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- Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970
- Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop
- New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs
- HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead
- BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology
- Flickr brings in Nokia map data for precise geotagged photos, Instagram shots just got eerily accurate
- ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green
- PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out
- Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size
- World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets
- Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along
- Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013
- Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse
- Google+ patent app details myFaves-like carrier contacts integration with social network circles
- Twitter for Windows Phone gets pushy, adds Notifications support
- U.S. Cellular pledges to carry Windows Phone 8 devices in the fall
- Distro Issue 47: Made in the USA edition
- Inside Google's amazing Accessory Development Kit demo hardware (video)
- Samsung brings out WB100 camera with 26x lens for zoom-loving Brits
- Nike+ FuelBand iOS app updated to run along your Path, sync in the background
- Verizon says Share Everything, and now you finally can
- Instagram adds Photo Page to web: new colors, user comments, not much else
- Minitel to be shut down tomorrow: France bids adieu to the internet's precursor
- Virgin Mobile to carry iPhone from today, Sir Richard does his best Fonz impression
- Ultrabook sales up in first half of 2012, Windows 8 waits patiently
- Google helps train developers, hook up universities in new education programs
- Shuttle takes quiet nettops down the Cedar Trail, intros XS35V3 and XS35GTA V3
- Chrome 20 browser released: exclusive 64-bit Linux Flash, fewer MacBook crashes
- Peel AllPlay TV unites media sources for Android fans, puts them in harmony with Google TV
- Android PC gets wrapped in maple, hits that premium sweet spot
- Foursquare Connected App platform lets other apps interact with check ins
- Splashtop for iPad gets major update: Retina support, easier remote desktopping (update: but at a price)
- Reuters: RIM could open up BlackBerry network to others, join up with Ballmer
- Hulu Japan lands HBO content, but don't expect any changes in the US
- Rice University researchers create spray-on battery, powered bathroom tiles
- GameStop plans to sell Nexus 7, starts taking Android tablet trade-ins
- Adobe confirms it won't support Flash on Android 4.1, stops new Flash installs from Google Play on August 15th
- Onkyo to deliver 11.4 DTS Neo:X surround sound on latest receivers
- Coca-Cola's A011 vending machine keeps drink cool without using (much) power
- Qualcomm restructures itself for summer, R&D division becomes wholly owned subsidiary
| Sony drops VAIO T from free PlayStation offer, hikes real cost of entry to $970 Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:26 AM PDT Remember how it seemed too good to be true that Sony's back to school promo would let you buy a VAIO T and get a free PlayStation 3 or Vita worth a third of the value of the Ultrabook you just bought? Well, it was. Sony has quietly dropped the $750 laptop from the PCs that qualify for the deal, raising the real qualifying price to $970 for a 15.5-inch VAIO S. Some will cry foul at being denied such a killer bargain without warning, but it's easy to see why Sony backed out: that's a lot of gear to give away for little in return. Dreams of heading to class with an ultraportable in hand and a PS3 at the dorm will have to be postponed, then, even if it's still an ample discount. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Maingear Pulse 11 review: a small and surprisingly powerful gaming laptop Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:00 AM PDT More InfoGaming laptops are strange beasts. While they may have been lugged all the way to the LAN party, they aren't too much fun to use on a plane. That was, until the advent of Alienware's 11-inch M11x, which kept the fast internals at the expense of weight and battery life. When it was unceremoniously yanked by parent company Dell, it left a gap in the market for people who really did need a gaming laptop on the go. Fortunately, Clevo stepped in with its W110ER, an 11-inch laptop that companies like Maingear and others have tweaked to sell as their own. Packing an Ivy Bridge CPU, NVIDIA's Kepler-based GeForce GT 650M and the same 1366 x 768 display as the M11x, it's obviously trying to step into Alienware's shoes. So, is this the new standard-bearer for small-yet-powerful gaming laptops? Does it really blow us away with its power? Will you want to part with a minimum of $999 to get hold of one? Read on to find out. Look and feelThe first thing you'll notice when you open the box is Maingear's attention to its customers. Gaming machines comprise something of a niche category, but that hasn't stopped the company from adding a few extra touches to ensure its customers feel valued. You're greeted with a solid plastic box that holds your documents, a branded mousepad, toolkit, T-Shirt and a hand-written quality-assurance sign-off sheet from the person who tested and set up your gear. By the time you've waded through all of the accoutrement, the laptop itself almost feels like a pleasant extra. Pull it out of its protective sleeve and you'll instantly worry that someone's made a mistake and sent you a netbook in place of the monster you were expecting. At first blush, it's shockingly small: 11.2 inches wide, 8.3 inches deep and 1.46 inches at its widest point. While it's thick, it's hardly unwieldy, nor is it weighty -- it adds just 3.77 pounds (1.71kg) to your carrying load. You'll also notice that absent from the unit is an optical drive -- not surprising, given the size. The plastic upper shell has been textured, making it look a little heftier and studier than comparable units. It's a smart use of materials to make the body seem a little more expensive and tactile given that it's just black plastic. It won't win any awards from design aesthetes either: function was prioritized over form with its retro stylings -- but the real achievement here has been to cram that much power into this tiny box. Down the left-hand side, we've got Ethernet, VGA, HDMI 1.4a ports, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks and a pair of USB 3.0 slots as well as a 2.8-inch vent where all the heat that it generated is pumped out. Beneath the keyboard up front is the SD/MMC/MS slot and down the right is a powered USB 2.0 socket, the power port and a Kensington lock slot. Build quality is excellent throughout and makes you feel confident about chucking this about without worrying. Raking your fingernails down the shell does more damage to your digits than the device itself, and no amount of bending or twisting will cause it to yield. Paired with the functional design, it's oddly reminiscent of a tank -- stocky, functional and hard as nails, with plenty of power hidden beneath the hood. Keyboard and trackpad The most important component of any laptop is its inputs. The biggest issue here is that the island-style keyboard isn't full-size, a necessary yet unwelcome compromise given the compact nature of the device. The keys are tremendously shallow and resistive, meaning that you have to hammer them down with plenty of force in order to make sure your typing registers. Packing in the keys means shaving millimeters off the footprint and space in between, which is a nightmare for chubby-fingered typists. In fact, a certain reviewer typed the early parts of this review hunt-and-peck fashion until his fingers had acclimatized. If you were looking for another stick to beat this keyboard with, then the lack of back lighting grates. Compared to the M11x, which looked like the Disco where Tron hung out on weekends, we were hoping for at least a simple white light to help our typing in the dark. Meanwhile, the dinky 3.2 x 1.6-inch Synaptics trackpad is textured in the same way as the lid, which adds unwanted friction to your mousing around. During a week of constant use, we had to grab a USB mouse just to get our day's work done. Gamers who left their external rodent at home aren't going to find any solace here -- in fact we'd have preferred a pad with a built-in button just to gain a few more square centimeters of real estate for our fingers. In fact, just take it as read that you'll always need to bring your peripherals along with you, even for casual surfing or typing. Display and sound If there's one annoyance with the otherwise fine 1,366 x 768 panel (aside from glossiness, but we've tread that ground before) it's the relatively weak 200-nit backlight. Comparable 11-inch laptops with similarly sharp displays can nearly double that. Trying to work in direct sunlight is made tremendously difficult as a result, not to mention the nightmare we had trying to photograph the thing. Perhaps Maingear (or more appropriately, Clevo) felt that its primary consumer base wouldn't be spending too much time offing the Zerg in strong light, but we'd have appreciated it. A pair of asymmetrical speakers built into the base supply the sound for the laptop, which can only be charitably described as weak. There's very little bass and as such, the sound is muted, coarse and a little tinny. The addition of THX Tru Studio Pro smoothes off many of those rough edges, at the sacrifice of some of its loudness. Certainly you won't be using this as a media-watching machine without some external speakers as the laptop on its own won't comfortably fill a room, but for quiet time with the device, it's perfectly serviceable. Performance
Remember when we used the phrase "small but powerful?" If anything, that's an understatement. The model we received had a boot up time of 24.7 seconds and ratcheted a PC Mark Vantage score of 17,126. That's a number strong enough to send plenty of other laptops off for a cry in the corner, and it comfortably outperformed the 17-inch monster that is the MSI GT70. When gaming, that performance becomes even more apparent. We tested Crysis (you just have to test Crysis. It's tradition, or an old charter, or something) at the panel's native 1,366 x 768 resolution -- and the machine kept the action going at 42 fps with only a stutter during scene transitions. At the same resolution, we got 32 fps while navigating the frozen lands of Tamriel in Skyrim and old favorite Mafia II chugged along at a staggering 60 fps. Battery life
