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- RIM CEO hints at future BBM video chat feature
- We go hands-on with the waterproof Sony Xperia go (video)
- Samsung Galaxy Note documents pop up on T-Mobile's site, prepares for its grand entrance
- Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 review: a budget-priced ICS slate with a few too many quirks
- Google+ for iPad hits the App Store, invites you to Hangout with your Apple slate
- Microsoft details Windows 8 File History, takes us through a Time Machine
- Sony Xperia miro and Xperia tipo hands-on (video)
- DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture
- Samsung Galaxy S III available on US Cellular's website tomorrow, in stores by end of week
- Steve Ballmer says Microsoft won't 'leave any space uncovered to Apple'
- Dropbox Pro accounts get double the storage for the same price, 500GB option thrown in for kicks
- Sony VAIO T13 review: the company's first Ultrabook targets the back-to-school set
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus welcomed back into the AOSP fold, Sprint shunned by Google
- Apple nabs patent for NFC-based travel check-in, doesn't quell NFC iPhone rumors just yet
- AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket gets updated to ICS
- Heins: RIM focusing on a 'smaller number of devices'
- Motion Computing announces CL910 tablet for enterprise, promises Windows 8 upgrades
- Thorsten Heins, Mike Lazaridis elected to RIM board during shareholders meeting
- Sony Xperia P blushes in metallic pink
- Nintendo 3DS XL review: bigger is better, but it's still not quite enough
- AT&T Atrix HD priced at $99: coming July 15 (video)
- Kinect PlayFit launches for Xbox Live, tracks all of the calories you burn playing 'Star Wars'
- KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung
- Cablevision Optimum apps for iPad, iPhone upgraded with new UI, ratings and discovery features
- Canon expands its PIXMA line with MG2220, MG3220 and MG4220 all-in-ones
- Canon unveils the SELPHY CP900 compact photo printer, allows you to scrapbook from the backseat
- Apple launches new iPad in China on July 20th (update: here's why)
- BlackBerry Curve 9310 makes a straight line to Verizon, July 12th
- Autodesk Scaleform lets you use Flash to build high-end portable device games for $299 (video)
- DirecTV vs. Viacom squabble could see MTV, Comedy Central and 16 others go dark at midnight
- Ouya's Android-based, hackable game console now official: we chat with designer Yves Behar
- List of alleged Windows Phones reveals Nokia Dogphone, Fluid and P4301, working titles we hope
- Garmin unveils Fenix, its first GPS watch for deep-pocketed outdoorsy types (hands-on)
- Jolla startup receives MeeGo patents, nod of encouragement from Nokia (update: only partially true)
- Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR codes, NFC and stickers
- Researchers create space-time crystal schematic, still won't undo those ill-advised high school photos
- Parrot Minikit Neo helps you focus on driving, making off-handed Matrix references
- Kouziro crafts wired-only, 21.5-inch Android 4.0 mega tablet, makes us think it's compensating for something
- SiliconDust HDHomerun Prime CableCARD tuners hit Woot for $130
- AT&T officially releases Watson speech API, gives devs a bit of babel fish for their apps
| RIM CEO hints at future BBM video chat feature Posted: 10 Jul 2012 11:46 AM PDT During today's shareholder meeting RIM CEO Thorsten Heins hinted that BBM, the companies celebrated group messaging service, might be getting some significant upgrades with the debut of BB10. In particular, the words "video chat" were tossed out as an example of how it planned to keep pace with the evolving mobile landscape. In response to a shareholder question, Heins said:
So, does that mean BlackBerry is getting ready to take on Skype and Google? Perhaps. It would certainly make sense, but we'd stop short calling it a sure shot. What is clear, is that Heins really wants to push BlackBerry as the "social" platform focused on "experience" and seems content to let those other mobile OSes win the apps race. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We go hands-on with the waterproof Sony Xperia go (video) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 11:33 AM PDT The spiritual successor to last year's Xperia Active has been given a performance boost. Now packing a dual-core 1GHz processor, Sony hopes it'll manage to keep up with your surf-heavy lifestyle. At least, that's the explanation we reckon underpins the Xperia go's (or Xperia advance) certified dust and waterproofing. The phone is notch above the Xperia miro and Xperia tipo hardware wise, although the software remains less so, leaning on the increasingly creaky Android Gingerbread. (Sony says it's coming -- but it wont be available on launch.) Those curved corners and design lines make like a close relative to the Xperia S, P and U -- although it does lack that pervasive see-through bar. The increased processing power made web browsing a pretty painless affair, while wet finger tracking means you'll still be able to use the 3.5-inch touchscreen in the
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| Samsung Galaxy Note documents pop up on T-Mobile's site, prepares for its grand entrance Posted: 10 Jul 2012 11:21 AM PDT If there's one thing we can be certain of, it's this: T-Mobile's been anything but cautious about keeping its own Galaxy Note variant under secretive wraps. In a matter of weeks, we've spotted it while paying Mr. Blurrycam a visit, making a short stop at the FCC offices and, most recently, showing its phablet self in some purported T-Mo press shots. And although this time it isn't being as revealing as it has in previous occasions, it's yet another sign that its eventual entrance into T-Mobile's smartphone lineup is right around the corner. As a curious TmoNews reader found out, a quick, simple search for Galaxy Note within the Magenta site brings up a plethora of support documents for the device, including bits like software overview, call functionality, media, customization and specs. In case you were planning on snagging one of these once it launches, this might be a good way to become acquainted with the Samsung's jumbo slab. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo IdeaTab S2109 review: a budget-priced ICS slate with a few too many quirks Posted: 10 Jul 2012 11:00 AM PDT More InfoLenovo got the memo: it's high time the company released a new tablet. With products from Acer, ASUS and Samsung keeping us plenty busy these last few months, Lenovo can hardly expect to stay relevant with the IdeaPad A1 and ThinkPad Tablet from 2011. So the IdeaTab S2109, a $350, 9.7-inch slate running Ice Cream Sandwich, comes in the nick of time. That's not to say we were surprised when the tablet launched in June. The S2109 made its grand debut at the FCC in March, and Lenovo teased its arrival with a YouTube video highlighting the 8.9mm-thick unibody shell and the 1,024 x 768 IPS LCD display. What the company wasn't so quick to point out, though, was that this device packs a TI OMAP 4430 CPU rather than the Tegra 3 processor that's quickly becoming the new tablet norm. So how does the performance stack up? Does this go toe to toe with all those other mid-range, 10-inch slates we've seen lately? Let's take a look. Hardware The IdeaTab S2109 looks and feels smaller than a 9.7-inch slate due to its curved edges and 8.9mm-thick (0.35 inches) unibody build. It weighs a manageable 1.28 pounds (that's lighter than the 1.4-pound 2012 iPad), which makes the ergonomic design even easier to appreciate. And though Lenovo doesn't stray from the tried-and-true tablet formula -- let's face it, most products in this category are variations on the same theme -- the S2109 is notably sleek, especially considering the price. However, it picks up fingerprints almost instantly, and we noticed that it suffered a few scratches after just a day of commuting and using it indoors. Lenovo does include a textured silicone cover, though, which makes the device easier to grip and does a good job protecting it from scuffs. You'll find the familiar Lenovo logo on the bezel, and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera sits to the left of the display. The volume rocker rests on the top edge, while the power connector, micro-USB, micro-HDMI port and microSD card slot line the tablet's right side. The bottom edge is completely bare, while the left hosts the mic jack and power button. On the back you'll find four SRS surround sound speakers, along with the Lenovo logo situated dead-center. About those speakers: while music and dialogue in YouTube clips and on Netflix sounded clear, audio doesn't get very loud. There's plenty of volume for headphone listening, but the speakers don't pack enough punch to fill a medium-sized room. And even if you mute the tablet's audio, you'll still be treated to a very loud refrain each time you cold-boot into Ice Cream Sandwich. Lenovo chose an IPS display for its IdeaTab 2109, and the 1,024 x 768 panel offers wider viewing angles than standard LCD tablet screens. On YouTube, 720p video looks crisp and clear, with bright colors. Images aren't as vibrant as on the Acer Iconia Tab A700 (which boasts a 1,920 x 1,200 display) but they're far from dull or washed-out. And thanks to IPS technology, the 2109's panel gives you far less glare than the A700 and other tablets with standard LCD displays. Software The IdeaTab S2109 runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich -- and, unlike with past Lenovo tablets, it's a very clean build. Here, you won't find a conspicuous app launcher or a redesigned version of the clock and settings menu. Just the standard five home screens and the Back, Home and Recent Apps icons, all sitting in their usual spot along the System Bar. Swiping through the home screens and launching apps feels brisk and smooth -- but we'll get into more details in the performance section below. Lenovo's app pre-load includes AccuWeather, the company's branded App Shop, Documents To Go, Evernote, Adobe Flash Player, Go Keyboard, Movie Studio, News Republic, Norton Security, ooVoo, the Lenovo People hub, PrinterShare, Skype, SugarSync, Voice Note, YouTube and Zinio. You know the drill: if some of the pre-installed apps are just cluttering your home screen, you can easily disable them in the Settings menu. Performance and battery life
Unlike the slew of new tablets packing quad-core Tegra 3 CPUs, the IdeaTab S2109 runs a dual-core TI OMAP 4430 processor with 1GB of system memory. Unsurprisingly, Lenovo's slate trails its NVIDIA-powered competitors on benchmark tests. In Quadrant, which measures CPU and graphics performance, the S2109 scored 1,885, which falls far behind the marks set by Tegra 3-running tablets such as the Toshiba Excite 10 (4,016). It fared a bit worse than other dual-core tablets, too: The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and the Acer Iconia Tab A200 notched 2,602 and 2,053, respectively. Cold-booting into Ice Cream Sandwich took 50 seconds, which is a test of patience, even if it's not an unheard-of startup time. In general, while we experienced few serious glitches like app crashes, we often found ourselves tapping our fingers waiting for the tablet to load content on web pages and the like. Navigating the tablet's Android 4.0 interface is smooth: no noticeable lags when launching apps and the like. But when it comes other tasks like web browsing, the IdeaTab S2109's performance betrays the modest TI OMAP processor under the hood. Loading Engadget's full desktop site took as little as five seconds and as much as 10, and loading the New York Times home page took a painful 43 seconds. When we scrolled through our photo-heavy feed on Tumblr, the IdeaTab S2109 paused frequently, only letting us advance a bit down the page before stopping to load more images. Still, with seven apps running in the background, a video streaming on YouTube, and a few tabs open in the browser, the IdeaTab didn't stutter or force-close any apps. It's also worth mentioning that the IdeaTab has an extremely responsive accelerometer. While we appreciate not having to wait for the screen to adjust its orientation when we flip the tablet, it often interprets slight movements as a cue to jump from landscape to portrait mode. In short, you'll probably want to turn automatic screen orientation off.
