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- Bluetooth Bulb lets you switch on, time, dim and color your lighting from your phone (video)
- Inhabitat's week in green: solar powered toilet, pollution-fighting mural and the world's largest rooftop wind farm
- NASA maps out proposed travel plans for Curiosity, decides to head for the hills
- Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL to hit Japanese shores, require a pre-order for purchase
- Volkswagen 2013 Jetta Hybrid sets speed record, gives new meaning to hypermiling
- Georgia Tech develops self-charging battery that marches to the owner's beat
- Premium Collection hot shoe covers are cufflinks for your cam, let you dazzle up that DSLR
- Harvard stores 704TB in a gram of DNA, may have us shopping for organically-grown storage (video)
- Sony quietly outs Xperia SL: dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3, four hues
- Ask Engadget: What's the best entry-level DSLR?
- Mobile Miscellany: week of August 13th, 2012
- Facebook to backup its servers with low-power storage devices at 'Sub-Zero' data center
- Motorola posts Android bootloader unlock page, lets just one device pass muster
- Ceton's Media Center Companion apps for mobiles hit RC status, add new features (video)
- Alt-week 8.18.12: Graphene sponges, zero-g athletics and tweets in space
- Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition Bundle officially hits stores tomorrow, yours for $250 until Sept.1st
- Fisker completes investigation of latest Karma hybrid EV fire, issues vehicle-wide cooling fan recall
- XBMC for Android available in nightly builds for that risky media fix
- OnLive's alternative to bankruptcy: just what is an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors?
- Apple responds to iPhone text message spoofing, reminds us how secure iMessage is
- ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 gets Jelly Bean update, TF700 looks at watch impatiently
- Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental
- DSLR gets dollop of Raspberry Pi for future home-baked camera accessories
- MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites
- Sky Sports TV app for Android now available, brings live events to the UK and Ireland
- LeapFrog's child-friendly LeapPad 2 goes on sale for $100, is ready for sticky fingers
- CM10 nightly builds now rolling out to select devices
- Sony unveils NEX-EA50EH pro camcorder with nary a dog or pony (video)
- 3D@Home Consortium and International 3D Society combine, don't make 6D
- Steam to debut Big Picture beta soon, make couch potatoes of PC gamers
- Crackle's free movie streaming expands to the Nook Tablet, Android and iOS apps updated for TV playback
- Samsung Galaxy S III on Verizon gets one-click bootloader unlock, freedom is just a Google Play away
- OnLive hits reset after being dragged down by expensive servers, confirms service will continue
- Post-acquisition Motorola files fresh ITC complaint against Apple
- FCC Fridays: August 17, 2012
- Source: OnLive undergoing buyout in wake of dire financials, laying off 'at least 50 percent' of staff
- Xiaomi Phones may enter Europe next year, because China ain't big enough
- Motorola schedules press event for September 5th, dubs it the 'day's main event'
- AT&T: FaceTime over cellular feature to be included in Mobile Share plans at no extra charge, not available for other data plans
- Campaign to build Nikola Tesla museum hits $500k in less than 48 hours, hopes to raise $850k
| Bluetooth Bulb lets you switch on, time, dim and color your lighting from your phone (video) Posted: 19 Aug 2012 09:21 AM PDT Every once in a while, someone tries to give the humble light bulb a little next-gen flavor. This time, we're adding Bluetooth 4.0 to the mix. Why, you ask? Good question, and one with a simple answer. The Bluetooth Bulb lets you pair your phone with one or more of the lights in your home, and then control them via an app. Switch them on, off, change brightness, set a timer, and a special RGB bulb even lets you change the color ambiance. If you're worried about the cost and waste when these things burn out, fear not, as apparently every part is replaceable -- and as there's no home automation system involved -- you won't need anything else to get set up. If this idea switches you on, you might have to hold out a little longer, as the product is just a patented prototype right now. Sights are set on mass production, but you'll have to stick with your old clapper for the time being.
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| Posted: 19 Aug 2012 07:30 AM PDT Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. Hear those school bells in the distance? It's hard to believe, but the start of the school year is just a few weeks away -- and all week we've been rounding up some of our favorite eco-friendly back-to-school essentials. From green school supplies to sustainable backpacks, we've got all your back-to-school needs covered. And to top it off, we're giving away a laptop-charging Voltaic solar-powered backpack (worth $389) stuffed with green school supplies for a total prize package worth over $500. If we could go back to school and live in any dorm, we'd probably choose Copenhagen's Tietgenkollegiet dorm, a circular building with community kitchens, cafes, music rooms and a central courtyard. And if we could choose any gadget to take with us, it would have to be the P&P Office Waste Processor, which can transform a basket full of waste paper into fully-formed pencils. For the past several years, Bill Gates has been on a mission to reinvent the toilet, and this week he backed up the talk by awarding $100,000 to the California Institute of Technology for its work on a solar-powered toilet that breaks down human waste and transforms it into energy. Green technology is entering some strange territory these days; PayPal Co-Founder Peter Thiel just agreed to invest £160,000 to £220,000 to develop 3D-printed steaks, and a team of researchers at the University of California is working on developing a cell phone that is powered entirely by a bacteria-eating virus. Meanwhile, researchers in Poland and Sweden are working on wood-powered batteries made from paper waste, and Barcelona just installed the world's first fully integrated wind-powered EV charging station. The University of Arizona also developed a telescopic solar panel that doubles the efficiency of regular PVs, while MIT deployed its all-in-one Solar ORC to provide heat, electricity and hot water for African communities. This week saw major advances in green architecture -- both big and small. The Swiss Alps sprouted a sparkling aluminum-clad prefab restaurant that looks like it came straight from Hoth, and the world's largest rooftop wind farm was installed on top of a medical research facility in Oklahoma City. In Italy, artist Andreco unveiled the world's first pollution-fighting mural by using photochemical paint that reduces the amount of nitrogen monoxide in the air. In New York, Lego builder Jonathan Lopes used thousands of Legos to build an incredibly detailed replica of Brooklyn. But a group of 5,000 Japanese kids overshadowed his achievement, building an epic replica of Japan using 1.8 million Legos. French industrial designer Petit Romain redesigned the classic Heineken bottle into a cube, which packs and ships more efficiently than a standard round bottle. In another potential breakthrough, scientists developed the world's first electronic fingertip, which could pave the way for the production of "smart" surgical gloves that could open up new possibilities for surgical robots. Korean artist Song Hojun demonstrated the power of recycling by creating a DIY satellite from recycled parts that cost just $400 to build, while iameco launched a wood-wrapped computer with a 70 percent lighter carbon footprint. And file this one under borderline creepy baby mementos: a Japanese company is marketing mini 3D-printed fetus replicas that sell for $1,200 a pop. |
| NASA maps out proposed travel plans for Curiosity, decides to head for the hills Posted: 19 Aug 2012 06:08 AM PDT As the vista on Mars gradually gets ever clearer, and the system checks continue to show that the rover is in good stead, the team behind Curiosity will be increasingly eager to stretch its |
| Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL to hit Japanese shores, require a pre-order for purchase Posted: 19 Aug 2012 04:23 AM PDT Nintendo handhelds are no strangers to new coats of paint -- or Pokemon, for that matter -- and now the firm is readying a Japan-exclusive Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL (officially the LL for locals). The brightly colored clamshell features a white interior and the electric rodent's visage on its lid with his tail trailing onto the underside. Priced at ¥18,900 (roughly $238), the portable will only be available at Pokemon Center stores throughout the Land of the Rising Sun on September 15th for those who pre-order between August 25 and its release. Gamers in North America may not be able to snap up the uniquely hued system, but this weekend's launch of the 3DS XL in red and blue could provide a small measure of consolation. |