At the risk of grading this thing on a curve, it's obvious that this machine isn't going to eke much out of that six-cell 61.16Wh battery, which Clevo promises offers up to almost seven hours of battery life. To complain about that fact would be like whining about the gas mileage on a Bugatti Veyron -- it's clearly never going to outlast even the most pedestrian of laptops. In our standard test, with WiFi on, brightness fixed at 65 percent and a movie looping continuously from the hard drive, t lasted three hours and 21 minutes, less than half the runtime originally promised. More anecdotally, we found that while we couldn't fault its gaming performance, we'd be lucky to eke out even an hour of battery life playing with the settings turned up to full. We unplugged it at 100 percent and played 15 minutes of Arkham City, followed by 10 minutes of Gratuitous Tank Battles and noticed the battery was down to 51 percent. Once recharged, we switched to Skyrim and just getting past the dragon and out of the keep (barely the first level) caused the unit to fall to 41 percent. If you're going to be using this for its intended purpose, then you'll need to keep it surgically attached to its power cord wherever you go. Of course, given that it's squeezing both Ivy Bridge and Kepler into such a small space, we were a little concerned about the heat it's capable of generating. It was with a small measure of trepidation that we balanced this on our lap for a couple of hours of work. It kicks out enormous temperature, but while that left-sided vent is directed high enough that it won't scorch your legs, if you've got any plans to have children, we'd suggest keeping it on the table. Software The machine comes with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit lovingly pre-installed as well as a disc of device drivers and utilities. Perhaps it's worth mentioning that you'll need an external drive to access them, since the Pulse 11 doesn't come with one. On its website, Maingear includes a logo that reads "Zero Bloat Ware" across a stop sign, saying that because it isn't in the thrall of a third-party software provider, its units are delightfully free of unwanted crap. This is essentially true -- THX TruStudio Pro does appear on the machine, but given that it's a necessary component to improve the device's speakers, we can't really fault Maingear here. The company also also rather thoughtfully included zipped files with Microsoft Security Essentials and OpenOffice. Because neither were installed, the choice was left entirely in our hands. Configuration optionsThe stock unit begins at a highly reasonable $999. For that amount of cash, you'll get a 2.6GHz Ivy Bridge Core i5, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 256GB HDD and the six-cell battery. Every unit comes with Intel's HD 4000 Graphics and NVIDIA's Kepler-based GeForce GT650M, paired with 2GB of video memory. Bundled into that price is a one-year hardware warranty and a lifetime "angelic service," offering free phone support for the lifetime of the system. You can choose between two further CPUs, a 2.8GHz Core i5 or a 2.1GHz Core i7, add up to 16GB of RAM and select from a choice of 21 other hard-drive units, topping out at a whopping 600GB Intel 210 Series SSD that costs $1,225 on its own. The version that we're testing would set you back $1,679, and packs the Core i7, 8GB of RAM, a 240GB Intel 520 SSD and a beefier Centrino Wireless-N adapter. If you've got money to burn, you can trick out the unit baller-style, with the price costing over $2,600 -- with the only real limit on your hardware being the contents of your wallet. The competitionSince the chassis of the unit was forged in Clevo's laptop foundry, it's important to know that plenty of other manufacturers have put their own spin on this 11-inch gaming laptop. Origin's EON 11-S, for example, starts at the same $999 price and offers a wider range of colors, but its packing a dual-core Intel Pentium B960 instead of a Core i5 -- which costs an additional $137. That's not mentioning the Eurocom Monster 1.0, Sager NP6110 or Mythlogic's Chaos 1212, which all share the same DNA. To help you navigate so much choice, we've added a table with the core features of each base system -- from there it's just a matter of customization.
Wrap-up Partway through the week we spent with this laptop, we started to think about Peter Gabriel's My Body is a Cage. It took us a while to understand why that was, but it seemed like a rather apt description of this device as a whole. At its core, this frankly bonkers gaming laptop has an unreasonable amount of power compressed and compacted into a shell the size of a netbook. Take it to your local LAN party and heads are gonna turn as you invite feelings of inadequacy from those around you. The $1,679 version that we tested will keep it well beyond the reach of many, but if you're looking for a dedicated games machine that you can take with you, it's quite simply staggering. Of course surrounding that beating heart is the compromised outer shell which stops us from waxing too lyrically. Sacrifices have had to be made in order to make this piece of hardware work and if you don't have the thick end of two large ones to blow, then you'd be right to have pause and ask if it's worth it. The keyboard and trackpad take a lot of getting used to (we couldn't get comfortable no matter what we tried), while the display and speakers were simply lackluster -- fundamental components you'd expect them to get right on a device of this cost. But here's the thing. Most of you will prefer to tote around a mechanical keyboard and balanced gaming mouse even when you're just doing some work. You'll probably be using it in decently lit rooms and you'll always have access to a power supply. In those conditions, you're entitled to disregard our concerns entirely, because the one thing that's undeniable is that this machine is tremendous fun. When we finished playing with all of these games (and then turning in 2,500 words on the subject), we just wanted to sit down and play them all over again. In fact, we'd go so far to say that this machine is addictive, because going back to console gaming afterward felt like a massive step down. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New system lets you type with your brain using MRIs Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:46 AM PDT This isn't mind reading, per say. Instead Bettina Sorger, Joel Reithler, Brigitte Dahmen and Rainer Goebel at Universiteit Maastricht have figured out a way to monitor the flow of blood in the brain and associate the images captured using an MRI with the letters of the alphabet. The whole system takes about an hour to learn and configure for each individual. Trials focused on healthy individuals, but clearly its the paralyzed and people suffering from diseases like ALS that have the most to gain. Sorger hopes to enable "locked-in" patients to finally be able to communicate with the outside world by thinking out letter at a time. Obviously, patients aren't going to be able to install an MRI in their homes, much less lug one around with them. The data collected could be used to finely tailor less accurate but more portable systems for patients that monitor electrical or light signals. If you're interested in the real nitty-gritty you can check out the complete research paper at the source link. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HP plans to hold off on building ARM-based Windows tablets, focus on x86 instead Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:26 AM PDT Whether it's put off by Microsoft's own push into tablets with Surface or just taking a wait-and-see approach, HP has now confirmed that it won't be among those offering ARM-based Windows 8 (or RT) hardware when the OS makes its long-awaited debut later this year. That possibility was first reported by SemiAccurate earlier today and has now been backed up by Bloomberg, which has the official word straight from HP spokesperson Marlene Somsak. She noted that HP will instead be focusing solely on x86-based devices, a decision that she says was "influenced by input from our customers," adding that the "robust and established ecosystem of x86 applications provides the best customer experience at this time and in the immediate future." What's more, Somsak went on to say that HP's first Windows 8 tablet will focus on the business market, which certainly lines up with the leaked device pictured above that surfaced a few months back. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BMW and Toyota sign deal to collaborate on sports car and EV technology Posted: 29 Jun 2012 10:21 AM PDT There's not a lot of specifics to be had on this one just yet, but BMW and Toyota have inked a new deal that will see them collaborate on far more than the batteries they've already agreed to work on together. According to the automakers, the new arrangement will see them focus on four key areas: a fuel cell system, powertrain electrification, lightweight technologies and, last but not least, joint development of the "architecture and components for a future sports vehicle." Unfortunately, neither party is offering much indication about the types of vehicles we might see as a result. BMW's Norbert Reithofer said only that the goal of the partnership is to "further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies," while Toyota's Akio Toyoda notes that "BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars," and that he's "excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship." BMW Group and Toyota Motor Corporation agree to further strengthen collaboration 29.06.2012 Companies sign MoU aimed at collaboration in four fields of technology Tokyo/Munich. Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), met today with Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, at BMW Group headquarters in Munich to announce the planned expansion of their existing cooperation initiated in December last year. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at long-term strategic collaboration in four fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of architecture and components for a future sports vehicle, collaboration on powertrain electrification and joint research and development on lightweight technologies. Also today, Norbert Reithofer and Akio Toyoda of TMC both signed a Joint Statement to reconfirm their companies' shared intention to strengthen the long-term, strategic collaboration between them. Reithofer said: "We aim to further strengthen our competitive position in sustainable future technologies. We signed an MoU to this effect today. Toyota and the BMW Group share the same strategic vision of sustainable individual future mobility. Together we have a great opportunity to continue leading our industry through this transformation." Toyoda added: "BMW and Toyota both want to make ever-better cars. We respect each other. And I think this is shown by our taking the next step only six months since the signing of our initial agreement. Toyota is strong in environment-friendly hybrids and fuel cells. On the other hand, I believe BMW's strength is in developing sports cars. I am excited to think of the cars that will result from this relationship." In March 2012, the BMW Group and TMC signed a binding agreement on collaborative research in the field of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells. In addition, the BMW Group and Toyota Motor Europe entered into a contract under which the BMW Group will supply highly-efficient 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre diesel engines to Toyota Motor Europe, starting in 2014. Today's MoU represents the companies' agreement in December last year to identify and discuss other possible collaborative projects. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 29 Jun 2012 09:59 AM PDT Open Street Map has been helping Flickr display geotagged shots for some time. That crowdsourced map data has led to more than a few photos being located in a gray blob, however, which is why Yahoo just struck a deal to put Nokia maps into as many nooks and crevices of the world as possible. The addition will make sure that Instagram photo tour of Africa is often accurate down to the street corner, not to mention give a slightly Finland-tinged look to the maps themselves. Open Street Map isn't going away, but it's now being used only for those areas where regular coverage is spotty or non-existent. The images already apply to any existing and upcoming uploads -- there will be no question that self-portrait was taken in Tanzania. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ASUS' Cedar Trail-loaded EeeBox EB1030 nettop keeps your desk clean, thumbs green Posted: 29 Jun 2012 09:38 AM PDT We've seen a fair share of space-saving nettops pass through our very own crowded halls, so what's one more to add to the list? Especially when it's one being flaunted as the most eco-friendly, energy-efficient PC. That's exactly what ASUS thinks of its EeeBox EB1030, which aside from sporting a relatively minimalist design (as is usually the case with nettops), it's also boasting Intel's latest batch of Cedar Trail CPUs. To go along with those Atom processors (1.86GHz), ASUS is making this mini machine as configurable as it could get, giving users the option to load it with up to 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive combined with 32GB of SSD goodness. Ports-wise the unit's pretty standard, offering options such as an HDMI, VGA, microphone, audio jack, card reader and four USB two-dot-ohs. Of course, the amount of cash you'll have to shell out will depend on the setup of choice, with pricing set to start at €296, or around $370 in American dollars. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSA: The end of MobileMe is nigh, time to move on or move out Posted: 29 Jun 2012 09:17 AM PDT The death knell for MobileMe has been ringing for some time, but if you've had your hands on your ears, hoping it'd go away, sadly this isn't the case. Tomorrow sees the service hang up its storage-boots for the last time, before being | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft lists 180 countries in Windows Phone 8 Marketplace, says apps can filter by screen size Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:54 AM PDT Now that the dust has settled on the big Windows Phone 8 hoedown, Redmond is filling in the details of all its announcements. To wit, it just released a list of the 180 countries that will get access to its WP marketplace and developer app hub. That number is a big jump from the 63 markets and 38 app hubs of today, and with in-app purchasing coming soon, Microsoft emphasized that point -- along with the 100,000 apps in stock -- to developers. The software giant also added that the marketplace will filter apps by phone screen resolution and "other key characteristics," allowing easier targeting of users. To see if your country made the cut, check the source for the very long list. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World's smallest 4K USB 3.0 camera delivers 21 frames per second, fits in pockets Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:32 AM PDT After proving that a 1080p webcam on USB 3.0 was possible, to the surprise of none, Point Grey's latest addition is a little more impressive, This "ice-cube sized" camera can pipe 4,096 x 2,160 images through that capacious USB 3.0 port, using Sony's new IMX1221 Exmor R sensor. Thanks to its size, the camera is geared toward business-centric applications, including broadcasting and high-resolution optical inspection -- which goes some way to explaining the $945 retail price. The full technical spec sheet waits in the press release, right after the break. Point Grey Launches World's Smallest 4K USB 3.0 Camera RICHMOND, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Point Grey, one of the world's largest and most innovative manufacturers of industrial digital cameras for machine vision, bioscience, traffic, and GIS applications, today releases an innovative new model to its popular line of Flea3 USB 3.0 cameras. This new model leverages the bandwidth capabilities of USB 3.0 by delivering 4096 x 2160 color images at 21 FPS (185 MByte/s) in an ice-cube sized, low-cost package. "This camera is our latest innovation; we packed a high quality 8.8 MP, 4K2K sensor into the Flea3 and did it at an unbeatable price-point." The FL3-U3-88S2C features Sony's new IMX121 sensor with "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS architecture. By increasing quantum efficiency and reducing noise, "Exmor R" improves sensitivity and dynamic range for sharp, high-quality color images. The impressive 4K2K resolution combined with the ease of USB 3.0 and the camera's small size makes the new Flea3 suitable for a variety of high resolution color applications including automatic optical inspection, ophthalmology, interactive multimedia, and broadcast. "Since demonstrating the world's first USB 3.0 camera in 2009, Point Grey continues to push the boundaries of imaging technology," explains Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Gibbons adds, "This camera is our latest innovation; we packed a high quality 8.8 MP, 4K2K sensor into the Flea3 and did it at an unbeatable price-point." Point Grey's Flea3 camera line measures just 29 x 29 x 30mm and provides a unique set of features dedicated to maximizing USB 3.0 reliability, including a 32 megabyte frame buffer; on-camera power, temperature, and status monitoring; and in-field updatable firmware. The camera also provides color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction, and pixel binning functionality. The Flea3 FL3-U3-88S2C-C (color) model is list priced at USD $945 and is available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Government-backed movie streaming service coming to China in Q4, bringing Paramount titles along Posted: 29 Jun 2012 08:09 AM PDT
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| Delta expanding Gogo in-flight WiFi to select international flights beginning in 2013 Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:44 AM PDT Delta Airlines isn't a stranger to offering WiFi on many of its domestic US flights, but using Gogo's air-to-ground connection setup has essentially kept it from taking off over the seas. That's all set to change come 2013, however, as 150 of Delta's long-haul aircraft will make use of all those high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites that Gogo has been acquiring over the past few months. The updated setup will ensure that you can update your Facebook status over the likes of the Atlantic, but it won't be fully rolled out until about 2015. By that time, the airline estimates it'll be operating around 1,000 Gogo-equipped aircraft worldwide -- not too shabby. If anything, the wait to hit 10,000 feet is surely going be more interesting for all the international work-a-holics out there. Hit up the press release after the break for more details in the meantime. Delta Expands World's Largest Wi-Fi-Equipped Fleet to Include International Aircraft Partnership with single provider will offer global connectivity with Gogo Inflight Internet service Customer feedback highlights importance of fleet-wide connectivity on two-class regional jets, mainline domestic aircraft and international flights ATLANTA, June 28, 2012 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will begin offering in-flight Internet service on its long-haul international fleet of more than 150 aircraft, which includes Boeing 777, 767, 747, Airbus 330 and transoceanic Boeing 757 aircraft in early 2013. The expanded Wi-Fi service will use satellites to provide coverage internationally and will complement the existing air-to-ground service already provided by Gogo for aircraft flying within the domestic U.S. Delta already operates the world's largest Wi-Fi-equipped fleet of aircraft with more than 3,000 flights daily, including its entire fleet of 550 domestic mainline aircraft. More than 800 Delta aircraft, including all Delta Connection two-class regional jets, are equipped with in-flight Wi-Fi service offering more than 400,000 customers per day access to the internet above 10,000 feet. The international service will use high-bandwidth Ku-band capacity satellites to provide global coverage..When complete in 2015, Delta will operate approximately 1,000 Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft in its worldwide fleet. "Delta's advancements in technology have been a key component to our improvements in the customer travel experience and have been cited by J.D. Power and Associates and PC World magazine as important aspects of travel," said Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president – Marketing. "With our expansion of international Wi-Fi options across our fleet, Delta customers will be able to stay connected throughout their journey." The expansion of in-flight Wi-Fi to Delta's transoceanic fleet is the latest in the airline's more than $3 billion investment in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to Wi-Fi improvements, Delta has added more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering full flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international widebody fleet; recently completed the system-wide roll-out of Economy Comfort on all two-class aircraft; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; updating Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and upgrading new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – the new international terminal in Atlanta now open and the expanded international terminal opening next May at New York-JFK. Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. During the past year, Delta was named domestic "Airline of the Year" by the readers of Travel Weekly magazine, was named the "Top Tech-Friendly U.S. Airline" by PCWorld magazine for its innovation in technology and won the Business Travel News Annual Airline Survey. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to nearly 350 destinations in 65 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, a world-class airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $3 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.