When it comes to battery life, this tablet's 6,720mAh Li-Polymer power pack is hardly a long-distance runner. On our rundown test, it lasted six hours and 53 minutes, one of the poorest showings from a 10-inch tablet we've ever recorded. Lenovo rates the S2109 for 10 hours of video playback, and while reality paints a slightly different picture, it's not like you'll need the power adapter on standby at all times. Camera The S2109 features a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera capable of recording video in 720p, and there's no rear-facing shooter to speak of. While many users ignore their tablets' photo-taking abilities altogether, having two cameras on board is pretty standard nowadays. Still, it's important to keep in mind that this isn't exactly an unprecedented move on Lenovo's part: the $350 Acer Iconia Tab A200 doesn't have a rear camera either. When we called a friend over Skype, she said we looked pixelated, and both video and sound dropped off a few times. Another quibble: the camera's placement, on the left side of the tablet, is quite awkward. During calls we often obscured the lens by accident, since it feels natural to hold the tablet in that spot where the camera is located. The competitionWhat other products come to mind when you think about 9.7-inch tablets? Not too many, we realized. The form factor surely isn't as prevalent as the standard 7 or 10.1 inches. Of course, the iPad has a 9.7-inch display, and Cupertino's lawyers might as well have copyrighted that shape given how few devices share its dimensions. (There was also the HP TouchPad, but now we're just reminiscing.) Spec-wise, one of the IdeaTab S2109's closest competitors is the iPad -- specifically, the discounted iPad 2. It, too, sports a 9.7-inch, 1,024 x 768 display and runs a dual-core processor, and it starts at $399 for the 16GB, WiFi-only version. You also get a rear-facing camera and nearly 10 and a half hours of battery life. But we suspect you're in it for the Android, so let's move on to some other options running ICS. If you're looking to stay south of $400 with your new tablet purchase, you'll be looking at far more dual-core contenders than Tegra 3 tablets, but there are a few notable exceptions. One is the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300, which, for $379, gives you NVIDIA's quad-core processor, 16GB of storage and a 1,280 x 800 display. At 1.39 pounds, the TF300 weighs a bit more than the S2109, and you'll have to shell out an extra $150 if you want the keyboard dock, but this is still a great mid-range bet. If screen size is negotiable for you, also consider the Nexus 7, Google's new Tegra 3 tablet with an approachable $200 price. It sports a 7-inch, 1,280 x 800 IPS panel and runs the latest version of Android, Jelly Bean. Provided you can part with $50 more, the 10-inch Acer Iconia Tab A510 is also a strong candidate. For $450 (for 32GB of internal storage), you get strong Tegra 3 performance, more than 10 hours of battery life and a lightly skinned build of Android 4.0. Wrap-up You could do a lot worse than the Lenovo IdeaTab S2109. For $350, you get a comfortable, lightweight design, an IPS display with good viewing angles and a clean build of ICS. Sure, you're sacrificing Tegra 3 power and a higher-res panel, but those specs usually entail a steeper price anyway. Still, while the IdeaTab is hardly a bad product, we found ourselves getting irked at the device a little too often. There's not one huge, glaring reason to stay away; no, it's the combination of a middling CPU, unimpressive battery life and design quirks such as an overzealous accelerometer and an awkwardly placed webcam. All that adds up to an experience that leaves us wanting more. And more you deserve, dear reader. Thankfully, with great slates such as the Transformer Pad TF300 and the Iconia Tab A510 priced just slightly higher (and the 16GB Nexus 7 at $100 less), you won't have to adjust your budget to get it. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google+ for iPad hits the App Store, invites you to Hangout with your Apple slate Posted: 10 Jul 2012 10:47 AM PDT As promised way back in late-June at I/O, Google+ now has has its very own fully iPad-supported app. Available now via iTunes, the app offers up some tablet-centric features, like the ability to drag posts from your stream for sharing, streaming Hangouts to a TV via AirPlay and expanding posts with a pinch to add comments. The updated Google+ iPhone app, meanwhile, lets users create and manage Google+ Events. The app can be downloaded now in the source link below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft details Windows 8 File History, takes us through a Time Machine Posted: 10 Jul 2012 10:29 AM PDT Microsoft is still determined to explore every nook and cranny of Windows 8 on its way to the newly official October launch, and now it's swinging its attention towards File History, its revamped approach to preserving our data. The new component supplements Windows Backup, which Microsoft admits is "not a very popular" app, and is more than a little transparent in bringing OS X's set-it-and-forget-it Time Machine strategy to the Windows crowd. Not that we're complaining: the same basic philosophy of getting an automatic, version-aware backup of all our personal files is convenient on any platform, especially when we can get a temporary internal safeguard while we're on vacation. The differences in platforms have equal rewards and drawbacks, however. File History provides more control over backups than its Apple counterpart, including frequency (finally!) and backup age, but it can't be used to backup whole apps like with a Time Machine drive. As always with these in-depth Windows 8 explorations, there's much more to see at the source, so click on through if you've ever been worried about deleting a file by accident. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Xperia miro and Xperia tipo hands-on (video) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 10:14 AM PDT Sony's smallest additions to its smartphone roster won't launch until late August, but that didn't stop us dabbling with both handsets at Carphone Warehouse's Christmas (already?) show in London earlier today. The point of interest here is Ice Cream Sandwich, which arrives ready-to-go on both devices. The Xperia tipo will be arriving in Europe in its single SIM guise, with the dual-slot brother launching in Asia. It feels unerringly light in the hands at 3.5 ounces, while the 3.2-inch 480 x 320 TFT screen and 800MHz processor just about suffices for web browsing. There's a 3.2-megapixel camera on show on the back, with room for microSD storage expansion. The Xperia miro expands the touchscreen to 3.5 inches, and whacks the camera up to five megapixels, although you won't find the same Exmor R sensor that impressed on preceding devices. There's a nice curvature below the Android capacitive button row, although the backing is unfortunately plain on both color options we saw. In sort, both devices aren't going to wow you with their technical prowess -- although they might with their prices. The Xperia tipo is set to arrive in August priced below £100 (less than $155), while the slightly larger Xperia miro will arrive around a month later, priced around £150 ($232). Head on past the break for a video of both handsets in action.
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| DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture Posted: 10 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT Where are the bad guys? The military has eyes and ears everywhere these days, including drones large and tiny, satellites, radar imaging, LIDAR, infrared, thermal and even the enemy's own cellphones. The problem is how to take all that imaging and create a single picture of the environment. To that end, DARPA and George Mason University in Arlington have created the first Innovation House Project, which will put eight teams together for eight weeks in a "crucible-style" living environment to try to invent new ways of crunching the diverse sensor info. The military's research arm wants those units to think way off-piste "without fear of failure" to dream up solutions, and will have access to specialists and mentors from the military and academia. Unlike DARPA's usual challenges which have a grand prize, all teams accepted to the project will receive $30,000 in funding, but groups who go on to survive a four week cut will get an additional $20K. Proposals will be accepted up to July 31 (with no academic credentials needed), and the competition will begin in earnest on September 17. DARPA will get a license of any software created, allowing teams to hold the rights -- and hopes to continue the concept down the road, with new themes for team-based research on a tight deadline. So, if you're a data, imaging or "geospatial" whiz -- and don't mind being locked in a house and put under the brainstorming gun by DARPA -- check the PR for all the details. This Fall, See Yourself as a DARPA Imagery Researcher Teams wanted for eight weeks of radical innovation in visual and geospatial data analysis There's a lot to be said for the road that is taken-it's safe, it's well lit, and you probably know where it leads. Rarely does an opportunity present itself to leave the road entirely and venture off in search of new vistas. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks trailblazers to explore the unknown in the areas of visual and geospatial data analysis. Researchers will participate in a short-fuse, crucible-style environment to invent new approaches to the identification of people, places, things and activities from still or moving defense and open-source imagery. "A lot can happen when you put seriously intelligent, seriously motivated people in a room with a mission and a deadline," said Michael Geertsen, DARPA program manager and the force behind the Innovation House Study. "We are inviting a new generation of innovators to try out ideas in an environment that encourages diverse solutions and far-out thinking. If this model proves to be as successful as we believe it could be, it represents a new means for participating in Government-sponsored research projects." DARPA's Innovation House Study, conducted with George Mason University in Arlington, Va., will provide a focused residential research environment for as many as eight teams. Interested team leaders are encouraged to submit proposals by July 31, 2012, detailing their plan to design, execute and demonstrate a radical, novel research approach to innovation in the area of extracting meaningful content from large volumes of varied visual and geospatial media. Selected teams will receive up to $50,000 in funding. The Innovation House concept revolves around a collaborative, rather than competitive, environment. The study will run for eight weeks over two four week sessions from Sept. 17, 2012 to Nov. 9, 2012. In Phase I, teams are expected to produce an initial design and demonstrate in software the crucial capabilities that validate their approach. In Phase II, teams are expected to complete and demonstrate a functional software configuration as a proof of concept. Teams demonstrating sufficient progress in Phase I will receive Phase II funding. DARPA will provide access to unclassified data sets and facilitate interaction with mentors from U.S. Government and academia. These interactions will provide teams with context for how their proposed technology could be applied in the realworld. Details on the proposal process and program can be found at: http://c4i.gmu.edu/InnovationHouse/.
