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Engadget News |
- Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help)
- Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video)
- Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples
- D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100
- Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video)
- Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014
- Y!kes' app-enabled system transforms hotel accessibility: talking with hotel chains, launching this month on iOS, Android, BlackBerry and WP7
- Kodak sues Apple for allegedly interfering with patent sales, has little nostalgia for your QuickTake
- iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering
- Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video)
- Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up
- LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons
- Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases
- Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video)
- Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line
- Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video)
- Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st
- SanDisk announces Extreme Pro microSD cards for smartphones and tablets, quick speeds starting at $60
- SanDisk outs Extreme USB 3.0 flash drive alongside a trio of Cruzers
- Sonos Sub review
- Google's Project Glass trackpad gets swaddled in patent protection
- IBM's water-cooled supercomputer saves energy and helps with your heating bill (video)
- Gogo spreads its in-flight WiFi wings further with SES satellite deal
- Microsoft pilfers Surface name from its smart table, now called the PixelSense (video)
- Spotify brings radio feature to iOS, offers streaming to non-premium users
- New Google+ API gives Flipboard a cuddle, Currents looks away angrily
- Dropcam's Android app is now native, improved and live at Google Play
- Roomba 790's Wireless Command Center lets you obliterate dirt from afar
- Ben Heck gives dads the light-up toilet they deserve
- Thunderbolt 1.2.1 update adds Ethernet adapter support, reportedly squashes boot issues
- Watch Microsoft's Surface keynote now online, relive the mystery unveil from the comfort of your browser (update: video for everybody)
- PSA: Entire Harry Potter series now available on Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library
- Will Surface tablets use Microsoft's new MagSafe-like power and data connector?
- Less banhammer, more gaming fun down under as Australia OKs R18+ game rating
- Air Canada embarks on its first biofuel-powered flight from Toronto to Mexico City
- iBuyPower rides new Valkyrie line of gaming laptops
- Tomy BattroBorg 20 throws motion-controlled punches, rocks 'em and socks 'em Wii-style (video)
- Vanishing neutrons could be travelling to a parallel universe
- Wacom outs the Bamboo Splash: the Connect's hardware with a new software bundle
- US 3G and 4G networks face off once more, Verizon just squeaks out win over AT&T
| Robot with tactile sensor is better at identifying materials than you are (but only wants to help) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:44 AM PDT Researchers at USC's Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a robot capable of identifying materials, thanks to a tactile sensor. The so-called BioTac sensor mimics the human finger, with flexible robot skin layered over a liquid filling -- and the skin even has fingerprints to increase the robot's sensitivity to vibration. Researchers trained the robot to recognize 117 common materials, and by making "exploratory movements" to feel out textures it was able to correctly identify materials 95 percent of the time -- a higher accuracy rate than humans achieve. Still, though the robot is an ace at understanding textures, it doesn't possess the ability to decide which materials are preferable to humans. For this reason, the USC team says it will focus more on applications such as human prostheses and consumer product testing. Relax: your fingers are still worth something -- for now. |
| Custom themes arrive in Gmail, your mood thanks you for caring (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:13 AM PDT Themes are nothing new for avid Gmail users -- after all, they've been around in some form or fashion since 2008. But starting today, Google's adding a personal twist. You know, personalization. We're told that a new Custom Themes section will be hitting inboxes the world over during "the next couple of days," with Light and Dark options there for your customizing pleasure. You can upload your own images directly, select from your Google+ photos or simply paste any image URL. Can't decide? Just cycle through the Featured Photos list instead of whittling down that Priority Inbox. Head on past the break if you're in need of inspiration. |
| Google Offers swings by the iPhone, saves dough for Apples Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:08 AM PDT iPhone owners bummed that their Android-using friends were taking advantage of Google Offers they couldn't use can now level the playing field: an iOS port has just gone live. Much like its Google-native peer, the iPhone-optimized version can spot discounts in the neighborhood and will let you claim them on the spot. The chronically inattentive still get a lot of love in the process with both mentions of new offers and warnings for soon-to-expire deals. In keeping with Google Offers' current US-only focus, the app won't show outside of American borders just yet -- but if you've been thinking those yoga classes in Portland were a bit too dearly priced, your iPhone (and a well-timed sale) is now all it takes to set things right. |
| D-Link SharePort DIR-505 is a router / repeater that fits in your pocket, ships today for $100 Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:39 AM PDT An April ship target may have come and gone, but that's not stopping D-Link -- the company's SharePort DIR-505 Mobile Companion is finally ready to join your side, beginning today. The $100 pocketable WiFi-enabled hub can serve a variety of wireless functions, making it an ideal choice for road warrior types hopping from hotel to hotel while longing for just a hint of consistency. In router mode, the SharePort pumps out an 802.11g/n WiFi signal, converting a lone Ethernet hook-up to a shareable connection. There's also a nifty repeater mode, for those rare check-ins met with a spacious suite upgrade, where a single access point won't get the job done. Or, if you're covered on the connectivity front, you can use the DIR-505 to link your USB hard drive with the web -- or, if all else fails, it'll at least charge your smartphone. Ready to hand over a Benjamin in exchange for a slab of all-in-one wireless goodness? Jump past the break and hit up our source link to make your purchase. Update: The press release references a $69.99 price tag, though the DIR-505 carries a list price of $99.99, which is what you'll pay if you order it directly from D-Link. The device is available through third parties (including Amazon and TigerDirect) for $70, however. D-Link® SharePort Now Available - Offering Easy and Convenient Media Streaming, Storage and Wi-Fi Connectivity on Mobile Devices and Tablets FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link today announced its SharePort™ All-in-One Mobile Companion (DIR-505) – an innovative new product every tablet and smartphone owner needs – is now shipping. SharePort offers instant USB sharing capabilities with the free D-Link SharePort™ Mobile app, enabling users to share videos, music, and photos from an external hard drive or thumb drive to any iPad®, iPhone® or Android® device. In addition, SharePort provides wireless access wherever an existing network is available and adds instant storage to a mobile device, offering the ultimate set of features for home or on-the-go convenience. "SharePort is an all-in-one mobile companion that is ideal for anyone who enjoys playing music, movies or viewing photos from their iPad, iPhone or Android device,"said Daniel Kelley, associate vice president of marketing, D-Link North America. "It allows for easy sharing of media to Android and iOS mobile devices. Plus, SharePort instantly adds storage to your mobile device and can also serve as a portable router/access point, Wi-Fi hotspot and Wi-Fi repeater for instant wireless access from anywhere a network already exists, whether at home or traveling." Smaller than a standard mouse, the easy-to-use SharePort offers instant Wi-Fi coupled with a range of useful features designed for today's mobile professional. The free SharePort Cloud app for both Android and iOS offers access to videos, music, photos, and files on Android and iOS mobile devices. Simply plug SharePort into an outlet, wait for the red light to turn green and insert a thumb drive in order to join a network or access media via the SharePort app. SharePort also features a USB port for sharing content from a USB storage device or charging smartphones, as well as an Ethernet port that enables users to easily connect to an existing network in a conference room or hotel room. More about the D-Link SharePort (DIR-505) SharePort offers a range of features in an affordable, compact device: USB Port for seamlessly viewing and synchronizing videos, music, photos, and more from a connected USB storage device to any iOS or Android tablet, smartphone or computer Availability and Pricing The SharePort (DIR-505) is available now for $69.99 throughout D-Link's network of U.S. e-tail and retail outlets, including Amazon.com, Office Depot and Office Max, and at the company's online store. |
| Gooseberry Android board plans to sate those still waiting on a Raspberry Pi (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:16 AM PDT If one of the aims of the Raspberry Pi was to embody the "do-it-yourself" ethos, then it's already succeeded. Annoyed at the wait for the education-friendly board to arrive, the anonymous creator of the Gooseberry decided to build their own. Looking reasonably similar to its inspiration, it's packing a 1GHz AllWinner CPU, 400MHz Mali GPU, 512MB RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. It'll go on sale in the UK for £40 ($63) shortly, running Gingerbread and is capable of running HD video -- as demonstrated by the video we've got for you after the break. |
| Apple and Liquidmetal hug it out, lengthen their pact until 2014 Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:52 AM PDT |
| Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:30 AM PDT We all knew opening one's hotel room door with a smartphone was just the beginning, didn't we? As the years have turned (and LodgeNet has inexplicably remained), a smattering of companies have seen the opportunity to connect savvy hotel guests to the properties they frequent. Y!kes is the latest to tune in, and its solution undoubtedly has the potential to change the way smartphone users interact with lodging venues. Designed as a hardware + software platform, the proximity-aware access system offers hotels the ability to tightly and specifically grant or deny access to one's phone. As an example, a hotel and guest both utilizing the system could see an elevator automatically choose one's floor upon entry, a door automatically unlock when a patron walks within range, a parking deck automatically have its gate raised, and a VIP lounge door automatically open if the credentials are programmed in. Going a step further, one could envision this system having the ability to alert a hotel when a guest lands at the nearest airport, thereby triggering a series of events that places fresh Perrier bottles on the desk, blue mood lighting in the bathroom, a thermostat adjustment to 74 degrees and whatever else that person has specified in their profile. Insane? Sure, but not at all outside of the realm of feasibility. Once a venue has installed the system, guests need only have the associated app -- available for Android, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone and iOS -- running in the background on their device. If all goes as planned, he or she won't even have to drop by the check-in counter, and when the stay is over, they'll be able to bypass the check-out line as well. If you're curious about app availability, we're told that the iOS build will hit the App Store "this week," while the other three platforms will see launches "within 30 days." We asked the company if it was ready to announce any partnerships with hotel chains, and received the following reply: "As for integration, Y!kes is currently engaged in deep discussions with the top hotel chains and will have information pertaining to specific contracts in the near future." Needless to say, the jetsetters in the crowd will be keeping an ear to the ground for more. Y!KES INTRODUCES HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY FOR THE UNPRECEDENTED HOTEL EXPERIENCE First-of-its-kind automated access system utilizes wireless and proximity-aware technologies for services ranging from key-less access to room customization MACATAWA, MICH. – y!kes, creator of first-of-its-kind, proximity-aware technology, announces the launch of its automated access system engineered for today's assortment of hotel properties. Designed to provide hotel guests a wide array of exciting user options, y!kes' technology ensures a unique and memorable guest experience. Serving as a software and hardware solution, y!kes presents the next generation of proximity-aware