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- ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity hits the UK on August 31st, starts at £600 for 32GB model
- Apple secures multitouch-related patent dating back to 1995 from inventor
- Viber's VoIP iPhone, Android apps updated with enhanced UI, group messaging and more
- Qualcomm pairs up with Delta Motorsport, flirts with Renault for Halo wireless charging trials
- Lytro finally rolls out Windows desktop software, celebrates with free shipping
- Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G
- Is Qualcomm considering an AR benchmark as 'the mother of all tests'?
- Intel porting Jelly Bean to its Atom architecture, is in no hurry to tell you when it's done
- Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service
- Apple to present at Black Hat conference for first time, talk about iOS' padlocks
- Dell Precision M4700, M6700 business laptops get suited up for quiet debut
- AOL redesigns its Play music player app for the Kindle Fire, premium version is free tomorrow
- Redbox Instant enters alpha testing with help from Verizon (updated)
- Corning and Samsung plan LCD glass plant in China, may toughen up a few laptop screens
- Nike+ Kinect Training arrives October 30th, looks to whip you into shape for $50
- Amazon puts 50MB limit on 3G Kindle's 'free' experimental browser
- Scientists create first computer simulation of a complete organism
- Motorola Droid RAZR HD raises hopes during its brief encounter with the FCC?
- European Commission investigating 13 companies for optical drive price fixing
- LG's voice recognition app studies English, aims to pass the test next year
- 7digital launches early digital music store for Windows 8, available now on Preview version
- AT&T's Q2: 5.1 million smartphones sold helps make a $6.8 billion profit
- Apple demands $2.02, plus $3.10... equals a total of $2.5 billion in Samsung damages
- Vizio Co-Star Google TV set-top box is up for pre-order, $100 brings it your way in August
- Ben Heck talks about fitting custom 3D printer in briefcase, Q nods in approval (video)
- Apple wins 'EU-wide' injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, denied on 10.1 ban
- Researchers develop femtosecond laser that can diagnose, blast cancerous tumors
- BlackBerry PlayBook with 4G LTE may reach Bell by July 31st, 1.5GHz chip tagging along for the ride
- Microsoft to Windows RT OEMs: 'If your name's not on the list, you're not making a tablet'
- Nokia completes acquisiton of Scalado's imaging tech and developers
- Android Jelly Bean OS manages speedy launch on ZTE's N880E smartphone
- Yet another Ofcom report promises UK LTE spectrum sale within five months, rollout in mid-2013
- NTP reaches agreement with 13 patent defendants including Apple, Microsoft and Google
- ARM and TSMC team up on 64-bit chips and FinFET transistors
- Metalab wires its Blinkenwall to run from Commodore 64, gives no word on the obligatory Tetris port (video)
- iRobot, InTouch Health unveil RP-VITA telepresence robot, let doctors phone in bedside manner
- Microsoft digs deep into Windows 8's hardware graphics boost, says fast just isn't slick enough
- Arduino Leonardo finally launches with new pin layout, lower price (video)
- Edifier's Spinnaker Bluetooth speaker system promises not to hurt you, sells for $350
- Project Holodeck and Oculus Rift hope to kickstart every gamers' VR dream for $500 (video)
| ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity hits the UK on August 31st, starts at £600 for 32GB model Posted: 24 Jul 2012 11:27 AM PDT While we've known the pricing and availability attached to ASUS' new flagship slate in the US for some time now, UKers had been left to wonder when they'd finally be able to get their eager palms on that rebranded and well-specced Pad Infinity. Thankfully, that's about to change, as the Taiwanese outfit just announced the Transformer TF700 will be up for grabs from Amazon in the UK starting August 31st, with the sticker value set at £600 for the rather spacious 32GB configuration. Naturally, that's only a small part of the entire package, given how you'd also be getting a beautiful 1920 x 1200 display and the famed Tegra 3 chip to get you through the days. The only tedious bit is you'll still have to wait a while to place your order; in the meantime, however, you could always give our review yet another read. ASUS Sets Benchmark for Mobile Entertainment with the Transformer Pad Infinity Experience entertainment like never before in glorious Full HD On sale at Amazon from 31st August 2012 for only £599.99 United Kingdom, (July 23rd 2012) - First unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is the world's first Full HD Android™ tablet and sets a new benchmark for mobile entertainment. Featuring a Full HD 1920 x 1200 Super IPS+ display with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2, ASUS SonicMaster technology, Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and an incredibly thin design complete with our exclusive metallic spun finish, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity is the perfect companion for the heavy media consumer who is constantly on the move. It's not all play with the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity though as the unique detachable Mobile Dock accessory transforms it from a tablet into a notebook. When docked, total battery life is rated at 14 hours and productivity is increased with the full QWERTY keyboard, multi-touch touchpad and USB/SD card ports.
Incredible Entertainment At the heart of the Transformer Pad Infinity is NVIDIA®'s Tegra® 3 T33 4-PLUS-1™ quad-core CPU, which also contains a 12-core GeForce® GPU. The extra battery-saver core on the CPU handles low-power tasks such as active standby, music and video, and is transparent to the OS and applications. Running at 1.6GHz, the Transformer Pad Infinity's quad-core processor drives the incredible Full HD experience, while the display's 16:10 aspect ratio, 1920 x 1200 native resolution and wide 178-degree viewing angle means it's perfect for watching Full HD video, playing the latest HD games and also browsing the web – both indoors and outdoors, thanks to the ultra-bright Super IPS+ technology built into the display.
Completing the Transformer Pad Infinity's armory of entertainment-rich features is ASUS SonicMaster audio technology. Tuned by the ASUS Golden Ear team, SonicMaster Sound technology features a combination of advanced hardware and software designed to deliver immersive and lifelike audio.
Beautiful Design The Transformer Pad Infinity features the gorgeous metallic spun finish that characterizes the ASUS Zen philosophy first unveiled with the ZENBOOK™ and Transformer Pad Prime, and comes in two stylish colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold. Thanks to the forged aluminum construction, the Transformer Pad Infinity is just 8.5mm thin and weighs only 598g, meaning it can easily be carried around all day. When combined with the ASUS exclusive Mobile Dock, the Infinity turns into a productivity workstation with up to 14 hours of extended battery life – the full QWERTY keyboard and multi-touch touchpad deliver a true notebook experience, while the USB port and SD card slot provide additional storage options for the business-focused user. Wonderful Memories An excellent 8MP rear camera with auto-focus and an LED flash allows the Transformer Pad Infinity to take sharp, vibrant and highly detailed photos thanks to its large F/2.2 aperture, 5-element lens, back-illuminated CMOS sensor, touch-to-focus capabilities, shallow depth of field, low light noise reduction and a wide 75-degree angle of view (28mm equivalent focal length). The rear camera also has the ability to record Full HD 1080p video at 30fps, while the 2MP front camera is ideally suited to video conferencing. With 32GB or 64GB of internal memory, 8GB of free storage on ASUS WebStorage for life, and a variety of external storage options, Transformer Pad Infinity users will be able to store and share their memories anytime, anywhere. Unrivaled Capabilities Running the Android™ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, the ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity offers unrivaled performance and flexibility with advanced multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens and deep interactivity. Combining this with the blisteringly fast NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, Full HD Super IPS+ display, the ultra-slim design and beautiful metallic spun finish makes the Transformer Pad Infinity the perfect mobile entertainment companion. |
| Apple secures multitouch-related patent dating back to 1995 from inventor Posted: 24 Jul 2012 11:11 AM PDT Apple has come into possession of a number of patents owned by Canadian inventor Timothy R. Pryor in recent years (see the More Coverage link below for a few examples), and it's just today been granted another that's particularly interesting. Described rather broadly as a "method for providing human input to a computer," the patent (filed in July of 2009) is a continuation of one dating all the way back to 1995, and appears to cover some fairly basic multitouch-related functions. As detailed in the patent's claims, that includes controlling a virtual object on a screen with two simultaneous touch inputs, as well as virtual controllers displayed on the screen that can also respond to touch input. The patent also describes responses to touch input, including both visual and force feedback cues, and it offers a whole range of possible applications beyond the independent claims, including an aircraft cockpit or vehicle display. Those independent claims are clearly focused on general computer interfaces, though, not specific implementations. Naturally, all of this has simply been revealed by the USPTO -- we wouldn't expect to hear anything from Apple or Mr. Pryor on the terms of the deal. |
| Viber's VoIP iPhone, Android apps updated with enhanced UI, group messaging and more Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:56 AM PDT It's safe to say Viber's VoIP applications have been somewhat of a hit since the early days on Android and iPhone. Now, looking to build up on that humble success, Viber's updating these apps to version 2.2, bringing with it a fresh group messaging feature, improvements to the voice engine for better call quality and tweaks to the UI, such as adding photos to contacts list. Meanwhile, the Windows Phone and BlackBerry flavors will still have to wait for the voice goods, as Viber didn't announce any other major changes on those platforms. Viber v2.2 is up for download now from the App Store and Google Play links below. |