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| Samsung Galaxy S III available on US Cellular's website tomorrow, in stores by end of week Posted: 10 Jul 2012 09:51 AM PDT The Samsung Galaxy S III is currently being enjoyed by customers on each of the four national networks in the United States, but what about the regionals? US Cellular, the first of the smaller folks to announce that it's carrying the flagship, confirmed to us today that the 16GB version of the device will be available online beginning tomorrow and should get stocked on retail shelves by the end of the week. The 32GB model is coming, but no exact dates have been announced yet. The price? $200 for 16GB and $250 for 32GB, both after $100 mail-in rebates. Rejoice, ye USCC users, for your turn to ravish in the glory of the GS III is finally here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steve Ballmer says Microsoft won't 'leave any space uncovered to Apple' Posted: 10 Jul 2012 09:39 AM PDT Steve Ballmer delivered a fair bit of news during his keynote at the company's Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto yesterday, but it looks like he saved some of his stronger words for an interview he gave to CRN following his talk. In it, he boldly said that "we are trying to make absolutely clear we are not going to leave any space uncovered to Apple," adding, "not the consumer cloud. Not hardware software innovation. We are not leaving any of that to Apple by itself. Not going to happen. Not on our watch." Asked if that included a change in its smartphone strategy, Ballmer said that "right now we are working real hard on the Surface. That's the focus. That's our core," although he did add a "look, we'll see what happens" before talking up its current partners. He also reaffirmed that Microsoft's retail stores and website will be the primary sources for Surface tablets initially, noting that the company's focus was on putting "one foot in front of the other" and getting it out the door, although he added that there's nothing stopping partners from ordering them from Microsoft.com and selling them. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dropbox Pro accounts get double the storage for the same price, 500GB option thrown in for kicks Posted: 10 Jul 2012 09:21 AM PDT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony VAIO T13 review: the company's first Ultrabook targets the back-to-school set Posted: 10 Jul 2012 09:00 AM PDT More InfoUntil recently, Sony's name has been conspicuously absent on the ever-growing list of Ultrabook makers. Sure, we've known about the VAIO T series since CES, when the company teased an unnamed notebook behind glass, but it didn't get its official reveal until May, when it hit the European market -- with last-generation Sandy Bridge processors. That's no way to make a splash when Ivy Bridge CPUs are now de rigueur for Ultrabooks and mainstream laptops alike. Luckily, Sony got things right on the US side, releasing the 13-inch VAIO T13 with Ivy Bridge processors in tow. Other than those new chips, the Ultrabook features identical specs to the European model, not to mention the same brushed silver aluminum design. And while the brand is in for a serious game of catchup as it enters an already-crowded market, its VAIO T is priced to compete at $770. Let's welcome Sony to the Ultrabook game by giving the T13 the full review treatment. Look and feel The VAIO T13's brushed-aluminum design, in an icy, elegant shade of silver, is attractive, especially for an Ultrabook with a budget price. It's not just the lid, accented by the VAIO logo in a light-reflecting silver, that had us wide-eyed: sweet touches like the reflective silver hinge make it clear that design was top of mind for Sony in crafting this machine. That's not to say the T13 takes the Ultrabook design cake. While a sleek aesthetic is appreciated, if not expected, so is an extra-slim profile. The laptop's boxy frame is a counterbalance to the premium feel: there's no tapered chassis or curved edges here, and the bezel is quite wide, too. At 0.71 inches thick, the laptop isn't chunky, per se, but it does look chubby next to the Acer Aspire S3 (0.5 inches thick, 3 pounds) and the HP Envy Spectre XT (0.57 to 0.69 inches thick, 3.07 pounds). It's not the thickest machine out there, to be sure -- the HP Folio 13 also measures 0.71 inches at its widest -- but at 3.45 pounds the T13 is one of the heaviest.
At least the T13's relatively thick chassis affords a generous selection of ports. An Ethernet jack, VGA port, HDMI out and a full-size SD card slot are on board, not to mention one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0 connection. There's also a security lock slot next to the card reader on the right side, along with the headphone output, and the power port sits on the left edge. Keyboard and trackpad Sony naturally had to cut corners to keep the price so low, with the keyboard being the most obvious example. The T13 sports a spacious, island-style layout -- almost too spacious, in fact. Even with pianist's hands, yours truly frequently mistyped or dropped letters due to the distance between keys. The keys are incredibly shallow as well, which might explain why they often failed to register our presses. Of course, many Ultrabooks suffer from shallow layouts. Even so, the thinnest machines are often the worst culprits, and the T13 is hardly the sveltest in its category. When we performed the Ten Thumbs Typing Test, we scored 20 words per minute less than usual, with a higher-than-normal error rate of five percent. While many Ultrabooks include keyboard backlighting, that feature is MIA on the T13, which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given its price tag. Still, there's no option to add it for an additional fee. The T13's Synaptics clickpad is plenty responsive, executing gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and swiping up and down seamlessly. The built-in buttons accurately recognize right and left clicks, and good palm rejection means you won't have to contend with a wayward cursor floating across the screen as you type. Our one complaint about the clickpad is its size: at 3.9 x 2.3 inches, it covers significantly less area than the touchpad on the Lenovo IdeaPad U310 (4.1 x 2.9 inches). A more spacious design would certainly be more comfortable. Display and soundWe weren't blown away by the T13's display, which features a standard 1,366 x 768 resolution and kicks back plenty of glare due to its glossy finish. When we watched a few trailers on YouTube, colors looked accurate but not as rich as they have on other laptops' panels. Viewing angles aren't great either: both vertically and horizontally, moving off-center will cause images to appear washed out. Audio quality on the T13 is similarly middling. Sony used Clear Phase technology for crisper sound and xLoud volume-boosting tech to enhance your listening experience with the built-in speakers. The good news is that sound is indeed quite loud; you should have no trouble filling a small- to medium-sized room. The downside is that you can expect plenty of tinniness. When we streamed music over Spotify, an unpleasant metallic buzz made it harder to enjoy our favorite tracks. Sadly, the speakers don't deliver much bass, either. Performance
The VAIO T13 is configurable with up to a Core i7 Ivy Bridge processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, but the model we tested ran a Core i5 CPU clocked at 1.7GHz with 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard drive combined with a 32GB SSD. In our usual benchmarks, the T13 performed similarly to the IdeaPad U310 and the HP Envy Sleekbook 6, and its average write speeds of 92.5 MB/s and reads of 131 MB/s are far from impressive. Still, in day-to-day use this machine is a capable performer. A 3DMark06 score of 3,847 doesn't suggest out-of-this-world graphics performance, but while we've seen systems with Intel HD Graphics 4000 score significantly higher, the T13's modest frame rates are what you'd expect -- and they're good enough for some casual gaming. While there's no discrete GPU on board to help shoulder the workload, the T13 managed a playable 30 frames per second in World of Warcraft with the resolution set at 1,366 x 768 (maxing out the graphics takes that down to 15 fps). In Batman: Arkham City, we got an average of 40 fps. Sony says the T13 wakes from sleep in "about two seconds," and while it took five in our tests, it has all the responsiveness you'd expect from an Ultrabook. Cold-booting into Windows 7 Home Premium takes 19 seconds, which is on par with other ultraportables. (By comparison, the Lenovo IdeaPad U300s, the HP Folio 13 and the new MacBook Air all take 18 seconds.) Battery life
When it comes to longevity, the T13 falls somewhere between outstanding and abysmal. Its runtime of five hours and 39 minutes puts it ahead of systems like the Samsung Series 5 and the ASUS Zenbook Prime UX21A, but the Samsung Series 9 and the MacBook Air outlast it by about an hour and a half. Software | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon Galaxy Nexus welcomed back into the AOSP fold, Sprint shunned by Google Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:45 AM PDT Slowly but surely Google is bringing CDMA devices back into the AOSP fold after giving them the boot in February over driver issues. The Nexus S 4G was welcomed back last week and now the Verizon Galaxy Nexus is joining it over at the Android open source site. Head on over to the developer portal and you'll find binaries for Android version 4.1.1. The LTE GNex isn't quite a full-fledged member of the family yet though, driver support is currently considered "experimental." So, don't be shocked if there's a bunch of bugs. Unfortunately, we have bad news for Sprint fans. Google apparently has no intention of adding the carrier's LTE Nexus to the list of supported developer devices. Jean-Baptiste Queru, lead of the AOSP, told the Android Building Google group that there were no plans to bring custom builds of the open source OS to the Toroplus. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple nabs patent for NFC-based travel check-in, doesn't quell NFC iPhone rumors just yet Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:28 AM PDT Apple has been chasing NFC patents for years, but it's just now been granted a US patent for its own approach to a transportation check-in -- one of the most common uses of the technology in the real world. The filing describes a theoretical iTravel app that would store reservation and ticket information for just about any vehicle and stop along the way: planes, trains and (rented) automobiles would just have the traveler tap an NFC-equipped device to hop onboard, and the hotel at the end of the line would also take credentials through a gentle bump. Besides the obvious paper-saving measures, iTravel could help skip key parts of the airport security line by providing passport information, a fingerprint or anything else screeners might want to see while we'd otherwise be juggling our suitcases. It all sounds ideal, but before you start booking that trip to the South Pacific with ambitions of testing an NFC-equipped 2012 iPhone, remember this: the patent was originally filed in 2008. We clearly haven't seen iTravel manifest itself as-is, and recent murmurs from the Wall Street Journal have suggested that Apple isn't enthusiastic about the whole NFC-in-commerce idea even today. Still, with Passbook waiting in the wings, the patent can't help but fuel speculation that Apple is getting more serious about an iPhone with near-field wireless in the future. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket gets updated to ICS Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:14 AM PDT The Galaxy Note isn't the only device on AT&T getting the precious upgrade to Android 4.0 today, as the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket is jumping on the bandwagon. Sadly, it's not an OTA update, which means you'll need to get into the Kies client on your computer to get your refresh on. If you've never done an update this way, head to the source link for plenty of details on how to propel your device to the next level. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heins: RIM focusing on a 'smaller number of devices' Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:12 AM PDT During today's shareholders meeting, RIM CEO Thorsten Heins threw out terms like "streamlining," noting his plans to help make the Canadian smartphone maker a "lean, mean hunting machine." The plan includes limited the company's production sites, decreasing the workforce (with earlier layoffs he referred to as "an incredibly difficult decision to make" during the meeting) and focusing on a smaller number of devices. BlackBerry 10 will launch with a touchscreen device aimed at addressing the needs of the North American market, to be followed shortly after by a full QWERTY device. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Motion Computing announces CL910 tablet for enterprise, promises Windows 8 upgrades Posted: 10 Jul 2012 08:00 AM PDT Microsoft's slick Surface slates might be the Windows tablet consumers have been waiting for, but business folks? Motion computing hopes to keep their attention, refreshing its enterprise slate with a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom N600 processor, a 128GB SSD and Bluetooth 4.0 support. The 10.1-inch slab, dubbed the CL910, retains the 15.5mm frame of its predecessor, as well as the old hardware's USB port, SD card slot and Gorilla Glass protected 1,366 x 768 panel. $1,260 buys a tablet loaded with Windows 7 Professional, but will be eligible for an upgrade when Redmond's Metro overhaul hits shelves. Hit the break for the official press release, or check out the slate for yourself at the source link below. Motion Introduces its Next Generation CL910 Tablet PC
