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Engadget News |
- Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolution
- Qualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market itself
- News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video)
- BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits
- Avanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping from the Alps
- Samsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere
- Mojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft
- Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay!
- Judge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video)
- Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video)
- Moving trash can catches your waste, annoys Larry Bird (video)
- Visualized: Telescope aboard suborbital NASA rocket takes clearest ever images of sun (video)
- LG's 27-inch V720 all-in-one PCs pop up on Flickr, IPS and optional Ivy Bridge in tow
- Amazon plans for 'five or six' new tablets, will include 10-inch model, says Staples president
- Plex Android app updated with remote control from mobile devices, new transcoding
- Honda serves up first Fit EV to California couple, no gasoline aftertaste
- Next-generation Xiaomi Phone rumored to house quad-core processor, 720p display
- Yahoo shows off Beyond Gold Olympics app for its connected HDTVs
- Canon EOS M video shows off touchscreen UI, accessories, color variants (updated: link to sample images)
- Nintendo 3DS XL sports less reflective screen than its predecessor, improved parallax effect
- Marvel's Cinematic Universe Blu-ray set gets its own trailer (video)
- Kyocera Rise linked to Sprint and Virgin Mobile in leak, clue vanishes in a hot minute
- Financial Times: Nokia mulling revenue split with carriers for Windows Phone 8
- Canon unveils EOS M mirrorless: 18 MP APS-C, EF compatibility, $800 in October with 22mm lens
- Proview sued by its iPad court case law firm, owes at least 2.4 million dollars in legal fees
- How would you change the Mad Catz MLG Pro for PS3?
- Refresh Roundup: week of July 16th, 2012
- Galaxy S III sales breach 10 million, satisfy Samsung executives
- ASUS loads P8Z77V with USB attached SCSI, beats Windows 8 to the punch
- Switched On: An Office outside the Metro
- Insert Coin: Radian lets you use your camera, iPhone and Android device for time lapse projects (video)
- Engadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012
| Toshiba REGZA T-02D smartphone launches in Japan: 'New AMOLED Plus' display, old resolution Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:09 AM PDT Confusingly announced by Fujitsu, the Toshiba Regza T-02D will settle into a wall of similarly bright-colored, good-looking smartphones in NTT DoCoMo stores starting this week. The (Japan-only) phone's 4.3-inch OLED screen holds onto a middling qHD resolution, but Fujitsu says its "new AMOLED Plus technology" will apparently render in higher clarity than any of its preceding smartphone displays -- we'll wait to see it in action before coming to any conclusions. There's no word on who's behind the dual-core 1.5GHz processor, but Xi connectivity (how Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo brands its LTE provision) makes a Qualcomm chipset likely. Fujitsu is also pushing the phone's 'human-centric' Android skin, like what we saw on its own quad-core slab). This involves a collection of UI tweaks to the base Android 4.0 OS, including Intellicolor, where the phone will sense the color of ambient light and tweak the display accordingly. The phone's 13.1-megapixel camera reaches an impressively high ISO level of 25600, running on Sony's back-illuminated Exmor R sensor, while Fujitsu's also channeled the ghost of the original Motorola Atrix, resurrecting a fingerprint unlock sensor. Other features worth mentioning include high-definition NOTTV compatibility, plus certified water and dust resistance. As is expected from the world of Japanese smartphones, there's a selection of colors too -- the T-02D will be available in Pink, Black and Blue from launch. Japan residents wondering exactly which company made the phone can try to get their head around the full release below. July 23, 2012 Tokyo, July 23, 2012 - Fujitsu today announced that its new docomo NEXT series REGZA Phone T-02D smartphone will be available in Japan from NTT DOCOMO, Inc., beginning July 26, 2012. REGZA Phone T-02D is equipped with Mobile REGZA Engine 6.0-the latest version of Toshiba's high-definition imaging technology-and an OLED "NEW AMOLED Plus" display, enabling the most superb graphics in REGZA Phone history. In addition to supporting ultra-high-speed Xi communications and NOTTV(1) broadcasts for smartphones, the high-spec smartphone boasts a rich lineup of features including a 13.1 megapixel camera and a high-performance dual-core CPU, thereby enabling users to enjoy stunning visuals. In line with the advent of high-speed communications and multimedia broadcasts for smartphones, video content services have been improving on almost a daily basis, including such enhancements as support for high-resolution video. To make the most of these advances, REGZA Phone T-02D brings together Mobile REGZA Engine 6.0-the REGZA series' latest high-definition imaging technology-with an OLED "NEW AMOLED Plus" display. The result is a video entertainment-oriented smartphone that has been developed to allow users to enjoy video with unparalleled image quality. As the new smartphone is powered by ultra-high-speed Xi communications, users will find it convenient to download or stream high-resolution video, and support for NOTTV ensures a wide variety of video content to enjoy. T-02D works with REGZA Link Share, which can connect the device to a REGZA Blu-ray player to play recorded TV shows, making it possible for users to enjoy their favorite recorded content wherever, whenever. Moreover, in terms of usability this smartphone is in a class of its own thanks to a high-performance 1.5 Ghz dual core CPU and the latest version of the Human Centric Engine, offered by Fujitsu to make for easy operations through technology that adapts to users and usage environments. Furthermore, the smartphone features a host of standard and convenient features, all packed into a single handset, such as a smart fingerprint sensor, an 1,800mAh large-capacity battery, water- (IPX5/8) and dust-resistant (IPX5)(2) technology, ATOK, infrared communications, and Osaifu-Keitai®. REGZA Phone T-02D is available in three colors: Pink, Black, and Blue. docomo NEXT series REGZA Phone T-02D Larger View HUMAN CENTRIC ENGINE Product Features Mobile REGZA Engine 6.0, the latest in high-definition imaging technology 2. Support for NOTTV broadcasts for smartphones With the stunning graphics produced by Mobile REGZA Engine 6.0 combined with Dolby® Mobile v3 virtual 5.1-channel surround sound(8)-equivalent to that of a home theater-users can fully enjoy realistic and thrilling high-resolution NOTTV video. Transmitting the REGZA Phone's display to a big-screen TV(9) makes for an even more enjoyable experience. The smartphone features an OLED "NEW AMOLED Plus" display that renders video with remarkable clarity in a full spectrum of 16.77 million colors. A wide color gamut that can produce 110% NTSC(10) ensures vivid, lifelike pictures. In addition, the phone's super-durable Corning® Gorilla® Glass is tough enough to withstand drops and the rigors of daily life. With ultra-high-speed Xi communications and unparalleled processing power through a high-performance 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU, users can enjoy HD video and online games without a hitch. "On" when held 6. High-resolution 13.1-megapixel camera among the top of its class of smartphones T-02D's camera is equipped with an "Exmor R for mobile" back-illuminated CMOS sensor, along with the "Milbeaut Mobile" image processing engine that incorporates a wide range of photography capabilities, including high-sensitivity capturing and noise reduction. The combination of these features allows for stunning high-resolution photographs and videos. Highly responsive 7. Smart fingerprint sensor with on-off switch Rather than using a passcode or swipe pattern to unlock the phone's screen, the new handset's fingerprint sensor allows users to simply press and slide a finger across a switch to quickly unlock it. The screen can also be turned on and off using the switch, enabling one-touch operations. This includes sp mode mail, iConcier, Shabette Concier, dMenu, dMarket, docomo Palette UI, docomo Anshin Scan, Area Mail, FOMA® high-speed (max. downlink speed of 14 Mbps/uplink speed of 5.7Mbps) Size: Approx.130 × 64 × 9.9 mm (10.4 mm at thickest point) |