| Qualcomm pairs up with Delta Motorsport, flirts with Renault for Halo wireless charging trials Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:40 AM PDT Qualcomm will be trialling its wireless charging system in London later this year, adding two names to turn Qualcomm Halo from a Australian science project into reality. It's teaming up with Delta Motorsport, which will add the induction platform to some of its E-4 electric sports coupés in preparation for the city-wide trial. It's also signed a memorandum of understanding with Renault, paving the way for the French auto maker to investigate adding the tech to future EVs. As part of the deal, both companies will get a seat on the steering committee for the project -- maybe the company will let them sit in the passenger seat and change gears. Qualcomm and Delta Motorsport Announce Integration of Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging into Delta E-4 Coupe Electric Vehicles for London Trial LONDON, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Delta Motorsport, a leading UK automotive and motorsport engineering consultancy, today announced that Delta has agreed to integrate the Qualcomm Halo™ Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) system into its Delta E-4 Coupe electric vehicles, which are intended for deployment in Qualcomm's London WEVC trial. The London WEVC trial is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2012 and is expected to be supported by a cross section of stakeholders, including government departments and agencies, as well as commercial and private sector enterprises. The objectives of the trial are to evaluate the commercial viability of the wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs), to develop a further understanding of issues relating to the integration of WEVC technology into EVs, to build knowledge associated with the deployment of WEVC into a megacity, and to gain user feedback on the use of WEVC-enabled electric vehicles. "Delta Motorsport has developed an advanced passenger EV that is a good platform to demonstrate our Qualcomm Halo Wireless EV Charging in pre-commercial deployments," said Anthony Thomson, vice president of business development and marketing at Qualcomm Europe Inc. "Delta brings high-performance automotive engineering design to the London WEVC trial and the Delta E-4 Coupe displays technology at the cutting edge of EV innovation." "Wireless EV Charging is the next technology step for the Delta E-4 Coupe, while the integration of Qualcomm Halo EV charging technology into the Delta E-4 Coupe and rigorous user testing in the London trial will help us better understand future EV engineering challenges," said Nick Carpenter, technical director at Delta Motorsport. Delta Motorsport also plans to participate with Qualcomm Europe Inc. on a steering committee for the London trial and to provide support for the London Trial. --- LONDON, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) and Renault s.a.s. today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning their intended cooperation on the London trial of Qualcomm Halo™ Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology, and their intent with respect to conducting preliminary studies of the integration of this technology into Renault vehicles. Renault will also join the London trial steering committee. In November 2011, Qualcomm announced a WEVC trial in London to commence in 2012 that is supported by a cross section of stakeholders ranging from government departments and agencies to commercial and private sector enterprises. The objectives of the trial are to evaluate the commercial viability of wireless EV charging and gain user feedback on the use of WEVC-enabled vehicles. "We are very excited about the prospects of working with Renault, a global leader in electric vehicles and an innovator in the growing low carbon vehicle market," said Anthony Thomson, vice president of business development and marketing at Qualcomm. "Renault's participation in the WEVC London trial aligns with Qualcomm's drive to make charging of electric vehicles simple and effortless." "Our intended participation in the WEVC London trial with Qualcomm complements Renault's European research and development project involving 10 partners to demonstrate wireless inductive charging of electric vehicles in a public environment with a high level of performance and safety," said Jacques Hebrard, vice president of Energy and Environment Advanced Projects director at Renault. "The deployment of wireless inductive charging requires inter-operability between cars and ground systems within common European and, hopefully, worldwide standards." |
| Lytro finally rolls out Windows desktop software, celebrates with free shipping Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:24 AM PDT As cool as the Lytro camera's post-picture taking focusing technology is, it's hard to overlook some of the product's shortcomings -- not the least of which is the fact that the company only offered a Mac solution when the device launched earlier this year. Lytro has finally addressed that oversight, with the release of a desktop application for Windows. To use it, your system will need to be running Windows 7 with 2GB of RAM and at least an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (you can find the full list of minimum specs in the source link below). To celebrate the launch, Lytro's offering up free shipping on camera orders this week. Also new are the Lytro tripod mount and USB wall charger accessories. |
| Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G Posted: 24 Jul 2012 10:07 AM PDT Three, a UK mobile network provider specializing in unlimited data packages, has reported that its customers are talking full advantage of their plans. Specifically, the average monthly usage has more than doubled this summer (we use the term loosely) from 450MB to 1.1GB over the same period last year. Smartphone users are understandably the healthiest eaters, sucking down around 1.5GB per month. With the BBC continuing to expand its 3G offerings and an undoubted increase in tablet use, tethering and the like, we imagine these figures are far from their peak. With 4G on the horizon, will Three regret positioning itself as the great provider; or, like Sprint over in the US, will it stand its ground for the sake of an advantage? 24 Jul 2012 09:00 Customers on Three now enjoy 1.1 GB of data each month In less than a year Three's four million contract mobile phone customers have more than doubled their monthly data use. This dramatic shift in consumer behaviour has seen the average amount of data used by contract customers each month soar to 1.1 gigabytes (GB). Average use last summer was just 450 megabytes (MB). Three's customers using iPhones and premium Android smartphones are already using almost 1.5GB per month. This is significantly more than the allowances of 1GB or less sold to 66% of the UK's smartphone users on competing networks*. Dave Dyson, chief executive officer, Three said: "With 95% of our smartphone customers using data on a daily basis, everyone is relying more than ever on their handset to do all the stuff they used to do on the internet at home or work. And there is no sign of this slowing down. "Give consumers a combination of the right device, the right price plan and a mobile network built for the internet and you see a rapid behavioural shift. We are seeing more and more people using more and more data throughout the day. "Price plans that remove the fear of going over a data limit enable demand to grow as consumers are free to discover just how much they can do on the move. Even I don't understand how much data I use on a daily basis so it's no surprise that having an all you can eat worry-free data package is proving to be so popular with our customers." Three offers all you can eat data on all of its tariffs with prices on Pay As You Go and Pay Monthly starting from as little as £13 per month. Graham Baxter, chief operating officer at Three, who is responsible for Three's network said: "Since 2008 we have invested over £1 billion in almost doubling the size of our network and boosting its capacity and quality in order to handle this data traffic explosion. Today we have an award-winning network and it's the only network in the UK that's built specifically for the mobile internet. We cover 98% of the UK's population and it's great to see that our customers are doing so much more of the things they enjoy on their smartphones." |
| Is Qualcomm considering an AR benchmark as 'the mother of all tests'? Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:50 AM PDT Today at the Qualcomm mobile benchmarking workshop in San Francisco, Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research suggested that using augmented reality (AR) to test the performance of mobile devices could be "the mother of all tests." By stressing all processors and sensors on modern smartphones and tablets -- including CPU, GPU, DSP, ISP (image processor), GPS, gyro, compass, accelerometer, barometer, mic and camera -- the benchmark would represent the worst case scenario in term of computing load. While AR adoption is still in its infancy amongst consumers -- technology such as Project Glass still faces serious challenges -- Qualcomm's been very active in the field over the years and even provides and SDK for developers. Could this be a hint of what's coming from the company in terms of benchmarking beyond Neocore and Vellamo? Let us know what you think in the comments. |
| Intel porting Jelly Bean to its Atom architecture, is in no hurry to tell you when it's done Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:26 AM PDT Intel has revealed that it's working on bringing Jelly Bean to its low-power Atom architecture. In an email to PC World, company rep Suzy Greenberg confirmed the project was ongoing, but didn't offer a timeline as to when the latest flavor of Google's mobile OS would arrive on a device. It's the same story regarding when Ice Cream Sandwich would turn up on Medfield-powered devices like the San Diego and its brethren. The report also pours cold water on hopes for Clover Trail powered Android gear -- saying that it's pencilled in as a Windows 8-only platform. |
| Comcast doubles broadband speeds 'in certain markets,' launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service Posted: 24 Jul 2012 09:12 AM PDT Comcast has just done the deed -- following a rumor on the matter, it's launching 305Mbps (down) / 65Mbps (up) Xfinity Platinum internet service in the highly populated Northeast division of the United States. For those who've been around a while, you may remember a time where one would weep upon finding out that Verizon's FiOS simply wasn't available at a desired location. Now, however, Comcast is doing its darnedest to rival fiber-to-the-home options with blisteringly fast cable service. In addition to its new flagship tier, the provider is also doubling the speeds of two of its existing internet speed tiers in certain markets at no additional cost. Specifically, Xfinity Blast! customers will now get download speeds of up to 50Mbps (formerly 25 Mbps), and Extreme 50 customers will now receive speeds of up to 105Mbps (formerly 50 Mbps). According to GigaOM, the ultra-desirable Platinum service will ring up at $300 per month, which is a full $90 more than Verizon's own 300Mbps FiOS option. Of course, this probably means that you'll hit your monthly cap a heck of a lot faster, but hey -- at least you'll get bragging rights. Comcast Doubles Speeds of Two Xfinity Internet Speed Tiers at No Additional Cost to Customers PHILADELPHIA, PA - July 24, 2012 Comcast Corporation, one of the nation's leading providers of information and communications products and services, today announced plans to bring connected consumers the best and fastest online experience in their homes with new options for high-speed Internet service. Starting this week, and just in time for customers to fully enjoy every minute of the London Olympics on all their devices in the home, Comcast is doubling the speeds of two of its existing Internet speed tiers in certain Comcast markets at no additional cost. Specifically, Xfinity Blast! customers will now get download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (formerly 25 Mbps), and Extreme 50 customers will now receive speeds of up to 105 Mbps (formerly 50 Mbps). This is the