technology through the advancement of Bluetooth capabilities. Offering hotel properties specially engineered y!kes y-devices for install, and consumers a customizable mobile app available for download on Apple, Android, BlackBerry and Microsoft smartphones, these y!kes technologies work together to alter the consumer's experience as soon as they step foot on the property. "As technology continues to alter our day-to-day lives, we saw an area of true benefit when analyzing the hospitality industry," said Ben Robertson, founder and CEO of y!kes. "We are fortunate to have engineered a solution that takes proximity-aware technology one step further, while harnessing the power of what most carry in their pocket-a smartphone. As a result, we are able to redefine the guest experience and provide value-added service to hotel management and staff, and most importantly, their guests." Upon complete implementation, y!kes is able to retrieve data from the relevant Property Management System (PMS) to provide an alert through the custom mobile app on the day of check in. Because this alert details their hotel room number, direct bypass of the check in counter is possible. For the full experience, guests need only to have the y!kes mobile app running in the background on their smartphone as they move about the property. Upon arrival, guests are granted immediate entry into any on-site parking garage, with future generations of the technology allowing for immediate activation of pre-determined temperature and lighting settings as specified in the mobile app. As guests proceed to their rooms, y!kes y-devices recognize the guest and allow for key-less entry to their designated room upon a touch of the door handle. The same key-less entry also becomes available for common areas such as a pool or fitness center. For security, the system allows guests to enter only the permitted areas or floors based on their loyalty status or guest room. Come the day of check out, guests can check out via the mobile app from anywhere in the hotel and receive a bill directly to their designated email address. "With four years of product development and engineering behind us, we are thrilled to be coming to market with our advanced technology," said Roberston. "With y!kes, we firmly believe we have the power to not only assist, but initiate, the evolution of the industry and present a highly customizable and beneficial guest experience." With this announcement and the necessary strategic partners in place, y!kes plans to begin delivering beneficial results to hotel properties through the y!kes automated access system. For more information, visit http://www.yikesteam.com or contact info@yikesteam.com. ### About y!kes Founded in 2008, y!kes is creator of first-of-its-kind, proximity-aware technology solutions. With its automated access system, y!kes harnesses the power of Bluetooth via mobile and proximity-aware technology to maximize service industry infrastructure and provide customers with a customized, memorable experience. For more information, visit http://www.yikesteam.com. |
| Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:09 AM PDT Kodak may have recently obtained clearance to sell some patents and help dig itself out of bankruptcy, but it wants to be extra-certain Apple is nowhere near potential buyers if a deal goes down. The former camera maker is suing Apple in hopes of making the former collaborator drop challenges to the ownership of 10 imaging patents from the early 1990s, when the two were still buddy-buddy enough to design the QuickTake camera line together. Claims by Apple and patent transfer recipient FlashPoint Technology are purportedly just attempts to stall any patent sale as long as possible and spook buyers away, forcing Kodak to make some hard decisions about its own lawsuits. That's not to say Kodak is a doe-eyed innocent here: Apple has accused Kodak of trying to sweep any patent disputes under the rug with bankruptcy as the pretext. Although the lawsuit is just one part of a larger story, it could more definitively answer whether or not Kodak has enough bullets left in its patent gun. [Image credit: Mikhail Shcherbakov, Flickr] |
| iFixit tears down the new MacBook Pro's Retina display, finds a minor marvel of engineering Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:48 AM PDT We've already seen them go to town on the body of the MacBook Pro with Retina display, but the staffers at iFixit have seen fit to disassemble the 2880 x 1800 panel at the heart of the new beast. As they've since found out, it takes no less than a rethink of LCD construction to make that kind of resolution work in a laptop screen that's thinner than its ancestor. The unibody aluminum casing acts as the frame for the display, and the LCD becomes its own front glass; even the wireless antennas are threaded through the hinges to eke out that last drop of space. Combined, Apple's part layouts do make repair near-impossible -- the teardown gurus at iFixit ended up cracking the glass despite their knowledge. The team is nonetheless a little more forgiving on the lack of repairability here than with the computer underneath, noting that something had to give for Apple to have its high-resolution cake and eat it too. That just won't be much of a consolation if your MacBook Pro faceplants and requires a whole LCD swap. |
| Square lets merchants offer first visit deals, reward regulars with digital punch cards (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:33 AM PDT The great philosopher, Huey Lewis, once mused that it was "hip to be square." And it looks like he might have been right. The nifty geometrically-named payment widget is fast gaining popularity, no doubt thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. The system's had basic loyalty functions for a while, but now, users of its Pay with Square app can rack up loyalty points for repeat visits, or certain spend amounts. That means no more scratching around trying to find that bent up punch card, just pay up and -- literally -- reap the rewards. New customers can also now be lured in with the ability for retailers to add first visit specials. Merchants also get an upgrade, including real-time in-app analytics and the ability to give on the spot discounts. Great news, of course, though we wonder if it'll extend to a free ride home?
Square Introduces Loyalty Feature s that Forge Relationships San Francisco, June 19, 2012 -- Square launched new features today for Square Register and Pay with Square that further deepen the relationship between buyers and sellers. Square allows business owners to create rewards programs that both attract new customers and make existing customers return, again and again. With more than two million individuals and businesses able to accept credit card payments with Square across the United States, Square is focused on providing the tools people need to grow and manage businesses. Updates to Square Register and Pay with Square include: Pay with Square users collect merchant cards from their favorite places and track rewards from purchases on an in-app punch card In-app reporting that provides quick access to sales trends in real time and easy reporting, including x and z reports Since Square Register's launch in March, Square Register users are five times more active on a weekly basis than Square Card Reader users and they process approximately 2x more revenue. Square's latest offering will allow participating merchants to give regular customers VIP treatment starting with the first visit. Customers will be able to store cards from their favorite Square businesses and keep track of progress towards rewards. Before he started accepting credit card payments with Square, Jordan Ceresnie, owner of Cheese Dream in Ann Arbor, MI, had to turn away dozens of customers a day and lose hundreds of dollars in sales : "Tracking sales history is extremely important to understanding the health of my business. Built-in analytics allow me to look at the day's total transactions and most popular item at any point throughout the day. Square Register has made running and growing my business simple." Square Register is a free iPad app that serves as a full point-of-sale system for businesses to accept payments, track inventory, publish goods and services information, and engage with customers. Pay with Square is the seamless way to pay that enables customers to explore and discover nearby businesses, menus and specials, and pay with their name. The Pay with Square App is available for free from Google Play or from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore. The Square Register App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at www.itunes.com/appstore. |
| Barnes & Noble's Q4 and FY 2012: revenue up, losses up, hopes Microsoft hurries up Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:18 AM PDT Barnes & Noble has released its financial results for both the final quarter and full financial year of 2012. It's a picture of a company that's holding steady in the face of continued onslaught from its rivals, albeit with some hope on the horizon. In preparation for its as-yet-unnamed venture with Microsoft, the company has begun the process of spinning off its Nook and College businesses -- while sales from stores and BN.com now come under the umbrella term of "retail." On that front, it sold $1.1 billion worth of books in the quarter and $4.85 billion for the year -- down from $4.92 billion in 2011. Nook-wise, the company had turnover of $933 million, with device sales increasing 1 percent for the quarter and 45 percent of the year -- but had to eat a loss on taking back unsold Simple Touch readers. Content sales on its various devices increased 65 percent in the quarter and 119 percent in the year -- clearly showing where the market is headed. Barnes & Noble Reports Fiscal 2012 Year-End Financial Results Fiscal 2012 NOOK Comparable Sales Increase 45% Fiscal 2012 Comparable Digital Content Sales Increase 119% Fourth Quarter Bookstore Comparable Sales Increase 4.5% Fiscal 2012 EBITDA Increased 5% to $171 million Fiscal 2012 Retail EBITDA Increased 22% to $317 million NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) today reported sales and earnings for its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and full year ended April 28, 2012. The company also announced that it recently completed the evaluation of its reporting segments and will now report results for a separate "NOOK" operating segment. BN.com, previously a separate reporting segment, will now be included in the Retail segment. Fourth quarter consolidated revenues increased 0.4% to $1.4 billion as compared to the prior year. The consolidated fourth quarter earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) loss of $11.1 million improved 51% as compared to the prior year. The consolidated fourth quarter net loss improved 3% as compared to the prior year to $57.7 million, or $1.08 per share. For fiscal 2012, consolidated revenues increased 2% to $7.1 billion as compared to the prior year. Fiscal 2012 consolidated EBITDA increased 5% to $171.4 million. Included in these results are pre-tax legal and settlement-related net expenses of $20.7 million, and $14 million relating to patent litigation with Microsoft, which as announced on April 30, 2012, has been settled. The fiscal 2012 consolidated net loss improved 7% as compared to the prior year to $68.9 million, or $1.41 per share. The company's effective tax rate was 27% for the quarter and 29% for the full year due primarily to a $5.9 million compensation-related permanent tax difference charge related to prior periods, which was charged to the current period. The impact of this charge to fourth quarter and full year earnings per share was $0.10. "We grew our business in 2012 while continuing to make the necessary investments for the future of the business," said William Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble. "In digital, our NOOK content sales continued to explode with 119% year-on year growth. In the quarter we also announced a historic new partnership with Microsoft that will include a significant investment in Newco, and that will capitalize the company to fuel continued growth in digital and international expansion. Lastly, we announced NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight, that we started shipping in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, which has quickly become the highest rated eReader in the market. At retail, we had a terrific year growing comparable bookstore sales 4.5% for the quarter and 1.4% for the year, a result of our effective new merchandising efforts and continued industry consolidation. As we look out to fiscal 2013, we feel the company is strategically well positioned to grow value for shareholders." Retail As a result of the change in segment reporting, the Retail segment now includes results from the Barnes & Noble bookstores and BN.com. Retail sales were $1.1 billion for the quarter and $4.9 billion for the full year, increasing 0.5% for the quarter while decreasing 1.5% for the fiscal year. Comparable bookstore sales increased 4.5% for the quarter and 1.4% for the full year, as compared to the prior year periods. Comparable bookstore sales benefited from the liquidation of Borders' bookstores during fiscal 2012, increased sales of NOOK products, and a strong title lineup including The Hunger Games and Fifty Shades of Grey trilogies. Core comparable bookstore sales, which exclude sales of NOOK