a DS Lite) held by the confused visitor below. The handheld then talks wirelessly to a server that lights up floor displays with maps and directions, and a helpful app on the device lets visitors pick their route while they read up on sightseeing tips. Like with any patent, there's no certainty that Nintendo will act on the idea and start wiring up museums with IR blasters, but the January 2012 patent may still be fresh in a frequently inventive mind like Miyamoto's. |
| Jetman soars over Rio, flies circles around historical landmarks (video) Posted: 04 May 2012 08:13 AM PDT
Why would you want to leap out of a perfectly good aircraft? To fly a winged jetpack over the city of Rio de Janeiro, of course. It sounds nuts, but it's just a day in the life for Yves Rossy, the self proclaimed "Jetman" who flew over the Grand Canyon last year. Since soaring over the Rio Grande, Rossy has pitted his carbon-fiber wings against a rally car on Top Gear, taken to the skies over Abu Dhabi and, most recently, buzzed Brazil's famous Christ the Redeemer statue. Jetman rocketed past the monument on an 11 minute flight earlier this week, beginning his journey by dropping out of a helicopter over Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Rossy pulled his Rocketeer trick and eventually parachuted to safety on Copacabana beach. Sound fun? Head past the break to see the man in action. Us? We'll keep our feet planted on terra firma, thanks. |
| Series revisits ARM's humble beginnings, BBC Micro and all Posted: 04 May 2012 07:47 AM PDT
If you read our interview with ARM co-founder John Biggs, you know the company behind the processor in most smartphones had quite modest beginnings, what with an office in a barn and all. But Biggs is only part of the story, and Reghardware fleshes the rest out with a two-part series on the "unsung heroes of tech": Sophie Wilson, Steve Furber and Herman Hauser, the team behind Acorn Computers, the British PC company that spawned ARM in the mid-80s. We'll let you click through to the source links to take the journey yourself, but here are a few highlights: earning a computer contract with the BBC, happening upon ARM chips' low power consumption by accident and striking gold thanks to a partnership with Apple. |
| iPad drag-to-edit keyboard prototype shows Apple how easy it could be (video) Posted: 04 May 2012 07:12 AM PDT
Text editing on the iPad is a bit of a slog unless you have a dedicated keyboard. One Daniel Hooper, however, has a simple but clever idea to fix this: use the keyboard as a pseudo-trackpad. As he shows in the prototype video below, his idea has touchscreen typists just drag one or two fingers along the keyboard to whip through text. Need to select something? Hold the Shift key while you swipe. While the concept is the sort of addition you'd normally only expect to appear in a jailbreak mod, Hooper sees the convenience as worth petitioning Apple directly -- and while there's no guarantee Apple will ever implement it, that he's been told Apple now sees it as a "known issue" suggests that someone in Cupertino is contemplating the possibilities. |
| Distro Issue 39 takes a look back at 40 years of Atari and the console's cultural impact Posted: 04 May 2012 06:43 AM PDT
If you're in the market for some weekend reading, we've got quite the issue of our weekly tablet mag in the hopper. James Trew takes a look back at 40 years of cultural impact at the hands of Atari in this installment's feature. It doesn't matter to Darren Murph that Apple isn't making an iPad / MacBook Air hybrid, he still wants one and he tells why. Keeping with the gaming theme, Ludwig Kietzmann asks if Trials Evolution is the perfect game in this week's Reaction Time. The hands-on section pays a visit to BlackBerry World while spending some time with Spotify's iPad app and Microsoft's new SkyDrive software offerings. On the reviews side of things, we put the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, Acer Iconia Tab A510 and a duo of throwback mirrorless cameras through the wringer. Speaking of e-readers, Switched On offers some thoughts on the matter and IRL lets you in on three more of our go-to gadgets. If that's not enough, Stat shows how Android slates are feeling the Kindle Fire's heat, The Next Web's Martin Bryant has a go at the Q&A and Box Brown has the Last Word on a hero's required pixel density. Ready to feed that retro gaming appetite? Visit your link of choice below to grab a copy of the weekly to get started. Distro Issue 39 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Google News updated with enhanced Google+ integration, real-time coverage Posted: 04 May 2012 06:42 AM PDT
The good news is we're still here -- luckily. On a lighter note, though, Google's sprinkling some new features on top of its headline-loving News page. Via one of its numerous blogs, Big G announced it is boosting the default size of news images on the front page, while also improving the Google+ integration within its discovery site. Now with the Plus enhancements you'll be able to check out what folks in your Circles -- and other "notable" people -- have to say about current topics, which includes comments inside the novel real-time coverage functionality on both the News homepage and social network. Unfortunately, these will only be available to those in the US when they start rolling out over the next week, and it's worth mentioning you'll be able to opt out should you choose to do so. In the meantime, you can head over to the Google News Blog to pore over all the final details. |
| New Leaf Credo camera back series for the Mamiya 645DF to ship in June Posted: 04 May 2012 05:54 AM PDT
