Sponsored
Engadget News |
- CarBot lets you settle those grudges with battle mode
- Added configuration options for MacBook Pro with Retina display let you max out the base model
- Leaked Lenovo Windows 8 ThinkPad Tablet 2 specs tip NFC, keyboard dock, uninspired name
- Cubify's 3D-printed toy robots take cues from Lego, sport interchangeable parts
- Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others
- AMD poaches Apple's platform architecture lead to head up CPU team
- Redesigned Digg iOS app downloads stories before you leave the house
- Amazon Instant Video iPad app now available, iPhone and iPod Touch still left wanting
- NTT DoCoMo, Fujitsu and NEC rekindle love and LTE partnership, Samsung and Panasonic left in the rain
- Mophie's Outride turns iPhones into action cameras, comes with dedicated app and starts at $130
- TAT founder Hampus Jakobsson leaves RIM for startup land (update: not as much of a blow)
- Google revamps Play Store developer rules, looks to banish intrusive advertising
- Parrot Minikit Neo rolls through the FCC
- FBI finally goes digital, Mulder and Scully start throwing out the filing cabinets
- Dropbox confirms user info was stolen, adds new security measures
- New TI power chips save energy, move towards universal charging
- Kinect Toolbox update turns hand gestures into mouse input, physical contact into distant memory
- House of Lords wants UK TV to go fully online and leave airwaves clear for cellphones
- Rogers LTE Rocket Hub supports up to 15 simultaneous users, requires electrical outlet
- Crucial outs v4 SSD for solid-state storage on a budget
- Lenovo ThinkPad tablet with Windows 8 and Intel Inside stops by the FCC
- United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail 'swoop'
- Apple designer takes the witness stand in Samsung case, brings more iPhone / iPad prototypes along
- HTC Trophy for Verizon prepares to Tango as soon as tomorrow
- New AOSP Jelly Bean port for international Galaxy S III available, 'mostly everything is working'
- No Open WebOS support for existing WebOS devices, no soup for you
- Sprint to begin offering Microsoft Office 365 for enterprise clientele
- My BMW Remote app ready to Play with Android
- China's new liquid oxygen and kerosene-fueled rocket engine lights up for testing
- Apple patents iOS 5's exposure metering based on face detection, keeps friends in full view
- Yahoo's IntoNow TV companion app for iOS adds screen grab, music recognition and chat features
- TomTom launches new hands-free dashboard mount for smartphones (video)
- Fanhattan updates iOS app with WatchList feature, content from Cinemax, HBO and NBC
- Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates
- Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins
- Google postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to those who pre-ordered
- Facebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately
- Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies
- $125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India
- Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499
| CarBot lets you settle those grudges with battle mode Posted: 01 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT If you prefer your robots a little more terrestrial, there's Desk Pets' CarBot, a buggy that can do tricks, navigate mazes, and race with -- or fire on -- your buddies. The cars can be controlled by a free app installed on any iOS or Android Device, and allow up to four players to duke it out in multiple play modes. For mayhem lovers the most popular may be "battle," allowing you to fire on rival cars to disable them, along with a personality mode for freestyling and a drift 'n' race option. There's even a maze mode, in which the tiny wheeled bots use their infrared sensors to avoid objects with "military precision," according to the company. The built-in battery will give you 25 minutes of playtime for every 45 minutes of USB-based juicing, and each CarBot will set you back $30. Check out the PR and video after the break to let the rolling deathmatch commence. The perfect holiday gift, CarBot features smartphone control and four battle modes, all for under $30 Hong Kong – (Aug. 1, 2012) – Desk Pets International (HK) Limited, launches the new CarBot. CarBot is programmed with four interactive modes: Drift 'n' Race mode, Battle mode for multi-player fun, Maze mode, and Personality mode. All CarBots are fully controllable by your Apple iOS or Android mobile device. The CarBot remote control car for iPhone and Android comes in four colors – red, blue, orange and green. CarBots can be set to battle mode for multi-player battle via infrared sensors. Each CarBot can be set to A, B, or C frequency for battles between CarBots. In battle mode players can use the fire button to disable the opponent's CarBot. The Drift 'n' Race mode allows for full speed racing and drifting. In maze mode CarBots can successfully navigate mazes and avoid obstacles. In personality mode makes the CarBot go crazy drifting, speeding, and spinning with lights and sounds. CarBots can also be set to mute for noiseless play. Each CarBot comes with an iDesk Pets universal remote dongle that easily plugs into the Each CarBot smartphone toy is chargeable via USB; 40 minutes of charge equals 25 minutes of play. The CarBot is available for $29.99. To learn more about Desk Pets International (HK) Limited go to www.mydeskpets.com. About Desk Pets International: Founded in 2009 Desk Pets International (HK) Limited creates innovative and environmentally |
| Added configuration options for MacBook Pro with Retina display let you max out the base model Posted: 01 Aug 2012 07:27 AM PDT $2,199 for the basic MacBook Pro with Retina display is certainly a lot to pay for any laptop, but those looking to add a few more features without going all the way up to the next model so far haven't had a lot of options. That now looks like it's changing, though, with configuration choices for processor and storage now showing up on Apple's online store in addition to the existing one to double the memory -- letting you, for instance, bump up the processor without also jumping to a larger SSD (or vice versa). Those options aren't quite a sure thing just yet, though, as they've appeared and disappeared from the site a few times this morning (that $500 price to double the storage also curiously puts it at the same $2,799 as the higher-end model, which also comes with a faster processor). We'll keep you posted if they stick. |
| Leaked Lenovo Windows 8 ThinkPad Tablet 2 specs tip NFC, keyboard dock, uninspired name Posted: 01 Aug 2012 07:02 AM PDT Back in June at Computex, we got to spend a little quality time with Lenovo's forthcoming Windows 8 tablet -- not too long after, the FCC got to play around a similarly specked device, as well. Now, courtesy of some leaked info, we're seeing a slate from the company that looks awfully familiar. According to the spec sheet, which compares the product head-to-head with Apple's iPad, the Windows 8 ThinkPad Tablet 2 will feature a 10.1-inch 1,366 x 768 IPS display, in excess of 10 hours of battery life and two cameras, including an eight megapixel one on the rear. Also on board is NFC and a fingerprint reader, all packed into a 9.8mm body. Oh, and in keeping with the Lenovo's businessy focus, we've also got a glimpse of a very ThinkPad-looking keyboard dock, complete with the customary pointing stick. Check that out after the break. |
| Cubify's 3D-printed toy robots take cues from Lego, sport interchangeable parts Posted: 01 Aug 2012 06:27 AM PDT If the urge to create a robot petting zoo of your own hasn't subsided since Maker Faire, 3D Systems' new Cubify toy robots might help fill that void in your droid-loving heart. The 3D-printed bots may not boast electronic innards, but their LEGO-like swappable parts allow for some Frankenstein-inspired customization. Ready-made robots start at $4.99, while 3D source files ring up at 99 cents apiece, in case you'd rather extrude them using your own Cube hardware. Yearning to make a personal automaton army entirely of your own design? The company's new beginner-friendly CAD tool, Cubify Invent, should help you craft that unique plastic platoon. 3D Systems Launches Cubify Robots Cube Makes Amazing, Poseable Robots Come to Life ROCK HILL, S.C., July 31, 2012 -- 3D Systems Starting at just $4.99, Cube printed robots are also available for home Cubify(R) robots are moveable, poseable and printable in colorful, "We are thrilled with these cute, playful new Cubify robots. Kids of |