| Qualcomm axes its own Mirasol production, will only bring some devices to market itself Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:38 AM PDT Talk about flying under the radar. While everyone's focus on Qualcomm's results last week centered on the mobile chip business going gangbusters, the company quietly revealed during its fiscal results call that it's backing out of producing Mirasol displays itself. CEO Paul Jacobs instead wants the company licensing out the butterfly-inspired screens to interested companies and will limit its direct commercialization to "certain" devices. The company isn't explaining why beyond the plan more closely matching "addressable opportunities," although the absence of any widescale launches (and unconfirmed but repeated talk of low yields at The Digital Reader) suggests that factory output never quite reached critical mass. We're hoping that someone picks up the color e-reader torch before too long and delivers more than just the reference model derivatives we've seen to date. |
| News Corp launches Amplify educational unit, with help from AT&T (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:30 AM PDT In light of recent scandals, it's hard not to see this as a bit of image rehabilitation, but we'll do our best to take it at face value. News Corp is bringing its 18-month-old educational division to the fore by rebranding it Amplify and teaming up with AT&T to put tablets in the hands of students. The unit will focus on developing products and services tailored for classrooms, ranging from kindergarten through high school. And, at the center of that ecosystem, will be the Amplify Tablet (which, judging from the video below, appears to be a modified Galaxy Tab). Videos, encyclopedia entries, books and even remote tutoring apps will all be just a tap away. The tablets will get their first trial run in the US during the 2012-2013 school year. With the phone hacking scandal behind him, former New York City school chancellor Joel Klein (who headed up News Corp's internal investigation), is free to focus on getting Amplify rolling and into classrooms across the nation. Before you head off, make sure to watch the clip from AT&T after the break. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| BioSoles know you're you within three steps, deter shoe bandits Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:41 AM PDT It's no secret that everyone has a unique swagger -- so much so it can be used for identification. Many are working on this for biometric security, including a team at Carnegie Mellon University and Autonomous ID, who are collaborating on shoe insoles that monitor pressure and gait to confirm the identity of the wearer. So far, tests have shown a detection rate above 99 percent within just three steps, meaning they can alert you before that opportunist even makes it out of the locker room. It's thought the cloud-connected BioSoles could be implemented in security access, although we're not sure this offers advantages over similar, static technology also in development. We do, however, like the idea that subtle changes in your strut could be used to provide early indications of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes. It's likely that the insoles won't be available any time soon, so until then, keep an eagle eye on those expensive kicks. Press Release: Carnegie Mellon University's Biometrics Center Selected To House New Pedo-Biometrics Research and Identity Automation Lab CMU Lab To Test New Identity Automation Technology Using the Human Foot Contact: Chriss Swaney / 412-268-5776 / swaney@andrew.cmu.edu PITTSBURGH-Identity science takes a giant leap forward with a new discipline in biometrics. Carnegie Mellon University researchers at the new $1.5 million per year Pedo-Biometrics Research and Identity Automation Lab are teaming up with Autonomous ID, an Ottawa, Canada, company currently relocating operations to the U.S., to test insole sensory system prototypes for a variety of identification uses, from security to detecting the onset of such diseases as diabetes and Parkinson's. The CMU Pedo-Biometrics Lab, headed by Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Marios Savvides, will provide the roadmap for scientific analysis and algorithm research and development for the new pedo-biometrics discipline, which uses a specially designed insole to monitor foot movement. Vladimir Polotski, the chief science and technology officer of Autonomous ID, will work with CMU's Savvides and Vijayakumar Bhagavatula to provide researchers with the instructional technology intrinsic to the emerging science of pedo-biometrics. "This new collaboration is a wonderful way to showcase our ongoing work in the emerging field of biometrics and our growing commitment to integrate innovative lab work with the needs of industry. It also offers wonderful opportunities for fundamental research in pedo-biometrics with potential applications in medical diagnosis, forensic science, privacy, security and automation," said Bhagavatula, a professor of electrical and computer engineering (ECE). "The establishment of the Pedo-Biometrics Lab at CMU recognizes our technological achievements and we look forward to exploring the new frontier at the university," Polotski said. Todd Gray, chairman and president of Autonomous ID, said this new CMU lab gives his company the needed research and development boost to field trial the primary identity apparatus dubbed BioSole and its cloud connected automation suite governing the access and use of controlled resources. "The continuing threats to military personnel and critical infrastructure and the growing national cyber security vulnerabilities demand a new breed of credentialing technology, and what our group has achieved certainly puts a whole new spin on things," Gray said. Savvides reports that the new lab will be housed at CMU and will complement his work of using the iris of the human eye as a fingerprint to trap cybercriminals. "As a researcher and a professor, this new frontier is exciting. There is really no limit to what can be done with this new identity technology; I look forward to beginning." |
| Avanti launches prepaid, Ka-band satellite internet access, wants us Yelping from the Alps Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:14 AM PDT Avanti has been beaming satellite broadband to Europe for awhile, but it's been tied to a subscription through carrier deals. That's a tough sell to customers who, by definition, don't want to be tied to anything -- which is why the company just launched prepaid satellite internet access for the continent. Although the Ka-band service's 4Mbps downstream and 1Mbps upstream speeds won't have anyone dropping their 330Mbps fiber anytime soon, the pay-as-you-go strategy will let travelers and rural dwellers get broadband in a pinch, no matter how spotty terrestrial access might get. Imagine Skype calls during Swiss ski vacations and you've got the gist of it. Carriers will resell the data in healthy doses of 1GB or larger, and Avanti is adamant that there won't be any nasty throttling surprises waiting in store. While exact prices will depend on partners, the provider isn't waiting for those details before it covers much of the Old World: its upcoming HYLAS 2 satellite (what you see above) will share the speed with Africa, the Caucasus region and the Middle East as of August 2nd, making it almost too easy for us to update Google+ in Georgia. |
