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- Google's Jelly Bean cup runneth over, kills grass in the process
- Apple releases its own Podcasts app for iOS devices
- NTT DoCoMo unveils the Drive Cradle 02 that turns your tablet into a jumbo GPS
- Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in the smartphone past
- HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up
- Microsoft patents recording device to curb shortened attention spans
- Huawei pushes Ascend D Quad production to August, pins it on processor hiccups
- Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers
- Sony NSZ-GS7 Google TV review
- BlackBerry Messenger for BlackBerry 10 gets a possible first sighting, themes to fit that chatty lifestyle
- Cisco rolls its first Linksys 802.11ac WiFi router and bridge, kicks off Connect Cloud app platform (video)
- Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on)
- Vizio's Google TV box emerges as the Co-Star Stream Player, goes up for pre-order in July with OnLive gaming
- Space X successfully test-fires Merlin 1D engine, forgets to buy marshmallows
- WiFi alliance begins hardware testing on Passpoint cell-to-hotspot roaming program
- US Army breaking up with A160 Hummingbird drone-copter, says it's too high maintenance
- Google simulates the human brain with 1000 machines, 16000 cores and a love of cats
- PSA: PS3 firmware update landing today
- Wolfson confirms the Samsung Galaxy S III uses its audio chip
- New wireless transmission tech hits 2.56Tbps, leaves WiFi feeling inadequate
- Licensed Portal 2 turret replica to arrive later this year, leave ammo at home
- Lego and Google Chrome team up, want to cover Australasia in your models and plastic bricks (video)
- Lightroom 4 finally floats into Adobe's Creative Cloud
- Dell XPS 14 review: a 14-inch Ultrabook with Ivy Bridge and graphics might
- Dell outs XPS 14 with optional mobile broadband, XPS 15 with Kepler graphics
- Custom PC desk / case combo ditches glass, metal for wood
- PLX's XWave Sport gives brainwave interfaces a casual look, triggers '80s flashbacks
- Microsoft accentuates the positive, gives Windows Phone 7.8's new start screen a closer look (video)
- OLED Lego train station emerges from Adafruit and Arduino gear, minifigs to get home on time
- Seagate and DensBits team up on solid-state drives for the home, call truce in the HDD versus SSD war
- T-Mobile to offer prepaid and monthly4G service at participating Dollar General stores
- Fujifilm outlines X-Pro1 lens roadmap, brings zoom at last this fall
- NASA's Seven Minutes of Terror: Curiosity's precarious Mars landing explained (video)
- Bing Maps gets another 165TB of satellite images, Google Earth seen sulking in a corner
- Nokia's Play To app now available for Lumia devices, enables DLNA-connectivity
- Google: Chromebooks now serve web-happy students in over 500 European, US school districts
- Angry Birds Heikki: because F1 and fort-breaking games are like peanut butter and chocolate
- Hands-on with G-Technology's Mac-friendly, USB 3.0-packing G-Drive slim
- Marquee Media Center hands-on (video)
- iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on (video)
| Google's Jelly Bean cup runneth over, kills grass in the process Posted: 26 Jun 2012 10:44 AM PDT Happy Google I/O week! Why not celebrate with a giant jelly bean or 12? The search giant clearly has some big, colorful plans for later this week, including, perhaps, another entry in its delicious parade of lawn-cluttering mobile operating system dessert foods. The above statue was spotted and posted to the Google Developers page on Google+, and it surely amounts to more than just a belated Easter celebration. We'll no doubt be hearing a lot more on the subject from Google -- and the American Dental Association -- in the days to come. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple releases its own Podcasts app for iOS devices Posted: 26 Jun 2012 10:41 AM PDT We've had some indication that podcasts would be receiving an app of their own with iOS 6, but it looks like we won't have to wait that long after all. Apple has just released a new standalone app dubbed simply Podcasts, which is available for iOS devices running version 5.1 or later. It includes a variety of ways to browse and subscribe to the thousands of podcasts available (including a new Top Stations feature that groups select podcasts by category), and the ability to either stream episodes or download them for offline use. The app is also optimized for the iPad in addition to the iPhone, and it's thankfully able to sync podcasts with iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NTT DoCoMo unveils the Drive Cradle 02 that turns your tablet into a jumbo GPS Posted: 26 Jun 2012 10:39 AM PDT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia 808 PureView review: the future of mobile imaging, wrapped in the smartphone past Posted: 26 Jun 2012 10:00 AM PDT More InfoThe Nokia 808 PureView has a 41-megapixel camera sensor. But you knew that. The crystallization of five years of imaging R&D has landed, and the timing couldn't have been better for Nokia. Alongside uncomfortable financial reading, its move to Windows Phone hasn't exactly set the smartphone world alight just yet. It's seemingly established itself as the go-to WinPho choice for American customers thanks to some aggressive pricing, but with news that the next iteration of Windows Phone won't come to the Lumia 900, many will hold out for Nokia's next handset. Whatever that device will be, it's likely to bring the same PureView technology we've got here on the Nokia 808 PureView -- a Symbian-based handset whose software has seen better days. However, OS be damned, it still blew away attendees at this year's Mobile World Congress. Impressive stuff, given that it's the same show where HTC's admirable One series debuted. That huge sensor is paired with a new five-element Carl Zeiss lens and a refreshed flash with double the strength of the one on the Nokia N8 -- the existing cameraphone champ. But behind the technical bullet points, it's how Nokia maximizes the 41-megapixel sensor, oversampling with those pixels to create improved 5-, 8- , 3- and 2-megapixel images, reducing noise and improving low-light performance. However, when it comes to software, Symbian Belle (with Feature Pack 1 in tow) lags behind the likes of Android, iOS and Windows Phone in user experience and app provision. Similarly, the chunky handset flies in the opposite direction of the trend for slim smartphones. Is that camera module really all Nokia thinks (and hopes) it is? What's more, is Symbian relevant enough for such future-facing goodness? Let's find out. Hardware
While the 808 PureView forgoes the N8's metal casing, we can't think of a phone that has a more solid-feeling plastic shell than this. It feels so hardy that if we were to accidentally drop it, the pavement below us might come off worse. Fortunately, the rough matte finish has great purchase in the hand, and the same coating runs across the edge of the phone -- precisely where you'll be grabbing the device while taking photos. That substantial build means the phone's profile tops out at 18mm thick, narrowing to a more acceptable 14mm. There are two reasons the 808 PureView measures nearly twice as thick as other recent smartphones. First, that sensor needs the extra space, as does the Carl Zeiss lens. Secondly, given the camera-centric gravitas of the whole device, a curvier profile better lends itself to photography. Despite its top-heavy appearance, the weight distribution feels balanced, if slightly biased towards the lens end. All told, it is, indeed, as bulky as it looks, weighing in at 169g (six ounces) and making a good case for those plastic build materials. The back of the phone wraps around to meet the Gorilla Glass-protected screen, while a plastic strip cuts across the lower half of the battery cover. It gave us something to grip with our fingernails, but could have stood to be a little more substantial. Removing said battery cover will give you access to a swappable (but surprisingly small) 1,400mAh battery, as well as micro-SIM and microSD slots. Fortunately, there's already 16GB of storage built in, but you can expand this to 32GB with a card. Other connectivity options include a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer, and a mini-HDMI socket behind a covered door on the phone's top side. That uppermost edge houses both of these and the headphone socket, while the left side is left bare. On the right, the volume rocker and two-stage camera button match the chrome finish on the camera unit, with a phone lock switch making a welcome return. The camera button is a core part of this device, and we're glad to report that it's satisfyingly tactile -- even through Nokia's official case, which cocoons the camera phone in flexible plastic. Across the bottom of the screen, the typical trio of Symbian buttons are on display: a green dialer button, central home button and red disconnect button. They're all collected into a single strip, which will look familiar to anyone who's seen past Symbian hardware or even the Lumia 710. Above the screen, you'll find the earpiece, light sensor and front-facing camera. The phone's loudspeaker is on the base of the phone, to the right of the lens, which is flanked by the Xenon flash on the other side. The camera itself has a mechanical shutter, which you'll notice when you start taking those solipsistic 41-megapixel self-portraits. ScreenNokia continues to use Gorilla Glass on its devices, this time even coating the camera lens with the stuff -- a wise decision. This protection extends across all four inches of the AMOLED screen as well. Unfortunately, the resolution hasn't moved on from the N8, with the same 640 x 360 pixel count now stretched further, which translates to a creaky 184 ppi. It really puts the brakes on enjoying all those pin-sharp images and high-definition video, although the gallery's responsive pinch-to-zoom interface does side-step this a little. It would have been nice to see these pictures on double, if not quadruple the number of pixels, and the screen remains a curious juxtaposition with the high-end camera. Oddly, while you're able to adjust brightness in settings, the light sensor will continue to adjust the output of the screen -- something we'd prefer to be in control of. At full brightness, the screen seems to take on a subtle bluish-purple tint. One pleasant surprise is the screen's performance outdoors. The Lumia 900 offered a similarly stand-out experience, and again, it seems a sensible development for Nokia's first PureView device -- you'll be wanting to take photos outside, and you'll want to see them immediately. Nokia's ClearBlack screen gave us colors that were predictably realistic and contrast was superb, despite the dearth in pixels. Camera Forget the awkward industrial design. Ignore the frustrating mess that is Belle. Take one picture with Nokia's 808 PureView and all will be forgiven. We dare you. It's difficult to relay exactly how thoroughly awesome this camera is and how stupendously phenomenal the resulting shots are. This device instantly obliterates every other cameraphone, while simultaneously giving most dedicated point-and-shoots the proverbial finger. It's that good. So what's the special sauce? How is this possible? Welcome to the world of software photography, where lenses and motors and hardware are replaced with algorithms and code and wizardry. As you'd expect, it all starts with a nice sensor. There's been a lot of brouhaha about the 41-megapixel camera aboard the 808 PureView and rightfully so. Image quality isn't about the number of pixels as much as it is about pixel size. On the one hand, 41 megapixels seems like overkill -- on the other hand, it's what makes the PureView technology possible. Consider this: at 1.4 microns this sensor's pixel size is identical to that of the iPhone 4S. This means that pixel for pixel, this shooter matches the competition -- it just uses five times more pixels per image than an 8-megapixel camera. At 1/1.2 inches (10.82 x 7.52mm), the 808's sensor is physically massive, larger even than the 1/1.7-inch array in Canon's S95 high-end point-and-shoot. Of course, this is all meaningless without a proper lens. Here the 808 PureView delivers again with an autofocus prime lens made by Carl Zeiss that features five aspherical glass elements (in one group) and a mechanical shutter. The aperture is fixed at f/2.4 but the lens includes a selectable neutral density filter. Unlike most of the competition, the 808 incorporates both a xenon flash for stills and an LED light for video (the latter also being used to assist with autofocus). A dedicated two-stage shutter key rounds up the camera hardware -- we expect any cameraphone worth its salt to have one. This particular button is decent but the second detent feels a little mushier and harder to press than we'd like. Some of HTC's handsets (like the EVO 3D, myTouch 4G Slide and EVO 4G LTE) have keys offering better tactile feedback. Now let's talk about Nokia's PureView technology. What's the big deal, anyway? How does it work? Let's begin with that 41-megapixel sensor. Capturing this many pixels enables a software trick known as pixel oversampling. Since a final 8- or 5-megapixel photo usually contains enough detail for printing and is easier to store and transmit, it's possible to use those 41 megapixels to zoom in or stabilize the image without resorting to interpolation and losing information. By combining many pixels to create a single higher-quality pixel, oversampling also removes Bayer pattern problems and reduces noise. Better yet, all this applies to video recording. The net result is crisper stills and videos, with less noise and more detail.