seventh time since 2002 that Comcast has increased speeds for its customers. "More customers are simultaneously connecting to the Internet through tablets, laptops and smartphones within their homes. Whether it's to stream movies, upload photos, video chat with family and friends, or catch all of the Olympics action live on their tablets and connected devices, we want to ensure these consumers are getting the speeds they need," said Cathy Avgiris, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Data and Communications Services at Comcast. "We will continue to increase speeds as customer demands evolve. Comcast is committed to providing our customers with even more choices to get the best, fastest and most reliable experience possible." In addition to doubling the speeds of two existing Internet speed tiers, Comcast also announced plans that it will begin to launch Xfinity Platinum Internet, a new ultra-fast speed tier, throughout markets in its Northeast division. Xfinity Platinum Internet offers the most-advanced digital homes download speeds of up to 305 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 65 Mbps. These customers will also receive at no additional charge: Xfinity Signature Support (a $9.95/month value), providing customers 24/7 tech support from experienced and knowledgeable specialists; a wireless gateway to create a fast, efficient and secure home network; a dedicated Personal Communications Consultant to support their high-speed Internet needs; and the Constant Guard™ Security Suite, the most comprehensive online protection services available from any major ISP. "With the launch of Xfinity Platinum Internet, Comcast continues to be a leader when it comes to delivering the fastest broadband speeds in the U.S.," Avgiris added. Comcast is launching these new enhancements and offerings across many major markets, including Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, and New Jersey. |
| Apple to present at Black Hat conference for first time, talk about iOS' padlocks Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:51 AM PDT Apple is taking a different, more cautious tack when it comes to security these days. That doesn't make it any less surprising that the company is planning to give a presentation at the Black Hat conference: the company will have someone on stage for the first time and won't just socialize in the corridors. When he takes to the podium on July 26th, platform security manager Dallas De Atley will go into detail regarding iOS' security measures in front of an audience used to finding a way around them. The company hasn't said whether that involves current or future technology; we suspect that Apple may be eager to show what iOS 6 brings to the table, however. If it all goes down like Black Hat general manager Trey Ford says it will, Apple may both open up a bit on security and set more of the agenda this week -- instead of letting conference goers set it themselves. |
| Dell Precision M4700, M6700 business laptops get suited up for quiet debut Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:24 AM PDT Quietly, and without fanfare, Dell snuck out its new pair of hardcore business laptops onto its storefront. Both the Precision M4700 and M6700 come with Ivy Bridge CPUs and a wealth of build-to-order options including Red Hat Linux -- after all, this is Dell we're talking about here. The 15-inch M4700 is available for $1049 (£999 in the UK) plus tax and shipping, while the 17-inch M6700 has a base price of $1849 (£1,349 in the UK). |
| AOL redesigns its Play music player app for the Kindle Fire, premium version is free tomorrow Posted: 24 Jul 2012 08:00 AM PDT Well, looky here. Engadget's very own parent company AOL has released its Play music player app for Kindle Fire, and the interface here is actually considerably different from what you'd get on the straight Android version, available in Google Play. The product people behind the application say they re-tooled the design to match the Fire's 7-inch, 1,024 x 600 screen (and also, the tablet's heavily skinned UI, based on Android). Other than the facelift, there seems to be a good deal of overlap in functionality between this and the Google Play version: access to more than 55,000 Shoutcast radio stations and the ability to share favorite songs over Twitter and Facebook. Also like the main Android version, there's a so-called CD Listening Party feature that opens up free, complete albums, with selections changing weekly. (Naturally, you can also use the app to listen to your own MP3s stored locally on the device, but you probably gathered that.) Play will be available as a free, ad-supported app, though you can also get an advert-free version for 99 cents. Download tomorrow, though (that would be Wednesday, Eastern Standard Time), and you can get the premium one gratis. |
| Redbox Instant enters alpha testing with help from Verizon (updated) Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:39 AM PDT It's been a long, long road but Redbox's streaming movie service is finally crawling towards reality. In February the DVD vending company announced a partnership with Verizon that would finally usher the Walmart staple into the 21st century. According to Fast Company, Redbox Instant will enter an internal alpha today, beginning the process of ironing out the bugs and fine tuning the offering. Heading up the joint venture will be newly appointed CEO Shawn Strickland, who served as a VP in Verizon's FiOS division. Both physical discs and streaming media will be available as a single package, but execs have been quiet on pricing and structure of those subscription plans. Supposedly we'll be getting more details later today, but in the meantime you can simply go visit the fist-pumping landing page at the more coverage link and sign up for more info. Update: The official PR has hit and you'll find a link to the PDF at the source. There's not much more information sadly, but the portfolio of products is expected to launch later this year. |
| Corning and Samsung plan LCD glass plant in China, may toughen up a few laptop screens Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:15 AM PDT Corning and Samsung were the best of friends well before even the Lotus Glass deal, but the relationship just got a little cozier. The two have agreed to build a plant in China's industry-heavy Wuxi New District focused on making glass to cover LCD panels in laptops and desktop displays. The roughly $600 million factory will be a major production hub for Samsung, not just an expansion: it's planning to stop some of its glass production in South Korea and send that work to the new facility when it opens. There won't even be signatures on the agreement until sometime later this year, so the plant itself is still a distant prospect -- but while the two haven't outlined their exact strategy, the new plant may be the ticket to toughening up that future Series 9 laptop with a touch of Gorilla Glass. |
| Nike+ Kinect Training arrives October 30th, looks to whip you into shape for $50 Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:07 AM PDT |
| Amazon puts 50MB limit on 3G Kindle's 'free' experimental browser Posted: 24 Jul 2012 07:01 AM PDT Sad news for global |
| Scientists create first computer simulation of a complete organism Posted: 24 Jul 2012 06:41 AM PDT
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Motorola Droid RAZR HD raises hopes during its brief encounter with the FCC? Posted: 24 Jul 2012 06:22 AM PDT What do we know about Motorola's Droid RAZR HD? It's likely to arrive clad in a Kevlar body, run Ice Cream Sandwich and be quick off the blocks. Now we can possibly start looking forward to a release date for such a teasing device since it's been passed fit for human consumption by the boys at the FCC. The test documents revealed it's got CDMA and GSM radios, will slurp down Verizon's LTE and pack an NFC chip -- but alas, no hint of whether we should be waiting for a version with a bigger battery. |
| European Commission investigating 13 companies for optical drive price fixing Posted: 24 Jul 2012 05:49 AM PDT The European Commission is digging it its heels and officially launching an investigation into 13 companies for allegedly rigging bids on optical drives with at least two major OEMs. The companies haven't been named, but it's safe to assume if the Commission is getting involved these aren't two-bit players selling cheap knockoffs. With the Statement of Objections issued, now its a matter of gathering evidence and formally charging those it can build a case against. With an e-book investigation underway and a DRAM conspiracy not far in its past, the existence of an optical drive cartel is probably not the sort of news the Commission wants to hear right now. Sadly, there's not much detail to share, but you'll find the complete and brief PR after the break. Now its just time to sit back and wait to see what companies we're allowed to start hating next. Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to suspected participants in a cartel for the supply of computer CD and DVD drives The European Commission has informed thirteen companies supplying optical disk drives in the European Economic Area (EEA) of its preliminary view that they may have infringed EU antitrust rules by participating in a worldwide cartel. Optical disk drives read or write data on CDs and DVDs. The Commission has concerns that those suppliers may have coordinated their behaviour in bidding events organised by two major original equipment manufacturers for optical disk drives used in personal computers (desktops and notebooks) and in servers. The sending of a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the final outcome of the investigation. The Commission takes the preliminary view that the companies concerned engaged for at least five years in bid rigging, which is one of the most serious breaches of EU antitrust rules. This behaviour, if established, may have ultimately affected customers that bought optical disk drives manufactured by the companies concerned. Procedural background A statement of objections is a formal step in Commission investigations into suspected violations of EU rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the European Economic Area Agreement). The Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them and the companies can examine the documents on the Commission's investigation file, reply in writing and request an oral hearing to present their comments on the case before representatives of the Commission and national competition authorities. The duration of cartel investigations varies according to the complexity of the case, the number of markets and companies involved and whether they cooperate with the Commission. If, after the parties have exercised their right of defence, the Commission concludes that there is sufficient evidence of an infringement it can issue a decision prohibiting the conduct and impose a fine of up to 10 % of a company's annual worldwide turnover. This is without prejudice to a company's ability to receive full immunity for being the first to reveal information about a cartel or to receive a reduction in its fine for supplying evidence of significant added value according to the Commission's Leniency Notice. |