If you shelled out for the $5,990 Mamiya Phase One 645DF, you probably have the funds to support your photography habit. Mamiya Leaf wants you to expand your arsenal, offering three new digital backs to go with that medium-format camera. The Leaf Credo 40, 60 and 80 are named for the number of megapixels their CCD sensors are packing, and all have a dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops. Each sports a 3.2-inch, 1.15-megapixel touchscreen that extends beyond the edges of the LCD (so you can edit images without covering them up). The $19,495 Credo 40 is the fastest of the bunch, shooting at a rate of 1.2 fps, with a 43.9 x 32.9 mm sensor and an ISO range of 50-800. The $32,495 Credo 60 has the same ISO range but a 53.9 x 40.4 mm sensor and a slower 1-fps shooting rate. Finally, the $38,995 Leaf Credo 80 has the 53.7 x 40.3 mm sensor, a wider ISO sensitivity range of 35-800 and the slowest capture rate: 0.7 fps. The 80 also has two-minute max exposure time, while the 40 and 60 top off at one minute. Mamiya Leaf says all three models will start shipping in June. If that steep pricing hasn't scared you away, you can jump past the break for the full press release. Mamiya Leaf Introduces the Leaf Credo Medium Format Digital Camera Back Platform New Hardware Design with Blazing Performance Speed TEL AVIV, April 23, 2012 – Mamiya Leaf, a leading provider of medium format camera equipment, today introduced a newly designed medium format digital camera back platform -- the Leaf Credo. Available in three different models, the Leaf Credo 80, Credo 60, and Credo 40 digital camera backs feature high-quality resolutions of 80, 60 and 40 megapixels respectively. Key platform features include: A large, high resolution (1.15 megapixel), touch screen with excellent rendition of 16 million colors for quick and easy verification of focus and tonal accuracy; Fast, new dual-core microprocessor enables powerful performance for the fastest available image viewing, focusing and editing; A new, intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) offers easy navigation and extends the touch screen beyond the LCD area - letting you navigate and click outside the image area; New FireWire 800 and USB 3 implementation delivers fastest image transfer speeds. Planned from the ground-up for comfortable, effective shooting both indoors and out, Leaf Credo delivers high-resolution Live View functionality for precise focusing when shooting un-tethered. It also offers a wide viewing angle and a built-in bi-directional spirit level. The flagship of the Leaf Credo platform is a full-frame 80 MP CCD sensor with a dynamic range of 12.5 f-stops. New to Mamiya Leaf is a full frame 60 MP CCD sensor with 3:4 aspect ratio providing unmatched detail, richness of color, low noise and beautiful tonality. Also available is the 40 MP CCD sensor which offers the fastest capture speed in the Leaf Credo platform at 1.2 frames per second. Leaf Credo digital backs work seamlessly with the Mamiya 645DF camera - which offers shutter speeds up to 1/4000 of a second and sync speeds of up to 1/1600 of a second with Schneider-Kreuznach designed Leaf shutter lenses. The Mamiya Leaf open platform philosophy enables compatibility with other medium format camera bodies, such as the Hasselblad V and H and Contax (see www.mamiyaleaf.com for full compatibility list). Leaf Credo digital backs are optimized for shooting with Capture One software, which comprises a comprehensive workflow to capture, organize, edit, share and print images. "Leaf Credo delivers the best price/performance ratio in the large sensor digital back market," said Ziv Argov, marketing director, Mamiya Leaf. "Its impressive combination of high resolution image quality, ease of use, and the latest touch screen LCD technologies makes the Leaf Credo digital back platform appealing for all photographers regardless of their styles." Pricing for the Leaf Credo 40 starts at € 14,995/$19,495. The Leaf Credo 60 is listed at €24,995/$32,495 and the Leaf Credo 80 for € 29,995/$38,995. Shipping is planned for June, 2012. |
| HTC exec: we didn't have much time with ICS when making Sense 4, but our skin is still better Posted: 04 May 2012 05:24 AM PDT
HTC's Drew Bamford is a long-time defender of the Sense UI, but in a fresh interview he's switched tactics and rushed headlong at the competition. He told Laptop that Sense 4 beats native Android 4 (as seen on the GNex) on a number of fronts, possessing a more inviting look, greater personalization of the lockscreen and wallpaper, plus faster camera performance. Of course, he would say that, but having spent many balmy evenings with both the One S and the One X we're inclined to agree that the latest version of the skin is lighter-footed and, actually, pretty nice. What's perhaps more revealing is Bamford's statement that HTC's software guys had "not a lot of time" with ICS before they released Sense 4, and had to build key components in isolation from the new OS. This could explain why HTC was forced to see sense (ahem) and tone down its custom layer. More broadly, if manufacturers are struggling to keep their handset launch schedules in sync with Google's in-house development, it's no wonder that Android skins seem so unsympathetic to the green robot's natural complexion. |
| Electronic House hands out its Home of the Year awards, offers yet more excess and inspiration Posted: 04 May 2012 05:01 AM PDT
Just as it does each May, Electronic House magazine has selected a handful of integrated homes and home theaters that it's deemed to be the best of the best and awarded them Home of the Year awards in categories that range from $50k or less to $150k or more. The winner of the latter is pictured above -- a garage that's gone from storing farm equipment to a top-end 3D Runco SC-50 projector and equally high-end sound system (to say nothing of the change in decor). Other winners include a completely hands-free home that's also energy efficient (at a cost of $48k), another home that's largely iPad-controlled, and a blood red nightclub-inspired home theater that's not too far removed from a David Lynch movie. Hit the source link below to take a tour of each. |