| Samsung's Galaxy Reverb details echo across the twittersphere Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:49 AM PDT If the now-deleted @evleaks is / was to be believed, Samsung is preparing a low-price handset for Sprint's big yellow network. The pulled feed revealed that the Galaxy Reverb (SPH-M950) will pack a Snapdragon MSM8655, a 4-inch 800 x 480 WVGA display, 768MB RAM, 4GB on-board storage and Ice Cream Sandwich. Photography enthusiasts should know that there's a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 1.3-megapixel front-facer for those self-portrait moments. There's no word on if it packs LTE, but given the limited quantity of Sprint markets that can currently use the standard, we wouldn't get our hopes up just yet. |
| Mojang sued for alleged patent infringement in Android version of Minecraft Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:24 AM PDT Mojang has seen the sort of success that most game developers dream of with Minecraft, but it looks like it's now also found itself thrust into the rarely desirable world of patent lawsuits. As revealed by Minecraft creator Notch himself on Twitter, Mojang is being sued by the Texas-based Uniloc (which has also taken aim at Electronic Arts, Gameloft and others) over some alleged patent infringement in the Android version of Minecraft. That supposed infringement is not related to any of the distinctive gaming elements of Minecraft, but rather the means through which the game verifies users -- something Uniloc alleges is a violation of patent #6,857,067, a "system and method for preventing unauthorized access to electronic data." Not surprisingly, Notch has taken the opportunity to make his thoughts on software patents known (see his blog post below), and also make absolutely clear that he intends to fight the suit, saying that "if needed, I will throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent." That's also prompted a response from Uniloc CEO Ric Richardson, who notes that he had no direct involvement in this particular patent or suit, but defends the company's practices and insists that it is not a patent troll. |
| Engadget Giveaway: win one of two Samsung Galaxy Notes, courtesy of 1SaleADay! Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:01 AM PDT Is it a phone, a tablet or a fabulous phablet? You can call it whatever you want, but we're going to throw it into a new category for two days: free. Indeed, we have two unlocked Samsung Galaxy Notes (N9000) ready to distribute out to two lucky readers, and we have 1SaleADay to thank for the opportunity. The site offers daily deals on all types of electronics, and chances are you'll happen upon something that really strikes your intrigue. So head below to leave a comment as usual, and best of luck to you! The rules:
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| Judge calls Samsung vs. Apple 3G suit 'ridiculous,' suggests mediation instead Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:42 AM PDT |
| Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 appears in 30-second commercial (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:24 AM PDT If -- for some outlandish reason -- you were still doubting the imminent release of the Galaxy Note 10.1, let us invite you to have a peek at the video just after the break. Sure enough, it's an official Samsung teaser showcasing some of the more seductive features of its forthcoming Android slate -- the slate that appeared for but a moment on Amazon. If you're looking for a brief update on how we got here, you may recall us first touching the 10.1-inch Note back at Mobile World Congress in February, with the device caught on camera elsewhere as recently as last month. There's still no definitive ship date to grab hold of, but it's probably time you asked yourself: is okay to yearn after something that an honorable judge has deemed "not as cool" as some other tablet? Decision 2012 -- we report, you decide. Update: This post originally and erroneously made a connection between the Note 10.1 and the Judge Koh ruling on the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It has been updated. |
| Google takes Nexus 7 camping for its first ad, can afford to pack light (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:13 AM PDT There's more than a small amount of fervor swirling around the Nexus 7, so it only makes sense that Google wants to seize the moment and pitch its first Nexus tablet to the world. Its first commercial is a very Norman Rockwell-like, father-and-son camping trip -- if Rockwell replaced Boy Scouts with Jelly Beans, that is. The 7-inch slate handles just about every task the two could care for, whether it's learning about (and exaggerating) the local fauna as well as keeping busy on a rainy day. We'll let you witness the slight twist of an ending first-hand, although we'll add that Google is careful to use a lot of Nexus 7 features that don't demand always-on WiFi: the search giant wants us to know that we can head to the boonies without the tablet becoming a paperweight. The one shock is the absence of that all-important $199 price, which you'd think would help trigger some impulse shopping. You can reconcile your disbelief and enjoy some family bonding by catching the full commercial after the break. |
| Moving trash can catches your waste, annoys Larry Bird (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 06:51 AM PDT Just when you thought developments in trash can technology hadn't moved too far since the trusted b-ball backboard accessory, a Japanese genius comes along to raise the bar. Modder FRP has created the Smart Trashbox, a moving can which uses a Kinect to track airborne garbage and make sure you'll never miss another three. Impressively, it appears he designed and built every piece of the puzzle himself, from the motorized wheel base right down to the PCB. We dread to think how much coding this took, given that the Kinect monitors the entire room, calculates trash trajectory and sends the can interception orders. Apparently the accuracy stats don't demand MVP awards just yet, but check out the highlight reel (and more details of the project) after the break.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Visualized: Telescope aboard suborbital NASA rocket takes clearest ever images of sun (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 06:23 AM PDT NASA has shown just what it can do with the short window of science allowed by its "sounding" or sensor-equipped suborbital rockets -- having taken the sharpest pictures ever of the sun's corona. A 460-pound telescope called the High Resolution Coronal Imager (Hi-C) was lofted for about 10 minutes into space, ample time for its mirrors to capture over 150 images of the solar fringe at 16-megapixels each, before parachuting back to earth. The scope shot exclusively in a sun-friendly high ultraviolet range and used innovative new optics consisting of an array of mirrors, allowing it to resolve the sun down to 135 miles. That bested the previous champ, NASA's own Solar Dynamics Observatory, with almost five times the magnification. For maximum effect, the space agency took advantage of an unusually high amount of solar activity to focus on a large, active sunspot. To see the results in glorious multihued HD, check the video after the break.