| Volkswagen 2013 Jetta Hybrid sets speed record, gives new meaning to hypermiling Posted: 19 Aug 2012 03:01 AM PDT Most hybrid car drivers will tell you that their world is all about being gentle on the throttle, spending as much time as possible in that electric-only speed range even if it makes a family minivan look speedy. Volkswagen has just claimed a record for doing precisely the opposite: the 2013 Jetta Hybrid is reportedly the fastest production hybrid in the world, having come just shy of a verified 185.4MPH after an all-out assault on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The company did have to modify the sedan to reach the breakneck pace, tweaking the powertrain, wheels and interior to run safely on that atypical surface, but it isn't known to have bumped the 150HP output of the gas engine or the 27HP of the electric motor. We have a hunch that VW's title won't last for long, whether or not we see the claim as valid -- there are a few decidedly more performance-oriented hybrids rolling off assembly lines now and in the future. Still, until there's a more direct challenge, one of the world's more ubiquitous commuter cars is the hybrid speed leader. VOLKSWAGEN'S JETTA HYBRID IS THE WORLDS FASTEST HYBRID Motor Trend magazine writer Carlos Lago runs 185 mph (298 kph) in turbocharged Jetta Hybrid to set Hybrid Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats Herndon, VA - Volkswagen announced today that a 2013 Jetta Hybrid driven by Motor Trend Associate Road Test Editor Carlos Lago recorded a speed of 185.394 mph (298.363 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats, near Wendover, Nevada, during the Southern California Timing Association's (SCTA) annual Speed Week. This is the fastest speed ever achieved by a production-based hybrid car on the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. "Achieving this speed at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class," said Jonathan Browning, CEO and President, VW Group of America. "As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles." Lago drove a Jetta Hybrid specially modified to run according to SCTA rules. The all-new Jetta Hybrid marries a 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® gasoline engine that generates150 horsepower with a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electric motor that provides an additional 27 hp. The Jetta Hybrid is part of Volkswagen's Think Blue® strategy, an initiative that encourages eco-friendly mobility and progressive ideas for responsible action in everyday life. To achieve the kind of horsepower needed to run at 185 mph (298 kph) at Bonneville, the powertrain was modified by Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany. Project integration and other modifications to enable the car to run safely on the salt were handled by A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering, based in Camarillo, California. The implementation and final calibration of the drivetrain in the car was supported by the engineers from the Volkswagen Test Center California in Oxnard, CA. "We are really proud that our new Jetta Hybrid is the world's fastest hybrid," said Marc Trahan, Executive Vice President, Group Quality. "It was a real challenge to integrate the complex hybrid elements and generate the power needed to run at these speeds. The Jetta Hybrid Land Speed Record project shows both the sporty nature of our Hybrid offering and the technical excellence of our engineers in Wolfsburg and in the Test Center California." Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh commented: "It is a real honor to partner with Volkswagen in this project and we look forward to sharing this adventure with our 1.1 million magazine subscribers, our more than three million website unique users, and our increasingly popular YouTube channel. And we hope that we will be back at the Salt very soon to go even faster with the Jetta Hybrid." |
| Georgia Tech develops self-charging battery that marches to the owner's beat Posted: 19 Aug 2012 01:28 AM PDT One of the last times we saw the concept of a self-recharging battery, it was part of a high-minded Nokia patent whose ideas still haven't seen the light of day. Researchers at Georgia Tech are more inclined to put theory into practice. Starting from a regular lithium-ion coin battery, the team has replaced the usual divider between electrodes with a polyvinylidene difluoride film whose piezoelectric nature produces a charging action inside that gap through just a little pressure, with no outside voltage required to make the magic happen. The developers have even thumbed their noses at skeptics by very literally walking the walk -- slipping the test battery under a shoe sole gives it a proper dose of energy with every footstep. At this stage, the challenge mostly involves ramping up the maximum power through upgrades such as more squeezable piezoelectrics. Georgia Tech hasn't progressed so far as to have production plans in mind; it's nonetheless close enough that we could see future forms of wearable computing that rarely need an electrical pick-me-up. |
| Premium Collection hot shoe covers are cufflinks for your cam, let you dazzle up that DSLR Posted: 18 Aug 2012 11:33 PM PDT You love the focus speed, image quality is top-notch and even videos turn out just as expected -- still, there's something missing with your latest DSLR, though it's just a tad hard to place. What your camera needs is some bona fide bling. Not using that hot shoe for a flash or EVF? It's time to tuck in a beautiful raised floral cover, elegantly outfitted in a shiny silver finish. It's sure to stand out against the contrast of an all-black body, though it'll feel equally at home on your silver Leica. Designed by Jay Tsujimura in Tokyo, Premium Collection includes matching hot shoe and shutter release covers, letting your camera stay coordinated just like your cuffs. They're priced to fly off store shelves at a mere ¥24,150 (about $300) each -- get an up-close look in our gallery and at the source link below. |
| Harvard stores 704TB in a gram of DNA, may have us shopping for organically-grown storage (video) Posted: 18 Aug 2012 10:06 PM PDT Early research has had DNA making circuits and little factories. We haven't really seen DNA used as a storage medium, however, and it's evident we've been missing out. A Harvard team led by George Church, Sriram Kosuri and Yuan Gao can stuff 96 bits into a DNA strand by treating each base (A, C, G, T) as though it's a binary value. The genetic sequence is then synthesized by a microfluidic chip that matches up that sequence with its position in a relevant data set, even when all the DNA strands are out of order. The technique doesn't sound like much on its own, but the microscopic size amounts to a gigantic amount of information at a scale we can see: about 704TB of data fits into a cubic millimeter, or more than you'd get out of a few hundred hard drives. Caveats? The processing time is currently too slow for time-sensitive content, and cells with living DNA would destroy the strands too quickly to make them viable for anything more than just transfers. All the same, such density and a lifespan of eons could have us turning to DNA storage not just for personal backups, but for backing up humanity's collective knowledge. We're less ambitious -- we'd most like to know if we'll be buying organic hard drives alongside the fair trade coffee and locally-sourced fruit. |
| Sony quietly outs Xperia SL: dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3, four hues Posted: 18 Aug 2012 08:26 PM PDT That oft-rumored successor to the Sony Xperia S smartphone, the Xperia SL? Sony's now officially listing the 4.3-inch GSM device as "coming soon" on its website, along with full details and specs. As it turns out, the initial leaks were correct -- the SL is a slight refresh of the S, differentiating itself with an additional duo of color choices (silver and pink), a faster dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 CPU and Android Ice Cream Sandwich (up from a 1.5Ghz processor and Gingerbread). Aside from all that, it's the same media-focused phone, loaded with the same 720p display and 12.1-megapixel shooter, that we reviewed in March. We can't say we're overly excited, but you'll find more info from Sony at the source link below if you're interested. [Thanks, Olmar] |
| Ask Engadget: What's the best entry-level DSLR? Posted: 18 Aug 2012 07:06 PM PDT We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Joyce, who wants us to open the open the camera wars in the interests of helping out a photography newbie. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
It's been three years since we last asked this question, so we're well overdue to gauge your opinions. Tell us what budget shooter and lenses offer the best bang-for-your-buck and ease of use, which unit's the most forgiving and which offers the cheapest lenses for those just dipping their toes into the water? |
