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- ASUS PadFone gets its first firmware update, minor bugs removed
- Facebook, Google, Twitter spearhead Ads Integrity Alliance to thwart villainous ads
- IRL: Canon Powershot D20, FX Photo Studio and Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G lens
- Sony STR-DN1030 7.2-channel home theater receiver with Airplay and Bluetooth hands-on
- Apple files for a patent on an iPhone with swappable lenses, picky mobile photographers rejoice
- Kikori CNC gantry router eyes-on (video)
- Microsoft plans 'major announcement' for Monday, June 18th
- PSA: Pacemaker DJ app for BlackBerry PlayBook drops into the mix today
- Cher Wang: HTC will grab as many patents as it can
- HTC Media Link HD review
- Opera 12 for the desktop goes live with camera support, browser themes
- More slides on Dell's Windows 8 Latitude 10 tablet surface, detail docking station and launch window
- Time Inc. relents, moves iOS magazines to Newsstand
- Gammatech's brawny 12-inch convertible Durabook adds Ivy Bridge brains
- Samsung Galaxy S III owners to get free Olympics livestream from Eurosport
- Nikon D600 pictures leak, offers full-frame snapping at a crop-frame price
- InterDigital's Bill Merritt on patent trolls, standards development and disputes with the big boys
- Kindle app updates bring children's books, graphic novels and comics to iOS, Android and Cloud Reader
- Sony Xperia Ion hits AT&T June 24th for $99 on contract
- Orange San Diego review: Intel does phones, finally
- Samsung's spoiler-police reveal how it kept the Galaxy S III a surprise
- Nokia: Microsoft is giving us 'specific support' to compete with Android at even lower prices
- Microsoft applies to patent MagSafe-like magnetic power and data coupling
- Acer Aspire S5 Ultrabook arriving this month for $1,400, S3 gets updated with Ivy Bridge and new color
- Western Digital enters the router market, higher-end models include built-in hard drives
- Canon EOS-1D X to arrive next week, just in time for dessert
- White House aims to make internet '90 percent cheaper' to build, teams up with Mozilla for $500k competition
- Google TV team focuses on third party content, second screen apps as I/O approaches
- Nokia Reaction Bluetooth headset slips out: 'acoustic' design packs ear detection, noise reduction (video)
- Samsung says Facebook project rumor 'groundless'
- FCC says it's running out of identification codes, promises to make room for new devices
- Sharp Labs Europe develops portable microfluidic chip that completes blood tests in minutes
- Nikon debuts new 18-300mm VR lens, brings highest zoom range yet to its DSLRs
- Nokia to acquire Scalado, build a better Lumia (Updated)
- Nokia 'sharpens strategy' by dropping three executives, laying off 10,000 and dumping Vertu
- Bose SoundLink Air speaker with WiFi spoiled by the FCC, bank accounts brace for impact
- Motrr Galileo nets $700k in Kickstarter pledges, available to pre-order now for $117
- Condition One immerses iPads and iPhones in 180-degree video, shakes up dreary apps (video)
- Time Warner Cable starts rolling out lightly refreshed guide with new color scheme, cloud VOD search
- Redesigned YouTube rolling out to some users, reflects the influence of Google+
| ASUS PadFone gets its first firmware update, minor bugs removed Posted: 14 Jun 2012 11:31 AM PDT We've been regularly poking the "Check Update" button on our PadFone since the release of our epic review, and just as promised, today ASUS has finally delivered the hybrid device's first OTA update. While the release notes have yet to pop up, we can see that the system firmware on our Taiwanese model's been upgraded to IML74K.CHT_PadFone-9.18.8.41_CHT_9.1.15-0, which has eliminated some of the bugs that we had reported to ASUS. For instance, the missing change-keyboard button in ASUS' Chinese handwriting input method has been reinstated, and trace input in ASUS' English keyboard is now working properly. Sadly, the "A" and "L" keys are still easy to miss -- we're accustomed to their larger sensitive areas on the native Android keyboard, so we shall stick to that for the time being. Also sent along is the camera firmware's update which brings the version number up to f09951, and consequently we're no longer getting an erroneous "no GPS signal" message in the camera app. Last but not least, the PadFone Station's firmware is now at version p40, but we've yet to notice any difference. Until we get the update log, don't be afraid to drop us a note in the comments if you spot anything else new. Update: We almost forgot to mention that the PadFone's already out in Singapore, and our pals over at Engadget Spanish reported earlier today that it's also heading to tiendas españolas next month. Likewise for Italy, according to Notebook Italia. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Facebook, Google, Twitter spearhead Ads Integrity Alliance to thwart villainous ads Posted: 14 Jun 2012 11:20 AM PDT Online heavy-hitters Google, Facebook, Twitter, AOL (Engadget's parent company) and the Interactive Advertising Bureau have have struck an alliance aimed at ridding nasty advertising "from all corners of the web." Stemming from the existing StopBadware group that began in 2006, the group will develop policies, build a platform for identifying scofflaws and share trends with government and law enforcement. For its part, Google curbed 130 million ads promoting counterfeit articles, malware and worse in 2011, but said baddies would normally move their shady businesses to another corner of the internet. Thus, the aim of this new league is to aid players across the web with its super resources in a bid to stop the knavery, no matter where it tries to hide. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IRL: Canon Powershot D20, FX Photo Studio and Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G lens Posted: 14 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.  It's photo week here at IRL. Turns out, quite a few Engadget editors are in the mood to talk up their shooting gear lately. On the camera side, Edgar recently took the PowerShot D20 on his honeymoon in Jamaica, while Darren's been giving FX Photo Studio a whirl (spoiler: he still prefers Snapseed). And say hello to our new copy editor Philip Palermo, who says if he had to live with just one lens for his Nikon D90, it would be the 35mm f/1.8G. FX Photo Studio I've spent a few weeks using both the Pro version on the desktop and the paid version on the iPhone. Put simply, the app provides 170-plus filters, a few frames and some very basic editing tools (crop, rotate, brighten, adjust, etc.). For just a few bucks on iPhone and iPad, it's actually not a half-bad deal. The Pro version, however, is entirely overpriced at $40. The biggest pitfall is the quality of the filters. I'd estimate that two-thirds of these are of the "so cheesy you'll never use this" variety, while the others are still too potent for my blood. In other words, there's really no "touching up" photos with these filters; when you apply one, you know it. It's also no good for doing anything other than toying around; even amateurs won't want to rely on this for any serious editing. Sadly, you can't import your own textures and backgrounds to mix with the company's own cadre. There's promise here, but I still prefer Snapseed when push comes to shove. -- Darren Murph Nikon 35mm f/1.8G That assignment helped me rediscover shooting with prime lenses, and it led me to purchase one of my most-used pieces of kit: Nikon's 35mm f/1.8G. It's the lens I keep on my D90 for those unpredictable, fleeting moments when my dog is doing something utterly adorable. My longer lens is just too ungainly to lug around the house for a quick snapshot and my wider zooms can't match the prime lens' large aperture. Despite being one of the least expensive lenses I've owned, it can do things my $2,000 telephoto zoom lens can't (letting in more than twice as much light, for example). I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say the 35mm f/1.8G would be my choice if I could only have one lens. Naturally, I'd love if it had an even wider maximum aperture, a faster autofocus motor or a sturdier build. Such a lens does exist -- at nearly 10 times the cost. No thanks. When I'm asked to shoot in places where ambient light is poor and using my flash isn't an option, I no longer worry. I don't get that knife-to-a-gunfight fear anymore – not when my knife is this good. -- Philip Palermo Canon PowerShot D20 Without a doubt, one of the best traits the D20 has to offer is its robust battery, which lasted the entire six-day trip without the need for a single charge. The long-lasting prowess of that 1,000mAh battery were surprising, to say the least, especially when I was using it for two to three hours of photos and video per day, on average. Speaking of which, the image quality coming out of that 12.1-megapixel HS CMOS sensor isn't anything to write home about, and the same applies to the 1080p videos; both tend to look over-processed and unlike anything you'd expect from a high-end $349 point-and-shoot. Still, you could argue the D20's durability and underwater shooting modes make up for the lack of outstanding pictures. Canon's all-terrain shooter managed to survive a snorkeling trip and a 7-foot drop (a bit higher than the claimed threshold). Apart from my minor quibbles about the image quality, the D20 is everything I expected. In other words, you can count on the D20 as being part of my gadget entourage during my next venturous trek, even if it lies dormant in the meantime. -- Edgar Alvarez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony STR-DN1030 7.2-channel home theater receiver with Airplay and Bluetooth hands-on Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:48 AM PDT Truth be told, we spend a lot of time listening to music, movies and hands-on video clips through our headphones and laptop speakers, but when it comes time to sink into the plush leather seats in a proper home theater, you better believe high-quality audio is a top priority. Sony's STR-DN1030 serves as an update to last year's STR-DN1020, and promises to deliver on that quality promise, with a bounty of connectivity options to boot. WiFi and built-in Ethernet enable the 7.2-channel digital receiver to stream from AirPlay, along with Sony Entertainment Network (SEN) music services including Music Unlimited, Pandora, Slacker and vTuner. The device is also DLNA compatible, IP controllable and it can power on (from standby mode) whenever you begin to stream a song over AirPlay or Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR connections. We dropped by Sony's NYC headquarters for a quick peek at the DN1030, which we're told very quietly made the rounds at CES but has yet make its official debut. The receiver, which boasts 145 watts per channel (not including those dual powered-sub connections), was paired with seven high-end Bowers & Wilkins speakers and a powered Sony subwoofer. It's nearly impossible to pass complete judgement on any high-end audio product after a brief demo in a room that isn't optimized for sound, so audiophiles should certainly hear this thing for themselves before coming to any conclusions of their own. Still, we were quite pleased with performance from what we saw today -- Bluetooth and AirPlay connections appeared to be seamless, Slacker loaded quickly and audio quality was quite solid from all of the wireless sources, along with Avatar and a recorded Cream concert on Blu-ray. Best yet is the receiver's price -- the STR-DN1030 will set you back just $499 when it hits stores in mid-July. Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple files for a patent on an iPhone with swappable lenses, picky mobile photographers rejoice Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:36 AM PDT Taking phone photography seriously is certainly possible. Short of tacking on a slightly ludicrous add-on case, however, you're normally stuck with whatever lens the phone designer deems fit. Unless Apple uses technology from a very out-of-left-field patent application, that is. The invention would make an iPhone's back panel removable so that owners could swap out lenses like they would with a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Apple has even raised the possibility of a panel with two lenses built-in at opposite corners: to switch to a telephoto lens or a different filter, you'd only need to flip the panel around to use the additional glass. It's all quite wild, although it's for that reason that the patent might never get used. The company isn't a fan of replaceable parts, after all. But if the photographer for your future wedding shows up with nothing but an iPhone and a bag full of back plates, you'll know why -- even if you're still left scratching your head. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kikori CNC gantry router eyes-on (video) Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:20 AM PDT Judah Sher's cubicle wasn't originally on our slate of scheduled stops during yesterday's trip to the Artisan's Asylum hacker space in Somerville, Massachusetts, but the man behind the Kikori CNC gantry router lured us in with a rather large piece of plywood leaned up against a wall, reading "Sindrian Arts Welcomes Engadget," our familiar logo carved out in big letters. The wood was cut in Sher's sawdust-covered space, using the Kikori, one of the more unwieldy devices in the space's 118 cubes.