Specifically Suited for Business Environments, the New CL910 Tablet PC Delivers Mobility, Durability and Connectivity to Mobile Professionals Across Vertical Markets AUSTIN, TX – July 10, 2012 – Motion Computing®, a leading global provider of tablet PCs and mobility solutions, today announced the availability of its latest ultra-mobile and durable tablet PC, the Motion® CL910. Motion's latest generation of the CL-Series line of tablet PCs delivers optimized mobility, durability and connectivity that mobile professionals require across key vertical markets. Running Microsoft® Windows® and powered by the Intel® Atom™ N2600 dual core processor, the CL910 Tablet PC is ideally suited for and seamlessly integrates with business environments. Tweet this: @MotionComputing introduces the CL910 #TabletPC now with @Intel Atom N2600 dual core processor http://bit.ly/i5SaXR #mobilecomputing Featuring Intel's new dual core processor, up to a 128GB solid state drive (SSD) and standard 2GB of RAM, the new CL910 Tablet PC offers improved performance while Bluetooth® 4.0 enhances peripheral device connectivity. In addition, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) offers secure information management and data protection. These enhancements help Motion continue to provide the security, manageability and compatibility users across target vertical markets, including healthcare, field service and retail, require for successful mobile deployments. The lightweight, thin design includes: · Up to seven hours of battery life* for extended productivity · Robust communications with optional Gobi™ connectivity with GPS, Wi-Fi® 802.11, Bluetooth® 4.0 and a wireless SIM · 10.1-inch display with capacitive two-finger touch and high-resolution digitizer pen input and Corning® Gorilla® Glass for enhanced durability · Front-facing camera (3.0MP) and rear-facing Web camera (1.3MP) to support documentation, video conferencing and collaboration · A full complement of ports, including USB, SD Card, audio and HD video to simplify the use of industry standard peripheral solutions · CL-Series SlateMate™ with Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) and Barcode Scanner (BCS), an integrated expansion solution for data acquisition and transaction processing · Durable design, built to MIL-STD-810G and IP-52 standards "Motion was recognized as a Microsoft 2012 Partner of the Year due to their focus and dedication to delivering solutions that directly address real world business challenges," said Jon Roskill, corporate vice president, Worldwide Partner Group, Microsoft Corp. "With the CL910, Motion continues to offer enhanced technologies that help Microsoft business users experience the performance and productivity offered by tablet PCs tailored to business users in markets that depend on high performance mobile workforces." Supported by Productivity-Enhancing Accessories and Peripherals Motion CL-Series Tablet PCs are available with a full complement of mobility solutions tailored to improve mobile workflows. The CL-Series Locking Mobile Dock by RAM Mounts improves productivity and enhances portability, while the CL-Series ReadyDock by Advanced Technical Solutions (ATS) offers a unique option for charging, syncing, and securing multiple tablet PCs. Additionally, the CL-Series VESA Mounting Plate enables the tablet to be attached to many VESA-compliant mounts, offering both convenience and flexibility across computing environments. "Motion's mission has always been to provide mobile workforces with the most comprehensive product line available, including rugged, purpose-built tablet PCs and productivity-enhancing accessories," said Mary Anne Gunn, director of corporate marketing at Motion. "With the latest enhancements to the CL910 Tablet PC, we are continuing to deliver on that promise with an array of solutions that are built to fit seamlessly into our target vertical environments." Pricing and Availability The CL910 Tablet PC is now available at a starting price of $1,259.99 USD. All Motion Tablet PCs are available through an international network of value-added resellers and distributors. For more information, please contact your local reseller or visit your local Motion website. The CL910 Tablet PC comes standard with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, and all CL910 Tablet PC customers will be eligible for a Windows 8 upgrade upon its release.
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| Thorsten Heins, Mike Lazaridis elected to RIM board during shareholders meeting Posted: 10 Jul 2012 07:47 AM PDT What's anticipated to be a testy shareholder meeting for Research in Motion kicked things off in a fairly status quo matter, with 10 directors being confirmed as part of the struggling smartphone maker's board. That list includes CEO Thorsten Heins and founder Mike Lazaridis. The elections, one attendee noted, were "not an overwhelming approval," with 14.8 percent and 19.1 percent of votes withheld for Heins and Lazaridis, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Xperia P blushes in metallic pink Posted: 10 Jul 2012 07:21 AM PDT If the black, grey and red hues of existing Xperia P models really weren't cutting it, Sony has just previewed a new color option -- pink. The device made a brief appearance at Sony's Weibo event, matching the metallic finish of our review model, but throwing in a little extra feminine charm. No news on release regions or dates, but given the Asia-centric reveal, we suspect it's unlikely to be gearing up for a world tour. [Thanks Kihoon] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nintendo 3DS XL review: bigger is better, but it's still not quite enough Posted: 10 Jul 2012 07:00 AM PDT More InfoIf you like your portable gaming three-dimensional, clam-shelled and big, then Nintendo's 3DS XL fulfills those broad, unconventional requirements. It's a design refresh that more closely references both previous generations of DS hardware (and the incoming Wii U) -- all while touting a substantially bigger, 3D-capable, parallax-barrier screen. Aside from a larger battery, the XL's internals rehash what we first saw over a year ago: the controls remain the same, with no addition of a (mildly) hardcore gamer-courting second analog stick. For what it's worth, the device does arrive with a 4GB SD card in-box (up from 2GB in the original), matching the approximate doubling in physical dimensions. 18 months is a long time in gaming, especially these days, and although 3DS sales have recently rallied against Sony's latest, we reckon the 3DS XL has double the appeal of its forebear. We'll explain why right after the break. Hardware
It's a huge relief to see Nintendo return to the cleaner, tidier lines of the DS Lite and DSi. Gone are the awkward tri-colored gloss and the angular, bizarre shape of the 3DS. Instead, it's now a simple, softly curved oblong, which looks more mature and considered. Closed, the 3DS XL's matte finish wraps around both halves -- and unintentionally reminds us of Sony's Tablet P. Fortunately, the casing is far more solid than that Android tablet, and feels much slimmer. In fact the device's thickness feels (and measures) roughly equal to the 3DS, despite the explosion in screen size, improved battery life and a 46 percent weight increase to 336g (11.85 ounces). While gamers with smaller paws may not agree, the 3DS XL feels more at home in-hand than the 3DS -- not to mention, it looks a good deal classier than what came before. Thanks to those rounded corners, the device doesn't dig into your palms like its slightly squarish predecessor. The circle pad is still supremely comfortable, just the right side of tactile, while the faithful Nintendo button medley and D-pad still do the trick.
Even more than what's changed, it's what's still missing that baffles us. Given that the 3DS has been furnished with a secondary analog stick through a slightly unwieldy peripheral, we don't understand why they couldn't have embedded one into the 3DS XL -- certainly, it's not for lack of space. Our review sample arrived with Resident Evil: Revelations in the slot -- a game that's not very forgiving without that second stick. It's also worth adding that while the plastic stylus on the bigger hardware remains functional enough, we miss the classy, extendable chrome pen that arrived in the original 3DS. The collar buttons are just as responsive as Nintendo's preceding handhelds. And if you weren't a fan of the cheap-looking button trio underneath the secondary screen, you'll be glad to hear that the odd bar has been replaced by three more standard-looking -- and feeling -- buttons. The SD slot has been repositioned to the right edge, meaning that Nintendo's sticking with standard removable storage. There's also now a horizontal cubby for the aforementioned stylus, referencing the DS Lite and DSi of gaming past. Displays Bigger is better. Maybe it's our review-jaded eyes, but the larger, 4.8-inch screen (just shy of the width of the PlayStation Vita, although slightly taller) seems to make the 3D effect less taxing, not to mention more immersive. The similarly expanded secondary screen also offers more real estate for touch-heavy titles. The pair of screens, however, still looks a little incongruous, each boasting different sizes and dimensions. While matching the humble resolutions found on the original, we found the screens both had comparable (if average) viewing angles. The main screen may be 1.8 times larger, but it packs the same 800 x 240 resolution of last year's model -- now spread a little thinner, with the more typical 'flat' 320 × 240 display also unchanged on the secondary.
Purely number-wise, it doesn't sound impressive to anyone spoiled by Retina displays and the like. The screens on the original weren't the sharpest back then, but the jagged edges on fonts and detail is noticeably more pronounced on the bigger model. It goes without saying that the Vita's screen is a stronger performer, both visually and technically (being capacitive and all). We presume this is why Nintendo imposed filming and photography restrictions on its reviews for the 3DS XL, even though pixel math dictates that the bigger screen won't look so hot close-up. Even if the 3DS XL doesn't win on crispness, however, Sony's onyx wonder can't -- and never will -- output 3D content. Software So apart from size, the hardware hasn't changed that much. The same can be said for the software, but it's a good chance to see how Nintendo's embraced online content and gaming in the midst of strong smartphone contenders. Since launching last March, Nintendo's baked-in software, including eShop, Spot Pass, Mii Plaza and online functions, have had time to grow and it's particularly noticeable when it comes time to interact with other users. During the first few months of use, you weren't going to pick up many Mii visitors -- not unless you were hanging around gaming writers, tech bloggers and importers, anyway. Now, whether we flit across the country by train or park somewhere in center city, we pick up new Miis -- and accessories -- in the process. Admittedly, the games that tie into this social component really aren't worth your time, but the simple process of connecting with other users -- and being notified of it -- still makes us smile. The uncomplicated approach makes online gaming a cinch. With access to WiFi, we could connect in-game with a single option selection and would soon be battling strangers with far greater skills than we could ever muster. The friend PIN system also allows you to connect with real-life competitors. The augmented reality games are still baked into Nintendo's newest portable, although they haven't moved on in any way. If you've played with them on the original, you're getting the same deal again here. The Nintendo eShop has expanded its offerings since we last opened our online wallets for the 3DS launch, with its wares separated out for ease of navigation. "In Stores" houses demos of incoming 3DS titles, and is presumably where the full-length games will be housed in the near future. Next is the Virtual Console, wrapping up NES, GameBoy, GameBoy Color and (gasp) Game Gear titles for anyone over 20 to replay again. It's joined by software and mini-game channels and a recommended videos collection. Unfortunately, the likes of Netflix and Hulu weren't available on our review model here in the UK and overall it's still not as good as it could be. While it does give taste of how content will be sold through Nintendo in the future, we'd like those to be available now, not in another two months. Battery life Nintendo reckons you'll see around three to six and a half hours of gameplay from 3DS titles, and between five and eight for simpler DS games. In our experience, we managed an average of four hours of playtime in full-fat gamer mode, with the 3D switch and brightness cranked up to maximum, WiFi connected and around two hours of online play folded into our test. As even Nintendo forewarns on the console, how the 3DS XL is used has a huge impact on total runtime. Switch off the 3D mode, dabble with older DS titles and retro hits, and you'll see a substantial improvement in battery life. We did just that, also switching on battery saver mode and dropping brightness down to the middle setting, and got closer to nine hours of playtime -- it's a substantial improvement but obviously means limiting your gamer habits to some extent. Transitioning Nintendo's explanation for the lack of an AC adapter in both European and (some) Asian countries is that most buyers will be coming from older hardware -- naturally. Thus, buried in the settings menu, is the option to transfer your content -- like your digital purchases -- across from original 3DS consoles and the DSi. You'll need both devices and an SD card to get it done, and it feels like an exercise in frustration compared to the effortless systems in place for other gaming challengers like Google Play, which allows you to house your purchases on multiple devices without so much hassle. Wrap-up After playing with the 3DS XL, we returned to the original only to find it difficult and awkward to use in comparison. The new size is an improvement in so many ways, including ergonomics and playability. The bigger screen makes 3D gaming less tiring, and offers a larger sweet spot for Nintendo's all-important gaming effect, while the curved edges simply fit your hands better. Competition remains tough, however. The Vita remains clearly ahead technically, while Nintendo banks on its strong in-house software team to bring in the customers. Pitch Resident Evil: Revelations against Uncharted, or Super Street Fighter IV 3D against Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and it's clear to see on those big ole' portable screens which has the most potent hardware. But if you've been waiting out for a 3DS Lite before taking the plunge into 3D waters, then we can't help but recommend Nintendo's latest. We just hope the company can give its online content offering a shot in the arm soon, as it's really starting to age the hardware. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T Atrix HD priced at $99: coming July 15 (video) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:57 AM PDT While we've already stared down the specifications, AT&T's announced that it will bring Motorola's big and skinny slab to the US later this month, while Bell will do the honors in Canada "this summer." Priced at $99, the Atrix HD will tie together LTE connectivity with a 4.5-inch 720p display, available in both Modern White and Titanium colors. Better still, it's all arriving later this week, on July 15. If you're thinking about becoming an early adopter then you'll want to move quickly, as a free Vehicle Dock will ship with each one for a "limited time", designed to work perfectly with the included Smart Actions. Finally, this is the first phone to feature Motorola's "circle widget" on the home screen, designed to take owners directly to their AT&T account info, displaying data usage, battery status and more. Check after the break for a quick video walkthrough from AT&T plus a press release with all of the specs and details.