Nokia's significantly revised and improved the camera interface on the 808 PureView -- it's simpler and a lot more intuitive than on the N8. The viewfinder is divided into three areas: a vertical stripe on the left edge which contains common setting such as the flash, EV, white balance and ISO; a vertical stripe on the right edge which contains the stills / video switch, on-screen shutter key and gallery button; finally an automatic / scenes / creative toggle in the middle top. Tapping anywhere in the viewfinder enables touch-to-focus, tapping and holding lets you select the autofocus mode. A two-finger pinch brings up a frame that's sized by further pinching -- remove your fingers and the 808 zooms smoothly to match the zoom level shown in the frame. Alternatively, the volume rocker doubles as a standard zoom control.
Automatic mode takes care of everything for you while scenes mode provides a choice between various presets (like portrait, landscape, night and macro) -- both modes capture eight megapixel photos with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Creative mode is for photography buffs and offers full control over every possible adjustment, including time lapse. Best of all, in this mode Nokia lets you chose between taking full-resolution pictures or snapping PureView shots (eight, five or three megapixels) at standard or wide aspect ratios. Full-resolution images are actually 38 megapixels (7152 x 5368) at 4:3 and 34 megapixels (7728 x 4354) at 16:9. Overall, there isn't much to complain about in terms of camera interface -- it's probably the most polished app on the handset. We'd like to see a setting to disable face detection (it's always on) and a fix for the gallery which is stuck in landscape when accessed from within the shooter. There's no panorama or bona fide HDR mode (the camera supports bracketing, but doesn't combine the results). So what do images taken with the 808 PureView look like? Stunning, detailed, vibrant and noise-free. The sweet spot appears to be eight megapixel PureView shots with little to no zoom -- this provides the ideal conditions for pixel oversampling to do its magic. When zooming in all the way or when taking pictures at full-resolution (thus revealing the sensor's original pixels) we noticed a bit less detail and a touch more noise. Even then, the results surpass that of capable shooters like the One X when compared pixel for pixel, which speaks volumes about the quality of the sensor and optics. In our tests, exposure was spot on and low-light performance was spectacular -- white balance, despite being usually accurate, was sometimes off when snapping photos in artificial light (like under fluorescents).
Videos captured with the 808 PureView are just as incredibly amazing as the stills. The camera records 1080p and 720p HD video at up to 30fps with selectable continuous autofocus and stereo audio. The resulting videos clock in at a healthy 20Mbps and benefit from the same pixel oversampling trickery (lossless zoom and image stabilization) as the PureView shots. Not only is video performance absolutely superb -- easily beating the competition -- sound quality is another strong point thanks to Nokia's Rich Recording technology which uses MEMS digital microphones and enables clear, distortion-free audio capture at levels up to 140-145dBs.
Software Anyone that comes to the 808 PureView from a similarly Symbian device will wave away many of our complaints about Belle FP1, but that doesn't make them any less valid. Symbian Belle feels old. The notion that, on its release, a truckload of new widgets was a core feature is laughably tragic. And though a drop-down menu, adjustable widgets and incremental feature additions make this less pronounced, all is not well. WiFi hotspot internet sharing is now doable through the third-party app, but this wasn't easy. The freeware version of JoikuSpot comes pre-installed but was unwilling to work with several of our SIM cards. Similarly, installing apps takes several times longer than we've grown used to on the likes of Windows Phone and Android. Like BlackBerry devices, be prepared to reset the phone for some apps. We also had to set aside around half an hour pottering around apps, while downloads languished and installations stalled and often terminated.
On the surface, navigation around home screens is generally responsive and slick, with a nice transitional animation between each screen -- these can all be customized with a specific photo. The photo widget is worth noting, by the by, as you can assign a plethora of images to cycle through. It'll refresh the photos shown when you transition between screens. The app drawer is also responsive to your swipes, with a new list or icon view that bounces at the top and bottom of the respective views. You can either sort alphabetically, or customize for your heavy-use apps and drag them to the top. Folders can be added to categorize apps, and it was something we did soon after setting up our test device, as there are several settings options taking up space that could otherwise be dedicated to standalone apps. It's impossible to drag and drop items into these, however, and you'll have to laboriously "tag" each icon with the respective folder name. Across the app selection, Nokia Maps stands out yet again, as the Espoo cartographers prove they know exactly what we want from mapping software. Even here, there's a faint whiff of Symbian's aging status, with minimal app integration to share your location. Still, you'll be able to check in with several major social networks including Facebook, Foursquare and even Sina -- although this courtesy extends to an announcement post only. Another nice touch is the fact that location-tagged photos will automatically populate the map wherever you took them. Nokia's Public Transit app separates route planning for metropolitan hubs that have their train and bus routes mapped out. There's a lightweight selection of underwhelming pre-installed games. Arguably the richest of the bunch, Asphalt 6, stutters during play despite the humble screen resolution. The number of appealing titles in Nokia's store means you won't be shopping for a new game all that often -- a criticism that can be leveled at its app store in general. While there are icons for both Facebook and Twitter, these are merely integrated into Nokia's Social app, with no native applications for either. Also, they bear tedious interfaces compared with the Facebook and Twitter apps you'll find on competing platforms. You won't be able to see images posted to these, and you'll have to tap through links to take a look. Nokia continues to roll out NFC functions, with a handful of apps and features appearing on the 808 PureView. These range from useful contact and data-sharing between compatible devices to the quaint NFC iteration Angry Birds -- although why Nokia couldn't afford to bundle the full version of Angry Birds Magic baffles us. There's also a gentle NFC tutorial to guide you around what the device has to offer, although it's largely a hub of links to web-based content. Video support is surprisingly broad, with support for most codecs necessary to play our various sample videos. Here's another caveat, though: where's your Netflix or Lovefilm account going to live? Keyboard While this is the best native keyboard Symbian's got to offer, it makes the iPhone's appear positively forward-looking in comparison, to say nothing of Android's well-rounded stock offering and SwiftKey (an Engadget staff favorite). While Swype is free to download, this is one of the least intuitive iterations we've used in some time -- an odd mix of the Swype we're used to and some poor touchscreen sensitivity and excess keys. Suffice to say, we soon returned to stock. The issue is partly due to the key arrangement, a rigid grid of letters and symbols, with none of the off-center spacing seen on rival mobile OS' and your PC keyboard. Despite Symbian Belle's new additions, this keyboard remains old and difficult to steer. Conversely, selecting text to copy and paste is easy to pull off, and we always seemed to highlight exactly what we intended to. BrowserGiving some credit to that 1.3GHz processor, the web browser on the 808 PureView is faster and more capable than any Symbian device that came before it. Still, it trails the performance of other phones that are half the price. Page scrolls are a stuttering affair, and crashes are a regular occurrence. Throw in a media-rich site and you'll have signed the browsers' death warrant. Design-wise, the address bar now disappears once a page is loaded -- necessary given that screen-size is at a premium at this resolution -- while the menu bar is decked out with five icons, including a new quick-access tabbed browser option. Even the obscurity-bound Meego-powered Nokia N9 handled browsing with more aplomb. Could you imagine a Meego PureView cameraphone? As we played with the 808 PureView, we imagined this tech on almost every other mobile OS -- the disappointing user experience of Symbian pervades everything you do with the phone, detracting from all that camera magic. We'd have been willing to wait a few more months if it meant tighter app integration, faster transition between programs and a better (even just average) browsing experience. Battery life and performance With that optical cannon on the back and a relatively meek AMOLED display -- how does a modest 1,400mAh battery fare? In short, well. Understandably the camera component takes a fair bit of power to capture 34- and 38-megapixel images, let alone oversample and churn out polished 5-megapixel masterpieces. In a day of shooting, we found the camera lasted through a day of social network usage, map queries, intermittent web browsing and shooting over 100 images at various resolutions. On our video rundown test, we enabled WiFi without connecting to a network, and tried to fix brightness at 50 percent (as mentioned earlier, the light sensor still interferes). The 808 PureView offered us eight hours and 40 minutes of playback, which was a pleasant surprise. Viewing, cropping and editing images will naturally impinge on how much mileage you'll get from a single charge. However, Nokia's stylish Universal Charger (more on that in a moment) offers some relief, and there's also the option of purchasing a spare juicepack. Unlike Samsung's recent NFC-equipped phones, the Nokia 808 PureView keeps its near-field hardware on the casing, so you'll be able to swap the battery without issue.