products, increased 6.9% for the quarter and 0.7% for the full year. BN.com sales continued to decline for the quarter as well as the fiscal year. College The College segment, which includes results from the Barnes & Noble College bookstores, had revenues of $228 million for the quarter and $1.7 billion for the full year, increasing 5.7% for the quarter and decreasing 1.9% for the year, as compared to the prior year. As compared to the year ago period, fourth quarter sales were positively impacted by the recognition of textbook rental sales deferred from the third quarter. However, full year sales were lower as compared to a year ago, due to a shift from selling new and used textbooks to lower priced textbook rentals. Comparable College store sales decreased 2.2% for the quarter and 0.3% for the full year, as compared to the prior year periods. College comparable store sales reflect the retail selling price of a new or used textbook when rented, rather than solely the rental fee received and amortized over the rental period. NOOK The NOOK segment, which consists of the company's digital business (including Readers, digital content and accessories), had revenues of $164 million for the quarter and $933 million for the full year. NOOK segment comparable sales increased 1% for the fourth quarter while increasing 45% for the full year, as compared to the prior year periods. Device sales declined during the fourth quarter due to higher third-party channel partner returns, lower selling volume and lower average selling prices. In order to optimize the supply chain for new products, the company took back NOOK Simple Touch inventory following the previously announced holiday sales shortfall. Digital content sales increased 65% for the fourth quarter and 119% for the full year on a comparable basis, growing comparable digital content sales to $483 million for the full year. Digital content sales are defined to include digital books, digital newsstand, and the apps business. Comparable NOOK sales reflect the actual selling price for digital books sold under the agency model rather than solely the commission received. Additionally, such sales include all deferred NOOK device revenues, and device sales to third-party channel partners on a "sell-in" basis net of estimated returns. Newco Separation On April 30th, the company announced that it has formed a strategic partnership with Microsoft to form a new subsidiary, Newco, which is comprised of the company's NOOK digital and College businesses. The company continues to be actively engaged in the formation of Newco and is in the process of implementing the work necessary to complete the separation and close the Microsoft transaction. |
| LG backing off tablets for now, would rather circle smartphone wagons Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:05 AM PDT LG has decided not to chip in any more tablets to the huge pile that's already out there, and will focus on smartphones instead. It hasn't exactly stormed the market anyway -- with recent tab offerings like the Optimus Pad LTE falling flat -- and has said that the move would free it up to improve its No. 4 spot on the world's cellphone charts. It insists the decision has nothing to do with Microsoft's recent Surface announcement, and says it doesn't compete in that particular sphere anyway. So that's that. |
| Twelve South launches redesigned BookBook for iPad and BookBook for iPhone cases Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:47 AM PDT During a visit to Twelve South's headquarters earlier in the year, we learned that its heralded BookBook lines would be getting a refresh for the iPad and iPhone. Today, we're able to actually talk about 'em. Both products are getting a gentle facelift, and better still, both products are shipping immediately to those interested. The star of the show is quite clearly the iPad edition, which has been "completely redesigned" in order to be some 33 percent thinner while weighing 358 grams. The interior is refreshed, too, with a rigid casing that hides a slip-in cover and a built-in stand. Reportedly in response to popular demand, a black and a red version are joining the classic brown edition, with each one constructed from leather and offering up a dual zipper system. The BookBook for iPad ($79.99) is built to support both the iPad 2 and the new Retina-equipped iPad, while the slightly tweaked BookBook for iPhone ($59.99; now available in brown and black) will comfortably house the iPhone 4 or 4S. Word hounds can find more where this came from in the PR past the break. Thinner, lighter, but packed with more features – Twelve South rewrites its BookBook for iPad. Charleston, SC, June 19, 2012 – Twelve South introduces its next installment of BookBook for iPad, exclusively for the New iPad and iPad 2. The completely redesigned BookBook is 33% thinner and weighs just 358 grams. Features include an all new interior frame that creates a multi-angle display and a built-in typing stand, all while holding iPad securely inside. BookBook for iPad is available in three editions, including a much-requested Classic Black volume, and retains the same vintage style that has turned this case into one of the best iPad cases on the market. BookBook for iPad is available now for $79.99. Get more info and images at twelvesouth.com. When you open up the new BookBook for iPad, the first upgrade you will notice in this multi-function case is an interior support frame that securely holds iPad in place, while showcasing the beautiful Retina display. Lift up the interior support frame and you will discover a built-in, adjustable typing stand. The interior support frame also swings further out, creating a multi-angle display stand that's perfect for FaceTime, desktop use or watching a movie. BookBook for iPad is available in Vintage Brown, Classic Black and Vibrant Red, all crafted from premium leather and hand-distressed so no two look exactly alike. Dual zippers allow access to the dock connector port, letting you charge and sync iPad while leaving it safely inside BookBook. See the new BookBook for iPad in action. "Yesterday my house was robbed... When I came upon the cracked open back door, the first thing I thought was, "Oh god – my laptop was in the living room, it is soo toast." But guess what? It was in the BookBook, so they didn't notice it!" "This new BookBook for iPad is so much better than the original you can't even consider it an update," said Andrew Green, Creative Director at Twelve South. "My favorite new feature is the built-in typing stand. But what's most remarkable still, is the legitimate security offered by the vintage book disguise. Consider this: there are many cases that protect your iPad from scratches, but what iPad case can actually help protect your iPad from theft? BookBook can - and that's amazing." |
| Unity 4.0 game engine adds Linux support, Mecanim animation, Flash and DirectX 11 (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:32 AM PDT Unity is about to give a jolt to the Linux gaming community with version 4.0 of its engine. The Penguin has been "underserved," according to the game engine company, so it'll now join the list of supported operating systems alongside Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Developers will also get the new Mecanim system for making character animation easier, on top of DirectX 11 for Windows and Flash publishing options. Details are in the video after the break, but it's good news considering how Linux's namesake just decried the lack of love for the platform.
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| Editorial: Engadget on Microsoft's new Surface tablet line Posted: 19 Jun 2012 07:09 AM PDT Microsoft has unveiled its new Surface, a reborn brand that now lives as two products. It was a showy event with a strong conclusion: at the unification of software and hardware lies great things. Microsoft has found that greatness with the Xbox 360. Can it do so again with a new series of tablets? Here's what we think. TimLet's take a moment to realize what just happened here. Microsoft just pulled off a showy, big-time event in which they unveiled not one but two pieces of hardware (plus a suite of accessories) that we'd speculated about but not actually seen in the flesh. That's a hell of an achievement, and even more impressively, that hardware looks good. Really good. But, things aren't perfect. Recycling the name "Surface" is a bummer, having two very similar pieces of hardware running two different (yet similar) operating systems is going to be confusing -- and then there's the pricing.
Microsoft needed to come out and have these priced at parity with the iPad 2 and the new iPad. This needs to be competitive on a monetary front to stand a chance, and right now having a vague notion about something being priced "comparable" to a vague classification of tablets and laptops is not encouraging. And, finally, having the Pro model ship 90 days after the RT model reeks of kowtowing to Microsoft's partners to keep from blowing them out of the water with such a (seemingly) polished device. But ignore all that for now. The hardware looks great, the keyboard covers are a brilliant idea and I can't wait to try one out for myself. DarrenThis is the product I wanted. The Surface for Windows 8 Pro, that is. It's a tablet with a full-fledged OS; one capable of entertaining me on the go, yet making me productive when docked. I already asked Apple to make an iPad with OS X, but Microsoft managed to beat 'em to the punch with its own OS. Too bad I set my expectations so high. You see, Microsoft somehow managed to do all of the wrong things in "launching" this product -- if you can even call it that. First off, "Surface for Windows 8 Pro." That's a horrible name. When I think Microsoft Surface, I think of giant multitouch tables. The name of these slates is just awful for potential buyers. Imagine a curious 20-something walking into a Best Buy and requesting "one of those Microsoft tablets." "Well, there's one for Windows RT and one for Windows 8." At this point, they'll probably just ask for an iPad and call it a day. Harsh, but true. (It's worth noting that "MacBook Pro with Retina display" is equally horrendous from a naming standpoint.) What else? No battery life estimates. No hard pricing details. No RAM figures. No CPU / GPU clock speeds. No resolution details on the Windows RT model. A maximum of 128GB on the Windows 8 Pro model (sorry, I need more space than that for a full-fledged PC operating system). And if the Win8 Pro edition costs as much as an Ultrabook... I'm just going to buy an Ultrabook.
Finally, there's passion. Steve Ballmer didn't smile much (if at all) while introducing this product range. Call me crazy, but shouldn't he be amped about this thing if it's truly engineered to change the game? Part of me wonders how many consumers will still be around to care about this when it ships in six months. People loved Palm... but they didn't love 'em enough to wait. I'll happily reevaluate things once it's shipped into the marketplace, but if you wanted some gut reaction, that's what I've on offer. Jon FingasFrom a pure hardware standpoint, Microsoft looks to have nailed it down: simple but attractive designs, distinctive hardware touches and a few perks (the cover, the stylus) that are made for day-to-day use, not just as one-off gimmicks. There are still many questions left unanswered that could torpedo the whole affair, of course. But Redmond has jumped the first hurdle: it got the tech press, already cranky about flying out to yet another special event, to come out of the venue more interested than irritated. That's no mean feat.
What I'm most concerned about is the impact to Microsoft's hardware partners. Quite simply, the company just pulled a Zune. Surface tablets won't be competing in every area, but there will be precious little incentive for those near Microsoft Stores to buy a tablet from Acer, ASUS or others that may not get the same top-flight treatment as Microsoft's own hardware. There's certainly no guarantee that the Surface designs will repeat the Zune's fate -- cannibalizing partners' market share, only to stagnate and fade away -- but witnessing the early signs of a repeat isn't exactly confidence-inspiring. I hope Microsoft keeps itself at arm's length more than it did with its MP3 player line, or its strategy could have a vicious effect on the very companies it needs for help. Not to mention that the final launch needs to be perfect. Pitch perfect. Prices can't be at all higher than those of the iPad for similar features. Battery life can't be significantly lower. There can't be any glaring launch day glitches or examples of half-finished software. It may be trite to say, but it's still very much true that a successful competitor to a product can't just be a little bit better; it has to be dramatically better. We can't say that unambiguously just yet, and that's worrying. Zach LutzI see Microsoft's decision to release the Surface tablet lineup as the company's most instrumental decision yet in the buildup to Windows 8. There's no denying that it's late to the modern tablet game, and to succeed, the platform will need a serious push to do battle with the iPad. I've no doubt that numerous PC manufacturers will step up to the plate with compelling Windows 8 / RT tablets -- and some may ultimately be better devices -- but without Microsoft's own product, it'd be far too easy for consumers to get lost in this sea of tablets and then gravitate elsewhere.