Jul 10, 2012 09:56 ET Runs Android 4.0, Created by Motorola and Available Exclusively from AT&T for $99.99 Beginning July 15 in Modern White and Titanium DALLAS, July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning July 15, the Motorola ATRIX™ HD arrives in all AT&T* channels for $99.99** with a two-year agreement. The newest addition to the popular Motorola ATRIX family, this smartphone is remarkably thin at 8.4 millimeters but doesn't compromise strength since it is made KEVLAR® strong for incredible stability in any situation. The Motorola ATRIX HD also has a high-tech, invisible nano-coating that acts as a splash guard – not only on the outer shell, but on the electrical circuit boards inside, too. To see more of the ATRIX HD's features in action, check out this video. Motorola ATRIX HD comes pre-loaded with SMARTACTIONS™, a free app from Motorola that suggests ways to automatically change your phone's settings throughout the day to make your life easier. For instance, when you place the Motorola ATRIX HD in the Vehicle Navigation Dock accessory and enable Drive Smart, it will set your phone to vehicle mode, read your text messages aloud, auto-reply to incoming calls and texts as well as provide turn-by-turn navigation. You can also set rules for when your battery gets low by enacting the Battery Extender, which can help your battery last longer by turning off GPS, disabling background sync or other features you select. To raise awareness of responsible driving, for a limited time, customers who purchase a Motorola ATRIX HD at participating locations will receive a Vehicle Dock at no additional charge. The vibrant 4.5-inch HD ColorBoost™ display is the highest resolution smartphone display on the market supporting a wide range of more vibrant colors for greater detail and sharper, clearer images. The ATRIX HD also features an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p HD video recording capabilities at 30 frames per second and zero shutter lag. It also has a front-facing 720p HD camera. "Our customers look to their smartphones to provide new, compelling experiences and the Motorola ATRIX HD does just that," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices, AT&T Mobility. "With features that automatically customize over time to be contextually aware of the user's daily routine and preferences, ATRIX HD is a great example of smartphones getting smarter." "Motorola ATRIX HD was designed for people who get excited about new technology, but want it to make their life easier, feed their need for entertainment and make a statement," said Mark Shockley, senior vice president, Go-to-Market, Motorola Mobility. "This next evolution of the ATRIX family delivers a slimmer, stronger, smarter, Android-powered device at a great price." Running on Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, the ATRIX HD is the first phone equipped with Motorola's Circle Widget on the home screen, which connects directly with your AT&T account and displays data usage since your last bill***. Plus, it gives you "at-a-glance" access to the time, notifications, weather and battery meter. You can also access more than 600,000 apps and games on Google Play™, as well as millions of books and songs and thousands of movies and TV shows. And to help in your work life, the Motorola ATRIX HD is ideal for business use and comes with advanced security features including password protection and inactivity timeouts, VPN, government-grade data encryption on both the device and SD card, and the ability to wipe the phone and SD card in the event your phone is lost or stolen. With apps like Quickoffice, customers are able to create and edit documents and stay connected to their work on-the-go. AT&T customers have access to the nation's largest 4G network, covering more than 260 million people. AT&T has two 4G networks that work together for customers, LTE and HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. That means AT&T customers are able to enjoy a widespread, ultra-fast and consistent 4G experience on their compatible device as they move in and out of LTE areas. With other carriers, when you travel outside of their LTE coverage area, you're on a much slower 3G network. For more information, customers can visit http://www.att.com/motorolaatrixhd. *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network. Limited-time offer. Motorola ATRIX HD requires a new 2-yr wireless agreement with voice (min $39.99/mo) and min monthly data plan ($20/mo). Subject to Wireless Customer Agrmt. Credit approval req'd. Activ fee $36/line. Geographic, usage and other terms, conditions and restrictions apply, and may result in svc termination. Coverage and svcs not avail everywhere. Taxes and other charges apply. Data (att.com/dataplans): If usage exceeds your monthly data allowance, you will automatically be charged overage for additional data provided. Early Termination Fee (att.com/equipmentETF): After 30 days, ETF up to $325. Restocking fee up to $35. Other Monthly Charges/line may include a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, federal and state universal svc charges, fees and charges for other gov't assessments. These are not taxes or gov't req'd charges. Visit a store or att.com/wireless to learn more about wireless devices and services from AT&T. Downloadable content may be subject to additional charges. About AT&T Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. © 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. About Motorola Mobility Certain features, services and applications are network dependent and may not be available in all areas; additional terms, conditions and/or charges may apply. Contact your service provider for details. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. AT&T Mobile Hotspot requires qualified rate plan. MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC. Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 Motorola Mobility, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE AT&T Inc. Slimmer. Stronger. Smarter: Motorola Mobility Canada and Bell announce MOTOROLA ATRIX™ HD LTE The Ultimate Fusion of Beauty and Brains, in HD July 10, 2012 TORONTO - July 10, 2012 – You've got style and smarts, and expect nothing less from your smartphone. Motorola Mobility Canada Ltd. and Bell today announce the MOTOROLA ATRIX™ HD LTE superphone. Available exclusively to Bell Mobility customers this summer, the exciting Motorola ATRIX HD LTE has head-turning looks and the brains to get you through your busy day. You expect brilliance and ATRIX HD LTE brings it. The 4.5-inch ColourBoost™ display is the highest resolution smartphone display on the market supporting a wide range of more vibrant colours. More pixels mean greater detail and crisper, clearer images that look true to life – whether you're viewing exclusive Bell Mobile TV content or movies downloaded from Google Play™. And because you need enough power to fuel everything you demand of your smartphone, ATRIX HD LTE is powered by a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor compatible with Bell's world-leading 4G LTE network. Remarkably thin while not sacrificing strength, ATRIX HD LTE takes innovation one step further. Its svelte 8.4mm frame is made strong with DuPont™ Kevlar® fiber, a scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass display and a high-tech, invisible nano-coating that acts as a splash guard and shields against the unexpected splash. Strong and smart, ATRIX HD LTE has SMARTACTIONSTM, a fully integrated, free application that intelligently automates everyday tasks and suggests ways to personalize your smartphone. Based on selections you make, SMARTACTIONS optimizes your phone's performance by silencing the device during meetings (but lets VIP calls through), extending battery life when it is low, announcing incoming texts and calls as well as auto-replying when you are driving so you can focus on the road. That's smart. Very smart. "Motorola ATRIX HD LTE offers a smarter smartphone experience," says David Petrou, sales director, Motorola Mobility Canada. "It delivers shortcuts and convenience with SMARTACTIONS – even extending your battery life so you're never out of power when it matters most." If that isn't enough to convince you, Motorola ATRIX HD LTE has more than a few other features to boast about: Latest version of Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich Motorola ATRIX HD LTE will be available exclusively to Bell Mobility customers this summer. For more information, please visit motorola.ca/ATRIXHD or Bell.ca/MotoATRIXHDLTE. About Motorola Mobility | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kinect PlayFit launches for Xbox Live, tracks all of the calories you burn playing 'Star Wars' Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:34 AM PDT Get fit playing "Star Wars?" That's the dream, isn't it? Microsoft is looking to make that dream a reality with its Kinect PlayFit, a new fitness dashboard for the Xbox Live that helps users track burned calories across Kinect titles like "Dance Central 2," "Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012" and, yes, "Kinect Star Wars." The dashboard features "social motivation," including rankings, leaderboards and community integration. PlayFit is launching today as a free download for all US-based Xbox Live members. It'll be hitting areas outside the US later this week, so everyone can break a sweat in a galaxy far, far away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:18 AM PDT Depending on your location (or carrier of choice) Samsung's Galaxy S III is now ready to take your money. If your assets aren't liquid enough to afford Samsung's flagship on contract, you might be at least tempted by the fakery of the HDC Galaxy S3. The familiar-looking slab packs a 4.7-inch TFT screen, alongside a humble 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and a 5-megapixel camera. According to GizmoChina, the phone will set shady cash registers ringing at around $200 -- a snip compared to the off-contract price of the official iteration. Take a tour of the hardware (and some Nature UX-baiting software) in the quick hands-on after the break. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cablevision Optimum apps for iPad, iPhone upgraded with new UI, ratings and discovery features Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:06 AM PDT Cablevision unveiled its Optimum for iPad app with live TV streaming in the spring of 2011, then upgraded it to 2.0 with remote control and DVR scheduling plus an iPhone-compatible edition last fall, and now 3.0 has arrived on iOS with a whole new UI. The updated look makes the app more consistent with the web-based Optimum experience for PCs that launched in April, making it easier to find shows and view the guide well into the future as well as up to two hours into the past. Key to the upgraded discovery experience is the ability to rate TV shows which it uses to make recommendations on other content. The DVR section has even been revamped,making it easier to see what's been recorded and programs that are scheduled, as well as remaining storage space. The full changelog is available on iTunes, subscribers can grab the free apps for their respective devices at the links below. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon expands its PIXMA line with MG2220, MG3220 and MG4220 all-in-ones Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:00 AM PDT In plenty of time for back to school shopping, Canon has added three new offerings to the PIXMA family. The company just uncovered the MG2220, MG3220 and MG4220 all-in-one printers. The trio boasts 4,800 x 2,400 dpi max resolution, FastFront for easy changing of both ink and paper via the face of the machine, borderless 4 x 6-inch prints in under a minute and handles up to 8.5 x 11 sizes. With the MG2220, you can expect the advertised copy, print and scan functionality, while the other models each sport wireless capabilities. The aforementioned perk includes AirPrint, Google Cloud Print and Canon's own Easy PhotoPrint mobile app. If that wasn't enough, two new bits of software will be available with My Image Garden and you'll gain access to Facebook galleries with Print Your Days. The pricier pair also touts Auto Duplex printing to keep costs down and the MG4220 tacks on a 2.5-inch LCD for convenient adjustments for its higher price tag. The outfit didn't offer any details on when these peripherals will hit shelves, but when the time arrives, you can expect prices of $69.99 for the MG2220, $79.99 for the MG3220 and $129.99 for the all-inclusive MG4220. Further details lie in the full PR and a look at all three models can be found in the gallery that follows. NEW CANON PIXMA PHOTO ALL-IN-ONE PRINTERS PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY RESULTS AND IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE Features Include Wireless Connectivity, "My Image Garden" Software and "Print Your Days" Facebook Application To Help Consumers Organize and Create Photo Projects LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 10, 2012–Canon U.S.A., Inc, a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced three Photo All-In-One (AIO) printers – the PIXMA MG4220 Wireless*, PIXMA MG3220 Wireless and PIXMA MG2220 – with new and exciting features that will continue to produce the quality results consumers have come to expect from the award-winning lineup of PIXMA AIO printers. A new feature for these affordable print, copy and scan printers is My Image Garden software combining various tools to help consumers organize memorable photos and create new photo projects by unlocking images stored on computers. There is also a new Facebook application, Print Your Days, allowing users to easily access and customize their photos stored on the social networking site. "Developing high-quality, yet affordable printers that produce excellent output is always a top priority for Canon," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "We are excited about the addition of these PIXMA Photo AIO printers, especially with features we feel consumers will enjoy." Wireless World Unlock Your Photos A noteworthy feature of the software is an Automatic Layout function, where multiple images can be selected and based on the priority given to each image, the appropriate layout is selected to create a beautiful keepsake image. There is also an Automatic Suggestion feature where photos stored on a computer are automatically created into various appealing collages and calendars to appear in a desktop slideshow to help bring awareness to those images that may have been forgotten and should be printed. An additional feature of the software is My Art for customizing photos through various templates including collages, greeting cards, calendars, stickers, disc labels and paper crafts. "My Image Garden" also features Full HD Movie Print5 to produce clear images of frames from videos captured on compatible HD Canon EOS and PowerShot Digital Cameras and VIXIA Camcorders, in addition to Fun Filter Effects such as Fish-Eye, Miniature and Toy Camera for further image customization. With social media sites increasingly becoming the gatekeepers for images from special occasions and events, Canon developed the "Print Your Days" Facebook application where users can print one single photo or combine a maximum of five images into one collage from their Facebook photo albums. Designed with a simple and intuitive layout, users can select the paper size (A4, 8.5 x 11, 4 x 6, 5x7 or 8 x 10-inches), design the layout of images for the collage, add text boxes and utilize photo effects. Additional Features The estimated selling price of each printer is $129.998 for the PIXMA MG4220 Wireless Photo AIO printer, $79.998 for the PIXMA MG3220 Wireless Photo AIO printer and $69.998 for the PIXMA MG2220 Photo AIO printer. CANON U.S.A. ANNOUNCES NEW PIXMA PRINTER SUPPORTS AIRPRINT FOR WIRELESS PRINTING FROM iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March 6, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced that the PIXMA MG4220 and MG3220 Wireless Office All-In-One inkjet printers will support Apple AirPrint1 wireless2 printing from iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. AirPrint allows users to wirelessly print photos, email, web pages and documents without installing device drivers. AirPrint works with iPad, iPad 2, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPod touch (3rd generation and later) running using iOS 4.2 or later. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canon unveils the SELPHY CP900 compact photo printer, allows you to scrapbook from the backseat Posted: 10 Jul 2012 06:00 AM PDT If you literally can't wait until you get back home to print your Grand Canyon photos, you're now in luck. Canon has announced the SELPHY CP900 compact printer that makes on-the-go postcard making a bit easier. Making use of the peripheral's added WiFi capabilities, you'll be able to output those images from you hiking expedition from a memory card or with the help of the Easy PhotoPrint app for Android and iOS devices. Of course, you'll be limited to 4 x 6-inch snapshots, but the new accessory will take up less room in your backpack compared to the previous models. Can't find a power outlet? No worries. You can splurge for the optional battery / charger combo for printing mid-safari -- should you so choose. The device also sports a 2.7-inch LCD screen for final adjustments and a wait time of under a minute per copy. Details on a release date are scarce, but the mobile kit will be available in both black and white options for around $100 when it does arrive. For now, a few alternate angles await in the gallery below. PRINT MEMORABLE PHOTOS WIRELESSLY ON THE CANON SELPHY CP900 COMPACT PHOTO PRINTER LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 10, 2012 – Taking the convenience and versatility of the Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers capabilities one step further, Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the Wi-Fi enabled SELPHY CP900 model for quick printing of memorable moments from almost anywhere in superb quality. For those users of Canon's award-winning lineup of PowerShot Digital Cameras, the new printer is the perfect accessory for providing instant photos from a grandparent's milestone birthday or of a child at a swim meet. Consumers can browse and unlock images stored on any computer connected to the same wireless network and send them directly to the Canon SELPHY CP900 for immediate sharing thanks to its new Wi-Fi connectivity. Also, users with compatible Android and Apple smartphones and tablets can utilize the Canon Easy-PhotoPrint mobile app to print stored images wirelessly to the SELPHY printer. "The addition of Wi-Fi connectivity offers users the flexibility and convenience to print from a variety of situations without sacrificing the overall quality of the output," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. The Canon SELPHY CP900 Compact Photo Printer will help produce keepsake memories and make them more visually appealing with improved image optimization providing red-eye and brightness correction to match colors spot-on and adjust the sharpness and contrast of images. In addition,the printer has scene detection technology to analyze faces, distance and color delivering optimal image processing and stunning prints with vibrant color. A 16.5-percent decrease in size and 14-percent decrease in weight makes it easier to take the printer to a family member's destination wedding or on a road trip with friends. When power is not accessible, an optional battery and charger are available to ensure printing is not delayed. An added feature of the printer is a new 2.7-inch LCD screen with double the overall resolution of any other similar Canon Compact Photo Printer to date providing a clearer and more precise look when viewing images and menus on the screen. The Canon SELPHY CP900 Compact Photo Printer can produce a high-quality 4 x 6-inch image in approximately 47 seconds1, which are capable of lasting up to 1002 years while maintaining their superb image quality. Users can also print photos without connecting to a computer by printing directly from compatible memory cards or using the PictBridge connection. The estimated selling price of the SELPHY CP900 Compact Photo Printer is $99.99. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple launches new iPad in China on July 20th (update: here's why) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 05:47 AM PDT Apple is about to complete an important part of the puzzle for the new iPad's world rollout: it just confirmed that its Retina display-packing tablet will reach mainland China on July 20th. The company isn't specific about local pricing, but it's promising both WiFi and cellular versions at its own stores and through resellers. The company is keen to avoid some of the mobs and scalping it's seen in the past and will open reservations for pickup starting on July 19th -- although the company is unusually limiting the reservation window to just three hours each day, between 9AM and noon. No matter how it shakes out, the official Chinese expansion is likely to keep the number of slingshot-delivered imports to a minimum. Update: As some commenters have noted, the Chinese launch is helped mostly by the truce with Proview. The current iPad design has been certified since March; Apple isn't about to mention Proview by name in the release, but it likely wasn't keen on risking another store ban when it could just avoid the battle altogether. New iPad Arrives in China on Friday, July 20 CUPERTINO, Calif., Jul 10, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Apple(R) today announced the new iPad(R), the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive in China on Friday, July 20. The new iPad features a stunning new Retina(TM) display, Apple's new A5X chip with quad-core graphics and a 5 megapixel iSight(R) camera with advanced optics for capturing amazing photos and 1080p HD video. The new iPad still delivers the same all-day 10 hour battery life* while remaining amazingly thin and light. The new iPad Wi-Fi models will be available in black or white for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model and $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular models will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. In China the new iPad will be available through the Apple Online Store ( www.apple.com ), select Apple Authorized Resellers and by reservation from Apple retail stores. Reservation requests will be accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 19 for pick up the following day. Additionally, iPad 2 is available at a more affordable price starting at just $399 (US). *Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BlackBerry Curve 9310 makes a straight line to Verizon, July 12th Posted: 10 Jul 2012 05:45 AM PDT RIM's BlackBerry Curve 9310 hasn't exactly been shy. It's already made a cameo over at the FCC and got some Boost Mobile face time, and now the QWERTY keyboard-packing smartphone will be hitting Verizon, arriving on the carrier this week. The curvy package includes BlackBerry 7.1, a 3.2 megapixel camera, a microSD slot and a dedicated BBM key on that aforementioned physical keyboard. The business-friendly handset arrives on VZW July 12th for $50 (after a mail-in rebate for the same amount). More info can be found in the press release post-break.