| Roku Streaming Stick ready devices will come from Insignia, Mitsubishi, Onkyo, Oppo and others Posted: 01 Aug 2012 06:00 AM PDT Roku unveiled its miniaturized Streaming Stick at CES, and while we still don't have an exact release date or price tag, the company has produced a list of manufacturers that will deliver "Roku Ready" hardware. That list is comprised of Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia / Best Buy (which already tried out this strategy once with the whatever-happened-to-the TiVo-powered cTV); Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc.(Apex Digital® TVs). In case you've forgotten, the Roku Streaming Stick plugs into MHL-compatible HDMI ports to not only feed video to the HDTV, receiver or other device, but also accept remote control inputs and power, and brings its own WiFi hookup for internet access. That way, users can add this single accessory to make a "dumb" flat panel into a connected TV all without any extra cords or switching remotes, and, if necessary, easily upgrade in the future. As CEO Anthony Wood mentioned just days ago Roku's current focus is finding companies willing to work together to provide a well integrated experience for the add-on. To make that clear for potential buyers, Roku Ready devices like HDTVs, receivers and Blu-ray players will not only be stamped with a logo to show they're compatible, some will arrive with the dongle packed in. Its due date is set for "the coming weeks" so it shouldn't be long until we nail down the other details about the Roku Streaming Stick -- all currently available information can be found in the press release after the break. Roku Unveils New Roku Streaming Stick Partners Saratoga, Calif. – Aug. 1, 2012 – Roku® today unveiled that Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia, a Best Buy brand; Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc.(Apex Digital® TVs) are among the first companies working closely with Roku to develop new consumer electronics devices for the Roku Streaming Stick™. Launching in the coming weeks, the Roku Streaming Stick is an easy and cost-effective way for consumer electronics manufacturers to add the proven Roku streaming platform to a device that features Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). These new 'Roku Ready®' devices will display a distinctive Roku logo on their packaging, indicating they will work seamlessly out of the box with the Roku Streaming Stick. In addition, select devices will be bundled with the Roku Streaming Stick so consumers can immediately receive the full benefits of the Roku streaming platform Announced in January, the Roku Streaming Stick is a tiny, wireless streaming player that is the size of a USB flash drive. It features built-in WiFi, a processor, memory as well as software, updated on a regular basis, free of charge. Once plugged into a MHL-enabled device, the Roku Streaming Stick will stream video and music as well as enable casual game play from the more than 500 entertainment channels available on the Roku platform. When paired with a TV, the Roku Streaming Stick integrates the Roku streaming experience seamlessly into the TV user interface, giving the customer the ability to use the TV remote for all streaming activities. "By partnering with Roku, and developing a line of new Mitsubishi TVs that will support their new Roku Streaming Stick, we will be able to offer the best big screen TVs and the most powerful internet streaming device together, bringing web-based entertainment to a whole new level for our customers," said James Chan, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America (MEVSA), Inc. MHL is a new standard that is seeing wide adoption by consumer electronics manufacturers. MHL resembles HDMI in appearance but unlike other connectors, it delivers power and other critical elements for the Roku Streaming Stick. The Roku Streaming Stick will be available in the coming weeks from Roku and retailers. It will be sold separately as well as bundled with select consumer electronics devices. Pricing will be announced at a later date. For more information about the Roku Streaming Stick visit www.roku.com/streamingstick. About Roku Inc. Roku and Roku Ready are registered trademarks and the Roku Streaming Stick is a trademark of Roku, Inc. ### |
| AMD poaches Apple's platform architecture lead to head up CPU team Posted: 01 Aug 2012 05:49 AM PDT We suppose after a reasonably high-profile defection of one of AMD's own to Apple, the Sunnyvale company had to exact revenge. That payback was announced today in the form of Jim Keller, the now former platform architecture head in Cupertino, who will be joining AMD as corporate vice president and chief architect of its microprocessor unit. In a statement, the company said that Keller will be leveraging his "low-power design expertise," possibly as part of its oft-rumored ARM plans. Keller previously worked as VP of design at P.A. Semi before being brought into the Apple fold where he played an important role in the development of the processors inside the iPad, iPhone and Apple TV. With AMD struggling to keep pace with Intel in both the desktop and laptop space, a move into low-powered mobile chips could be a plan to stave off more dire days. Check out the PR after the break. Computer Architect Jim Keller Joins AMD as Chief of Processor Group |
| Redesigned Digg iOS app downloads stories before you leave the house Posted: 01 Aug 2012 05:41 AM PDT Launching alongside the monochrome hues of Digg's site redesign, its iOS app has been given a similarly-colored treatment. The update is available to download now and adds several mobile-centric features, including offline reading. Under new ownership, Digg's renovated app plays nice with both Facebook and Twitter, while a new 'Paperboy' feature will detect when you're at home (once calibrated) and help ensure you never leave the front door with old news. However, you'll have to be willing to hook up your Facebook account to bookmark and share between your phone and the standalone homepage. There's also no sign of a corresponding Android version just yet, but you can take the iOS app (and the refreshed site) for a spin at the sources below. |
| Amazon Instant Video iPad app now available, iPhone and iPod Touch still left wanting Posted: 01 Aug 2012 05:04 AM PDT A day after upgrading its cloud music player, Amazon has delivered a native Amazon Instant Video app for iPad (not iPhone or iPod Touch, yet) to the App Store. It has access to streaming Prime Instant Video for subscribers, as well as downloaded or streamed video on-demand. Other key features include access to the Watchlist / queue, and automatic access to any shows subscribed to with a Season Pass the day after they air on TV. The free app is available in the iTunes store right now, however like the sudden appearance of Hulu Plus on Apple TV yesterday we don't have any official PR to share just yet. We've had a chance to play around with it and we must say, Amazon is really coming after Netflix with this one. The app runs smoothly, and while the video player itself gets just the bare bones iOS treatment, every other part of the app seems polished, including the Watchlist. Add in the fact that you can watch things via subscription and seamlessly jump to fresher / premium content available for purchase or individual rental (with the notable caveat that you can't actually browse the VOD content, or purchase or buy it from within the app itself) and there's a serious competition going on. |