We're going to split our comments on performance in two here. First, Symbian is ready for retirement. It's had its run, and while there's still plenty of clever ways to augment what it can do, why go through the hassle? We hope we're less than a year away from a Windows Phone 8 device packing similar optical wonder, because we soon fell into frustration with Symbian Belle, with its often tortuous menu navigation and temperament. The phone automatically stores images and installed apps on the mounted drive, which means that when we plugged in the phone to transfer images or simply give the phone a quick top-up, many apps came crashing down, disappeared outright as the phone spiraled into panic. On the camera side, however, it's a marvel. The camera app launches swiftly from the lock screen, thanks to that single-core 1.3GHz processor, and capture follows about a second afterwards. You'll find the full-resolution stills will take a few seconds to store -- understandable, given that file sizes skirt around 12MB per shot. At oversampled (and lower) resolutions, however, pictures are quicker, if perhaps not even close to the speeds seen on the One X or Galaxy S III's burst modes. Navigating around your creations is easily accomplished and the phone is willing to scroll around hundreds of images with ease. They're all fixed in date order, and although there is a tagging system to add some sort of classification, it's such a long-winded way of organizing that we soon gave up. Interestingly, there were more gallery options on preceding Nokia devices, which makes it a curious oversight that there are literally no menu options on its latest phone. You'll have to select each unwanted photo individually if you want to delete. We found it easier to fill the phone up with photos, connect to a PC and delete in batches, but it remains another niggle of the Belle OS. Nokia still continues to deliver on voice call quality, with crisp calls augmented by an extra noise-cancelling mic. The Nokia 808 PureView is a world-friendly slice of camera phone, with pentaband 3G connectivity up to 14.4 Mbps down and 5.76 Mbps up -- making a strong case to replace both your smartphone and your point-and-shoot on that upcoming holiday. Accessories The 808 PureView won't be alone when it hits stores. Alongside our review model, Nokia delivered a smorgasbord of accessories to augment its new cameraphone, including a tripod adapter, rubberized case, micro-HDMI cable reel and that new universal portable USB charger. The tripod adapter is a spring-loaded bracket that's happy to grip onto the device whether it's in the case or not. This can then be attached to a (small-fixture) tripod, stabilizing the cameraphone when you're seeking out the crispest images, or looking to make the most of the full-resolution mode -- those extra pixels are prone to blurring. The hard cover wraps around the back of the phone, the sides and just around the lip of the front side. While it's not as pleasing to the touch as the phone's own finish, it's a snug fit and the plastic casing adds a bit more rigidity to the shutter key. The other ports are left open to access, while the case includes a tethered cover for the lens component which satisfyingly clicks into place. Surprisingly, perhaps, it's Nokia's universal portable charger that we're most enamored with. Measuring 170mm length-wise, the pod can be charged through the micro-USB port at one end. Four LED lights indicate exactly how much of the 2,200mAh battery is full, while the USB port at the other end can connect to any device capable of using its 950mA output. It's not limited to Nokia hardware or even smartphones, although the color selection and polycarbonate design seem best suited for Nokia's own Lumia range. We like the idea of carrying this around in lieu of a spare battery, especially with the portable charger's larger capacity. Rounding out the accessory selection is a three-meter HDMI cable that's admittedly less visually interesting, but does what it promises to and can be stored away in a flexible pouch. Wrap-up The Nokia 808 PureView is the best cameraphone out there, but you'll have to be willing to forgo the of simplicity, function and comfort of competing smartphones if you intend to own it. You also have to be seriously imaging-obsessed to handle this as your daily driver. While Nokia has made some effort to make image sharing painless, these features are still limited, with constrained options and an OS that often collapses under the weight of even moderate demands. In general, you might hear reviewers toss around cliches like "setting new benchmarks" and "peerless results," but in this case, all these platitudes ring true. The 808's low-noise shots, even in dim light, and its loss-less digital zoom features roar. Throw in the superb video and audio recording performance and you have have a clear cameraphone champion. The problem is, it's one that demands a more capable and (future-facing) operating system. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC Connect certifies AV gear for your One series phone, Pioneer lines up Posted: 26 Jun 2012 09:49 AM PDT HTC is going on something of a certification tangent: it's following its PlayStation Suite approval with its own program, HTC Connect. Home AV equipment with the label promises to lift the standards for streaming media to or from one of HTC's devices. The rubber stamp will be limited at first to DLNA audio and video, but it should eventually include just about anything that doesn't involve a wire, such as Bluetooth, in-car media, NFC and wireless speakers. There isn't an immediate deluge of partners. HTC has scored a rather big ally, however: Pioneer's DLNA-ready receivers and wireless speakers this year, and beyond, will flaunt the HTC Connect badge. Don't brag about the media credentials of your One X just yet. Although the Connect seal of approval won't be needed for media streaming anytime soon, it will only be coming to the One series through an upgrade in the months ahead. HTC ANNOUNCES HTC CONNECT PROGRAM TO FOSTER GREATER A/V CONNECTIVITY Pioneer Electronics is the first partner to feature HTC Connect compatibility in its 2012 line of products TAIPEI, TAIWAN – June 26, 2012 – HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today announced its HTC Connect™ certification program designed to offer consumer electronics manufacturers the opportunity to create an improved sound and visual standard for seamless connectivity between HTC® devices and consumer electronics. For consumers, HTC Connect will mean high-quality, wireless audio and video sent through their HTC smartphones to their compatible in-home and in-car electronics. The HTC Connect Program is another example of HTC innovation, delivering the best possible mobile experience for customers, anticipating and designing for the demands of tomorrow. The initial HTC Connect certified products are DLNA based and the program will evolve to include Bluetooth, NFC, wireless speakers, as well as car audio and video. Parties interested in joining the HTC Connect program should contact HTC at htc_connect@htc.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft patents recording device to curb shortened attention spans Posted: 26 Jun 2012 09:24 AM PDT Time was, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Huawei pushes Ascend D Quad production to August, pins it on processor hiccups Posted: 26 Jun 2012 08:55 AM PDT Those of us yearning to bring Huawei's Ascend D Quad on summer vacation will have to file that dream away for next year. The company's consumer division chief, Yu Chengdong, has pushed back the phone's volume production from this month to August. Blame for the setback rests squarely on that custom-developed K3V2 processor -- there have been "technical problems" getting it ready, if we go by Huawei's less than precise explanation. The timing certainly isn't what we'd call ideal: now that the Galaxy S III and One X are both common features of the smartphone landscape, the Ascend D Quad's performance won't be turning nearly as many heads when it arrives. We'll have to make do with the solid Ascend P1 in the meantime. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qualcomm to deliver Snapdragon SDK to Android developers Posted: 26 Jun 2012 08:29 AM PDT Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon SDK for Android at Uplinq Developers Conference SAN DIEGO, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced the Snapdragon™ SDK for Android at the Uplinq® 2012 developers conference, giving developers and device makers the ability to differentiate their applications on devices by exposing a new set of value-added features. A preview release of the SDK is now available on Qualcomm's developer site and the full SDK will be available to device manufacturers and developers in the coming months. The Snapdragon SDK for Android enables mobile developers to access next-generation technology and features of Snapdragon processors via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) not otherwise available. Initially, the SDK will support devices with the Snapdragon S4 8960 processor, and it is anticipated that the SDK will support future Snapdragon processors across multiple tiers over time. "The most powerful applications in mobile are those that are tightly integrated with the underlying hardware," said Rob Chandhok, president of Qualcomm Internet Services and the company's senior vice president for software strategy. "Qualcomm is always striving to enable developers and device makers to differentiate their offerings via the unique capabilities found in its industry-leading Snapdragon mobile processors. With the Snapdragon SDK for Android, developers and manufactures can now more easily utilize these features as they work to set their products apart in a crowded ecosystem." The Snapdragon SDK for Android is designed to allow developers to harness the additional capabilities of devices with Snapdragon processors while retaining compatibility across multiple Android devices. Together with the latest hardware development devices, including the Snapdragon S4 MDP smartphone and the Snapdragon S4 MDP tablet, developers will be able to develop on-target with a suite of Snapdragon SDK capabilities, allowing for testing and debugging in advance of commercial handset releases. Some of the new features and benefits of the Snapdragon APIs in the preview release of the SDK include:
Developers can learn more about the Snapdragon SDK for Android at the Qualcomm Developer Network website or by following @Qualcomm_Dev on Twitter for the latest information and news with the SDK. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 26 Jun 2012 08:00 AM PDT More InfoIf at first you don't succeed, try, try again and that's exactly what Google has done with Google TV. With the second generation of Google's software hitting older hardware and some TVs, it only makes sense that Sony would revise its hardware and fill the void left when Logitech decided to leave the party. The $199 NSZ-GS7 from Sony might be the perfect little box for those hoping to internet-enable their TV without actually replacing the TV itself. How well it does at that is exactly what you'll find if you click through. Hardware The NSZ-GS7 is a bit smaller than the Logitech Revue was, but still includes HDMI pass-through, SPDIF, two USB ports, built-in IR blaster (external too), Ethernet and integrated Wifi. The box is small and of the high-quality build you'd expect from Sony. Along with USB storage support and FTP access, you get 8GB of internal memory -- although the system info menu indicates only 4GB. We assume the difference is reserved for the OS. It's powered by a dual-core Marvel 1.2Ghz chip, which helps it speed along considerably faster than we recall the Revue could. In addition to the usual suspect HD output formats, 3D output and pass-through are supported as well as 24p for your native film content. If you cut the cord and don't have an incoming signal you'd like to pass-through and control, the box works happily as a source to your TV. When you do want to control your cable box or Blu-ray player with it, though, you can pass-through both the audio and video -- or just the video, with either Dolby Digital or PCM output via HDMI or the SPDIF connector. There is even an option for Dolby Dynamic Range Control if you'd like to remove the unexpected loud scene here and there. One feature we were very happy to see, that we didn't expect, was HDMI-CEC. You can of course just control your TV and AVR with IR, but CEC can save you some time and hassle and it's something we'd love to see in every set-top box. Remote We weren't big fans of Sony's first Google TV remote, but we have to say we like this one. For starters, it's Bluetooth and uses standard batteries. But mostly we love the touchpad over the whatever-you-call-them pointers on the old remote. The touchpad works like the one on your laptop including the abilities like tap-to-click, drag-to-scroll and even pinch-to-zoom. You can, of course, adjust the pointer speed via the system settings as well as enable the backlight for the keyboard -- no lights for the other side, though. Speaking of the keyboard, it is pretty slick, and aside from some funky secondary assignments (exclamation and question marks on the same key?), it just works. What we really like, though, is that there's a sensor in the remote to prevent accidental clicks when that side of the remote is down, and that same sensor activates the keyboard backlight when the remote is picked up. Lastly, the sensor is of the three-axis variety and Sony tells us that developers can tie into it to create games or anything else you might think of. Aside from all the bells and whistles, the layout of the actual buttons makes sense to us and we appreciate the dedicated hard keys for the d-pad, input selection, home, guide, DVR and others. Oh, and placing the dedicated volume, mute and channel controls on the side of the remote makes it very easy to just pick up and use without ever looking at it -- something every remote must be able to do. Like the Harmony Revue, this Google TV box can act as a universal remote -- all programmed via on-screen menus -- so the quality of the remote is a real selling point. But if you're among those who believe that remotes with real buttons are so 20th Century, no problem -- all the IP remotes for Android and iOS devices are fully supported. SoftwareOur review sample of the NSZ-GS7 was loaded with Google TV 3.2 that includes much of the same features and functionalities as we've reviewed in the past. And because it is a Sony, it of course includes the Sony Entertainment Network. But there are a few other software features that aren't included in all Google TV devices because this guy isn't built-in to the TV. One is the ability to easily change the picture size to compensate for any overscan your TV might not be able to shake. Others include the screensaver, text-to-speech and, of course, all the configuration screens required to control the remote and other hardware features we already told you about. Beyond all that, though, it is the same Google TV experience you might find on other newer devices in your home theater. Wrap-up In the end the Sony NSZ-GS7 is a solid follow-up with some much-appreciated enhancements over previous Google TV hardware. The remote is far and away the greatest improvement, but the HDMI-CEC and other new hardware features don't go unnoticed. At $199 it's one of the least expensive ways to get the Google ecosystem onto your TV, but almost twice what many have come to expect to pay for the hockey puck streamers from competition like Roku and Apple. By ignoring the price of the competitors and remembering what we paid for the last programmable remote we bought, we don't think it's overpriced. That doesn't mean everyone should run out and buy one, but if you've been waiting for the next great Google TV box, you can stop waiting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 26 Jun 2012 07:27 AM PDT It was scarcely a day ago that we got a first peek at what could be the first BlackBerry 10 devices -- and now we're looking at what may be BlackBerry 10's cornerstone app, a reworked BlackBerry Messenger. As long as N4BB's details prove legitimate, the centerpiece of the app will be its theming: owners can customize the chat bubbles and backdrops to fit their finnicky ways. Of course, this being an efficiency-obsessed RIM, the theming should also be integral to keeping power consumption to a minimum: the darker the colors, the less energy a BBM conversation demands from a future BlackBerry's big OLED screen. We don't know whether any changes will prove more than skin deep, although the switch to the QNX-based OS might prove enough at first. We'll know everything soon enough should of a September release for the first phone be more than just a feverish dream. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 26 Jun 2012 07:00 AM PDT Cisco won't be the fastest out of the gate with an 802.11ac WiFi router, but it's certainly one of the most ambitious. The dual-band Linksys EA6500 and a companion, single-band Universal Media Connector network bridge hike the bandwidth up to 802.11ac's 1.3Gbps peak, each of them carrying their own quartet of gigabit Ethernet jacks. A pair of USB ports on the EA6500 should make sharing storage that much faster as well. If you ask Cisco, however, the real highlight is the new Cisco Connect Cloud app platform. Not unlike Novatel's MiFi apps, the software helps either manage the router itself (think parental controls) or tap into other devices around the home, including AirPlay sharing and remote camera monitoring. There's even a new SimpleTap hardware integration platform that will pair third-party WiFi gear like Onkyo receivers to a router through Android and iOS smartphone apps. Eventually, that should include a gentle NFC-based nudge. A Linksys Developer Community is starting now with six app developers already lined up, and support is due for any access point Cisco deems worthy of the Smart Wi-Fi Router name. That said, you'll have to wait awhile if you want the 802.11ac tag attached to that router at the same time. The currently-without-a-price EA6500 doesn't hit shops until early August; you'll have to wait until September for the equally priceless Universal Media Connector. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Native Firefox Android browser adds speed, Flash, HTML5 and a fresh look (hands-on) Posted: 26 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT After a brief stretch in beta followed by some vague teasing, Firefox's native Android app update is finally set to hit Google Play. While there are a raft of bells and whistles -- a new welcome page, curvy Australis tabs, Flash and HTML5 support, for starters -- it's the browser's newfound speed that is getting the MVP treatment. That rapidity is as good a place as any to start a quick hands-on, especially since the native browser lag on one of our older handsets, a Galaxy S, often makes us want to hurl it through a pane of glass. Mozilla claims it built Firefox to a new benchmark it developed called Eideticker, resulting in an overall browser experience twice as fast as the stock Android one. As advertised, initial loading is quasi-instant, and navigation, zooming and tab switching seemed smooth as well, even on the two-gen-old phone. Feature-wise, preferences and other desktop settings imported easily with Firefox Sync's shared password system, and the unfortunately named "Awesome Screen" is the new home page shown above, from which it's fairly simple to launch your preferred sites. Flash and HTML5 generally displayed correctly despite a few minor rendering bugs, and the curved tabs and other design touches make it one of the more elegant Android browsers we've played with. Unfortunately, many sites display in full because they don't yet detect Firefox as a mobile app, but the installation of the Phony 3.2 add-in lets it impersonate other smartphone browsers, and it seemed to work well. We also didn't like that tabbed browsing now requires two taps to get to another page, unlike the previous version, but we imagine that was needed for the increased speed. Overall, Firefox is a welcome addition to the Android ecosystem -- we bet you're just as eager to start browsing as we are, so stay tuned for the app to hit Google Play later today, or jump past the break for a quick speed demo from the kind folks at Mozilla. Update: The new version is now available at the source link below.
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| Posted: 26 Jun 2012 06:15 AM PDT Remember the Vizio VAP430 Stream Player that we tried during CES? Half a year later, the Google TV hub is getting full launch details, just in time for Google I/O. Along with receiving the much more elegant title of Co-Star Stream Player, the set-top box now bakes in OnLive streaming game support -- the Co-Star could, in theory, replace a game console for any American with a good broadband connection. Whether or not playing Just Cause 2 on a TV is in the cards, the hub ticks all the 2012 Google TV checkboxes, including a hybrid keyboard and remote, 3D-capable 1080p video and DLNA media sharing. Before you rush to the local big-box store to pick one up, be warned that pre-orders don't start until July, and then only on Vizio's website. The $100 price, however, will make it considerably easier to wait. VIZIO Launches The VIZIO Co-Star™ With Google TV Giving Users The Power To Turn Any HDTV Into The Ultimate Smart TV IRVINE, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VIZIO, America's #1 LCD HDTV Company*, announced today the launch of the highly anticipated VIZIO Co-Star™ Stream Player. Using the latest version of Google TV™, the VIZIO Co-Star makes it easy to transform any HDTV into the ultimate smart TV, merging live and streaming entertainment into one intuitive and easy experience. With VIZIO's new stream player, users get instant access to thousands of apps, full-screen web browsing capabilities-via Google Chrome™ with Adobe® Flash® Player and HTML 5 support-and the best in streaming entertainment. Unique to the stream player market, the VIZIO Co-Star offers the distinct advantage of connecting to a cable or satellite box. This allows viewers to enjoy live TV along with the web, apps, OnLive cloud gaming, and other streaming entertainment without interrupting what they're already watching. This integrated experience along with the universal touchpad remote with keyboard eliminates the need to switch TV inputs or remotes to access alternative content and provides viewers with a truly smart TV experience. "Our focus to deliver the best consumer experience continues with today's announcement of the Co-Star, which delivers a superior smart TV interface that anyone can add to their existing HDTV," said Matt McRae, VIZIO's Chief Technology Officer. "We combined the powerful features of Google TV™ with an intuitive and easy to use interface, giving users the power to enjoy an entire world of entertainment." The added benefit of Google TV's powerful search feature lets viewers easily browse websites, hunt for streaming movies or locate their favorite TV shows; and with picture-in-picture technology, it can all be done while simultaneously watching live TV action. In addition to favorite apps such as Netflix®, Amazon Instant Video, M-GO, YouTube® and iHeartRadio, the VIZIO Co-Star is the first stream player to offer video games on demand through the OnLive® Game Service. OnLive allows users to demo, watch and play hundreds of top-tier video games directly from 'the cloud' via their VIZIO Co-Star, eliminating the need for users to own an independent game console. With easy access to thousands of apps through Google Play, Co-Star offers the most comprehensive stream player available today. Complementing the overall experience, the VIZIO Co-Star includes a universal Bluetooth® remote with an innovative touchpad that lets you touch, tap, scroll and drag. A full QWERTY keyboard helps users search for their favorite entertainment. Plus, its universal feature makes it easy to control home entertainment devices with one remote. The VIZIO Co-Star incorporates a number of power user features intended to satisfy the variety of user demands, starting with support for 1080p Full HD and 3D entertainment. Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi provides easy wireless Internet access without unsightly wires. Integrated USB port connects to hard drives, keyboards and other peripherals. The VIZIO Co-Star even enables viewers to enjoy photos, music, and movies from any DLNA-enabled phone, tablet, or computer on the TV screen. The VIZIO Co-Star exceeds expectations by combining a definitive user experience with a powerful smart TV platform, resulting in an all-in-one solution that brings the ultimate smart TV experience to any HDTV. The VIZIO CO-Star will be available for pre-orders in July 2012 only on VIZIO.com for $99.99, with an introductory free shipping offer, while supplies last. *IHS iSuppli Corporation Research Q2 2012 Market Tracker Report of Q1 2012. **High-speed/broadband Internet service and access equipment are required and not provided by VIZIO. Additional fees and/or subscriptions may be required for certain content and services. VIZIO makes no warranties, representations, or assurances of any kind as to the content, availability, or functionality of third party content or services. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Space X successfully test-fires Merlin 1D engine, forgets to buy marshmallows Posted: 26 Jun 2012 06:09 AM PDT SpaceX has added another string to its now weighty bow by successfully test firing the Merlin 1D engine, which will propel future craft into the thermosphere. The 1D is the sequel to the Merlin engines used to convey the DragonX to the International Space Station, with an improved thrust-to-weight ratio that reportedly makes it the most efficient booster engine ever built. It's hoped that the gear will be ready to make the jump to full use in time for the sixth flight of the Falcon 9, currently pencilled in for 2013. If you're the sort who enjoys watching a big pile of fire being pushed into a concrete chamber, you're really gonna love the video after the break. SPACEX'S MERLIN 1D ENGINE ACHIEVES FULL MISSION DURATION FIRING Hawthorne, CA – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces that its Merlin 1D engine has achieved a full mission duration firing and multiple restarts at target thrust and specific impulse (Isp). The engine firing was for 185 seconds with 147,000 pounds of thrust, the full duration and power required for a Falcon 9 rocket launch. The tests took place at SpaceX's rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas. "This is another important milestone in our efforts to push the boundaries of space technology," said SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk. "With the Merlin 1D powering the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets, SpaceX will be capable of carrying a full range of payloads to orbit." The Merlin 1D builds on the proven technology of the Merlin engines used on the first three flights of Falcon 9, including the recent historic mission to the International Space Station. With nine Merlins on the first stage, the Falcon 9 rocket will produce nearly 1.5 million pounds of thrust in a vacuum. An enhanced design makes the Merlin 1D the most efficient booster engine ever built, with a vacuum thrust-to-weight ratio exceeding 150, while still maintaining the structural and thermal safety margins needed to carry astronauts. Additionally, as SpaceX continues to fulfill an extensive manifest of launches, the new engine is designed for improved manufacturability by using higher efficiency processes, increased robotic construction and reduced parts count. The Merlin 1D engines will first see flight on Falcon 9 Flight 6, expected to launch in 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WiFi alliance begins hardware testing on Passpoint cell-to-hotspot roaming program Posted: 26 Jun 2012 05:32 AM PDT Launch Of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint™ Enables A New Era In Service Provider Wi-Fi® AUSTIN, Texas, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wi-Fi® industry has delivered a major milestone in the technology's evolution as an operator-grade network. The Wi-Fi Alliance® is now testing mobile devices and infrastructure equipment for its Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint™ program. Passpoint mobile devices can automatically discover and connect to Wi-Fi networks powered by Passpoint-certified access points, delivering the true mobile broadband experience that users want. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070516/SFW029LOGO) The specification behind Passpoint was defined by service provider and equipment maker members of the Wi-Fi Alliance to address critical business needs for mobile data, streamlined access and subscriber loyalty. As mobile users continue to increase their use of data-intensive applications, Passpoint eases service provider data traffic offload to Wi-Fi networks. In addition to making it easy for end users to connect, hotspots equipped with Passpoint-certified equipment automatically enable enterprise-grade WPA2™ security. The Passpoint certification program is based on technology defined in the Wi-Fi Alliance Hotspot 2.0 Specification. "Product manufacturers partnered with service providers to develop the Passpoint program in the Wi-Fi Alliance," said Edgar Figueroa, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance. "Our organization has become a key collaboration forum driving Wi-Fi's evolution in support of service providers." The launch of the certification program means that there is finally a single industry-wide solution for seamless access to Wi-Fi mobile broadband, and providers can leverage Passpoint as a foundation to rapidly expand Wi-Fi roaming agreements. With multi-provider Wi-Fi roaming, subscribers can enjoy seamless connectivity in even more hotspots than those provided by their own service. Wi-Fi Alliance recently conducted polling of smartphone and tablet users in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, and Korea to measure interest in easy-to-use mobile Wi-Fi. The results reflect strong user readiness to embrace Passpoint service offerings from providers among subscribers in each country. Among the findings: Wi-Fi drives usage: On average, 74 percent of respondents stated they would use "a little" or "a lot" more data if they had unlimited data usage via easy-to-use Wi-Fi hotspots The first products to be designated Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint, and which form the test suite for the certification program, are: BelAir 20E