Microsoft Surface will give consumers a halo product (and another platform) to evaluate, which is necessary given the intense popularity of the iPad. At the very minimum, these two devices will set a benchmark for consumers to evaluate how Windows 8 tablets should behave, and the level of functionality they can expect. Whether the tablets are ultimately hits with consumers is almost beside the point, because these are the products that Microsoft needed to generate genuine interest in the Windows 8 tablet initiative. Sean BuckleyAnd here it is, the day I've been dreading since I caved in and bought a Transformer Prime. As much as I enjoy ASUS' Android-powered transforming slate, I've never been able to shake the feeling I'd like it even more if it ran Windows 8. I thought the hybrid tablets of Computex would scratch that itch, but that was before the Surface's Touch and Type Covers. Paired with the slab's own built-in stand, these lightweight keyboards tease us with a full PC experience in a charming, easily detachable form factor. The jury's still out on how these accessories play out in practical use, but the idea has my attention.
So does the tablet hardware itself, of course, but not for the same reasons. As much as I'd love to gush about the potential I see in the Surface's design, I feel like Microsoft is putting consumers on the fence, unbeknownst to them. Really, it's a tech support phone-jockey's worst nightmare: "What do you mean my old programs won't run, it's Windows isn't it?" Savvy Engadget readers may know the differences between Surface for Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro, but the common shopper won't -- they'll just see a less expensive slate with longer battery life. Microsoft could get everything right on the hardware end, but Surface won't be worth all the Zunes on eBay if Redmond confuses consumers. Your move, marketing. Philip PalermoThis could be it. I've been meaning to replace my wife's six-year-old laptop for quite a while now, and Microsoft's Surface could be the one. I've watched three generations of iPads hit the streets and I've held off from grabbing my wallet each time. I think my wife would love the form-factor of a tablet, but she still needs the usability of a laptop from time to time. Meanwhile, I enjoy the portability of my ASUS Transformer Prime and appreciate its optional keyboard dock. I just wish it ran the Windows programs I use every single day. Questions remain, of course. This was just the first reveal and there are still plenty of details left unannounced -- price and availability to name just two. Battery life, heat dissipation and third-party Metro support also remain up in the air. I like what I see and hear about the tablet's rigid frame and responsive display. Having played with the Windows 8 OS on a standard laptop, I'm cautiously optimistic about the software's abilities on a fast, multitouch device. Still, the last time I invested in a device based purely on its potential for greatness, I bought a Windows Phone... and I'm still waiting for that to truly pan out. Before that, I picked up a Zune HD hopeful of the promise it held and... well, we all know how that ended up. And that's my dilemma here. On first blush, I'm supremely impressed by the potential of the Surface tablets. Yet, I'm waiting to see which Microsoft is behind these devices – the all-in juggernaut that willed millions of Xbox 360s into homes, or the tentative newcomer that dipped its toes into the water with the Zune. DanIt shouldn't be a surprise to learn that Microsoft is a frustrating company to follow. It has a fantastic capacity to innovate, produce great hardware and offer a few surprises, but its decision-making is eye-wateringly suspect. We've forgiven Surface it's confusingly reheated name thanks to that rock-solid magnesium body, we like how different Metro's UI is from iOS / Android and we're desperate to try typing on the cover. Had Steve'n'Steve packed up there and gone home, we'd be twitchy with excitement to see the review unit arrive at our door. But no, then came the pro model, which comes out months after the regular edition, with an incompatible OS, vague words on pricing ("akin to an ARM tablet" "similar to an ultrabook"), features that don't span across the range like pen input and Office home.
Imagine the millions of consumers out there as they stand in their local store when Windows 8 launches. They've got the choice of an iPad, or Surface... or Surface Pro -- but you can't buy one and switch to the other, because they run different versions of Windows, except they look the same. Oh, and one has Office, but it's not the expensive one you're thinking about buying for work. Oh, and the pro version won't turn up for three months because Microsoft had to keep Dell happy... It's hardly rocket science to suggest that people will be turned off by such a complex proposition. Oh, and about Microsoft's hardware partners. They're quickly going to find that as Microsoft flexes its hardware muscles, their space in the tent is going to shrink with nowhere else to go. We kinda hope Meg Whitman wakes up this morning and thinks "Oh, that's why Mark Hurd bought Palm." JamesWell done Microsoft. Seriously, what happened last night was important for many reasons. Most notably, it shows that the stuff old Microsoft is (largely) on the way out. Ballmer and co showed that they can do product releases just like the rest of 'em. Also, it shows that the firm's not just tagging the line. Sure, it could have just released another tablet with a "lite" version of its main platform (or worse, a scaled up Windows Phone,) but it didn't. Instead we've got a new take on the tablet-story. Surface for Windows 8 Pro shows that a slate can be both portable, and full-fat. Okay, so it's not the first time we've seen something like this, but for some reason, this time it feels like they mean it.
The only small concern I have is the size. Nudging over the 10-inch mark isn't an absolute no-no, and hey, it's far from the biggest we've seen, but it does set them very much on the business side of the fence. When you add in those keyboard covers, it all starts to look like we're back in notebook territory. That said, those covers are a darn nice addition, and a bit of a slow palm across Apple's Smart Cover face. There are a few other wrinkles too, of course, like the name... it's no zinger. Also, hedging bets between a Windows RT and a Windows 8 version might prove confusing to some. Over all, though, this seems a confident step, and a good indicator that Microsoft is in no rush to catch up, and will just do what it thinks is right. Whether public ultimately agrees, or not, is another matter. BrianTablet or notebook? If that's the quandary you've been pondering since last night's Microsoft announcement, you've hit the nail on the head. The answer, of course, isn't quite so simple -- and that's kind of the beauty of the new Microsoft Surface tablets. Rather than launching full bore into the overcrowded tablet world, the company is taking a different route -- offering up slates that harness the "heart and soul" of Microsoft, as Ballmer put it during yesterday's press conference. That heart and soul, naturally, is Windows, the operating system that made the company such a dominant force in the computing world. It's a move that marks a bit of a change amongst the company's offerings over the past several years, a different take on a space rather than what feels like a me-too product.
Interestingly, it also marks something of a return of the company's original vision for the space: a tablet built around a full desktop operating system. Of course, there are some major differences all these years later. For one thing, Redmond has really baked that functionality into the operating system. The early Microsoft tablets felt like square pegs in round holes, an operating system hastily jammed into a new form factor. Of course, until we actually get extended hands-on time with the product, it's hard to say how much better things are this time out, though judging from what we've seen of Windows 8's embrace of the Metro UI and the time we've spent with the tablet, things are certainly looking a lot brighter. Its success obviously depends on these factors as well -- and price will certainly play a big role in how the device is perceived. Consumers may balk at pricing on-par with ultrabooks -- after all, standard tablet pricing has already been set by the competition, and even with the added functionality of a full operating system, it may be a hard sell. Microsoft would do well to go aggressively after the business space. Granted, many companies have already made tablets a part of their workflow, but there's still a lot of ground to grab there -- especially when offering access to Windows' already familiar ecosystem. It's a ball the company dropped with the introduction of the new Windows Phone -- the time is right to pick it up and run with it. Zach HonigHollywood has something to be proud of this year. Well, perhaps -- we've only yet seen the previews. What we're still missing is a hint of price, which leaves me skeptical that Surface will be the next big thing in computing, but we do at least know the fate of the tablet's giant cousin -- that other 1080p Surface has since become PixelSense. As my Engadget brethren are well aware, the Galaxy Note is the only tablet in my life, and while I'm more than merely curious about the Windows 8 experience, I won't likely be queuing up around the corner to make Microsoft's homegrown darling my own. Still, the hardware is intriguing, and if the price is right, Surface could very well be a hit. I'm even the slightest bit remorseful that I sat through the product launch while awaiting a delayed flight home from a long weekend in Canada, rather than on an overnight trip to LA -- thus delaying the chance to go hands-on for weeks, if not until the tablets' launch "around" the time we expect to see the next-gen MS OS this fall. TerrenceSurface is hardly Microsoft's first stab at the tablet space. Heck, when it first broke out the "Surface" name 2007, Redmond already had more experience with touchscreens than that other company with a quick selling slate. But, despite experiments like Windows for Pen Computing, folks simply weren't getting hooked on tapping, touching or scribbling with a stylus. The same was true of touchscreen XP, Vista and Windows 7 machines. None of them seemed to be able to get off the ground -- but I'd be pretty surprised if Surface