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| Gigabyte launches Aivia Xenon dual-mode touchpad mouse Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:26 AM PDT When our eyes first landed upon the device from Gigabyte you see above, it took them a few seconds to work out exactly what they were looking at. There's a reason for that, though, as the Aivia Xenon -- as it is known -- lives a double life. By day, it's an ordinary PC mouse, with support for multi-touch gestures. By night (well, and day too, if you choose) it's a portable touchpad. The hybrid device offers 1000DPI resolution, can be used up to 10 meters away (for presentations etc.) and comes with software that lets you create custom gestures. If you have two birds, but only space for one stone, head down to the source link for more info. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google+ patent app details myFaves-like carrier contacts integration with social network circles Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:08 AM PDT With more carriers pushing unlimited calling plans, we can't say there's necessarily a need for the friends and family features of yesteryear on this side of the Atlantic, but plenty of networks beyond the good ole US of A are a bit more stingy when it comes to tallying talk time. The latest Google patent application to be published was filed last December and covers exactly this type of scenario, suggesting that the Google+ profile of the future could include an option to create a "Telco Co. Preferred Calling" circle, which would theoretically enable free calling between yourself and a small group of friends. According to the application, semi-public information, such as a telephone number, would be shared between Google and a registered service provider, and you would maintain discount calling relationships from within Google+, adding and dropping callers to and from your online contacts list. You could also dictate custom rules, such as ringtones for contacts in specific groups, or create carrier-branded circles that are populated with your friends on the same network, making it easier to determine whether or not you'll be billed for calls to a particular user. Like all patent applications, there's no guarantee that Google's submission with come to fruition, but if you're feeling optimistic, you can hit up the source link below for all the legalese. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Twitter for Windows Phone gets pushy, adds Notifications support Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:59 AM PDT Starting this week, Windows Phone users with a Twitter fixation will have a much easier time feeding the little, blue, bird-shaped beast. The latest update to the app features long-awaited Notifications support. Downloading version 1.5 will deliver such important Twitter info as retweets, mentions, direct messages, new followers and favorited tweets to the forefront where they belong. You can download the app in the source link below and then tell all your friends through the microblogging service of your choice, whatever that might be. Fair warning in the meantime -- a number of folks are reporting issues with the update, and we've had some difficulty getting it up an running on our own handsets. Feel free to sound off in the comments below -- since you may have some trouble doing so on Twitter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Cellular pledges to carry Windows Phone 8 devices in the fall Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:51 AM PDT U.S. Cellular has confirmed to PC Mag that it's "excited" by the prospect of carrying Windows Phone 8 handsets when they land later this year. A PR person even went as far as saying that WP8 "will be an important part of our lineup." The move leaves Sprint, Cricket and MetroPCS as the only major-league holdouts for the new platform -- or perhaps their PR departments just aren't as bubbly. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distro Issue 47: Made in the USA edition Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:30 AM PDT It's that time of the year when folks in the US of A tend to get a tad bit patriotic. Pretty soon, those of us in the States will be all about grilling and putting back a few hot dogs and / or hamburgers before rushing off to catch some fireworks. We're looking to keep the spirit alive in our weekly, too. This time around, we offer up a Made in the USA edition with editorials that tackle Nevada's solar-geothermal hybrid power plant and just how much coin it takes to offer internet in American Samoa -- along with a few more stops in between. The Nexus 7 and Nexus Q were revealed at Google I/O and we offer some initial thoughts on the pair of gadgets from the folks in Mountain View. Find yourself jonesin' for a closer look at that fancy Tesla S? You're in luck. You'll find some detail shots of the new $50,000 EV in "Eyes-On" this week. So what are you waiting for? There's a monster truck on the cover for crying out loud! Dive right in to the latest issue via your download method of choice. Distro Issue 47 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inside Google's amazing Accessory Development Kit demo hardware (video) Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:16 AM PDT The coolest thing at Google I/O this year isn't a cheap tablet or a pair of overpriced glasses or even a killer keyboard. It is, believe it or not, an alarm clock. But not just any alarm clock -- this is an alarm clock with potential. What you see above, and demonstrated in the video after the break, is the gadget that was handed out to attendees who went to learn about the Android Accessory Development Kit. It has an array of RGB LEDs on the front which it can use to display simple numerals and digits, but thanks to a bevy of sensors -- and plenty of connectivity options -- that's just the beginning. USB? Check. NFC? Definitely. Accelerometer, colorimeter, magnetometer, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer? Yes, all that and more. What starts out as an oddly shaped clock held together only with magnets has the potential to be hacked into something truly amazing -- and that's the point. With this, developers have what they need to try out all sorts of crazy ideas relying on a wide assortment of sensors. It's an empowering collection of abilities and, when a dev finds some combination that works, they can turn around and spin that into something new. We're very eager to see what eager engineers do with their ADK demo units, but for now you can see what it can do right out of the box in the video below.