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| US Army breaking up with A160 Hummingbird drone-copter, says it's too high maintenance Posted: 26 Jun 2012 04:56 AM PDT  It's not me, it's you. The US Army's dalliance with Boeing's A160 Hummingbird drone got one step closer to Splitsville after the military branch issued a stop-work order for the project. Initially scheduled to see action in Afghanistan starting this July, the chopper-drone turned plenty of heads thanks to a DARPA-developed Argus-IS imaging system with a 1.8-gigapixel camera capable of spying on ground targets from 20,000 feet. The honeymoon period between the Army and the A160 is apparently over, however, thanks to a host of issues. These included wiring problems as well as excessive vibration that caused an A160 to crash earlier this year due to a transmission mount failure. The problems not only increased risk and caused delays, but also led program costs to helicopter out of control -- a big no-no given Uncle Sam's recent belt-tightening. In the meantime, the Army is reportedly checking out the K-MAX, though it's important to note that this unmanned chopper specializes in cargo and doesn't have the A160's eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google simulates the human brain with 1000 machines, 16000 cores and a love of cats Posted: 26 Jun 2012 04:22 AM PDT Don't tell Google, but its latest X lab project is something performed by the great internet public every day. For free. Mountain View's secret lab stitched together 1,000 computers totaling 16,000 cores to form a neural network with over 1 billion connections, and sent it to YouTube looking for cats. Unlike the popular human time-sink, this was all in the name of science: specifically, simulating the human brain. The neural machine was presented with 10 million images taken from random videos, and went about teaching itself what our feline friends look like. Unlike similar experiments, where some manual guidance and supervision is involved, Google's pseudo-brain was given no such assistance. It wasn't just about cats, of course -- the broader aim was to see whether computers can learn face detection without labeled images. After studying the large set of image-data, the cluster revealed that indeed it could, in addition to being able to develop concepts for human body parts and -- of course -- cats. Overall, there was 15.8 percent accuracy in recognizing 20,000 object categories, which the researchers claim is a 70 percent jump over previous studies. Full details of the hows and whys will be presented at a forthcoming conference in Edinburgh. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSA: PS3 firmware update landing today Posted: 26 Jun 2012 03:31 AM PDT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wolfson confirms the Samsung Galaxy S III uses its audio chip Posted: 26 Jun 2012 02:58 AM PDT The Galaxy S III was widely tipped to possess a Wolfson digital-to-analog converter for high quality audio output -- a feature not seen in this range since the first Galaxy S. That notion has just been confirmed by the Scottish electronics firm itself, which says its WM1811 Audio Hub has been selected for use in Sammy's flagship. The chip promises "crystal clear voice call quality" and "enriched audio playback for music and video" thanks to its 24-bit hi-fi DAC, active noise reduction circuits and other wizardry. The GS II, meanwhile, used a Yamaha DAC to convert digital data (e.g. in an mp3 file) into an analog signal that could drive a speaker (for example in your headphones), but even if most people couldn't hear the difference, audiophiles have insisted they preferred the sound in the older Galaxy. The only question remaining, which the PR after the break does not expand upon, is whether the Wolfson hardware is found in all variants of the new phone. Check out the More Coverage links for further reading. Update: Francois Simond (aka Supercurio) tweeted us to say that the US variant of the GS III uses Qualcomm's own WCD9310 for audio, not the Wolfson. Yup, it's that multi-talented Snapdragon S4 again. EDINBURGH, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wolfson Microelectronics plc, a global leader in the design and development of mixed-signal semiconductors and high definition (HD) Audio solutions for the consumer electronics market, has today announced that its ultra-low power HD Audio Hub, the WM1811, has been selected by Samsung for inclusion in its highly-anticipated new smartphone, the GALAXY S III. "We are delighted that Samsung has once again demonstrated its confidence in our Audio Hub solutions, this time by incorporating the WM1811 into its flagship GALAXY S III smartphone, the launch of which will further strengthen Samsung's position as a world leading smartphone manufacturer." Featuring class-leading technology, the WM1811 provides crystal-clear voice call quality and enriched audio playback for music and video while minimising power consumption, enabling manufacturers such as Samsung to create outstanding HD Audio user experiences with long battery life. Commenting on the announcement, Wolfson's Chief Executive Officer Mike Hickey said: "We are delighted that Samsung has once again demonstrated its confidence in our Audio Hub solutions, this time by incorporating the WM1811 into its flagship GALAXY S III smartphone, the launch of which will further strengthen Samsung's position as a world leading smartphone manufacturer. "Our continued success with Samsung, particularly within its range of smartphones and tablets, is testament to the unrivalled quality of our HD Audio Hubs, and the unique features in our products that allow manufacturers to create differentiated audio experiences." Packed with innovative technology designed for humans, the GALAXY S III is effortlessly smart and intuitively simple to make people's everyday life easier. About Wolfson Microelectronics Wolfson Microelectronics is a global leader in the supply of high performance, mixed-signal semiconductor solutions to the consumer electronics market. In the home, in the office and on the move, Wolfson's innovative technology can be found at the heart of many of the world's leading digital consumer goods, including premier hi-fi equipment, mobile phones, tablet computers, gaming devices, MP3 players, flat panel TVs, digital still cameras and portable navigation devices. Wolfson is committed to the design and supply of ground-breaking audio products, including its architecture-defining audio hub solutions, silicon micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphones, power management IC's and noise cancellation solutions, all of which come together to allow Wolfson to deliver industry-leading HD audio to consumer electronics applications This rich portfolio allows Wolfson's global customers to better differentiate their digital consumer products and create whole new end-user experiences. The company's headquarters is located in Edinburgh, UK. Wolfson's customers are located worldwide, and so is Wolfson, with design centres, sales offices, applications teams and engineering expertise across Europe, the US, Australia and Asia. Wolfson Microelectronics plc is listed on the London stock exchange (LSE: WLF.L). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New wireless transmission tech hits 2.56Tbps, leaves WiFi feeling inadequate Posted: 26 Jun 2012 02:37 AM PDT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Licensed Portal 2 turret replica to arrive later this year, leave ammo at home Posted: 26 Jun 2012 01:58 AM PDT If an enthusiast-built Portal 2 turret piques your interest, Gaming Heads' Valve-licensed miniature replica may very well force your wallet open. Modeled using Portal 2's in-game assets and cast in "high quality poly-stone," these mini-turrets aim to intimidate intruders with a motion activated light-up eye. In addition to the stoically silent basic model, the company's offering an exclusive edition, which plays sounds and voice samples from the game. Only 1,100 of these hand painted facsimiles will be produced (350 with sound, 750 without), but the company notes that other figures based on the adorable death machines are in the works. Pre-orders have already begun, so collectors will want to act fast -- provided they're ready to pony up $300-325, of course. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lego and Google Chrome team up, want to cover Australasia in your models and plastic bricks (video) Posted: 26 Jun 2012 01:12 AM PDT Lego has allied itself with Google's Chrome browser, creating a web app that lets users craft their own houses, creatures and models, and then delicately place them across the whole of Australia and New Zealand. Celebrating 50 years of pre-teen Lego architecture in the Land Down Under, you can grab a plot of land from the source, start throwing some bricks together now and share your creations on the very public map and Google+. According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, Lego Build hopes to roll out globally through Chrome later this year, but one continent should keep us busy until Google's I/O conference kicks off later this week.
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| Lightroom 4 finally floats into Adobe's Creative Cloud Posted: 26 Jun 2012 12:46 AM PDT Adobe's primary tool for tweaking and organizing photos was always destined to be part of the Creative Cloud offering, but for whatever reason it didn't make it in time for launch. As of today though, Lightroom 4 is available to download on PC or 64-bit Mac (or both, since you're allowed multiple installations) as part of a CS6 monthly license. The additional title may not be enough to sway cloudy doubters, but even they can't dispute that the subscription approach now delivers more software than the full-on $2599 shrink-wrapped Master Collection. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell XPS 14 review: a 14-inch Ultrabook with Ivy Bridge and graphics might Posted: 26 Jun 2012 12:00 AM PDT While we can't say that we universally liked Dell's first attempt at an Ultrabook, the XPS 13 we reviewed about three months ago, we can quite confidently say that it earned our respect. Here was a smartly styled, sophisticated machine free of stickers and bloatware from a company that, let's be honest, has delivered its share of each over the years. That machine was far from perfect, but it showed a purity of vision in design that you couldn't help but acknowledge. So where do you go from there? Why, you go bigger of course. Meet the new Dell XPS 14, successor in name only to a model that went out of production over a year ago. It is, as you might have guessed, an inch larger than the XPS 13 and so has more room for ports and pixels -- but there's more to it than that. In some ways this feels like a more polished machine than the 13 that came before, and it's certainly faster but it, too, is far from perfect. Join us for a joyous exploration of why. Look and feel
We were kind of blown away when unboxing the XPS 13. It was a sleek, finely hewn husk of aluminum nestled inside of a dark, sophisticated box. The attention to design was obvious in every facet of the thing -- except for the decidedly low-rent power brick that came along for the ride. The feeling for the XPS 14 is, unsurprisingly, much the same, but this is not the 10 percent scaled-up clone you might be expecting. It's largely the same clean, simple visual language here. The lid is a similar aluminum design with the glossy, embossed Dell logo again stuck square in the middle and standing out as the least aesthetically pleasing part of this package. From above, then, this looks just like a bigger 13, but flip it over and things change. Here, now, is a large rubberized pad upon which the laptop sits, surrounded by a slightly elevated soft-touch ring with slots on the front for the speakers and on the back for the (unfortunately noisy) CPU ventilation. It's a far cry from the XPS 13's über-cool carbon fiber bottom casing, its coy weave subtly exposed to the world. But, to be fair, while silicone and rubber don't look anywhere near as cool as carbon, how often are you looking at the underside of your laptop? The 14 does at least borrow the XPS 13's metallic flap covering the Windows serial number and all the various numerals and certifications the product passed on its way to retail. This hides all the unsightly logos and stickers and makes for a much cleaner look. The edge of the 14 is comprised of an aluminum ring punctuated throughout with ports, lights and the big hinge along the back. On the left, starting at the back, you'll find a hole for that unsightly AC adapter, followed by Ethernet, HDMI, Mini DisplayPort and a pair of USB 3.0 ports. Turn to the right and there's much less clutter, just a Kensington Security Slot, an SD card slot and a combination 3.5mm headphone / microphone jack. On the front, there's just a single sliver of a light and nothing more. It's a reasonably healthy complement of ports, and we welcome the addition of the SD reader that was sadly missing on the XPS 13, but with all that room on the right we wouldn't have minded another USB port or two. There's certainly space. We also miss the battery charge indicator found on the 13. The overall package weighs a healthy 4.6 pounds (2.1kg) and measures 0.81 inches (22.07mm) thick. It's 13.2 inches wide and 9.2 inches deep (335.8 x 233mm). Those are the dimensions for the model we reviewed, packing 802.11a/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. Dell also offers Intel Wireless Display here, but should you need even more connectivity, there is a range of models offering WWAN connectivity which, interestingly, sport a "full-grain charcoal gray leather" lid instead of the anodized aluminum you'll see in our photos. Sadly, rich Corinthian leather is not an option, but you will have your choice of WiMAX, EVDO/HSPA, HSPA+ or Dell's own NetReady prepaid service. Should you opt for any of these extended wireless options, you'll be looking at an even heftier laptop, moving up to 4.88 pounds (2.2kg) and 0.91 inches (23.2mm) thick. Keyboard and trackpad Unsurprisingly, the keyboard here is more or less exactly what we diddled on the XPS 13. It's an island-style layout with smallish, well-separated keys. They're on the springy side and have good enough feel, but their size isn't particularly well-suited for fingers that are of the larger size. Also, the 'Y' key has a very curious sound when depressed that almost makes the laptop sound hollow. We presume it isn't, though we'll leave that to iFixit to verify.