suffered the same fate. Sure, we have our complaints about Windows 8 and its clear efforts to discourage true multitasking, but it's definitely a finger-friendly OS. In fact, the Metro interface makes iOS look staid and boring. Now, by stepping into the design process itself, Microsoft has hardware attractive enough to match its software. Surface may not have a "Retina" display and battery life is still a mystery, but it's unbelievably thin, beautiful and clever in its execution. And it doesn't sacrifice personality for functionality as "PCs" are often accused of doing. Am I already counting the days, waiting to drop my hard earned cash of one? No. But I'm certainly intrigued and convinced it'll be a success. In fact, it seems that Microsoft may have finally found its recipe for success in the increasingly mobile and touch-based future. An announcement like Surface is the sort of thing that will keep Apple and Google from getting too complacent. Now, we'll just have to see how Mountain View responds with its Nexus slate before I decide who gets my hard-earned tablet dollar. SarahMicrosoft seemed to think its clout in the PC world -- not to mention the buzz surrounding Windows 8 -- was enough to draw tech journalists to an event without providing any hints about the announcement to come, and, unsurprisingly, it was right. Though exactly how Windows 8 will fit into the already-crowded tablet space remains to be determined, the OS is clearly inspiring OEMs to create hardware that walks the line between PC and slate, and Redmond's new Surface tablets appear to be among the most promising of this bunch. It makes sense that the company behind Windows 8 would be one of the most capable at tailoring a product to that ecosystem, and yesterday Microsoft showed off slates that not only look solid, but work with accessories made to help users leverage the OS to its full productivity potential. The thing is, clout can only get you so far. While the Surface tablets have already been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback, they haven't exactly been put through their paces. And while those Touch and Type covers seem great, they're testaments to Redmond's need to outpace Apple. There are worse things than coming late to the party -- and it can even lead to better products that learn from others' mistakes -- but the pressure is on for Microsoft to deliver products that are truly in a league of their own. |
| Light up seesaw makes Australia's Federation Square feel like a kid again (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:48 AM PDT Nothing makes us smile like combining our nostalgia for childhood with our current love of hacking up gadgets and electronics. So, we've got to hand it to the folks over at ENESS, a design group whose latest installation takes cues from the playground as well as the DIY scene. Details on what exactly went into the build are sadly scarce, but it seems safe to assume there's at least one accelerometer on the Tilt of Light somewhere. See, this seesaw is home to 33 rows of lights that react in real time to the motion of the lever. There are also four different "atmostpheres" to choose from (air, water, space and yogurt), which effect how the light behaves. Right now the glowing teeter-totter is sitting pretty in Melbourne, Australia as part of the Light in Winter program. You can see this marvel in action in the video after the break, or by making the trip to Federation Square before July 1st. |
| Oppo Finder goes up for pre-order, super-slimness can be yours July 1st Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:23 AM PDT Oppo has been playing games with our thin-phone-obsessed hearts for awhile, but at last it's time to make a commitment to the Finder. Coming somewhat belatedly, pre-orders are now open for Chinese who want to make the 6.65mm-thick Android 4.0 phone their own. While there's just one version with 16GB of built-in space, it takes only ¥2,498 ($393) contract-free to get a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen, a dual-core 1.5GHz chip, an eight-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front shooter. If that sounds tempting, you won't have long to pull the trigger before the golden day: pre-orders stop on June 24th before a full-scale launch on July 1st. That won't make prospective Huawei Ascend P1 S buyers any happier at having lost phone thickness bragging rights, but it will mean just a couple of weeks' wait until we crown a new champion. |
| Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT SANDISK INTRODUCES WORLD'S FASTEST MEMORY CARD Ideal for users running multiple apps such as mobile games, email, photo capture and Full-HD2 video recording Mobile phones will capture 525 billion images in 2012 and nearly one third of all video footage in 2014, according to IDC MILPITAS, Calif., June 19, 2012-SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced the world's fastest mobile memory card. The SanDisk Extreme Pro® microSDHC™ UHS-I card is ideal for smartphone and tablet users who want to boost their device's storage capacity while enjoying the fastest mobile experience. ·High-Quality Photo Capture: Mobile phones will capture 525 billion photos in 2012, roughly half of all photos captured this year, according to IDC4. The card is ideal for mobile imaging applications, offering up to 90MB/sec write speed for capturing multiple photos using burst mode with a UHS-I enabled mobile device ·Faster File Transfers: With up to 95 megabyte per second (MB/sec) read speed, the card moves files quickly between host devices ·Seamless Multitasking; Fast Downloads: The card allows consumers to smoothly run multiple applications at the same time and download files quickly using 4G LTE phones "SanDisk offers the broadest mobile memory card lineup in the industry," said Chris Loh, director, product marketing, SanDisk. "Our portfolio includes microSD cards with the fastest speeds, highest storage capacities and reliability that consumers demand." |
| SanDisk outs Extreme USB 3.0 flash drive alongside a trio of Cruzers Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT If diminutive USB-friendly storage is a hobby of yours, SanDisk is looking to add to your collection. The company has announced its USB 3.0-weilding Extreme flash drive and added a handful of new siblings to the Cruzer line. First, the Extreme accessory touts transfer speeds of up to 190MB/s while offering storage capacities ranging from 16GB on up to 64GB. This portable storage device is now shipping and will set you back somewhere between $65 and $160. If you're looking to carry a truckload of photos, videos, music or whatever else on a USB flash drive, the company has also unveiled the Cruzer Glide. While only 4GB to 64GB options are available now starting at $19.99, a 128GB model is slated to arrive in Q3 for $250. Not looking for super-sized capacity at your fingertips? Perhaps the Cruzer Facet or Pop will better suit your sensibilities -- both carry 8GB up to 32GB worth of storage with a price range of $32.99 to $84.99. For a few brief details on the four, hit that PR button below to read on. SANDISK ANNOUNCES ITS FASTEST, THINNEST AND HIGHEST-CAPACITY MILPITAS, Calif., June 19, 2012-SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), a global leader in flash memory storage solutions, today announced a suite of USB flash drives that includes SanDisk's fastest, thinnest and highest-capacity USB products ever. The drives offer consumers the storage they need to carry libraries of digital content with them wherever they go, transfer their files quickly and do so with style. "Whether consumers are seeking super-fast transfer speeds, maximum storage capacity or a stylish fashion statement, we offer a drive to meet their needs," said Bob O'Keefe, vice president, retail marketing, SanDisk. "SanDisk pioneered the USB drive and now offers one of the broadest lineups in the industry, with a wide range of form factors and reliability that consumers can count on to store their important files." SanDisk Extreme USB Flash Drive Cruzer® Glide™ USB Flash Drive Cruzer® Facet™ USB Flash Drive It is available worldwide now in 8GB to 32GB capacities carrying MSRPs of $32.99 to $84.99. Cruzer® Pop™ USB Flash Drive This new drive is SanDisk's thinnest and is available worldwide now in 8GB to 32GB capacities carrying MSRPs of $32.99 to $84.99. |
| Posted: 19 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT More InfoEvery audio product Sonos has delivered so far has worked on the assumption that you would never need anything else after you bought it, whether it's linking to a sound system you already owned or an all-in-one system that Sonos built itself, like the Play:3 or Play:5 (born as the S5). The newly released Sub, by its nature, is entirely dependent on having one of the two Play speakers, and shows the company is becoming more of a traditional audio brand with a full ecosystem. A primary Sonos component can now be just the first step in a growing collection that improves as you expand it -- much as you'd buy a basic stereo, then better speakers, then more at a high-end audio shop. The Sub's $699 price certainly catapults any Sonos system into high-end territory, however, and sets some decidedly lofty expectations for how it will perform. We'll find out after the break if the sheer power and a few clever tricks are enough for the Sub to be an essential ingredient of a wireless home audio setup. Hardware and setup A first look at the Sub shows a much more ostentatious design than either the Play:3 or Play:5. Think of it as a donut monolith. As you quickly find out after hefting the subwoofer out of the box, though, that strange design serves a few very practical roles. Having a convenient handle to lug all 36 pounds is something of a lifesaver for setting up, but a closer inspection reveals that the hole is actually intrinsic to the Sub's acoustics: the ports are tucked inside that gap and deliberately interact with each other to cancel out any unwanted vibrations. Even with the volume cranked up high, we heard none of the rattles you'd hear from a subwoofer with anything less than a top-notch shell. The inward-facing profile also removes the dilemma of how you'll position the Sub. Since there's no worry about blocking a port, the Sub can rest either upright or flat on its back. As it's (relatively) slim, it can tuck under your couch if the seating is tall enough -- a location that will no doubt jolt a few guests the first time you play a party mix.