| Posted: 01 Aug 2012 04:42 AM PDT The fractious on-again, off-again love affair between NTT DoCoMo, Fujitsu and NEC has taken another turn. After dissolving a partnership to build a common LTE platform that included Samsung and Panasonic, the trio have rekindled their love over a candlelit dinner. The gang are stumping up the cash to bankroll Access Network Technology, a venture to build, wait for it, LTE platforms for smartphones and tablets, with each party bringing its own R&D and IP knowhow to the table. There's no word on how jilted lovers Samsung and Panasonic feel about the team-up, but we wouldn't be surprised if they didn't shed a private tear and think about the good old days. Fujitsu, NTT DOCOMO, NEC, and Fujitsu Semiconductor Agree on Communications Platform Device Joint Venture Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan, August 1, 2012 - Fujitsu Limited, NTT DOCOMO, INC., NEC Corporation, and Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited today announced their agreement to form a joint venture to focus on the development and sales of semiconductor products with built-in modem functions for use in communications equipment. The joint venture-Access Network Technology Limited, established by Fujitsu-is scheduled to begin operations in August, upon the capital contributions of DOCOMO, NEC, and Fujitsu Semiconductor. Until now, handset manufacturers including Fujitsu and NEC, together with DOCOMO, conducted communications platform development work collaboratively. The rapid expansion of the smartphone market and the increase in data traffic volumes have been making communications platforms increasingly important. The technologies individually held by the companies, as well as the results of their joint development work, offer a huge competitive advantage in the smartphone market, which is expected to experience an even greater global expansion. Against this backdrop, in the form of a new corporate structure, the joint venture, while enhancing management responsiveness, will bring together technologies from each of the companies to develop industry-leading communications platform products, and will provide customers with highly competitive products to meet their needs. Fujitsu: 52.8% Name: Access Network Technology Limited |
| Mophie's Outride turns iPhones into action cameras, comes with dedicated app and starts at $130 Posted: 01 Aug 2012 04:00 AM PDT There's no doubt iPhone accessories are a dime a dozen nowadays, but every now and then we come across one or two that vigorously stand out from the rest of the peripheral pack. Here's where Mophie's newly introduced Outride comes in, which clearly -- and as the company's quick to point out -- takes a heavy cue from GoPro's action shooters. All inspirations aside, though, the Outride iPhone companion's pretty well-stacked on its own, with Mophie offering an integrated polycarbonate case / mounting system that features waterproof and high-impact protection to help the daring folk during those intense, rush-filled adventures. Additionally, Mophie's taking things beyond the hardware and also announced a free application to pair alongside the Outride unit; this will give people a place where they can create a profile and share their video recordings with other riders. The outfit's pricing the iPhone 4 / 4S accessory starting at a peaceable $130, and it should be up for grabs around "mid-September." In the meantime, there's an extra pic and PR right after the break, for anyone interested in catching a different view and the conclusive word from the Juice Pack maker. mophie Transforms the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 into a Dedicated Action Sports Camera with OUTRIDE Hardware, App -based Video Community Empowers Users to Ride, Record and Share Salt Lake City (Aug. 1, 2012)-Summer Outdoor Retailer-mophie™, leader in developing innovative solutions that allow consumers to do more with their mobile devices, today debuted its action sports camera, outride, a hardware and app solution that puts the power to record and share tricks, tracks, rides, and epic moments in the hands of action land and water sports enthusiasts, using only their iPhone. OUTRIDE eliminates the need for dedicated video or camera devices, which add bulk and can cost upwards of $300, by harnessing the existing features of the iPhone and adding the hardware and software for outstanding, all-in-one filming, editing and sharing. OUTRIDE hardware is waterproof and impact resistant and comes bundled with a variety of custom mounts to capture action shots in the surf, snow, dirt or concrete. The release of OUTRIDE incorporates several product innovations that have earned mophie credibility in the action sports community by including features such as extreme durability and portability engineered specifically to meet the needs of the lifestyle. OUTRIDE's debut is also a clear statement that the brand is putting down roots in the category and is committed to trailblazing the development of solutions and applications that can transform the iPhone into a device that can serve many functions, eliminating the need for consumers to spend on additional, dedicated devices. "With the ever-growing action sports market, and our success in developing ruggedized products for those rough-and-tough tech users, we felt we were ready to design and develop a product that would take the iPhone and its camera capabilities to its limits," said Ross Howe, vice president of marketing at mophie. "While the action sports community has a lot of camera and video options to choose from, they weren't able to share their moments with the community in real time. OUTRIDE gives the action sports community these capabilities in a durable, compact, quality and cost-efficient way." Using the iPhone 4S or iPhone 4 and OUTRIDE as an action sports camera has many advantages, including the ability to review your own footage or shots, share those moments and follow others in the community, instantly. The free OUTRIDE app, is the perfect complement to the hardware solution and is the key differentiator from other action sports cameras on the market. With the OUTRIDE app, users have instant gratification in capturing and viewing their content, as well as sharing it on the OUTRIDE community page as well as various social media networks, on the fly and in the moment. Available in mid-September, OUTRIDE bundles range from $129.95 to $149.95 at mophie.com. Key features and benefits of the outride include: For more information on OUTRIDE and the full suite of mophie products, please visit www.mophie.com. |
| TAT founder Hampus Jakobsson leaves RIM for startup land (update: not as much of a blow) Posted: 01 Aug 2012 03:35 AM PDT RIM just can't seem to avoid staff shakeups. Hampus Jakobsson, The Astonishing Tribe founder and a key factor in BlackBerry 10's interface design, has signaled that he's leaving the smartphone maker. He cites an itch to launch another startup as the impetus behind the move, although he hasn't said what he'll be doing. We can certainly tell that Jakobsson is aware of the climate in which he's leaving -- the veteran has been quick to note that others at RIM are taking his role and that he doesn't expect an upheaval as he heads through the door. There's at least a grain of truth to the reassurances, we'd say. With BlackBerry 10 devices appearing in January on RIM's current schedule, most of the hard work on the software will likely have already been done. Nonetheless, we're sure some fans will be disappointed that a guiding light won't be around to influence any followups. [Image credit: Media Evolution, Flickr] Update: We've learned that Jakobsson had been a Director of Strategic Alliances at RIM since TAT was acquired; while the company he brought into the fold is clearly working on BlackBerry interface design, he hasn't been guiding the work himself. The departure still has an impact -- it's just at the corporate level rather than in design. |
| Google revamps Play Store developer rules, looks to banish intrusive advertising Posted: 01 Aug 2012 03:11 AM PDT Google has tweaked the developer policy for the Play Store with an eye on reducing intrusive advertising, spoof apps and clarifying subscription cancellations. Apps that pass themselves off as others, or are "confusingly similar" will now be pulled, so say goodbye to those thousand instances of Angry Byrdz. Adverts that pop up in your notifications window, like Airpush and KDDI's au one now make their way onto the verboten list. It's also clarifying that when users cancel their subscriptions, they won't be refunded for the current billing period, but will continue to receive what they'd paid for until the term expires. Developers now have 30 days to comply with the changes, after which point apps that are found to be in violation will be pulled by Mountain View's overlords. |
| Parrot Minikit Neo rolls through the FCC Posted: 01 Aug 2012 02:25 AM PDT With roughly a month to go before it hits retail channels, Parrot's Minikit Neo is inching towards being ready for mass consumption. This week the hands-free bluetooth accessory made a run through the FCC and received Uncle Sam's seal of approval. The filing isn't hiding any surprises, and we're not even treated to a nice teardown. Still, its good to know the smartphone-friendly visor clip-on is making progress. Keep an eye out for it to pop up on shelves in September for $100. |