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| LG's 27-inch V720 all-in-one PCs pop up on Flickr, IPS and optional Ivy Bridge in tow Posted: 23 Jul 2012 05:59 AM PDT LG has unveiled the V720, a new series of all-in-one PCs, featuring 27-inch IPS HD panels and an Intel Ivy Bridge processor option. The line consists of a high-end model with Intel's 3rd generation Core i5 and an IPS 1,920 x 1,080 3D panel, and a lesser model with a 2nd generation Core i3 and the same display sans 3D. Other specs include 750GB SATA3 hybrid or standard drives, up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, USB 3.0 and NVIDA's GT640M 1GB graphics. Photos show a white and silver looker with well concealed computer guts, but don't count on being able to pick up one of the minimalist units in the US -- LG normally keeps its PC offerings exclusively in Asia. |
| Amazon plans for 'five or six' new tablets, will include 10-inch model, says Staples president Posted: 23 Jul 2012 05:35 AM PDT While we expect Amazon to refresh its Kindle Fire tablet sooner rather than later, Demos Parneros, president of US retail for Staples, has told Reuters that the online book-seller has bigger plans. Amazon apparently aims to introduce five or six new devices (or SKUs, stock-keeping units), though as noted by Android Central's Phil Nickinson, these could thin out to just two tablet models and several storage variants. According to the exec, the tablets will come in a range of sizes and would include a new ten-inch device -- going directly against another popular tablet. No word on whether these five or six device would include a smartphone, as screen sizes get increasingly closer. Amazon has also announced that it'll be creating a new R&D hub in London, focusing on its services and APIs for TVs, consoles, smartphones and PCs, aimed squarely at rolling these out across the globe. The original Kindle Fire -- and its Android app store -- is still not available outside of America. However, public plans for the new Amazon base currently center on relocating both Lovefilm and Pushbutton to this new hub. However, it's been about a year; about time for Europe to get a taste of Amazon's wallet-friendly tab. |
| Plex Android app updated with remote control from mobile devices, new transcoding Posted: 23 Jul 2012 05:17 AM PDT While it was exciting to hear that XBMC is making its way to Android, the Plex media center has been on the platform since last year and was recently updated with a few new features. Version 2.2.0.5 of the $5 app adds the ability to accept remote control commands from any of the company's other mobile clients, so if your phone or tablet is dangling from the TV, you can still control playback or browse media without getting up. Also new is the "QuickSilver" media transcoder from the latest Plex Media Server release which we're assured we will hear more about in the future, it's currently expected to provide improved video quality, particularly on the Kindle Fire. Since the feature is still experimental you'll have to specifically enable it in the settings menu, hit the official blog for more details on how to get it running, the full changelog and newly expanded list of devices that support HTTP Live Streaming. |
| Honda serves up first Fit EV to California couple, no gasoline aftertaste Posted: 23 Jul 2012 04:51 AM PDT Honda has handed over the keys for its first 118 MPGe Fit EV to Californians Matt and Becky Walton -- although they'll have to hand 'em back in a few years. The delivery kicks off a rollout starting in California and Oregon that will eventually reach the east coast by 2013. You can't call the couple owners, as Honda is leasing the EV for $389 per month, but should it ever go on sale, it would cost around $37,000. Packing a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, the Fit has a range of 123 miles in the city or 76 miles combined city/highway and takes as little as three hours to re-juice with a sufficiently capable charger. Only 1,100 will be leased stateside, so if you've been dreaming of an electric Honda in your garage, you may want to check the PR quickly -- if it's not already too late. Honda Delivers First Fit EV to California Couple WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., July 20, 2012 - American Honda Motor Co., Inc., delivered the first all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV to a couple in Southern California, the company announced today. The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest in Honda's diverse and expansive portfolio of alternative-fuel vehicles, earning a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe1, and an unprecedented low consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles. Ventura County, Calif., residents, Matt and Becky Walton, took delivery of their Honda Fit EV at the Woodland Hills Honda dealership located north of Los Angeles. The couple was the very first registrant to sign up to lease the Fit EV at www.FitEV.Honda.com and plan to use their vehicle as a daily commuter car. Matt and Becky Walton have a long history of owning Honda vehicles, beginning with a Honda N600 sedan and a Honda Z600 coupe in the 1970s and now a Honda Odyssey which will be used as a secondary car. "It's truly an honor to take delivery of the first Honda Fit EV and participate in the advancement of all-electric vehicles in the real world," said Mr. Walton. "The Honda Fit EV is not only a sustainable and energy efficient transportation option with the highest fuel-efficiency rating of any EV, but it has the added bonus of being fun-to-drive and can fully recharge from empty in less than three hours." Addressing a critical step in advancing electric vehicles in the real world, American Honda initially will certify Honda dealers in select California and Oregon markets as Fit EV dealers to provide an excellent customer experience for Fit EV customers' sales and service needs. The Fit EV will be available for lease-only in key markets starting in California and Oregon, after which availability will expand to East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV's lease price of $389 per month2 over a three-year term computes to a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625. Customers interested in leasing or learning more about the Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com. |
| Next-generation Xiaomi Phone rumored to house quad-core processor, 720p display Posted: 23 Jul 2012 04:23 AM PDT Following last year's launch of its potent, price-savvy Android smartphone, Xiaomi is already purportedly crafting its even more powerful successor. Alongside a bundle of blurry cam images, leaks from within factories making the next iteration say that it'll pack a 720p screen, one of Qualcomm's quad-core processors and a dual-flash setup alongside the camera. There's still the curious absence of a front-facing camera, but this should to help ensure the phone lands with a price tag just as attractive as Xiaomi's last device. While rival manufacturer Meizu priced its latest quad-core phone at around $480, the Foxconn-based moles reckon this next-generation (likely MIUI-powered) slab could land at just over of $300. If all these rumors (and that price) have piqued your interest, you can head on the source for a handful of extra images. |
| Yahoo shows off Beyond Gold Olympics app for its connected HDTVs Posted: 23 Jul 2012 03:05 AM PDT While NBC has already shown off its official Olympics apps for mobile devices, Yahoo is readying an onscreen companion app for connected TVs built on its widgets. While smart TV platforms and boxes are practically everywhere, Yahoo's is built into HDTVs from several manufacturers, and the app is available for TVs from Sony, Vizio, Samsung and Toshiba. It gives users access to Yahoo Sports coverage with video, news and analysis including daily updates on the games and a real-time medal count. If you have a TV with the Yahoo Connected TV store, it should be just a few clicks of the remote away, and content updates are scheduled to start coming in early next week. We're still waiting to see the second screen action we previewed at CES put to use, but maybe this event is just the reminder the world needed that this is on more TVs than Google's effort and actually exists unlike the often-rumored Apple HDTV. |
| Posted: 23 Jul 2012 02:11 AM PDT Welcome to the land of good complexions, whiny mopeds and surprisingly early Canon hands-on videos. While most English-speaking journos have only been given the briefest glimpse of the new $800 mirrorless EOS M, Italian site PMStudioNews has posted a full hands-on video to YouTube. It shows a red variant of the 18-megapixel, APS-C shooter, in addition to the black and white models we've already seen, plus a beige leather case if you fast-forward around seven minutes. More importantly though, it shows off the touchscreen UI in some detail, including touch-to-shoot and a screen layout that looks quite different to what we've known from the button- and dial-heavy G1 X and its predecessors, and more like that of the Rebel T4i entry-level DSLR. Sure, it offers full manual control, but it also looks kinda fiddly -- something we'll look out for when it comes to review time in the Fall. Update: Canon has produced some sample stills and videos to show what the camera can do. Also, a helpful reader just spotted that DigitalCameraWorld has posted a hands-on video too, and it's in English.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Nintendo 3DS XL sports less reflective screen than its predecessor, improved parallax effect Posted: 23 Jul 2012 01:24 AM PDT Supersized screens may be the centerpiece of Nintendo's 3DS XL, but a new Iwata Asks interview reveals that its top display packs some new anti-glare tech too. Takashi Murakami, from the company's Mechanical Design Group, notes that each of the LCD's three glare-prone layers were specially treated to reduce reflectivity from the original 3DS' 12 percent, down to three. According to head honcho Iwata, anti-reflection coatings have been on the Big N's radar since the GameBoy Advance era, but were typically abandoned because they were too pricey. The Q&A session also confirmed something we noticed when we put the handheld through the review gauntlet -- the larger display increases the parallax effect, which translates to a deeper looking 3D experience. If your current handheld's screen bounces too much light for your liking, the XL can take its place starting August 19th in North America. |
| Marvel's Cinematic Universe Blu-ray set gets its own trailer (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 12:24 AM PDT
If you didn't head down to Comic-Con and check out the Marvel Cinematic Universe Blu-ray boxed set and its special case for yourself, Marvel has put together a video trailer. From the S.H.I.E.L.D. briefcase itself to the custom artwork and tesseract replica awaiting within. Usually, trailers are reserved for movies themselves, and not just the packaging, but maybe this is worth the exception. Check out the video and let us know if you're convinced, or if some combination of the $140 price and The Dark Knight Rises arriving in theaters makes it a pass. |
| Kyocera Rise linked to Sprint and Virgin Mobile in leak, clue vanishes in a hot minute Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:22 PM PDT Kyocera has already committed to launching the Hydro with Boost Mobile next month, but the Rise is still the bridesmaid, and not a bride -- at least, not until a blink-and-you'll-miss-it leak that emerged this weekend. A Twitter update by EV leaks has the Android 4.0 QWERTY slider attached to Sprint and Virgin Mobile, with a press photo of the Sprint version as evidence. Unfortunately, that's about all we'll get to see in the near future: the post and the whole account ceased to exist not long after they first appeared, which makes permanent proof a little hard to come by other than through an Unwired View recap. Still, we already know the Rise is destined for CDMA providers in the US, and Sprint's longstanding partnership with Kyocera makes the Rise an obvious candidate as the carrier's next on-the-cheap messaging device -- the image may just give our hunches some meaning. |
| Financial Times: Nokia mulling revenue split with carriers for Windows Phone 8 Posted: 22 Jul 2012 10:03 PM PDT The Financial Times has reported that Nokia is in "exploratory" talks with several European carriers to share revenue for its upcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets in exchange for dedicated support. This would be a shift from its normal modus operandi, which is to sell as many phones as it can across all carriers at once, in favor of an approach which resembles Apple's deal with AT&T for the iPhone in 2007. The Finnish company could be hoping to create the same level of excitement for its WP8 phone that Cupertino did back then -- and may also be trying to offer a more profitable carrier alternative to Apple and Samsung, who use their dominance to grab the lion's share of handset revenue. While operators like France Telecom (Orange) and Deutsche Telekom are said to be involved, all parties have declined to comment. So, take this for what it is -- just a rumor at the moment -- but based on deals it made in the US with AT&T and the Lumia 900, it wouldn't be a shocker for Nokia to at least consider it. |
| Canon unveils EOS M mirrorless: 18 MP APS-C, EF compatibility, $800 in October with 22mm lens Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:00 PM PDT Rumors of a Canon mirrorless camera have circled the web since long before Nikon's foray into the compact ILC space. And while that manufacturer's model fell far short of some expectations, it appears that Canon's iteration may in fact have been worth the not-so-insignificant wait. Unlike the Nikon 1 Series, Canon's new EOS M isn't a drastic departure from the company's existing mid-range DSLR lineup. In fact, under the hood it's quite similar to the Rebel T4i, with an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 processor, 3-inch 1.04MP smudge-resistant touchscreen and the T4i's new hybrid autofocus system, which pairs both contrast and phase-difference AF for speedier, more accurate performance. Externally, however, the EOS M looks more like a cross between the PowerShot G1 X and S100, tipping the scale at 14.2 ounces with the included EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens, compared to 27.4 ounces for the T4i, and 19 for the G1 X. It's physically smaller than the G1 X as well, and only slightly larger than the pocketable S100. The camera offers a sensitivity range in line with the competition, ranging from 100 to 25,600 (extended) in still mode and 12,800 (extended) when shooting video -- captured in 1920 x 1080 format at 24, 25 or 30 progressive frames per second. There's also a continuous shooting mode at 4.3 frames per second with fixed focus and exposure. The EOS M's control layout should be more familiar to Canon point-and-shoot owners than DSLR users -- as one component of the size compromise, dedicated buttons are replaced with touchscreen options and a bit of menu diving. There's also no electronic viewfinder, though a full-size hot shoe is included with full support for Canon's lineup of Speedlite flashes, including the new $150 90EX strobe and ST-E3-RT Transmitter, and the GP-E2 GPS Receiver. Though the camera lacks certain direct controls, it still supports full manual shooting, even in video mode. There's also a built-in stereo mic with manual level adjustment. In addition to that 22mm kit optic, Canon is offering an EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $300, or you can add the $200 EF-EOS M mount adapter to enable use with existing lenses. The $800 EOS M kit is set to ship in October, and will be available in retail stores in black, though Canon's online store will also stock a white model (which will be paired with the same black lens). You can peek at both configurations, along with the new lenses and accessories in the gallery below. Then shoot past the break for the full PR from Canon. Michael Gorman contributed to this report. Put Your Creativity Into Motion With The New EOS M Digital Camera The Newest Camera in Canon's Lineup Delivers Exceptional EOS Full HD Video Quality with Continuous Autofocus and an Expansive Selection of Lenses LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., July 23, 2012 – Combining the perfect blend of advanced video features and excellent still image quality in a convenient size, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the EOS M Digital Camera. Canon has made significant advancements in the realm of professional-quality HD video capture, from advanced CMOS sensor technology to smooth, quiet continuous autofocus. Inspired by EOS technology, the EOS M leverages these core technologies and distills them down to provide outstanding video capture capabilities while retaining high-quality still image capture. When shooting still images, the EOS M camera's 18-megapixel APS-C-sized CMOS image sensor provides a shallow depth of field, incredible low-light image quality and a wide dynamic range to capture rich gradation and detail. This new addition to the EOS family offers a great solution to videographers and photographers of all levels, with two new lenses designed specifically for Canon's new camera format – the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens and the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens– and the ability to use the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses through the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. "The EOS M includes a unique feature set making it an ideal movie-making tool while offering incredible still image quality on its APS-C-sized CMOS sensor. The camera's size, image quality, advanced video capabilities and the versatility of Canon's full lineup of lenses make the EOS M another great option to help our customers record and capture their creative vision," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. An Advanced Video Capture Device The EOS M utilizes Canon's Hybrid CMOS AF system to deliver fast autofocus speed for both video and photos. The Hybrid CMOS AF system truly shines when shooting video with EOS Full HD Movie mode including Movie Servo AF for continuous autofocus and tracking of moving subjects. The Hybrid CMOS AF system is located on the CMOS sensor itself and combines phase-difference AF and contrast AF to achieve operational stability, speed and precision. The Movie Servo AF function on the EOS M is enabled by default which keeps images on the rear screen in constant focus, even before the shutter is pressed. This continual focus makes for sharp video capture in a snap or to help reduce shutter lag due to focusing when still images want to be shot. The camera employs three AF methods for video and photos, Face Detection & Tracking AF, Multi-Point AF for automatics selection and Single-Point AF, where users select one of 31 AF points. Through the camera's touch-panel operation, subject recognition and tracking is engaged at the touch of a finger, allowing users to track subjects accurately and focus on intended subjects with ease. In addition to subject tracking, the touch-panel LCD allows for simple, intuitive operation, menu navigation and touch features making it easy to shoot video and photos. Thanks to Canon's new Stepping Motor (STM) technology, when using either of the newly announced M-series lenses – the EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens or the optional EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens – the AF system remains silent, helping ensure users only capture the sound of the scene being recorded. The EOS M also features manual audio level control to 64 levels, a built-in stereo microphone, which includes a wind filter and an attenuator function to reduce audio distortion in extra loud situations. The EOS M records MPEG-4 AVC H.264 video as an .MOV file in a range of NTSC and PAL professional frame rates, including 1080p Full HD video at 30p (29.97), 24p (23.976) and 25p, 720p HD video at 60p (59.94) or 50p and Standard Definition video at 30p (29.97) or 25p. In addition to the creativity afforded by over 70 compatible lenses, the EOS M also includes Picture Style settings – including custom Picture Styles – when shooting video, allowing users to adjust