Having draped the Sub in compliments so far, we do have some gripes in reserve for the glossy black finish. Apart from not matching the matte black or white finishes of anything else in the current Sonos catalog, it's a magnet for just about every form of cosmetic blemish you can imagine. Dust, scratches and smudges are drawn to the body like moths to a flame. Hiding it will mostly take care of that issue, but who'd want to hide such an atypically pretty subwoofer? Sonos has already told us a matte version is coming that could cost $100 less; we'd spring for that in a heartbeat. The process of getting the unit ready to go is a sharp break from the norm and, really, what makes this box stand out from the pack. The Sub isn't just a wireless subwoofer like we've seen so many times in home-theater-in-a-box setups. It's another part of the Sonos network, which means connecting it to the rest of your system either via a direct Ethernet link or hopping on wirelessly to one of the company's Bridge adapters. Choosing the latter route will incur another $49 hit to the wallet, but it offers the freedom of putting the Sub seemingly anywhere. We just wish Sonos had thrown in an old-fashioned connector or two; there's no way to reuse the Sub with a conventional audio system. That's a lot of money to throw at an add-on which loses all its effectiveness if you also give up its host speakers. The software side of the setup equation is dead simple. Sonos can assume you already have one of its networks established. You only have to scan for a new device in the desktop or mobile Controller apps, press the lone button on the Sub's side and walk through a quick calibration linking it to the speakers you want to use. Tuning involves adjusting for distance and either exaggerating or scaling back the bass levels if nearby objects are creating problems. We had no trouble leaving the settings at their defaults in a mostly open setting with only one side facing a wall. Software The party trick of the Sub is its relative liberty to glom on to any speakers in the network. Although switching between speakers requires a break in the pairing with its current parent and walking through the software once again -- and, usually, lugging the Sub across the home -- it's quick enough that there's rarely difficult. That's good if you decide later on that your bedside Play:3 doesn't need earth-shaking bass as much as the Play:5 in the living room. Controller apps will always identify which speaker set is attached to the Sub if there's ever any doubt as to which room is getting the most oomph. We won't fully rehash the playback aspect of the Sonos Controller apps other than to point out a greatly improved desktop app that arrived between the Play:3 and Sub launch windows. Long-time listeners will continue to be annoyed at wading through the deep hierarchies for certain categories, like internet radio. However, there's now a unified search that will show all relevant results filtered by service, not to mention a party mode and an overall cleaner, easier-to-understand interface. The Android and iOS apps lack that improved search and are a bit clunkier due to limited screen area, but they can be used for every feature in a Sonos array short of sharing locally stored music. Our initial setup of the Sub took place solely within the Android app, for example. One warning: there's no changes to the subwoofer's output short of going back through the setup process once again, even if it's something you'll likely only ever do once or twice. Sound This is really what you're here for, isn't it? Thankfully, it's very difficult to fault the Sub's audio quality. We've tried it across a solo Play:3, as well as both single and dual Play:5 configurations, and there are consistent improvements in the sound no matter what Play speaker is running the show. Bass is tighter and much, much punchier -- so much so that we had to lower the volume substantially just to get back to normal levels and avoid drawing the wrath of fellow apartment dwellers. It's a nice problem to have, mind you, and that previously mentioned absence of buzz or rattle goes a long way when you do kick out the jams. As a matter of course, the subwoofer also slightly improves the overall performance by taking on the low-end frequencies that previously had to compete for attention with mids and highs in the Play's speaker drivers. Even classical music can sometimes sound better, let alone the deeper sounds of genres like drum-and-bass, dubstep or trance. We appreciated one subtle, but important, distinction of the Sub's output: it's seemingly indistinguishable after you've set it up. The bass is always in sync with its host speaker, and it's virtually directionless. Unless you sit the subwoofer at the opposite end of the room, you'll never notice the separation; it's just your existing sound, magnified by a notch or 10. While other wireless subwoofers exhibit this kind of behavior, it's a strangely satisfying effect when the diminutive Play:3 appears to be punching well above its weight class through a subwoofer that you might not even see. The impact of the Sub does correlate almost exactly to the speaker it's attached to, and that's where you'll have to be wary. Although the cleaner, stronger sound is very noticeable with a single Play:3, it nonetheless feels like a mismatch between a very powerful bass unit and a comparatively modest one-piece speaker. We'd honestly consider two Play:3 units, or one Play:5, as the minimum to rationally justify the Sub's presence. Should you swing the cash, though, even just the one Play:5 will produce a brighter and overall more balanced sound with the Sub in place than its smaller sibling. If you want a truly fearsome Sonos setup, try two Play:5 speakers mated to a Sub -- along with being clear even at high volumes, the three-piece setup is almost ridiculously powerful. Overkill, maybe, but it would be a definite crowd-pleaser if you have to fill a large room or the outdoors. Wrap-up From our experience, the Sub is one of the better subwoofers in the field, wireless or otherwise. It adds forcefulness without turning the sound into mush. Making it worth the cash outlay is the challenge, even if it's much less of a problem than we first thought going in. It's not just the audio quality disparity that gives us pause; it's the idea of pairing the $299 Play:3 with a subwoofer that costs more than twice as much and won't necessarily sound proportionately better. Keeping that in mind, the Play:5 or two Play:3s result in a very effective combo when a Sub rides sidesaddle. Sonos, as always, is asking for a premium to get the full effect -- our ideal mix of a Play:5, a Bridge and the Sub costs an eye-watering $1,147. That being said, it very literally feels worthwhile if it's replacing a full, conventional home audio arrangement, not just a pair of bookshelf speakers. As long as you're genuinely committed to the idea of networked speakers rather than just dipping a toe in the pool, the Sub is transformative enough to validate the price. |
| Google's Project Glass trackpad gets swaddled in patent protection Posted: 19 Jun 2012 05:47 AM PDT Remember when Sergey Brin was on The Gavin Newsom Show showing off Project Glass' right-sided physical trackpad? Today, that element of the tech was given the official thumbs-up by the US patent and trademark office. Legally-trained minds in the audience concerned about the appearance forming prior art, take it easy -- the patent was filed five days before the Google chief took to basic cable to demonstrate his pet project to the current Lt. Governor of California. |
| IBM's water-cooled supercomputer saves energy and helps with your heating bill (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 05:31 AM PDT IBM's SuperMuc has had a good week. Not only has the three petaflop machine been listed as Europe's fastest supercomputer, but it's also apparently the first high performance computer that's entirely water-cooled. Rather than filling rooms with air conditioning units, water is piped around veins in each component, removing heat 4,000 times more efficiently than air. The hot water is then used to heat the buildings of the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre where it lives, saving the facility $1.25 million per year. After the break we've got a video from Big Blue, unfortunately narrated by someone who's never learned how to pronounce the word "innovative." |
| Gogo spreads its in-flight WiFi wings further with SES satellite deal Posted: 19 Jun 2012 05:02 AM PDT  Rejoice frequent-flying lovers of the Interwebs. All systems continue to be a go for in-flight WiFi provider Gogo as the company inks a deal with yet another satellite operator. A new agreement with global satellite company SES puts Gogo closer to providing seamless WiFi for passengers on intercontinental flights that use its service -- SES' coverage area includes the United States, Europe and the Atlantic Ocean region. The agreement comes along the heels of deals signed by Gogo with Inmarsat for Ka-band frequency service and AeroSat to use its HR6400 satellite communication system for Ku-band connections. The company says Ku-band service could be available on commercial flights using Gogo's network as early as the end of this year, providing more options for, say, Airtime video chat hijinks. As long as Internet access prevents bored kids from kicking the back of our airline seats, then it's all good. Gogo Partners with SES to Offer Broadband Aboard Commercial Airlines Partnership deal aims to connect passengers over the U.S., Atlantic and Europe ITASCA, Ill. and BETZDORF, Luxembourg, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Gogo, a leader in in-flight connectivity, and global satellite operator SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) today announced they have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with the goal of bringing high-speed, satellite-delivered Internet access to passengers aboard commercial airliners. Gogo, a pioneer in wireless in-flight digital entertainment solutions, plans to utilize high-throughput Ku-band capacity on current and future SES multi-beam satellites serving the continental United States, the Atlantic Ocean Region and Europe. SES operates a worldwide fleet of 50 geostationary satellites. "By partnering with SES, Gogo aims to provide the reliable and seamless satellite coverage our current and prospective airline partners must have to meet airline passengers' demands for high-quality, high-speed Internet access on the fly," said Gogo president and CEO Michael Small. "With the addition of a trusted satellite operator and Ku-band connectivity solution, Gogo is well positioned to provide a broad range of airlines and aircraft with a variety of technology solutions. Whether it's Gogo's exclusive air to ground and ATG-4 technologies, SES's Ku-band satellites or, Inmarsat's Global Xpress Ka-band satellite technologies, we plan to offer a full range of connectivity solutions for any aircraft mission." "Like Gogo, SES is dedicated to connectivity without boundaries. This groundbreaking alliance between SES and Gogo represents an exciting milestone for commercial airlines and their passengers, who expect the same high-speed Internet access they're accustomed to on land during their flights," explained Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer for SES. "SES is looking forward to bringing the best satellites and expertise in the business to what promises to be an important advancement in regional and global airline travel." Gogo expects to use this technology to offer airlines connectivity services on international fleets flying transatlantic routes, as well as regional fleets flying within Europe and the United States. Gogo is actively working with SES and other operators to expand that coverage globally. Gogo also recently announced that it will partner with AeroSat to deliver the satellite antenna, radome, antenna control and modem unit and high power transceiver to Gogo. The AeroSat equipment will be coupled with Gogo's onboard hardware and software (server and access points) to deliver a complete solution to the airlines. The components have already been developed and are currently going through the airworthiness qualification and certification process. Gogo expects to be able to install the Ku-band systems on commercial aircraft as early as the fourth quarter of 2012. About Gogo Gogo is fast becoming everyone's favorite part of flying. By allowing travelers to get online, in air, Gogo keeps them connected to life. Using the Gogo exclusive network and services, passengers with laptops and other Wi-Fi enabled devices can get online on more than 1,500 commercial aircraft including all domestic AirTran Airways and Virgin America flights, all domestic mainline Delta Air Lines flights and select Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways flights. Back on the ground, Gogo's 400+ employees in Itasca, IL, Broomfield, CO and London are continually redefining flying as a productive, socially connected, and all-around more satisfying experience. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gogo and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/gogo. About SES SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 50 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and Internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide. Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1eVJe) |
| Microsoft pilfers Surface name from its smart table, now called the PixelSense (video) Posted: 19 Jun 2012 04:31 AM PDT If Microsoft's recent Surface announcement made you think about a funky LED table, that's because it wasn't long ago that a joint effort with Samsung bore that moniker instead. While Redmond appropriated the name for its new tablet, the two companies are still selling the original device -- now the Samsung SUR40 with Microsoft PixelSense -- as a business collaboration tool. Though there's no mention of price on Samsung's site, the last time we checked, the 1920 x 1080 gorilla glass device was running a mere $8,400. For that sum, it might be useful for deep pocketed institutions -- so hopefully early adopters hoping to earn some hipster cred didn't end up with buyer's remorse.
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| Spotify brings radio feature to iOS, offers streaming to non-premium users Posted: 19 Jun 2012 04:00 AM PDT Swedish music streamer extraordinaire Spotify is updating its iOS app this morning with a key new feature. Radio, introduced late last year for the desktop version of the service, is making its way onto iPads and iPhones in the States for both premium and free users. As with its desktop counterpart, users can generate an unlimited number of Pandora / Slacker-like radio stations using artists, albums, songs and Spotify playlists. The social functionality that Spotify loves so much is intact as well, with both songs and radio stations appearing in friends' Facebook streams. And since the radio feature is available across Spotify's pages, you can make stations based on friends' playlists -- or you can just pick "Create a New Station" from the top of the Radio tab. You can thumb up or thumb down tracks, with songs you dig populating a "Like From Radio" playlist, making those tracks accessible on different devices. Inter-device functionality also means that you can start a radio station on, say, your iPad and pick up where you left off by firing it up on your iPhone. Premium users get an unlimited number of song skips -- when asked how many skips free users get, Spotify simply told us that it would be "industry standard" (ie, the same number you get on competing services). Asked when such functionality will be hitting Android handsets, the company told us, "we think it's core to the mobile experience, and we're looking to bring it to all of the major platforms in due time." In the meantime, iPhone and iPad owners can download the update today. Update: Spotify dropped us a line to let us know that the update apparently isn't quite ready for prime time. Rather than actually dropping today, the latest version of the iOS app "will be available in the next few days."