| FBI finally goes digital, Mulder and Scully start throwing out the filing cabinets Posted: 01 Aug 2012 01:46 AM PDT The FBI has announced that, after 12 years and $600 million, it has finally abandoned paper records in favor of a computerized system called Sentinel. Resembling a browser, it offers question-and-answer forms, case tracking and an ability to share files across the bureau's network. Assistant director Jeffrey Johnson said that the biggest hurdle was convincing paper-loving agents to get on board, so the system is designed to nag users into adding relevant data that's still extant on dead-trees. With any luck, some enterprising young agent will take advantage of the extensive database to find out the real location of Area 51. WASHINGTON, DC-The FBI is announcing its next generation information and case management system, Sentinel, which was deployed to all employees on July 1, 2012. Sentinel moves the FBI from a paper-based case management system to a digital system of record. Sentinel uses a modern web-based application for entry, review, approval, and research of case and intelligence information. It enhances FBI's ability to link cases with similar information through expanded search capabilities. It also streamlines administrative processes through "electronic workflow," making new case information and intelligence available more quickly to agents and analysts. Director Robert S. Mueller, III said, "The deployment of Sentinel is an important step forward for FBI's information technology." The FBI will continue developing Sentinel's capabilities according to employee feedback and organizational requirements. |
| Dropbox confirms user info was stolen, adds new security measures Posted: 01 Aug 2012 01:19 AM PDT |
| New TI power chips save energy, move towards universal charging Posted: 01 Aug 2012 12:50 AM PDT TI isn't just in the business of making ARM-based processors. The company makes all manner of components and chips. Amongst the things in its vast repertoire of silicon are charging controllers. Texas Instruments' latest offering, the UCC28700, not only draws an impressively low sub-30mW when idle (meeting new five-star rating requirements from the European Commission), but does so in a tiny package that eliminates the need for an opto-feedback circuit or other external components. A second new controller, the TPS2511, tackles the problem of multiple chargers by moving to a 5V universal system for tablets and smartphones using the USB Battery Charging 1.2 specification. This could mean not only lower electricity bills (if only nominally so), but smaller wall warts that can be used across numerous devices. For more, check out the PR after the break. TI adapter power chips conserve energy, speed adoption of universal charging |
| Kinect Toolbox update turns hand gestures into mouse input, physical contact into distant memory Posted: 01 Aug 2012 12:09 AM PDT Using Microsoft's Kinect to replace a mouse is often considered the Holy Grail of developers; there have been hacks and other tricks to get it working well before Kinect for Windows was even an option. A lead Technical Evangelist for Microsoft in France, David Catuhe, has just provided a less makeshift approach. The 1.2 update to his Kinect Toolbox side project introduces hooks to control the mouse outright, including 'magnetic' control to draw the mouse from its original position. To help keep the newly fashioned input (among other gestures) under control, Catuhe has also taken advantage of the SDK 1.5 release to check that the would-be hand-waver is sitting and staring at the Kinect before accepting any input. The open-source Windows software is available to grab for experimentation today, so if you think hands-free belongs as much on the PC desktop as in a car, you now have a ready-made way to make the dream a reality... at least, until you have to type. |
| House of Lords wants UK TV to go fully online and leave airwaves clear for cellphones Posted: 31 Jul 2012 11:33 PM PDT The UK House of Lords' Communications Committee has suggested that all broadcast TV should be moved to the internet to free up wireless spectrum for cellphones. In its report, the panel found that whilst such a network would be cheaper and more efficient in the long run, it would also require extensive re-building of the country's archaic communications infrastructure. Given that the analog-to-digital switchover is currently in progress, it seems unlikely that a further transition will be timetabled -- especially since there are still concerns over the cost of bringing fiber-optic broadband to rural areas. Any change in the plan will need to be rubber-stamped by Government, but perhaps it'd be more amenable if they saw how good 8K video looks on one of those connections. |
| Rogers LTE Rocket Hub supports up to 15 simultaneous users, requires electrical outlet Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:57 PM PDT |
| Crucial outs v4 SSD for solid-state storage on a budget Posted: 31 Jul 2012 10:02 PM PDT Solid-state drives cost just a fraction of what they did a few years ago, but with prices that can still exceed $1,000, you could hardly label them as cheap. Crucial still aims to put solid-state storage within reach of those on a budget, however, releasing its 2.5-inch v4 drive with pricing that starts at $50. That entry-level model will net you just 32 gigs of storage -- hardly a lust-worthy sum -- but the series is also available in configurations of 64GB ($70), 128GB ($100) and 256GB ($190), offering read speeds of up to 230 MB/s and write speeds of up to 190 MB/s with SATA 2-capable desktops and laptops. The v4 joins Crucial's higher-end m4, which offers much speedier performance and Ultrabook-friendly configurations to boot. You'll find full details in the PR after the break. Crucial v4 Solid State Drive Improves Performance of Mainstream Computers at an Affordable Price New Crucial v4 SSD Provides SATA 2 (3Gb/s) Systems with Enhanced Start-Up Times, Transfer Speeds, and Durability Key Messages: Delivers substantial yet affordable SSD performance improvements for systems built before 2011 Built to match the transfer capabilities of mainstream SATA 2 (3Gb/s)-capable desktops and laptops Available now with MSRPs of $49.99 (32GB), $69.99 (64GB), $99.99 (128GB), and $189.99 (256GB) Boise, ID, and Glasgow, UK, July 31, 2012 Crucial, a leading global brand of memory and storage upgrades, today introduced the Crucial v4 Solid State Drive (SSD), designed to deliver substantial yet affordable performance gains for mainstream SATA 2 (3Gb/s) systems, the primary performance capability of computers purchased before 2011. Available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB capacities with MSRPs of $49.99, $69.99, $99.99, and $189.99 respectively, the Crucial v4 SSD can be purchased now through select global channel partners, or direct through www.crucial.com. The Crucial v4 SSD offers read speeds up to 230MB/s and write speeds up to 190MB/s, enabling faster startup times, faster application downloads, faster transfer data speeds, and increased reliability compared to traditional hard drives. The v4 SSD joins the m4 SSD and Adrenaline Solid State Cache Solution to round out the award-winning Crucial SSD portfolio. "The Crucial v4 SSD boils down to two things: performance and value," said Robert Wheadon, senior worldwide product manager, Crucial. "Most consumers realize that SSDs help their computers start quicker and run faster, and are a more durable alternative to hard drives, but many don't realize that most SSDs outperform the data transfer capabilities of their SATA 2 machines. With the Crucial v4 SSD, we've come up with a product that's designed to bring the most value out of a SATA 2 system without paying for extra performance that can't be used." Leveraging the industry-leading memory, design, and manufacturing capability of Micron Technology, Inc., the Crucial v4 SSD is backed by a three-year limited warranty, and is compatible with both PC and Mac® systems. |
| Lenovo ThinkPad tablet with Windows 8 and Intel Inside stops by the FCC Posted: 31 Jul 2012 09:10 PM PDT Bearing a TP00043AWD model number, Lenovo's Windows 8 ThinkPad tablet has apparently stopped by the FCC for testing, making it the second we've seen after ASUS' Tablet 810 made the rounds. Although there aren't any glamor shots or specs available, the design shown closely matches the tablet we spent some hands-on time with at Computex in June and a quick zoom in the lower right corner reveals that new Windows logo alongside another one for Intel. When we saw it last the spec list included a 10.1-inch 1366 x 768 display, Intel Clover Trail CPU, 2- and 8MP cameras front and back plus the usual assortment of connectors. Check after the break for a bigger look at the diagram and zoom of the revealing logos, or hit the source link to go through any unsealed documents with a fine toothed comb. |