The trackpad is, again, much the same as on the 13. It has a tacky, soft-touch feel that isn't nearly as pleasing to the fingers as the glass units manufacturers have been packing. It's of the clickable type, with a single, short line on the bottom designating the space allocated for left or right clicking. Nothing new there, but yet we found the overall feel and responsiveness to be much improved over our time spent swiping around in the XPS 13. Sliding and gesturing here is a far more pleasurable experience than it was on that machine. The overall experience still doesn't match that of the class-leading Apple MacBooks, but it's respectably close. Display and sound The 14-inch display here offers a fair number of pixels for a display of this size: 1600 x 900 to be precise. This, in a 16:9 orientation makes for a comfortable amount of screen real estate without creating a laptop too small to be comfortably used on the tray table of seat 36C. Of course, it would be more comfortable in seat 2A, but sometimes we all have to fly coach, and the XPS 14 is well-sized for that duty. The display is bright enough to be used in sunny situations, too, showing respectable contrast; though color temperature gets increasingly cool the higher we crank that backlight. Viewing angles are more than adequate when the laptop is turned from side-to-side, but look at it from above or below and the contrast quickly falls to unacceptable levels. You'll want to make use of that hinge to keep this non-IPS panel properly perpendicular.
You'll also want to make sure you don't have much in the way of bright objects behind you, because there's no matte option here. Every XPS 14 has an edge-to-edge Corning Gorilla Glass panel that should eradicate any concerns about accidental scratches, but it's more reflective than some other glossy displays, particularly the one found in the MacBook Air. And then there's the sound. Speakers are built into the bottom of the laptop, under the front lip, which is a somewhat curious and, it must be said, often less-than-optimal place. Set this thing on a soft surface (carpet, bedspread, bearskin rug) and the sound will be muffled. But, when the grille opening isn't blocked, the XPS 14 packs a surprising punch. Overall audio quality isn't immaculate, but for a laptop of this size, or any size really, we were impressed by the output levels here. It's more than adequate for an impromptu hotel suite dance party. Just make sure you close the blinds first. Performance and battery life You can get your XPS 14 specced with Intel processors ranging from a Core i5-3317U chip clocked at 1.7GHz all the way up to the range-topping Core i7-3667U at 2.0GHz. We're testing the highest-spec processor available on the non-business models, a 1.9GHz Core i7-3517U CPU with 4MB of cache. Predictably, it performs reasonably well, particularly since it pairs the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics with an NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M graphics chip flaunting 1GB of GDDR5 memory. There's some Optimus technology sitting between them to make sure you're only using as much graphics horsepower as you need.
PCMark Vantage gave us a score of 10,003, which is slightly on the low side compared even to the lower-powered Samsung Series 9 tested a few months back, and thoroughly underwhelming compared to the 13,469 the latest MacBook Air delivered. Also low is disk I/O performance, showing max writes of just 108 MB/s and reads of 142 MB/s. That's coming from a 5,400 RPM, 500GB paired with a 32GB solid-state drive and, while the small SSD helps resume time (less than three seconds), it's obviously not doing much for day-to-day performance -- nor startup. A cold boot takes nearly 45 seconds. Thankfully, things are much better on the graphics performance side, a 3DMark06 score of 6,995 is among the highest we've seen from an Ultrabook, easily besting the scores of those other two mentioned above. Thanks be to NVIDIA on that one.
The performance may not be world-class, but we're happy to say that we found the XPS 14 to deliver plenty of longevity for us, scoring an impressive six hours and 18 minutes on our standard run-down test, endlessly looping a video with WiFi turned on and the display at a fixed brightness. That's right in the ballpark of last year's Inspiron 14Z and over a full hour healthier than the four hours and 58 minutes the XPS 13 managed before throwing in the towel.
If indeed there is a drawback here, it's in some rather distracting fan noise. Do some serious work on this machine (like, say, running an endless string of benchmarks back to back) and the fan will certainly make its presence known. Even when doing less intensive tasks, like streaming YouTube's latest hits, we quite often heard the noisy little thing spinning itself up. Configuration options Again, Dell is offering Intel processors ranging from a 1.7GHz Core i5-3317U chip up to the 3.1GHz Core i7-3667U at 2.0GHz, which is available only to businesses. RAM is 1333MHz DDR3 in your choice of 4GB or 8GB quantities and storage starts at a 5,400 RPM, 500GB disk and goes up to a 512GB SSD. All models offer Intel's integrated HD 4000 graphics, while the NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M with Optimus tech is optional. The 14-inch, 1600 x 900 non-IPS panel is standard on all. The lowest spec model starts at a perfectly respectable $1,099, but tick all those boxes and get yourself the SSD with all the fixins and you'll nearly double that figure, up to $1,999. Our configuration, which has every option save the SSD, costs a rather more manageable $1,499. The competition We're still waiting for all the manufacturers to bring their Ivy Bridge boys to the yard so that we can tell you whether they're better than ours. Dell is at a slight advantage by beating most of them to market, but it isn't the first, and there are certainly plenty of Sandy Bridge-powered Ultrabooks to stack it up against. Dell's smaller, older and cheaper XPS 13, with a Core i7 Sandy Bridge processor and 256GB SSD, comes out cheaper than the model we tested here. But, if you can manage an even larger laptop, the XPS 15 comes with faster CPUs, more storage and even an optical drive for prices ranging from $1,299 to $1,999. We're guessing some will be cross-shopping this with Apple's offerings, and though the largest Air gives up an inch of screen real estate and some resolution (1440 horizontal pixels vs. 1600 here) it is a superior panel in every other regard. It's also a comparably quick machine and also offers competitive battery life but much, much faster disk I/O thanks to its 500+ MB/s SSDs -- but you will be paying slightly more. It's $1,499 for a Core i5 model with 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Going to a Core i7 chip and 8GB of RAM adds $200, and the 512GB SSD is a painful $500 addition. Wrap-up It's easy to see the XPS 14 as just a slightly larger version of the 13 that came so recently before, but that's far from telling the full story. Yes, this looks an awful lot like that one, but it's considerably heavier, considerably faster and has a considerably better trackpad. It is, therefore, a considerably better laptop -- if you don't mind that extra heft -- but it's far from perfect. Disk I/O performance left us wanting, solid speaker performance is offset by a distracting fan and the LCD, though good, sits only on the higher side of adequate. If you can make do with a smaller, lower-res screen (and a rather different OS) you can get a similar-performing MacBook Air for an MSRP that's in the same ballpark or, heading in the other direction, there's the even larger XPS 15. Beyond that, it's looking like a long summer of Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks, and we still don't know what wonders the rest of the year holds. But, right now, the XPS 14 makes its mark as a respectable performer with a solid design at a fair price. It's not destined to be a standout, but rest easy knowing it is, at least, a respectably safe purchase. Dana Wollman contributed to this review. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dell outs XPS 14 with optional mobile broadband, XPS 15 with Kepler graphics Posted: 26 Jun 2012 12:00 AM PDT Dell's XPS 13 Ultrabook has been rather lonely since it launched in early 2012, but the company is introducing two new laptops to round out the updated XPS line. Today it announced the 14-inch XPS 14 and the 15-inch XPS 15, both of which feature the same aluminum chassis as the XPS 13 and run Core i5 or Core i7 Ivy Bridge processors. The XPS 14 Ultrabook will be available in two configurations, both of which include a backlit keyboard and a 400-nit, 1600 x 900 display. The main difference between the two models is connectivity: the higher-end XPS 14 comes with integrated mobile broadband and uses Dell's NetReady "pay as you go" service to get online when Wi-Fi is out of range. Both versions come with up to 8GB of RAM and can be configured with a 500GB drive spinning at 5,400 RPM paired with a 32GB SSD or a standalone 512GB SSD, and the WWAN model comes standard with a 500GB drive with a free fall sensor on board. Another difference is graphics: the base model ships with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while the WWAN model offers an NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M GPU. Dell claims the notebook provides up to 11 hours of runtime, "the longest battery life of any Ultrabook." The XPS 14 starts at $1,099 and is available today. It just so happens that we've already taken the laptop for a full test drive: check out our review here. Next up is the XPS 15, which weighs 5.79 pounds and sports a 1920 x 1080 Corning Gorilla Glass display. The laptop includes either a DVD-RW or Blu-Ray drive and comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. As far as graphics go, you get a choice of NVIDIA's GeForce GT 630M chip with 1GB of dedicated memory or GeForce GT 640M graphics with 2GB of RAM. Pricing starts at $1,299, and like the XPS 14 this laptop is available today. Check out our hands-on gallery below. Dell Expands XPS Laptop Family: Performance Without Compromise for -XPS 14 Ultrabook designed for consumers on the move with up to 11 hours of - XPS 15 boasts thin powerhouse performance for superior creation and -Thoughtful design and premium craftsmanship with machined aluminum and As part of Dell's flagship XPS brand, this array of laptops enables customers to choose the one that best suits their needs. The XPS 13 is highly portable and compact for today's most mobile users, while the XPS 14 provides long battery life and connectivity for those who need to get online wherever they are. The XPS 15 provides performance graphics and a brilliant display for multimedia creation and entertainment. All three laptops have enterprise-friendly features to intersect the design and performance desired by consumers with the security and services "Following the success of our XPS 13, our customers wanted to see more of the XPS brand," said Sam Burd, vice president, Dell Personal Computing Product Group. "The XPS 14 and 15 laptops offer powerful performance, thoughtful design and a superb user experience, along with enterprise-friendly features so you can use them for work and for play." XPS 14: Outstanding Performance Designed for mobile users, the XPS 14 comes in two main configurations. The XPS 14 Ultrabook features a highly-durable machined aluminum chassis with innovative silicone base in a compact, thin, 20.7mm design. With a brilliantly bright 14-inch 400 nit HD+ edge-to-edge display, a backlit keyboard, and optional performance graphics, the XPS 14 is ready to perform all day in nearly any environment, with up to 11 hours of battery life – the longest battery life of any Ultrabook. Customers can enjoy the ample storage of a traditional hard drive with the responsiveness of a solid state drive with a 500GB hard drive and 32GB mSATA card, including Intel Rapid Start and Smart Response technology. Rapid Start delivers fast boot-up and hibernate response times, while Smart Response quickly recognizes and caches the most frequently used files and applications, allowing customers to access critical information quickly and easily. The XPS 14 option with integrated mobile broadband sports a premium, black leather back so The XPS 15 is a thin powerhouse offering the performance, graphics and screen resolution for The stunning design of the XPS 15 is driven by the desire for a beautifully crafted system Peace of Mind and Support When it Matters Most To give XPS customers peace of mind, every XPS product sold on Dell.com comes with America's Best Standard Protection plan. In addition to the Limited Hardware Warranty, the plan includes In-Home Service after Remote Diagnosis, Premium Phone Support with extended availability, one year of Accidental Damage Service, and one year of theft protection with Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Recovery Service as standard. Accidental Damage Service is a safeguard for unexpected drops, spills or power surges that may occur. Computrace LoJack for Laptops Theft Recovery Service helps track, locate, lock down and recover a stolen system, and can even remotely delete sensitive data. Enterprise-Friendly Portfolio Dell has made it easier for IT departments to choose laptops that offer the security and services they value in a fit and finish executives and employees now demand. Optional enterprise-friendly features include: -Dell ProSupport is available for Dell business customers and provides end users and IT -Trusted Platform Module (TPM) offers user and machine security with BitLocker Data -Configuration Services include customizing BIOS settings, loading an image, and applying Designed With the Environment in Mind Understanding its customers' need to purchase responsible products, Dell designed the XPS 14 and 15 laptops with the environment in mind. Its energy-efficient LED displays have no mercury or arsenic and Dell eliminated harmful toxins such as Brominated Flame Retardants and Polyvinyl Chloride (BFR/PVCs). The laptops are shipped in many locations with sustainably harvested bamboo packaging material, and they can be configured to be ENERGY STAR qualified, helping customers reduce energy costs. When the time comes, Dell offers multiple recycling options (learn more at Dell.com/recycling). Pricing and Availability: The Dell XPS 14 (starting at $1,099), and the XPS 15 (starting at $1,299), are both available today in the U.S. on Dell.com and in select countries worldwide. Michael Gorman and Zach Honig contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Custom PC desk / case combo ditches glass, metal for wood Posted: 25 Jun 2012 11:17 PM PDT Desk case PC mods have lit up our radar before, but a modder by the name of Pirate -- who's no stranger to us -- has dropped the typical glass and metal enclosure for medium-density fiberboard. Though the material choice was an effort to avoid buying a new desk, it created a need for a robust cooling system. Five fans (three exhaust, two intake), a radiator and a liquid-cooling system keep the rig at roughly 88 F (31 C) with ambient temperatures hovering around 79 F (26 C). As for horsepower, the workstation features a Core-i5-2000k processor and a Radeon HD 7950 graphics card sporting a water cooling block on an Asus Gene IV microATX motherboard. Visuals are piped to three displays in an Eyefinity configuration that are held by a modded ergonomic stand. Pictures of the build process in excruciating detail await you at the source. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PLX's XWave Sport gives brainwave interfaces a casual look, triggers '80s flashbacks Posted: 25 Jun 2012 10:38 PM PDT Brainwave-guided interfaces are common. Most of the time, though, they're not what we'd call subtle. PLX Devices hopes to have that licked through the XWave Sport, a brain interface that disguises all its sensors through a fuzzy, exercise-friendly headband. Underneath the incredibly 1980s-retro (but washable!) look, you'll get about six hours per charge of tracking for concentration, relaxation and other noggin-related data that can transmit over Bluetooth to apps for Android, iOS or old-fashioned PCs. An SDK is available now, but pre-orders for the $100 XWave Sport won't ship until September 20th. That should give us enough time to perfect our Flashdance reenactments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft accentuates the positive, gives Windows Phone 7.8's new start screen a closer look (video) Posted: 25 Jun 2012 09:52 PM PDT
Reactions to news that Windows Phone 7 devices would never turn into Windows Phone 8 handsets were decidedly mixed, but the company is now making sure people know just what's in the coming "pattern of upgrades." Company evangelist Ben "The PC Guy" Rudolph shot this video of Windows Phone 7.8 running on a Lumia 900, showing off its updated Start screen with resizable tiles. We weren't able to get hands-on time or take video when we saw one of the phones in person last week, but now you can see how smoothly it works for yourself. There's more than just a video, as Ben's blog post points out a new Windows Phone 7.5 site set up to keep owners updated on all the new features and apps they are getting (like Audible, Words With Friends and Draw Something), as opposed to focusing on the ones they're not. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| OLED Lego train station emerges from Adafruit and Arduino gear, minifigs to get home on time Posted: 25 Jun 2012 09:07 PM PDT Who knew Lego characters had to be somewhere in a hurry? Adafruit did, as it just whipped up a minifig-sized train schedule. The invention mates one of Adafruit's own 1-inch OLED boards with an Arduino Uno controlling the schedule behind the scenes. It looks to be a straightforward project for the DIY types, although the display is currently all show: the schedule doesn't (yet) pair up with the train tracks to automatically let your minifigs know if their trip to the pirate spaceship castle has been delayed by ghosts. You can check the source link for the full instructions. Duplo builders, alas, are kept out of the loop. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 25 Jun 2012 08:18 PM PDT Seagate and DensBits Announce Strategic Agreement for Development of Solid State Drives for Consumer and Enterprise Markets Seagate Makes Equity Investment in DensBits CUPERTINO, Calif. & HAIFA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ: STX) the worldwide leader in hard disk drives and storage solutions, and DensBits Technologies Ltd ("DensBits") the inventor of the world's first Memory ModemTM have announced today a strategic agreement for the development of low-cost, high-performance Solid State Drives ("SSD") for the consumer and enterprise markets. In conjunction with the agreement, Seagate has made an undisclosed equity investment in DensBits. Seagate and DensBits are joining forces, to develop future products that are intended to provide customers with significant cost savings, extremely high reliability, and unparalleled performance. Under the agreement, DensBits' Memory ModemTM controller technology will be integrated with Seagate's various storage technologies to power a wide range of consumer and enterprise applications including 3 bits/cell ("TLC") 1Xnm Flash-based consumer-grade SSD, and 2 bits/cell ("MLC") 1Xnm Flash-based enterprise-grade SSD. "For the last 30 years, Seagate has delivered technology and product innovation to become the global leader in storage solutions, from high-end enterprise drives to solid-state hybrid drives," said Rocky Pimentel, Seagate chief sales and marketing officer. "Seagate is excited to be working with the talented DensBits team and believes we have a significant opportunity with our new strategic relationship to extend our leadership into the SSD market." "We are very excited at the opportunity of collaborating with Seagate," said Ilan Hen, DensBits' Chairman and CEO. "This is yet another testament to our technology leadership, and we strongly believe that the coupling between DensBits' unique Memory ModemTM controller technology and Seagate's exceptional storage capabilities across the board could truly disrupt the industry." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T-Mobile to offer prepaid and monthly4G service at participating Dollar General stores Posted: 25 Jun 2012 07:38 PM PDT Dollar General and T-Mobile Introduce No Annual Contract and Device Offering Bellevue, Wash. and Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Jun. 25, 2012 Today, T‑Mobile USA, Inc. and Dollar General Corporation announced a new distribution arrangement, bringing an affordable phone and convenient access to T‑Mobile's prepaid and Monthly4GTM No Annual Contract service to Dollar General customers. Beginning in July, more than 6,400 Dollar General stores will offer numerous T-Mobile prepaid plan options and the Samsung t139 phone, which features messaging, Web browsing, a camera and Bluetooth connectivity.
"Dollar General is dedicated to making shopping for everyday needs simple, hassle-free and convenient," said Todd Vasos, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Dollar General. "Since 2004, our customers have had access to great T-Mobile plans, and we know that our customers will appreciate more communications options that are affordable and flexible." The T‑Mobile Monthly4G No Annual Contract $50 unlimited plan offers unlimited talk, text and Web with no overage charges, and the first 100 MB of data at up to 4G speeds all on America's Largest 4G Network®. In addition, Dollar General offers T‑Mobile's Pay As You Go plans, and other Monthly4G No Annual Contract plans, giving customers a flexible option at any price point. "Dollar General is the nation's largest small-box retailer and a well-respected company that customers go to when looking to get the most for their money," said Amy McCune, senior vice president of national accounts, T-Mobile USA. "This is a natural partnership to help bring Dollar General customers to America's Largest 4G Network at an incredible value." T-Mobile product and plan offerings will be displayed in a bright end cap at the front of the store, featuring a variety of units and services to make selection simple for customers. Monthly4G plans provide access to wireless service for 30 days; capable device required to achieve 4G speeds. After high-speed allotment is used, speeds slowed to up to 2G speeds for remainder of month. T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at T-Mobile.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fujifilm outlines X-Pro1 lens roadmap, brings zoom at last this fall Posted: 25 Jun 2012 07:00 PM PDT If there's been one outstanding gripe with Fujifilm's X-Pro1 camera, it's been the absence of zoom lenses; short of French kissing the subject, you might not get the photos you want. While there isn't much of a solution right this second outside of buying the fixed-lens X10, the Japanese camera designer can say when we'll see an interchangeable XF-mount zoom lens: fall 2012. That's when a bright 18-55mm, f/2.8-4.0 optically stabilized lens will make its appearance, along with a 14mm f/2.8 prime. Fujifilm will revert to unveiling nothing but pancakes and primes during early 2013, but the middle of that year will finish covering the zoomable basics through a wide-angle 10-24mm f/4.0 OIS lens and a 55-200mm, f/3.5-4.8 OIS telephoto. We wouldn't expect pricing with the new glass still months away -- but at least you can start planning that Sumatra vacation knowing you won't have to chase down the wildlife to get a good keepsake shot. FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES ROADMAP FOR NEW XF LENSES FOR THE X-PRO1 INTERCHANGEABLE LENS DIGITAL CAMERA SYSTEM Valhalla, N.Y., June 25, 2012 (EMBARGO UNTIL 10:00 PM ET) – FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced plans to offer an expanded selection of FUJINON XF lenses for the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera System that will offer a wide range of new shooting opportunities for professional and advanced photographers. From super wide single length focus to telephoto lenses, users will now be able to freely choose which XF lenses match their shooting style, and allow them to experience the extraordinary image quality of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 in a variety of new ways. Fall 2012 Beginning in the fall of 2012, Fujifilm will introduce two new bright and fast aperture prime FUJINON XF lenses: the XF14mm (21mm) F2.8 single focal length lens and the XF18mm-55mm (27-84mm) F2.8-F4 lens. Each of the new XF lenses are designed to deliver sharp, clear images of unmatched quality with precise aperture control, and beautiful bokeh effects thanks to the design of the molded aperture diaphragm blades. The blades are curved to create a circular image at all aperture settings, while the very edges of each blade are meticulously rounded off rather than cut off, to deliver more pleasing images. Early 2013 Then in early 2013, Fujifilm will also deliver three more high performance single focal length lenses that include the XF56mm (84mm) F1.4 lens, the pancake XF27mm (41mm) F2.8 lens and the XF23mm (35mm) F1.4 lens. Middle 2013 Then in middle 2013, Fujifilm will launch a telephoto XF55mm-200mm (83-300mm) F3.5-F4.8 lens and the super wide zoom XF10mm-24mm (15-36mm) F4 lens, both with optical image stabilization. "The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 is an amazing professional grade camera that delivers outstanding image quality, and we are very excited to announce our plans for an expanded line of new XF lenses that will bring even more functionally to the X-Pro1 system," said Go Miyazaki, division president, Imaging and Electronic Imaging Divisions, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. "These new premium FUJIFILM XF lenses are designed to deliver stunning image results, and they also fit seamlessly with the build and beauty of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1." The award-winning FUJIFILM X-Pro1 digital camera features a custom-developed 16MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS sensorTM that incorporates a newly developed filter array and Fujifilm's proprietary EXR Processor technology. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 delivers superlative image quality that rivals currently available mid and high-end DSLR models. The FUJIFILM X-Pro1 also features the unmatched 2nd Generation Hybrid Multi Viewfinder, a gorgeous magnesium alloy chassis, and an improved user interface for easy and intuitive operation. To see amazing images taken with FUJIFILM X-Series cameras, please visit: http://fujifilm-x.com/photographers/en/index.html. Pricing and availability will be announced at or near the launch time. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NASA's Seven Minutes of Terror: Curiosity's precarious Mars landing explained (video) Posted: 25 Jun 2012 06:29 PM PDT Edited and scored with the dramatic tension of a summer blockbuster trailer, NASA's put together a gripping short clip that dresses down Curiosity's mission to Mars for the layman. The "car-sized" rover, set to touchdown on August 5th of this year at 10:31PM PDT, is currently journeying towards the Red Planet on a suicide mission of sorts, with the success of its make it or break it EDL (enter, descent, landing) wracking the nerves of our Space Agency's greatest minds in advance. Their cause for concern? A period of radio silence, dubbed the "seven minutes of terror" for the amount of time it takes a signal to reach Earth, during which the craft will have already either smashed disastrously into the Martian landscape or nestled perfectly down from the ascend phase on a 21ft long tether. The logistics involved are so numerous and prone to error -- slowing the craft from 13,000 mph to 0 mph and then deploying, detaching and avoiding collision with the supersonic parachute for starters -- that it's a wonder the government ever signed off on the project. If it all does come off without a hitch, however, the ladies and gents down at Pasadena's Jet Propulsion Laboratory certainly deserve several thousand bottles of the finest bubbly taxpayers' money can buy. Click on past the break to gape at the sequence of engineering feats required to make this landing on terra incognita. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bing Maps gets another 165TB of satellite images, Google Earth seen sulking in a corner Posted: 25 Jun 2012 05:57 PM PDT Thought that Google had cornered the market on free, overhead-view photo mapping solutions? You clearly don't reside in Redmond, because Bing Maps' aerial image library just got another 165TB worth of hi-res data that covers an additional 38 million square kilometers of the globe. To put that in perspective, Microsoft's mapping solution previously had but 129TB worth of such eye-in-the-sky imagery, so this new batch of satellite shots more than doubles your viewing pleasure. Go ahead, check out all the new visuals at the source link below, we promise not to tell the folks in Mountain View. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia's Play To app now available for Lumia devices, enables DLNA-connectivity Posted: 25 Jun 2012 05:28 PM PDT Hot on the heels of its Camera Extras app, Nokia is again satiating Lumia owners' hunger for expanded features with its recently released (and officially out of beta) Play To app for Windows Phone. For those unfamiliar, this essentially Espoo's take on DLNA, allowing you to stream multimedia from your phone to any DLNA-equipped devices connected within your local network. As My Nokia Blog notes, the app has gladly arrived earlier than expected, and it's free to download just like the company's other Lumia-exclusive offerings in the Marketplace (a.k.a. the Nokia collection). So what are you waiting for? Hit up the Marketplace from your device to download it for yourself and let us know how it goes in the comments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google: Chromebooks now serve web-happy students in over 500 European, US school districts Posted: 25 Jun 2012 04:54 PM PDT Whatever you think of the latest round of Chromebooks, school districts have clearly latched on to existing models. Over 500 school districts across Europe and the US are currently deploying the Google-powered laptops for learning the web way. Specialized web app packs and that rare leasing model are already keeping the material relevant and the hardware evergreen, but new certification for US ready-for-college criteria will go a long way towards making sure principals everywhere take a shine to Chrome OS in the future. That still leaves a lot of schools going the more traditional Mac or Windows PC route, with the occasional tablet strategy thrown in; regardless, we're sure Google doesn't mind taking any noticeable chunk of the market in a relatively brief period of time. We'll see if there's more reasons for Mountain View to get excited in a few days. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Angry Birds Heikki: because F1 and fort-breaking games are like peanut butter and chocolate Posted: 25 Jun 2012 04:22 PM PDT We've seen Angry Birds go into strange places both figurative and literal, but Formula 1 racing? That's a less natural mix than a peanut butter cup. As a way of backing race driver and fellow Finland native Heikki Kovalainen, Rovio has crafted Angry Birds Heikki, a free web game themed all around its namesake's escapades during the F1 race year. The gameplay changes are more cosmetic than functional, although that leaderboard matters a little more in spirit than it might otherwise. Perhaps the biggest draw is simply that your gameplay schedule is intrinsically linked to Heikki's: new sections only unlock as the real-world races get near, so you'll have an incentive to keep coming back until the Sao Paulo race determines the F1 championship on November 21st. Let's just hope that there aren't too many road hogs spoiling either Heikki's fun or our own. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hands-on with G-Technology's Mac-friendly, USB 3.0-packing G-Drive slim Posted: 25 Jun 2012 03:59 PM PDT When we set out to get hands-on with a hard drive, of all things, you can bet we're going to do more than just pick it up and marvel at how lightweight it is. Here at a gdgt event in New York City, we spotted G-Technology's new Mac-friendly USB 3.0 drives on display and immediately got to work running some speed tests on the thinnest of the bunch, the G-Drive slim. Though transfer rates varied, both download and upload speeds tended to hover around 95 MB/s, and that was after ten or so runs in the Blackmagic benchmark. (Next time we'll bring a USB 2.0 cable to test a backward-compatible setup.) According to a company rep staffing the event, the other drives in the lineup, the G-Drive mini, mobile and mobile USB 3.0, should deliver similar performance. Really, the differences here are in the specs: the G-Drive mobile and mini have FireWire ports, and all three offer more storage (750GB to 1TB, as opposed to 500GB for the slim). Design-wise, all the drives on display here seemed fairly impervious to scratches, and that rubberized band around the edges also makes the devices feel a little less delicate. On that point, you can check out the hands-on photos to see what we're talking about, though you'll just have to take our word on the speed testing. Zach Honig contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marquee Media Center hands-on (video) Posted: 25 Jun 2012 03:37 PM PDT Winning gdgt's StartUp contest has its perks -- just ask recent winner Marquee, which is showcasing version 2.0 of its Media Center here on the showfloor. The imposing device, currently available on the outfit's site for $899, packs 2TB of storage, 4GB DDR3 RAM, DVD player and a 2.4GHz dual-core Intel processor into an aluminum-lidded box to let you stream a mix of online and locally-stored multimedia content. Seen from above, the unit is mostly unadorned, save for a quite sizable power button, three circular vents and two notification LEDs. Off to the right side hiding just beneath that generous metal hood, lies ports for audio I/O and standard USB, with HDMI-out on the back. Naturally, you need a way to parse through the goods and that's where Plex XBMC -- running atop Ubuntu 12.04 -- and a custom wireless controller outfitted with a full QWERTY keyboard come in handy. According to Marquee's CEO, set-up out of the box is a no-brainer and requires nothing more than connecting to an external display and your home network (via ethernet or WiFi) to get things started. We had the opportunity to take the Media Center for a quick test spin and immediately noticed a calibration issue that, combined with the cluttered remote, made for some extremely unintuitive navigation. You can check out some pics of the startup's progeny below and, while you're at it, click past the break to view a video demo of this pricey kit in action.
Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iRobot Roomba 790 with Wireless Command Center hands-on (video) Posted: 25 Jun 2012 03:21 PM PDT What to get the homeowner who has everything? Perhaps a robotic vacuum styled in the fashion of an RC toy will fit the bill. Here at a gdgt event in New York City we happened upon iRobot's Roomba 790, which comes with a touchscreen remote for manually controlling where the bot goes. The controller -- make that the "Wireless Command Center" -- has an interface matching the one on the 790 itself, so there's no second set of menus to master here. In addition to deciding where it moves, you can also schedule daily cleanings or tap a "Clean" button to push the robot into action.Though this isn't the first time iRobot's dabbled in remote-controlled vacuum cleaners, previous models tended to rely on infrared sensors, meaning you could only control the Roomba if it was in your line of sight. This guy, though, uses a proprietary technology that allows you to program that 4pm scrubbing from up to 25 meters away. As for battery life, it runs on four AA cells, and is rated for three to six months of runtime, depending on how compulsively you plan on cleaning. Interestingly, despite the change in wireless standards, the 790 is compatible with older 700-series Roombas, though it's not as is the controller would be sold separately. If you happen to be the kind of fabulously wealthy family who can afford (and has a need) for multiple Roomba cleaners, you can only pair the remote with one robot at a time anyway. Don't have the budget for a $700 robotic vacuum kit? We've got hands-on photos below and a demo video after the break. |
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