| Mobile Miscellany: week of August 13th, 2012 Posted: 18 Aug 2012 06:15 PM PDT Not all mobile news is destined for the front page, but if you're like us and really want to know what's going on, then you've come to the right place. This past week, Clove teased the October arrival of the black Samsung Galaxy S III and a security vulnerability was uncovered for Android's pattern unlock feature. These stories and more await after the break. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore the "best of the rest" for this week of August 13th, 2012. Sprint to start wooing families with $400 rebate incentive A leaked advertisement courtesy of PhoneArena suggests that Sprint is set to kick off a new promotion in an effort to draw family plan subscribers away from the competition. From August 19th through September 15th, the Now Network is said to offer a $400 instant credit to those who switch over three or more lines to an Everything Share Data plan. There are a few stipulations, as tablets, data cards and accessories don't qualify, and customers of Sprint's subsidiaries such as Boost and Virgin Mobile aren't eligible for the promo. [PhoneArena] Still want to install Flash on your Android handset? Use this. Adobe Flash is no longer available for new installations on Android devices, and if you missed the August 15th installation deadline, you might've thought you were out of luck. Fortunately, those intent on sneaking a final whiff of Flash can easily do so, thanks to a simple app from MoDaCo, which grabs the latest APK file from Adobe's servers. Naturally, this workaround will function only so long as Adobe continues to host the file, so you may wish to toss the APK into your cloud storage account. [Android Police] Android pattern unlock exploit discovered, made possible with USB debugging Here's a good reason to disable USB debugging when you're not using it: the feature renders your phone fundamentally less secure. M.Sabra of xda-developers has revealed an exploit within ADB that allows one to bypass the pattern unlock function of Android devices with only a few steps. The hack is said to work regardless of whether root privileges are enabled. So long as it's on your mind, take a moment to check the USB debugging status of your device right now. [Phandroid] Black Galaxy S III with 64GB storage said to hit Clove next month The black Galaxy S III first greeted the world at the Olympics, then again on T-Mobile's website, and now it's said to land in consumer hands next month. Clove Technology in the UK has announced that it'll receive the ebony superphone in the elusive 64GB flavor, which will become available in early October. The company has yet to announce pricing, but intends to begin accepting pre-orders in the near-term. [Android Central] Oppo Finder debuts in a whiter shade of pale The sibling of the black Oppo Finder, a super-slim Chinese smartphone, greeted the world this week. Set to become available for pre-order on August 23rd, it'll sell for approximately $425. Noteworthy specs of the Oppo Finder include a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU, a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 Super AMOLED Plus display and an 8-megapixel camera. [M.I.C. Gadget] Other random tidbits
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| Facebook to backup its servers with low-power storage devices at 'Sub-Zero' data center Posted: 18 Aug 2012 05:23 PM PDT Data backups come in all shapes and sizes. For some, they take the form of external hard drives or a slice of the amorphous cloud. As for Facebook, its upcoming solution is low-power deep-storage hardware contained within a 62,000 square-foot building in Prineville, Oregon near its existing Beaver State data center. Unofficially referred to as "Sub-Zero," the facility will store a copy of the social network's data in case its primary servers need to be restored in an emergency. Rather than continuously power HDDs that are only occasionally used, the new setup can conserve energy by lighting-up drives just when they're needed. One of the company's existing server racks eats up around 4.5 kilowatts, while those at Sub-Zero are each expected to consume approximately 1.5 kilowatts once they're up and running. Tom Furlong, Facebook's vice president of site operations, told Wired that there are hopes to create a similar structure alongside the firm's North Carolina data center. Since the Prineville project is still being planned, Zuckerberg & Co. have roughly six to nine months to suss out all the details before your photos are backed up at the new digs. |
| Motorola posts Android bootloader unlock page, lets just one device pass muster Posted: 18 Aug 2012 04:12 PM PDT Motorola drew fresh respect after it vowed that its Android device customers could unlock their bootloaders, starting with the Photon Q LTE. Nearly everything about that process was kept in the dark, but it's now been blown wide open: the company has posted a full page dedicated to the process. Getting started will demand the Android SDK, fastboot, new USB drivers and a slightly scary warranty release, but it otherwise goes through a very HTC-like process that provides an unlock key. Verizon subscribers who were hoping for a surprise Droid RAZR MAXX unlock won't be happy, mind you; the Photon Q LTE is the only device on the list so far that isn't already unchained as a matter of course. Motorola did characterize the unlock option as a forward-thinking option, which leaves us not so secretly wishing that high-profile future releases expand the list of unlockable devices a bit further. |
| Ceton's Media Center Companion apps for mobiles hit RC status, add new features (video) Posted: 18 Aug 2012 03:02 PM PDT Fans of Windows Media Center will have a new remote control option soon, as Ceton has pushed out some release candidates of its mobile device Companion apps. Beta testers should be seeing some new features including an updated program guide with infinite scrolling, plus universal search through the guide, movies, recorded TV, TV series and channels, as well as series recording management and overall speed improvements. Currently only the Windows Phone and iOS clients are considered at RC level with the Android version not quite there and lacking the guide search feature. Those in the test group can hit the source links to make sure they've got the latest versions of the apps and services for their HTPC, while those of us on the outside looking in can get a quick preview from the demo video embedded after the break and pics in the gallery. |
| Alt-week 8.18.12: Graphene sponges, zero-g athletics and tweets in space Posted: 18 Aug 2012 02:00 PM PDT Alt-week peels back the covers on some of the more curious sci-tech stories from the last seven days. We see a lot of crazy stories here at Engadget, especially when we spend our week poking around in dark and scary corners of the internet specifically in search of them, just so you don't have to. We consider it a service almost. One that we're delighted to provide, we must add. When else would we be able to share such delights as an astronaut triathlete, soft, color-changing robots and a recent response to a thirty-year-old alien broadcast? Exactly. This is alt-week. Our love affair with graphene is a complex one. It's a material that offers so much promise, but has yet to fully leap from the drawing board out into our everyday reality. Some recent research from the University of Texas, however, might finally change that. And, it's probably in a form you weren't expecting. By reducing graphene oxide and then applying a hydrothermal molding procedure, the scientists were able to fabricate a sponge-like structure, which can absorb upto 86 times its own weight. The testing was done with petrochemicals in water (to replicate oil spills), and the rate of chemical uptake is the highest they've seen. Best of all, 99 percent of the hydrocarbons absorbed were able to be recovered, meaning the sponge could be redeployed up to ten times without a drop in performance. If this is the first commercial implementation of graphene, we're not going to grumble, even if it's not the science fiction-like super product we'd been hoping for. Space-age materials are one thing, but what about space-age triathletes? Not a term you find yourself using every day, granted. But, thanks to ISS-based astronaut Sunita Williams, one we get to use today. Not content with being the record holder for the longest space flight by a female, Williams wants to compete in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon next month. A taxing feat for most people, but even more so when you consider that over-achieving Williams wants to do it while still very much in Space. The ISS has a treadmill (with harness!) and static bike, which makes two of the three disciplines pretty straightforward, but the distinct lack of a pool, makes the swimming part a little harder to mimic. As such, Williams will perform bench presses that will act as the microgravity equivalent of the water-dependent sport. This isn't the first time our wonder-naut has done such a thing, either, having "ran" the Boston marathon in 2007, clocking in a time of 4:23:10, which frankly, is just showing off.