| United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail 'swoop' Posted: 31 Jul 2012 08:44 PM PDT The first US-based 787 carrier is inching closer to its Dreamliner service launch. United Airlines celebrated the plane's rollout today at Boeing's Everett, Washington factory. The aircraft, which is set to begin international service later this year, received a custom livery, which includes a curved "swoop" -- which oddly enough appears to be the focus of design chatter. That may just be because the public has yet to take a peek inside, though we did have an opportunity to hitch a ride on ANA's variant last year, which has been flying throughout Japan since late 2011. Despite All Nippon's head start, United's flavor has garnered much attention domestically, marking a massive milestone in the Dreamliner's delayed launch. Hit up our source link below for a few more (exterior) views, courtesy of United. |
| Apple designer takes the witness stand in Samsung case, brings more iPhone / iPad prototypes along Posted: 31 Jul 2012 08:12 PM PDT Thought you'd seen all of the iPhones (and iPads)-that-never-were? If you did, then you were wrong as Apple industrial designer Christopher Stringer testified as a witness in the case vs. Samsung today, revealing many details about the company's design process. That included more pictures of phone and tablet prototypes being filed as evidence, while he reportedly also brought a few along for show and tell. The Verge has a few galleries of CAD shots and pictures of rejected designs, including more of the lozenge edged types we'd seen before, and iPads complete with a curved grip around the edge. AllThingsD chimes in with a few interesting tidbits from his testimony, including the revelation that Apple designers actually sit around a kitchen table to debate the progress of current projects, and explaining that earlier iPhone prototypes were labeled iPods either because they had not yet decided on a name, or were already trying to obscure iPhone identity from potential leaks. There's more info at the source links, take a careful look at the iThings around you and imagine what might have been. |
| HTC Trophy for Verizon prepares to Tango as soon as tomorrow Posted: 31 Jul 2012 07:28 PM PDT Stage fright is a problem for many, and perhaps it's for that reason that the HTC Trophy has yet to show us its interpretation of the Tango. We've received a bit of good news, however, as Verizon's own documentation reveals the update is on the way. Meanwhile, a leaked tidbit courtesy of AndroidGuys suggests that we may see the refresh come as soon as tomorrow. Whether the specific date pans out remains to be seen, but whenever Tango actually arrives, it'll bring newfound WiFi hotspot functionality, multi-picture and video MMS attachments, and the ability to send / receive ringtones. As for that little blurb about the Trophy catching a piece of Apollo... well, let's just chalk that up to codename confusion. |
| New AOSP Jelly Bean port for international Galaxy S III available, 'mostly everything is working' Posted: 31 Jul 2012 06:57 PM PDT While it's not the first source code compiled build of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean available for your international model (I9300) Galaxy S III, this stable release from developer Faryaab brings all the latest features without many of the drawbacks. While the release we noted in June was lacking creature comforts like camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, storage and audio, a post on XDA-Developers indicates ROM flashers of this build will have all of those, with the only known casualty so far being "semi-broken" WiFi tethering. To turn that Galaxy S III into a Jelly Bean Galaxy Nexus, you will need to do a factory reset and rock a a custom recovery like ClockworkMod, but otherwise the switch (check out a how-to video from totallydubbedHD embedded after the break) should be straightforward. While this experience is meant to be pure, the developer notes it may not receive many updates going forward before he releases his own "SuperNexus" ROM. So, what'll it be then -- Jelly Bean and Google Now, or S-Voice, TouchWiz and all the rest of the features built into Samsung's out of the box ICS experience? |
| No Open WebOS support for existing WebOS devices, no soup for you Posted: 31 Jul 2012 06:26 PM PDT Another day, another major blow to the webOS community. The Open webOS project announced today in its blog that the fledgling OS won't support any of the existing hardware -- like HP's Pre 3 and TouchPad. While not completely surprising, this is disappointing for those who were hoping to wring a little more life out of their current webOS devices. Open webOS is targeting SoCs that support the Linux 3.3+ kernel and components with open source drivers. The blog post blames the existing hardware's "many proprietary components, including graphics, networking and lack of drivers for a modern kernel". Despite having access to these proprietary drivers, it appears HP isn't willing to make them available to the Open webOS project -- proof that sometimes you can have your cake, but not eat it too. |
| Sprint to begin offering Microsoft Office 365 for enterprise clientele Posted: 31 Jul 2012 05:44 PM PDT Suit-and-tie types looking for that virtual office on-the-go experience might want to hitch a ride on Sprint's cloud. Starting today, the wireless operator's introducing an add-on package designed for small to medium enterprise clients that bundles Microsoft's Office 365 with other unnamed "value-added services." The move, which gives power users access to MS' web-based apps, video conferencing and shared calendars from anywhere, is part of the Hesse-led company's Software-as-a-Service portfolio that culls together a suite of remote solutions tailored to the button-down set. According to the carrier's site, plans kick off at $6 per month, but you needn't worry about being nickel-and-dimed, your corporate overlord should be footing this bill. Head past the break for the official presser. 31 July 2012 OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), July 31, 2012 - Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced that it will deliver Microsoft Office 365 to small and mid-sized businesses this year. Joining the power of Sprint's network with Microsoft's cloud-based productivity and collaboration solutions will bring organizations new ways to enhance productivity, reduce costs and collaborate with customers and partners while also extending the cloud-based communication tools to mobile workforces. Office 365 brings together cloud versions of the most trusted productivity and collaboration products with the latest version of Microsoft's client software and companion Web applications. It provides for secure and virtually anywhere access to email, calendars, Office Web Apps, instant messaging, conferencing and file sharing, allowing employees to work on the go, on nearly any device. Easy to set up and use, it includes built-in anti-virus and spam-fighting technology and 99.9 percent uptime guarantee. Companies can deliver the right set of tools to the right users with flexible per-user, per-month subscription plans for predictable annual costs and scale with changing needs. When Sprint makes Office 365 available, it plans to bundle it with value-added services to create solutions that further increase productivity and unleash the power of today's mobile workforce. Small and mid-sized companies will be able to access some of the most comprehensive enterprise- class solutions available today, and Sprint will make it easier for them to take advantage of cloud services and experience the cost savings, scalability and flexibility needed to help them grow. "Sprint's open approach to cloud includes teaming with trusted industry leaders, like Microsoft, with proven solutions with which businesses are very familiar, to enable them to achieve greater agility to compete in today's economy," said John Dupree, senior vice president – Business Sales, Sprint. "Our focus on seamless integration of mobility with cloud services allows companies to extend our reliable and secure networks to their mobile workforces, so they can confidently use hosted services anytime, virtually anywhere and from any device." This marks the expansion of the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) portfolio already available from Sprint which includes support, office and field-productivity services. Using the "as-a-service" model, Sprint will deliver new applications to round out its portfolio and enable customers to take advantage of the benefits of cloud-based services. "Combining Sprint's wireless data plans, access through its 3G and 4G networks and scalable services with Office 365 will provide businesses with the tools needed to grow," said Kirk Gregersen, general manager, Microsoft Office Division. "We're delighted to join with Sprint in offering this compelling set of cloud solutions to small and mid-sized businesses." For more information about Sprint's upcoming offer with Microsoft Office 365, visit www.sprint.com/office365. This collaboration builds upon the expanding portfolio of cloud-based solutions that Sprint has been focused on launching this year. The portfolio also includes Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) planned for launch in late 2012 and Sprint Complete Collaboration, a Unified-Communications-as-a-Service (UCaaS) solution launched earlier this year. |
