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- Fujitsu Stylistic Q702 and LifeBook T902 convertibles show up with Windows 8, we go hands-on (video)
- Townsquare Media buys what's left of MOG
- Insert Coin: Quikdraw targets lens fumblers and multiple camera packers (video)
- Sony patent wants to make advertising more interactive
- App.Net posts terms of service, asks for feedback
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks
- Arduino GSM/GPRS Shield gets helping hand from Telefonica for data, remote control
- Canon EOS-1D X field review
- Google reforms 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button, lets you savor other emotions
- Distro Issue 54 arrives with the complete Engadget back to school guide!
- Amazon and NBCUniversal expand Prime Instant Video deal, let you stream Parks and Rec in one place
- Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums
- LG teases its new quad-core superphone: Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague (video)
- Klipsch refreshes Quintet home theater system
- Fujifilm X-E1 leaks into view oozing vintage cool
- NTT DoCoMo releasing limited edition JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Optimus Vu
- TangiBot manufactures ethics controversy by replicating open-source Makerbot 3D printer
- Fisker confirms Q&A outlining Karma woes and fixes, may establish council to talk issues in person
- Samsung reveals the design story highlights for the Galaxy S III
- Kodak to sell the film business that made it so famous
- Victorinox offers refunds for secure USB drives in light of discontinued software updates
- Scarlet Motors promises an open EV design process
- US presidential campaign trail winds its way to Xbox Live on August 27th with Election 2012 Hub
- Freescale's new industrial touchscreen tech even works in the rain
- Glove Tricorder helps train doctors, may lead to DIY cancer screening
- FCC wants to know if it's too modest about broadband, gives chance to fight caps and slow speeds
- South Korean court rules Apple infringed on two Samsung patents, fines it $35k; Samsung gets hit too
- Google Goggles update brings support for devices without autofocus
- Cyberlink's PowerDirector app lets you edit movies on your Windows 8 slate (hands-on)
- Apple appeals Kodak patent ownership victory, asks judge to be quick about it
- FCC releases interactive map for latest Broadband Progress Report
- Rovio takes Angry Birds Space for a spin with NASA's Curiosity Mars Rover, teases Red Planet for fall (video)
- Google Play Music app updated for Google TV, Play video content now streaming to Chromebooks
- FCC approves Verizon deal to buy cable company spectrum, asks for concessions
- Telenav Scout for Apps comes to Android and Windows Phone, Scout Drive Button released for website-based nav
- Apple releases Mountain Lion 10.8.2 build to devs, focuses on Facebook, iMessage and more
- Google+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles
- HTC Proto breaks cover, brings the New Desire V out of China
- RIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés
- The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!
| Fujitsu Stylistic Q702 and LifeBook T902 convertibles show up with Windows 8, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 24 Aug 2012 11:36 AM PDT The annual Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival is usually just flooded with discounted computer products and booth babes, so we were pleasantly surprised when we spotted a couple of unreleased Windows 8, dual-digitizer devices at the Fujitsu booth. Pictured above is the Stylistic Q702 "Quattro," an 11.6-inch tablet-cum-laptop that was announced last month. This particular unit sported an Intel Core i5-3427U chip (capped at 2.3GHz instead of 2.8GHz), a vibrant IPS panel, a fingerprint scanner, front and back cameras, 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD -- twice the announced capacity, for some reason. Much like the ASUS Transformers, undocking the tablet was only a matter of pulling the latch on the hinge, but we found the latch to be rather stiff to operate. Hopefully this is just a prototype issue. Other than that, we just wish the final keyboard dock will somehow get a slight weight reduction: for the screen size, 1.88 pounds isn't too bad for the tablet alone, but together with the heavy keyboard, the Q702 could become a nightmare for regular travelers. The second prototype lurking at the back of the booth was the bulkier LifeBook T902 "Tercel," a 13.3-inch convertible laptop that was unveiled alongside the Q702 last month. According to its label, this swivel-hinged machine packed a Core i7-3520M, 8GB of RAM, 500GB 7,200rpm hard drive, Blu-ray burner, LTE radio and a 72Wh (6,700mAh) battery. Oh, and there's also a fingerprint scanner below the display. While the software failed to reverse the screen rotation after we flipped the screen back to laptop mode, it was in general just as responsive as the Q702, though the hardware felt more solid and ready. With this in mind plus the Windows 7 label and Wacom label below the keyboard, we wouldn't be surprised if the T902 comes out before the Q702. Until then, feel free to check out our impromptu hands-on video of the Q702 after the break.
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| Townsquare Media buys what's left of MOG Posted: 24 Aug 2012 11:21 AM PDT Beats' acquisition of MOG ultimately carved the company into two pieces, if not quite evenly: it left both the blog content as well as a music-oriented ad network that's popular, if without nearly as much cachet for the technology crowd as the streaming audio. Entertainment outlet Townsquare Media must have seen a bargain in the making given that it just swept in to buy MOG's remaining parts. The deal, which AllThingsD understands is worth $10 million, will see the MOG name wiped for good as the ad network and sites slip into Townsquare's collection. While anti-climactic, it still marks the formal end to a significant chapter in cloud music -- MOG at one point was going toe-to-toe with the likes of Rdio and Rhapsody, and it now exists only as a memory. Townsquare Media Group Acquires MOG Music Network and Will Rename the Business Townsquare Media Townsquare Media Group Adds Music-Focused Digital Ad Network to Multi-Media Asset Portfolio Greenwich, CT – August 24, 2012 – Townsquare Media Group announced today that it has acquired the MOG Music Network business from MMN Media, Inc. and will rename the business Townsquare Media. Launched in 2008, MOG Music Network has aggregated a network of music and music related digital publishers, including leading and highly influential music blogs, reviews sites, concert / event information sites, artist sites and lyrics sites. The network reaches more than 62 million monthly US unique visitors and 170 million monthly global unique visitors, making it the largest music-focused ad network in the United States. This community of music enthusiasts and tastemakers is highly engaged and attracts significant interest from brand advertisers. MOG Music Network joins the national premium digital content brands owned and operated by the Townsquare Media Group, including PopCrush, ScreenCrush, Taste of Country, Diffuser.fm, TheFW, Loudwire, GuySpeed and Ultimate Classic Rock, providing a robust premium offering for advertisers seeking to connect with a large-scale audience of music and entertainment enthusiasts. "This acquisition dramatically expands the consumer reach we provide to our advertising partners, while continuing our focus on delivering highly engaging and influential media experiences for consumers and advertisers," commented Townsquare Media Group Chairman and CEO Steven Price. "Our publishing partners are the tastemakers of the digital music ecosystem as it relates to their ability to connect deeply and emotionally with their audiences and shape music related trends and opinions. This acquisition complements our high touch portfolio of radio, digital, mobile and live event assets and helps us to balance our media footprint from local-to-national." "We now have the privilege of working with many of the most insightful and influential music-related publishers in the world," commented Bill Wilson, Townsquare Media Group EVP and Chief Digital Officer. "I am looking forward to working closely with this group of publishers, learning from them, and helping them to be even more successful, both critically and commercially, by leveraging the amazing assets of the MOG Music Network and our premium owned and operated brands." "We are excited to join the Townsquare Media Group team and leverage Townsquare Media Group's resources and assets to benefit our publishers and advertising partners," commented MOG Music Network General Manager Rick Vorhaus. As part of the transaction, MOG Music Network's teams located in Berkeley, Santa Monica, Chicago and New York will join Townsquare Media Group. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Insert Coin: Quikdraw targets lens fumblers and multiple camera packers (video) Posted: 24 Aug 2012 10:40 AM PDT In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Carrying an extra camera body just to avoid scrambling for another lens seems a bit silly, no? Quikdraw wants to run that convoluted method out of town with a holster system that lets you carry Canon or Nikon lenses on your belt and change them in around five seconds. The holder start in a locked vertical position, and to attach a lens you just bayonet it into place, securing the glass and allowing the holder to be lowered. To liberate that fresh prime, you tilt it up and give it a twist, freeing it and locking the carrier in the "ready" position at the same time. Admittedly, packing a gaggle of lenses around your waist may brand you as an overzealous camera geek, but we suspect that those in the market for such a product would hardly care about that. So far, the company has wrangled around $40k towards its $100,000 goal -- if you want to ante up $75 to get one in an EOS or F-mount, draw a bead on the source below.
Previous project update: We last visited Connectify Dispatch only yesterday, but it's leaped from $30k to well over $40,000 in that time, putting the $50k target firmly in reach with 14 days left on the Kickstarter clock. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony patent wants to make advertising more interactive Posted: 24 Aug 2012 10:04 AM PDT We all know adverts are a necessary evil, which is why different companies are trying to make them more personalized, more engaging or just plain get rid of them. In a recently granted patent, Sony outlines its ideas for next-gen advertising on network-connected devices -- essentially to make it more interactive. Many of the instructional diagrams involve PS3 accessories in the home setting, but the focus isn't just on adverts as mini-games, which itself is nothing new. Other suggestions for keeping your interest include in-ad purchasing, casting votes or selecting the genre of commercials. To speed up, or get ads off your screen, Sony would have you performing small tasks or -- more sinisterly -- shouting brand names when prompted. Whether such immersive advertising will ever be employed is anyone's guess, but we're sure you're smart enough to know they're just tricks. So who's up for a McDonald's then? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| App.Net posts terms of service, asks for feedback Posted: 24 Aug 2012 09:37 AM PDT Against all odds App.Net met its funding goal, which has allowed the fledgling social network to shift its focus to the next phase of its founding. That means putting together all those essential documents that will govern its operation, including a terms of service and privacy policy. Creator Dalton Caldwell has posted first drafts of several docs and asked his backers for feedback, offering them an attempt to shape the rules that will guide how the site is run. Those policy documents are also going to be subjected to a quarterly review, which should allow the service to remain nimble if some rules turn out to be controversial or cumbersome. For more info, check out the source link. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks Posted: 24 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we have speaker docks in our sights -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here. If there's any post-adolescent period that deserves its own soundtrack, it's your college years. Sure, our portable audio picks will let you jam on the go, but the best collegiate experiences are shared with friends -- and listening to music should be no exception. Even if you'd prefer to keep your playlist out of your friends' feed, be it in person or online, you'll still need to wake up each morning, and what better way to ease into the waking world than with your favorite tracks? These speaker docks offer more functionality than your average smartphone clock, and they're certainly better equipped to play DJ when it comes time to close the books. Join us past the break for our 2012 picks.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | Altec Lansing iMT630 For those on the iOS side of things, the iMT630 offers bass drivers to enhance low-end sound, and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery means you won't be tied to an outlet.
$55 on Amazon | | From $65 on Amazon |
Mid-range
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| Pure Contour 100i The WiFi-enabled 100i lets you access internet radio and stream music from your laptop and other connected devices. Though this speaker dock doesn't pack many surprises, its swiveling dock is nifty.
$150 on Amazon |
| From $134 on Amazon |
Money's no object
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| | From $286 on Amazon | |
From $1,819 on Amazon |
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Arduino GSM/GPRS Shield gets helping hand from Telefonica for data, remote control
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:41 AM PDT
Arduino devices have had the option of a GSM linkup for awhile, but getting that cellular link to truly strut its stuff hasn't always been easy, even for those of us who'd be inclined to program an Arduino in the first place. Enter Telefonica, which wants to be the backbone of your internet of things. It's backing a new version of the GSM/GPRS Shield add-on (shown here) by offering both the expected machine-to-machine SIMs for the cellular connection as well as freshly added remote control of the board through the carrier's BlueVia pages. The Shield itself is getting a quiet upgrade in the process -- the software both takes up a smaller footprint and can now talk to the world in the background while the Arduino keeps on keepin' on. If you happen to be in Berlin, the new Shield is making the rounds at Campus Party workshops until April 25th. Neither side has said how readily available the new part will be available after that; for now, you can familiarize yourself with the current technology at the source link.
Telefónica and Arduino present a device with M2M communication to facilitate development of the internet of things
The new connected device represents the embodiment of the initiative presented at Campus Party 2011 and includes the option of remote management from a BlueVia website (www.bluevia.com)
Berlin, 24th August 2012.- In conjunction with Arduino, Telefónica is presenting a new version of the Arduino GSM/GPRS Shield project at the Campus Party in Berlin. The project added a GPRS/GSM connection to a free hardware motherboard, thus originating a low cost device which is connected through Telefónica's M2M (machine to machine) technology and offers a whole raft of possibilities for simple and cost-effective advancement of the so-called internet of things.
This Shield, which marks a further development in the initiative presented at Valencia's Campus Party 2011, brings in notable new features. The hardware and associated software have improved both in terms of their usability and their capacities. The libraries are smaller and additionally allow 'asynchronous' use, meaning that Arduino is freed up to perform other tasks while the shield is communicating. Moreover, Arduino users using the shield can sign up to a communication service provided by Telefónica through which they can manage their Arduino remotely from the BlueVia website (BlueVia is Telefónica's global API program). The service includes its own Telefónica M2M SIM cards, which will allow access to it from EU countries, the USA and almost the whole of South America.
All these new advances can greatly benefit developers as they allow them to go on developing M2M communication applications in a straightforward and cost-effective manner. Arduino is at present the hardware of choice for producing prototypes of future systems. It is often used in making the initial versions of new products and prototypes as a prelude to making the required final hardware in miniature.
During the Campus Party in Berlin, Telefónica R&D and Arduino will present the new product at meetings and workshops on 24th and 25th August, where those present will be able to work directly using their own shields.
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
Just before Halloween in 2009, Canon announced its most powerful DSLR to date. The $5,000 full-frame EOS-1D Mark IV was the company's answer to Nikon's market-leading D3S, which rang in just shy of $5,200. On the basis of price alone, Canon won that round. Then, after two years of silence, the company launched its new flagship, the 1D X. The date was October 18th, 2011 -- roughly 10 (or "X") years after the very first model in the series was announced, way back in 2001. A decade ago, Canon priced that introductory 1D at $5,500 -- a princely sum considering the 4.15-megapixel CCD on board. Now, the 1D X, which is arguably the most powerful sub-five-figure camera available, commands 6,799 of your hard-earned dollars, or $800 more than the D4, Nikon's $6,000 equivalent. All this talk of price may seem to skirt the camera's long list of lust-worthy features, but when the cost of any piece of hardware approaches a year's tuition at a public university, a purchase decision deserves thorough consideration.
A camera in this league is absolutely to be used as a professional tool. And while deep-pocketed amateurs may pick one up -- in the way folks with cash to burn may build a collection of overpowered two-seaters -- the vast majority will live in $30,000-plus kits, where they'll reach six-figure shutter counts, and will likely change hands several times before their eventual retirement. Right now, you're probably researching the 1D X as exhaustively as you would a new car -- in fact, you may have even lined up a test drive, through the company's Canon Professional Services group. Many months after it was first announced, we've had an opportunity to take the new eXtreme model for a spin ourselves, and it's every bit as impressive as its price tag suggests. Canon's top model isn't any smaller or lighter than its predecessors, the 1D Mark IV or 1Ds Mark III -- but is all that bulk justified, despite strong contenders like the workhorse 5D? Buckle up and join us in the field (ahem, after the break) to find out.
Design
Canon doesn't need to budget any precious advertising funds to spread word about the 1D. The company's flagship model is one of the most photographed DSLRs on the planet, though like the shooters that stand behind it, this camera spends much of its time in the background. Perhaps you caught some of the World Series, or the Super Bowl, or maybe the Olympics earlier this month -- behind each of those enormous white "paparazzi" lenses, there was likely a Canon 1D. The camera's design has become iconic, symbolizing professionalism, quality and power.
To the untrained eye and with a bit of gaffer tape atop the prominent silver X, this 1D would look like any other -- superficially, the design hasn't evolved all that much in a decade, though button placement has shifted as controls have been added. And, since it hasn't changed a lick since our first demo last year, we're including that accurate account above. Like other full-size DSLRs, this model is designed to provide a natural feel in portrait mode (positioned vertically), should you find yourself in a studio setting or alongside a red carpet. Key controls like the AF-ON button, exposure lock and focus position all enable easy toggling regardless of your orientation, while secondary shutter release and exposure dials provide direct access in both positions as well.
Dual CF card slots tucked behind a textured plastic door let you duplicate your captures (with identical cards) or boost capacity, while the large secondary control wheel to the left of the storage compartment hasn't changed a bit over the years. Also identical is the battery design, which provides for easy access while also enabling a secure fit, letting you swap 2,450mAh LP-E4N packs. Up top, you won't find a flash or even a focus-assist lamp, but instead you'll see Canon's signature raised pentaprism, with a hot shoe atop, which you can use to accommodate a Speedlite flash, or perhaps even one of those nifty floral silver covers.
Interface and shooting modes
One of the X's most notable strengths is its ability to be customized to your liking. Obviously you can't reconfigure the physical button placement, but you can adjust the settings that they control, re-assigning access so that it's consistent with your previous 1D bodies. Photographers are likely to miss their shot if even a split second is spent looking away from the viewfinder to dig through menus, so a familiar layout is key. If you've used other 1D cameras, you should be able to blindly find your way, just as typing on a QWERTY keyboard becomes second nature over time.
The menu system and organization should be familiar as well, with a total of 24 different configuration screens -- options range from color space to in-camera RAW image processing. Custom settings let you adjust exposure level or ISO speed increments, limit the continuous shooting speed (the camera tops out at a very impressive 12 fps) or adjust dial directions -- among many, many other options. The menu structure itself is nearly identical to that in the 5D Mark III, letting you use that body as a backup or second shooter while maintaining the same configuration on both cameras.
The 1D X offers your typical array of shooting modes, including full manual, aperture- and shutter-priority, program and a custom program mode. There are also several drive options, such as single shot, low-speed continuous at three frames per second, high-speed continuous at a whopping 12 frames per second, two time-delay options and a "silent" mode, which is by far the quietest option (compared to the rapid-fire machine gun-like spattering you'll get with 12 fps). If you're going for discretion, however, you'll want to use the 5D instead. As for that 12 frames-per-second mode, we were able to capture 70 consecutive frames with a SanDisk Extreme Pro CF card before noticing any slowdown -- assuming you're able to focus, there's really no excuse for missing the shot.
Focusing
Captures looked fantastic, as we'll discuss a bit further down, but you can't snap sharp images in low light if you're not able to focus. A bit surprisingly, we had tremendous difficulty with autofocus in dim settings when paired with a 50mm f/1.2 L lens -- environments where we couldn't see very well ourselves, but the 1D X still managed to capture clear, bright images, once it did locate a focal point. Selecting a brighter object at a similar distance allowed us to pre-focus then adjust framing, but if you're shooting in dim light you're probably going to want to add a Speedlite, many of which offer that annoying flash of red light that's admittedly critical in these situations. Unfortunately, there's no focus-assist light built in.
In every other lighting scenario (generally situations where we were able to make out details clearly with the naked eye), the camera's focusing system performed flawlessly, adjusting accurately and with little effort. The 12 frames-per-second shooting mode is certainly useful, but only if you have a focusing system that can keep up. Unfortunately we didn't have an opportunity to test the 1D X at any sporting events, which would have provided the necessary venue to really push the DSLR to its limits, but we were quite pleased during a day-long shoot on the streets of New York City.
Battery life
Whether you're embedded with the military in an active war zone or on the sidelines during a championship game, the last thing you want to worry about while on assignment is swapping batteries, and you should be in very good shape here. We didn't continue shooting until the battery was depleted during our week-long trial, if only because it seemed an impossible task. After more than 2,000 images and several hours of digging through menus and reviewing photos on the built-in LCD, we still had 41 percent remaining according to the system menu. Performance will of course vary depending on external conditions (such as weather) and how much time you send "chimping" (the practice of reviewing images on the LCD after each capture), but you'll likely be quite pleased.
Image quality
You'd expect Canon to be at the top of its game when it comes to image quality with the 1D X, so we weren't surprised to see that performance was spot on. The images you'll see below and in our gallery are JPEGs captured at the highest possible quality setting (10/10) with high-ISO noise reduction turned off. Let's take a look.
Shoot from a moving cab in the middle of the night? You bet. This 50mm shot was captured at f/2.2 and 1/125 second at ISO 51,200 as we sped through an intersection. The camera focused and captured details, including the text on an easel, without issue.
Let's head to the beach. Now don't be fooled by the sky -- this f/2.8, 1/16 second frame was shot well after sunset (notice the bright lights of nearby Coney Island in the far right). Still, you can make out plenty of detail with barely visible noise when viewing the full frame at 600 pixels wide.
And what about the view from the boardwalk? Crystal clear, and colorful, even -- the typically harsh streetlamps mixed nicely with the night sky to yield this scene. We opened the aperture all the way up to f/1.2 in order to stop motion with a 1/64 second shutter speed, without venturing beyond a 12,800 ISO.
Let's jump back a few hours and catch some of that evening light. Shooting at ISO 3200 (our typical default, given the 1D X's capabilities), noise was invisible until you jumped all the way up to a 100 percent view (see inset). We froze the action in this busy scene at f/11 with a 1/2000 second exposure.
We hopped a ferry to Governors Island to catch some of the best views of Lower Manhattan, including the new World Trade Center site. Bright daylight enabled a 1/4000 second exposure at f/14 with an ISO of 3200, yielding sharp details in the foreground, and of buildings many blocks away.
You surely don't need to shoot at ISO 320, ever, though that's exactly what we did here. There's no noise as a result, and any softness you may notice was likely caused by the distance between the car and the buildings reflected in the windshield. We captured this last image at f/13 with a 1/50 second shutter speed.
We can't litter this review with dozens of samples, but there's plenty more to see in our gallery. Click through the thumbnails above for larger scaled versions of the shots we have here, along with plenty more examples, captured in a variety of lighting scenarios.
Wrap-up
If you're a 1D Mark IV owner in the market for a new professional DSLR, you probably already know you're buying the X. 1Ds Mark III shooters who spend most of their time in a studio may have less motivation to jump, however, considering the current street value of that camera and the benefits of the X when shooting in controlled lighting environments. If you don't own either camera now, but instead have a thick wad of cash burning a hole in your wallet, we can't imagine you'll be unhappy with the X -- just keep in mind its massive size, and figure how that may fit into your lifestyle. Canon's 5D Mark III is also a fantastic full-frame camera, and may ultimately be the better pick, unless you plan to snap away from your court seats at the Lakers game. If pure power is what you're after, and you need to have the absolute best, you'll want to get behind Canon's latest beast -- it doesn't get much more eXtreme than this.
What's a field review, you ask? Essentially, the term serves to clarify that our analysis is based on real-world usage, which regrettably doesn't include the thorough benchmarking a camera of this caliber ordinarily requires. It's a perfectly suitable assessment by a photographer that's spent many hours operating similar equipment, but given the cost and sophistication of a camera like this, we would recommend that professionals also consider reviews from other sources before making a purchase.
Google reforms 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button, lets you savor other emotions
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:32 AM PDT
While many of us simply gravitate towards the companion search box or address bar to tap into Google's wealth of search know-how, anyone still visiting the original homepage should give that second button another glance. If you float your cursor over the randomized "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, the text will now spin through a handful of new options, reducing its arbitrary nature a little and, as AllThingsD note, guiding you to other Google services within the results, including location data, restaurant reviews and even its collection of doodles.
Distro Issue 54 arrives with the complete Engadget back to school guide!
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 07:00 AM PDT
Well, friends, back to school season is in full swing. For some, it's a time of great sorrow, but for others it's a glorious time that usually means some new tech is on the way to combat the year's upcoming workload. Lucky for all of those in the latter group, the folks here at Engadget HQ have done our homework and compiled our picks in 14 different categories for your buying reference. In this issue of our weekly, we give you the full rundown on what to look for when you're in the midst of your back to school gadget shopping. As you might expect, some of the usual suspects are here as well for your weekend reading exploits -- including a closer look at the Wacom Cintiq 24HD touch, hands-on with a few of Gamescom's gadgets and a list of "Rec Reading" for the end of this seven-day period. Don't wait any longer, though. Hit your link of choice below to grab an end of summer guide of your very own.
Distro Issue 54 PDF
Distro in the iTunes App Store
Distro in the Google Play Store
Distro APK (for sideloading)
Like Distro on Facebook
Follow Distro on Twitter
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Amazon and NBCUniversal expand Prime Instant Video deal, let you stream Parks and Rec in one place
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 06:21 AM PDT
Amazon and NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution today announced a deal that will expand the mega-retailer's streaming selection by hundreds of episodes, including the likes of Parks and Recreation, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, Heroes and Battlestar Galactica. Prime users will be able to check out older seasons of those shows on their computers, iPads, Xbox 360s, PlayStation 3s and, of course, Kindle Fires. Non-Prime subscribers can also try out Prime Instant Video's 22,000 movies and TV shows for one month, gratis. More information and lots of excited quotes about the deal can be found after the break.
Amazon Announces Expanded Prime Instant Video Agreement with NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution
Amazon.com, Inc. today announced an expanded content licensing agreement with NBCUniversal Cable & New Media Distribution, adding hundreds of popular and award-winning TV episodes to Prime Instant Video, including prior seasons of Parks and Recreation, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica and more. Prime Instant Video now features more than 22,000 movies and TV episodes for Prime members to stream on Kindle Fire or any of the hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices including iPad, Roku, Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. Customers who are not yet Prime members can sign-up at www.amazon.com/primevideos or can enjoy a free one month trial right out of the box with Kindle Fire. To start watching Prime Instant Video, visit www.amazon.com/primevideos.
"We are excited to be working with NBCUniversal to add their award-winning lineup of TV shows such as Parks and Recreation and Friday Night Lights to Prime Instant Video," said Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon. "We continue to invest heavily in our content selection for Prime members, and have now reached over 22,000 movies and TV episodes available instantly with unlimited streaming."
"We are thrilled to have several of our iconic programs available to subscribers of Amazon Prime, a service focused on the best possible consumer experience," said Frances Manfredi, President, Cable & New Media Distribution for NBCUniversal. "We look forward to further expanding NBCU's content offering available to Prime subscribers in the near future."
To start watching Prime Instant Video now, visit www.amazon.com/primevideos. Customers who are not Prime members can enjoy a free one month trial of Prime. For a list of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices, visit here.
Adobe Revel 1.5 released with new UI, text captions and auto-syncing albums
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 06:02 AM PDT
Adobe's cloud-based photo storage and editing app has been enjoying its new name since it hopped off the Carousel, and now it's appreciating a feature bump too. Version 1.5 has just hit the virtual shelves of the Mac and iTunes stores, complete with a new UI and the option to log in using Facebook or Google accounts. Functionality wise, the update adds text captioning for your snaps and the ability to create albums which auto-sync across your devices and can be shared with others via the web. Alright, so the update isn't revolutionizing the service, but we're sure those that currently subscribe are reveling in it.
Adobe Revel 1.5 Now Available
New Album and Captions Capabilities keep photo libraries organized on Mac, iPad and iPhone
Adobe today announced the immediate availability of Adobe Revel 1.5. Available in the Mac App Store and the iTunes App Store, Adobe Revel is a photography app that marries powerful and intuitive organizing and editing tools with a cloud technology uniquely designed for photos. With Revel users have one place for all their photos, which they can access using their iPad, iPhone, and Mac. And thanks to automatic syncing of everything a user does – importing and editing photos, creating albums – Revel is the only app that allows consumers to access and manage one photo library on virtually any iOS device or Mac computer.
"My favorite things about Revel are having my whole photo library always with me and automated syncing," said Gayle Vehar, blogger at Mom and Camera. "I love being able to make adjustments and manage photos on-the-go without having to manually sync when I get home-Revel just handles all of that for me. Revel is the perfect photo app for families because we'll never miss a moment."
New features available in Adobe Revel 1.5 include:
· Albums to organize photos – Create an album on one device and it is automatically updated and accessible everywhere
· Sharing albums on the Web – Share private albums with friends and family via AdobeRevel.com
· Captions – Add context to memories with text descriptions
· An updated all new UI makes the app more intuitive and easier to navigate
· Library grid view – Browse photos in track or grid view
· Sign in with Facebook or Google IDs – Eliminate the hassle of remembering another password by logging in with a Facebook or Google ID and password
Revel helps users keep their photo library organized with the ability to create albums and apply event tags. In addition, Revel makes it easy to create better-looking photos - users can crop, apply Looks (filters) or use sliders that control lighting, color and clarity. With effortless syncing and no limits to the number of photos that can be imported, consumers now have the freedom to use any device of their choice to play with all their photos anytime.
Important information about Trials
Users with an expired trial as of August 21, 2012 will have another 30 days to try the new version. To start another 30-day complimentary subscription, users need to login with their existing Adobe Revel ID. Users will not be automatically charged at the end of their complimentary subscription; this applies to all users of the Adobe Revel 30-day complimentary subscription.
Pricing and Availability
The Adobe Revel 1.5 desktop app for Mac is immediately available in the Mac App Store and the apps for iPhone and iPad is on the iTunes App Store. Upgrading these apps is free for all existing customers. Subscription pricing for an Adobe Revel account is available for $5.99/month.
LG teases its new quad-core superphone: Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague (video)
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 05:31 AM PDT
While Qualcomm let the Snapdragon out of the bag a little early, LG's now caught up and launched a (Korean-only) teaser site for its next LTE smartphone. Promising a second-generation quad-core experience, the new flagship device will offer better power management and graphics performance thanks to the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset beating away at its core. There's space on the site for another five videos, which should hopefully give us a little more detail than what we've been able to glean from FCC filings. Thumb your Korean dictionary ready and check out LG's first taster after the break.
Klipsch refreshes Quintet home theater system
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 05:05 AM PDT
We don't have too many bad words to say about Klipsch, so when we heard it was refreshing its Quintet home theater system, we listened up. The eponymous-ish five speaker system has been a mainstay of the Klipsch line since 1998, and this is the fifth (too many 5s?) iteration. The new goodies? This time 'round each speaker has a 90 degree by 90 degree "Tractrix" horn for expanded listening area and a new Linear Travel Suspension aimed at reducing distortion and improving dynamics -- new woofers have also been added. If the refresh sounds good, but you're wondering if it'll match your front room, you've only got a choice of a satin, brushed black finish. Already boxed your old system up? Then get ready to lay down $550 when it reaches your local store next month.
Update: As pointed out by some people, despite mentioning in the PR, this is not strictly a 5.1 system
Klipsch Refreshes Bestselling Quintet Home Theater System
INDIANAPOLIS (August 23, 2012) - Klipsch, a leading global speaker manufacturer, today announces the launch of the newly engineered Quintet, representing a significant upgrade to what has already become the company's bestselling surround sound system of all time. Serving as the fifth generation model, the new Quintet offers significant technological refinements guaranteed to raise the bar in the all-in-one home theater category once again.
Complete with four satellite speakers and a dedicated center channel speaker, the Quintet is a complete 5.1 home theater system that utilizes decades of Klipsch's research and development experience. Although value engineered, this system stays true to the brand's audiophile heritage by utilizing durable, high-quality components and the same state-of-the-art horn-loaded technology that has made Klipsch an industry leader for more than 65 years.
"Previous generations of the Quintet have been deemed the best in their category and it is important that we take the necessary measures for continuous improvement," said Paul Jacobs, CEO of Klipsch. "By refining the system's overall build quality, materials and audio technology components, we are able to provide listeners with the most compact yet biggest sounding Quintet yet."
Each Quintet speaker employs a new 90-degree by 90-degree Tractrix horn, designed to expand both placement flexibility and the main listening area without reducing overall sound clarity. Combined with the Tractrix horn, a lightweight aluminum tweeter creates a highly efficient driver with excellent transient response and lack of distortion. The new Linear Travel Suspension reduces distortion and enhances dynamics. Complete with an all-new long-throw injection molded graphite (IMG) woofers, the Quintet enables maximum impact and powerful output.
To further enhance the product's build quality, its cabinets are made of professional AcoustaComp®, a material that is naturally dense, rigid and acoustically insert. This specialized material, formed into the Quintet's speaker cabinets with non-parallel walls to diminish internal standing waves, is truly the next generation in compact home speaker technology.
Offering listeners significant placement flexibility, each Quintet satellite speaker offers a keyhole mount and a ¼-inch 20-threaded inserts for maximum mounting flexibility. The center channel features dual keyhole inserts.
Available in a satin and brushed black finish, the Quintet retails for $549.99 (U.S. MSRP) and will be available for purchase at authorized retailers and http://www.klipsch.com in September 2012.
About Klipsch Premium Speakers
For over 65 years, Klipsch has designed premium speakers for those who are passionate about great sound. Company founder Paul W. Klipsch started this legacy in 1946, and it continues today with sheer commitment to innovation and delivering the world's most powerful, detailed and emotional sound reproduction. Today, the brand's diverse product portfolio encompasses home theater, professional cinema, installed whole-house contracting, commercial, computer speakers, iPod® docks and headphones. As one of the first U.S. loudspeaker companies, Klipsch continues to be the high-performance brand of choice for audiophiles and home theater aficionados around the world. Klipsch Group, Inc. is also a wholly-owned subsidiary of VOXX International (NASDAQ: VOXX).
Fujifilm X-E1 leaks into view oozing vintage cool
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:45 AM PDT
A Japanese site called Digicam Info has leaked pics of a previously unknown Fujifilm mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera, the X-E1. The natty looking snapper bears a strong family resemblance to the X-Pro1 model, but looks to be flaunting a pop-up flash, and lacks the optical viewfinder of the flagship model. The sneaked pics show black and silver-topped models, as well as a previously announced lens, the 18-55 f/2.8-4.0 OIS zoom that has yet to hit the market. No other details, such as price, are available yet, but the model will likely slot behind the X-Pro1 and ahead of the X100 to fill out the retro-look X-family.
NTT DoCoMo releasing limited edition JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Optimus Vu
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:22 AM PDT
If you can't get enough of the adventures of the Joestars and their various progeny, then you're in luck. NTT DoCoMo knows how to keep hardcore fans happy, releasing a limited run of 15,000 LG Optimus Vu with the phablet carrying custom wallpaper and illustrations from the creators of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Beneath the surface, it's the same phone we've seen before -- albeit with support for mobile TV standard Nottv. If you're now throwing your yen at the screen, we'd suggest going to your nearest store on August 30th, because online sales are limited to 750 on that day and a further 750 on September 1st.
TangiBot manufactures ethics controversy by replicating open-source Makerbot 3D printer
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 04:01 AM PDT
A Kickstarter entry has managed to stir the fairness pot by touting a MakerBot Replicator clone called TangiBot -- legally copied from the original 3D printer's open source plans. The project's creator, Matt Strong, says that the device will offer "the same performance and features at a roughly 33 percent discount" to Makerbot's $1,800 price tag, thanks to Chinese manufacturing. That's inflamed some in the 3D printing fraternity, who take exception to the exact copying of a design without any improvement. The founder is unrepentant, however, saying that "MakerBot's technology is nothing new" and insists his replica product's lower price will open up 3D printing to more hobbyists. TangiBot has addressed a trademark gripe from its doppleganger by removing the MakerBot references from Kickstarter -- but hey, we know a KIRF when we see one.
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 03:29 AM PDT
Fisker has had more than its fair share of teething troubles with the Karma, but it has to be given credit for going out of its way to listen to early adopters. The hybrid car builder has confirmed to Autoblog that a question and answer session making the rounds is the official result of town hall discussions that have both acknowledged problems and promised fixes where they're possible. The answers we've been given are a mix of sober realities and practical remedies. Drivers hoping for outright hardware upgrades to improve performance with existing Karmas will have to keep wishing; thankfully, a host of firmware fixes are on the way to improve at least the sedan's Command Center system and mirrors. PR lead Roger Ormisher even hints that there could be an in-person council that would tackle concerns more directly than the remote pep talks. We're mostly hoping for the day when Fisker stamps out the bugs and doesn't need the Q&A to put Karma owners' minds at ease.
Samsung reveals the design story highlights for the Galaxy S III
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 03:01 AM PDT
Samsung was very keen to let us know that its latest flagship phone was designed for humans. Now, the latest in the revealing series from the firm gives a little more insight into how the team went about that. For example, product designer Hangil Song explains how the rounded edges were inspired by pebbles in a stream, while sound engineer Joongsam Yun describes how they wanted to make the phone sound like a stroll in the forest. So, next time you're barging your way down Mainstreet with four ounces of synthetic material blaring out Carly Rae Jepsen, remember, you're doing it wrong.
Kodak to sell the film business that made it so famous
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 02:29 AM PDT
Kodak is selling off its renowned film arm in order to revive its moribund fortunes. It'll join sales of the company's patent portfolio, online gallery, commercial scanning, photo kiosk and theme park businesses so it can concentrate on a not-yet successful printer enterprise. It needs to raise more than $660 million to pay back creditors before it can emerge from Chapter 11, which it aims to do early next year -- but not in any form that we're likely to recognize.
[Image Credit: MercerFilm]
Victorinox offers refunds for secure USB drives in light of discontinued software updates
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 01:31 AM PDT
Software support and security certificates are coming to an end for Victorinox's line of secure USB drives, but the firm announced on Facebook that it's offering customers full refunds until December 31 if they'd like to return their products in light of the developments. In order to avoid losing data, owners of the flash drives should perform a backup before the encryption application meets its untimely end on September 15th. However, files stored on non-encrypted areas of the device will remain accessible without further action. The Slim, Secure and Presentation Master storage sticks can still be used as run-of-the-mill thumb drives after the cut-off date, but the Swiss Army Knife maker's application will no longer be able to scramble or unscramble their contents.
Scarlet Motors promises an open EV design process
Posted: 24 Aug 2012 12:31 AM PDT
It's not every day that you see a new EV manufacturer get started; it's even less common when the company promises a switch-up of the typical automaker's formula. Scarlet Motors has made its formal debut with an aim towards the same kind of openness in its electric sports cars that founder Julien Fourgeaud would be familiar with from his days at Nokia and the Symbian Foundation. In addition to giving a peek behind the curtain, Tesla-style, Finland-based Scarlet wants future (and eventually current) drivers to influence the design choices themselves, both through a dedicated community as well as Facebook and Twitter. We'll get more details in time, but those that just can't wait can sign up to the community beta and help shape what might become their next ride.
US presidential campaign trail winds its way to Xbox Live on August 27th with Election 2012 Hub
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 11:37 PM PDT
Can't get enough coverage of the US presidential race even with YouTube in the mix? Microsoft's Election 2012 Hub for Xbox Live may be able to satisfy your inner political junkie. Redmond's initiative will provide video of town hall events at both the Democratic and Republican national conventions, daily content from NBC and full coverage of results as ballots are cast and counted on November 6th. Throughout live streams of the debates, users will be able to rate the performances of public office hopefuls and see what marks other viewers give them in real-time. Information on voter registration, politicians and their take on issues will also be included. According to Microsoft, roughly 40 percent of Xbox-owning voters surveyed aren't concretely committed to a candidate running for the Oval Office, placing them in the highly-prized swing voter category. The service won't launch until the Grand Old Party's pow-wow kicks off on August 27th, but we hear there's plenty of relevant reading to keep you busy until then.
Microsoft to Launch "Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE"
Aug 23, 2012
Alongside NBCNews.com, Rock the Vote, YouGov and Face the Facts USA, Xbox will deliver a first-of-its-kind way to interact with the election and make your voice heard.
REDMOND, Wash. - Aug. 23, 2012 - Microsoft Corp. today announced "Election 2012 on Xbox LIVE," a unique opportunity for Xbox 360 owners to watch and interact with live election coverage of the presidential debates, learn the facts about the candidates and issues from Face the Facts USA, register to vote through Rock the Vote, and participate in live daily polling from YouGov. NBCNews.com will deliver daily election programming to keep users up-to-date on the latest news and analysis about the election and the candidates. All these experiences will be featured on a brand new Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE. Members will be able to fully access the first wave of content, which will focus on convention-related news, beginning Monday, Aug. 27.
Through this innovative platform, U.S.-based Xbox LIVE* members - part of a large, diverse and actively engaged audience of more than 40 million members worldwide - will be able to interact in real time throughout the three scheduled presidential debates, as well as enjoy live feeds from the Republican and Democratic national conventions. Xbox LIVE members will also be able to voice their opinions by responding to poll questions throughout live programming of the debates and other unique election events hosted on Xbox LIVE throughout the campaign season.
"We want to provide our passionate Xbox LIVE community with a great way to experience the election process with TV that makes them participants - and not just viewers," said Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "This is a great example of how our Xbox capabilities are making the promise of interactive television a reality."
"As a leader in digital and broadcast news, NBC News is always looking for more places to deliver its high-quality multimedia content, particularly in this critical campaign year. This relationship with Xbox LIVE is a unique opportunity to expand our reach on a really innovative platform," said Vivian Schiller, senior vice president and chief digital officer at NBC News.
Additional original programming will be featured through the Election Hub on Xbox LIVE with the "Conversations with the Next Generation" youth town halls in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29 and Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 5. National Journal, The Atlantic and Microsoft are working together on these one-of-a-kind events at the Republican and Democratic national conventions to engage with younger Americans and students in a dialogue about issues facing their generation. The event moderators, including NBC's Chuck Todd and Chelsea Clinton, will lead keynote interviews, panel discussions and audience Q&A with unique perspectives on the youth vote, education and the future of America's economy. Participants such as George P. Bush; Kal Penn; Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill.; MTV's Andrew Jenks; Michelle Rhee; OUR TIME's Matthew Segal; and the national presidents of both the Young Democrats of America and the Young Republican National Federation will further explore ways in which people can empower youths to get involved in the political process and make their voices heard.
"Technology has been a transformative force in politics during recent years," said Fred Humphries, vice president of government affairs at Microsoft. "The launch of the Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE marks another exciting moment of change. This platform will innovate how some voters engage in the political process, and it provides greater access to valuable information such as the perspectives of youth at our town halls, newscasts and voter registrations. By bringing the elections directly into the home through this Xbox platform, we hope to encourage greater participation in the democratic process this fall."
As part of Election 2012 coverage, Xbox LIVE is joining with Face the Facts USA, a nonpartisan, independently funded research initiative supported by The George Washington University and backed by "Americans who believe facts should come first in the national debate." Thanks to this initiative, Xbox LIVE members will have access to videos that will help them more accurately understand the major issues surrounding the election and the candidates involved. Frank Sesno, former CNN correspondent, anchor and Washington bureau chief and director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, will host this important video content.
Microsoft has also teamed up with Rock the Vote to encourage and facilitate voter registration. Rock the Vote will deliver information and programming directly into the Election 2012 Hub on Xbox LIVE, while also providing local voter information and the ability to register to vote through http://www.xbox.com/election2012. Rock the Vote will also make available exclusive musical content to be streamed directly to the Xbox LIVE community. Xbox and Rock the Vote previously worked together in 2008, successfully driving tens of thousands of citizens to register to vote and become active participants in the election process.
"We are thrilled to be working with Xbox again to deliver important election and voter registration content to millions of voters through this truly unique and impressive Xbox LIVE platform," said Chrissy Faessen, vice president of Marketing and Communications at Rock the Vote. "There's a growing audience of individuals getting their election information solely from online platforms; Microsoft has set itself apart by providing for its users a level of content and interactivity that's second to none."
Underlying this entire experience will be daily polling of the Xbox LIVE community aligned with relevant happenings on the campaign trail. Working with YouGov, the daily results will be weighed to reflect both the Xbox community and likely voters. Further, timely polling will provide quick feedback from the Xbox community during major campaign events this fall.
To understand more about the political attitudes, behaviors and issue priorities of Xbox LIVE members, Xbox commissioned StrategyOne to conduct a survey of 1,678 Xbox LIVE households. The survey, which was conducted June 19 to July 3, 2012, found that 40 percent are Xbox Swing Voters - those who are not firmly committed to a presidential candidate.
Xbox Swing Voters say the most important issues facing the country are unemployment and jobs (39 percent), healthcare (29 percent) and taxes (22 percent). Xbox Swing Voters say they follow politics and public policy matters in the news at least once per week, including 23 percent who follow these issues daily. Thirty-nine percent say they often watch information about the presidential election with other people in their household.
"A large, engaged but uncommitted audience, Xbox Swing Voters are a technically savvy and passionate voting bloc," said Douglas Rivers, YouGov's chief innovations officer. "We're proud to be working with Microsoft and its game-changing, interactive Xbox LIVE platform to provide meaningful insights that are shaping the current election landscape."
Freescale's new industrial touchscreen tech even works in the rain
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:30 PM PDT
Freescale is announcing a new industrial touch sensing technology that'll even sense your swipes and prods through a film of water. Xtrinsic 3.0 is designed to be used in industrial, medical and in-car systems, with pre-built user interfaces ready to be added to any device its jammed inside. In addition to being able to work through water, it can withstand noise, detect electrical interference and reduce false touches. It's being demonstrated at the company's technology forum in India from today, presumably ready to be licensed by passing equipment manufacturers in short order.
Freescale expands Xtrinsic touch-sensing software portfolio for next-generation human-machine interfaces
Capacitive touch-sensing software 3.0 provides feature-rich updates and robust microcontroller functionality without incremental cost
BENGALURU, India (Freescale Technology Forum) – Aug. 24, 2012 – Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE: FSL) is extending its Xtrinsic touch-sensing software (TSS) portfolio with a robust, flexible solution that provides added microcontroller (MCU) functionality without increasing system cost. New features include water tolerance, noise detection* and a touch-detection algorithm for reduced false touches under electrical noise.
TSS 3.0 is the latest addition to Freescale's growing portfolio of touch-sensing software for button replacement in industrial, medical, consumer and auto infotainment applications. Building on the successful TSS library, it offers a comprehensive solution with complementary licensed software and cost-effective development tools. Simplified user interfaces mean customers are able to develop an application within minutes using a broad range of tools and demonstration software, with minimal cost and effort.
"The latest release of our touch-sensing software comes with feature-rich updates that provide robust functionality for more of Freescale's microcontrollers," said Geoff Lees, vice president and general manager of Freescale's Industrial & Multi-Market MCU business. "Cost-effective integration allows customers to use TSS 3.0 to transform their designs with next-generation human-machine interfaces, without increasing system cost."
Reliable touch detection provides extremely high sensitivity with very low capacitance measurement resolution, offering a highly accurate and robust solution. With TSS 3.0, the user can define the sensitivity level, or auto-sensitivity calibration (ASC) will do it based on noise level analysis. TSS 3.0 is immune to droplets of water and able to distinguish touch on the electrodes even when the electrodes are covered with a water film.
In addition, TSS 3.0 works with Freescale's touch-sensing input (TSI) module, which is embedded into several hardware platforms, to provide better touch detection. The library provides commonly used touch-sensing decoding structures, such as keypad, rotary and slider, to allow upgrades from mechanical to touch-activated interfaces.
Since introducing the first version of Xtrinsic touch-sensing software in 2009,
Freescale continues to build its TSS portfolio, which now supports hundreds of Freescale MCUs including TSI-enabled HCS08 devices, ColdFire+ MCUs and Kinetis MCU families built on the ARM® CortexTM-M4 processor.
Xtrinsic touch-sensing software transforms any standard MCU into a touch sensor with the ability to manage multiple configurations of touch pads, sliders, rotary positions and mechanical keys, all while maintaining standard MCU functionality. Touch sensing helps increase product lifetimes by eliminating mechanical wear and tear associated with buttons and switches, while minimizing system cost by saving an extra IC in the design.
Glove Tricorder helps train doctors, may lead to DIY cancer screening
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 10:04 PM PDT
It may look like an early prototype of the Power Glove, but this wearable "tricorder" is not only less embarrassing than the doomed Nintendo peripheral -- it's also quite a bit more advanced technologically. This second prototype of the medical gadget is home to a veritable arsenal of sensors, including an accelerometer, pressure and temperature modules. Eventually, Med Sensation hopes to place ultrasound pads on the fingertips, allowing physicians to peer inside the body while they poke and prod in an attempt to diagnose you. At the moment, the system is better suited for providing feedback -- guiding trainees in the proper techniques for giving exams. Ultimately though, the hope is to put these in (or would that be on?) the hands of average Joes and Janes. Individuals could then check for lumps or enlarged organs at home, without having to spend half the day sitting in a waiting room. For a brief demonstration, check out the video after the break.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
FCC wants to know if it's too modest about broadband, gives chance to fight caps and slow speeds
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 09:08 PM PDT
A common complaint with the FCC's National Broadband Plan is its conservative definition of the broadband in question: many would argue that the 4Mbps baseline is an anachronism in an era of 4G, FiOS and Google Fiber. If you've ever wanted the FCC to up the ante, now's your chance. The regulator wants comments on its definitions of fixed and mobile broadband to gauge whether real-world trends like multi-user streaming video should lead to raised expectations for internet providers. Ever been burnt by a too-low bandwidth cap? It's open season on that area as well, with the FCC asking if it should define a minimum acceptable cap and possibly call for better limits than we see today. We just share GigaOM's wish that we could ask if every cap is even necessary, although the Department of Justice might be answering that for us. Americans have up until September 20th to make their voices heard, so get cracking if you'd like to set a higher bar.
South Korean court rules Apple infringed on two Samsung patents, fines it $35k; Samsung gets hit too
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 08:11 PM PDT
We have yet another twist in the worldwide patent battle between electronics giants Apple and Samsung, as the Wall Street Journal and Reuters report a Seoul court has ruled in favor of the latter when it came to two patents in a case on its home turf. While it decided that Apple had infringed on two Samsung patents, it also found that Samsung had returned the favor on Apple's "bounceback" design patent, but not on another regarding icon design resulting in damages of about $22,000 Samsung. That's according to WSJ's Evan Ramstad, who also reports that other than the light financial slap on the wrist, the ruling means that the infringing products can no longer be sold in South Korea. The list of affected hardware includes mostly previous gen products like the iPhone 4 and iPad 2, as well as the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy S II and Galaxy Nexus. Asia Economic indicates the two patents Apple was found to have infringed are of the much-disputed standards-essential type relating to the transmission of data. This action doesn't appear to significantly tilt the battlefield in any particular direction, so we'll continue to keep an eye on the jury deliberating in California.
Google Goggles update brings support for devices without autofocus
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 07:53 PM PDT
If you thought Google's perspicacious searching application was clever before, prepare for a shock. Google Goggles version 1.9 adds support for devices without autofocusing optics, giving those on budget gear a chance to use the real world as a search box. Point it at a QR code containing a URL, and it'll show you a thumbnail of the page and check its credentials against its blacklist of malicious sites. If it comes up short when searching for a product, it'll even search for similar-looking items to help you find what you're looking for, and it's available from the Play store for free -- so you don't really have any excuse.
Cyberlink's PowerDirector app lets you edit movies on your Windows 8 slate (hands-on)
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 07:04 PM PDT
We're still a ways away from the official debut of Windows 8 hardware, but given its impending release, there's plenty of software being cooked up for the new OS with a split personality. Cyberlink, best known for its ubiquitous PowerDVD software, is among those preparing for Win8's tablet assault with some touch-optimized video editing software. Called PowerDirector, it'll be available on Windows 8 launch day and will retail for around 10 to 15 bucks as a standalone app in the Windows Store -- should you spring for the full version of PowerDirector, the finger-friendly version's free. We got to see the new app in action, so join us after the break for a demo video and some impressions.
PowerDirector gives Windows filmmakers the ability to import multiple types of video (including mpeg 2, h.264, and mkv files) and trim thos clips using taps, pinches and swipes, like its counterpart for iOS. It also outputs finished work in up to 1080p resolution. PowerDirector provides several Magicstyle templates ("themes" in Apple parlance) to fancify your vids, and you can mix in music from your personal tunes collection as well. Once you've got your movie ready to go, the app allows you to share it on Facebook or YouTube with just a few taps or save the file locally. It also can export the project to your desktop for further fine tuning using the full PowerDirector software. In practice, its a nifty, easy-to-use tool for freshening up the raw footage taken on mobile devices. And, the fact that it dovetails with Cyberlink's more powerful desktop editing tools means that PowerDirector provides something for just about any mobile movie maker.
Apple appeals Kodak patent ownership victory, asks judge to be quick about it
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 06:13 PM PDT
FCC releases interactive map for latest Broadband Progress Report
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 05:37 PM PDT
The FCC has been providing regular updates on the progress of broadband rollout in the United States for some time now, but it's gone a bit further with for its latest Broadband Progress Report. It's now also released in a new web-based interactive map that lets you zoom in on broadband availability county-by-county to get a better picture of all that data, with details on things like population, income and access to different types of broadband provided for each area. In case you missed it, the report itself found that 19 million Americans lack access to any sort of fixed broadband service, and that a further 100 million haven't subscribed to a broadband service even in areas where it is available. You can find an embedded version of the map after the break, or a larger version at the source link below.
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 05:02 PM PDT
It was almost as inevitable as gravity, really. Rovio has teamed up with NASA to offer a special, Curiosity-themed episode inside Angry Birds Space. The trek has the avians scouring 20 levels of the Martian landscape with a few bonuses thrown in for good measure. Just like your favorite childhood breakfast cereal, there's even a token healthy ingredient -- in this case, a chance for gamers to learn about Curiosity's exploration whenever they're not busy smashing pigs. Android and iOS users can dip into the new chapter right after they update, but that's not even the full extent of Rovio's plans. If the environs of Gale Crater are too limiting, you'll be glad to hear that the game developer is teasing a full-scale Red Planet variant for the fall.
Google Play Music app updated for Google TV, Play video content now streaming to Chromebooks
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 04:19 PM PDT
Good news for people who love good news -- Google has just thrown some bug fixes at its Play Music app with Google TV support that launched late last year. Point being, Google TV users can now fire up the app and stream their stored tunes to the speakers connected to their entertainment system. In related news, GigaOM has spotted that the latest Chrome OS update actually enables users to watch television shows and movies from the Google Play store, but unfortunately, it's not wise enough to spot where you've paused it and let you pick things up on a different Android device. For those who've updated, let us know how either process is going for you in comments below. Or don't -- no pressure.
FCC approves Verizon deal to buy cable company spectrum, asks for concessions
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 03:43 PM PDT
Verizon received the Department of Justice's blessing for its cable company spectrum purchase last week, and now it's the FCC's turn to rubber stamp the plan. The agency has followed Chairman Julius Genachowski's recommendation and voted that Verizon can snap up the relevant AWS airspace as part of its LTE network expansion. Some riders are attached to the deal, although they're not all weighty. Verizon has to make an "unprecedented divestiture" of spectrum to T-Mobile in addition to its swap with Leap, promise certain coverage levels in the newly acquired zones at 3- and 7-year milestones, guarantee some roaming deals and provide updates on how its DSL service adoption is impacted by all that 4G. That Verizon has 45 days to finalize the T-Mobile deal gives some idea of how quickly everything has to move, although it could be a long while before we see AWS-ready Verizon devices in the shops.
To no one's surprise, advocacy groups are still upset: the Alliance for Broadband Competition believes the FCC decision "does not go far enough" to keep a level playing field, for example, and wants to voice its problems to the FCC. Anxiety still exists that just about any deal concentrates too much spectrum in the hands of Big Red. Still, there's a sense among groups like these that Verizon has had to at least partially address worries over unfair competition.
VERIZON WIRELESS RECEIVES FCC APPROVAL TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SPECTRUM FROM CABLE COMPANIES
Company Committed to Using Spectrum for Continued Rollout of 4G LTE and High-Speed Data Services to Customers
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless today announced that with the recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval, the company will move forward with plans to acquire Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum licenses from SpectrumCo, a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, and from Cox Communications, as well as to complete transactions with Leap Wireless, Savary Island Wireless and T-Mobile. Verizon Wireless will use the spectrum it is acquiring in these transactions in conjunction with its 700 MHz upper C band spectrum to deploy additional LTE capacity.
"This purchase represents a milestone in the industry and we appreciate the FCC's diligent work to review and approve the transaction," said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless. "We will work aggressively to ensure that we put this previously unused spectrum to use quickly to benefit customers."
The approval of these transactions also means Verizon Wireless can move forward with its previously announced plan to sell its 700 MHz lower A and B block spectrum licenses. Mead added, "We expect a very robust sales process as more than 65 parties have requested and received information about the spectrum we are selling. Selling the A and B licenses will allow this spectrum to be used to the benefit of other carriers and their customers."
Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network is available today in over 370 markets covering nearly 75 percent of the U.S. population. The higher-speed network is important as the company works to meet the increasing needs of customers who are using smartphones, tablets and more, to manage their lives and run their businesses. The FCC estimates that the industry demand for mobile data by 2015 will be 25 to 50 times greater than it was in 2010 as customers move toward more data-intensive devices that allow them to video chat, stream live video, download movies or large work files and more, on smartphones and tablets.
Verizon Wireless remains committed to helping America lead the world in broadband infrastructure that will ultimately give consumers more choice, convenience and innovation.
Alliance for Broadband Competition Statement on FCC Verizon-SpectrumCo Order
The Alliance for Broadband Competition released the below statement following the FCC's order regarding the Verizon-SpectrumCo Agreements:
"Our alliance of competitive carriers, trade associations, public interest groups, and other entities continue to have deep concerns about the future of the competitive communications landscape. While the FCC's Order does not go far enough to ensure a competitive landscape, we are pleased that the Order addresses some of the concerns that we have raised with the Commission over the past several months. We look forward to future conversations with the Commission to address our remaining concerns.
"Continued conversation and monitoring compliance with the proposed remedies are a start-- but these actions are just the beginning of a necessary longer effort by the Alliance to continue to educate Washington and consumers about the competitive harms that face the American communications industry and the impacts of continued consolidation. It remains critical that the FCC and other federal regulators protect the competitive goals of the Communications Act and prevent the continuing march towards a communications duopoly."
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 03:17 PM PDT
iOS app devs got Telenav turn-by-turn navigation access in March of this year, and now the same can be said for folks programming for Android and Windows Phone. In case you forgot, the Scout for Apps platform allows developers to incorporate Scout's personalized navigation directly into their applications. Not only that, but Telenav's making it easier for website owners to do the same for their websites with the release of the Scout Drive Button. The button puts the power of browser-based GPS mapping in an easy-to-implement widget, for free, with no coding expertise required. It also allows users to click the Drive button in their desktop browser to send a link to their phones that'll launch navigation directly, as opposed to inputting the address into a nav app manually. Interested? More info awaits after the break, and devs can get down and dirty with both Scout for Apps and the Drive widget at the sources below.
Scout for Apps Now Live on Three Platforms: iOS, Android and Windows Phones
Scout for Apps remains only GPS navigation service that developers can embed within their own mobile apps or websites
Telenav also introduces new website widget for small businesses and developers
Sunnyvale, Calif. - August 22, 2012 - Telenav®, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNAV), the leader in personalized navigation, has extended Scout™ for Apps to Android and Windows Phone platforms. Launched first on iPhone in March, Scout for Apps is the first HTML5, browser-based, voice-guided, turn by turn, GPS navigation service for mobile phones.
"Mobile users have sent us feedback that they have switched to our partner apps due to the addition of free navigation," said Shannph Wong, chief architect at Telenav. "Now that we have developed the service to work on Android and Windows Phone devices, we expect this trend to continue."
Scout for Apps gives developers an easy way to offer consumers free, voice-guided, turn by turn, GPS navigation directly from their application or website. Developers can integrate the service by simply adding one line of code, making it ideal for social, travel and shopping apps, or any other app or website that includes points of interest, places or addresses. Scout for Apps is also the only GPS navigation service that developers can embed within their own mobile applications, just like embedding video into a website, allowing them the ability to keep their users within their own branded app throughout the entire navigation session.
"No other service will allow developers to provide GPS navigation within their own app," continued Wong. "This is a major difference between Scout for Apps and any other GPS navigation service on iOS, Android or Windows Phone."
Scout Drive Button: GPS Navigation for Websites
Today, Telenav also launched the Scout Drive Button, a widget for anyone to add onto their website to provide visitors the ability to instantly launch voice-guided, turn by turn, GPS navigation to their store, restaurant, salon, dentist office, etc. Mobile users can click the button from their phone and navigation will start from their mobile browser, without the need for a separate GPS navigation or mapping app. The Scout Drive Button – free for website owners and mobile users – is easy to add to a website and does not require any coding skills.
If website visitors click on the Scout Drive Button from their computer rather than their phone, Scout will offer the option of sending a link to launch navigation on their phone via a text message or mobile email. The Scout Drive Button eliminates the need to write down directions, print out maps, or copy and paste the address into another GPS device or application.
"Most websites include a long laundry list of written driving directions or picture of a map that are static and hard to use," continued Wong. "With our Scout Drive Button, businesses can offer a sophisticated and reliable experience to their patrons. This is a technology that will change the way businesses share driving directions and help their customers before they even arrive at their store."
Website owners can personalize the Scout Drive Button by typing in their address into the widget, then copying and pasting the automatic code into their website. They can also easily modify the size and choose from different graphic options. The Scout Drive Button is available at www.telenav.com/scoutdrivebutton/.
More information on Scout for Apps is available at developer.telenav.com.
Apple releases Mountain Lion 10.8.2 build to devs, focuses on Facebook, iMessage and more
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 02:41 PM PDT
Shortly after letting the 10.8.1 Mountain Lion out of the bag, Cupertino's now released the next dotted version of its feline OS X to members of the developer community. According to the seed note, this early release will be focusing on a slew of social areas as well as other handy applications, including Facebook, Messages, Game Center, Reminders and, of course, the company's own web browser, Safari. As is usually the case with these young builds, Apple suggests you install it on a machine "you are prepared to erase if necessary," though something tells us you were already well aware of that. But in case you do want to install v10.8.2, you'll find the rest of the deets at the Apple Developer site linked below.
Google+ expands custom URLs to 'thousands more' pages and profiles
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 02:17 PM PDT
If you're lacking the mental perspicacity to memorize that bizarre string that constitutes your Google+ profile (or business page) we've got some good news -- Google's continuing its roll-out of custom URLs to its most popular social network pages. You'll have to make sure that you stake a claim to your pre-approved URL when the box appears on your page -- fortunately it's pretty hard to miss, sticking out along the top of your well-known profile / page. Lesser known brands and 'personalities' will have to wait a little longer, but Product Manager Saurabh Sharma says that the custom URLs will continue to trickle down the system "in the future."
Update: Our freshly customized +Engadget page is now up and running.
HTC Proto breaks cover, brings the New Desire V out of China
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:54 PM PDT
Rumors have been circulating that HTC was planning a mid-cycle replacement for the One V, the Proto, that would keep the line relevant in the face of some noticeably tougher competition. It may be more of a reality than a notch on the roadmap. As long as The Verge's press renders are authentic, the Proto should be an almost straightforward, international edition of the previously China-only New Desire V (T328w). HTC wouldn't be reinventing the wheel -- it would reportedly add a much-needed second core to the 1GHz processor but keep the same 5-megapixel camera, 4GB of storage and 7.2Mbps 3G as the smartphone's early 2012 prequel; though we'd imagine the second SIM slot would be nixed. If, where and when the Proto shows up is still left to the imagination, though. Next week's IFA show is a tempting target for a late 2012 release, but there's no hard and fast rule that any introduction has to coincide with a major event.
RIM tries to patent system-generated blog entries, we quietly update our resumés
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:37 PM PDT
Research in Motion has applied to patent a system for automatically drafting a blog entry on your smartphone. In the examples, it would build out the bare-bones of an entry as soon as it hits a "trigger event," such as taking a picture at a pre-determined set of GPS co-ordinates. Presumably, all you'd have to do is fill in the witty caption below and hit send, saving you valuable minutes on your road-trip. Of course, it may not even be granted, so don't expect a CES trailer staffed solely with Bolds just yet...
The Engadget Podcast is live tonight at 4:45PM!
Posted: 23 Aug 2012 01:15 PM PDT
News? We got it. Tim and Brian are joined once again by Dana this week, taking advantage of our scenic view of the Huffington Post newsroom. It's just like that TV show, only with fewer Sorkinisms. Come join us at 4:45PM ET, after the break.
*** You can also stream the show live on your iPhone or iPad by clicking here.
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