While competing in space might mean fewer joggers to dodge, it does come with its own hazards, such as dodging tweets and videos sent out from planet earth. Okay, it might not be a physical message in bottle, but it is something almost as ambitious. The project directed by the National Geographic Channel and Arecibo Observatory is sending a response to the "Wow signal" some 35 years after the event. Over 10,000 tweets were collated, as well as videos from comedians, which will be beamed into space using a transmitter with a signal 20 times stronger than that of typical commercial radio transmitters. We're just really hoping that aliens have a sense of humor, or at least know what RLRT stands for. If anyone, or anything does receive our messages, there's every chance it might look like one of the critters below. These creepy little monsters are the result of research undertaken at Harvard to develop nature-inspired soft robots. The "soft machines" (as they are dubbed) themselves aren't new, but this time they have been modified to posses color changing camouflage skills, as seen in cephalopods such as squid. While the form and function may be very much inspired by nature, the practicalities are very much in the human realm. The color layers in the machines start as 3D printed molds, micro-channels are then created with silicon that allow colored liquids to be pumped in to match the robots surroundings. Practical applications are said to include search and rescue missions (these can also glow in the dark) as well as helping doctors perform complex surgery (though we're not exactly sure how). We, however, think this is a smash-hit Christmas toy waiting to happen. Keep up the research! [Image credits: NAAPO, Harvard] Seen any other far-out articles that you'd like considered for Alt-week? Working on a project or research that's too cool to keep to yourself? Drop us a line at alt [at] engadget [dot] com. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 18 Aug 2012 01:04 PM PDT After leaking early and then being sold ahead of schedule at Best Buy, Samsung's Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Student Edition Bundle -- yes, that's really its full moniker -- now has a confirmed street date. Starting tomorrow, $250 the bundle (which includes a 8GB version of the tablet finished in glossy white, a keyboard dock and USB peripheral connector) will be available for purchase until September 1st at Best Buy, Tiger Direct, Fry's Electronics, Amazon, and Costco. Specs-wise this Android 4.0 slate skinned with TouchWiz isn't exactly up to par with the venerable $200 Nexus 7, but it's still a potential step up from B&N's recently discounted Nook Tablets. Beyond that, it also stands out by packing an IR-blaster, microSD card slot and two cameras -- and lest we forget to mention that this particular GTab itself is normally $250. Hit up the press release after the break if your interests are piqued enough to consider hitting the halls with this bundle. Samsung Brings the GALAXY Tab 2 Back to School with Student Edition Bundle adding Keyboard Dock and USB Adapter at no extra cost RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., Aug. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics America Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announces that its GALAXY Tab 2 7.0 device will be available in a special Student Edition, beginning 8/19 and for two weeks only. The Special Edition includes a GALAXY Tab 2 7.0 in a unique white color, a keyboard dock and USB adapter in the box – a retail value of $350 - for an SRP of just $249.99. Students will realize substantial benefits from the bundle, which will add a physical keyboard to the device as well as a USB adapter that supports plugging in USB thumb drives as well as peripherals such USB mice. With these accessories and the preloaded Polaris Office, the GALAXY Tab 2 is perfect for typing research reports or even creating presentations. In addition, the multimedia features on the GALAXY Tab 2 are perfect for enjoying movies and music. "The education market is a significant priority for Samsung, and we are very pleased to deliver a bundle that is sure to be appealing to just about any student at a very competitive price point," explained Travis Merrill, Director of Marketing, GALAXY Tab, Samsung Electronics America. "A busy student can achieve a PC-like setup in the dorm room, yet still pop the GALAXY Tab 2 out of the dock and slip it into a pocket for usage while on the go. It truly is the smarter way to learn." The special packaging for the new bundle also includes an insert with a series of recommended cool educational apps from Google Play. GALAXY Tab 2 – Powerful, Smart, Easy to Use The GALAXY Tab 2 7.0 is a powerful dual-core tablet running Android 4.0. The devices features an integrated IR blaster for universal remote capabilities, as well as an easily accessible memory card slot for convenient loading of multimedia files in a range of supported file formats. The tablet also offers endless content access in a sleek design that can maximize the home entertainment experience. The Smart Remote App and built-in IR Blaster turns the Tab 2 into a universal smart remote, helping users easily find their favorite shows. Users can choose from over 450,000 apps, surf millions of web pages with Adobe Flash™ support, and access favorite movies and TV shows from Google Play or Media Hub. In addition, the GALAXY Tab 2 is fully Google certified for complete access to Google Play and is competitively priced at $249.99, so students don't need to compromise when selecting a tablet. The bundle will be available while supplies last, from 8/19 through 9/1. Participating retailers include Best Buy, Amazon, Tiger Direct, Costco and Fry's. Key Specs: Screen & Resolution 7.0" TFT (PLS) Display
WSVGA (1024x600) Resolution OS Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich Size & Weight 0.41" x 4.8" x 7.6" Weight, Including Battery: 0.76 lbs Memory 8GB Built-in microSD™ Slot: Up to 32GB Connectivity WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth V3.0 USB 2.0 Host 3.5mm Ear Jack 30 Pin IF Connector Integrated IR Camera 3MP rear-facing VGA front-facing Other Features GPS Stereo Speakers Video Playback at 1080p @ 30fps SRP $249.99
More information can be found at www.samsung.com
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| Posted: 18 Aug 2012 12:28 PM PDT Recall Fisker's latest fiery episode last week that left the front left quarter panel of a Karma hybrid EV burnt to a crisp in a Woodside, California parking lot? As promised, the company has completed its investigation with Pacific Rim Investigative Services Group into the scene, reporting that it's "located the ignition source to the left front of the Karma, forward of the wheel, where the low temperature cooling fan is located." As such, Fisker has decided to issue a full-on recall of the unit, Update: When asked about whether the recall affects all Karma models currently on the road, a representative simply (and promptly) replied to us stating, "yes" -- well then. MEDIA STATEMENT -- Woodside, CA Incident Fisker has completed a detailed investigation into the roadside fire involving a Fisker The investigation conducted by Fisker engineers, working with an independent fire The investigation located the ignition source to the left front of the Karma, forward of the Fisker has today voluntarily elected to conduct a recall with respect to this cooling fan Fisker has already contacted its retailer network. Customers are expected to be In their investigation, independent experts established that the incident was not caused "We are committed to responding swiftly and decisively to events such as this to ensure The owner of the car involved in the Woodside incident, Mr. Rudy Burger commented: "Fisker is a great company and one that I am personally planning to invest in. I look |
| XBMC for Android available in nightly builds for that risky media fix Posted: 18 Aug 2012 11:13 AM PDT We only just learned in earnest that XBMC was coming to Android last month, and yet we're already looking at workable builds. Kermonine96 at the XDA-Developers forum has started offering his own, unofficial nightly versions of the media center front end, both for regularly supported devices with Neon processor code (most often HTC and Samsung devices) as well as Neon-free hardware, like phones and tablets carrying Tegra 2 chips. Needless to say, the alpha-grade code shouldn't be used as the heart of a mobile media center: hardware decoding isn't functional, battery life is low and even a stable picture isn't guaranteed. That said, anyone who's willing to risk a skip-heavy movie or miss out on plugins now doesn't have to receive the XBMC crew's blessing to get a preview of its Android efforts. |
| OnLive's alternative to bankruptcy: just what is an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors? Posted: 18 Aug 2012 10:00 AM PDT The news is out. OnLive, Inc. is no more, having cut the bulk of its workforce loose and used an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC) to absolve itself of massive debts incurred by the expansion of its services without a corresponding increase in its customer base. But what is this alternative to filing for bankruptcy, and why did OnLive choose this particular legal reset button to start over? We spoke with an expert on the matter, Martin Pichinson, co-founder and managing member of Sherwood Partners (which does two or three ABCs in a given week), to help educate us on this little-known tool used by companies irrevocably in the red. It turns out, ABC is a preferred method for debtor companies backed by venture capital to satisfy creditors, because it allows such firms to preserve their assets while staying viable long enough to find a buyer for those assets. The ABC process begins when a debtor company signs a contract assigning its assets to a third-party assignee (like Sherwood), which acts as a fiduciary for the company's creditors. Translation: the assignee's job is to get the creditors paid.