| LG's voice recognition app studies English, aims to pass the test next year Posted: 24 Jul 2012 05:29 AM PDT LG's Quick Voice app's monolingual status shouldn't last long. After a quick restyle -- it's now Q Voice -- the app is gearing up to launch internationally with an English language version ready for the first half of next year. LG also adds a bit more detail on its voice recognition offering, which can pick out a single female voice in a noisy room full of men and have the ability to make settings adjustments to Bluetooth, sound and vibration by speech. Perhaps only slightly less important than real functionality, the Q Voice interface will also include some "witty emotional responses" -- ask what the device had for lunch and it will say it chowed down on 220 volts. LG Korea reiterates that the functionality is still limited to its domestic models of the Optimus Vu and incoming Optimus LTE II at the moment, but will feature on additional phones in the future. While voice recognition from bigger mobile rivals hasn't revolutionized how we use our phones just yet, LG's hoping the sheen of the newish tech won't have worn off by 2013. |
| 7digital launches early digital music store for Windows 8, available now on Preview version Posted: 24 Jul 2012 05:15 AM PDT Digital music store 7digital has announced that it's launching a Windows 8-based version -- and you can even shop around on the preview iteration, ahead of the operating system's October launch date. The store will offer up 20 million tracks, with your account still working across the existing platforms, including the recent Windows Phone version. This preview app, which runs on both the desktop and metro versions, also includes 7digital's music discovery service and 30-second previews of all its content. If you've already invested into 7digital's music library, then you can start syncing your collection to your experimental Windows 8 devices starting today. The music-seller also promises "further refinements" ahead of Microsoft's big launch. 7digital releases first digital music store on Windows 8 7digital application provides Windows 8 users with access to 20 million high quality music tracks The 7digital Music Store application, available from the Windows Store Preview, is an early preview that will be further refined ahead of the Windows 8 release. 7digital is the first digital music store to be made available worldwide on the Windows 8 platform. The application has been developed as part of 7digital's platform agnostic mobile strategy, providing consumers with access to their music collection across all devices. The application has been designed to work on both the desktop and tablet (Metro) versions of Windows 8, and provides users with a single, unified interface for music discovery and purchase across all their Windows 8 devices. Users will have access to 7digital's entire catalogue of 20 million high quality digital music tracks, can search through 7digital's catalogue for favourite artists and tracks, or discover new music based on 7digital's recommendation technology. 30 second previews of all tracks are available before purchase, and purchased music is automatically added to a user's cloud-based 7digital Locker for access on other devices or through a web browser. Existing 7digital users will be able to automatically sync and download all tracks and albums in their 7digital Locker to a Windows 8 device, once the application has been installed. Favourite artists and albums can also be 'pinned' to the Windows 8 UI and shared with friends. Ben Drury, CEO of 7digital comments "The potential of Windows 8 is huge. Microsoft's renewed commitment to the tablet space, and development of the Surface hardware, means there could be millions of devices in the market by the end of next year. We believe this offers us a significant market opportunity as a digital music provider. "The heart of our digital strategy is providing a platform agnostic music store that does not tie users to a single device or operating system; we have apps for Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone and iOS already available. Developing the Windows 8 application early means we're ideally placed to become the default digital music store for newly purchased desktops and tablets, and compatible across all other platforms. We're also ensuring our existing customers can access their tracks and albums, and purchase new music, as soon as they buy or upgrade to Windows 8." The 7digital Music Store application is available globally from the Windows Store Preview for users testing the current Windows 8 build. The application is available worldwide, and is compatible with x86, x64 and ARM based devices. |
| AT&T's Q2: 5.1 million smartphones sold helps make a $6.8 billion profit Posted: 24 Jul 2012 04:39 AM PDT AT&T has announced its second-quarter results, posting revenues of $31.6 billion and income of $6.8 billion for the three month period. The company sold 5.1 million smartphones, fewer than the 5.5 million sold in Q1 -- but offset the drop by squeezing a margin of 30.3 percent from its existing customers. It's also counted on less than 1 percent of wireless churn, due to the "premier experience" available on the network. Overall it's now got 105.2 million subscribers, with 43 million of these using smartphones -- an increase of 1.3 million in the three months. More than half of all smartphone activations (3.7 million) were iPhones, with 22 percent of those customers being new to the network. U-Verse now has nearly seven million subscribers and increased revenue by 38 percent to $2.3 billion, while Big Blue's enterprise arm also saw boosted growth. We've got the full breakdown for you after the jump, but in short: It's a very, very good time to be a cellphone network... unless you're Sprint, obviously. AT&T Reports 10 Percent Earnings Growth, Strong Revenue and Margin Gains and Best-Ever Wireless Margins and Churn In Second-Quarter Results AT&T (NYSE:T) today reported second-quarter results highlighted by growing revenues and earnings, record wireless service margins and churn, strong wireless data growth and continued gains in U-verse services. "We executed well across the business and posted another strong quarter with growing revenues, expanding margins and double-digit earnings growth," said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. "Our mobile Internet leadership continues, with solid gains in smartphones and tablets, plus our wireless margins have never been better. And most impressive, with this growth, we also achieved our best-ever postpaid wireless churn, which points to the premier experience customers receive on our network. All of these things add to our confidence and enthusiasm looking ahead. "In addition, with disciplined cost management our cash generation continues to be strong," Stephenson added. "This allows us to invest aggressively in our growth platforms while returning substantial value to shareowners through dividends and share repurchases." Second-Quarter Financial Results For the quarter ended June 30, 2012, AT&T's consolidated revenues totaled $31.6 billion, up 0.3 percent versus the year-earlier quarter. On May 8, 2012, AT&T closed the sale of its Advertising Solutions unit to an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. Year-over-year comparisons include full, second-quarter 2011 Advertising Solutions revenues. When excluding Advertising Solutions results, AT&T's consolidated revenues grew 2.0 percent. Compared with results for the second quarter of 2011, operating expenses were $24.8 billion versus $25.3 billion, down 2.3 percent year over year; excluding Advertising Solutions, operating expenses were $24.5 billion versus $24.6 billion in the year-ago quarter, down 0.6 percent. Operating income was $6.8 billion, up from $6.2 billion; and AT&T's operating income margin expanded to 21.6 percent, compared to 19.6 percent, the best in four years. Second-quarter 2012 net income attributable to AT&T totaled $3.9 billion, or $0.66 per diluted share, up from $3.6 billion, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the year-earlier quarter. Second-quarter 2012 cash from operating activities totaled $9.7 billion, and capital expenditures totaled $4.5 billion. Free cash flow - cash from operating activities minus capital expenditures - totaled $5.1 billion. During the second quarter, AT&T continued buying back shares under its outstanding 300 million share repurchase authorization. The company repurchased 75.8 million of its shares for $2.5 billion in the quarter. Year to date, the company has repurchased 143.5 million shares for $4.6 billion. The company expects to continue to buy back shares consistent with its repurchase authorization. WIRELESS OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AT&T delivered strong wireless data revenue growth, record low churn and best-ever service margins in the second quarter. Highlights included: Wireless Data Revenues Increase $1 Billion. Total wireless revenues, which include equipment sales, were up 4.8 percent year over year to $16.4 billion. Wireless service revenues increased 4.3 percent, to $14.8 billion, in the second quarter. Wireless data revenues - driven by Internet access, access to applications, messaging and related services - increased by $1.0 billion, or 18.8 percent, from the year-earlier quarter to $6.4 billion. Second-quarter wireless operating expenses totaled $11.4 billion, flat versus the year-earlier quarter, and wireless operating income was $5.0 billion, up 17.8 percent year over year. Best-Ever Wireless Margins. In the second quarter, the company reported its best-ever wireless service margins, driven by improved operating efficiencies, fewer handset upgrades and further revenue gains from the company's 43 million high-value smartphone subscribers. AT&T's second-quarter wireless operating income margin was 30.3 percent versus 26.9 percent in the year-earlier quarter, and AT&T's wireless EBITDA service margin was 45.0 percent, compared with 41.1 percent in the second quarter of 2011. (EBITDA service margin is operating income before depreciation and amortization, divided by total service revenues.) Industry-Leading Postpaid ARPU Continues Growth. Postpaid subscriber ARPU increased 1.7 percent versus the year-earlier quarter to $64.93, which is the highest in the industry. This marked the 14th consecutive quarter AT&T has posted a year-over-year increase in postpaid ARPU. Postpaid data ARPU reached $28.04, up 14.1 percent versus the year-earlier quarter. Subscriber Gains in Every Category. AT&T posted a net increase in total wireless subscribers of 1.3 million in the second quarter to reach 105.2 million in service. This included gains in every customer category. Subscriber additions for the quarter included postpaid net adds of 320,000. Prepaid net adds were 92,000, connected device net adds were 382,000 and reseller net adds were 472,000. Second-quarter net adds reflect continued adoption of smartphones and sales of tablets. Churn Reaches Record Low Levels. Postpaid, prepaid and total churn reached their lowest levels ever. For the second quarter, postpaid churn was 0.97 percent, compared to 1.15 percent in the year-ago second quarter and 1.10 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Total churn was 1.18 percent versus 1.43 percent in the second quarter of 2011 and 1.47 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Strong Smartphone Sales Continue. AT&T sold 5.1 million smartphones in the second quarter. Smartphones represented 77 percent of postpaid device sales. At the end of the quarter, 61.9 percent, or 43.1 million, of AT&T's postpaid subscribers had smartphones, up from 49.9 percent, or 34.1 million, a year earlier. AT&T's ARPU for smartphones is twice that of non-smartphone subscribers, and about 88 percent