color settings the same as when shooting still images. The camera also includes Canon's Video Snapshot mode for an easy way to record and create a fun highlight reel that can be easily shared. Video Snapshot mode combines a series of short video clips into a single file, all in-camera. Through the camera's touch-screen controls users can delete, cut or re-order the clips in-camera for quick and easy editing. Optical Diversity: New M-Series Lenses and Accessories Along with the EOS M, Canon is also introducing two new M-series lenses – with new EOS M mounts –that include STM technology allowing for smooth and silent focusing when paired with Hybrid CMOS AF. The EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens is ideal for shooting video and still images. The fixed focal length lens has a great capacity for gathering light with an incredible aperture of f/2 and when combined with the camera's APS-C image sensor, provide beautiful bright images and background blur for both video and stills. For more focal range versatility, Canon is also introducing the new EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM, which provides videographers and photographers with a variable zoom range for general use with video recording or photographing. Both lenses are designed specifically for use with the EOS M digital camera. In addition to the two lenses, any of Canon's EF and EF-S lenses can be used with the EOS M with the optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M. The EOS M camera's strong magnesium and stainless steel frame provide the durability and rigidity to support the full line of EF and EF-S Lenses in a lightweight convenient design. Using the adapter allows the camera to be fully integrated into the EOS ecosystem of lenses, adding creative options and versatility to this powerful camera. Ideal for use with the EOS M, Canon is also announcing a new compact and lightweight flash unit, the Speedlite 90EX, designed for the photographer on the go. The Speedlite 90EX is capable of coverage for 24mm wide angle lenses (35mm equivalent) with maximum guide numbers of 30 feet (9 meters) at ISO 100. The flash unit can be controlled wirelessly for creative multiple flash shoots and uses the standard Canon EOS hot shoe mount for compatibility with all EOS DSLR cameras and PowerShot digital cameras that include a hot shoe. Availability The EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be available in October for an estimated retail price of $799.99. Also a white version of the EOS M Digital Camera bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens will be exclusively available through the Canon Online store, shop.usa.canon.com. The new EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, Mount Adapter EF-EOS M and Speedlite 90EX will all be available in October at an estimated retail price of $299.99, $199.99 and $149.99 respectively. |
| Proview sued by its iPad court case law firm, owes at least 2.4 million dollars in legal fees Posted: 22 Jul 2012 07:36 PM PDT Guess who hasn't yet gotten its share of Proview's recently acquired $60 million? Ironically, it's the lawyers that helped it win the iPad trademark dispute in China. According to Sina Tech, Grandall Law Firm confirmed that its shady client refused to pay up the promised 4 percent of Apple's settlement fee, which equates to $2.4 million. While acknowledging their contractual arrangement (wherein the law firm covers the legal fees in advance, and then expect the client to pay up after winning the case), Proview founder Yang Rongshan told Sina Tech that Grandall's behavior is "nonsense," and that his company isn't obliged to pay back immediately as it isn't under normal operation right now. However, Yang promises Proview won't "pass the buck." We shall see about that -- maybe he could spend some yuans on buying Grandall a few new iPads, at least. |
| How would you change the Mad Catz MLG Pro for PS3? Posted: 22 Jul 2012 07:30 PM PDT Mad Catz' MLG Pro Circuit controller is aimed squarely at those who play games professionally -- or would like to. We put the PS3 version of the handset through its paces and found that while it's highly customizable, a lack of Sixaxis, force feedback and pressure-sensitive buttons made the gaming experience feel lightweight. Are you a gamer and did you buy one? You've had six months hard labor on this thing, so why not tell us what you thought of it and if you were asked, what would you change? |
| Refresh Roundup: week of July 16th, 2012 Posted: 22 Jul 2012 06:16 PM PDT Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy! Official Android updates
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
Other platforms
Refreshes we covered this week
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| Galaxy S III sales breach 10 million, satisfy Samsung executives Posted: 22 Jul 2012 05:41 PM PDT Wondering if Samsung's new flagship has hit its sales goal yet? Breathe out -- it did. According to Yonhap, Shin Jong-kyun, head of Samsung's information technology and mobile communication division, told reporters the firm has moved more than 10 million Samsung Galaxy S IIIs since its unveiling. Jong-kyun wasn't able to give specific numbers, but we know from history that the handset is outpacing its predecessor, which took five months to make eight digits in sales. As for the goal, Sammy previously pegged the 10 millionth unit for early July, noting that it was fighting component shortages along the way -- all in all, mid-month isn't too far off. Thinking of helping the firm bolster its numbers further? We've got a whole series of reviews you may want to take a look at. |
| ASUS loads P8Z77V with USB attached SCSI, beats Windows 8 to the punch Posted: 22 Jul 2012 04:51 PM PDT There's no doubt about it, USB 3.0 is wicked fast when pitted against its predecessors -- but the ancient bulk-only transport protocol it uses is showing its age. Some newer external drives hope sidestep the old protocol by supporting a new one: UASP, or, USB attached SCSI. As its name implies, the modern protocol leverages the SCSI command set to reduce latency, enable queue functions and improve performance for compatible drives. Windows 8 will ship with UASP drivers baked in, but the protocol is already available in the form of third-party controllers and drivers. Speaking of which, Hot Hardware found the functionality on ASUS' P8Z77V motherboard, and gave it a rundown. The conclusion? "Turbo and UASP modes will never hurt performance, and you've got early access to a capability that's already been wrapped into future versions of Windows. That's a win, all the way around." We're hard pressed to disagree. Check out the outfit's tests in full at the source link below. |