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| Autodesk Scaleform lets you use Flash to build high-end portable device games for $299 (video) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 05:30 AM PDT Got some great smartphone game ideas and Flash talent, but no budget and little to no programming savvy? Autodesk's Scaleform for Mobile Platforms could let you launch those ideas from a catapult, cannon or any game weapon of your choice -- all you'll need is Adobe creation tools and $299. That's the price per platform (iOS, Android or Windows 8,) giving you tools to convert your Flash assets and animations into a full blown Unity game, as well as the engine necessary for the mobile OS. That would let your creation take full advantage of the latest smartphone graphics and multi-processing capabilities, giving users smoother play and sharper looking games -- according to the company. The software is heavily based on the console and PC versions of Scaleform, optimized for the small devices and costing thousands less. So, if you think you've got the mad Flash skillz to create the next Infinity Blade, check the PR and video after the break to see how to power up. Autodesk Announces Scaleform for Unity Engine and Mobile Game Development A Leading User Interface Solution Offers Standalone Mobile Platform and Unity Plug-in at Affordable Price SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 10, 2012 - Autodesk Inc., (NASDAQ: ADSK) has announced new versions of Autodesk Scaleform user interface (UI) middleware for mobile game development, offering an Adobe Flash-based gaming and application platform, as well as a new Unity game engine plug-in. Scaleform has helped game developers create immersive UI for at least 1,000 triple-A titles, such as "Gears of War," "Crysis 2" and "Deus Ex: Human Revolution." The new, affordable releases make this powerful technology accessible to developers creating iOS and Android platform games or apps with tighter production budgets. "These new versions of Scaleform were created to address growing interest from outside of the triple-A games market. Inspired by innovative use cases of the technology, we first expanded the middleware's mobile game toolsets and tutorials, and are now making Scaleform accessible to more developers," said Marc Petit, Autodesk senior vice president, Media & Entertainment. Developing Games and Apps with Autodesk Scaleform Middleware • Unity Game Engine: Scaleform middleware's new Unity plug-in provides an out-of-the-box integration that allows Unity developers to create triple-A quality game UI and menu screens using Flash. This integration is designed to work as a native plug-in to the Unity engine and requires no C++ programming. • Third-Party and Mobile Engine: The Scaleform software development kit (SDK) is supported by extensive documentation and can be easily integrated into a variety of third-party and proprietary mobile engines, to help developers create triple-A quality UI and menus more quickly. • Standalone Development Platform: Scaleform middleware's cross-platform, highly optimized Flash playback capabilities make it an ideal standalone solution for developing games and applications for iOS and Android devices. Additional product highlights are: rapid deployment of Flash content, ActionScript 3 and C++ programming for game logic, and a small memory footprint. Pricing & Availability About Autodesk *International pricing may vary.
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| DirecTV vs. Viacom squabble could see MTV, Comedy Central and 16 others go dark at midnight Posted: 10 Jul 2012 05:04 AM PDT The latest participants in the carriage dispute dance are DirecTV and Viacom, with the two companies attempting to reach a new agreement before their existing one expires tonight. If they don't, the network's 26 channels (MTV, BET, VH1, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon etc.) could be cut off at midnight. As usual, each has its own side of the argument with Viacom claiming DirecTV has been underpaying for years, while DirecTV accuses Viacom of seeking an increase that will add up to a billion dollars in a year and is responsible for pulling the channels while negotiations continue. We're not particularly sympathetic to the plight of either corporate behemoth (or optimistic that any savings will ever reach customer's pockets) but if you must support one over the other then there's plenty of propaganda to be found at the links below. This may not be as crucial as Dish Network's (potentially) Breaking Bad-interrupting tiff with AMC, but if we have to miss an episode of Workaholics or Awkward it's going to be bad for everyone. Update: We've revised the total channel count from 26 as Viacom stated to 18 -- as much as we like HD feeds, we don't usually count them twice. DIRECTV has absolutely no intention of removing your favorite Viacom networks like Nickelodeon, Comedy Central or MTV. But, unfortunately, Viacom executives sent a letter to us today, forcing us to take these channels down by midnight tomorrow if we don't come to an agreement. We asked Viacom to allow us to keep the channels up while we continue to negotiate but they refused. They are using this tactic to try and leverage over a 30% increase (that's an additional one billion dollars) from our customers. We're working diligently on a new agreement to keep making these channels available at a fair price to our customers. But in the meantime, ask Viacom to do the right thing and give DIRECTV the permission to keep these channels on while we continue to negotiate. We will also ask Viacom to keep making these networks available during any of our private business discussions. ____ As of midnight on Tuesday, July 10, DirecTV will drop 26 Viacom channels, including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, VH1, CMT, Spike TV, TV Land and more. Viacom is the most watched programmer on DirecTV. Nickelodeon is the most watched cable network on DirecTV. We regret that DirecTV refuses to consider a fair deal that recognizes the value of Viacom programming. We urge DirecTV customers to call 800-531-5000 or visit www.whendirectvdrops.com and demand that DirecTV put its customers first, and keep Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET and all of Viacom's channels. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ouya's Android-based, hackable game console now official: we chat with designer Yves Behar Posted: 10 Jul 2012 04:38 AM PDT A handful of details briefly slipped out about the project earlier, but now it's here: the Ouya, an attempt not just to delve into the cutthroat world of TV game consoles but to try and shift the goal posts. At its heart, the design sounds more like a smartphone than a gaming rig with a quad-core Tegra 3 and 8GB of storage running Android 4.0. The upscale, RF wireless gamepad's standout is a built-in trackpad for playing mobile games alongside the familiar sticks and buttons -- clever, though not entirely new. But with completely open hardware and software, an emphasis on free-to-play gaming and an all-important $99 price, the system is a gamble by a handful of game industry luminaries that at least a subset of players are frustrated with the status quo enough to want a real break. Read on for the full details, including a Kickstarter project as well as added details from our chat with Ouya (and Jambox) designer Yves Behar. The emphasis is on absolute openness, and that starts even with the hardware: a button on the console pops open the top and grants access to the insides. Ordinary screws keep the overall enclosure (and the controller) shut, and there's even documentation for the circuit boards. Ouya also wants the software to be truly open, as it's running Android 4.0 with an unlocked bootloader. Modifying the OS won't even void the warranty; if there's ever a version of CyanogenMod for the Ouya, it won't spoil your chances of getting a replacement unit. While the 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 onboard are primarily for Internet access and peripherals, an SD card slot and a USB 2.0 port are as much there to foster the community's development as to leave room for more storage and future peripherals. If you're an everyday gamer, the interface will be simple, if somewhat familiar. Think of it as a stripped-down version of the Xbox 360's fall 2011 Dashboard update. That might be a positive for some would-be owners: even as Microsoft's current front-end is seemingly bent on promoting everything but games, the Ouya's creators are shooting for a games-first philosophy. About the only extra so far is built-in Twitch.tv support for streaming tournaments and other game session videos, although the Android nature of the console should allow loading third-party apps downloaded outside of a missing-by-necessity Google Play. It gets more interesting with development and the game sales model. Every Ouya will come with the development kit and debug console, and the early interface goes so far as to show the number of people making games, not just those playing them. Unlike the stereotypical license-heavy console model, there's no up-front fees. Meanwhile, the company not only isn't requiring a minimum price for Ouya games, it's forbidding them -- every game has to start off with a free download. It's only when a developer introduces a paid strategy (in-app purchases, subscriptions and beyond) that Ouya steps in asking for a 30 percent cut of the proceeds. As core creator and former IGN veteran Julie Uhrman tells Engadget, the sense is that gamers feel "cheated" by $60 games which demand "bigger and bigger budgets" to support; a basic free-to-play requirement lowers the barrier almost completely. The operation certainly has an optimistic, let-a-thousand-flowers-bloom view of the gaming community, but it's at least going in with some experience under its belt. We've mentioned Yves Behar, whose design chops guide both the hardware and the software, but Ouya is also taking on Xbox co-creator Ed Fries as an advisor. Investors include the founders of Digg (Jay Adelson), Flixster (Joe Greenstein) and Jawbone (Hosain Rahman), while game developers like Minecraft maker Markus "Notch" Persson, former Interplay head (and now inXile founder) Brian Fargo, Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner and a slew of well-known indie mobile game developers have thrown their weight behind the concept. We had the chance to chat with Behar about the console before the big reveal, and we get the distinct impression that the Ouya is as much a sincere personal focus as an attempt to give that professional polish to what could have been a very frugal box. While he can see some tangential connections to Nintendo's GameCube in aiming for the "playfulness" of a very simple design, the real goal with Ouya is something that's very "openable" and embodies the philosophy towards the OS sitting inside. Behar also admits getting annoyed at the cheap-feeling, overly light gamepads of current consoles -- the Ouya controller is meant to behave "like a high-end knife," he says, with weight and responsiveness. The software? It's "humble," according to the designer, and lets the games take the center stage. Android doesn't have a great reputation in gaming, but that's not Behar's experience to date. It's "relatively liberating" for him with an open structure that makes it easier to implement top-level decisions regarding the interface. He can't vouch for the games themselves, which aren't in his wheelhouse.