of smartphone subscribers are on FamilyTalk® or business plans. Churn levels for these subscribers are significantly lower than for other postpaid subscribers. More than one-third of AT&T's postpaid smartphone customers use a 4G-capable device. Android, iPhone and Windows device sales were supported by AT&T's 4G network. Only AT&T's 4G network lets iPhone 4S download three-times faster than any other U.S. carrier's network. In the quarter, the company activated 3.7 million iPhones, with 22 percent new to AT&T. Tethering Plans and Tablets Drive Branded Computing Sales. AT&T had another strong quarter of sales for branded computing subscribers, a wireless data revenue growth area for the company that includes tablets, tethering plans, aircards, mobile Wi-Fi hot spots and other data-only devices. AT&T added 496,000 to reach a total of 6.3 million, up more than 50 percent from a year ago. During the quarter, 219,000 tablets were added, about three-quarters of which were postpaid. More Subscribers Move to Tiered Data Plans. The number of subscribers on tiered data plans also continues to increase. Approximately 27 million, or about two-thirds, of all smartphone subscribers are on tiered data plans, compared to 45 percent a year ago, and about three-quarters of these have chosen the higher-tiered plans. AT&T's postpaid wireless subscribers on data plans increased by 12.2 percent over the past year. WIRELINE OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS AT&T's second-quarter wireline results were led by strong wireline consumer revenue growth, positive revenue growth in enterprise and effective cost management. Highlights included: Wireline Margins Expand. Total second-quarter wireline revenues were $14.9 billion, down 0.8 percent versus the year-earlier quarter and down slightly sequentially. Second-quarter wireline operating expenses were $12.9 billion, down 1.3 percent versus the second quarter of 2011 and down 1.9 percent sequentially. Positive consumer and strategic business services revenue trends and execution of cost initiatives helped to partially offset declines in voice revenues. AT&T's wireline operating income totaled $2.1 billion, 2.2 percent higher than the second quarter of 2011 and up 12.6 percent versus the first quarter of 2012. Second-quarter wireline operating income margin was 13.8 percent, compared to 13.4 percent in the year-earlier quarter and 12.2 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Enterprise Returns to Growth. Total business revenues were $9.1 billion, down 1.5 percent versus the year-earlier quarter. Business service revenues declined 1.4 percent year over year, compared to a year-over-year decline of 3.9 percent in the year-ago quarter. Overall, declines in legacy products were largely offset by continued growth in strategic business services. Business revenue comparisons were helped by the first year-over-year revenue growth in enterprise since the first quarter of 2008. Business Data Revenue Growth Continues. Revenues from strategic business services, the new-generation capabilities that lead AT&T's most advanced business solutions - including Ethernet, VPNs, hosting, IP conferencing and application services - grew 13.5 percent versus the year-earlier quarter, continuing strong trends in this area. Total business data revenues grew 2.0 percent year over year, continuing the transition from legacy data products to next-generation data services. U-verse Revenues Up 38 Percent. Revenues from residential customers totaled $5.5 billion, an increase of 1.7 percent versus the second quarter a year ago - their strongest growth in more than four years. Continued strong growth in consumer IP data services in the second quarter more than offset lower revenues from voice and legacy products. The second quarter marked the eighth consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in wireline consumer revenues. U-verse continues to drive a transformation in wireline consumer, reflected by the fact that consumer broadband, video and voice over IP revenues now represent 57 percent of wireline consumer revenues, up from 50 percent in the year-earlier quarter. Increased AT&T U-verse penetration and a significant number of subscribers on triple- or quad-play options drove 18.2 percent year-over-year growth in IP revenues from residential customers (broadband, U-verse TV and U-verse Voice) and 6.2 percent sequential growth. U-verse revenues grew 38.3 percent compared with the year-ago second quarter and were up 10.2 percent versus the first quarter of 2012. U-verse Subscribers Near 7 Million Mark. Total AT&T U-verse subscribers (TV and high speed Internet) reached 6.8 million in the second quarter. AT&T U-verse TV added 155,000 subscribers to reach 4.1 million in service. AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet delivered a second-quarter net gain of 553,000 subscribers to reach a total of 6.5 million, helping offset losses from DSL. Overall, AT&T wireline broadband connections decreased 96,000, partly due to seasonality. More than 50 percent of U-verse broadband subscribers have a plan delivering speeds up to 12 Mbps or higher, up from 39 percent in the year-ago quarter. About 90 percent of new U-verse TV customers took AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet in the second quarter and about half of new subscribers took AT&T U-verse Voice. About three-fourths of AT&T U-verse TV subscribers have a triple- or quad-play option from AT&T. ARPU for U-verse triple-play customers was about $170, up slightly year over year. U-verse TV penetration of eligible living units continues to grow and was at 17.3 percent in the second quarter. |
| Apple demands $2.02, plus $3.10... equals a total of $2.5 billion in Samsung damages Posted: 24 Jul 2012 04:15 AM PDT According to a unit cost breakdown by Foss Patents, Apple wants $2.02 for every previously sold Samsung product that uses "overscroll bounce," another $2.02 for those that allow "tap to zoom and navigate," $3.10 for those that involve a "scrolling API," plus a mega $24 for each and every device that breaks an Apple design patent or trade dress right. That means the bulk of Apple's claim -- as much as $2 billion -- is actually for aesthetic rather than technical infringements. Of course, these figures have no bearing on what the US court may eventually decide to award to either party, and neither do they factor in any strategic value of the blood from Samsung's nose, or the negative PR that can only grow amid such litigious behavior. |
| Vizio Co-Star Google TV set-top box is up for pre-order, $100 brings it your way in August Posted: 24 Jul 2012 03:54 AM PDT As promised, Vizio has starting taking pre-orders for its Co-Star Google TV box. For a penny less than a Benjamin, it adds the new Google TV experience to your existing setup, and brings along its remote with QWERTY keyboard on the underside and integrated IR blaster. Based on one of Marvell's ARM processors it's ready for apps like OnLive, and now that the price is competitive with the hockey puck streamers like Roku, Western Digital or Apple, we'll see which one consumers choose. August 14th is the current estimated shipping date, if you'd like to be the first with one (and take advantage of a "limited time" free shipping offer) before the box hits retailers hit the source link to get in line, or check out the press release and quick video preview embedded after the break. ONLINE PRE-ORDERS OPEN TODAY FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED Free-Shipping Offer Available for a Limited Time WHAT: VIZIO, America's #1 LCD HDTV Company*, announced today pre-order availability of its highly anticipated stream player , the VIZIO Co-Star™ with Google TV™. Consumers can now visit VIZIO.com to pre-order the Co-Star for $99.99 (US) and take advantage of the limited-time offer of free shipping. WHEN: Online pre-order opens on July 24, 2012 at www.vizio.com/costar. The VIZIO Co-Star stream player will be available exclusively on VIZIO.com for $99.99 (US), with an introductory free-shipping offer, while supplies last. To pre-order visit: www.vizio.com/costar * IHS iSuppli Corporation Research Q2 2012 Market Tracker Report of Q1 2012. ** Compatible with high definition televisions with HDMI connectivity. *** High-speed/Broadband Internet service and access equipment are required, and not provided by About VIZIO VIZIO, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, is America's #1 LCD HDTV Company*. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in U.S. LCD HDTV shipments. Since 2007 VIZIO LCD HDTV shipments remain in the top ranks in the U.S. and were #1 for the total year in 2009 and 2010. VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich consumer electronics to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics. VIZIO's products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, BJ's Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Fast Company's 6th Most Innovative CE Company of 2009, and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, IGN Best of CES - Television, Bluetooth.org Best of CES, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy, Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice and OC Metro's 10 Most Trustworthy Brands among many other prestigious honors. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com. The V, VIZIO, VIZIO Internet Apps, Theater 3D, CinemaWide HDTV, Full Array TruLED, Edge Lit Razor LED, 240Hz SPS, 480Hz SPS, Entertainment Freedom and Entertainment Freedom for All names, logos and phrase are registered or unregistered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. All other trademarks may be the property of their respective holders. |
| Ben Heck talks about fitting custom 3D printer in briefcase, Q nods in approval (video) Posted: 24 Jul 2012 03:13 AM PDT The last time we ran into Ben Heck, the tinkerer extraordinaire was waxing poetic at Maker Faire about the Raspberry Pi and cheese curds. One more thing he also talked about, however, was his latest 3D printer project, which he now explains in greater detail in the latest episode of the Ben Heck Show. Improvements made to the device include use of a Birdstruder for easier access to the filament and the ability print off an SD card if you don't have a computer handy. The 3D printer also sports an expanded 200-square-millimeter print area with a solid copper cover for added sturdiness and accuracy. As usual, size matters for Mr. Heckendorn so the device got a boost in portability, now neatly folding James Bond-like into a briefcase that measures 18 x 14 x 4.2 inches. Interested in a briefcase printer of your own? Well, Heckendorn mentioned during the Maker Faire interview that he's already working on an improved version and thinking about putting it up on Kickstarter so hope springs eternal. In the meantime, you can glean more details about the device by checking out the video after the break. |
| Apple wins 'EU-wide' injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, denied on 10.1 ban Posted: 24 Jul 2012 02:27 AM PDT Word around the mulberry bush is that Apple has just won itself a Europe-wide injunction against the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, in case anyone still wanted to buy that tablet now that the Nexus 7 is out. The decision was taken in-between beer courses at the appeals court in Dusseldorf, but it didn't all go Apple's way -- Cupertino's request to have the re-designed Galaxy Tab 10.1 (aka the 10.1N) banned too was rejected, having already been turned down at preliminary hearing back in February. The Tab 7.7 apparently infringes Apple patents that date from 2004 and, such is the power of one little German town, cannot technically be sold anywhere in the EU -- although other countries may choose to ignore the ruling and it's probably only a matter of time before a 7.7N comes out anyway. In contrast, the failed claim against the 10-inch slate hinged on a "generic design patent," which a British judge has also vehemently dismissed. Glossing over the 7.7 decision, Samsung says it "welcomes the court's ruling" with regard to the 10.1N and accuses Apple of using "legal claims" to restrict "design innovation and progress in the industry." |
| Researchers develop femtosecond laser that can diagnose, blast cancerous tumors Posted: 24 Jul 2012 02:13 AM PDT Researchers at the University of Tennessee's Center for Laser Applications have developed a femtosecond laser that can non-invasively diagnose, map, irradiate and burn cancerous tumors. Utilizing a beam that pulses at one-quadrillionth of a second, the technology is able to seek out growths and obliterate them with an increased burst of intensity. "Using ultra-short light pulses gives us the ability to focus in a well confined region and the ability for intense radiation," says Associate Professor of Physics Christian Parigger. "This allows us to come in and leave a specific area quickly so we can diagnose and attack tumorous cells fast." The swift, precise technique can avoiding heating up adjacent, healthy tissues and has potential for use in outpatient procedures, particularly for people afflicted with brain tumors. For now, however, the scientists are working with the non-profit University of Tennessee Research Foundation to bring their tech to market. Roll past the jump for the press release and a glimpse of the laser in action. University of Tennessee Space Institute researchers develop laser technology to fight cancer Researchers have harnessed the power of lasers to find, map and non-invasively destruct cancerous tumors Researchers at the Center for Laser Applications at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma have developed a technology that goes on a "seek and destroy" mission for cancerous tumors. They have harnessed the power of lasers to find, map and non-invasively destruct cancerous tumors. Christian Parigger, associate professor of physics, and Jacqueline Johnson, associate professor of mechanical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering, along with Robert Splinter of Splinter Consultants, have developed the invention. The technology uses a femtosecond laser, which means it pulses at speeds of one-quadrillionth of a second. The high speed enables the laser to focus in on a specific region to find and acutely map a tumor. "Using ultra-short light pulses gives us the ability to focus in a well confined region and the ability for intense radiation," said Parigger. "This allows us to come in and leave a specific area quickly so we can diagnose and attack tumorous cells fast." Once the cancerous area is precisely targeted, only the intensity of the laser radiation needs to be turned up in order to irradiate, or burn off, the tumor. This method has the potential to be more exact than current methods and to be done as an outpatient procedure replacing intensive surgery. "Because the femtosecond laser radiation can be precisely focused both spatially and temporally, one can avoid heating up too many other things that you do not want heated," said Parigger. "Using longer laser-light pulses is similar to leaving a light bulb on, which gets warm and can damage healthy tissue." The technology can be especially helpful to brain cancer victims. The imaging mechanism can non-invasively permeate thin layers of bone, such as the skull, and can help define a targeted treatment strategy for persistent cancer. The method also overcomes limitations posed by current treatments in which radiation may damage portions of healthy brain tissue. It also may overcome limitations of photodynamic therapy that has restricted acceptance and surgery that may not be an option if not all carcinogenic tissue can be removed. "If you have a cancerous area such as in the brain, the notion is if you see something and take care of it, it won't spread," said Parigger. "This treatment overcomes difficulties in treating brain cancer and tumors. And it has the promise of application to other areas, as well." The researchers are working to bring their technology to market with the University of Tennessee Research Foundation, a non profit corporation responsible for commercializing the university's technologies and supporting UT research. |
| BlackBerry PlayBook with 4G LTE may reach Bell by July 31st, 1.5GHz chip tagging along for the ride Posted: 24 Jul 2012 01:31 AM PDT RIM has been planning a 4G-capable BlackBerry PlayBook for so long that CEO Thorsten Heins' promises of a 2012 launch still made it feel distant. If Bell Canada information breezing past MobileSyrup's desk is any indicator, though, the launch is coming sooner than Heins implied -- just one week away, as of this writing. The slip has at least the one carrier reportedly offering an LTE-equipped, 32GB version of the 7-inch tablet on July 31st at a price of $550 Canadian ($540 US) without a contract. And yes, it would get that rumored 1.5GHz processor upgrade if there's any substance to the story. We'd still prefer to see the tablet jump to BlackBerry 10 more than anything, especially at that kind of price, but the RIM faithful could still find something to cheer if they're looking for a truly definitive PlayBook to make the BB10 wait feel shorter. |
| Microsoft to Windows RT OEMs: 'If your name's not on the list, you're not making a tablet' Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:47 AM PDT China Times is reporting that Microsoft is only letting an elite few companies build Windows RT tablets in order to focus its research and development resources. It reportedly asked three chipmakers to pick up to two OEMs to bring inside the tent, with NVIDIA grabbing ASUS and Lenovo, TI snagging Toshiba and Qualcomm selecting Samsung and HP. However, the latter company dropped out of the program to concentrate on x86 machines, so it's rumored that Dell's currently jockeying to take its place. The first wave of completed tablets will arrive on October 26th, and Redmond won't open up the market until January next year -- so expect Windows RT to be the buzz-word CES 2013. |
| Nokia completes acquisiton of Scalado's imaging tech and developers Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:33 AM PDT It's taken just over a month for Nokia to get everything in place, but its now announced that around 50 "world-class imaging specialists" have joined Espoo's already substantial mobile imaging department, alongside a stack of Scalado's technologies and intellectual property. The imaging specialist's co-founder, Sami Niemi, who will now head up the Capture and Relive section of Smart Devices at Nokia, said: "The technologies and competences we've developed should help move from taking photos to capturing memories and emotions." (We're sure those hulking PureView sensors will help too.) Take a look at Nokia's brief statement on its future in mobile imaging after the break. Nokia completes acquisition of developers, technologies and intellectual property for imaging from Scalado Acquisition aims to bring outstanding imaging experiences to Nokia Lumia smartphones Espoo, Finland and Lund, Sweden: Nokia announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all technologies and intellectual property from Scalado AB, originally announced on June 14, 2012. As part of the transaction, approximately 50 world-class imaging specialists transferred to Nokia. "We believe that this acquisition will strengthen Nokia's leading position in mobile imaging and provide us with a great opportunity to create even better imaging products and applications," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president, Smart Devices at Nokia. "We welcome the skilled and passionate professionals from Scalado to Nokia and are excited to have them work with the rest of our talented and dedicated imaging experts to bring world-class imaging solutions to our Nokia Lumia smartphones. The Nokia team is already responsible for many leading innovations in mobile imaging and, together with the experts from Scalado, we aim at astonishing the world with new, outstanding imaging experiences." Lund has now become a key site for Nokia's imaging software for smartphones, in addition to Nokia's existing locations in Espoo and Tampere, Finland. "We're excited to join Nokia at such an important time in its smartphone story," said Sami Niemi, co-founder of Scalado and now head of Capture & Relive, Smart Devices at Nokia. "The technologies and competences we've developed should help move from taking photos to capturing memories and emotions." |
| Android Jelly Bean OS manages speedy launch on ZTE's N880E smartphone Posted: 24 Jul 2012 12:19 AM PDT Unless you've been buying your Android gadgets exclusively from Google's Play store, chances to get your hands on the latest iteration of its mobile OS are still pretty rare. Color us surprised, then, when ZTE announce that one of its humbler handsets from last year is making the leap from Android 2.3 all the way to version 4.1. The China-only N880E appears to be only the third smartphone to launch with the buttery smooth Android trimmings, spread across a 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display. The smartphone holds onto the four off-screen capacitive Android keys and is powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and 512MB of RAM. ZTE is still keeping quiet on whether the phone will appear outside of China -- and is similarly schtum on its upgrade plans for the other smartphones. ZTE Launches the N880E Smartphone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in China ZTE N880E among the world's first Android 4.1 handsets 23 July 2012, Shenzhen, China – ZTE Corporation ("ZTE") (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a publicly-listed global provider of telecommunications equipment and mobile devices, has launched its first Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) handset in China just one week after the release of the official version of the mobile device operating system. The ZTE N880E smartphone runs the Google Experience version of Jelly Bean and is the first Android 4.1 smartphone launched in China and the third in the world. Other ZTE handsets will be launched soon with Android 4.1. "ZTE has an excellent relationship with Google and this, combined with our extensive R&D capabilities and our experience of customising devices for partners around the world, means we are able to bring new technologies to market very quickly," said Mr. Kan Yulun, Vice President and CTO of the Handset Division, ZTE. "Our aim is to provide the best quality customer experience for the best value, and the N880E is a great example of this." The ZTE N880E smartphone has a 4.0-inch capacitive WVGA touchscreen, with a 1GHz Qualcomm 7627A processor, 4GB of memory and a 3.2MP AF camera. It is an ultra-slim device with just 10.4mm in thickness. The ZTE N880E was originally launched in May 2012 running Android 2.3 and has already sold more than one million units. Version 4.1 of the Android mobile device operating system was released on July 13 and offers improved performance and responsiveness, with new features such as expandable notifications and Google Now.
ZTE N880E Specifications – China market
Size 119mm x 61mm x 10.4mm Screen 4.0-inch, WVGA, 480 x 800 TFT, capacitive touchscreen Weight 130g Battery Li-ion 1650mAh Standard CDMA2000 1x, EVDO Rev.A, 800MHz OS Android 4.1.1 Platform Qualcomm 7627A Frequency 1GHz Memory 4GB + 512MB Extended memory MicroSD (max. support 32G) Camera 3.2MP AF Bluetooth 2.1, A2DP, AVRCP WLAN 802.11 b/g/n Other GPS, GMS, FM, A-GPS |
| Yet another Ofcom report promises UK LTE spectrum sale within five months, rollout in mid-2013 Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:39 PM PDT The long wait for LTE in the UK has already brought new levels of cynicism to a once earnest and optimistic nation, but now, finally, Ofcom has set itself a deadline for auctioning off the prized 4G spectrum to telecoms companies. In a major report published today, it declared that the sale is "set to get underway by the end of 2012" and will be "80 percent bigger" than the last spectrum-grab of this type -- the £22 billion flogging of 3G back in 2000. Bidding should be completed by early 2013, so long as at least four wholesalers show interest, and then the rollout itself should begin in the middle of that blessed year. The regulator also promised that 4G mobile broadband will reach 98 percent of people in "villages, towns and cities" across the UK. Unless, of course, it gets sued by operators before the process even starts. July 24, 2012 Spectrum sale will be 80% bigger than 3G The largest ever auction of spectrum for mobile services in the UK is set to get under way by the end of 2012, Ofcom announced today, laying the path for next-generation 4G networks to be rolled out next year. The auction will offer the equivalent of three quarters of the mobile spectrum in use today – some 80% more than released in the 3G auction which took place in 2000. The plans should see mobile broadband rolled out to at least 98% of people in villages, towns and cities across the UK. This will be achieved through 4G, the fourth generation of mobile technology, which will deliver much faster mobile data speeds to phones and other wireless devices than presently possible. Ofcom has confirmed its decisions on the auction, including measures that will see next-generation mobile broadband become available to nearly everyone in the UK, creating substantial benefits for citizens and consumers. To ensure that UK consumers continue to benefit from a competitive market, Ofcom has also decided to reserve some of the available spectrum for a fourth national wholesaler other than the three largest mobile operators. Ed Richards, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: "The 4G auction has been designed to deliver the maximum possible benefit to consumers and citizens across the UK. "As a direct result of the measures Ofcom is introducing, consumers will be able to surf the web, stream videos and download email attachments on their mobile device from almost every home in the UK." New mobile capacity The 4G auction will offer at least two spectrum bands – 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz. The lower frequency 800 MHz band is part of the 'digital dividend', which is ideal for widespread mobile coverage. The higher frequency 2.6 GHz band is ideal for delivering the capacity needed to deliver faster speeds. These two bands add up to 250 MHz of additional mobile spectrum, compared to 333 MHz in use today. This combination of low and high frequency spectrum creates the potential for 4G mobile broadband services to be widely available across the UK, while offering capacity to cope with significant demand in urban centres. Promoting competition Ofcom has concluded that UK consumers are likely to benefit from better services at lower prices if there are at least four credible national wholesalers of 4G mobile services. Therefore, in the interests of competition, Ofcom has decided to reserve a minimum amount of spectrum in the auction for a fourth operator. This could be either Hutchinson 3G or a new entrant altogether. Coverage obligation The spectrum bands will be auctioned to bidders as a series of lots. One of the 800 MHz lots of spectrum will carry an obligation to provide a mobile broadband service for indoor reception to at least 98% of the UK population by the end of 2017 at the latest. The 800 MHz spectrum is well suited to providing high levels of coverage, and we anticipate that imposing the obligation on one operator will drive other operators to extend their own coverage in response. Given that it is easier to provide coverage outdoors than indoors, a network meeting this obligation is likely to cover more than 99% of the UK by population when outdoors. Ensuring good coverage in the nations In addition to this UK-wide coverage obligation, Ofcom has decided to require that the same operator provides the same indoor service to at least 95% of the population of each of the UK nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Outdoor coverage for a network meeting this obligation is likely to be 98-99% of the population of each nation. Next steps Ofcom intends to hold the auction as soon as possible. Alongside today's statement, it is publishing a draft of the legal instrument which implements the auction rules and gives effect to our decisions. This is subject to a statutory consultation closing on 11 September 2012. Ofcom expects the auction process to start before the end of this year, with prospective bidders required formally to apply to take part. Those applications will then be assessed by Ofcom before the bidding phase starts, likely to be in early 2013. Mobile operators are expected to start rolling out 4G networks using the auctioned spectrum from the middle of 2013, and to start offering 4G services to consumers later that year. |
| NTP reaches agreement with 13 patent defendants including Apple, Microsoft and Google Posted: 23 Jul 2012 11:28 PM PDT One of the original "non-manufacturing IP firms," NTP, has just signed an agreement with 13 of the companies it sued for infringing its email patents. The tech industry whales paying for licenses include Google, Microsoft and Yahoo on the software side; wireless operators Verizon, AT&T, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile; and handset companies Apple, HTC, Motorola, Palm, LG and Samsung. If all the litigation is blurring together in your head, we remind you that NTP is one of the founding patent under-bridge dwellers who made lawyers' eyes everywhere light up with a $612 million payout from RIM back in 2006. That seemingly gave them the courage -- and bankroll, presumably -- to attack the above companies in 2010 for infringement of its eight wireless email patents, including push technology. The terms of the settlement weren't disclosed, but considering the dollars paid out by RIM, "we can imagine quite a bit," to quote Han Solo. [Image credit: Shutterstock] |
| ARM and TSMC team up on 64-bit chips and FinFET transistors Posted: 23 Jul 2012 10:53 PM PDT ARM and TSMC are renewing their vows and plan to continue collaborating well into the future, as they work to optimize the 64-bit v8 architecture for the Taiwanese company's FinFET transistor tech. The two will push next-gen ARM chips to 20nm and beyond, and hopefully shorten the time to market for new designs. The FinFET process should also help boost frequencies, while keeping power consumption low -- a key to the continued success of the RISC architecture. The FinFET architecture is similar to Intel's own tri-gate transistor technology that was instrumental to nudging the Core architecture forward with Ivy Bridge. After those 64-bit ARM chips are up and running at 20nm and powering your next-gen smartphone, TSMC will begin to look at even smaller processes, with an eye on 15nm next. You'll find the entire joint profession of their love for one another after the break. ARM and TSMC Collaborate to Optimize Next-Generation 64-bit ARM Processors for FinFET Process Technology Multi-year agreement drives alignment of next-generation processor, physical IP, and process technology foruse in high-performance, energy-efficient mobile and enterprise markets Hsinchu, Taiwan and Cambridge, UK – July 23, 2012 – TSMC (TWSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM) and ARM today announced a multi-year agreement extending their collaboration beyond 20-nanometer (nm) technology to deliver ARM processors on FinFET transistors, enabling the fabless industry to extend its market leadership in application processors. The collaboration will optimize the next generation of 64-bit ARM® processors based on the ARMv8 architecture, ARM Artisan® physical intellectual property (IP), and TSMC's FinFET process technology for use in mobile and enterprise markets that require both high performance and energy efficiency. The collaboration will enable sharing of technical information and feedback between the two companies, enhancing the development of ARM IP and TSMC process technology. ARM will leverage process information to optimize the power, performance and area (PPA) of the overall solution to reduce risk and encourage early adoption. TSMC will use the latest ARM processors and technology to benchmark and tune advanced FinFET process technologies. The combination of TSMC FinFET technology and ARMv8 architecture provides the fabless industry with solutions for continued innovation across diverse market segments. The collaboration will result in improved silicon process, physical IP and processor technology that together will enable new system-on-chip (SoC) innovation and shorten time-to-market. The ARMv8 architecture extends ARM low-power leadership with a new energy-efficient 64-bit execution state to meet the performance demands of high-end mobile, enterprise and server applications. The 64-bit architecture has been designed specifically to enable energy-efficient implementations. Similarly, the 64-bit memory addressing and high-end performance are necessary to enable enterprise computing and network infrastructure that are fundamental for the mobile and cloud-computing markets. TSMC's FinFET process promises impressive speed and power improvements as well as leakage reduction. All of these advantages overcome challenges that have become critical barriers to further scaling of advanced SoC technology. ARM processors and physical IP will be able to leverage these attributes to maintain market leadership, while the companies' mutual customers can benefit from these improvements for their new, innovative SoC designs. "By working closely with TSMC, we are able to leverage TSMC's ability to quickly ramp volume production of highly integrated SoCs in advanced silicon process technology," said Simon Segars, executive vice president and general manager, processor and physical IP divisions, ARM. "The ongoing deep collaboration with TSMC provides customers earlier access to FinFET technology to bring high-performance, power-efficient products to market." "This collaboration brings two industry leaders together earlier than ever before to optimize our FinFET process with ARM's 64-bit processors and physical IP," said Cliff Hou, vice president, TSMC Research & Development. "We can successfully achieve targets for high speed, low voltage and low leakage, thereby satisfying the requirements of our mutual customers and meeting their time-to-market goals." About ARM About TSMC |
| Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:49 PM PDT We've seen some ambitious Blinkenwalls in our time. Nearly all of the attention is unsurprisingly focused on the wall, however, and not on the often clever hardware and software behind it. Vienna's Metalab wants to shift the limelight by kicking it old school. Instead of the thoroughly modern Arduino and Fonera hotspot that normally light up Metalab's 45-block glass wall, the team's Blinken64 project swaps in a Commodore 64 with a cassette drive and the unusual Final Cartridge III feature extender. Getting lights to strobe requires dusting off more than just hardware -- all the animations have to be written in assembly-level MOS Technology 6510 code that even our nerdy parents might forget. The result you'll see in the video after the break is a far cry from the relatively easy, web-accessible hardware that normally powers such blinkenlight creations, but it's also a testament to how relevant classic technology can remain when it's in the right hands. |
| iRobot, InTouch Health unveil RP-VITA telepresence robot, let doctors phone in bedside manner Posted: 23 Jul 2012 09:00 PM PDT In case you missed the memo, there's quite a bit more to iRobot than adorable autonomous vacuums -- these days the firm works on military projects, consumer electronics and tablet-controlled telepresence robots. Earlier this year, iRobot even retooled itself to build an emerging technologies group, announcing a partnership with InTouch Health to put its AVA telepresence technology to better use. Today the two companies are announcing the fruits of their labor -- the Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant, or RP-VITA. The project aims to combine the best of iRobot's AVA telepresence units with InTouch health's own bots, creating an easy to use system that allows physicians to care for patients remotely without stumbling over complicated technology. The RP-VITA features state-of-the-art mapping and obstacle detection and avoidance technology, a simple iPad user interface for control and interaction and the ability to interface with diagnostic devices and access electronic medical records. The remote rig will eventually be able to navigate to specified target destinations autonomously, though this feature is still being reviewed by the FDA for clearance. iRobot and InTouch are optimistic about the unit, but claim that the RP-VITA is only the beginning. "While this represents our first foray into the healthcare market, the RP-VITA represents a robust platform," said Colin Angle, Chairman and CEO of iRobot, "we see many future opportunities in adjacent markets." The new telemedicine assistant is slated to make its first appearance at InTouch Health's 7th Annual Clinic Innovations Forum later this week. Check out the press release after the break for the full details. INTOUCH HEALTH AND IROBOT TO UNVEIL THE RP-VITATM TELEMEDICINE ROBOT AT CLINICAL INNOVATIONS FORUM o An additional capability for the RP-VITA incorporates autonomous navigation and is being submitted to the FDA for 510(k) clearance. This capability will allow a remote clinician or bedside nurse to send the RP-VITA to a target destination with a single click, enabling a number of breakthrough clinical applications. InTouch Health anticipates clearance for this feature in Q4 2012. · Real-time access to important clinical data, enabling a range of new workflow improvements for physicians, nurses and other patient care team members. For example, the RP-VITA can be integrated with live patient data from the electronic medical record and is equipped with the ability to connect with diagnostic devices such as otoscopes and ultrasound. It comes equipped with the latest electronic stethoscope. · A new, simple to use iPad[1] user interface will enable quick and easy navigation to anywhere the RP-VITA needs to go, as well as interaction with the patient, family and care team. InTouch Health envisions that the expandable RP-VITA platform will provide additional value in orchestrating team-wide care, as a clinical assistant to enhance efficiency and quality, and as a patient advocate to enhance the care experience. |
| Microsoft digs deep into Windows 8's hardware graphics boost, says fast just isn't slick enough Posted: 23 Jul 2012 08:14 PM PDT While Microsoft has been exploring the sensory experiences that will go into Windows 8, like sight and touch, there's only one thing that many enthusiasts care about: speed. To their delight, Redmond has just devoted one of its pre-release blog posts to showing just how much faster its hardware graphics acceleration will be in a Metro-focused universe. The goal is a hiccup-free 60Hz frame rate, and virtually everything in Windows 8 centers on that ambition. Baked-in transition effects, optimized geometry and even improved font rendering give modern computers a huge jump in performance versus Windows 7. Microsoft is just as keen to expose that power, as well: Direct3D 11.1 is now the root of all video acceleration in the pipeline, making it both easier and faster to mix 2D and 3D. All told, Windows 8 promises to get responsiveness freaks and benchmark lovers all hot and bothered. If either label describes you, the source link might satiate your lust until October 26th. |
| Arduino Leonardo finally launches with new pin layout, lower price (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 07:27 PM PDT We caught our first glimpse at the new, simplified Arduino Leonardo at Maker Faire back in September of last year. At the time, we were promised a late October shipping date, but it failed to materialize. Finally, Massimo Banzi has taken the wraps off the slimmed down microcontroller and its now in stock at retailers across the web. The Leonardo sports a new pin layout, dubbed R3 (which the Uno has also been updated with), that will become standard across all Arduino boards. That's a big deal for shield makers who only have to design and manufacture an add-on once to ensure it's compatible with the entire product line. The new layout also adds some extra pins and versatility, especially in the realm of shields, which can use to the new IOREF pin to determine the voltage of the processor and thus its model. That means a shield doesn't have to be designed specifically with the new ARM-based Due in mind. The other big news is that the circuitry for converting USB to serial communication and the processor itself have been combined, which not only simplifies the design and drives down costs, but allows it to communicate directly with a computer and imitate all sorts of accessories (such as keyboards and mice). Best of all, is the price. The Leonardo, complete with headers, costs just $25 -- a good $10 less than the Uno -- while the headerless, solder-friendly version retails for $22.50. Check out the video after the break for a few more details from Massimo himself. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Edifier's Spinnaker Bluetooth speaker system promises not to hurt you, sells for $350 Posted: 23 Jul 2012 06:39 PM PDT Despite what you might be thinking, what you're seeing above isn't a pair of sleek and very polished viking horns -- instead, you're gawking at an eccentric set of Bluetooth speakers. Adequately dubbed "Spinnaker," the rig measures in at a whopping 16.5 inches in height, and Edifier says the uncommon figure is specifically designed to "project sound toward the listener with front facing tweeters and mid-range drivers." The Spinnaker's compatible with nearly every Bluetooth-equipped (2.1+ EDR) device you may have laying around, but you'll have to shell out a mighty $350 if you're planning on adding these beasts to your sound setup. In any case, Edifier's got 'em up for grabs now on its website, where you'll also find the rest of the audio spec sheet along with some additional press shots. Edifier® Introduces Flagship Bluetooth Speaker System, Spinnaker Award-winning Bluetooth enabled speaker system features avant-garde, sail inspired design & magnificent sound reproduction Ft. Worth, Texas (July 23, 2012) - Edifier®, a leading global designer and manufacturer of award-winning audio systems, introduces its flagship speaker system - Spinnaker. Boasting an iconic sail inspired design and crystal clear sound reproduction, Edifier's Spinnaker evokes a sensory experience unlike any other. The CES Innovations Award-winning Spinnaker stands 16.5" tall and its unique shape is designed to project sound towards the listener with front facing tweeters and mid-range drivers, reinforced with a downward firing bass driver in each speaker. Spinnaker is Bluetooth enabled, making it a versatile product for home and office. A USB rechargeable wireless remote controls the volume, track navigation and play/pause preferences effortlessly within a 10-meter radius (30 ft). Unparalleled Audio Though Intelligent Design Spinnaker Shape - The sail inspired design enhances the sound in a number of ways. By using a tapered cylindrical shape, internal standing waves and resonances are unable to collect to a measurable degree in any area within the enclosure, and in fact cancel themselves out at various frequencies. Additionally, the aluminum frame paired with internal damping materials reduces unwanted enclosure vibration. The result is a more lifelike and accurate sound presentation for the listener. Tri-Amping - A technique commonly used in large-scale sound amplification for concerts, Tri-amping is the practice of connecting three audio amplifiers to a loudspeaker unit: one to power the bass driver (woofer), one to power the mid-range and the third to power the treble driver (tweeter). A single amplifier can typically power a woofer, mid and tweeter only through a crossover filter, which protects each driver from signals outside its frequency range. However, the crossover itself wastes power, so tri-amping is a way to avoid this problem. Electronic Crossovers - Possible phase shifts from a passive crossover are eliminated by using DSP electronic crossovers within Spinnaker's amplifiers. In addition, Edifier engineers have freed up valuable internal space within Spinnaker by eliminating a large passive crossover printed circuit board, with coils, capacitors and resistors. The more internal air volume available, the better and deeper the bass can become. Spinnaker Features Edifier's Spinnaker is available in black and burgundy for $349.99 at www.Edifier.US.com/shop-edifier and retailers across North America. For images or additional information, please contact Edifier Representative Brian Metcalf at brianmetcalf@maxborgesagency.com or 305-371-9736 x111, or visit www.Edifier.US.com / www.Edifier.ca. Edifier is a leading designer and manufacturer of internationally award-winning audio speaker products featuring contemporary design and superior sound quality. Edifier is vertically integrated from concept through R&D to finished product. The new Dongguan manufacturing facility produces only Edifier branded products. Edifier's factory is located in a special high tech economic zone with emphasis on environmental sustainability including state of the art recycling, solar power generation and treated water reuse. Edifier is distributed in over 60 countries, with sales in excess of 8 million audio units last year. Edifier has become a world class audio manufacturer providing inspirational, visually elegant, and functional audio solutions for home lifestyle, portable, and multimedia applications. www.Edifier.us.com |
| Project Holodeck and Oculus Rift hope to kickstart every gamers' VR dream for $500 (video) Posted: 23 Jul 2012 05:48 PM PDT Star Trek: The Next Generation may be coming to your living rooms soon courtesy of some hot new Blu-ray pressing, but one of the most compelling pieces of the technology shown on that series still remains elusive: the holodeck. Don't get down, sunshine, because we might soon be making our first, tentative steps into a virtual courtesy of Project Holodeck. It's underway at USC's School of Cinematic Arts as well as the Viterbi School of Engineering and starts out with a pair of Project Oculus glasses. These glasses, which were shown off at E3 by none other than John Carmack, cram a 1,280 x 800 display into a pair of glasses that present a wide, truly immersive field of view. Pair that with a PlayStation Move for head tracking and a Razer Hydra controller and you have the beginnings of a proper virtual reality environment. An early concept of what the complete system might feel like can be found after the break, a couple of people acting out a sequence from Skies of Arcadia, which could be called a spiritual inspiration for the first game designed for Project Holodeck: Wild Skies. In it, two people "pilot a massive airship through a exotic world of floating islands" -- though whether they look as kawaii as their Dreamcast predecessors remains to be seen. When you might actually get your hands on the system is also unknown, but one piece of the puzzle, the Oculus Rift glasses, are said to be hitting Kickstarter any day now -- for an anticipated price of just $500. Bat'leth and copy of Workin' out with Worf not included.
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