Given what we've heard from ex-OnLive employees, it seems that the company has already assigned its assets, and the assignee has already sold them. The buyer, a VC, plans to remake OnLive's assets (including the retained employees) into a lean, profitable new start-up. When we asked Pichinson if it was common for a company to have a buyer lined up before beginning the ABC process, he responded that it's not out of the ordinary. He was also quick to point out, however, that it's particularly important for the sale of the assets to be done correctly in order to fulfill the fiduciary duty of maximizing the creditors' return. It appears that OnLive's already well into the ABC process, and if that's the case, all that's left is for its assignee to verify the company's creditors' claims and dole out the cash accordingly. If all goes to plan, it'll take about seven months to completely wind up its business, and the remains of OnLive -- the first iteration, at least -- will finally be no more. |
| Apple responds to iPhone text message spoofing, reminds us how secure iMessage is Posted: 18 Aug 2012 08:58 AM PDT If you're a frequent texter, and the iPhone is your weapon of choice, there's a good chance you've been a wee bit concerned since yesterday's report that the device is vulnerable to a certain SMS spoofing attack. Basically, it's possible for a malicious individual to send a message and specify a reply-to number that is not their own, appearing as if they are someone else. We got in touch with an Apple representative and here's what we were told:
Even if you aren't on an iPhone, we'd like to remind you to be careful when texting. There are numerous services out there that let you send a message that appears to be from anybody you like -- regardless of what model, OS or even carrier the recipient is using. All the more reason to think twice before filing that loan application over SMS. |
| ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 gets Jelly Bean update, TF700 looks at watch impatiently Posted: 18 Aug 2012 08:34 AM PDT Teasing your customers about forthcoming software updates isn't very nice -- unless you deliver on the very same day, of course. ASUS hinted, just this morning, that Jelly Bean might be on its way to some of its devices via the company's Facebook page. Now, we're getting reports from Transformer Pad TF300 owners that the update has landed. ASUS was even kind enough to beat its own estimate (for the TF300, at least) by a significant measure. Could this mean the TF700 update is on its way? Our advice? Keep mashing that "Check now" just to make sure. [Thanks, James, Godwill] |
| Android Open Source Project targets Sony Xperia S, wants to get experimental Posted: 18 Aug 2012 08:16 AM PDT The Android Open Source Project has typically (and understandably) been a very Nexus-focused affair -- until now that is. Technical Lead for the AOSP, Jean-Baptiste Queru, announced this week that for a "new challenge" he'd like to target new hardware -- and Sony's Xperia S is the lucky benefactor. The choice of hardware is said to be due to it being a powerful, current device with an unlockable bootloader, with Queru noting that Sony has always been kind to the project. There's not a lot in the git project right now, but Queru appears keen to rally support from developers to get the ball rolling. Wondering how this might differ from CyanogenMod's device targets? Where CM might have a focus on stability, Queru believes that AOSP will head in a more experimental "bleeding edge" direction. Sound like something you can get behind? Head on over to the source for more info. |
| DSLR gets dollop of Raspberry Pi for future home-baked camera accessories Posted: 18 Aug 2012 07:20 AM PDT We love a tasty mélange of gadgets, and that's just what photographer / hacker David Hunt has served up with a Raspberry Pi board inserted into his DSLR's battery grip. He used the handle for power, while exposing the Pi's USB, network and video ports for easy on-camera access, and so far he's managed to transmit images via WiFi and ethernet. But the Raspbian Linux OS opens up a world of potential DIY accessories, like wireless tethered shooting (with the addition of a WiFi dongle), cheap USB instant backup, storage, remote control from anywhere in the world and an intervalometer for timelapse photography. That's just for starters -- with the credit card sized board now in so many hands, the permutations are endless. |
| MIT 'microthrusters' are the size of a penny, could reposition tiny satellites Posted: 18 Aug 2012 06:06 AM PDT Bus-sized satellites require massive engines for even the slightest movements, but as far smaller structures become a possibility, a tiny driving mechanism can offer usable thrust. To serve this next-gen tech, MIT saw a need to develop "microthrusters," which are each the size of a penny and can be mounted to tiny cubed satellites. With thruster components measuring a few microns each, the magnetic levitation system is able to accommodate 500 microscopic tips that emit ion beams in a very small package, serving to push two-pound structures through space. The tiny devices have not made their way into orbit yet, but they have been tested in a vacuum chamber. Because of their size, it's possible to add several to each satellite, then enabling sophisticated movements for more precise turns. There are currently two dozen "CubeSats" in orbit, each measuring only slightly larger than a Rubik's cube, but without any thrusters to power them, positioning can't be adjusted once they're released. Because of their current location, CubeSats eventually burn up in the atmosphere, but once they're released farther from Earth, they won't be able to enter the atmosphere on their own, remaining in orbit as "space junk" even after completing their missions -- micro thrusters could also serve to move these satellites closer to the planet so they can burn up during re-entry. There's no word on when, or even if, MIT's invention will make its way to the launchpad, but you can take a closer look in the demo video after the break.
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| Sky Sports TV app for Android now available, brings live events to the UK and Ireland Posted: 18 Aug 2012 04:25 AM PDT Not to be outdone by The Worldwide Leader in Sports, Sky's just released its own application to keep football enthusiasts entertained while on the go -- at least Premier League fans using Android slabs. Unlike the ESPN app, however, Sky Sports is charging £5 (around $8) per month for its offering, though it will -- with the help of ESPN, no less -- stream over 100 EPL matches live, so you're not limited to only highlights and previews. That being said, Sky Sports TV also lets UK and Ireland folks watch other sporting events, including F1 races, PGA Golf and tennis events like the US Open. The bad news is the app currently doesn't support Jelly Bean-loaded devices, which, for now, will most likely only affect a tiny section of Mountain View's user base -- if that's not you, though, the link to download is down below. |
| LeapFrog's child-friendly LeapPad 2 goes on sale for $100, is ready for sticky fingers Posted: 18 Aug 2012 02:50 AM PDT You might've already checked out our hands-on time with LeapFrog's next-gen LeapPad, but starting today, now you can finally get your own palms on the kid-friendly slate. The company -- who's also introduced us to the Explorer -- has announced its LeapPad 2 is now up for grabs at an array of online and brick-and-mortar shops, such as Target, Best Buy, Kmart, Amazon and, naturally, its very own site. Now, the $100 LeapPad 2 isn't anywhere near the same class as Mountain View's $200 Nexus 7, though for obvious reasons, as it's targeted at a completely different audience. In other words, those 100 bucks might just be enough to keep kids away from your precious every-day tablet. We'll let you decide that, however. LeapPad2™, The Next Generation Of The Top Selling Learning Tablet For Kids, Is Now Available LeapPad2 includes front-and-back cameras and video recorders, a faster processor, more memory, longer battery life and features a library of hundreds of educational games, music, videos, eBooks and more EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: LF), the leader in educational entertainment, today announced LeapPad2™ is now available in green, pink and as a special Disney Princess bundle at retail and online. LeapPad2, the next generation of the #1 kid's learning tablet, brings new features and an extensive library filled with the best learning and creative content. LeapPad2's new front-and-back cameras and video recorders inspire kids to imagine and explore, while the faster LF 2000 processor ensures they get the most out of their tablet. LeapPad2 features a stylish, high-tech tablet design that is durable enough to withstand kid play. With double the on-board memory, kids can now keep more personal creations and downloads at their fingertips, up to 25,000 photos or 70 downloads. Parents will find more value with the longer battery life and a recharger pack option that allow more play time on the go. LeapPad2's extensive library of hundreds of games, music, videos, eBooks and more are carefully designed and selected by LeapFrog's highly experienced team of learning experts so parents can quickly and confidently find well-rounded learning solutions for their child. In 2011, LeapFrog introduced LeapPad™, the #1 selling kid's learning tablet that was recognized with more than 20 accolades including three prestigious awards from the Toy Industry Association: Educational Toy of the Year, Preschool Toy of the Year, and the ultimate recognition, Toy of the Year. The launch of the LeapPad2 set new records for LeapFrog by selling as many pre-sale units in just two days as the original LeapPad sold in its first week. Unveiled less than two months ago, LeapPad2 has already received high praise from parents, the media and industry experts. "LeapPad was one of the hottest products for kids in 2011. We took everything kids and parents loved about LeapPad and took it to a whole new level with the new LeapPad2," said Greg Ahearn, chief marketing officer at LeapFrog. "The incredible new features and breadth of content available on LeapPad2 offer kids more engaging experiences than ever before. Whether a game, video, music or eBook, parents trust LeapFrog will provide their children with compelling and age-appropriate educational entertainment on the powerful and kid-tough LeapPad2." LeapPad2 includes extensive free content: a music player with five LeapFrog Learning Songs, a new Cartoon Director creativity download, an Art Studio, the popular Pet Pad writing game and choice of an additional download from the LeapFrog App Center. Kids Can Create and Star in Their Own Cartoons LeapPad2 includes a new high-resolution front camera and video recorder, in addition to a higher-resolution back camera and video recorder. These new features encourage kids to explore their creativity by snapping photographs of themselves and their friends or creating their own videos. With LeapPad2's exclusive Cartoon Director creativity download, young storytellers will create, direct and narrate their very own animated movies as they build their movie set and customize actors. They can even make themselves part of the action by taking a self-portrait with the front-facing camera and recording narrative with the built-in microphone. Learn to Read with the New Ultra eBooks Unique to LeapPad tablets, Ultra eBooks are interactive stories that engage kids with creative tales and reading games. Each Ultra eBook automatically adjusts the reading level to challenge kids at just the right pace. Each story is written at three different reading levels, progressing from simple to more complex words and sentences when kids are ready. This year, LeapFrog is introducing a new Learn to Read Collection of Ultra eBooks that features the 300 keywords for early readers to help build phonics and decoding skills, sight word recognition and reading comprehension. This new series includes story classics from Fairy Tales to Adventure Stories. Dance, Sing or Sit Back and Enjoy The new music player on LeapPad2 enables kids to easily manage their LeapFrog App Center songs. Additionally available in the LeapFrog App Center this fall, LeapFrog will launch an MP3 Player that allows kids to import and manage their own MP3-formatted music on LeapPad2. Kids can also watch videos from leading entertainment brands on LeapPad2's high-resolution screen. Whether enjoying popular Sesame Street favorites, learning a new language with Little Pim or embarking on adventures with their favorite Nickelodeon characters, LeapPad2 offers a wide selection of engaging videos curated by LeapFrog's learning experts. Explore a Fast-growing Content Library The LeapPad2 content library features hundreds of fun, educational games, videos, music, eBooks and more available through the LeapFrog App Center, online and at retail locations. This robust library is a combination of LeapFrog's top quality educational entertainment and engaging content from the biggest names in children's entertainment. All music and video downloads have been individually selected and tested by LeapFrog's highly experienced team of learning experts to ensure they are age-appropriate and safe for kids. LeapFrog's own learning content is grounded in the latest research and draws on a comprehensive curriculum that covers more than 2,500 skills across 100 skill categories. With learning experiences that automatically adjust to each child's level, kids can explore hundreds of skills at just the right pace for them. LeapFrog notably has added a range of rich content to the library specifically designed for kids ages three to five. Because these younger preschoolers engage in ways that are significantly different than their older counterparts, LeapFrog has now developed content experiences to meet their specific interests and learning needs. For example, the new Letter Factory game, based on the award-winning LeapFrog DVD, and Disney's Jake and the Neverland Pirates both feature shorter audio instructions and interactive "clickables" that make the gameplay easier while they build early learning skills. Other titles including Olivia and Crayola Art Adventure round out the new three to five age offerings. Availability LeapPad2 is sold at MSRP $99.99 and is recommended for children 3 to 9 years. The LeapPad2 Disney Princess Bundle is sold at MSRP $129.99. Downloads are priced at MSRP $5.00 and up and game cartridges at MSRP $24.99. New accessories for LeapPad2 include a video display case (MSRP $19.99), fashion handbag (MSRP $19.99), car adapter (MSRP $14.99), gel skins (MSRP $9.99) and much more. An optional recharger pack is also available at MSRP $39.99. LeapPad2 is now available at leapfrog.com, online and at major retailers in the U.S., Canada, UK and Ireland, and in other select other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Korea, Thailand and other Asian countries later in the fall. The LeapFrog App Center can be accessed through the LeapFrog Connect Application for the LeapPad2 tablet. For more information on LeapPad2, visit http://www.leapfrog.com/leappad2/. |
| CM10 nightly builds now rolling out to select devices Posted: 18 Aug 2012 01:23 AM PDT |
| Sony unveils NEX-EA50EH pro camcorder with nary a dog or pony (video) Posted: 18 Aug 2012 12:31 AM PDT Sony is continuing to build out its NXCAM video camera line with the new interchangeable lens NEX-EA50EH, a surprise entrant that's aimed firmly at the run and gun professional crowd. It sports the same APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor as other cameras in the NEX line, and has notably added a rocker-style zoom lever for its brand new SEL18-200PZ 11x E-mount Servo Zoom Lens. That item is one of the first large sensor servo zooms we've seen, and packs continuous variable isis, auto focus and "Optical Steady Shot" active image stabilization. Another eyebrow-raiser is the model's still photo flair, with the ability to shoot 16MP RAW stills, a mechanical shutter with its own release button and a flash hot-shoe all squeezed in. Video is recorded up to 60fps at 1080P in AVCHD 2.0, presumably at 28 or 17 Mbps, to SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, Sony Memory Sticks or Sony's dedicated external SSD unit, which attaches to the camera. All that is topped off by an onboard shotgun microphone, a shoulder mount form factor and $4,500 price point (which has already changed twice on B&H). That means a lot of event or ENG pros who want large sensor results -- without all the DSLR foibles -- may be sorely tempted. See the PR and video after the break for all the details. Sony expands NXCAM range with an affordable and versatile interchangeable lens camcorder The new NEX-EA50EH offers creative, high quality images for a range of applications, featuring a large format sensor, E-mount lens system and a new form factor Basingstoke, UK, August 17th, 2012: Sony is pleased to unveil the latest addition to the professional NXCAM range of camcorders, the NEX-EA50EH. This versatile new camcorder offers the ultimate flexibility in lens selection thanks to its interchangeable E-mount lens system. The large format Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor gives the user creative freedom when shooting Full HD movies and high-quality still photos. The new form factor enables users to shoot in a way that suits them best, allowing them to switch quickly between handheld and shoulder configuration without the need for additional accessories. "This all-in-one camcorder brings a new level of creativity to a wider range of professional users than ever before," said Bill Drummond, Sony Europe. "It combines affordability and high performance with a range of versatile, professional features for many applications, including event production, budget movie making and corporate production." By capturing 16.1 megapixel still pictures with higher picture quality and rich post-processing capabilities. In addition, the NEX-EA50EH has a built-in mechanical shutter to realize high-speed shutter while capturing still pictures. The NEX-EA50EH incorporates the Sony E-mount interchangeable lens system, which enables auto focus, auto exposure and stabilisation during shooting. With its short flange back distance, it is possible to attach both established A-mount lenses via the LA-EA2 lens mount adapter, and an unrivalled choice of other brands lenses using third-party adapters. The NEX-EA50EH camcorder comes with the newly developed Power Zoom E-mount lens E PZ 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS SELP18200. It features auto focus, continuous variable iris and Optical Steady Shot image stabilisation with Active Mode, making it ideal for shooting moving images. It is electronically controlled by both the zoom rocker lever on the camcorder grip and top handle. Film-makers can achieve a constant zoom speed and smooth, slow zoom, both of which can be difficult to accomplish with manual zoom lenses. In addition, using fixed focal length lenses users can simulate a zoom effect using the smart digital zoom function, ensuring fast-paced shots are never missed. The NEX-EA50EH features a range of professional functions usually associated with NXCAM camcorders, such as 2-channel XLR audio (the ECM-XM1 Shotgun microphone is included with the NEX-EA50H), Linear PCM audio, time code, user bit and built-in GPS. In addition, Sony's HXR-FMU128 flash memory unit can dock directly to the camcorder for simultaneous backup recording. The camcorder is compatible with the new Mirroring Memory Stick (MS-PX64/32/16) which is the world's first memory card featuring a "Mirroring" function. This enables the card to deliver high reliability and data security through a dual recording (mirroring) function. This new professional memory card will be available in 3 different capacities: 16GB; 32GB and 64GB. The NEX-EA50EH will be available from Sony Professional Solutions Specialists in October 2012. |
| 3D@Home Consortium and International 3D Society combine, don't make 6D Posted: 17 Aug 2012 11:46 PM PDT There are lots of companies behind that 3D content you ogle at the cinema or at home, and all of them are likely to be members of the International 3D Society or the 3D@Home Consortium. Both of these bodies have the same goal -- growing the worldwide 3D industry -- and now they've joined forces to become the creatively named "International 3D Society & 3D@Home." The name might have changed (kind of), but the aim is still to support everyone that has a hand in creating content, software, hardware or deals with the behind-the-scenes logistics to get 3D to your tellybox, school and workplace. They also seek to educate us, the eager consumers, on the magic of three dimensions and to make sure we "feel comfortable" with the cinema sorcery. Is it a good thing for the industry? Certainly, but will it make us don our active 3D spectacles more frequently? Probably not. 3D@Home Consortium and International 3D Society Merge to Form World's Largest 3D Organization HOLLYWOOD & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To better serve the growing global theatrical, television, video game, and mobile 3D marketplace and professional community, the International 3D Society (I3DS) and the 3D@Home Consortium today announced plans to merge operations and activities. With members in 20 countries and chapters in China, Japan, Korea, Europe, the UK and North America, the new organization will be known as the International 3D Society & 3D@Home. The Merger was ratified by both organizations' leadership and is effective immediately. "This newly formed organization will serve to spearhead the growth and expansion of the 3D entertainment industry across the entire ecosystem – from content conception and development, to consumer education and adoption" "This newly formed organization will serve to spearhead the growth and expansion of the 3D entertainment industry across the entire ecosystem – from content conception and development, to consumer education and adoption," said Tom Cosgrove, Co-Chair of I3DS & 3D@Home and President and CEO of 3net. "Across all platforms where 3D is expanding, everywhere consumers are consuming 3D content, and in any way the 3D format is being utilized, our organization is there to support our members and advance the growth of this prolific medium." "3D entertainment in the home has become an affordable proposition, with entry level sets falling below $1000. Consumers today also enjoy increasing content options such as 3D video on Blu-ray or via a streaming channel, broadcast programs such as sports, or even make their own 3D content," said Dan Schinasi, Co-Chair of I3DS &3D@Home and Senior TV Planner at Samsung Electronics. "For the past few years our groups have each been laying a strong foundation for 3D display, delivery and creation. We believe now is the time to focus on ensuring consumers feel comfortable with 3D." "From supporting content creators to educating consumers, our two groups have distinguished themselves in providing neutral, non-branded information to important communities," said Jim Mainard, Past-Chair of I3DS and Head of Digital Strategy at Dreamworks Animation (DWA). "Their combined power and scope will maximize our ability to steadily grow 3D across countless media platforms in education, industrial applications, home photography, as well as the entertainment industry." The combined organization staff will be led by I3DS President, Jim Chabin. "In no other field are creative artists and technology professionals so dependent on partnership and mutual support," he said. "This new group connects professionals and markets from Hollywood to Silicon Valley, to Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, London, Brussels, and 20 other countries. This is 3D's leadership and voice coming together to fuel the growing 3D revolution." Heidi Hoffman, Managing Director of 3D@Home added, "The tools, services and displays in our electronics eco-system are rapidly adapting to delivering great 3D experiences that are more life-like, more informational, and provide better learning experiences than the traditional 2D we have all become accustomed to. The combined organization has the tools and support to pave a smoother path for the journey to the goals of our 3D future." The new organization will include a powerful group of members with more than 60 companies and 500 professionals. Companies include: The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, DreamWorks Animation (DWA), Sony Pictures Entertainment, Pixar, ESPN, BSkyB, Panasonic, XpanD 3D, Dolby Laboratories, 3ality Technica, Masterimage 3D, RealD, IMAX, StereoD, National Geographic Cinema Ventures, CCTV China, Korea Telecomm, Intel, THX, Microsoft, Technicolor, Samsung, Sony Electronics, MobiTV, BluFocus, Walt Disney Studios, Eutelsat, Turner Broadcasting, Vizio and others. |
| Steam to debut Big Picture beta soon, make couch potatoes of PC gamers Posted: 17 Aug 2012 09:54 PM PDT Early last year, Valve mentioned it was working on something called Big Picture mode for Steam, an alternative user interface with controller support designed specifically for use on televisions. According to Gabe Newell, the distribution services' couch-ready UI is almost upon us. "We should have both Linux and 10-foot betas out there fairly quickly," he told Geoff Keighley in the latest episode of GTTV, noting that the interface would be available on both the current iteration of Steam and the upcoming Linux version. Newell said that Valve has been showing the interface to hardware manufacturers, but ultimately feels that the community will decide its fate. "I think customers will say 'this is really great,' or they'll say it's another interesting but not a valuable contribution, fairly quickly." Check out the interview for yourself (and the full episode) after the break. |
| Posted: 17 Aug 2012 08:14 PM PDT It may not have quite the catalog of Netflix (or the same HD quality), but Sony Pictures' Crackle streaming service does have one big thing going for it: it's completely free. It's also found its way onto plenty of different platforms (most recently Windows Phone), and that run has now continued with its expansion onto Barnes & Noble's Nook Tablet (but not the Nook Color). What's more, while there's no release date confirmed just yet, Crackle says that the app is "coming soon" to the Kindle Fire as well. It's also revealed that the app has now seen 11 million downloads across all mobile platforms -- a figure that may now see a boost not only from the new Nook app, but from the just-updated Android and iOS apps, which each boast a redesigned interface and support for TV playback via AirPlay or HDMI. CRACKLE BRINGS AWARD-WINNING MOBILE APP TO WINDOWS PHONE AND NOOK TABLET™ • QUARANTINE • SAVING SILVERMAN • BIG DADDY • JOE DIRT • LAYER CAKE • MR. DEEDS • PANIC ROOM • S.W.A.T. • SNATCH • STRANGER THAN FICTION • "Seinfeld" • "Jackie Chan Adventures" • "Married... With Children" • Thousands of episodes of the world's most loved Anime series including hit titles such as: "Blood+" and "Kurozuka" • Two new original series: "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" featuring Jerry Seinfeld and "From the Basement," a music series from Nigel Godrich, the producer of Radiohead. • Plus over 40 other originals including: "The Unknown" with Dominic Monaghan, "The Ropes," "Issues," "The Bannen Way," "Jailbait," "Backwash," and more... |
| Samsung Galaxy S III on Verizon gets one-click bootloader unlock, freedom is just a Google Play away Posted: 17 Aug 2012 06:31 PM PDT We were intrigued to see a bootloader unlock emerge for Verizon's Galaxy S III variant just this week. Unless you're the kind for whom a beta is just too... safe, though, the method on offer to date has been a tad cryptic. Dingus on the RootzWiki forums has taken all the danger out of it through EZ-Unlock, an app that reduces most of the process to a single tap. While it does require existing root access, everything else is sorted out; its most recent forms can also re-lock the bootloader if there's any anxiety about venturing out of bounds. The app is even available through Google Play, which makes unrestricted (if warranty-challenging) firmware just a short hop past the source link. |
| OnLive hits reset after being dragged down by expensive servers, confirms service will continue Posted: 17 Aug 2012 05:06 PM PDT OnLive has finally issued an official statement after rumors of mass layoffs first leaked out earlier today, confirming that its assets have been acquired into a newly-formed company with what it claims is "substantial" financial backing. The big news for users is that the OnLive Game and Desktop services will remain operational and continue to be supported. The release also claims a "large percentage" of OnLive staff is being hired into the new company with plans to hire more over time, while PR informs us the leadership team remains intact. Check the words straight from the source after the break. We've heard from some of the people present for the meeting where the new plan was revealed today, confirming the company is going through a process known as Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors (ABC). A faster alternative to bankruptcy that doesn't involve the courts, it allows OnLive to deal with some of the issues it was facing, most notably an oversupply of servers for the number of users it had signed up. The ABC process allows OnLive to be unshackled from the expensive server contracts and bring in a new source of venture capital. Oh and that other major cost, the employees? Not all of the information is known yet, but beyond the loss of jobs, it turns out the stock they owned was in a company that no longer exists. We're hearing their benefits will end after August, however there are offers of contracts to answer questions about important topics like "where things are," in exchange for special form stock in the new venture. Update: Joystiq has more information from a former employee, who estimated the average number of peak concurrent OnLive users at around 1,800 or so, and the amount of retained staff in the range of 20 percent. One other tidbit? The source expects OnLive to go after recent Sony acquisition Gaikai for infringement of a game streaming patent, so stay tuned. |
| Post-acquisition Motorola files fresh ITC complaint against Apple Posted: 17 Aug 2012 04:25 PM PDT We hope you didn't think that Motorola would fight a purely defensive patent war against Apple after Google's acquisition closed. Just days before a final ruling on its initial complaints, the RAZR maker has filed another dispute with the International Trade Commission that accuses Apple of violating patents through some iOS devices and Macs. Exact details of the dispute are under wraps for now; Motorola, as you'd imagine, only contends that it has no choice after Apple's "unwillingness to work out a license." While Apple hasn't said anything about the subject, we already know how much it disagrees with Motorola's previous licensing strategy -- it's unlikely Apple will just roll over, no matter what's at stake. |
| Posted: 17 Aug 2012 03:52 PM PDT We here at Engadget tend to spend Phones
Tablets and peripherals
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| Posted: 17 Aug 2012 02:47 PM PDT After a lot of back and forth from the rumor mill and official OnLive channels, we now have what we believe to be a far clearer view of precisely what is happening right now at OnLive headquarters in Palo Alto. We've spoken with a (now former) employee of the gaming service who ran down today's events for us. According to the account, a meeting was held at OnLive's offices at 10AM this morning, wherein the company's CEO announced a massive staff layoff -- at least 50 percent of the staff, according to our source's numbers. The layoffs come as part of across the board cuts to the company, and all those out of a job will have their key cards deactivated as of 4PM local time today. The source was understandably baffled by the abruptness of the news, along with the added blow that no severance will be offered and stock holdings are essentially worth nothing. The move apparently comes as OnLive is being purchased by an unknown party. Those being kept on have reportedly received offer letters from the new company. Why the sudden move? The source believes it may have something to do with the company's massive operating costs, which we're told are around $5 million a month. Certainly those concerns line up with a story dug up by Kotaku highlighting the company's plans to file for Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors as a result of the company's troubled financial situation. We're still gathering information as to the nature of the buyout. Update: According to our source, the writing wasn't on the wall at the company per se, but OnLive had reportedly been entertaining acquisition offers ahead of the news from companies including HP. Update 2: Our source has offered up some additional information on the matter, putting the average concurrent user number for the service at 1,100 to 1,500, peaking at around 1,800 on a given day -- not exceptional by any means in the face of reported $5 million a month operating costs. The number of layoffs, meanwhile, may well be greater than originally suggested, with our source putting the number of employees staying on board at around 10 to 20 percent. |
| Xiaomi Phones may enter Europe next year, because China ain't big enough Posted: 17 Aug 2012 02:18 PM PDT Here's a bit of good news to soak in over the weekend. After the unveiling of the Xiaomi Phone 2 (aka Mi2) in front of some 3,000 people yesterday, a reliable source informed us that the Chinese startup is already looking to bring its highly affordable phones to Europe next year. Alas, we couldn't get a more specific time frame, but assuming Xiaomi wants to deliver its first quad core device to the Europeans as well, it'd likely be within the first half of next year, well before the next August 16th announcement (the company's managed to stick to the same date so far). Of course, it all depends on whether Xiaomi can scale its business model for the unknown territories, and it'll certainly need some solid partners to do so -- much like its collaboration with local retail channels China Unicom, China Telecom and Vancl. Luckily, the MIUI developer will be doing a warm up first in Taiwan. As reported by Business Next last month, chairman Lei Jun made a high profile visit to several Taiwanese carriers in the hopes of breaking into their market by the end of this year. If successful, Lei should be able to meet his ambitious sales target of 6 million Xiaomi Phones accumulated -- still some way away from the 3.52 million units sold so far. Judging by the madness at the event this week (see gallery below), it should be no problem.
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| Motorola schedules press event for September 5th, dubs it the 'day's main event' Posted: 17 Aug 2012 01:50 PM PDT September 5th is going to be a pretty busy day, by the looks of it. While we'll likely get to see a few Windows Phone 8 devices in Nokia's Lumia lineup in the morning, Motorola has scheduled a Save the Date for the afternoon. We're not sure exactly what to expect, though it's certainly possible we'll see a Droid RAZR HD or XT907 to balance out whatever Stephen Elop will be showing off. (We especially love the dig at Nokia by saying it's "the day's main event.") We'll keep you posted as we hear more, and we'll be there to give you word on the latest and greatest from HelloMoto. |
| Posted: 17 Aug 2012 01:29 PM PDT AT&T is offering a bit of clarification on the rumors involving a standalone feature offering FaceTime over Cellular for an additional charge: the iOS6 feature (due out this fall) will actually be included at no extra cost, but only for those customers who opt for the Mobile Share plans. Anyone on the grandfathered unlimited data plans or traditional tiered offerings will only be able to rely on the good 'ol WiFi whenever they feel the urge to use Apple's video chat service. From the looks of it, it seems that AT&T is hoping to conserve the amount of network bandwidth that would be chewed up by unlimited customers, while also having it function as a value-added feature for its newest shared data plans. In terms of usage, this FaceTime capability will use up part of your data allotment (instead of minutes). So, the good news is that the feature is free -- the bad news is that it won't make unlimited users any happier. Find AT&T's official statement below.
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| Campaign to build Nikola Tesla museum hits $500k in less than 48 hours, hopes to raise $850k Posted: 17 Aug 2012 12:47 PM PDT Nikola Tesla may not have gotten all the credit he was due in his lifetime, but his stature has grown considerably since, and many of the inventions he dreamed up are now finding new life in today's technology. Now, a new effort is underway to truly cement his place in history -- even moreso than having David Bowie play him in a movie. Two days ago, Matthew Inman of The Oatmeal comic strip launched an Indiegogo campaign to help fund a Tesla museum at the site of Nikola Tesla's laboratory in Shoreham, New York, and it's now already raised over $500,000. That money will go directly to the non-profit Tesla Science Center, which has been attempting to buy the property for $1.6 million, half of which will be covered by a matching grant from the state of New York (meaning the goal for the campaign is $850,000, although anything raised above that will go toward the actual building of the museum). As Inman notes, however, even raising "just" $850k will ensure that the property isn't sold to someone else and demolished, as others have been looking to do. Those interested in contributing can find all the details at the links below. |
In California, once the contract is signed, the assignee has 30 days to send out written notice of the assignment to the company's creditors. Subsequently, those creditors have six months to respond and submit proof of the amount of money that they're owed, so that the assignee can verify the claims. Sale of the assets occurs in parallel to the claim process, and while the sale usually occurs via an auction there are no formal legal requirements for how the assets are monetized. It is only necessary for the assignee to act in the best interests of the creditors (i.e. by getting them the most money possible). This flexibility is one of the advantages provided by an ABC that's not afforded those filing for bankruptcy -- it allows the sale to happen quickly if the assignee thinks it financially advantageous to do so, and the process isn't dictated by the rules and procedures of the bankruptcy courts.
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