| Switched On: An Office outside the Metro Posted: 22 Jul 2012 02:46 PM PDT Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. The two worlds of Windows 8 -- one: a traditional desktop UI and the other: the touch-optimized Metro UI -- can, at first, seem so different that they contrast like the multiple personalities of Batman's enemy Two-Face. Yet, despite the different appearances, the forthcoming version of Microsoft's venerable operating system is not about absolutes, but optimizations. Like the yin-yang symbol, each half of the circle embraces some of its opposite. The company has breathlessly reassured the installed base of this with respect to Metro-style apps, in which one can navigate by keyboard and mouse, but its recent detailing of the new version of Office highlights the fact that the overlap goes both ways; desktop apps can at least partially embrace touch input even if they are not Metro-style apps. Throughout Office's history, it's been the most important set of Windows applications for Microsoft. It helped push programs like Microsoft Word and Excel past once-seemingly invincible competitors such as WordPerfect and Lotus 1-2-3. Today, Office is the only full-featured traditional desktop application that Microsoft is keeping around for Windows RT. And so, Microsoft's decision to keep the next version of Office on the desktop side of Windows says much about how it views the state of desktop versus Metro-style apps. We should, of course, take care in what we wish for. Microsoft undoubtedly evaluated creating a Metro-style version of Office for Windows 8 just as it has created a Metro-style version of Internet Explorer. The company surely had good reasons for maintaining desktop-style devotion in Windows 8 for this revision. There is, of course, a Metro version of Office, at least in name, and it ships with every Windows Phone. Scaling nominal, on-the-go productivity from the small screen to the big one is a daunting task. On the other hand, Microsoft's approach with Office begs a question. If touch-optimizing a desktop app is good enough for Office, why isn't it good enough for other Windows 8 apps? Why create not only such a radical change, but also the discord that results from supporting two different user interface modes, even for a prolonged transition? There are at least three possible answers. First, unlike the transition from character-line to graphical user interfaces, touch user interfaces do not provide a better environment for productivity applications. While many could debate that point at length, it's clear that Microsoft's competitors aren't letting it stand in their way. Much like Microsoft Word had a model for GUI-based word processing in MacWrite, touch-optimized office suites have been developed by or snapped up by Microsoft's competitors, including Apple (iWork), Google (QuickOffice) and RIM (Docs To Go). More InfoSecond, the touch UI is changing the kind of apps we use PCs and tablets for. It's less about spreadsheets and word processing and more about the applications that dominate the iPad's app store -- casual games, recipe collections, social networking clients, etc. Most would agree that we are doing more of these things on PCs as well as on tablets and smartphones. The other tasks are not going away, though, as per the point about competitive tablet office suites. If Metro isn't for office suites, or at least not Microsoft's, what is the real value of this desktop-class, non-watered-down operating system that Microsoft sees as providing an advantage in a Metro context versus iOS and Android beyond driver support? Third, touch-optimizing a desktop app ultimately is not good enough. Microsoft has not publicly said that it believes Windows' desktop mode to be a legacy interface. Further clues will become apparent with the next version of Windows, which may continue to largely ignore the desktop environment, enhance it further, or even constrain it further by taking steps such as guiding users back to the Metro Start screen instead of the old Start menu. However, via moves as varied as killing off the Zune and Windows Live brands to the demise of Windows Home Server to the launch of the Surface tablet, it seems clear that this present Microsoft is less concerned about preserving legacy products, particularly when they lack momentum. (Note to MSN TV service: keep hiding.) They say the proof of a company's belief in its own products lies in its willingness to "eat its own dog food." Over time, though, the company's belief in the strength of the Metro UI will be tested as it continues to reserve the desktop for certain app exceptions (much like some users continue to use Windows' CLI today for certain utilities). If Metro is to define Windows' user interface, it must be robust enough to service mainstream Windows apps, and Office is the archetype. Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is executive director and principal analyst of the NPD Connected Intelligence service at The NPD Group. Views expressed in Switched On are his own. |
| Posted: 22 Jul 2012 01:16 PM PDT In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. We've seen our fair share of time lapse tools at Insert Coin, ranging from last year's Triggertrap to the more recent Timelapse+ and Genie rig. Now we're throwing in another Kickstarter project into the mix, a motion time-lapse gadget called the Radian. Shaped like an oversized hockey puck, the Radian works with any camera that has a trigger-release input and can be used with or without a tripod. The device can be programmed through either an Android or iPhone app and lets you disconnect your smartphone once you've got your settings dialed in. Otherwise, you can use the Radian to take time-lapse photography with your iPhone or Android smartphone as well. A pledge of $150 gets you the standard Radian, while ponying up extra moolah nabs you a charcoal-colored variant as well as other goodies. If successful, delivery is slated for January. For more details, check out the video and source link after the break. Previous project update: The POP portable battery easily surpassed its $50,000 goal with more than a month to go. |
| Engadget Mobile Podcast 146 - 07.22.2012 Posted: 22 Jul 2012 11:42 AM PDT  In the dead of summer, what's the easiest way to stay super-cool whilst keeping up with the hottest news in portable communications technology? Why, it's sticking a 120-minute cassette of the Engadget Mobile Podcast in your Walkman Sport, getting airlifted to Patagonia, and sitting atop an icy mountain, chewing a stick of your favorite peppermint gum, of course. If you're looking for a quick chill, though, just hit the play button below and let the digital breeze flow gently through your skull. Either way. 00:01:44 - Motorola Atrix HD review Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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