| My BMW Remote app ready to Play with Android Posted: 31 Jul 2012 05:18 PM PDT Stateside and overseas iOS users with a predilection for remotely controlling high-end German autos have had nearly a half year's worth of smug to lord over their Android counterparts. Not so anymore, as BMW's spreading the love and making its Remote app available now for that Google-led contingent on the Play store. The car maker hasn't updated this iteration with any additional perks, preferring instead to keep the user experience consistent and giving drivers of BMW Assist-enabled vehicles the same ability to remotely lock doors, adjust the A/C, blow the horn or trigger the car's lights from afar. The app also includes a maps feature for locating your lost ride (fear not privacy paranoiacs, it's only accessible while the ignition is turned off) and an option to import favorited places from Local Search. Sure, it's a nice olive branch for car owners that once felt left outside the gates of vainglory, but we'll reserve our excitement for mobile-operated ovens. Now that's luxury at its best. 31.07.2012 Munich. The My BMW Remote app is now available for smartphones running the Android operating system, too. The application can be downloaded for free from the Google Play store (Android Market), and offers all the same functionalities as the iPhone version first brought out in autumn 2010. My BMW Remote allows users to operate all manner of functions in their BMW from outside the vehicle, without even having to be nearby:
"Remote Door Lock & Unlock" allows the car to be locked and unlocked from a smartphone.
"By extending our My BMW Remote app to Android devices as well, we are responding to the recent rapid spread of this operating system," explains Dr Eckhard Steinmeier, Head of BMW ConnectedDrive. "Google Android is the fastest-growing software platform for smartphones and tablets, so we are now delighted to be able to offer our customers the remote app functions on this operating system, too."
Both My BMW Remote apps can be used in conjunction with a valid BMW ConnectedDrive contract in all current models equipped with BMW Assist. The range of functions may vary depending on the model, year of manufacture and destination market. Customers receive detailed information regarding this when downloading the application. |
| China's new liquid oxygen and kerosene-fueled rocket engine lights up for testing Posted: 31 Jul 2012 04:57 PM PDT Liquid oxygen and kerosene, that's what fuels China's new -- and freshly tested -- rocket engine. When fired up on Sunday, it withstood temperatures as high as 5,432 degrees Fahrenheit (3,000 degrees Celsius) for 200 seconds and powered through almost 20,000 revolutions per minute in a rotational test. "The successful tests confirm the reliability of China's LOX / kerosene engine," test commander Lai Daichu told China Daily. According to China Central Television, the engine is non-toxic, pollution-free and the first of its kind for which China holds proprietary intellectual property rights -- though similar engines have been used by other space agencies. The engine is on track to lend the upcoming Long March 5 rocket a total of 118 tons of thrust, giving it enough oomph to launch a 25-ton payload into low-earth orbit or 14-ton cargo into geostationary orbit. Its expected to haul additional portions of the country's space station and aid lunar exploration, but the first voyage isn't slated until 2014. [Image Credit: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation] |
| Apple patents iOS 5's exposure metering based on face detection, keeps friends in full view Posted: 31 Jul 2012 04:34 PM PDT Many photographers will tell you that their least favorite shooting situation involves a portrait with the sun to the subject's back: there's a good chance the shot ends up an unintentional silhouette study unless the shooter meters just perfectly from that grinning face. Apple has just been granted a patent for the metering technique that takes all the guesswork out of those human-focused shots on an iOS 5 device like the iPhone 4S or new iPad. As it's designed, the invention finds faces in the scene and adjusts the camera exposure to keep them all well-lit, even if they're fidgety enough to move at the last second. Group shots are just as much of a breeze, with the software using head proximity and other factors to pick either a main face as the metering target (such as a person standing in front of a crowd) or an average if there's enough people posing for a close-up. You can explore the full details at the source. Camera-toting rivals, however, will have to explore alternative ideas. |
| Yahoo's IntoNow TV companion app for iOS adds screen grab, music recognition and chat features Posted: 31 Jul 2012 04:13 PM PDT At CES 2012 we were promised that Yahoo would integrate IntoNow's SoundPrint technology with its backend to pull up useful extra content about whatever TV program was being watched and now it's delivered that and more. IntoNow 3.0 for iOS (no upgrade yet for the Android version) enhances the app's TV companion experience in three key ways: TV / Music Sync, "CapIt" screengrabbing and finally Group Chat. The TV and music sync brings not only the associated info we'd heard about before, but also brings Shazam-style information about any music that might be playing. CapIt can pull screenshots from the cloud of any of the TV shows IntoNow's backend is monitoring, which adds up to about 13 million frames a day, then pops them up ready for meme creation and sharing. Group Chat does exactly what it sounds like, and lets you talk to friends or set up circles of fans around particular shows. We gave the app a try and found it worked as advertised, quickly identifying what was playing whether live or on DVR and popping up episode info, cast listings and Wikipedia links. The CapIt feature (shown above) pulls frames with surprising speed and ease, even on live broadcasts, and allows users to scroll backwards or refresh for new freezes to grab just the right one. It doesn't monitor what you're watching live, but punching the green TV icon in the upper left corner causes it to sync right away, which also creates an entry of what was being watched and when. Our main complaint so far? An immediate post to our Facebook feed on sign up, although subsequent posts and Timeline integration (which is off by default) are more readily controlled. IntoNow is far from the only social second screen app out right now and so far its technology hasn't pushed it past competitors like GetGlue and Miso, but these new upgrades may do the trick. At the least, if you see an explosion of TV-related memes popping up on Reddit, you'll know who to blame -- hit the source links below to grab the free app, find out more info on the features or get a developer's look into the back end technology that powers this "ambient computing" experience. |
| TomTom launches new hands-free dashboard mount for smartphones (video) Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:57 PM PDT TomTom is busting out a pair of new smartphone cradles to ensure your handset sits snugly on the windshield of your whip. The Hands Free Car Kit is available in both iPhone or microUSB (for all other smartphones) versions and comes with a built-in two watt speaker, extendable microphone and fast charging. Both editions are available for £80 ($125), while an iPhone-specific bundle that comes with the company's navigation app will set you back £130 ($204).