The low cost gantry router was created with help from a Kickstarter campaign, which hit its $20,000 goal late last July. As promised, Sher has open sourced the project, and interested parties can download the design plans to create their own Kikori at home -- or, for $4,000, you can pick up a kit with most of the pieces (sans table, router and computer) from his site. The Kikori is a CNC (computer numerical control) router, controlled by designs created on a connected PC, capable of maintaining accuracy within 1/32 of an inch when plowing through plywood. And, as you can see in the above video, it does so pretty quickly as Sher recreates our logo on a small sheet of wood. It can tackle much larger products, with a cutting area of 90″ by 50″ by 6.5″. Sher has also set up his own Kikori to interface with a Wiimote, moving the gantry back and forth with the motion controller. Even cooler, is the prospect of self-replication -- the Kikori is capable of building its own parts -- in fact, the gantry on top of the unit in Sher's cube was build using an older model. The creator assured us that he's built a "fail-safe" into the design, however, explaining that while it can self-replicate, it can't yet self-assemble, so the streets of Somerville shouldn't be overrun by killer Kikori any time soon. Sher's army of creations goes well beyond plywood signs. The above balisong screwdriver -- sort of a butterfly knife for handymen -- was one of the cooler products we saw floating around his cube. You can get more information on the Kikori -- and plans to make your own -- in the source link below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft plans 'major announcement' for Monday, June 18th Posted: 14 Jun 2012 10:13 AM PDT It's not offering much in the way of hints, but Microsoft has just invited the press to an event in Los Angeles on Monday, June 18th for what it promises will be a "major Microsoft announcement." While it didn't have any more to say than that, the company's Windows Phone summit does follow later that week, and there's been no shortage of Microsoft-related rumors as of late, including a possible acquisition of Yammer (reported today by Bloomberg), and long-running talk of Office for iPad, which was again revived earlier this month. Whatever it is, we'll be there to bring you the news as it happens. Update: Citing "sources outside the company," AllThingsD is reporting that the event will focus on Windows RT for ARM-based tablets, and that Microsoft will be showing off devices running the OS as well as some of the programs and services that will be available for them. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSA: Pacemaker DJ app for BlackBerry PlayBook drops into the mix today Posted: 14 Jun 2012 09:54 AM PDT What started as hardware, back in 2008, has since been superseded by advances tablet-tech. Logical then that the team behind Pacemaker has remixed the idea for 2012. We've already had a sneaky peek at the PlayBook app, but that was back in beta-land. Today, it launches proper. The official unveiling will be at Barcelona's Sonar festival, but if you didn't get a ticket (or even if you did) you can get your hands on it today from BlackBerry App World for $19. A little more than Cut the Rope, sure, but small change compared to the original hardware's $850 price tag. Pacemaker® is back. Mix, scratch and loop on the Pacemaker® App! Pacemaker Device, the world's first mobile DJ system, was launched with a bang in the spring of Developing Pacemaker® for the BlackBerry PlayBook means that the internationally awarded user "We understood that with the abilities of a touch interface, we could raise the user experience and When launched, Pacemaker Device was priced at USD $850.00, now the same functionality is "There were a lot of people who wanted the Pacemaker Device, but because it was expensive, few The decision to launch Pacemaker App on the BlackBerry PlayBook was made after carefully "PlayBook is based upon QNX, the only true real-time operating system running on a mobile device. "The Pacemaker App on the BlackBerry PlayBook is fluid, alive and fun. It not only serves the needs "There is a need for a proper DJ app and the reincarnated Pacemaker, which actually invented On the June 14th, Pacemaker is launching at the Sonar music festival in Barcelona, and will be | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cher Wang: HTC will grab as many patents as it can Posted: 14 Jun 2012 09:32 AM PDT HTC co-founder and chair Cher Wang has said that her company plans to register and buy a host of patents in order to maintain parity with its competition. Speaking at the firm's 15th anniversary party, she said that despite being unable to use S3 Graphics' patents in ongoing litigation, the company will register and purchase patents in a variety of "different fields." It looks like we can expect to see a lot more filings at the USPTO in the future, and perhaps a few more buyouts along the way. [Image Credit: WSJ / Zuma Press] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Jun 2012 09:00 AM PDT More InfoAs wireless technology becomes more advanced, the demand for more sophisticated options to stream media from your mobile device to your HDTV steadily increases. It's hard to keep track of the various solutions companies are using to deliver this feature to their customers. DLNA, the most popular standard, is compatible with an army of dozens -- if not hundreds -- of products, while giants like Apple and Samsung have chosen different routes. After an arguably unsuccessful attempt at offering the DLNA standard via the original Media Link, HTC has decided to fly solo with the Media Link HD in the hopes that the accessory will add value to the company's high-end One handsets. We have little doubt that HTC is trying to keep the Media Link HD small and simple: it's a credit-card-sized dongle that easily fits in the palm of your hand, and only takes a smooth, three-finger gesture to pair it up with your One X or One S. Once connected, it gives you the opportunity to stream movies to your television and perform other tasks on your phone at the same time. A solid concept, to be sure, but is it worth shelling out at least $90 for this little darling? Tune in below to find out. Hardware The Media Link HD is a tiny black box that isn't going to win any design awards or beauty contests (sorry, we mean "scholarship pageants"). We don't mean to say it's an eyesore -- far from it, in fact -- it's just not a product that the folks in Taiwan felt the need to put extra thought into, at least in the looks department. Measuring 84 x 52 x 12.2mm (3.31 x 2.05 x 0.48 inches), it's smaller than a credit card and a bit thicker than the One X. It also has a similar body and style as its predecessor, the DLNA-streaming Media Link. Features The concept of pushing media from your mobile device to your home entertainment network or a board room projection screen is certainly nothing new. In fact, it's blossomed into an incredibly crowded market heavily saturated by thousands of DLNA-certified devices (one of which being the original Media Link) and services like Apple's AirPlay. Samsung also announced a similar product in association with the Galaxy S III last month which takes advantage of WiFi Direct. Plenty of companies have even tried to put a unique spin on the idea -- Motorola's Webtop dock comes to mind -- but that didn't stop HTC from introducing the Media Link HD, an accessory embedded with proprietary technology that can, at present, only be supported by the prized One X, One S and EVO 4G LTE (sorry, One V owners).
First and foremost, the new Media Link offers HDMI mirroring, which means everything you see on your mobile device can be displayed on your HDTV, computer monitor or other HD-compatible screen. But there's a twist: when you're watching a movie stored directly on your One X or One S (read: not on a third-party app, at least not yet), it won't actually play on the phone simultaneously. Why? For the dual-screen effect. After all, it's not like you're going to be watching the latest Ryan Gosling flick on your TV and your phone at the same time, so why not use the smaller screen to check emails, post on Facebook or anything else? Setup HTC wanted to make the Media Link HD as portable (and simple to use) as possible, so it's kept the setup process limited to just a few steps that, in all, shouldn't take you more than a few minutes. After all, tethering the device to a computer or adding other complications just to get the thing to work would turn into a disastrous and incredibly frustrating experience for most. When you turn the Media Link on, you'll be greeted with a message on your TV to slide three fingers up on your phone. Doing so for the first time will prompt the two devices to connect, and after roughly 30 seconds or so, you're ready to go. In a quick moment, your phone will automatically convert to landscape mode and your TV will be showing the same screen. In case things don't work out so smoothly, there's another method you can attempt before throwing the Media Link at the wall in frustration. Within the Wireless & Networks section of the settings menu, you'll see an option for the Media Link HD. This is where you'll find a list of available devices; click on the one you're currently trying to connect to and a setup screen will pop up. Three choices are available: Connect, Start Device Setup and Advanced Settings. The Connect option essentially performs the same function as your usual three-finger gesture. Start Device Setup prompts you to press the single button on the Media Link to restart the pairing process. The Advanced Settings option allows you to check for firmware updates, change language settings and change the P2P name and password. We found that Start Device Setup came in handy when we were attempting to switch from one WiFi network to another, but ideally you'll rarely -- if ever -- need to give this a shot. You can also perform a hard reset by holding down the Media Link button for 10 seconds or so until a steady red light starts to glow. Performance
Now that we've teased you by discussing hardware and setup first, let's tackle the important question: how well does it actually work? We had the opportunity to test a bug-riddled pre-production unit last month, and received a final production-grade model more recently. It's still not perfect by any stretch, but the improvement we saw in the latest hardware and firmware was significant. We won't go into many details on how the pre-production unit performed, since it's not the final product and doesn't reflect the changes made during that time -- let's just say that we could have chucked it out the window on several occasions. Instead, we'll discuss the version that consumers would receive if they were to buy one today. As mentioned earlier, the configuration process took 20 to 30 seconds to complete. Once we were hooked into the unit, the mirroring was smooth. We were able to flip through menus, screens and apps with ease. We observed some slight lag from time to time, but the few delays we encountered typically lasted just a second or two. All told, it had little effect on our overall enjoyment of the product. As a disclaimer, your mileage may vary when it comes to latency: slow internet speeds won't adversely affect your experience, but since the Media Link relies on your router as a proxy, having a clean WiFi environment may be a make-or-break scenario. If you live in an area with a heavy concentration of wireless access points, interference can potentially slow down your dongle's performance (if you're using it in middle of the city, you'll probably be better off using the Media Link's P2P option). The same thing can happen if you have multiple devices using the same network -- each one stealing a chunk of your precious bandwidth -- or if your WiFi signal is weak. Plenty of multimedia formats are supported on the Media Link. For video, these include H.264, MPEG-4, .MOV, .3GP, .MKV, XVID and .AVI; for audio, MP3, WMA, AAC, HE-AAC v1 / v2, AAC-LC, WAV, AC3, Dolby Digital EX and DTS pass-through. If you want to play slideshows or simply look at individual pictures through the Media Link, JPEGs are the only files supported at the moment (a step down from the original, sadly). However, a firmware update coming in the near future will add OGG and FLAC to the list of compatible formats. We did notice a few quirks worth discussing. Even though all of our home videos and most of our movies ran smoothly, and even though we didn't experience any loss in audio or video quality (on a 1080p HDTV at least), we encountered a few issues with movies that we'd ripped from a DVD and converted into MP4 format. While they looked and sounded perfect on a PC, they didn't translate as well to the Media Link. There were a few instances in which video came through just fine, but the audio track was four-tenths of a second behind. Other times, the audio track was interrupted by an audible thump every second or so. After trying several different file types and sourcing methods (i.e., DVD ripping software, downloading, digital copies and video recorded directly on the One X), the only ones we had problems with were movies ripped from DVDs.
Aside from gaming the biggest limitation here is the amount of storage you have on your phone -- not to mention the time and effort it takes to sideload movies onto your device. This may be a deal-breaker for DLNA fans. As we mentioned earlier, Netflix and other similar apps can still be mirrored onto your television, but no split-screen capability is available for them yet. Hopefully developers will find a way to get around this little niggle once the API is released; we'd love to see compatible apps remotely access and stream movies from our PCs. Wrap-up The Media Link HD is a tremendous improvement over its predecessor, and in most scenarios it works as advertised. The ability to push video content to your HDTV and perform routine tasks on your phone at the same time is a glorious feature. It's a glimpse at the direction wireless media streaming is going -- think seamless mobile gaming on your TV with the phone as the controller. Still, HTC needs to attract more developer interest to make the venture worthwhile. This is one of our biggest qualms about the company's proprietary technology: the success of this tiny dongle is highly reliant upon how well the One X and One S are received. (Remember the Kyocera Echo, which offered an API for its dual-screen functionality? Yeah, we barely do either.) The inability to use the Media Link as a vehicle to connect your PC to your TV may disappoint anyone with a huge library of flicks to choose from -- especially anyone that already has DLNA functionality. The $90 price point won't attract impulse buyers casually wandering through the store either. With all that in mind, it does exactly what we've seen it do in the professionally-made videos and trade show demonstrations -- and with some minor exceptions, it's seamless. It isn't the perfect solution for everyone, but One owners are left with few other media streaming options to choose from. With HTC's homegrown selection, at least, you likely won't find yourself desperately searching for alternatives. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opera 12 for the desktop goes live with camera support, browser themes Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:50 AM PDT Version 12 of Opera's desktop browser has been in beta for some time, but today it's making the step up to a full release for Macs and PCs. Along with hardware acceleration, speed improvements and an overhauled security badge, the update includes new browser skins (some 100 themes are available). One of the biggest tweaks, however, is the addition of camera support -- Opera 12 lets your webcam work with web applications, including an Asteroids-style game called FaceKat and Photo Booth. Head to the source link for more info. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| More slides on Dell's Windows 8 Latitude 10 tablet surface, detail docking station and launch window Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:39 AM PDT A slide detailing a Dell Latitude 10 tablet running Windows 8 surfaced late last month, and today more information about that slate has hit the internet. Neowin's "insider source" provided additional slides pertaining to the Dell Latitude 10, rounding out the product's specs and adding its time-to-market to the picture. According to the leaked roadmap, the 10.1-inch device is slated to ship between mid-November and mid-January, and it looks like Dell will offer a docking station with four USB ports, Ethernet, HDMI, built-in mobile broadband and even an optional stylus. Specs match up with those in the previously published slide, though Neowin says Dell may also release a Windows RT tablet around October. Head to the source link for the complete gallery of Latitude 10 slides. [Thanks, Brad] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Inc. relents, moves iOS magazines to Newsstand Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:26 AM PDT Time Inc. appears to have relented in its refusal to sell subscriptions via its iOS apps, from which Apple takes a 30 percent commission. The Sports Illustrated publisher had resisted the move, forcing people to subscribe to the print edition in order to receive it digitally, but an update has moved the apps into Newsstand and now offers digital-only signups. It's not clear what sparked the change, but we're just glad to see everyone thinking about the trees and getting along. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gammatech's brawny 12-inch convertible Durabook adds Ivy Bridge brains Posted: 14 Jun 2012 08:01 AM PDT The Durabook convertible's always been a tough jock, but now it's got some Ivy Bridge finesse as well, with the new U12Ci. Ruggedized to military MIL-STD-810G specs to resist drops, shocks, spills, dust and power nastiness, the new Intel chipset will add more speed and improved battery life to its tough-as-nails surface. The kid brother to the U12C keeps that same 12.1-inch 1280 x 800 panel, with a choice of Core i5 or i7 chipsets, USB 3.0 and the option to add up to 16GB of RAM. Prices start at $1,000, so if you're hitting the trenches or your local Starbucks, head down the source link for more info. Ten-hut! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung Galaxy S III owners to get free Olympics livestream from Eurosport Posted: 14 Jun 2012 07:45 AM PDT New owners of the Olympic's official smartphone that missed out on Samsung's initial ticket giveaway still have a chance to catch plenty of the action live. Eurosport has announced that it'll be offering a free month of access to its streaming app for Galaxy S III owners -- as long as you're a resident in one of the participating European countries. (Hint: it's most of 'em, aside from Italy). Free access can be activated from July 14th and will last through August 12th. You can, however, grab the Eurosport app before the Olympics kick off by hitting the source below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon D600 pictures leak, offers full-frame snapping at a crop-frame price Posted: 14 Jun 2012 07:20 AM PDT The first images of what's purported to be the new Nikon D600 have appeared online. The budget (for photographers, at least) full-frame camera is expected to come with a 24.7-megapixel sensor, a 3.2-inch LCD display and a built-in autofocus motor. What makes us hopeful of its rapid arrival is today's earlier announcement concerning the FX-compatible Nikkor 24-85mm lens -- the pair combined would make a devastating duo if the company hits the mark on pricing. Those in the market for a gentle introduction to DSLRs can take a peak at another picture after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| InterDigital's Bill Merritt on patent trolls, standards development and disputes with the big boys Posted: 14 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT Either because it's suing, or being sued for licensing fees in the complex, murky world of wireless technologies, it's easy to get the idea that InterDigital is a patent troll. A name that, both Nokia and most recently, Huawei have barely stopped short of throwing at the company. But what's it like being painted as the villain in the wireless business pantomime? Company president and CEO William "Bill" Merritt took the time to answer some of our questions, talk about what the company actually does, what's in the future and why they definitely aren't a patent troll. Let's first talk about "patent trolls," can you explain to our readers the distinction between yourselves and "trolls," and how you feel about the term being applied to InterDigital? I would say I'm uncomfortable with creating a class system around patent holders, and over the past few years we've seen companies that are clearly not trolls adopt more aggressive behavior around monetizing their portfolios. Traditionally, people see trolls as companies that don't do their own development, or don't have products.
We're very different and, given that description, it's always very trying for us to be lumped into that category: we have hundreds of engineers, we participate in and often chair standards committees, and we partner with leading operators, infrastructure companies and solution providers to develop and test new solutions. At Mobile World Congress this year, we demonstrated technologies – all of them developed in-house – with partners like Alcatel-Lucent and Spectrum Bridge. Technologies that we expect to see in the marketplace in four to five years – that's how far ahead of the curve we often work. Your position in the market is to wireless companies what ARM is to chip design, in so much that you license your wares to others. Do you ever feel that you're missing out by not producing your own hardware? I don't think we do. First of all, we do build: every one of our development projects involves building out a complete system so we can test our technologies. We just don't focus on getting those products into a form factor that can be sold, because other companies are far better at that. More broadly, I think direct concern over immediate products in the market would possibly detract from our focus on absolute leading-edge technologies. Our eye, and our research budget, is always on what the wireless world will need and move towards in the future... not what it would be willing to buy at a specific price point today. So, in a sense, not having products is beneficial for us in our work on pioneering technologies, especially within standards. It might give us a perspective that other standards participants, all of whom are seeking market advantage, don't have. To what extent are companies like InterDigital involved when a new standard is being developed? For example, if the ITU started discussing "5G" tomorrow (for example), would you be lobbying to handle the research or is it a race between the various parties to patent as much technology as possible? I think it's not so much a race as it is a competition. There are a certain number of technical challenges that need to be solved, and engineers compete to develop the best, clearest, most elegant and most easily implemented solution. We compete alongside them – and again, not having products frees us to examine all aspects of a new standard's requirements. InterDigital's key is that we don't wait for standards bodies to launch a project to begin research: we look at the challenges of current technology – for example, in power consumption, or interference control, or policy control from the operator perspective – and determine what solutions would be needed to solve those problems. Let's talk now about the creation of the patents. Is all of your research undertaken in-house or do you also purchase some in from universities or other companies? So far, nearly all our development has been done in-house. We have more than 200 engineers, and R&D facilities in Philadelphia, New York, Montreal and San Diego. We're not against patent acquisitions. But, mainly they align with technologies in which we've built significant in-house portfolios, or where we intend to begin R&D efforts. Are you continuing to add to your patent portfolio, and if so, what direction have those patents taken? What's the next big innovation in the space?
In terms of next big innovation, some of the key technologies we're working on right now involve bandwidth management – aggregating, segmenting and managing bandwidth, from both the device and the operator perspective. We're also doing tremendous work in spectrum aggregation, integrating TV white space and various other spectrum resources, licensed and unlicensed, into a comprehensive system. Both these technologies are rooted in our sense of a migration from fixed to dynamic networks. We're also doing work in standards-based machine-to-machine communications. We see that, and the impact standards have on driving down costs and expanding capability, as being a huge milestone in the development of wireless and the internet of things. Who do you work with when developing your patents? Do you have much input from the Apple & RIMs of this world? As standards are becoming more universal, is there a greater need for licenses to be negotiated centrally rather than individually to prevent new entrants to the wireless market becoming bogged down in disputes?
And bear in mind, the vast majority of our license agreements are reached quietly, with mutual agreement and minimal fanfare. I know disputes are messy, and that the engineering world looks down on them. But sometimes disputes cannot be avoided, and I personally think that companies need to maintain the independence to govern themselves the way they choose. How do you calculate the worth of your patents? Is there a flat rate per handset or are there multipliers based upon the profitability and quantity of handsets in the market? Is there a different set of fees based on tablets and broadband dongles compares to phones? As I mentioned before, there is a broad range of types of agreements, depending on product type, fixed payments vs. percentage royalties, and many other variables. Our basic practice is to achieve what we feel is a fair value for our contributions, but also to put the licensee in a position to be successful. No one would gain, including us, if the royalties on a product made the product unsuccessful. More Info One website petitioned for company insiders to leak details about your business dealings. Given that you largely operate "behind the scenes," has the increased attention of the internet been a boon or a burden to your day to day lives? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Jun 2012 06:42 AM PDT Put down War and Peace for just a second. If you're a Kindle user on iOS, Android or Amazon's Cloud Reader, a new update brings children's books, graphic novels and comics to your virtual library. The children's titles will support Kindle Text Pop-Up to help boost the size of the words and spare your little one's eyes. Comics, however, get the Kindle Panel View treatment -- on supported titles -- that'll keep that analog format's frame-by-frame style. An iOS-only tweak adds title- and author search of your library, plus smaller margins on the iPad. Android tablet owners and Cloud Readers, on the other hand, can now enjoy a two-page view. The updates are available starting today, so fold the corner on the source links, or head straight to the next chapter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Xperia Ion hits AT&T June 24th for $99 on contract Posted: 14 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT In the tech industry, time (and the fleeting interests of geekdom) waits for no one product. So, it's understandable if you've already forgotten about Sony Mobile's US flagship: a sleekly designed, mid-range contender known as the Xperia Ion. It's been nearly six months since the electronics giant officially unveiled the device at CES and, for brand loyalists still clinging to the edge of their seats, the wait's nearly over. Starting June 24th, AT&T will be offering the LTE handset -- a first for the newly unified wireless outfit stateside -- for $99 with a new two-year agreement (insert applause for Nokia and its precedent setting Lumia 900 here). So, what do you get for that compelling price tag? For starters, there's that gorgeous 4.6-inch 720p HD Reality display, 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S3 CPU, 16GB of inbuilt storage (expandable up to an additional 32GB via SD card), 12-megapixel rear camera with Exmor R sensor, PlayStation Certification and a healthy 1,900mAh battery. Whether that spec list and associated on-contract pricing will pack enough of a power punch to win over Android elitists remains to be seen -- for now, this mid-2012 phone'll be shipping with Gingerbread 2.3.7 on board. That's not to say it won't ever see a much needed upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich; it's certainly on the way, there's just no telling precisely when it'll arrive. If the company's recent track record is any indication, however, the Ion stands a very good chance of joining the Xperia upgrade brigade sometime soon. Hit up the break to peruse the official presser in all its hyperbolic glory. EXPERIENCE HD ENTERTAINMENT EVERYWHERE WITH XPERIA™ ION FROM SONY, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT AT&T JUNE 24 Sony's First 4G LTE Smartphone Ideal for Creating and Showcasing Premium DALLAS, June 14, 2012 – Entertainment fans longing for a better mobile HD experience will soon have an all-new 4G LTE Android smartphone to covet as the Xperia ion from Sony arrives exclusively in all AT&T* channels June 24. The new Xperia ion builds on Sony's reputation as an innovator and leader in imaging and entertainment and costs just $99.99 with a two-year agreement. AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network, covering more than 260 million people. As 4G LTE expands, AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you're on a much slower 3G network. Sony's first 4G LTE smartphone comes with a 4.6-inch HD Reality display (1280 x 720), as well as the ability to view HD content on the big screen via HDMI. The HDMI connection also opens the Xperia ion's TV launcher, a customizable home screen carousel of application shortcuts. You can navigate the TV launcher and the rest of the Xperia ion's menus at your convenience using your TV's remote control.*** Shutterbugs will love the Xperia ion's 12-megapixel Fast Capture camera and quick launch feature to seize life's unexpected moments. With its dedicated camera button, the Xperia ion swiftly goes from standby to first camera shot in just 1.5 seconds and then from shot-to-shot in less than a second, ensuring you don't miss a moment. Xperia ion boasts all-around HD video recording, so whether capturing memories or video chatting, you can be sure to have high-quality video on the go using either your rear or front-facing cameras. Sony Entertainment on the Go For the Xperia ion, both Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited are available for download from the Google Play store. AT&T customers who buy the Xperia ion will get to try the premium service level of Music Unlimited free for thirty days. The Xperia ion is also ready for advanced gaming as it is PlayStation® Certified. The hardware is optimized to deliver an exceptional gaming experience and users will have future access to PlayStation titles as the catalog is developed. With so much entertainment to be enjoyed, the Xperia ion comes with plenty of internal memory, with the option to add up to 32GB external (microSD™) memory. For more information, customers can visit http://www.att.com/aboutus. Key Specs:
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where Limited-time offer. Sony Xperia ion requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req'd. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Orange San Diego review: Intel does phones, finally Posted: 14 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT The first generation of Intel-powered Android phones has arrived, and while the chip maker doesn't appear to be claiming that its initial efforts are world-beaters, we've been promised a chipset that prioritizes what people want most: capable web browsing, strong camera performance and robust battery life. Although we've sampled plenty of incremental versions of this Medfield tech, Orange UK's San Diego is the first finished device to land for review. Priced at £200 ($308) it joins a large spread of wallet-friendly, entry-level smartphones in Orange's lineup. With a (1024 x 600) 4-inch LCD, 8-megapixel camera with flash, micro-HDMI port and 1GB of RAM, it looks to be a respectable, if middle-of-the-road, Android device. But the focus here lays with the 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2460 CPU and whether it delivers on those performance and battery life promises. Does Intel have a handle on mobile processors? Is the San Diego, near-identical to Intel's own reference model, going to be attractive enough for buyers? You'll find our verdict after the break. Hardware
Since Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the Orange San Diego (previously known as the Santa Clara), has benefited from some slight revisions. The whole frame is now much more solid, and there's no longer any hint of a creak. The soft-touch backing, while a magnet for scratches and dings, helps to separate it from an army of glossy sub-$300 Android devices, but it's certainly not the most imaginatively designed phone. The shape lies somewhere between the Galaxy S II and iPhone 3GS, although the substantial bezel below the screen stops the phone from being quite as hand-friendly as the latter. It's simply not a pretty phone, and we lay the blame on the ho-hum build materials. The black body is ringed with a silver border, and while it didn't chip during our use, it's not a particularly fancy finish. The 10mm edge houses the volume rocker, micro-SIM slot and two-stage camera button on the right, micro-USB port at the bottom, and mini-HMDI output along the left side. A fiddly power switch resides along the top edge, but once you gain purchase on them, all of the physical buttons are responsive -- including the camera button, which will also quick-launch into the camera. The San Diego is home to an 8-megapixel / 1.3-megapixel camera duo, both of which can be controlled using either the physical key or touchscreen. The primary, rear-facing shooter is also capable of recording 1080p video. The four capacitive buttons are clearly signposted in daylight, but will also light up if the environment dictates. Thankfully, despite the lightweight tinkering from Orange, both Android Gingerbread shortcuts remain intact, with a multitasking screen accessible by holding the home button. Storage space comes in at just under 11GB -- with no option for expansion. In fact, the whole phone is sealed up -- so there's no easy option to change the battery either. (It is possible to wrench off the back cover, but the battery still isn't the in-and-out kind.) Display The San Diego's 4-inch screen was a pleasant surprise. While there's no Super AMOLED Plus or Super LCD 2 fanfare, it's sharp and rich, although wider viewing angles introduce some gentle discoloration. But for a low-to-middle-ranger, the 1024 x 600 screen was plenty serviceable, and at full brightness was just about manageable in full daylight. Camera While Intel seemed to pride itself on the camera skills of its reference design, we can't agree. If ever there was a phone to demonstrate that a camera's performance can't be measured by megapixels alone, then the San Diego is it. While some effort was made on the software side to ensure the phone is capable of burst capture, we were left underwhelmed by the blurry results. Perhaps we've been spoiled recently, but the image quality certainly doesn't measure up to the standards of other earnestly-priced phones. Colors were often washed out with subjects appearing dull, while less-than-favorable lighting resulted in hefty doses of noise. This time, we won't blame it on the often cloudier climes of the UK as color reproduction indoors was also meager, and a good deal of detail often got lost in translation. Having said that, there were flashes of decent imaging, but these moments were rarer than we'd liked. Performance in macro mode was generally better than other settings. Intel has added a raft of control options for the camera, and while there isn't an HDR mode, per se, you do have the option of capturing a selection of photos at differing exposures to craft your own HDR images on separate hardware. The camera app doesn't cut corners at all on options, with several auto exposure modes (including aperture and shutter priority), shutter-speed adjustment, anti-banding options, RAW mode, ISO settings (800 maximum) and a burst-mode capable of 15 frames per second for up to 10 shots. Unfortunately, the results from the get-go didn't really warrant extensive use of all those options. Video performance matched what we found with stills, with results often noisy and a little rough around the edges. White balance largely did the trick, but it did end up washing out the swan you'll see in our sample. Autofocus kept up with us, although it's not the speediest.
Software The San Diego runs on Android Gingerbread. We've been told that Ice Cream Sandwich can already run on this hardware, but it still won't be seen on these devices until Q4. It's difficult to describe what's been done to stock Android. For every change Orange made, some parts were left completely unaffected -- like an increasingly rare stock version of the app drawer. We were able to scrape back most of what Orange had wrought -- aside from the dated orange app icons. The carrier did add gesture features, which are largely unobtrusive and occasionally useful. By slowly tracing across the screen (on any app or the home screen) you can draw out a symbol that acts as a shortcut, catapulting you to whatever's assigned to it. We give it a run in the video review -- check that out if you'd like to see how it all works. Up to 27 shortcuts can be assigned to apps, contacts, playlists and even FourSquare places. Popular carrier apps, like Orange Wednesday, are pre-installed and are unfortunately flanked by less useful additions like the Orange Assistant helper app, an additional user guide and an NFC tags app that went largely untouched. While the phone is NFC-capable, there's no "taggable" cards packaged with the phone and the San Diego doesn't hook up to Orange's existing contactless payment service. The stock Android keyboard felt very, very responsive -- more so than on various other Android devices we've reviewed this year, and Swype is offered as well if that's more your style. As we'll cover more closely in the performance section, the web browser copes well with denser sites -- there's a little stutter but it's on par with existing dual-core Android phones, if not quite on the same level as a flagship. App compatibility on the new chipset was a concern that we almost completely forgot about during our review. We came across only two apps that didn't work during our review and we use a lot of apps -- it simply wasn't a problem. Performance and battery life
For Intel, a lot boils down to this section. Our benchmark figures have barely moved since we tested the device at its launch event, and the numbers paint an interesting, largely positive picture. In short, the single-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z2460 is capable of sparring with the dual-core masses. Sure, it's not a leader -- it's not even close to the quad-cores and Snapdragon S4s of 2012, but look at that SunSpider score. We've run several rounds just to check, but yes, it slides in just underneath the Galaxy S III -- and less is better here. It demonstrates that Intel was serious when it promised to focus on web browsing. And while the phone was clearly unable to scale 3D environments on the likes of GTA 3 as well as pricier handsets, it still manages to juggle this and other low-intensity tasks without a problem. Alas, real-world battery life didn't hold up to those heady promises of 14 days' standby. Many people might want a smartphone that can simply exist in their bag for a few days -- but we've reviewed enough devices and tested enough batteries to tell you it's the screen that will burn through your charged-up phone. On our video rundown test, which involves looping a video with the screen fixed at 50 percent brightness, the phone managed to wind down in around seven hours and 20 minutes. That time is no better than current Android devices, but it's still pretty good for a 4-inch smartphone. In day-to-day use, we found the battery fared better, managing closer to two or three days between charges -- substantially better than many other smartphones we've used this year. Unsurprisingly, its runtime is directly related to how much you use it, but if you're not going to use those smartphone features, it will doggedly hold onto its initial charge very well -- close to that posited two-week mark. Call quality was strong -- Orange offers HD voice calling between the San Diego and other compatible devices. It also has the same earSmart voice-cancellation processing found in the likes of the Galaxy S III and, er, Dell Streak, keeping our test calls sharp and clear. Wrap-up Intel's first Android smartphone proves that the company is more than happy to bring the fight to existing processors. Despite the low price, the admirable performance of the San Diego's Medfield processor is the take-home message here -- which is great news for a manufacturer looking to dip its toes into mobile devices. What we're interested in seeing now is what Intel can make if it really pushes the envelope. How would an Intel-powered, 1080p, flagship smartphone with a more capable camera compare to Samsung's and HTC's best and brightest? In comparison, the San Diego looks plain cheap, lacks Ice Cream Sandwich and has often disappointing camera. If we think globally, the Galaxy Nexus is just $100 more expensive, and represents competition that the San Diego (and its duplicates) would lose out to. However, for this price -- and as Intel's entry-level smartphone gambit -- we were left impressed by both the display and battery. The first Medfield phones may not register on the radar for those looking for the best Android has to offer, but it remains a strong start for Intel to build upon. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Samsung's spoiler-police reveal how it kept the Galaxy S III a surprise Posted: 14 Jun 2012 05:49 AM PDT Samsung has opened up about the measures it took in order to maintain secrecy in the run up to the launch of the Galaxy S III. The project was so top secret that engineer Buyong-Joon Lee even flatly denied what he was doing to his 11-year-old son. Inside the labs, handsets were moved between facilities in locked boxes, while the prototypes were personally delivered by a globetrotting executive to network partners. The company went as far as producing three entirely different models, each one constructed as if it was the final product, so the team had to build and rebuild components to accommodate each design. Spare a thought for the procurement department, which had to rely on written descriptions of the handset in order to set the price and buy components -- enabling that May 3rd launch to go off with its surprises intact. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia: Microsoft is giving us 'specific support' to compete with Android at even lower prices Posted: 14 Jun 2012 05:36 AM PDT Nokia made mention of a broader Lumia phone range coming as part of its major strategy shakeup, but it wasn't clear just where the Windows Phone line was heading. During a call discussing the nitty-gritty of the strategy shift, though, the company made clear that it was swinging towards devices cheaper than the Lumia 610 -- much cheaper. Plans had already been underway to drop the price lower, but Microsoft had given "specific support" to get to lower prices than Nokia "had a sight to." Executives dropped hints that "important catalyst dates" in Microsoft's Windows Phone timetable were instrumental to lower prices; we've got a few ideas as to what Nokia might mean. The cost-cutting was considered vital to competing with the very low-cost Android smartphones that thrive in countries like China, as Nokia wasn't about to throw a mix of basic Symbian phones and Windows Phones against a pure smartphone platform like Google's. Along with narrowing the focus in product launches to fewer countries but more ambitious plans -- think of AT&T's Lumia 900 launch shebang -- Finland's phone giant thinks it can go toe-to-toe with Android-using rivals that can often compete solely on cost. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft applies to patent MagSafe-like magnetic power and data coupling Posted: 14 Jun 2012 05:21 AM PDT Microsoft has applied to patent a magnetic power and data coupling that's similar to the power-only MagSafe. Using the technology, the unit would snap onto the base of your phone (in the example) in either direction, pushing juice and information without the needless fiddling with a micro/miniUSB port. Since it's just an application, it's not likely to arrive in a product yet, but it does make us hopeful that more companies aim to end our cable-based annoyances. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT It was only last week that Acer unveiled its first touchscreen Ultrabook, so you'd be forgiven if you forgot about the company's other pinch-thin laptop -- the one that was announced back in January at CES. That would be the Aspire S5, and now, five months later, it's finally going on sale. We just got word that it will hit shelves the last week of this month, with a starting price of $1,400. To recap (in case you've been overwhelmed by all the Ultrabooks on display lately), this is the one with the motorized, drop-down door hiding HDMI, USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt ports. If fourteen hundred bucks seems expensive, remember that these specs (a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor and 256GB SSD) are actually pretty standard for the money. And, at 2.65 pounds, it's lighter than almost every other 13-inch Ultrabook we've seen. Still, at that price we'd expect something a little crisper than a 1366 x 768 display. For what it's worth, too, the S5 is the first product to ship in the US with the company's free AcerCloud service baked in. In brief, you get unlimited storage for backing up your stuff, all of which you can access remotely using an Android app (Acer has said iOS and Windows Phone versions are on the way). As with other syncing services, your computer needs to be asleep, not powered-off, in order for you to retrieve your files, so avoid shutting down if you think you'll need to reach into your PC later. In other news, Acer is refreshing its first-gen S3 Ultrabook with a new champagne color, and will now offer it with an Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor and 256GB hard drive. The starting price has dropped to $648 with a Sandy Bridge CPU, with the highest-end models fetching about $1,000. Look for these upgraded models sometime next week.
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| Western Digital enters the router market, higher-end models include built-in hard drives Posted: 14 Jun 2012 05:00 AM PDT Western Digital is no stranger to media streaming, but until now its specialty has been moving content off a set-top box and onto your television. Now, though, the company is getting into the wireless game as well: it just announced its first networking products, including four dual-band routers and an Ethernet switch. Across the board, the routers use WD's so-called FasTrack technology to prioritize bandwidth-hogging activities like movie streaming, video chats and online gaming. And, like any modern-day router worth its salt, they include options for parental controls, as well as setting up a guest network. At the high end, the N900 Central (pictured) doubles as network-attached storage, suggesting WD was eager to put its hard drive know-how to good use. That'll be available in 1TB and 2TB flavors, and you can use a WD 2 Go website to access the drive remotely. (There are also iOS and Android apps, with a Windows Phone version coming soon.) Rounding out the list, it has four Ethernet ports and one USB connection. Similarly, the N900 router is rated for top speeds of 900 Mbps, except it lacks the built-in storage. In its place, it has seven Gigabit sockets, along with two USB ports. Moving on down the line, the N750 and N600 each have four Ethernet ports and two USB openings, with the N750 maxing out at 750 Mbps and the N600 -- well, you get the idea. Lastly, that switch has eight Gigabit ports if increasing your wired connections is what you're really after. With the exception of the storage-enhanced N900 Central, these are all available today, with prices ranging form $70 for the switch, $80 for the N600, $120 for the N750 and $180 for the N900. The N900 Central won't be available until next quarter, and will cost either $300 or $350 depending on whether you go for the 1TB or 2TB model.
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| Canon EOS-1D X to arrive next week, just in time for dessert Posted: 14 Jun 2012 04:41 AM PDT So you eBayed your Canon EOS 5D back in April, all in good faith, ready for the EOS-1D X that never came. Well, that gap in your photoblog should end next week -- according to updated info from the camera maker. The latest details suggest that the flagship shooter should be hitting stores on June 20th, along with a clutch of accessories. You'd better initiate that PayPal withdrawal now, though, as CNET reports that a US representative for the firm told them that, while stocks will be available, they'd initially be in limited supply. Full stocks, however, should be here in time for to shoot your own HD Olympics. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Jun 2012 04:23 AM PDT The government's US Ignite partnership aims to push the growth of next-generation broadband networks, teaming up with over 100 start-ups, universities and existing tech companies like HP, Comcast and Verizon for the project. The President is set to sign an executive order today that aims to cut the cost of broadband construction across federal roadways and properties by up to 90 percent. The White House is also is looking to improve "next-generation applications and (the) digital experience," running on networks that are a heady 100 times faster than what's in use today. The National Science Foundation has thrown in $250 million to assist the partnership's creation of a national 1-gigabit network that would connect together academic and developer hubs. Mozilla has decided to team up with the foundation to offer up a $500,000 prize pot for developers looking to help create the "internet of the future". The challenge aims on education, healthcare, public safety and other (admittedly broad) topics, with the top ideas capable of grabbing $15,000 from the prize fund. And if Google reckons gigabit networks are the way to go, who's the White House to argue? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google TV team focuses on third party content, second screen apps as I/O approaches Posted: 14 Jun 2012 03:45 AM PDT The slow-starting Google TV project has gotten a lot of attention at the last two Google I/O conferences, so what do the folks at Mountain View have up their sleeves this time around? Judging by recent updates to the Google Developers support pages, a major focus will be on helping third party devs create apps full of content, as well as control and information apps for mobiles or tablets. Recently the Anymote Android library for remote apps and related documentation was published, which the developer of the popular Able Remote app confirmed could assist devs in expanding upon Google's existing app, while subsequent additions to the FAQ library address HTML5 and more. On deck for Google I/O sessions are Bring Your App To The Big Screen, Get Your Content On Google TV and Command and Control in Your Living Room: Building Second Screen App for Google TV. Recently, apps like the one for Al Jazeera have been updated to bring more video to Google's platform, so with the rumored SDK (and HDTV) from Apple still missing in action, we'll wait and see if the third time's the charm for Google TV. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 14 Jun 2012 03:16 AM PDT While it hasn't gone public on Nokia's own site, its YouTube channel has thrown up a video of a new Bluetooth headset. The device, like previous Nokia inventions, can be paired to phones through NFC and also automatically transfer and answer incoming calls when it senses it's near your ear. It packs in three separate mics, background noise cancellation and "automatic volume control" that aims to forgo screaming into the earpiece. We'll update with more details once we hear from Nokia. Take a peak at the device after the break -- and sigh at the sight of the ill-fated Nokia N9.
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| Samsung says Facebook project rumor 'groundless' Posted: 14 Jun 2012 03:00 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FCC says it's running out of identification codes, promises to make room for new devices Posted: 14 Jun 2012 02:32 AM PDT FCC RESPONDS TO EVER INCREASING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW WIRELESS DEVICES; ANNOUNCES AGENCY WILL CONSIDER WAYS TO ENHANCE EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM Washington, D.C.- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today took action to ensure that its equipment authorization program will continue to operate smoothly in the face of an ever increasing number of applicants and applications for equipment authorization for wireless devices. Devices range from cell phones and police and marine radios, to computers and microtransmitters placed in computers, to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, to implanted wireless medical devices, to remote control devices, to security tags, to inventory trackers, and many more in variety and number. Applicants range from well-known companies like Gibson Guitar, Texas Instruments and Ford Motor Company, to seemingly unlikely participants such as Oreck, Adidas, and the Nebraska Furniture Mart, as well as numerous makers – large and small – of individual electronics components that are included in larger devices. The equipment authorization program is a key component of FCC's spectrum and policy agenda. It encourages innovation in equipment design, ensures efficient use of the radio spectrum, and implements policy objectives such as the hearing aid compatibility of handsets. The rapid innovation in equipment design has led to ever-accelerating growth in the number of parties applying for equipment approval. As a result of this growth, the FCC is running low on the identification codes it assigns to new applicants. Since 2006, the number of new codes issued annually has risen from 954 to 1275 last year. The FCC's action today will significantly increase the pool of identifier codes assigned to companies requesting equipment authorizations to ensure that a sufficient supply is available well into the future. The FCC also announced that it plans to consider ways to improve its equipment authorization program, including clarifying or modifying the administrative requirements and the responsibilities of the Telecommunications Certification Bodies that perform equipment certification. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sharp Labs Europe develops portable microfluidic chip that completes blood tests in minutes Posted: 14 Jun 2012 01:41 AM PDT In partnership with the University of Southampton, Sharp Labs Europe is developing a mobile lab-on-a-chip that spits out results in minutes, potentially putting the test result waiting game to an end. Using microelectronics found in LCDs, the programmable microfluidic square splits microliters of blood -- and potentially other fluids -- into smaller droplets which it subjects to controlled chemical reactions. A single blood sample can be used for multiple tests, so there's no need to endure a barrage of pricks. Folks anxious for snappier lab results may need to sit tight, however, as it could be five to ten years before the device settles into your doctor's office. In the meantime, head past the break to get the scientific lowdown from Sharp Research Supervisor Ben Hadwen. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nikon debuts new 18-300mm VR lens, brings highest zoom range yet to its DSLRs Posted: 14 Jun 2012 01:01 AM PDT The latest telephoto zoom lens from Nikon packs in the highest zoom ratio we've seen on an APS-C or DX lens. The Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5/6 G ED VR cranks up the zoom to 16.7X, but pairs this with the aperture range of its existing telephoto lenses, ready for some bokeh-heavy close-ups. You'll be paying for that superzoom privilege, however, as the lens is set to arrive later this month, commanding a $1,000 premium. It's joined by a new standard-zoom lens, the FX-compatible Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ED VR, which also arrives later this month, priced at $600. Nikon Expands Acclaimed NIKKOR Lens Lineup with the Addition of the New 18-300mm VR All-in-One High Power Super Zoom Lens and the 24-85mm VR Lens Today, Nikon Inc. announced the addition of two new lenses to the legendary NIKKOR lineup, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR lenses. The new 18-300mm VR lens is a versatile and compact 16.7X all-in-one super zoom DX-format lens, while the new 24-85mm VR lens is an ideal standard zoom for any FX-format photographer. These optics were designed to meet the needs of all types of photographers, from those looking to capture everything from family outings to elusive wildlife and stunning landscapes. The new 18-300mm and 24-85mm lenses deliver the performance and superior image quality that photographers of all levels have come to expect from NIKKOR lenses whether capturing still images or HD videos.
To capture stunningly sharp images with excellent clarity and color reproduction or HD video that exhibits sharp critical focus with a dramatic depth of field, the new 18-300mm VR and 24-85mm VR lenses will empower photographers with a variety of exclusive core NIKKOR technologies. Both lenses are equipped with Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) II image stabilization system which provides the equivalent of a shutter speed approximately four stops faster. The built-in Vibration Reduction will help photographers create blur-free images and video while shooting handheld and in challenging lighting conditions. Two focus modes, manual-priority autofocus (M/A) and manual focus (M), are easily selected in both lenses as well. When either lens is in manual-priority autofocus (M/A) mode, users will be able to instantly switch from autofocus to manual focus operation by simply rotating the focus ring, even during AF servo operation. Additionally, both lenses feature an internal focusing system, providing fast focus without changing the length of the lens while retaining working distance through the focus range, and Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology designed to deliver fast, accurate and quiet AF performance. The lenses also boast Nikon's Super Integrated Coating (SIC) which provides superb color reproduction, color consistency and reduced flaring.
"Whether a pro on assignment, a photo enthusiast or an indie cinematographer, all Nikon users appreciate and rely on the vast selection and reliability of NIKKOR lenses for all of their imaging needs," said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. "The new AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm VR and AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm VR lenses are fully optimized to capture stunning images and videos while meeting the growing needs of photographers of all levels around the world."
The NIKKOR 18-300mm VR Lens: Nikon's Longest Focal Range Building on the popularity and versatility of Nikon's telephoto zoom lens lineup which includes both the NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 and 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lenses, the new 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens is Nikon's longest focal range ever, with an astounding 16.7X ultrahigh-ratio zoom range. The DX-format 18-300mm VR lens is surprisingly compact, lightweight and covers a focal range from wide-angle 18mm to super-telephoto 300mm, equivalent to a focal length of 27mm to 450mm in FX/35mm format. At the 300mm focal length setting, the lens' large f/5.6 aperture enables photographers to shoot at faster shutter speeds with shallow depth-of-field. This new super telephoto zoom lens is ideal for taking stills when travelling and for all around general photography including landscapes, portraits and distant subjects. The 18-300mm lens is also excellent for recording HD video as it can be used for wide establishing shots, medium close-up shots and extreme telephoto sequences when the users want to separate the subject from the background.
The construction of the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens consists of 19 optical elements in 14 groups with three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings, and three aspherical lens elements that virtually eliminate aberrations at wide aperture settings. The new lens also incorporates a nine rounded blade diaphragm to help achieve a natural looking dramatic separation between subject and background.
The AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR also has a dedicated zoom lock switch which secures the lens barrel at its minimum length and will prevent the lens from sliding during transportation. Additionally, the 18-300mm VR lens is ideal for capturing close-ups with great detail, as it offers a 1.48 ft. minimum focusing distance at 300mm, as well as a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.2X.
The NIKKOR 24-85mm VR Lens: The Standard Zoom for FX Shooters Ideal for photographers seeking an FX-format compatible standard zoom lens, the new AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR lens delivers sharp, crisp and high-quality images and can be assigned as an everyday walkabout lens. Covering the frequently used focal-length range of 24mm to 85mm, this lens is a great companion for any FX-format shooter and is ideal for shooting stills of landscapes, architecture, head and shoulder portraits, candid shots or group shots. For HD video shooters, the 24-85mm VR lens is a natural choice when filming landscapes, large groups of people or when wide field establishing shots or medium close-ups are needed. The 24-85mm lens is a great everyday lens that is compact, lightweight and easy to carry on any photo assignment or family adventure.
In addition to the lens' built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) technology, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR lens features Auto Tripod detection which recognizes when the camera is mounted on a tripod, even during HD video recording, to help deliver specialized VR correction. The lens construction of the 24-85mm VR lens consists of 16 optical elements in 11 groups with one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element, three aspherical lens elements and a seven rounded blade diaphragm.
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| Nokia to acquire Scalado, build a better Lumia (Updated) Posted: 14 Jun 2012 12:20 AM PDT Scalado has more than a few tricks squirreled away in its mobile imaging bag, tricks that have served the likes of HTC and RIM well. Now, Espoo want those tricks all to itself. After working with the Swedish firm for years, Nokia has decided to take its partnership with Scalado to the next level: acquisition. The imaging outfit will be turning over its developers, intellectual property, technology and moniker over to Nokia in the third quarter of 2012 -- although the terms of the deal are confidential. Finland's favorite smartphone manufacturer plans to use Scalado's technology to enhance "imaging experiences for Nokia Lumia devices." Sounds good to us. Check out the official (and brief) press release after the break. Update: Nokia has contacted us to amend its original statement somewhat. While it's acquiring the imaging company's developers, technologies and IP portfolio, it's not buying the company outright. We suspect that this is more a quirk of company law -- since Scalado still has obligations with HTC and RIM, it can't leave them in the lurch. We've included the follow-up statement after the jump. Nokia to acquire developers, technologies and intellectual property for imaging from Scalado Acquisition aimed at enhancing imaging experiences for Nokia Lumia devices Espoo, Finland and Lund, Sweden: Nokia is announcing plans to acquire world-class imaging specialists as well as all technologies and intellectual property from Scalado AB. "Nokia has been working with Scalado for more than ten years and they've contributed to many of our leading imaging applications," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president, Smart Devices at Nokia. "This transaction would enable us to combine our leadership in camera devices with their expertise in imaging, helping people move beyond taking pictures to capturing moments and emotions and then reliving them in many different ways." The Lund site is planned to become a key site for Nokia's imaging software for smartphones, in addition to Nokia's existing locations in Espoo and Tampere, Finland. "This is a great opportunity for many of our people to show their leadership in imaging and to continue to build its future," said Håkan Persson, chief executive officer of Scalado AB. "Doing this as part of Nokia, already a leader in mobile imaging, will reinforce the strength of the technologies and competences developed at Scalado. We are very excited about this opportunity, which is a natural next step in our longstanding relationship with Nokia." The transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close during the third quarter of 2012. The terms of the transaction are confidential. "Nokia is not acquiring Scalado AB, which will continue to exist. All present customer agreements and obligations will remain with Scalado AB. The main task of Scalado AB will be to continue to work with its customers honoring existing delivery and support obligations and fulfilling any and all obligations in relation to its existing customers. It will not be seeking new work with existing or new customers. What Nokia is acquiring is all of Scalado's technologies and IP, along with 50-60 talented mobile imaging specialists from Scalado; they'll remain in Lund which will become a key site for us in mobile imaging, alongside Espoo and Tampere in Finland. This will enable Nokia to expand beyond capturing just images to capturing moments and emotions that can be relived in many different ways. We look forward to welcoming the team to Nokia when the transaction closes, expected in Q3." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia 'sharpens strategy' by dropping three executives, laying off 10,000 and dumping Vertu Posted: 13 Jun 2012 11:57 PM PDT Nokia is still trying to turn things around after a slew of losses, and has made some tough decisions about how to move forward by announcing it will reduce staff by up to 10,000 people before the end of 2013. That's all part of a plan to close factories in Finland, Germany and Canada. as well as refocusing its marketing efforts, streamlining support staff and reducing "non-core" assets. Also on the outs are three executives including chief marketing officer Jerri Devard, executive VP of mobile phones Mary McDowell and executive VP of markets Niklas Savander who will step down from the company's Leadership Team effective June 30th. Replacing them July 1st are executive VP of mobile phones Timo Toikkanen, executive VP of sales and marketing Chris Weber and senior VP of communications Susan Sheehan. Additionally, it has sold the luxury brand Vertu to private equity group EQT VI in a deal that is expected to close during the second half of the year leaving just 10 percent of it in Nokia's hands. That's not the end of the bad news either, as Nokia will take a charge of 1 billion Euros ($1.3 billion) by the end of 2013 as a result of the restructuring and its efforts to return to profitability. Investments going forward including buying imaging company Scalado, extending its mapping technology to "multiple industries" and pushing more Series 40 and Series 30 devices. Check the press releases after the break for all the numbers and details currently available before it reports Q2 earnings July 19th, and we also may be able to glean more info from a call scheduled for 8AM ET. Nokia sharpens strategy and provides updates to its targets and outlook EQT VI to acquire Vertu from Nokia Nokia announces executive changes; renews Leadership Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bose SoundLink Air speaker with WiFi spoiled by the FCC, bank accounts brace for impact Posted: 13 Jun 2012 11:35 PM PDT Bose's ventures into wireless audio for mobile devices have so far either been proprietary or portable -- and often expensive. We're not sure if Bose will ever dodge that last claim, but an FCC filing has just revealed that a more standardized approach to wireless speakers is on the way. Not much more is known about the speaker other than its SoundLink Air name; that said, an unmistakable mention of WiFi on the early label suggests a speaker that could potentially play well with others. We're hoping that it's an allusion to AirPlay, DLNA or another format many of our devices already use. Whatever technology it runs, the new SoundLink will be comparatively close to a launch after passing through the FCC, even if our bank balances aren't ready for the hit. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motrr Galileo nets $700k in Kickstarter pledges, available to pre-order now for $117 Posted: 13 Jun 2012 10:41 PM PDT Perhaps you were discouraged by the uncertainty that comes along with a Kickstarter pledge, or you simply missed your chance to give Motrr's Galileo an $85 kick before the deadline hit. Whatever the reason, you're still in luck -- the iOS-controlled iPhone platform is now available for a proper pre-order, with a 10-percent discount and free shipping in tow. Galileo, which netted a whopping $702,427 in Kickstarter funding, could soon be on its way to a nursery or conference room near you, for the slightly increased sum of $116.99. That Benjamin and change will buy you one 360-degree rotating platform, complete with a rechargeable battery, USB cable, tripod screw and user manual. There's no word on when this latest round of pre-orders will be filled, but the company did confirm that it plans to ship the first batch this summer. Full deets (and pre-order option) are at the source link after the break.
Motrr surpasses Kickstarter fundraising goal by 600% for Galileo Galileo, a revolutionary iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform, is now available for pre-order at Motrr.com SANTA CRUZ, CA – June 13, 2012 – Motrr, led by the designers behind the Gorillapod™ line of innovative camera tripods, is pleased to announce the success of their recent Kickstarter campaign for the Galileo. Galileo, a revolutionary iOS-controlled robotic iPhone platform with infinite spherical rotation capability, became one of the highest funded Kickstarter projects to date, receiving over $700,000 in pledges. Motrr surpassed its fundraising goal of $100,000 in only a few days, making its project one of the fastest to reach the funding goal. The Company anticipates shipping units to Kickstarter backers this summer. Those who missed the Kickstarter campaign and still want to be among the first to own this exciting piece of technology can now pre-order their Galileo at www.motrr.com. With applications in areas of photography, cinematography, social networking, video conferencing, social networking, baby monitoring, remote learning, and more, Galileo gives iOS devices endless possibilities of remote-controlled motion. Features include: • Infinite spherical rotation capability The Galileo weighs 7 ounces, is 2 inches tall, 3 ¼ inches round, and will be sold for an MSRP of $129.95. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Condition One immerses iPads and iPhones in 180-degree video, shakes up dreary apps (video) Posted: 13 Jun 2012 09:52 PM PDT Video in tablet magazines and similar apps sometimes -- okay, often -- comes across as a grafted-on extra. Condition One, a startup by war photographer Danfung Dennis, wants to make video an intrinsic part of the experience by taking advantage of the motion sensors in smartphones and tablets. Video shot from a DSLR or similar camera is converted into a 180-degree format that you can swipe or tilt through on an iOS device to get a more involving look. It's a lot more lively than plain movies, and Dennis sees the technique being used for documentaries and tours where it would help to put viewers directly in the action. Producers only need off-the-shelf hardware and software, too. There's a show-off app at the source link to get an overall sense of what the footage is like, but if you're looking for the first official projects, a pilot project has just started that's bringing apps from Discovery, Mercedes-Benz, Popular Science (below), The Guardian and XL Recordings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time Warner Cable starts rolling out lightly refreshed guide with new color scheme, cloud VOD search Posted: 13 Jun 2012 09:14 PM PDT While it's definitely good news that Time Warner Cable is revisiting its Navigator guide again, the bad news is that at least in terms of appearance, very little has changed. The screenshots above show the old guide (left) next to the new one (right) and as you can see, other than a color scheme adjustment to match its new apps, things are almost entirely the same. In terms of functional adjustments, names have changed for some of the menus, and now the A button on the remote pulls up channels listed by category, the B button searches by title and the select button lets you know if features like Start Over, Look Back or VOD are available. According to CED Magazine, the guide's (slight) facelift also goes hand in hand with a new cloud-based video on-demand portal that includes with richer graphics and metadata, as a prelude to more cloud-provided navigation and IPTV set-top boxes. So far we're seeing notes that the new guide is being delivered in Syracuse and Charlotte, if you haven't received it yet Time Warner Cable says it will be running newspaper ads ahead of the change in each area -- people still read newspapers, right? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redesigned YouTube rolling out to some users, reflects the influence of Google+ Posted: 13 Jun 2012 08:32 PM PDT From the looks of this screenshot posted by one of our readers, it appears YouTube is testing a new homepage styled more like the look that recently rolled out on Google+. The current default look rolled out last winter with more focus on channels and social integration, while this new facade features more white space and list of channels and friends to the side. We asked YouTube about the new look and a spokesperson issued a boilerplate statement about experimenting with ways to help users find the videos that are important to them. The statement in full is after the break, however the key part is that they're listening to user feedback so take a close look at this pic and the rest at the source link below then let us (and Google) know what you think.
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I'm all about photo tweaking. But honestly, I'm not super into using filters for the heck of using a filter. 
Back in my newspaper freelancer days, I once agreed to shoot some high school wrestling matches and basketball games. It was one of those last-minute, short-notice deals and I felt unprepared to capture fast-moving action in a dimly lit high school gym -- my trusty, fast telephoto zoom was out for repairs at the time. I looked over the rest of my gear and puzzled over what to use instead. In the end, I decided to bring along a cheap 50mm prime lens (i.e., non-zoom) that only worked in manual focus mode. I felt a bit unsteady at first, in the knife-to-a-gunfight sort of way, but I soon realized just how much fun it was. I had fewer things to worry about and I came away proud of the shots I managed.
Aside from must-haves like a passport, swimsuit and boarding pass, what else would I need to throw in my bag for a trip to the Caribbean? A camera, obviously. In an adventure involving swimming pools, salty waters, sand, parasailing, beach footy and kayaking, however, I needed something other than my 
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