Compared to the Jambox, the Ouya hasn't necessarily been any harder to develop, Behar argues. Even though he obviously didn't have to design an on-screen interface for Jawbone's Bluetooth speaker, the industry veteran sees certain "unique constraints" that were in the Jambox that aren't in the Ouya console, and vice versa. Imagine the finnicky design issues that inherently define a speaker like the Jambox, such as getting a chassis that carries the sound properly, where the Ouya is almost literally hands-off outside of the controller. Behar would "for sure" tackle the Ouya, or something like it, again. Game consoles are part of a space that "hasn't been disrupted in a long time," he informs us. The company's main challenge, apart from convincing gamers to drop (or more likely complement) their Playstations, Wiis and Xboxes, will be getting the console to the finish line. Uhrman and crew have skipped venture capital so far and are relying on private investments as well as a $950,000 Kickstarter project to get Ouya funded. Meeting that Kickstarter goal is vital to completing the system: if they don't reach the former, they quite possibly won't achieve the latter. But if Ouya gets the all-clear from early adopters and investors, there's a chance that the TV video game industry might see its first viable fourth platform in years, at an impulse-purchase $99 price and without the usual red tape that keeps indie game developers from finding their audience. That combination may well amount to an idea worth exploring. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| List of alleged Windows Phones reveals Nokia Dogphone, Fluid and P4301, working titles we hope Posted: 10 Jul 2012 04:26 AM PDT It looks like Nokia has been playing the blindfolded dictionary game again. Well, that's if the image we see above is correct. It's purportedly a table containing names of upcoming Windows Phone 8 devices, found by a curious wallpaper designer. The names listed for Nokia include "Fluid," "Dogphone," and the previously seen "Phi." One slightly less superlative name -- Nokia P4301 -- caught the attention of PhoneArena, who mused that P might be for PureView? An interesting, if not optimistic leap. There are two other items in the table that might pique interest: a Samsung SGH-1687 and a Juggernaught Alpha. There's little else to get excited about specification-wise, bar different versions of Windows Phone, however. That said, no one as yet has mentioned the elephant in the room -- what about that "Virtual" model in the works from Microsoft? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Garmin unveils Fenix, its first GPS watch for deep-pocketed outdoorsy types (hands-on) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 04:00 AM PDT There may be a few more years remaining before a forced retirement, but there's no question that dedicated automotive GPS units are on the way out. Integrated products, apps and the aviation sector will keep companies like Garmin afloat, but now's as good a time as any to focus on other markets -- and where better to slap that global positioning goodness than on our wrists. Watches seems to be a growing focus for the guidance giant, following last month's GPS-less Garmin Swim introduction. That device has a relatively narrow target (namely, swimmers willing to invest $150 in the sport), but the company is back with a more versatile wearable, complete with an altimeter, barometer, compass, an optional external ANT temperature sensor and Bluetooth connectivity. There's also a GPS receiver, which can be used not only to calibrate the time and sensors, but also to track a route, direct you towards waypoints and guide you back to your starting point with TracBack. The Fenix, as the full-featured watch is being called, is expected to retail for $400 when it hits stores at the end of August. Four bills hardly qualifies it for the luxury wristwatch category, but as digital wearables go, that's certainly approaching the top end. We had an opportunity to try out the device in an office setting (not exactly an ideal environment for a rugged GPS watch, but that's the best we could do in the middle of NYC), and the Fenix had quite a bit of heft to it -- it'll surely look out of place on smaller wrists, and probably won't score you any points among fashion-conscious friends. Inner geeks should be appeased, however -- the enclosure definitely seems an adequate size for housing all of those instruments. It also functions quite nicely as a watch -- in default mode, it displays the time and date in large characters on the backlit LCD, with a nifty ring around the digits to indicate seconds. The Garmin Fenix is on track for a late-August ship date, but you can scroll through the gallery below or dive into the PR after the break to get your fix in the meantime.
Garmin® fēnix™ Outdoor Watch Lets Adventurers Go Even Further Off-Trail OLATHE, Kan./July 10, 2012/Business Wire - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced fēnix, its first GPS wrist watch for outdoorsmen, such as mountaineers, hikers, cyclists, hunters and backpackers. fēnix provides comprehensive navigation and tracking functionalities as well as trip information to guide adventurers during their challenging activities off the beaten track. Its built-in sensors provide information on heading, elevation and weather changes. Utilizing Garmin's leading GPS technology, fēnix can guide adventurers off the trail and back to the safety of a vehicle, trailhead or campsite. Sporting a classic round watch design in a high-strength housing with a scratch-resisting display, it is built to endure the toughest outdoor conditions and also makes a stylish day-to-day timepiece. "fēnix packs Garmin's leading and trusted outdoor technology into a robust, wrist-worn GPS watch that outdoorsmen can rely on," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "Being able to go hands free while still having access to Garmin's precise and accurate information on weather, elevation and position provides adventurers the confidence and peace of mind to take their outdoor activities even further off-trail." Plan, Navigate and Track fēnix includes a comprehensive navigational toolset that allows users to plan trips and create routes, record waypoints, such as campsites or points of interest, and record GPS bread crumb trails on the move (tracklogs). Adventurers can navigate to coordinates, along a track or route, towards waypoints, geocaches or along any other selected bearing. A navigation arrow provides clear directional guidance and the TracBack® function can guide one back along a previously recorded tracklog. This provides adventurers peace of mind knowing they're never "lost" and can easily find their way back in case of an emergency or bad weather conditions. Also included is a worldwide basemap displaying cities nearby. Using the BaseCampTM desktop application, fēnix users will be able to easily plan trips and share their adventures with friends and family. fēnix is equipped with both ANT capabilities and Bluetooth® to wirelessly share tracks, waypoints, routes and geocaches with other compatible Garmin devices. A Basecamp mobile app allows users to transfer waypoints and tracklogs to view them on a more detailed map and larger screen of select smartphones. Altimeter, Barometer and Compass fēnix is equipped with ABC sensors (altimeter, barometer and compass) to provide explorers relevant real-time information. The built-in altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure and a 3-axis electronic compass keeps the user's bearing whether he's moving or not. Utilizing its GPS receiver, fēnix can auto-calibrate its ABC sensors and also auto sets the time based on location. For an extremely accurate temperature reading, fēnix can be paired with tempeTM, Garmin's new external temperature sensor. Similar to Garmin's running watches, fēnix provides real-time performance data, such as distance, pace time and calories, helping outdoorsmen keep track of their progress during and after their adventures. This is especially useful to keep track of fitness activities off the beaten track, such as adventure or trail running. fēnix is also compatible with Garmin's premium heart rate monitor for heart rate info and with a speed/cadence sensor for distance, speed and cadence while on a bike. The displayed data fields are fully customizable right from the watch. Built to Endure the Roughest Conditions fēnix is built to endure the toughest outdoor conditions, combining a high-strength housing to survive shocks with a mineral glass lens to resist scratching. It boasts a large LCD display with LED backlight and a robust polyurethane wristbands. Garmin's outdoor watch is waterproof to 50 meters and has a battery life of up to 50 hours in GPS mode (depends on settings) and up to 6 weeks in watch mode. Basic watch functions include alarms, tones, vibration alerts, timer, stopwatch and world clock with the ability to display several times zones at once. Garmin fēnix is expected to be available in fall 2012 and will have a suggested retail price of $399.99. tempe is an optional accessory and has a suggested retail price of $29.99. The polyurethane wristband will be available in olive or orange and an optional leather wristband can be added. fēnix is the latest solution from Garmin's growing outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users' outdoor experiences. Whether it's Golfing, Hiking, Hunting or Geocaching, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiast of all levels. For more information about Garmin's other outdoor products and services, go to http://www.garmin.com/us/products/onthetrail/, www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jolla startup receives MeeGo patents, nod of encouragement from Nokia (update: only partially true) Posted: 10 Jul 2012 03:58 AM PDT We already know that the MeeGo splinter group, Jolla, is following a slightly different path to what we've known and loved on the N9, but don't fear: there's every chance that the smartest features from the original OS will be retained, not least because Nokia has just given the startup a gift-wrapped bundle of patents. Jolla founder Jussi Hurmola mentioned the altruistic gesture in an interview with ItViikko, and although he didn't specify exactly which patents have been transferred, his warm words towards his former employer -- with whom he said he enjoyed a "good and open relationship" -- give us a strong hint as to their value. Update: We've seen comments on a number of forums saying that ItViiko's mention of the patents is unconfirmed speculation, so we're reaching out to Nokia for further clarification. Update: Apologies all. Turns out the source article wasn't quite accurate in its description of patents being given to departing employees. Nokia tells us it's supporting Jolla through an incubator program called Bridge, but it has not actually given over patents to any of the Bridge startups. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Austrian city builds public library with nothing but QR codes, NFC and stickers Posted: 10 Jul 2012 03:20 AM PDT Strangely, the Austrian city of Klagenfurt doesn't have a public library, even though it hosts the Festival of German-Language Literature. However, an initiative dubbed Project Ingeborg is turning the municipality into a book repository of sorts with 70 QR code and NFC chip-equipped stickers. Plastered throughout town, they direct users to web pages where they can download public domain works, largely from Project Gutenberg. Oftentimes, e-books will be located in relevant locations -- so you'll be sure to find Arthur Schnitzler's The Killer near the police station, for example. Come August, the team behind the effort will partner with local talent to distribute books, music and other digital content too. In an effort to build a stronger bond to the location, the organizers have prevented search engines from indexing the links, so you'll have to visit Klagenfurt to access the curated goods. If you'd like to turn your city into a library, the group hopes to release instructions for replicating their system soon. [Thanks, Michael] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 10 Jul 2012 02:35 AM PDT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parrot Minikit Neo helps you focus on driving, making off-handed Matrix references Posted: 10 Jul 2012 01:37 AM PDT Like talking on the phone while driving, but hate all of the crashing it sometimes entails? Parrot's bringing its Minikit Neo to the states later this year, bringing a free Android / iPhone app along for the ride that helps you locate your car, set parking meter fill-up reminders, schedule driving breaks and set auto-replies like, "I'm driving and will call you later," for those times when you're driving and will call people later. The sun-visor-clipping car accessory can connect two Bluetooth-enabled devices simultaneously and features a vibration sensor that'll turn it on and off as you enter and exit the vehicle. The Neo will arrive stateside in September for $100.
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| Posted: 10 Jul 2012 12:40 AM PDT We're wondering if Kouziro saw the ASUS Transformer AIO and developed a little Freudian envy. That would certainly help explain the company's FT103 tablet, which at 21.5 inches is one of the biggest devices running Android 4.0 without veering into full-size TV territory. If you're having sudden flashbacks to the Toshiba Excite 13 and dreading the thought of lugging around all 11 pounds of this slab, you'll breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Kouziro doesn't make any pretenses surrounding portability: there's no battery, and a kickstand keeps it upright on a desk rather than crushing your lap. The lackluster 1GHz TI OMAP 4428 processor and 8GB of storage certainly won't do much to draw attention, though. All the same, the HDMI input and 1080p screen resolution could make it a very clever secondary display for another device, and the extra-extra-extra-large size lets it stuff in two full USB ports and Ethernet along with the usual front camera and mobile expansion. The late July release in Japan and the ¥34,800 ($437) price aren't outlandish for what's in the box -- just brace yourself for psychoanalysis from friends and family after taking the FT103 home. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SiliconDust HDHomerun Prime CableCARD tuners hit Woot for $130 Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:59 PM PDT If you've been thinking about building an HTPC without spending a lot of money then first of all we have a post that can help you with that (and a comment section of folks saying they can do even better), and second, it might be time to grab one of SiliconDust's HDHomeRun Prime TV tuners. The three tuner CableCARD device can turn your computer into a cable box, and Woot is selling brand new units for just $130 (plus $5 shipping) in this morning's one day sale, a decent discount form the $180 - $200 prices we found elsewhere. Still not convinced this is for you? Check out our hands-on with the device or a quick video trailer embedded after the break. Oh, and if you need a new HDTV to plug it into, Woot's also running a sale on some LG LCDs with 3D and connected apps for $650 / $900 (47-inch / 55-inch). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T officially releases Watson speech API, gives devs a bit of babel fish for their apps Posted: 09 Jul 2012 11:26 PM PDT
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