| Samsung's Mobile Unpacked 2012 event now available to watch online (video) Posted: 04 May 2012 04:44 AM PDT
Missed out on our liveblog coverage? Well, we'll deal with that later, as the whole event is now online for you to gaze at. You might want to grab a snack and coffee to tide you over though, as it runs for just under 80 minutes. Once you're ready, skip over the break to watch Samsung reveal its self-titled smartphone champion.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dell to upgrade unshipped Alienware orders to Ivy Bridge CPUs for free Posted: 04 May 2012 04:29 AM PDT
Are you among the Alienware buyers who plunked down cold, hard cash for a new M14X, M17X, or M18X preceding the launch of Ivy Bridge, but can't stomach the thought of being stuck with Intel's second gen CPUs? Good news, gaming friends, because if your laptop was ordered, but hasn't yet shipped, Dell's doing you a solid by upgrading the chip automatically for you. Best part is, the company will swap in "comparably-priced" new silicon for free, which leaves you to spend your money elsewhere to prep for your forthcoming Diablo III launch party. |
| CyberPower jumps on the GeForce GTX 690 bandwagon, promises to melt your eyes for $1,700 Posted: 04 May 2012 04:18 AM PDT
Dying for NVIDIA's latest, but not so much that you'd bother to learn to build your own PC? No worries, CyberPower's got your back, answering its competitor's GPU offerings with a resounding echo: Get your GeForce GTX 690 here. The customizable PC builder is now letting customers drop NVIDIA's dual GPU Kepler card into its Fang III, Zeus, Gamer Xtreme and Ultra series PCs. CyberPower says they can build a tricked out rig for just under $1,700. Looking for more oomph? More powerful configurations can breach $4,000, if your pockets are deep enough. Read on for the official press release. CyberpowerPC Plants NVIDIA's Dual GPU Graphics Card in its High-End Desktop PCs -- Sets New Records for Graphics Performance While Staying Cool and Quiet BALDWIN PARK, CA (May 3, 2012) – Cyberpower Inc. www.cyberpowerpc.com, a global manufacturer of custom gaming machines, today announced the integration of NVIDIA's flagship GeForce GTX 690 graphics card into its line of enthusiast desktop gaming PCs. Powered by two Kepler GPUs, the GeForce GTX 690 is a record setter in 3D performance, incredibly power efficient, and possesses an awesome visual aesthetic with its metallic design to express the raw, uncompromising power of a dual-GPU Kepler based graphics card. The GTX 690 has 3,072 NVIDIA CUDA cores running at a blazing 915MHz, with 2GB GDD5 RAM for each individual GPU. The GTX 690 delivers the performance of dual GTX 680s in SLI but with reduced power consumption and a little more serenity. Starting today, CyberpowerPC customers can configure new desktop gaming systems based on the GeForce GTX 690. The card will be available in CyberpowerPC's enthusiast Fang III series, Zeus series, and Gamer Xtreme and Ultra series of custom gaming PCs. CyberpowerPC systems based on the GTX 690 ensures users the best gaming experience on all of the latest gaming titles at maximum quality settings. The card is also crammed with NVIDIA features such as FXAA, which eliminates jaggies and sustains smooth frame rates for flawless game play. To maximum the gaming experience, users can hook up three monitors and play games at 5760 x 1080, in NVIDIA Surround or NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround mode with the optional NVIDIA 3D Vision technology. At a MSRP of $999, the GeForce GTX 690 is not a graphics card for everyone. But for enthusiasts who demand the very best and gamers who want a graphics card that will last for generations, the GeForce GTX 690 represents the ultimate in gaming and performance from NVIDIA. CyberpowerPC systems based on this powerhouse card will start under $1,700. CyberpowerPC will also offer a GeForce GTX 690 monster, the Zeus Thunder Max, with a starting price at $3,999. CyberpowerPC's Advanced Hydro liquid cooling system has also been optimized for the new dual-Kepler GPU card to provide maximum heat dissipation for users looking to combine maximum performance, cool operating temperatures, and improved acoustics. All CyberpowerPC custom gaming systems can be customized with a number of performance hardware and components such as CyberpowerPC's Advanced Hydro Liquid Cooling kit, Solid State Drives, Blu-ray drives, performance gaming memory, gaming peripherals, business and productivity software, and more. All systems are housed in gaming chassis from top-tier manufacturers that are designed to provide ample features and intelligent functionality with emphasis on advanced cooling, silent performance and extreme airflow. Every system is meticulously built with precise cable routing to ensure optimal airflow and a clean aesthetic appearance. CyberpowerPC loads every system with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Operating System for an enhanced gaming and multimedia experience. All CyberpowerPC desktop gaming systems include an industry-best 3-year limited warranty. |
| Nikon confirms woes with D4 and D800, joins Canon in high-end doghouse Posted: 04 May 2012 03:59 AM PDT
Okay Nikon owners, stop laughing at your 5D Mark III cronies for their leaky problem. That might be a drip in the pail next to your own worries -- namely, possible "lock-up", focus and viewfinder hitches on your D800 or D4. Nikon verified that a "small number" of units of both DSLRs can lock up and become unresponsive, but until there's a permanent patch you can prevent this by disabling both highlight and RGB histogram displays. The company also verified that a "run" of D800s is suffering from a viewfinder bug, although it has yet to confirm another emerging problem with autofocus in some units, which apparently requires a factory fix. So, if you've noticed any of this with your pricey new D800, or really pricey D4, your best bet might be to reach out to your Nikon repair center post-haste. And don't let the Canon guys see you. [Thanks, Thinh] |
| Packard Bell EasyNote LV, TV laptops bring Ivy Bridge to speed-hungry Europeans Posted: 04 May 2012 03:32 AM PDT
Most laptops being updated to Intel's Ivy Bridge processors have come from international brands, so it may be some relief to European PC buyers that Acer's local Packard Bell badge has made the leap as well. The 15.6-inch EasyNote TV and 17.3-inch LV will each use the new 22-nanometer processors both to push performance that little bit farther as well as get a middling five hours of battery life. NVIDIA graphics in GeForce GT 620M and 630M flavors will spruce up the gaming side, however, and Packard Bell is delivering a 20 percent more responsive multi-touch trackpad, dedicated music / social keys and a bamboo-like lid pattern to add a little dose of style. The duo will surface in Europe during June at prices starting from €499 ($656). Acer has sometimes brought Packard Bell PCs to the US as roughly equivalent Gateway models and vice versa, so Americans shouldn't be surprised if they get counterpart laptops before long. |
| Samsung's SGH-i667 "Mandel" Windows Phone surfaces, still shrouded in mystery Posted: 04 May 2012 02:57 AM PDT
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| Buying an iPad 2? Here's the rarer, more efficient specimen you need to (somehow) track down Posted: 04 May 2012 02:27 AM PDT
Not all iPads are made equal, even if they're all packaged and branded identically. There's a major new mutation within the 2nd generation tablet and it brings significantly better battery life. Specifically, the fourth and latest production model of the iPad 2 (known as iPad2,4) has not only a lower price tag ($399) but also a new 32nm processor, which is significantly smaller and more efficient than those in previous iPad 2s (which had 45nm chips and an older transistor design). According to AnandTech, this results in an overall 16 percent increase in battery life during web browsing and as much as a 30 percent boost when playing games. Obviously that's worth having, but how can you tell if a boxed-up iPad 2 has the new processor before taking it to the checkout? Here's the downer: you can't. Until retailers' inventories naturally flood with the updated type, the only way to tell is by switching the slate on and running a utility like GeekBench -- and perhaps there'll be circumstances where you can give that a go on the shop floor. Alternatively, if third-party sellers discover that their stock is the iPad2,4, they could pull off a Darwinian win-win by marketing that fact to buyers. |
| MTV on demand launches in the UK, now everyone's got a 'banker' for those cold nights Posted: 04 May 2012 01:18 AM PDT
If you, or your kids, wish to view the dionysian exploits of Newcastle's finest at any hour of the day, then you're in luck. MTV has unveiled an online on-demand service in the UK that will allow you to binge-watch Geordie Shore and other shows of its ilk for a modest fee. £2 ($3.20) will buy you 24 hours access, while £3 ($4.80) will provide a full week of delightfully low-brow programming. Given the adult nature of MTV's oeuvre, only those 16-and-over will be eligible to access the service, but be warned -- it's charged via your monthly cellphone bill, so keep it a safe distance from the rugrats. |
| Posted: 03 May 2012 11:53 PM PDT
Remember that funky beat your buddy at work shared with you over Google+? Don't bother digging through their post history, Mountain View's music service has you covered with its new "Shared with me" auto-playlist. This self-maintaining list keeps track of all the songs friends and colleagues send your way, making it easy to hunt down a catchy tune your brother sent you, or to endlessly ridicule a coworker's awful sense of sound. The playlist not only shows the track, artist, duration and price, but also a preview of the Google+ post (and a thumbnail of its author) that you scored the shared song from in the first place. Looking for lost music? Just take a look at your auto-playlists. |
| Audi, GM, others unite on 20-minute EV charging standard for green drivers in a rush Posted: 03 May 2012 10:35 PM PDT
Fast-charging an EV isn't new in itself, but deciding on a standard for it is. Which is why we're glad to hear that Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, GM, Porsche and Volkswagen have all agreed to a common format for their EV charging ports, the not-very-elegantly-titled DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System. Together, the automakers are promising a consistent way to power up a car within 15 to 20 minutes, all without breaking a current Type 1 AC charging implementation. The new format will be demoed at the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 in Los Angeles starting May 6. Just be aware that your first-generation Focus Electric won't be certain to use the newly universal technology: the first cars to tout the new plug won't be at dealerships until 2013, and the European vehicle association ACEA is only guaranteeing that charging stations on the continent will be using the DC Fast Charging system by 2017. Check after the break for a further look at the port. Global Automakers to Demo EV Fast Charging at EVS26 Combined Charging System allows AC and DC fast-charging from single inlet port LOS ANGELES – Global automakers from the United States and Germany will demonstrate fast-charging technology that will enable the recharging of most electrified vehicles with compatible systems in as little as 15-20 minutes. Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen have agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach – called DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System – for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States. Live charging demonstrations will be conducted during the Electric Vehicle Symposium 26 (EVS26) May 6-9. The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure. The International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has chosen the Combined Charging System as the fast-charging methodology for a standard that incrementally extends the existing Type 1-based AC charging. The standard is to be officially published this summer. ACEA, the European association of vehicle manufacturers has also selected the Combined Charging System as its AC/DC charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017. The charging system design was based on collaborative reviews and analysis of existing charging strategies, the ergonomics of the connector and preferences of U.S. and European customers. The system was developed for all international vehicle markets and creates a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms. The system maximizes capability for integration with future smart grid developments through common broadband communication methods regardless of the global location of the charging system. The combined charging approach will reduce development and infrastructure complexity, improve charging reliability, reduce the total cost-of-ownership for end customers and provide low maintenance costs. Commercially available combined charging units are projected to be available later this year. All committed OEMs have vehicles in development which will use the Combined Charging System. The first vehicles to use this system will reach the market in 2013. |
| Nintendo patent application lends a look at Wii U's core technology, add-ons too Posted: 03 May 2012 09:40 PM PDT
Little did we know that, just two months after we were trying the Wii U for ourselves, Nintendo was busy patenting nearly everything its unique game console would have to offer. A pair of just-published US Patent Office applications filed last August get into the nuts and bolts of how the controller and the legacy Wii remote will play with the new device. It's clear that the patent work had started before Nintendo had redesigned the main system -- the box at the center of the patents looks like the existing Wii -- but it does show the nitty-gritty of things we only saw at last year's Nintendo E3 keynote, such as the gun attachment or playing golf with a combination of the Wii U controller and the traditional Wiimote. Nintendo also gave itself some wiggle room on the controller's screen size: although the LCD is officially 6.2 inches across, the patent allows that it might be "5 inches or larger." We're wondering how much of the overall look and technology will survive through to the finished Wii U design's unveiling at this year's E3. For now, though, you can explore the patents yourself at the links below. |
| PlayThru hopes to kill text captchas with game-based authentication Posted: 03 May 2012 08:49 PM PDT
At their worst, captchas are impossible to decipher; at their best, they're... fun? A startup called Are You a Human has developed PlayThru, an alternative to text-based authentication. Instead of requiring the user to type some blurry, nonsensical word, PlayThru has them play a mini-game, such as dragging and dropping a car into an open parking spot. The startup says this method is more secure than word captchas -- since automated bots have a harder time solving these image-based puzzles -- and more fun, because users generally have a better time when their ability to identify letters isn't called into question. PlayThru has been in beta for several months and is currently available as a free download. On May 21st, the solution will officially launch on both PCs and smartphones. Click through to the source link to try out the captcha alternative for yourself. |
| MasterCard gives PayPass blessings to HTC One X, 16 other NFC phones Posted: 03 May 2012 07:56 PM PDT
MasterCard Certifies NFC Phones from HTC, Intel, LG Electronics, Nokia, RIM, Samsung Electronics and Sony Unveils "MasterCard PayPass Ready" brand mark for device manufacturers PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MasterCard Worldwide today announced several near field communications (NFC) enabled smartphones have been certified for use with MasterCard PayPass® technology, providing consumers with devices capable of making fast, secure contactless payments at hundreds of thousands of PayPass merchant locations around the globe. The new MasterCard-certified devices include the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 / 9790 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9360 / 9380, HTC One X, Intel® Smartphone Reference Device, LG Viper™ 4G LTE, LG Optimus Elite, Nokia 603, Nokia Lumia 610 NFC, Samsung Wave Y, Samsung Galaxy mini 2, Samsung Galaxy S Advance, Samsung Galaxy Nexus (GT-i9250), Sony Xperia S, Sony Xperia P and Sony Xperia sola. MasterCard also unveiled a new brand identifier – "MasterCard PayPass® Ready" – now available to device manufacturers to use with NFC-enabled smartphones that have been tested and certified by MasterCard for use with PayPass technology. The MasterCard PayPass Ready identifier will signify a device is available for commercial deployment of PayPass, and can be included as a sticker on the approved device, and in an approved device's packaging, marketing collateral and advertisements. Nokia and BlackBerry-maker RIM are among the first handset manufacturers committed to supporting this brand mark. "Nokia is honored that the Nokia Lumia 610 NFC will be one the world's first smartphones to include MasterCard's PayPass Ready brand mark," said Andrea Bacioccola, NFC Lead Program Manager, Nokia. "This sends a clear message to operators, banks and other service providers that Nokia is able to quickly enable their payment services on this smartphone." "We are pleased to support the MasterCard PayPass Ready brand mark as it provides consumers with a visual confirmation that an NFC-enabled BlackBerry smartphone can easily be enabled with a MasterCard account for tap-and-go payments," said Andrew Bocking, SVP Software Product Management, RIM. By working closely with standards bodies including EMVCo and the NFC Forum, MasterCard continues to lead the industry in testing and certification processes for mobile payment devices. Devices certified by MasterCard go through a rigorous testing process by a MasterCard-accredited laboratory to ensure devices are functionally reliable and interoperable. "In the near future, millions of phones will ship with NFC technology embedded within them. The new PayPass Ready identifier will help consumers make informed device purchasing decisions by providing a visual mark that indicates devices are certified to make simple, smart and secure payments via the MasterCard PayPass network," said Mung Ki Woo, group executive, Mobile at MasterCard. |
| CFC backtracks on Slim's near-billion dollar fine in Mexico, lays out other terms and conditions Posted: 03 May 2012 07:24 PM PDT
The ongoing kerfuffle between Mexico's Federal Competition Commission and Carlos Slim's America Movil (Telcel's parent company) took a drastic turn earlier today. According to the CFC, a deal has been reached with Slim's telecom outfit that, among other things, will revoke the 11,989,000,000 pesos fine (about $1 billion dollars) imposed back in 2011. That being said, the wealthiest man on the globe isn't completely off the hook, as America Movil's been given five new demands that must be adhered to. Among these are reducing the current per-minute interconnection rates from .95 to .36 pesos, sharing the Telcel waves with other companies in the country and routinely providing the CFC with extensive details to prove the aforementioned requirements are being followed. Should America Movil not live up to its end of the deal, the Mexican regulator could hit Carlos Slim & Co. with a fine of up to eight percent of Telcel's annual revenue -- which, needless to say, is a heck of a lot of cash. |
| iPhone 4 named latest recipient of untethered iOS 5.1 jailbreak, exploit remains MIA Posted: 03 May 2012 06:51 PM PDT
Apple's not gonna like this one, but news of the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between it and the hacking community continues with the announcement of an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1, which is now alive and kicking on the iPhone 4. The good news went out in the form of a tweet from pod2g, and while the naughty bit of software isn't yet available for public download, we can only hope that it'll soon be ready for mass consumption. As you'll recall, we last saw hints of an untethered jailbreak for the latest iPad (also iOS 5.1), which similarly remains elusive to the public. At any rate, we welcome the progress -- now bring on the exploits. |
| Samsung Galaxy S III US sign-up page goes live Posted: 03 May 2012 06:08 PM PDT
So enthused with the Galaxy S III that you want to know exactly when in the summer Americans can buy one? You can follow us, of course, but Samsung has you covered with a sign-up page that will take your vitals with promises that you'll "get the latest on the Next Galaxy." We wouldn't read too much into seeing AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and others in the list of carriers to choose from, though. Samsung has run identical sign-up campaigns in the US before, and it focused the initial Galaxy S II launch on three major carriers rather than carpet bombing every network at once. |
| Bowers & Wilkins kicks out P3 headphones, brings upscale sound to the commoners (update) Posted: 03 May 2012 05:47 PM PDT
Were you eying Bowers & Wilkins' P5 headphones, but put off by the Update: Ah, some things in this life are just too good to be true. In this case, a B&W representative has just informed us that the stated $250 price point for the P5 headphones was an error within the press release. They are indeed still $300. Concert for one Bowers & Wilkins launches P3 headphones P3 joins Bowers & Wilkins' growing range of high-performance mobile hi-fi headphones that already includes the P5 on-ear headphones and C5 in-ear headphones. With close to five decades' accumulated acoustic and design excellence behind it, P3 represents a new high in affordable mobile headphone performance. P3 is portable and light, yet rugged. Built from aluminum and durable rubber, the headphones feature a custom-made, ultra-light acoustic fabric on the ear pad covers. P3 folds up for easy storage, and stows away into its own compact hard-shell carry case. There's also a choice of black or white finishes. As you'd expect from Bowers & Wilkins, P3's high-performance sound is the result of countless hours of testing and tuning with some of the best, most experienced engineers and listeners in the business. The headphones are designed, engineered and tuned by the same engineers responsible for the highly-regarded P5 headphones, Zeppelin Air and the high-end 800 Series Diamond speakers found in Abbey Road Studios. The P3's speaker diaphragms feature driver terminals that have been positioned to ensure uniform airflow, resulting in more linear movement and less distortion. Coupled with the use of ultra-linear neodymium magnets and precision damping this ensures smoother motion and therefore a more accurate, natural sound. The ear pad fabric has been designed especially for P3 to improve the sound quality, but it is also very comfortable, allowing users to listen for longer. The use of memory foam cushions on the ear pads also improves the listening experience. P3 comes with a hard carry case and a choice of cables: one with a remote/microphone attachment that works seamlessly with your iPhone®; and another that ensures compatibility with all other mobile phones and MP3 players. Swapping cables is easy, and simply involves popping off the replaceable ear pads. The combination of high-performance features and smart design make P3 the headphones of choice for people who demand great sound on the move. Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones in Black or White will be available in June 2012, with a suggested retail price of $199.99. Bowers & Wilkins P5 on-ear headphones in Black are available now at a suggested retail price of $299.99. Bowers & Wilkins C5 in-ear headphones are available now at a suggested retail price of $179.99. |
| Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support Posted: 03 May 2012 05:21 PM PDT
Many in the Windows Media Center community were afraid that Windows 8 would mark the end of Media Center, while others thought it would be like Notepad -- present, but unchanged. In the end both were wrong as Microsoft announced Media Center would be available as an add-on to Windows 8. Until now though, we didn't know exactly how that process would work. Steven Sinofsky outlined on the Building Windows 8 blog how users will be able to use Add Features to Windows 8 in Control Panel and purchase the same great Media Center experience that was included in Windows 7 Premium and Pro. The price is still unannounced but is expect to be "in line with marginal costs" -- whatever that means. The price paid will cover the royalties for the required codecs to support broadcast TV and DVD playback (DVDs still won't play in Media Player). One codec that will be supported in all version of Windows 8, but will require the computer maker to license the codec directly, is Dolby Digital Plus. So yeah, something else that was included in Windows 7 for free. We're glad it's there, but wish we'd get something new for the new premium price. Like most, we'll probably hold on to our Windows 7 HTPC a little bit longer. May 03, 2012 04:05 PM Eastern Daylight Time Dolby Digital Plus delivers high-quality sound to expanding world of entertainment and high-definition devices SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:DLB) today announced that Microsoft® has selected Dolby® Digital Plus to create the most realistic and immersive audio experiences for Windows® 8 on tablets and PCs. The addition of Dolby Digital Plus enables the playback of Dolby-encoded content across a growing number of devices. Today's announcement underscores the essential role that Dolby Digital Plus plays in delivering high-quality sound for online entertainment services and personal media applications. "Additionally, all of their existing and future home videos recorded with Dolby Digital Plus audio will work great on Windows 8 right out of the box." "Dolby's goal is to deliver the best possible entertainment experience, wherever content is delivered through broadcast, broadband, or wireless networks," said Ramzi Haidamus, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Dolby. "We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to address the growing demand for high-definition content delivered across a broad range of services and devices. Widespread availability of Dolby Digital Plus on Windows 8 will enable more people to enjoy cinematic sound anytime, anywhere, and on any device." "With the incredible growth of online download and streaming media, particularly for video content, this agreement ensures a great audio experience for those consumers who wish to download or stream TV and movies containing Dolby Digital Plus," said Tami Reller, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, Windows and Windows Live, Microsoft. "Additionally, all of their existing and future home videos recorded with Dolby Digital Plus audio will work great on Windows 8 right out of the box." Incorporated in more than 640 million devices, Dolby Digital Plus transforms the entertainment experience and is recognized as a standard for high-quality audio on many types of products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, connected TVs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and game consoles. Developers will be enabled to deliver the highest level of immersive experiences and cinematic sound through Windows 8 APIs in desktop and Metro-style apps, including those developed for x86 and ARM architectures. Dolby Digital Plus 5.1-channel decoding and Dolby Digital two-channel encoding will be supported in all PCs and tablets licensed to run Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT editions. About Dolby Laboratories Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is the global leader in technologies that are essential elements in the best entertainment experiences. Founded in 1965 and best known for high-quality audio and surround sound, Dolby creates innovations that enrich entertainment at the movies, at home, or on the go. For more information about Dolby Laboratories or Dolby technologies, please visit www.dolby.com. |
| HTC launches kickstand-tastic One S cases, we go hands-on Posted: 03 May 2012 04:54 PM PDT
Kickstand lovers rejoice! Not content with jazzing up its One X flagship, HTC just sent us a set of cases made specifically for its lovely One S. These come in four colors -- gray, granita (red), navy blue and black -- the latter featuring a tweaked design with an integrated kickstand. Unlike most third-party products, build quality is top-notch -- the accessories use a precision-molded flexible plastic shell covered in a soft touch finish. The kickstand is made of a metal alloy and is spring-loaded, but blocks access to the micro-USB port when in use. While the cases protect the back and sides of the One S, the front remains exposed to potential damage. Availability is slated as "soon", but pricing is $24.99 for the plain model and $39.99 for the kickstand version. Enjoy the gallery below. |
| LG announces Optimus LTE2, coming to Korea mid-May with True HD IPS and 2GB RAM Posted: 03 May 2012 04:31 PM PDT
Unlike today's other phone announcement, we can't say we were expecting to see LG come out with something of its own -- and it's a bit of a doozy, at that. Samsung's Korean rival decided not to let the Galaxy S III have the full spotlight for long, officially unleashing the Optimus LTE2. The mind-blowing portion of the spec sheet is its inclusion of 2GB RAM, a milestone we haven't yet seen in a smartphone. Additionally, the LTE2 will feature the company's "True HD IPS" display, WPC-backed wireless charging capabilities, Android 4.0 and a 2,150mAh battery that LG claims will increase the battery life by an astounding 40 percent. We haven't received word on which CPU will be used, though we're hopeful that a quad-core beast (or Krait, perhaps?) will complement the astounding amount of RAM. The LTE2 is due to land on at least three carriers in Korea sometime in mid-May, but we haven't heard any pricing or additional country availability at this time. We'll keep you posted as we learn more. In the meantime, check out LG's Flickr page down below for more images, and start thinking of ways to take advantage of the extra horsepower. |
| Patent application highlights Apple's continued flirtation with haptic feedback Posted: 03 May 2012 04:04 PM PDT
We could all use a little feedback, right? Even Apple. The company has been toying around with the concept of haptic feedback for a while now, at least so far as patent applications are concerned. Another application filed in November or 2010 has surfaced. Of course, what we told you back in 2009 about the tenuous connection between an application and an actual product is as relevant as ever. Still, Apple's concept for a "tiered haptic system" which "may use one or more arrays of shape change elements to provide a wide range of tactile feedback" demonstrates that, at least as of late 2010, Cupertino was still working to rethink the way it sees touchscreens. |
| Posted: 03 May 2012 03:30 PM PDT
So, it's time to take down the decorations, remove that party hat and sweep up the confetti (you can clear the unfinished drinks in the morning). As Earl's Court in London echoes with the hollow sound of empty plastic champagne flutes and half-eaten canapes, the rest of the tech world gives a sigh of relief. The Samsung Galaxy S III is here. Was it what you expected? If you haven't yet decided, don't worry, we've got you covered. After all the months of anticipation, cryptic clues and teasing it's understandable that you might be feel a little bit spent. That's why we're going to carry you over the finish line, by providing you with a fireman's lift of all things GS3. We've collected together all the links to tonight's main stories, along with a little reminder of the route we took to get here. So forget about the post-party hangover for now, and do the walk of shame past the break for the round-up. NEWS Samsung Galaxy S III launching on Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Three in the UK HANDS-ON AND IMPRESSIONS AllShare Cast wireless streaming dongle for Samsung Galaxy S III -- hands-on RUMOR ROUND-UP Samsung Galaxy S III leak out: 1.8GHz dual-core and 12MP camera that never came to be (false) |
| Beam-switching endows electron microscopes with 3D, added gross-out Posted: 03 May 2012 02:59 PM PDT
Having haunted our curtailed childhoods with tiny, disgusting horrors, the scanning electron microscope is about to get a new lease of life in 3D. Researchers in Japan have figured out how to deflect the electron beam rapidly to give two slightly shifted views, so real-time 3D images can now been scoped on a monitor without even the need for eye-wear. Current gear can only muster flat images, so it's always been painfully slow for scientists to extract convexity and other details from objects. Though the 3D-version is lower-res than the old way, at least now all those slimy mandibles and egg sacs will be right there in your face. Nice. |
| Samsung Game Hub, Video Hub hands-on (video) Posted: 03 May 2012 02:36 PM PDT
Sad that Samsung's rumored S-Cloud didn't appear on the scene? Well the arrival of the company's new Video, Game and Music hubs might heal the wounds. Rather than a unified service, the Galaxy S III will have access to three separate stores that will offer an alternative to Google Play. We spent a few minutes having a play, and you can see what it's like after the break. We got to spend some time with both the Game Hub and the Video Hub, and if you're a regular visitor to Google Play, you'll already be intimately acquainted with how this works. Inside the video hub are a number of titles available to rent for around £3 ($5) or buy in standard definition for £8 ($12) --- we couldn't see any HD titles on our brief peruse of the store. The game store offers social gaming (like slice it) and premium titles (like Tetris), which you purchase and then access via a tray that runs along the bottom of the game hub, rather than as separate apps on the phone proper. Performance was smooth and the games resumed where you left off if you switched between titles but we're not sure what its USP is apart from not being a Google-branded store. Unless there's compelling discounts or a unique library of titles, we're not convinced of its utility -- not yet, at least.
Mat Smith contributed to this report.
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