TomTom Launches New Hands-Free Car Kit for Smartphones London, 31 July 2012 – TomTom today launches the TomTom Hands Free Car Kit for smartphones with the highest quality audio for loud, clear hands-free calling and navigation. The new Car Kit features an advanced noise and echocancellation system, which dramatically reduces background noise for the caller and removes ambient noise for the driver. New mounting options make smartphone use on the move safer and more convenient. The newly designed Car Kit has an adjustable grip to fit any smartphone with or without its cover. An extendable microphone can be clipped to the sun visor to ensure conversations are louder and clearer. "The new Car Kit has been designed for safety and convenience," said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director at TomTom. "With fantastic audio quality and new mounting options, we are making it easier and safer for drivers to make calls and use navigation applications on the move. With advanced new features, our aim is to help drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road." The TomTom Hands Free Car Kit comes in two versions to support iPhone and micro USB compatible smartphones such as Android phones. Two iPhones and/or smartphones can automatically pair simultaneously. When connected via Bluetooth®, voice recognition functionality can be activated - enabling drivers to navigate and dial without taking their hands off the wheel. Pricing and Availability The TomTom Hands-Free Car Kit for iPhone or Smartphone is available in selected retail stores and from www.tomtom.com\smartphone priced £79.95. |
| Fanhattan updates iOS app with WatchList feature, content from Cinemax, HBO and NBC Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:38 PM PDT Fanhattan's often been praised for offering a one-stop hub where folks can keep track of all their cherished entertainment shows, which has led it to become a crowd favorite amongst iOS users. Well, today the application's expanding its TV guide services a little more, announcing it's now showing content from 10 new providers, including HBO, Cinemax, NBC and, better yet, The CW -- you know, because we just can't miss out on the latest Gossip Girl episodes. In addition to these channel inclusions, Fanhattan's also introduced a novel, Amazon-esque WatchList feature that pushes out alerts as soon as added shows (movies, too) are ready to be watched. If you've yet to give the handy application a try, you can do so now by grabbing it at no cost from Cupertino's well-known app mart. |
| Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates Posted: 31 Jul 2012 03:13 PM PDT Let's chalk this one up to something being lost in corporate translation. After a UK company rep issued a statement just days ago confirming the lack of an Android 4.1 upgrade path for certain 2011 Xperia handsets, Sony's delicately backtracking and claiming that public info was made "in error." While this official retraction may soothe previously irate owners' concerns, it's still not an outright commitment to Jelly Bean, as the company's only now pledging to "actively [investigate]... upgrades for all devices" -- a carefully worded PR promise par excellence. To the Japanese electronics giant's credit, it has been pretty transparent and diligent about delivering ICS updates to its elder smartphone progeny, so we have plenty of reason to remain cautiously optimistic Google's newest OS will make the transition, too. |
| Google Chrome 21 stable release adds Retina MacBook Pro support, webcam use without plugins Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:43 PM PDT Some Retina MacBook Pro owners have been waiting for this day for six weeks: that promised Retina support in Google Chrome is now part of a finished, stable release. Chrome 21 is now crisp and clear for those who took the plunge on Apple's new laptop but would rather not cling to Safari for the web. No matter what hardware you're using, Google has rolled in its promised WebRTC support to let webcams and microphones have their way without Flash or other plugins. Other notable tweaks like wider support for Cloud Print and gamepads tag along in the update as well. If you're at all intrigued by the expanded hardware support in Chrome, Google has an abundance of details (and downloads) at the links below. |
| Google postponing Nexus Q launch to 'make it better,' sending a free device to those who pre-ordered Posted: 31 Jul 2012 02:21 PM PDT Apparently Google's strange little media streamer isn't quite ready for prime time -- not according to the company that made it, at least. The software giant has begun sending out a note to pre-orderers letting them know that the launch of the sphere has been delayed in order to "work on making it even better." The company adds that it's responding to user feedback from previewers who want it to "do even more than it does today." To show that there are no hard feelings, the company will be "extend[ing] [the] Nexus Q preview to our pre-order customers and send[ing] [them] a free device," according to Google. We asked the company to clarify that last bit, to make sure if meant exactly what we thought it meant, and sure enough they told us, "We are sending a free Nexus Q to any users who pre-ordered the device at no cost to them." Sometimes it pays to be an early adopter. No word on when the device will begin shipping, but the company promised it will be arriving "soon." |
| Facebook working on 'save-for-later' feature, lets you like things privately Posted: 31 Jul 2012 01:55 PM PDT Ever wanted to flag a Facebook post for the future -- one you wouldn't want to be seen "liking" in the present? Well, the heads at Palo Alto are testing a way to make that happen: a save-for-later feature that'll allow you to add posts to a private feed. Saving is conducted on the sly, so you can create a slimmed-down stalking experience without alerting the posters. If you're prone to using the desktop version of the site, the option should appear alongside the familiar "Like", "Comment" and "Share" soon. A similar change should be available on the mobile site, with a press-and-hold mechanic doing the job in the apps for iDevices. There's no word on other platforms at the moment, but we'd be surprised if the update is confined to browser and iOS users. We know you're keen to start hoarding those embarrassing drunken status updates, so hopefully the update will be rolling out shortly. |
| Twitter responds to suspended reporter controversy, explains Trust & Safety policies Posted: 31 Jul 2012 01:27 PM PDT Well, you might not have heard about it from us, but by now you're likely familiar with the tale of British journalist Guy Adams and the controversy surrounding his suspended Twitter account. The Independent correspondent posted a number critical missives regarding NBC's Olympic coverage, one including the corporate email address of an executive at the network. Shortly there after his page went down. Adams has since had his account reinstated, but Twitter felt it necessary to clear the air about the circumstances regarding the temporary blockage. When the company's Trust & Safety receives a complaint that personal information is being distributed, its policy is to temporarily suspend the offending account. NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel filed such a complaint, and the social network now admits it was at the behest of members of its team working closely with NBC on its Olympic coverage. That, it acknowledges, was a mistake. Twitter says it does not actively monitor anyone's account and that the Trust & Safety team was unaware that Zenkel acted on the suggestion from the company's employees. Adams has since had his account reinstated and in a blog post Twitter has stated that it "should not and cannot be in the business of proactively monitoring and flagging content, no matter who the user is." |