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| Samsung brings out WB100 camera with 26x lens for zoom-loving Brits Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:11 AM PDT Samsung has been quiet on the superzoom camera front, but it's leaping back into the fray with the WB100. The camera doesn't have the longest zoom we've seen, but with a 26x lens and a wide-angle 22.3mm minimum zoom, odds are that just about anything you come across during vacation will fit into the frame. A choice to use AA batteries instead of a lithium-ion pack also emphasizes that focus on travelers. We're otherwise looking at a very deliberately middle-of-the-road camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, ISO 80 to 1,600 sensitivity (3,200 if you like 3-megapixel photos) and 720p movie making. The company doesn't have pricing, nor word as to which countries get the WB100 treatment outside of the UK -- for now, you're most likely to see this camera slung around a suntanned British neck in Ibiza. SAMSUNG INTRODUCES THE WB100 New bridge camera captures stunning detail with 26x Optical High Zoom and 22.3mm ultra wide angle lens London, UK – June 29th, 2012: Today Samsung announced the WB100, the latest addition to the prestigious WB series, known for delivering superior image quality in compact form. The WB100 is perfect for shooting dynamic images and capturing the smallest detail in stunning 16MP clarity. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nike+ FuelBand iOS app updated to run along your Path, sync in the background Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:00 AM PDT If you decided to snag the latest Nike+ wristband earlier this year, you're about to get some added functionality thanks to an iOS application update. First, the outfit has added Path integration to the mobile software. Users can now keep track of the sights they've visited while out for a jog or bike ride and share said moments / achievements with their mates. When the day comes to a close, those points-of-interest along the trail will appear on the app's progress graph. You'll also encounter background syncing by holding down the FuelBand's button alongside the ability to check battery status, offline data access and setting the time with your iPhone or iPod touch. For a quick look at what you can expect to see with the refresh, sprint to the gallery below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon says Share Everything, and now you finally can Posted: 29 Jun 2012 05:49 AM PDT When Verizon finally came good on its Share Everything promise, mobile matrimony on the big red finally seemed a solid reality. If your team couldn't wait to get its sharesies on, then rest easy, as Verizon's come good on that 28th delivery date. Don't forget, you'll still have to cough up a monthly fee per device ($40 for a smartphone, $20 for a mobile hotspot etc) but you can still divvy up that $50-$100 monthly access fee, and be prepared to argue over that $15 overage charge if you choose the wrong one. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Instagram adds Photo Page to web: new colors, user comments, not much else Posted: 29 Jun 2012 05:24 AM PDT Instagram's been moving along briskly with its Android and iOS apps, but the hipster-tinter-photo-sharing-Facebook acquisition's web presence has been lagging behind in comparison. But there's good news now if you're desk-bound thanks to the new "Photo Page," which lets you log in, change your profile and add comments or likes to images. The other tweak is a fresh look for the site, matching the app with a blue, dare we say, Facebook-esque theme and larger images, no doubt to show off those mega-megapixel smartphone cameras. It's likely a first step in unifying its web offering and apps, and with a name like Photo Page, no one can accuse it of wasting that Facebook booty on marketing whizzes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minitel to be shut down tomorrow: France bids adieu to the internet's precursor Posted: 29 Jun 2012 05:01 AM PDT Back in the mid-80s, the idea of transferring funds, checking your email, buying stocks and booking a trip online was all a faraway dream. But if you happened to be in France at the time, you might've already been wired up and doing these things for years -- thanks to the state-subsidized Minitels that were in each and every household. The country was far more interconnected than any other and proud of the text-only terminals, even though government-owned France Telecom monopolized access and you had to be newspaper company to supply any content. It took off anyway, and soon faux-newspaper companies sprung up everywhere for the not-so-secret purpose of delivering paid Minitel services. They supplied information, financial access, ticketing, online shopping, and even some naughty text-based services (sacré bleu!). At its apogee in 1998, the system generated over a billion dollars a year in revenue, and accounted for nearly 15% of the annual income for online retailers 3 Suisses and La Redoute, to name a couple. But France can be an insular nation, and Minitel never really spread anywhere else. The internet gave the coup de grace to the system and displaced it, and though it's still accessed by millions each year, France Telecom will pull the plug once and for all this Saturday. Some regret that the nation didn't build on its technological lead, but most French folks will probably remember the boxes nostalgically, knowing that they beat the internet by almost 20 years. [Image credit: Musée De l'Informatique] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virgin Mobile to carry iPhone from today, Sir Richard does his best Fonz impression Posted: 29 Jun 2012 04:39 AM PDT Virgin Mobile is offering the iPhone to its prepaid customers as of today. The Sprint-owned subsidiary is using the event to kickstart a new retail strategy that will see the company open branded retail stores in Chicago -- with a nationwide rollout dependent upon its success. Since all carriers have to make a minimum commitment to Apple in order to receive the handset, it's interesting to see that Virgin's allocation forms part of Sprint's $15.5 billion gamble on the handset that's still yet to pay off. The handset will set users back $650 for a 16GB iPhone 4S, while plans begin at $30 for 300 voice minutes, unlimited messages and data, but only if they commit to automatic monthly payments. Virgin Mobile USA to Offer iPhone on June 29 Plans as Low as $30 Per Month iPhone 4S is the most amazing iPhone yet, packed with incredible features including Apple's dual-core A5 chip for blazing fast performance and stunning graphics; an all-new camera with advanced optics; full 1080p HD resolution video recording; and Siri, an intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking. iPhone 4S comes with iOS 5.1, the world's most advanced mobile operating system, and iCloud, a breakthrough set of free cloud services that work with your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC to automatically and wirelessly store your content in iCloud and push it to all your devices. Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk unlimited data and messaging plans for iPhone start at $35 per month for access to Sprint's Nationwide Network, and customers can receive a $5 per-month plan discount when they register for automatic monthly payments with a credit card, debit card or PayPal account, making iPhone available for as low as $30 per month. Customers can also use their iPhone as a mobile hotspot through Virgin Mobile for an additional $15 per month.3 "This month marks Virgin Mobile USA's tenth birthday," said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. "And what better way to thank our fans for ten years of loyalty than by giving them exactly what they want: the perfect plan for the perfect phone. That is the essence of 'A Higher Calling.'" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ultrabook sales up in first half of 2012, Windows 8 waits patiently Posted: 29 Jun 2012 04:21 AM PDT We've seen so much Ultrabook news recently we're beginning to think they're catching on. Market research firm the NPD Group has stepped in to confirm our suspicions, reporting a 39 percent jump in sales of premium Windows laptops (900 bucks and up) during the first five months of this year, compared with the same period in 2011. Despite a three percent drop in sales of $700-plus Windows notebooks, the Ultrabook share of this bracket increased steadily to nearly 11 percent. The analysts predict sales of these lower-end models will pick up as back-to-school purchases sooth the post-summer blues, with a general boost to the whole Ultrabook market expected when Windows 8 arrives. One thing the figures don't tell us is what impact these sales are having on the revenue of Apple's skinny flagship, but we'd sure like to know. If numbers are your thing, the PR is past the break. Ultrabook Propels Growth in Higher Price Point Notebooks as Overall Market Struggles PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, JUNE 28, 2012 – Ultrabook sales are off to a fast start capturing nearly 11 percent of all $700+ Windows notebooks sales at U.S. retail through the first five months of 2012 according to leading market research company The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service. While the overall Windows market for notebook PC sales fell by 17 percent, Ultrabooks helped propel the premium market with Windows notebooks priced over $700 falling by just 3 percent, and those priced over $900 increasing 39 percent versus the prior year. "Ultrabooks have helped establish a market for more premium-priced Windows notebooks at retail," said Stephen Baker, vice president of industry analysis at The NPD Group. "The share of sales that the $700+ notebook segment represents jumped from about 12 percent in 2011 to nearly 14 percent in 2012 as a result of the solid market acceptance Ultrabooks have gained. Consumers continue to respond positively to finally being offered stylish, thinner, and more premium device offerings than ever before within the Windows ecosystem." This strong performance comes as Ultrabook ASPs remain considerably more expensive than the market, with selling prices that averaged $927 over the first five months of 2012 and only dipping below $900, to $885, for the first time in May. While this is considerably above the Windows market price of $510 average pricing has risen by $13 since the same period in 2011, in part due to the growth in Ultrabook sales. "As we head into the crucial back-to-school selling season, lower-cost Ultrabooks, some as low as $699, will be the hot form factor," said Baker. "As we look towards the fourth quarter, the expected launch of Windows 8, a wide variety of Ultrabooks with touch screens, and convertible form factors should continue to make this class of product top of mind with the consumer as well as provide a much needed revenue boost to the entire PC ecosystem." | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google helps train developers, hook up universities in new education programs Posted: 29 Jun 2012 03:43 AM PDT While it only just revealed Google Developers Live earlier last week, offering interactive broadcasts and tutorials, the hardware-dabbling giant has now kicked off two more programs to support its dev faithful. The Google App Engine, Google Drive, YouTube and several advertising APIs will all be covered by the Google Developers Academy, a new site hub that offers up training materials on the above, with more promised in the future. It's joined by a new University Consortium, aiming to collaborate between academics who use Google's tools and dev platforms in their research and teaching. Both sites are now live -- learners can hit up the sources for all the details. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shuttle takes quiet nettops down the Cedar Trail, intros XS35V3 and XS35GTA V3 Posted: 29 Jun 2012 03:16 AM PDT Nettops have slipped a bit out of vogue, but Shuttle is keeping the flame alive for those who like their desktops tiny and hushed. The XS35V3 and XS35GTA V3 have moved on to more contemporary Cedar Trail-era, 2.13GHz Atom D2700 processors that keep the power draw to a fanless 27W, even when everything is churning at full bore. That limit might get tested with the GTA variant, which brings in Radeon HD 7410M graphics for a lift to 3D performance, but neither mini desktop will exactly make the power company beg for mercy. Either is a barebones kit with the laptop-sized hard drive, optical drive and OS left to the buyer -- if you don't get them at the same time, you'll have only the HDMI, VGA, USB and card reader to keep you company. Europeans are currently the only ones getting a crack, where it costs €172 pre-tax ($214) for the XS35V3 and €233 ($290) to get its faster GTA cousin. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chrome 20 browser released: exclusive 64-bit Linux Flash, fewer MacBook crashes Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:47 AM PDT If your new MacBook is having kernel panics, or you're forced to run a 32-bit browser in Linux because you need Flash, Google's brought relief with version 20 of Chrome. While acting sheepish about "yet another release," the Chrome Blog said "hundreds of bugs" were fixed, including a MacBook resource leak issue which was temporarily patched by disabling some GPU features. Also, Linux users will finally get full 64-bit support for Flash with Adobe's PPAPI "Pepper" version, but since it was made exclusively for Chrome, Penguin users will be stuck with that browser if they want the feature. To get it, check the source after the br... oh, right, background update. Nevermind. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peel AllPlay TV unites media sources for Android fans, puts them in harmony with Google TV Posted: 29 Jun 2012 02:14 AM PDT It's been a awhile since we caught up with Peel, but the company has certainly been putting its time to good use with a big update to its Android app at Google I/O. A new AllPlay TV component acts primarily as a companion for Google TV, pooling together listings of the disparate sources of conventional and streaming TV without having to break out the awkward remote until absolutely necessary. Live TV, DVR recordings and Netflix all sit side by side; if the season premiere of a show is coming up and last season's finale remains tragically unwatched, Peel will be the cue to record the new airing and hit Netflix for the catch-up. Peel warns that AllPlay TV won't be part and parcel of the app until July -- as compensation, it's promising that the release will bring Android 2.3 users into the fold, and a parallel version is coming to iPhone and iPod touch owners in the next few months. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Android PC gets wrapped in maple, hits that premium sweet spot Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:41 AM PDT If you feel that a typical barebones Android PC really won't do alongside your chaise longue and stack of hardback first editions, you may be interested in Jeffrey Stephenson's latest case mod. Underneath the birds eye maple, acrylic panelling and mesh, the Acero houses VIA's humble $49 Neo-ITX-based system card, running an iteration of Android 2.3 ready for mouse and keyboard add-ons. Up to 720p graphics is possible, which can be output through its VGA or HDMI ports and although that 800MHz processor may not be up to delivering the greatest gaming thrills, we've already got our joystick picked out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foursquare Connected App platform lets other apps interact with check ins Posted: 29 Jun 2012 01:02 AM PDT It turns out Foursquare's massive 5.0 revamp was just the start of the changes, as the location sharing app unveiled a new twist with the launch its Connected Apps platform. Available as a developer preview, it lets the makers of apps like Untappd, Instagram or The Weather Channel connect directly with the Foursquare app. Many apps were already connected via the API, and once users upgrade to the latest version on Android or iOS their checkins pull information from those apps into Foursquare itself. That means they get things like the weather forecast on their first check in of the day from The Weather Channel, see what songs their friends have shared at a particular location via Soundtracking or beer recommendations from Untappd. Developers can get all the info on how it works at the overview, the rest of us can see the list of enabled apps on the official blog post. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 29 Jun 2012 12:31 AM PDT If you wake up to find the Splashtop Streamer widget on your PC or Mac begging to be updated, then it's probably worth it -- especially if you have a new iPad lying around. Splashtop 2 has been optimized to work with the Retina display, which makes it a cinch to squeeze your entire Windows or OS X desktop onto the 10-inch screen without it looking terrible. The system has also been redesigned to avoid the need to enter IP addresses, passwords, port numbers or Google account details. Instead, you'll create a new Splashtop 2 login that should work once across all your devices. The UI seems a lot friendlier, there's a new in-app purchase to "supercharge" network performance (edit: also required for connections outside of the same WiFi network if you're a new customer, see below), plus there's improved support for fluid video streaming at up to 30fps. (Alas, there's still no fullscreen support for Windows Media Center users though.) The new streamer and iPad app are available now, while the Android update should arrive soon. Want to see it in action? Head past the break for the promo video. Update: We didn't fully appreciate this at first, but cross-network remote desktopping is no longer free to new customers. If you're coming to Splashtop for the first time, you have to make the in-app purchase ($1 per month or $10 per year) to enable "Anywhere Access." That said, the Splashtop 2 app for iPad is currently selling for $2 -- an 80 percent discount which largely compensates for the first year of charges.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reuters: RIM could open up BlackBerry network to others, join up with Ballmer Posted: 28 Jun 2012 11:58 PM PDT The Q1 earnings news from RIM of layoffs and a delay in its next generation of handsets has unsurprisingly led to some rumors from the usual "people familiar with the situation," according to Reuters. The options reportedly being considered by the board probably also won't shock you, like the possibility of following former co-CEO Jim Balsillie's plan to open up its network to others and / or or sell it outright. An alternative path comes from Microsoft and Steve Ballmer, who has reportedly been putting a full court press on the folks in Waterloo to pull a Nokia and bring their arms to the Windows OS camp. That choice is reportedly less attractive because it would mean giving up technology independence, but we'll see how long that feeling lasts if future earnings projections remain similarly dismal. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hulu Japan lands HBO content, but don't expect any changes in the US Posted: 28 Jun 2012 11:02 PM PDT Hulu Japan has mailed in a status update noting that its content library has increased by more than 300 percent since launching last fall, now amounting to over 800 films and around 6,900 TV shows. Newly added to that list is Mad Men and more notably, "select HBO shows" including Entourage and Sex And The City today, followed by Entourage and Band of Brothers later this year. Of course, similar to the situation that sees Showtime favorites like Dexter available on Netflix in Latin America but not here in the States, it doesn't make it any more likely HBO will suddenly become cord-cutter friendly at home -- this is an international deal only. Hulu does have more good news in Japan though, now that it works on more devices with the Wii coming soon and "aggressive expansion" planned for the rest of 2012. While it doesn't help the list of Hulu Plus-compatible Android phones grow any faster, there is a quick trailer celebrating the new content, viewers on either side of the Pacific can check it out after the break. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rice University researchers create spray-on battery, powered bathroom tiles Posted: 28 Jun 2012 10:29 PM PDT Liquid solar cells are pretty neat, to be sure, but current-generating paint can be a hard color to match. Good thing, then, that researchers at Rice university have developed the perfect complement: a spray-on battery. By carefully layering five coats of specially formulated paint, the team has found a way to apply a thin coat of lithium ion storage to multiple surfaces, including glass, ceramics, steel and flexible polymers. Early experiments are promising -- after applying the process to nine ordinary bathroom tiles, the painted batteries were able to power a small array of LEDs (spelling "Rice") for six hours, consistently pumping out 2.4 volts of electricity. After 60 charge / discharge cycles, researches say the batteries retained most of their capacity. Neelam Singh, Rice graduate student and lead author of the team's report, says the technology will only improve when coupled with modern methods. "Spray painting is already an industrial process, so it will be very easy to incorporate this into industry," she said. "We really do consider this a paradigm changer." Scope out the processes (and its fruits) for yourself after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GameStop plans to sell Nexus 7, starts taking Android tablet trade-ins Posted: 28 Jun 2012 09:42 PM PDT Google's Andy Rubin suggested the Nexus 7 would reach third-party US stores eventually -- we just didn't think it would be this quickly. GameStop says it's taking pre-orders for the 16GB version of the Android 4.1 tablet starting today. At $249, it will cost exactly what it does in its currently exclusive Google Play home; in other words, one of the parties involved could be taking a voluntary hit on the already razor-thin profit margins. The 7-inch slate should be arriving roughly at the same mid-July timeframe as it is for those ordering straight from the Google source. It wouldn't be GameStop if there weren't trade-ins involved, and sure enough, the game retailer is using the Nexus 7 as the lure. Confirming an earlier leak, the chain is now accepting Android tablet trade-ins worth up to $200 in cash (or $250 in store credit) depending on how pristine the hardware is coming into the store. Play your cards right, and you're very nearly getting the Google-blessed tablet for free. As an extra incentive, any gear whose exchange goes directly towards buying the Nexus 7 will get a 30 percent boost in value. Knowing the buzz surrounding the price-to-performance ratio of the ASUS-made Nexus, we won't be surprised if GameStop suddenly faces a glut of older Android tablets in its backrooms. GameStop Taking Pre-Orders on New Google Nexus 7 Tablet Trades of popular Android tablets now accepted in all U.S. stores GRAPEVINE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GameStop (NYSE: GME), the world's largest multichannel retailer of video games, has again expanded its mobile electronics business with new trade-in and pre-order programs. The company is now accepting trades on a wide range of Android tablets and is taking pre-orders on the brand new Google Nexus 7 tablet (16GB). The Nexus 7, which was just announced at Google's I/O developer conference, is the first tablet to feature the latest Android OS – Jelly Bean – and will be available for $249 in mid-July. "With the increasing popularity of Android tablets and the emerging multiscreen gaming trend, this is the ideal time to expand the program to meet the needs of our hybrid customers." "We've seen great consumer enthusiasm for our recommerce initiatives, particularly our iDevice trade program that launched last fall," stated GameStop president Tony Bartel. "With the increasing popularity of Android tablets and the emerging multiscreen gaming trend, this is the ideal time to expand the program to meet the needs of our hybrid customers." For consumers looking to trade in an Android tablet, all U.S. GameStop stores are now offering instant cash or in-store credit for Android tablets from a variety of top brands. Trade values, ranging up to $250 in-store credit or $200 cash, are based on model, memory size and physical condition. GameStop also offers a recycling option to help consumers properly dispose of non-working or damaged tablets. To learn more about GameStop's latest tablet offerings, visit www.GameStop.com/Tablets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 28 Jun 2012 08:55 PM PDT Adobe was very public about dropping mobile Flash last fall. In case that wasn't clear enough, the developer just drew a line in the sand: Android 4.1 doesn't, and won't ever, get certification for Flash. The company is stopping short of saying that Flash won't run, but it's evident that Adobe won't help you if the web browser plugin doesn't install (or breaks in spectacular fashion) on that Nexus 7. Just to underscore the point, the firm is also halting new installations of Flash from Google Play as of August 15th. Security updates and other vital patches will continue on for existing users. Any fresh downloads after that fateful day, however, will have to come from Adobe's mausoleum for old versions. The company had already said that HTML5 was the way forward on phones and tablets -- now we know just how quickly it's backing up that claim. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Onkyo to deliver 11.4 DTS Neo:X surround sound on latest receivers Posted: 28 Jun 2012 08:16 PM PDT While still a far cry from 64 speakers, Onkyo and DTS teamed up to bring the first 11.4 channel surround sound to your home theater. At the top of the trio of new receivers is the TX-NR5010. It is the only one that's THX certified, but like the TX-NR3010, it can drive 9 speakers and has pre-outs for four subs as well as two more channels. $2999 is the price you'll pay for the best, with a $700 price break when you move one model down the line to the TX-NR3010. Last up, but still shipping in July with 11.4 support, is the TX-NR1010 with its seven channel amp at $1799. DTS Neo:X is the name of the up-mix technology that uses a single algorithm to take anything from a 2.0 signal to 11.1 and converts it to 11.4. The other first here is Cisco Linksys SimpleTap -- also coming to the entire 2012 Onkyo lineup of network receivers via a firmware update -- which promises to deliver a simpler network setup. For more of the juicy details, have a quick look over the press release below. Onkyo Unveils Three High-End A/V Receivers, Including the Magnificent New TX-NR5010 Flagship 06/27/12 - UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NJ (6/27/12) -- Onkyo, the world's leading manufacturer of home theater and hi-fi equipment, announces the release of three new models at the top of its A/V receiver line for 2012. The lineup includes the world's first full 11.4-channel implementation of DTS Neo:X™, and the first use of Cisco Linksys' SimpleTap technology in an audio/video component. Onkyo invests considerable resources in research and development each year to find innovative ways to enhance the performance, quality and value of its products. When beneficial, the company also forms strategic alliances with external partners to source specialty technology that enhances the product. The fruit of this investment is clearly evident in these three new releases, with an across-the-board focus on high performance technology: THX® Ultra2 Plus™ certification to recreate the cinematic experience with dynamic Reference Level sound to larger home theaters up to 85 cubic meters in size and a viewing distance of approximately 3.5 meters 11.4-channel pre-outs with DTS Neo:X™ 11-channel upmixing support for both the TX-NR5010 and TX-NR3010, another world first for Onkyo First consumer electronics partner to incorporate Cisco Linksys' SimpleTap technology Audyssey MultEQ® XT32 room equalization with multi-channel upmixing from DTS Neo:X™, Audyssey DSX®, and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz An additional HDMI® output to enable 1080p playback in a second zone InstaPrevue™ picture-in-picture video input preview and selection technology Front-panel Mobile High-Definition Link™ HDMI port for phone/camcorder Extra HDMI inputs to support 3D Video plus Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ (8+1 inputs on all three models) Bluetooth 3.0 and aptX® wireless audio streaming via optional adapter With Ethernet for access to preloaded audio streaming channels such as Spotify, and connectivity for smart phones, tablets, and PC via DLNA or Bluetooth, these receivers are designed for seamless integration into users' digital lifestyles and to distribute entertainment throughout the home. Because of the importance of superior usability in the connected home, Onkyo has been working with Cisco to incorporate SimpleTap that delivers better experiences to mutual broader set of customers. With the inclusion in these three high-end receivers, Onkyo becomes the first company to integrate SimpleTap technology into CE products. Firmware updates will be available to enable all 2012 Onkyo Network enabled receivers to take advantage of this new technology. "We share the vision that the connected home should be simple and enjoyable, and we are proud to be the first consumer electronics partner to incorporate Cisco Linksys' SimpleTap technology into our new AV receivers," said Nobuaki Okuda, president, Onkyo Sound & Vision Corporation. "SimpleTap really simplifies how our new 2012 AV receiver can be connected to the network, so people can instantly enjoy their favorite tunes from music streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM Internet Radio and many other services." HDMI connectivity has also been enhanced by adding Zone2 HDMI connectivity that removes the need for a secondary analog connection in order to access audio in a second zone. Powered audio is available in up to three zones simultaneously-with multi-zone playback and setting controls managed by remote app. The receiver's primary role, however, is always at the heart of the home theater system, as well as providing transcendent stereo playback for music. As audio and video processors, these three receivers are unrivalled in their respective categories. To conjure up the signature Onkyo sound, audio signals are passed through a sophisticated digital-to-analog conversion stage, with PLL jitter-cleaning, VLSC™ noise-mitigation, and top-quality TI Burr-Brown DAC modules working to create a pristine analog waveform. Signals are then amplified through discrete Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry, with a triple transistor array that cuts distortion and boosts current flow to the speakers. This innovative amplifier design capitalizes on the unique benefits offered by a low negative feedback topology, preserving the life, vitality, and realism of the audio as it was originally recorded. Outputted through discrete transistors, the resulting sound further burnishes Onkyo's reputation as the masters of high fidelity audio. For optimum video performance, all three models feature Onkyo's Dual Core Video Engine-hailed as the best video processing system currently available. This system pairs the mighty HQV® Vida™ VHD1900 module with Marvell's Qdeo™ technology for seamless upscaling to 4K. ISF video calibration further enhances smooth and vivid picture quality. The flagship TX-NR5010 is aimed squarely at the avid home theater enthusiast. As part of the THX certification promise, this receiver is designed to deliver the highest audio and video quality for an unsurpassed home cinema experience right out of the box. Housed in a rigid chassis with separate anti-resonant aluminum top and side panels, the unit has a massive toroidal transformer supported by two discrete transformers for audio and video processing. With gold-plated audio terminals and speaker posts, this unit is fastidiously outfitted to audiophile-grade specifications. Like its slightly more powerful sibling, TX-NR3010 also boasts multiple transformers for A/V processing, but features a heavy-duty EI transformer in place of toroidal power. All models feature isolated power and preamp blocks to reduce interference with super-rigid chassis to prevent vibration. A new Differential DAC Mode and Digital Crossover Processing Network are also included on all three models to optimize performance when bi-wiring and bi-amping the front channels-further demonstrating Onkyo's commitment to audiophile-level sound. With everything from an analog video input for PC to a generous mix of optical and coaxial digital audio inputs, all three models boast an exhaustive the list of A/V connections. In addition to the capacity to link with an iPhone®, iPod®, or flash memory device, these models include two USB ports in the front and rear to accommodate the UWF-1 Wireless LAN Adapter and UBT-1 Bluetooth USB Adapter (sold separately). Onkyo made these heavyweights not only the best-looking, best-finished A/V receivers on the market, but also the easiest to set up and use. The 1080p overlaid display with Quick Set-Up function enables fast mid-program adjustment, while remote control apps for Android-powered phones and iPhone offer access to system settings, as well as playback control from anywhere in the home. The descendents of a long line of award-winning A/V products, these three unique receivers are a triumph of imagination and engineering, and demonstrate Onkyo's commitment to keeping pace with dynamic and evolving technology while faithfully maintaining its traditional insistence on build quality and complete audio integrity. The Onkyo TX-NR5010, TX-NR3010 and TX-NR1010 receivers will be available in July with suggested retail prices of $2999, $2299 and $1799, respectively. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coca-Cola's A011 vending machine keeps drink cool without using (much) power Posted: 28 Jun 2012 07:32 PM PDT So maybe that self-chilling soda didn't pan out, but Coca-Cola is working on another method for keeping its beverages cool without using power. In partnership with Fuji Electric Retail Systems, the company has developed the A011 vending machine, which is capable of keeping drinks frosty for up to 16 hours a day without using energy. The A011 works by shifting the cooling process from mid-day, when energy use is higher, to nighttime, when there is a higher power capacity. Even after the machine stops powering the chilling, the unit's temperature only rises slightly, thanks to vacuum insulation and an airtight design. Great in theory, right? Well Coca-Cola Japan will put the product to the test this summer with a two-month pilot program in two of Japan's toastiest areas, Tajimi City in Gifu Prefecture and Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture. If things go well, the company will tweak the A011 to extend the amount of time it can go without power. Room-temperature soda is the worst, so here's hoping it works. TOKYO, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., Ltd., together with Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co., Ltd. announced on June 27 they have succeeded in developing the "A011" peak-shift vending machine. This vending machine, developed as part of the "Apollo" ultra-energy-saving vending machine development project, can operate without using power for cooling for up to 16 hours per day. The A011 vending machine will be field-tested beginning on July 2. The successfully developed A011 peak-shift vending machine "shifts" use of power for cooling from the usual "peak" midday times to the nighttime, when there is relative surplus power capacity. In conventional vending machines, the temperature in the machine would rise slowly if cooling was stopped for long periods of time since only a portion of the products stored inside of it were cooled in response to sales in order to limit electricity consumed. However, in the peak-shift vending machine, "A011", all products stored in it are cooled during the nighttime when there is relatively more power available. By bringing about cooling effects to all products stored in it even after cooling functions have stopped, the rise in temperature in the storage unit is limited even after cooling has been stopped for a long period of time. In addition, by using more vacuum insulation materials, insulation has improved and the machine is not affected as much by outside temperature. In addition, we made efforts to make it difficult for cold air to escape by making the doors more air-tight. With these efforts, we are able to respond to government requests to save energy and to provide cold products. In preparation for full-fledged market launch, the A011 peak-shift vending machine will be field-tested for two months, starting from July 2, in Saitama Prefecture's Kumagaya City and Gifu Prefecture's Tajimi City, the hottest regions in Japan. After verifying the new model's performance, Coca-Cola will work to maximize their peak-shift functionality, extending the amount of time they can go without using power for cooling during time slots when power is generally in short supply. Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Coca-Cola Japan has led the industry in announcing and implementing specific round-robin cooling suspension measures in its vending machines. In winter 2011, the geographical scope of these power saving efforts was expanded. Coca-Cola Japan has announced that in summer 2012, round-robin cooling suspension will be used in all areas except Okinawa Prefecture, cutting power usage by 15%. These initiatives will start from July 2. All newly purchased can and PET vending machines have been HFC-free since 2011, and LED lighting is being used in all vending machines since 2012. As a company that exists in harmony with society, Coca-Cola Japan is always at the forefront of identifying and responding to society's needs. (*) The maximum number of products that can be stored were cooled for eight hours at night in a 32C test environment, and these products were able to be provided at below 5C without using electricity for cooling after this. Daytime energy use reduced by 95%. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Qualcomm restructures itself for summer, R&D division becomes wholly owned subsidiary Posted: 28 Jun 2012 06:47 PM PDT You know all those lawsuits swirling about in the tech industry? Yeah... Qualcomm is looking to avoid some of the weighty implications of courtroom battles with an air gap strategy that will restructure its R&D division into a new, wholly owned subsidiary known as Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI). While the parent company will retain the company's existing patent portfolio, QTI will be responsible for product development and the existing semiconductor business. Interestingly enough, it's also said that the subsidiary will ramp up its use of open source software, and it'll strive to avoid the patents of parent company, Qualcomm. It's also said that the restructuring will help the business bring its products to market more quickly, and if the company is able to avoid just one lawsuit / injunction, it may be very correct with that assertion. Qualcomm Announces Plans to Implement a New Corporate Structure SAN DIEGO – June 28, 2012 – Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today announced plans to modify its corporate structure. The corporate structure changes are being implemented, among other reasons, in order to enhance Qualcomm's ability to quickly deliver products to its customers, while further protecting and insulating its valuable patent portfolio from any claims resulting from actions and activities by portions of the company other than the Qualcomm Technology Licensing Division (QTL). Qualcomm is not undergoing this restructuring in anticipation, or as part, of spinning out either the QTL or QCT business, nor is this change in response to any third party actions or claims. The new corporate structure will feature the parent company, Qualcomm Incorporated, which includes QTL and corporate functions, as well as most of Qualcomm's patent portfolio; and a new wholly owned subsidiary, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), which, along with its subsidiaries, will operate substantially all of Qualcomm's research and development activities, as well as product and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. The change in Qualcomm's corporate structure generally formalizes the way the company has been operating, and will continue to operate, its primary businesses. However, the company expects that QTI and its subsidiaries' product and services businesses will increase their work with open source software in the future and this restructuring will, among other things, help ensure that QTI and its subsidiaries' activities do not result in the licensing of any of Qualcomm Incorporated's patents, including its 3G and 4G patents. Under the new structure, QTI and its subsidiaries will own patents specifically developed for purposes of providing open source software contributions by QTI and its subsidiaries, whereas substantially all of the remainder of the company's patent portfolio will continue to be owned by Qualcomm Incorporated. QTI and its subsidiaries will have no rights to grant licenses or other rights to patents held by Qualcomm Incorporated. There will be no changes to the intellectual property that is currently owned by Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc., which works closely with the open source community to accelerate the advancement of the wireless industry as a whole. "Our internal reorganization will provide even greater protection for our industry-leading intellectual property portfolio as our products and services businesses seek to accelerate innovation and deliver our products to market quickly," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and CEO. "We are confident that this change to our corporate structure will be accomplished with little to no disruption to employees and customers. As always, Qualcomm remains committed to being a company that creates, develops, sells and licenses state of the art technology through its products and services businesses, as well as its licensing business." Qualcomm anticipates that the new corporate structure will become effective during the first fiscal quarter of 2013 and does not expect any change to the way in which it defines its operating segments for financial reporting purposes as a result of this restructuring | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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