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| New Google+ API gives Flipboard a cuddle, Currents looks away angrily Posted: 19 Jun 2012 03:22 AM PDT If you're just taking down the decorations from your latest Google+ party, hang fire, it looks like there's more good news for the ever-burgeoning social starlet. It's just been announced that Google has developed an API that will make users' photos, posts and videos available on popular social reader Flipboard. Until now, the search giant's social network had been notable by its absence, but soon you'll be able to flick your way through your circles, just like your other streams. There's no indication as to when, but the new API shows Google isn't shy about spreading the love, even if it means treading on its own toes. |
| Dropcam's Android app is now native, improved and live at Google Play Posted: 19 Jun 2012 03:01 AM PDT Sure, Dropcam already had an app for monitoring its web-connected home monitoring cameras on Android smartphones. The thing is, it wasn't native -- it was built using Adobe Air and was therefore limited to specific phones, processors and OS versions, while tablet users didn't even get a look-in. The new app, which landed at Google Play just this moment, was built totally in-house to "better match" its iOS counterpart. In addition to broader compatibility with new and old Android devices, a bunch of other improvements come along for the ride, including two-way audio, free-of-charge motion and audio alerts and a "smoother user experience." Head to the link below to download. Dropcam Closes $12M in Series B Funding Led by Menlo Ventures Launches Native Android App, Continues to See Swell in Demand for Connected Home Device SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 19, 2012 – Dropcam Inc., makers of the easy-to-use Dropcam HD Wi-Fi Video Monitoring Camera, today announced it raised $12 million in Series B funding. This round was led by Menlo Ventures with participation from existing investors including Accel Partners and Bay Partners. This funding brings Dropcam's total raised to $17.8M and comes on the heels of a surge in customer demand. Dropcam will use this funding to grow its software engineering team in San Francisco as well as expand manufacturing operations globally. With the recent hiring of Doug Chan, VP Operations, Dropcam has been able to skillfully increase its production abroad to meet increasing demand at home. "We appreciate Dropcam's position in the industry and are confident in what this company can do for the connected home. Dropcam is in a unique position to lead the way in this space because of their unparalleled commitment to quality software layered on top of impressive hardware. This is a tough balance for young companies and Dropcam is doing a commendable job at this," said Mark Siegel, a Managing Director of Menlo Ventures. "We are focused on growing – with Dropcam HD cameras selling like hot cakes it's important that we continue to evolve our team, business and products to best serve our users. This influx of capital will be instrumental in recruiting the right talent to help us do that," said Greg Duffy, CEO and Co-Founder of Dropcam. In January 2012 at CES, Dropcam unveiled its award-winning Dropcam HD Wi-Fi Video Monitoring Camera. The Dropcam HD provides the easiest way to keep an eye on your home, kids, pets and everything else that matters directly from your computer, tablet or smartphone. The accompanying cloud-based Dropcam DVR tools record, monitor and alert you of movements and sounds picked up by the Dropcam HD camera so you never miss an important moment when you're away. Keeping Up with Demand When announced in January, the pre-sale queue for the new Dropcam HD quickly filled and once the product became available, it sold out within three weeks. Dropcam HD again sold out in just a few days once it was back on the market in early April. As of today, Dropcam HD cameras are back in stock and orders are shipping to customers within 7-10 business days. Dropcam's friendly, approachable user experience comes to life within its online tools and mobile apps, which are regularly assessed and improved based on customer feedback. Today, Dropcam released a brand new native Android app that allows more Android users to access the app on their phones or tablets. Dropcam also updated its intelligent software, laying the groundwork for more advanced motion detection and email and push alerts from the Dropcam HD camera. False alerts should occur less frequently, while alerts generated by people or objects that are actually moving will be more consistent. Previous versions of Dropcam's Android app built using Adobe Air were limited to Android smartphones with specific processors running the newest OS. By developing a native Android app, Dropcam now opens up its mobile viewing to more Android users – owners of older versions of Android smartphones or ones with the latest phone. |
| Roomba 790's Wireless Command Center lets you obliterate dirt from afar Posted: 19 Jun 2012 03:00 AM PDT iRobot is calling the latest Roomba its "most advanced robot yet," thanks to a number of new features to the 700 series that extend beyond the 790's redesigned faceplate. Chief amongst them is the Wireless Command Center, an oblong remote control useable from anywhere in the home that lets users steer the Roomba, send it back to its base, schedule a cleaning and adjust its clock. There's also a big "Clean" button, whose functionality seems fairly straight forward. Also on board with the 790 is room-to-room navigation, which utilizes "Virtual Wall Lighthouses." Roomba describes the feature thusly,
The latest version of the cleaning machine is available today, for a suggested $700. Check out a peak of the aforementioned Command Center after the break. |
| Ben Heck gives dads the light-up toilet they deserve Posted: 19 Jun 2012 02:42 AM PDT Happy belated Father's Day, internet -- now please enjoy some video of Ben Heck modding a toilet. The tinkerer-turned-host offered up one of his more unsanitary projects over the weekend, involving a bathmat, a Glade Plug-in, a porcelain throne and a Tron-esque lighting scheme. Step on the weight-sensing mat and the conductive ink will go to work, lighting up side illuminating fiber optics on the toilet, should the photocell determine it dark enough. All of this means not having to turn on the bathroom lights once that nightcap is ready to make the next step in its magical journey. And best of all, the lighting scheme is visible underneath the lid, so you can put the seat down, like the civilized individual you are. Video after the break.
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| Thunderbolt 1.2.1 update adds Ethernet adapter support, reportedly squashes boot issues Posted: 19 Jun 2012 02:18 AM PDT Got your fancy new Retina MacBook Pro? Eying up one of those Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapters? Well, Apple's just released a software update that adds support for the nifty peripheral. That's the main purpose of this latest version -- 1.2.1 -- according to the company's website. However, there are reports suggesting it also resolves a boot-related issue that was affecting certain users, caused by a previous update. If this was affecting you, or you're running OS X 10.7.4, then make a dash for that source link. |
| Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:54 AM PDT Missed the liveblog? Caught the details, but wanted to see it unfold blow-by-blow? No problem, as Microsoft has uploaded the whole shebang for your viewing pleasure. Compatible browsers can jump in after the break, or hit the source link for a direct download link. Update: We've re-embedded the video via viddler so that everyone can enjoy.
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| PSA: Entire Harry Potter series now available on Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:24 AM PDT Fancy dipping back into the world of Quidditch and Dumbledore? Or maybe you shunned the whole Pottermania thing until now. Either way, if you own a Kindle, you can finally get up to speed without paying a spellbinding price -- thanks to Amazon's Kindle Owners Lending Library. All seven eBook titles are up for grabs in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish. To get them, there's no need to wave your magic wand, instead just make sure your Prime membership is all paid up, and you're good to go. Magic. All 7 Harry Potter eBooks Now Available in Kindle Owners' Lending Library Starting today, read all of J.K. Rowling's iconic Harry Potter series for free on your Kindle SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 19, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Starting today, Amazon.com customers can now borrow all seven Harry Potter books in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library (KOLL). The Kindle Owners' Lending Library is a benefit of Amazon Prime membership where Kindle owners can choose from over 145,000 books to borrow for free as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates. Prime members also enjoy free two-day shipping on millions of items and unlimited streaming of more than 18,000 movies and TV episodes. "Nowhere else can customers borrow any of the seven Harry Potter books for free, with an unlimited supply of each title and no waiting list," said Russ Grandinetti, Vice President, Kindle Content. "A $79 Prime membership was already the best deal in retail, and now it's become even more valuable." Harry Potter is the all-time best-selling book series in history, and Amazon has purchased an exclusive license from J.K. Rowling's Pottermore to make the addition of these titles possible. The Kindle Owners' Lending Library now features over 145,000 books for US customers to borrow for free, including over 100 current and former New York Times Best Sellers. With the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, there are no due dates and books can be borrowed as frequently as once a month. Unlike traditional library lending, there are no limits on the number of copies available, and how many people can simultaneously borrow the same title. Readers never have to wait in line for the book they want. Just as with any other Kindle book, customer notes, highlights and bookmarks in borrowed books will be saved, so they'll have them later if customers purchase or re-borrow the book. Books are borrowed from a Kindle device, and customers can have one book out at a time. When customers want to borrow a new book, any borrowed book can easily be returned right from their device. To learn more about the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, visit www.amazon.com/kindleownerslendinglibrary. To learn about all the additional benefits included with Amazon Prime, or to start an Amazon Prime free trial, visit www.amazon.com/kindleprime. |
| Will Surface tablets use Microsoft's new MagSafe-like power and data connector? Posted: 19 Jun 2012 01:02 AM PDT Microsoft has borrowed a couple of Apple-flavored notions for the launch of its new Surface tablets. For a start, it's avoided mentioning certain tech specs -- like the amount of RAM -- and now one of our readers has noticed something else: the strange-looking power port on the new devices looks very much like the magnetic, MagSafe-style connector Microsoft sent to the US Patent Office last week. We could be wrong, but the two do seem nearly identical, in which case Surface owners -- just like new Apple buyers -- may also have to put up with the clutter of more proprietary cables. |
| Less banhammer, more gaming fun down under as Australia OKs R18+ game rating Posted: 19 Jun 2012 12:47 AM PDT Looks like folks from the land down under will be able to enjoy more of those upcoming titles featured recently at E3 2012. Australian gamers can now yell a collective "Get over here!" at more mature video gaming fare after the country's Parliament passed a new law to create an "adults-only" R18+ rating. The new classification puts video games on equal footing with films and other media that already allow mature content to be accessible in Australia via a similar rating. Prior to the creation of the new category, games deemed too mature for an MA15+ rating -- previously the strongest video game classification in Australia -- either had to be reclassified or banned from sale. One high-profile casualty that received a fatality from the old ratings system, for example, was the Mortal Kombat reboot. Lawmakers, however, agreed to pass the new rating law following years of consultation and strong public support for the change. One can only hope the legal tussle occurring in Australia between Apple and Samsung would reach an equally satisfactory resolution. [Image Credit: Associated Press] |
| Air Canada embarks on its first biofuel-powered flight from Toronto to Mexico City Posted: 19 Jun 2012 12:11 AM PDT Not looking to be left out of the biofuel party, Air Canada is the latest to try out the eco-friendly alternative for its jet engines. An Airbus A319 will make the outfit's pseudo-sustainable flight from Toronto to Mexico City powered by a 50 / 50 mixture of the aforementioned material and regular ol' jet fuel. This particular blend is derived from recycled cooking oil and meets all standards to avoid any modifications to the aircraft's existing systems -- while still offering a 40 percent cut in emissions. In addition to green-powered trips, the airline is implementing several other measures to improve its impact on Mother Nature, including the use of iPads over paper documents for pilots. Here's to hoping that the company will be fueling it's own 787s with the blend in the near future. Air Canada to Conduct First Flight with Sustainable Biofuel Cooking Oil-Powered Flight Expected to Reduce Emissions 40 per cent or more MONTREAL, June 18, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada will operate its first flight with biofuel today to highlight the airline's commitment to the environment. Flight AC991 from Toronto to Mexico City is expected to generate at least 40 per cent fewer emissions by using jet fuel derived from recycled cooking oil and through other fuel-saving measures, making it the most environmentally-friendly flight ever flown by Air Canada. The flight is supported by Airbus and is part of an environmental demonstration by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to coincide with the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. "Air Canada fully accepts its responsibility to reduce its footprint and our first flight using biofuel tangibly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the environment. Since 1990 our airline has become 30 per cent more fuel efficient and we are determined to increase these gains through cutting-edge measures such as those being showcased with this Toronto-Mexico City flight, our greenest ever," said Duncan Dee, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Air Canada. "The flight, supported by Airbus, will link with other biofuel flights from Canada to Rio de Janeiro arranged under the auspices of ICAO to underscore the aviation industry's commitment to the environment at the UN sustainability conference." "Today's flight with Air Canada proves that the aviation industry is in a strong position to reduce emissions," said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. "To make this a day-to-day commercial reality, it requires now a political will to foster incentives to scale up the use of sustainable biofuels and to accelerate the modernization of the air-traffic-management system. We need a clear endorsement by governments and all aviation stakeholders to venture beyond today's limitations." Today's AC991 will be a normal revenue flight operated with an Airbus A319 aircraft using a 50/50 mix of regular and biofuel derived from recycled cooking oil. This blend produced by SkyNRG has been recertified to normal jet fuel standards and can be safely used without modifying the aircraft's systems. Flight AC991 is being operated as part of ICAO's Flightpath to a Sustainable Future. In addition to alternative fuel, Air Canada will also use other techniques and measures it has adopted to reduce the flight's environmental impact. These include: Pre-flight maintenance preparation: Pre-flight operations: Take-off: Climb: Cruise: Descent: Arrival: |
| iBuyPower rides new Valkyrie line of gaming laptops Posted: 18 Jun 2012 11:25 PM PDT Not content with the unveiling of its Chimera 4 and Erebus GT desktops, iBuyPower is turning its attention to gamers of a more mobile persuasion with the launch of its new Valkyrie line of gaming laptops. For $1,299, the base Valkyrie CZ-17 features a third-generation Intel Core i7-3610QM CPU, 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M GPU, 500GB 5,400 RPM hard drive, LAN E2200 module, backlit keyboard and a 17.3-inch, 1080p display. Folks who want to channel their inner Rich Uncle Pennybags can also configure the Valkyrie with more options such as an i7-3820QM processor, up to 32GB of RAM, dual HDD/SSD storage and a Blu-Ray drive. iBuyPower says the Valkyrie line is part of efforts to beef up its laptop offerings in order to compete with the likes of Dell/Alienware and ASUS. In the meantime, folks who've got Elmer Fudd's rendition of "Kill the Wabbit" stuck in their heads after reading the word "Valkyrie" can clear their minds by perusing the PR after the break. iBUYPOWER's New Valkyrie Gaming Laptop Delivers Mobile Gaming Domination El Monte, CA – June 15, 2012 – iBUYPOWER is poised to release its all new Valkyrie line of signature series gaming laptops. The Valkyrie series represents a new direction for iBUYPOWER's mobile offering, breaking away from generic "whiteboxes" and featuring unique designs and technologies exclusive to iBUYPOWER. Valkyrie's breakaway design features sleek angles and a backlit top panel. The iBUYPOWER Valkyrie gaming laptops are designed for gamers and spec'd for domination. The first entry in the Valkyrie series is the iBUYPOWER Valkyrie CZ-17, a new 17" gaming laptop that features NVIDIA GeForce 600 series graphics and the latest 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 processors, easily placing the Valkyrie CZ-17 among the most powerful gaming laptops currently in existence. The Valkyrie CZ-17 also features Killer networking technology, with a built-in Killer LAN E2200 module to cut down on game-killing latency. In addition, the new iBUYPOWER Valkyrie gaming laptop supports configurations of up to two SSDs or HDDs for extreme storage performance and lightning fast load speeds. The new iBUYPOWER Valkyrie CZ-17 Gaming laptop is designed for an immersive gaming experience. The gaming laptop's keyboard features a backlight and highlighted 'WASD' and arrow gaming keys for high visibility in low-light gaming environments. In addition, the Valkyrie delivers brilliant detailed visuals and immersive sound with a full HD 1920x1080 17.3" LED-backlit anti-glare screen, and THX TruSound PRO audio system. The iBUYPOWER Valkyrie gaming laptop series also delivers on iBUYPOWER's Signature Series values, combining unique design with full configurability and maximum price-performance value. Customers can configure the iBUYPOWER Valkyrie CZ-17 with a number of upgrades, including SSDs, advanced Intel 3rd Generation Core i7 CPUs, and up to 32GB DDR3 memory. The Valkyrie CZ-17 also offers surprising value, coming in at a starting price of $1,299, beating many similarly configured competitors. This new system comes hot on the heels of the new signature desktop, the Chimera 4SE, showcased at Major League Gaming's Spring Championships at Anaheim, CA last weekend. iBUYPOWER is the Official Gaming PC provider for Major League Gaming, North America's largest eSports tournament. New iBUYPOWER Valkyrie CZ-17 gaming laptops are available for customization and purchase in the United States and Canada. Customers looking to configure a new Valkyrie CZ-17 gaming laptop can go to www.ibuypower.com/valkyrie. |
| Tomy BattroBorg 20 throws motion-controlled punches, rocks 'em and socks 'em Wii-style (video) Posted: 18 Jun 2012 10:46 PM PDT The last time we saw someone move the game on for Rock'em Sock'em Robots, it was a motion-controlled experiment that was unlikely to see the light of day. Tomy must have been frustrated enough waiting for the practical reality to take matters into its own hands, as it's just unveiled the BattroBorg 20, a fighting robot that... lets you take matters into your own hands. The toy uses a Wii-style nunchuk motion controller that translates the player's own thrusts into the plastic robot's punches. Each robot can tell if it's been decked, although it takes just five punches to win by TKO -- these aren't exactly Queensbury rules. At an estimated $50 for each robot and matching controller on the July 14th release date, the BattroBorg isn't the cheapest way to relive the glory days of pint-sized fisticuffs, but it's certainly the most involving. |
| Vanishing neutrons could be travelling to a parallel universe Posted: 18 Jun 2012 09:59 PM PDT Time to break out your theoretical physics cap for a moment. A new idea about the cause of neutron loss (a phenomena in which neutrons seem to momentarily disappear), is pushing the boundaries of easy to conceptualize science. Zurab Berezhiani and Fabrizio Nesti of Italy's University of l'Aquila have suggested that the particles could briefly be visiting parallel universes before returning. Experiments have shown that the rate of loss is dependent on the direction and strength of an applied magnetic field -- an anomaly that doesn't jibe with current physics. If a parallel universe existed consisting of so-called "mirror particles," however, the neutrons could temporarily swap places with its invisible twin before returning to its rightful place in this world. More experimentation is needed, but if the predictions of Berezhiani and Nesti are correct, it could indicate that we're surrounded by mirror particles in a parallel universe -- a potential culprit for the mystery of dark matter. |
| Wacom outs the Bamboo Splash: the Connect's hardware with a new software bundle Posted: 18 Jun 2012 09:01 PM PDT For those looking to get their feet wet with a Wacom pen tablet, but not looking to make an Intuos-sized investment, the company's Bamboo family has been a solid choice. The outfit has now added one more option to the entry-level peripheral line with the Splash. Sporting hardware identical to the Connect tablet that's already available, the latest offering includes an updated software duo in the same box. Art Rage Studio offers painting that'll keep your shiny new MacBook Pro clean while Sketchbook Express provides tools for good ol' sketching. In case you need a refresher on the Bamboo accessory's specs, the pen tab plays nice with both Windows and Mac, offers a 5.8 x 3.6 inch active area, USB connectivity and a pen that touts 1,024 pressure levels. The good news is that the new bundle won't cost you a penny more, as the kit will remain priced at $79. Truth be told, the Splash is actually a solid pick-up for someone looking to test drive a graphics tablet without committing a larger sum of cash. Wacom Makes a Splash Dive into digital art with Bamboo Splash and discover a fun, simple way to draw, sketch and paint Vancouver, WA – June 19, 2012 – Wacom® Technology Corp. introduces Bamboo™ Splash, a new member of the Bamboo family of pen tablets that enable creative and artistic people to experience digital art in a fun and affordable fashion. Ideal for the aspiring artist at home, school, work or play, Bamboo Splash's ($79 USD) modern tablet design and its world-renowned pressure-sensitive pen are combined with a playful suite of value added software to deliver a fresh new way to draw, sketch and paint on the computer. Software Adds Value and Fun Compatibility and Availability The Rest of the Bamboo Tablet Family |
| US 3G and 4G networks face off once more, Verizon just squeaks out win over AT&T Posted: 18 Jun 2012 08:56 PM PDT Competition for the US cellular speed crown is certainly fiercer than it was last year, when Verizon's 4G LTE let it walk over the competition unimpeded. With AT&T's LTE in the running, though, have the ranks changed? No, but only just barely: as PCMag discovered in its annual countrywide testing, Verizon mostly trumped its fellow telecom giant in upload speeds and reliability. AT&T could once more claim to be best in a category with the fastest downloads, although it's counterbalanced by having a considerably smaller LTE network. For everyone outside of T-Mobile and its still very respectable HSPA+ network, it's better luck next year. We'll be most intrigued then, quite frankly -- in addition to 2013 giving us a genuinely functional Sprint LTE network, that's when we could see a blistering-fast T-Mobile LTE-Advanced produce an upset victory. |
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