| $125 MIPS-based Smart Tab 1 brings Jelly Bean on a budget to India Posted: 31 Jul 2012 01:17 PM PDT A MIPS-based tablet was the first slate to officially run Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and the processor technology will also beat the crowds to running the new Jelly Bean OS. It might be second to the Nexus 7, but Karbonn Mobiles' new Smart Tab 1, available to the Indian market only, runs Google's latest software -- and its MIPS-based JZ4770 SoC, clocked at 1.2GHz, allows for the low price of $125. The 7-inch Smart Tab 1 itself isn't new -- it debuted with ICS in July -- but current owners will receive an update, and new units will ship with Jelly Bean. Other specs include a 2-megapixel front shooter, HDMI support, 3G support through a USB dongle and up to 32GB of expandable storage via the microSD card slot. Head to the press release past the break for more info. World's Lowest-Cost Android(TM) 4.1 'Jelly Bean' Tablet Shipping Now -- It's MIPS! Karbonn Mobiles Now Shipping MIPS-Based(TM) Tablet in India SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jul 31, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- MIPS Technologies, Inc. MIPS -2.49% , a leading provider of industry-standard processor architectures and cores for home entertainment, networking, mobile and embedded applications, together with Ingenic Semiconductor, a leading China-based CPU provider for mobile multimedia applications, and Karbonn Mobiles, a leading mobile brand and provider of attractively priced multimedia phones in India, today announced availability in India of the world's lowest-cost Android(TM) 4.1 'Jelly Bean' tablet. The Karbonn Smart Tab 1 tablet, which leverages the popular, ultra low-power MIPS-Based(TM) JZ4770 SoC from Ingenic, is available now to consumers in India. Priced at Rs. 6999 (approximately US$125), the tablet will be available via the Karbonn website, as well as numerous online portals and retail outlets in India such as Reliance Digital and Walmart. The Karbonn Smart Tab 1 tablet was first introduced in early July with the Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' operating system. An upgrade to Android 4.1 will be available to customers who purchased this earlier version of the tablet. According to a recent ABI Research study, the Indian media tablet market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 71% from 2011 to 2017. "2012 is an important year for media tablets in India as an increasing number of models designed for the India market become available at different price tiers," says mobile devices practice director Jeff Orr. "Keys to success for tablet vendors will be localized content, seamless connectivity, and providing an enhanced user experience." "With its unmatched combination of high performance and ultra-low power consumption, the MIPS-Based Ingenic SoC was a natural choice for our new tablet. Long battery life, leading-edge features and a wealth of local content make the Karbonn Smart Tab 1 tablet an ideal product for the Indian market. Building on our success with mobile handsets in India, Karbonn is pleased to be a leader in bringing an Android 4.1 tablet to market, and the first company in the world to offer an Android 4.1 tablet at such an affordable price point. We intend to be the leading marketer in the Indian tablet market wherein we wish to reach up to 200 thousand units per month by focusing on enterprise business solutions segmentation, education, healthcare, hospitality and next-generation business verticals," said Pradeep Jain, managing director, Karbonn Mobiles. "This new tablet demonstrates continued adoption of our cost-effective JZ4770 SoC in mobile devices. The JZ4770 SoC leverages the simplicity and elegance of the MIPS architecture, and features extremely low power consumption, 1.2GHz performance, and a high level of functional integration. Millions of tablets are already shipping around the globe based on our design, and we anticipate increasing success as more and more companies recognize the differentiation our solution can enable," said Qiang Liu, chairman and CEO of Ingenic Semiconductor. "After joining with Ingenic to announce the world's first Android 4.0 'Ice Cream Sandwich' tablet in December, we have achieved numerous additional tablet design wins. Working closely with Ingenic and its OEMs, we are seeing increasing success for the MIPS architecture in tablets, especially in emerging markets such as China, Indonesia and now India. With our deep expertise in Android development, we are able to quickly port new versions of Android to MIPS-Based devices, with speed that is second only to Google itself," said Gideon Intrater, vice president of marketing, MIPS Technologies. To learn more about the Karbonn Smart Tab 1 tablet, including features and availability, visit www.karbonnmobiles.com . For more information about the MIPS-Based JZ4770 SoC and XBurst CPU from Ingenic, visit http://en.ingenic.cn/ . |
| Lenovo unveils toughened ThinkPad X131e for education, hikes price to $499 Posted: 31 Jul 2012 12:50 PM PDT Lenovo must have struck a chord with schools looking for some rough-and-tumble ThinkPads, as it's bringing out the ThinkPad X131e even while teachers are still drafting their course plans for the fall semester. The new model keeps that better-than-military ruggedness in an 11.6-inch laptop while freshening the choices of AMD E-series chips or their Intel-made Celeron and Core i3 challengers. Dolby Advanced Audio even gives the speakers boost when it's not a matter of all work and no play. Educators, in turn, get the usual options for extended support or customizing the laptops with a little school pride. There's a premium to pay for putting classrooms on the cutting edge, however: at $499, the new systems are $70 more costly than the launch price of the X130e portables they replace, which leaves quite a bit less money for notebooks of the paper variety. New Ruggedized ThinkPad Laptops Are A+ Classroom Performers RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lenovo (HKSE: 0992) (PINK SHEETS: LNVGY) today announced the ThinkPad X131e laptop, built especially for students with the technologies to enhance classroom learning along with a rugged design to meet the physical demands of the school day and beyond. The ThinkPad X131e offers choices of Intel® Core™ and Celeron® processors or AMD E-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) for strong performance, Dolby® Advanced Audio® for rich and resonant sound, vibrant HD graphics and USB 3.0 for fast data transfers. The PC's cover displays a wireless activity LED indicator so teachers know when students are using WiFi in the classroom. Built for the rigors of education, the laptop also includes customization and security options for schools' IT teams. "We know from experience that students are our toughest customers – literally – and for that reason we make it a point to go above and beyond our standard ruggedness features in the laptops we introduce for education," said Dilip Bhatia, vice president, ThinkPad Business Unit, Lenovo. "To help combat the extreme wear and tear students subject their laptops to, we've designed our toughest education PC yet by incorporating heavy-duty, military-grade features, while packing the device with top of the line technology so teachers can offer students the latest in digital learning." Student-Tested, Teacher-Approved The powerful ThinkPad X131e can handle a variety of student assignments, from working with video and creating presentations to managing data and other word processing tasks. The 11.6-inch laptop includes choices of dual core AMD E-300 and E2-1800 APUs with AMD Radeon™ graphics or Intel® Core™ i3-2367M and Intel® Celeron® 877 processors with Intel® HD Graphics; all help to deliver multimedia-rich lessons. ThinkPad X131e PCs equipped with Intel processors also offer the option of including Intel® Learning Series Software Suite, a collaborative and user-friendly tool designed for one-to-one eLearning and classrooms around the world. The convenient LED light on the laptop's cover shows wireless activity to give teachers a quick visual cue that students are connected to the Internet for lessons requiring connectivity -- and offline when the work calls for simple word processing or other local activity. This convenient aid to teachers helps keep students following along with the lesson. The laptop's Dolby® Advanced Audio® boosts the performance of the built-in speakers and enhances classroom learning that includes music, video and games. Additional multimedia functions include a low-light webcam and Lenovo's Instant Resume function, allowing students to maintain a WiFi connection while moving from class to class. Kid-proofed Design Lenovo built the ThinkPad X131e for mobility throughout the school day with its lightweight design, less than four pounds, and with long battery life, up to 8.5 hours. Student-tested, heavy-duty features include: * Reinforced hinges: because frequent opening and closing of laptops can accelerate wear and tear, the X131e has a reinforced hinge to withstand 50,000 open/close cycles. The ThinkPad X131e also meets the needs of IT teams with its range of optional services including asset tagging for inventory control, ThinkPad Warranty Upgrades with onsite repair to provide tech help at school and ThinkPad Accidental Damage Protection which turns expensive out-of-warranty repairs into predictable, managed expenses. The X131e comes in custom colors and the school can opt to have its logo etched into the top cover. Pricing and Availability The ThinkPad X131e laptop will be available starting today from business partners and on www.lenovo.com. Pricing for models starts at $499. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Engadget News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment