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Engadget News |
- LG's Game World landing on its own Smart TVs
- Hisense Pulse Google TV set-top box coming in November for $99
- Best Buy founder ever closer to finalizing company buyout bid
- RadioShack No Contract Wireless rate plans leak, $60 will get you everything
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: bags and cases
- Amazon Kindle Touch goes out of stock, sparks conspiracy theories
- Engadget Giveaway: win a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro dev tablet!
- Fujitsu and Acacia resolve patent disputes with settlement, keep it out of the courts
- Amazon says more items are now shipped with Prime than free shipping, dishes a few other stats
- LG announces infrared-equipped Optimus Vu II and universal remote app
- Google on Apple v. Samsung: most infringed patents 'don't relate to the core Android operating system'
- Lenovo's K860 phablet gets priced in China: 2,188 yuan on August 28th
- App.net causes a HooHa with its first Android app
- Samsung enters advertising market with small-bezel and transparent displays
- Amazon Cloud Drive and app arrive in UK at last, sans fanfare
- Acronym-loving Samsung joins Intel and TSMC, buys stake in ASML
- Sony getting out of PC optical drive business due to 'fierce competition'
- LG announces 27-inch Personal Smart TV ahead of IFA
- Dropbox two-step login verification available in experimental build, coming to all accounts soon
- Samsung teasing Series 5 Hybrid PC announcement at IFA
- Fuji Electric releasing first coin-operated EV fast charger, gives electric cars extra life
- Lenovo's 9-inch IdeaTab A2109 shows up at Best Buy, flaunts Tegra 3, $300 price tag
- beIN Sport USA soccer channel comes to Comcast, DirecTV and Dish Network
- Google Nexus 7 overclocked to 2GHz, punches well above its weight
- Samsung unveils Galaxy Player 5.8, pockets everywhere brace for impact
- Nexus 7 checks off Spain, Germany and France on availability chart, sells for a premium
- How would you change the Pantech Burst?
- Scientists investigating AI-based traffic control, so we can only blame the jams on ourselves
- Refresh Roundup: week of August 20th, 2012
- WiFi alliance begins Tunneled Direct Link Setup certification, hopes to improve media streaming
- Switched On: Trading places
- Star Wars Episode II and III 3D re-releases officially dated for theaters in September and October 2013
- Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording
| LG's Game World landing on its own Smart TVs Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:51 AM PDT LG has just announced Game World, a new Smart TV portal that's only available to Cinema 3D Smart TV owners. The service will let users snap up downloadable games in categories such as action, RPG or arcade, then play them in 2D or 3D with the company's Magic Remote or other third-party controller. The service is not to be confused with LG's Gaikai cloud gaming service, and the company said most of the titles will be family-friendly. Mind you, that looks like Shadowgun on the main page above, so there's clearly some grown-up only entertainment, too. LG OPENS GAME WORLD FOR CONVENIENT ACCESS TO WIDE RANGE OF SMART TV GAMES Intuitive Interface, Magic Remote Compatibility and 3D Makes for Optimal CINEMA TV Gaming Experience | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hisense Pulse Google TV set-top box coming in November for $99 Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:26 AM PDT
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| Best Buy founder ever closer to finalizing company buyout bid Posted: 27 Aug 2012 10:01 AM PDT Best Buy Board and Founder Richard Schulze Reach Agreement Permitting Schulze To Form Investment Group And Conduct Due Diligence MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) and founder Richard Schulze today announced that they have reached an agreement under which Mr. Schulze will be granted access to certain due diligence information and permission to form an investment group with private equity sponsors in furtherance of making a fully financed proposal to acquire the Company. Best Buy stated that the agreement establishes a non-exclusive, orderly process which satisfies the requests made by Mr. Schulze, while at the same time protecting the interests of all shareholders. Mr. Schulze stated that he was pleased that an agreement was reached which will allow him to conduct the due diligence he had sought. The agreement, which will be filed with the SEC as part of Mr. Schulze's updated 13-D filing, provides the following:
If a transaction is proposed and the Board of Directors rejects such proposal, Mr. Schulze has agreed not to pursue an acquisition until January 2013. However, if the first transaction proposal is rejected, Mr. Schulze would have the opportunity to present a second transaction proposal beginning in January 2013. The Board of Best Buy would have 30 days to review the second transaction proposal before Mr. Schulze would have the opportunity to take an offer directly to shareholders at the 2013 annual meeting or at a special meeting. If Mr. Schulze is unsuccessful in getting his offers approved by the Board or by the shareholders, then he has agreed not to pursue an acquisition until the expiration of the one year term of the agreement. The Board has also committed to offer Mr. Schulze two Board seats, proportionate to his share ownership. If he presents a transaction proposal to shareholders or if he materially violates the standstill provisions of the cooperation agreement, he will no longer be allowed to obtain the two Board seats. There is no guarantee that Mr. Schulze will be successful in arranging a potential offer, or that such an offer would be accepted by the Board of Directors. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RadioShack No Contract Wireless rate plans leak, $60 will get you everything Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:36 AM PDT We're just about a week out from the rumored launch of RadioShack's Cricket-based No Contract Wireless plans, and more details are beginning to trickle out about the prepaid service. Specifically, we've just received information concerning how much The Shack intends to charge on a monthly basis, and it's just about what you'd expect: you can choose between featurephone and smartphone options, with the former hooking you up with unlimited messaging and your choice of 300 minutes for $25 or 1,000 minutes for $35. As for the smartphone plans, you'll get unlimited voice, messaging and Muve Music downloads on both selections; the $50 option will get you one gigabyte of 3G data (before throttling ensues), while $60 bestows you with 2.5GB data and mobile hotspot use, Visual Voicemail access, unlimited international text and all-you-can-eat directory assistance. As a comparison, Cricket's $35 featurephone plan will give you unlimited voice and SMS, compared to 1,000 minutes and unlimited SMS / MMS / 1X data on The Shack. The carrier's basic smartphone option is $55 and offers unlimited voice, messaging and 3G data (throttled at 2.5GB); this may seem like the better deal -- unless you're interested in using Muve Music. Since you have to pay an extra $10 to add the unlimited music service into the mix on Cricket, you'll see a monthly savings of $5 if you waltz into The Shack for the top-tiered plan. We're still waiting for RadioShack to come clean and acknowledge the existence of the NoContract service, but we'll continue to reveal more details as they come down the pipeline. Check out the featurephone rate plans after the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: bags and cases Posted: 27 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're helping you keep all your gear organized -- 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! Trying to pack a load of gadgets, peripherals and a laptop into your average book bag usually isn't the most ideal setup -- especially when it's time to grab what you need throughout the day. To solve that dilemma, we've selected more than a handful of sacks and cases that'll keep your gear at hand and organized so that you'll spend less time rummaging for your gizmos and more time exploring your campus. Best of all, you can rest assured knowing many of the selections past the break are goods that we here at Engadget even rely on to get our gear in and out of the various events we attend -- jump past the break to see our picks.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | Oakley AP 3.0 If you need a ton of pockets, duffel-sized storage and room for a 17-inch laptop -- in a package that'll fit underneath airliner seats -- look no further than the AP 3.0. We've lugged one to various events and, despite lacking ample padding, it's proven to be just as sturdy as its military looks suggest.
From $155 on Amazon | | From $80 on Amazon |
Messenger bags
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| Timbuk2 Commute For one, the 2012 Commute Messenger is super-friendly for laptop-toting fliers, since it's a TSA-certified carry-on. Secondly, you'll be thrilled with the sheer amount of stuff you can carry inside of it without needing to drop by the check-in queue.
From $109 on Timbuk2.com
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Odds and sods
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| | From $30 on Zappos.com | | From $8 on Amazon |
Engadget's Back to School Giveaway
Official Rules
No Purchase Required to Enter or Win
Eligibility: Engadget's Back to School Giveaway (the "Giveaway") is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Employees of Weblogs Inc. LLC, AOL Inc., their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaways, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Giveaways (collectively "Giveaway Entities") and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S., federal, state and local and Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void in Quebec, Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.
Sponsor: The Giveaway is sponsored by Weblogs Inc. LLC, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 ("Sponsor").
Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant's full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins at 12:00 pm ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12:00 pm ET on September 7, 2012 (the "Giveaway Period"). The Giveaway Period shall be divided into fifteen (15) separate Entry Periods:
Entry Period 1 begins at 12PM ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 2 begins at 1PM ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 3 begins at 12PM ET on August 7, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 4 begins at 12PM ET on August 8, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 5 begins at 12PM ET on August 9, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 6 begins at 12PM ET on August 10, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 7 begins at 12PM ET on August 13, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 8 begins at 12PM ET on August 15, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 9 begins at 12PM ET on August 17, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 10 begins at 12PM ET on August 20, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 11 begins at 12PM ET on August 22, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 12 begins at 12PM ET on August 24, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 13 begins at 12PM ET on August 27, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 14 begins at 12PM ET on August 29, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 15 begins at 12PM ET on August 31, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry: During the Giveaway Period, go to engadget.com/2012/08/06/back-to-school-giveaway and follow the instructions to submit your entry. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.
Drawing: At the conclusion of the Giveaway Period, Sponsor will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner from each of the fifteen (15) Entry Periods in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the applicable Entry Period. Potential Winners will be contacted via email and asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Non-winning entries from one Entry Period do not carry over into subsequent Entry Periods.
Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the "Affidavit/Release") and IRS W-9 form within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release and W-9 form within the required time period, an alternate entrant may be selected in his/her place in a random drawing of all entries received. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use winner's name and likeness for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. In the event the potential winner of any prize is a Canadian resident, he/she will also be required to correctly answer a time-limited mathematical question to be administered by email, mail or phone to receive the prize. Limit one (1) prize per household.
Prizes: Fifteen (15) Grand Prize Winners will each receive a Back to School Prize Pack containing the following items: HP Envy Ultrabook 4, Sony NEX-F3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0), Samsung Galaxy S III (AT&T), Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, AiAiAi Capital headphones, Western Digital My Passport (1TB) hard drive, Timbuk2 Commute Messenger laptop bag, Flying Alarm Clock, AOC 16" USB monitor, Spotify Premium subscription (1 year), Satechi Energy Station, Edifier Tick Tock, Satechi 12-port USB hub, NuForce Cube, Withings WiFi Scale, Powermat 24-hour system, Carbonite Backup (1 year), AViiQ Ready Chips, and Targus Defcon 1 lock. Approximate Retail Value of each Prize Pack is $3,203. Subscriptions are subject to issuer's terms and conditions. Activation fees and monthly service fees not included with any smartphone/digital devices. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize or portion of a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.
General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
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TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PRIZES AND ALL ELEMENTS THEREOF ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, some of the foregoing disclaimers may not apply to you insofar as they relate to implied warranties.
Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant's rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Amazon Kindle Touch goes out of stock, sparks conspiracy theories
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:32 AM PDT
We hope your heart wasn't set on snagging a Kindle Touch before heading off to school this fall. Both the WiFi and 3G versions of the reader are no longer available as new devices from Amazon's US pages -- if you want one at all in the country, you'll have to swing past a retail store or scour the virtual bargain bins for used models. Suffice it to say that the timing of this vanishing act is extremely convenient in light of Amazon's special event next week, although just what it means is very much an unknown. Is there a light-up sequel on its way? A winnowing of the e-reader line to fewer models? Or just a quick inventory check? We'll have a better answer on September 6th, but the out-of-stock notice is a not-so-friendly reminder that patience is a virtue.
Engadget Giveaway: win a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro dev tablet!
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 08:01 AM PDT
The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro Mobile Development Platform (MDP) tablet is not your typical Android-based slate -- it's a developer's best friend. This particular MDP houses a quad-core Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 chip, Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB LPDDR2 RAM, and its primary purpose for even existing is to help devs test their games and apps on a true-blue device before OEM products begin hitting the market later this year. It's the most impressive quad-core tablet (in terms of performance) we've ever played with, but at $1,299 a pop, it isn't cheap. But that's where you, dear reader, come in: the slate you see above is going to be handed out to a lucky winner, and all you have to do is leave a comment in the usual place. Don't forget to read the rules below, and best of luck!
The rules:
- Leave a comment below. Any comment will do. Duplicate entries will be filtered out and discarded, so adding additional comments won't increase your likelihood of winning.
- Contest is open to all residents of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
- Winners will be chosen randomly. One winner will win one (1) Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro Mobile Development Tablet.
- If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.
- This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Qualcomm, BSquare and Engadget / AOL are not held liable to honor warranties or customer service.
- The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
- Entries can be submitted until August 28, 2012 at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!
Fujitsu and Acacia resolve patent disputes with settlement, keep it out of the courts
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:33 AM PDT
Fujitsu's bank balance may be a little lighter today, since Acacia Research Corp. has reported that subsidiaries of both companies have signed a settlement deal over patent disputes. As usual, Acacia is keeping tight-lipped about exactly what the patents cover, but a little digging on our part has revealed they are related to flash memory and RAM technologies. The agreement resolves lawsuits in the works at district courts in Texas and California, which is probably a good thing. After all, these cases can get pretty messy when they go to court.
Acacia Subsidiary Enters into Settlement Agreement with Fujitsu Semiconductor America, Inc. and Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTG) announced today that its subsidiaries including Advanced Data Access LLC and Smart Memory Solutions LLC entered into an agreement with Fujitsu Semiconductor America, Inc. and Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited. This agreement resolves patent litigation that was pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and patent litigation that was pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Amazon says more items are now shipped with Prime than free shipping, dishes a few other stats
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 07:08 AM PDT
Amazon isn't one to provide a lot of specific numbers on the products and services it offers, but it has confirmed today that its $79 a year Prime service recently crossed a fairly significant milestone. The company says that more items are now shipped with Prime's two-day shipping than with its standard Free Super Saver Shipping -- which is, presumably, quite a lot. Of course, Prime has grown to become considerably more than just a premium shipping option since it launched in 2005, and Amazon has also taken the opportunity to divulge a few other details on the service. On Prime Instant Video, it says that it now offers 22,000 titles for streaming, a growth of 70 percent this year -- it also notes, somewhat interestingly, that 96.4 percent of the Prime video catalog is viewed in any given week. As for the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, it now counts 180,000 titles, the most borrowed of which is The Hunger Games.
Amazon Prime Crosses Big Milestone: More Items Are Now Shipped with Prime Free Two-Day Shipping Than with Free Super Saver Shipping
Over seven years, Amazon has grown Prime selection by 15 times from one million to 15 million; added Kindle Owners' Lending Library with over 180,000 books available to borrow for free; and introduced Prime Instant Video with over 22,000 movies and TV episodes available for instant unlimited streaming – all without changing the price – still only $79 per year
Kindle Fire owners receive one free month of Prime with the purchase of their device
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2012-- (NASDAQ:AMZN) – In 2005, Amazon launched Amazon Prime, offering customers all-you-can-eat Free Two-Day Shipping on one million items for only $79 per year. Since that time, Amazon has significantly increased the benefits of Prime – adding over 14 million eligible items to reach over 15 million; introducing Prime Instant Video, growing the number of movies and TV episodes from 5,000 at launch to over 22,000; and adding the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, which started with 5,000 books to borrow for free with no due dates and now includes over 180,000 books. With all these new benefits, the price of Prime remains just $79. Today, Amazon announced that it now ships more items with Prime Free Two-Day Shipping than with Free Super Saver Shipping – the program Amazon launched in 2002 that offers free shipping on orders over $25.
"Since Amazon launched in 1995, we've been focused on growing selection for our customers. Following the introduction of Amazon Prime in 2005, we've worked hard to grow Prime selection as well. We're incredibly proud to be able to offer more than 15 million Prime items today. We've also grown the Prime Instant Video library to more than 22,000 movies and TV episodes, all with unlimited streaming, and Prime members can borrow more than 180,000 books for free, with no due dates, using the Kindle Owners' Lending Library – that's up from roughly 5,000 when the program launched less than a year ago," said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon. "Even seven years later, the price of Prime remains unchanged at $79 a year. Amazon Prime is the best bargain in the history of shopping, and it's going to keep getting better."
Amazon Prime Facts:
The top two items purchased with Prime Free Two-Day Shipping this year so far are the Kindle Fire and the $79 Kindle. Kindle Touch is number three and "Fifty Shades of Gray: Book One" is number four.
Amazon Prime now features more than 15 million unique items, all with Prime Free Two-Day Shipping.
Amazon Prime members could order 500 different items with Prime Free Two-Day Shipping every day of their lives and still not order every Prime item.
In a given week, 96.4 percent of the Prime Instant Video catalog is viewed.
The number of titles available for unlimited streaming through Prime Instant Video has increased from roughly 5,000 titles at launch to over 22,000 today. Just this year alone, the title count has grown from 13,000 to over 22,000, an increase of 70 percent.
In addition to hundreds of compatible TVs and Blu-ray players, you can now watch Prime Instant Video on Kindle Fire, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and iPad.
The number of titles available through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library has increased from roughly 5,000 at launch, less than one year ago, to over 180,000 today.
The most watched TV show available through Prime Instant Video is Downton Abbey Season 1.
The most watched movie available through Prime Instant Video is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (English Subtitled).
All seven Harry Potter titles are now available to check out, for free, with no due dates through the Kindle Owners' Lending Library.
The most borrowed title in the history of Kindle Owners' Lending Library is The Hunger Games.
"I'm a long-time Amazon customer and when they came up with Prime a few years ago I jumped on it! With Amazon Prime, in many cases I can have something delivered to my doorstep faster than I can find time to go shopping for it. Now with all the other benefits, such as free borrowing of Kindle books and watching instant videos, it has become an even better value." – Bill Ebersohl, Amazon Prime Member since 2005
"I've been a member of the Amazon Prime program since it launched and I find it a valuable savings for my purchases through Amazon. It especially pays for itself during my holiday shopping...It is a great value for your money to have a membership and I recommend it to everyone!" – John Kelch, Amazon Prime Member since 2005
"We signed up for Prime as soon as it became available, because we immediately saw the value and convenience we would get from it. The fact that the yearly fee for Prime has not increased in seven years is even better, especially when members now get more perks with instant streaming of movies and TV programs and the ebook lending library." – Mollie Mondoux, Amazon Prime Member since 2005
About Prime
Amazon Prime is an annual membership program for $79 a year that offers customers unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on millions of items including books, home and garden products, electronics, video games, clothing, and much more. Amazon Prime members also get access to unlimited instant streaming of thousands of movies and TV episodes and access to tens of thousands of books to borrow for free, as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates from a Kindle device. Customers who receive free Prime shipping benefits through our Amazon Student or Amazon Mom programs can upgrade to an annual paid membership to receive Amazon Prime's digital benefits. Kindle Fire owners receive one free month of Prime with the purchase of their device if they have not received Prime benefits in the past.
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes – still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon's new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
LG announces infrared-equipped Optimus Vu II and universal remote app
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:32 AM PDT
LG just outed the Optimus Vu II for the Korean market, designed around a remote control app, QRemote. The company's translated PR claims (erroneously) that the new device will be "the world's first smartphone using infrared," letting it operate gear like set-top boxes and home appliances, including other companies' products. The device is scheduled to launch next month in the maker's home country, around the time the Tegra 3-powered Optimus Vu will go on sale in the US as Verizon's LG Intuition. The company hasn't released any technical details for the phone -- in fact, other than the remote functions, we don't even know if there are any changes from the current pen-capable model. In any case, it might give pause to another Korean maker about to announce an awfully similar product.
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 06:12 AM PDT
When the jury in Apple v. Samsung handed down its verdict on Friday, we watched Apple take a victory lap and heard Samsung warn of hampered competition, but one company remained conspicuously silent: Google. This weekend, though, Mountain View finally released a statement, insisting that while Samsung lost the trial, the ruling doesn't actually implicate Android. "The court of appeals will review both infringement and the validity of the patent claims. Most of these don't relate to the core Android operating system," the company said, noting that several of these patents are being revisited by the US Patent Office. Still, buried in that statement is an implicit acknowledgment that if Samsung can't reverse the decision on appeal, innovation among Android devices might well be be stifled:
"The mobile industry is moving fast and all players - including newcomers - are building upon ideas that have been around for decades. We work with our partners to give consumers innovative and affordable products, and we don't want anything to limit that."
Of course, Samsung has indeed said it intends to appeal (and an internal memo reported by CNET corroborates this), so it would seem that the proxy battle against Android is far from over, and the drone of legalese is sure to continue.
Lenovo's K860 phablet gets priced in China: 2,188 yuan on August 28th
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 05:41 AM PDT
Lenovo's K860 has been making the rounds for a while now. That five-incher's specs are hardly a secret. But, what has continued to evade us was a price and release date for this quad-core Exynos-powered beast. Thankfully, the Chinese manufacturer has finally come clean and we are happy to tell you the phablet will be hitting shelves tomorrow, August 28th, for 2,188 yuan (about $344). The initial run of this heavily skinned ICS handset will be fairly limited unfortunately -- only 2,000 will be released on the first day. But, we're sure a wider release can't be far behind.
App.net causes a HooHa with its first Android app
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 05:16 AM PDT
It's a good time for confusingly-named App.net, hot on the heels of smashing its funding goal and cooking up its first terms of service, the paid-Twitter startup now has an Android mobile client. HooHa chief Deniz Veli told The Next Web that he cooked up the software after seeing a "thriving developer community" surrounding the new service -- with many presumably encouraged by Twitter's recent API changes. Like the service itself, the app is only an Alpha release, but you can download it for free at the Play Store, no need to causes a hoo-hah (geddit?).
Samsung enters advertising market with small-bezel and transparent displays
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:42 AM PDT
Mad Men marathons aside, it's rare that we dream of a career in advertising, but Samsung's latest pair of commercial displays have turned our head. The Korean giant has developed a 21.6-inch, 1:1 ratio ("square" to us normals) display with a 5.5mm bezel that can be used to develop video walls, installations or 3D sculptures. It's reportedly far more environmentally friendly than whacking a TV on your showroom wall, drawing 30 percent less power and auto-adjusting its own brightness depending on the ambient light.
It's also unveiling the NL22B, a transparent LCD screen / case that builds on the see-through tech we saw at CES. The interactive display is designed to let you see facts and figures while keeping one eye on the merchandise at all times. It's imagined to be used in high-class jewelers, using interactivity to tease us toward buying that $4,000 watch. Both are being shown at IFA this week, but don't expect to see them available to buy -- so stash those dreams of covering every wall in house with these things, at least until you own your own advertising firm.
Samsung Electronics launches LED square display and transparent display
Samsung Electronics announced the availability of innovative 1:1 ratio LED square display (UD22B) and transparent display (NL22B), accelerating its leadership in the commercial B2B display market in the second half of this year.
Samsung's distinctive 1:1 ratio square display and all-in-one transparent display showcase provide business owners with extraordinary solutions for creating entirely new types of promotional displays in retail, commercial and public locations.
To mark the launch of these two new display products, Samsung Electronics will introduce them to the general public with an impressive product showcase at IFA 2012, Europe's largest consumer electronics show, to be held in Berlin, Germany, Aug. 31-Sep. 5. This exhibit will demonstrate Samsung's strong position in a new B2B market based on the needs of businesses to distinguish themselves through creative, engaging displays that capture consumer attention.
Providing an alternative to traditional rectangular displays, Samsung's LED square display with 1:1 screen ratio supports unlimited configurations and opens up new potential for creating immersive visual experiences. With 5.5 mm bezel-to-bezel measurement for seamless installation and digital loop out to produce a single image across up to 100 displays, Samsung's 21.6" square display lets commercial users explore limitless possibilities as they design artistic video walls. Multiple displays can easily be connected to create creative mosaics as well as cubic or other three-dimensional shaped displays. Without being limited by the installation space or shape, businesses can create more interactive point-of-sale and advertising displays that engage the consumer.
Samsung's environmentally friendly Direct LED backlight technology used in the UD22B square display generates less heat to reduce power consumption by more than 30 percent compared to existing LCD display technology, lowering operating costs. The UD22B also conserves energy by adjusting brightness according to surrounding brightness, and users easily manage content using Samsung's unique MagicInfo software solution.
Samsung's 22" transparent display (NL22B) is a new type of product, available as an all-in-one showcase, launching a new era of possibilities in digital retail design. The thin LCD panel on the front of the transparent display allows images and animations to dynamically interact with the merchandise inside the showcase while still enabling passers-by to view the product. The three remaining sides are made of protective tempered glass enclosed by a sleek metallic frame, giving the NL22B a luxurious appearance.
Available as an all-in-one showcase for use as a stand-alone display or as an optional 22" kit for wall installation, the NL22B accentuates the display of retail products. Unlike competitive displays with lower transmittance rates (5 percent) that can hide merchandise, Samsung's transparent display offers a transmittance rate of 15 percent for exquisite picture quality. The all-in-one kit includes a built-in PC, speakers, LED bar and protective glass, making it remarkably simple for businesses to transform consumer shopping into an immersive in-store experience.
B2B Display Market Leadership
Samsung Electronics is leading in the creation of new markets across the B2B space, including the premium interior market through the launch of large-size LFDs (60" and larger) as well as products that feature both high picture quality and slim design. The company plans to concentrate on developing its premium image in this category and strengthening its market position by partnering world famous luxury brands.
Samsung Electronics has already demonstrated success in its partnership with Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry. At InfoComm 2012, Samsung showcased its cooperative work with Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry with a display featuring square displays and transparent displays as well as luxury retail products from Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry. For Samsung's exhibit at IFA 2012, Samsung's advanced commercial display products will be used to create a retail display layout identical to the immersive store environment planned for Gucci Timepieces & Jewelry store locations.
Amazon Cloud Drive and app arrive in UK at last, sans fanfare
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 04:18 AM PDT
Eons after it appeared in the US, Amazon's Cloud Drive is at last available in the UK. Brits can manage the service from within their Amazon account online, or get the free standalone Mac or PC app for desktop dragging and dropping. It slipped in with nary a peep from Amazon, sporting the same US dollar pricing as the American site: roughly $10 per year (£6) for every 20GB. So, despite the delay, UK-ers won't have to pay more than their US counterparts, as is often the case -- at least, not yet.
Acronym-loving Samsung joins Intel and TSMC, buys stake in ASML
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 03:44 AM PDT
Samsung's round of cash-flashing continues with a $629 million purchase of a three-percent stake in ASML. It's joining Intel and TSMC in pumping money into the Dutch business, developing tooling for chip-making machines with Extra Ultraviolet Lithography (EUV) designed to "extend Moore's Law." It'll also help reduce the cost of future silicon, since it'll enable the companies to use wider silicon wafers along the manufacturing line. Given that Samsung's investment caps of a project to raise nearly $5 billion in cash and that ASML's home is just five miles west of PSV Eindhoven's stadium, we just hope they threw in a few home tickets for their trouble.
Samsung joins ASML's Customer Co-Investment Program for Innovation, completing the program
VELDHOVEN, Netherlands, Aug 27, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ASML Holding NV ASML +0.26% (amsterdam:ASML) announces today that Samsung Electronics has joined its Customer Co-Investment Program for Innovation and has committed to contribute EUR 276 million to ASML's research and development of next generation lithography technologies over five years. This completes the program, as the target for aggregate R&D funding commitments of EUR 1.38 billion has now been met. Samsung has also committed to invest EUR 503 million in a 3 percent ASML equity stake under the same general terms as the other program participants.
Under the Co-Investment Program, which was announced on July 9, 2012, ASML will accelerate the development of key lithography technologies needed to extend Moore's Law, notably Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. These technologies will benefit the entire industry, and will enable smarter, more powerful, more energy-efficient and cheaper electronic devices for consumers.
With the full program target of research and development funding committed under the Customer Co-Investment Program, ASML no longer plans to solicit the participation of additional customers. As part of the program, Intel, TSMC and Samsung will each acquire ASML shares, equal to an aggregate 23 percent minority equity stake in ASML for EUR 3.85 billion in cash. The entire cash proceeds of the share issuance will be returned to ASML shareholders (not including participating customers) through a synthetic buy-back. The shares to be issued to Intel, TSMC and Samsung will be non-voting except in exceptional circumstances.
As announced on 9 July 2012, ASML can issue new shares equivalent to 9.99% of its issued share capital to Intel as per the authorizations granted at ASML's 2012 Annual General Meeting of shareholders. The issuance of further shares in the Co-Investment Program to Intel, TSMC and Samsung, as well as the synthetic buyback, are subject to shareholder approval at the extraordinary meeting of shareholders scheduled for September 7, 2012.
Sony getting out of PC optical drive business due to 'fierce competition'
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 02:51 AM PDT
It's being reported that Sony is closing Optiarc Inc., its company subsidiary that manufactures optical disc drives for PCs. Officials are quoted as saying that "fierce competition" forced prices down, causing the business to operate at a loss despite controlling roughly 15 percent of the market. Operations will be wound up by March of next year, with around 400 employees being offered early retirement and others being moved to other parts of the business. Don't worry about the future of your Blu-Ray and DVD player just yet though -- the company will continue to manufacture both as part of its Device Solutions Division.
LG announces 27-inch Personal Smart TV ahead of IFA
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 02:18 AM PDT
No room in your apartment for LG's upcoming 84-inch monster? Don't worry, the Korean outfit has something in your size, as well. The company's TM2792 promises the same Cinema 3D passive glasses technology as its big brother in a more compact 27-inch frame. The tube also promises to play nice with your other devices, featuring a MHL and WiDi for screen and content sharing. No word on pricing yet, but LG says the Personal Smart TV should land in European markets this September. Hit the break for the official press release, or sit tight: LG is bound to reveal more at the TV's official IFA debut.
Seoul (Korea Newswire) August 26, 2012 04:08 PM -- LG Electronics (LG) unveiled its newest premier TM2792 Personal Smart TV at IFA 2012 in Berlin. The ultimate entertainment platform, the TM2792 allows users to enjoy a vast array of innovative features including LG Smart TV functionality, CINEMA 3D and CINEMA SCREEN Design, while providing amazing picture quality with IPS technology.
The refined aesthetics of the TM2792 are designed to cement LG's Personal Smart TV as best-in-class. A finalist in the 2012 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), the TV is a perfect complement for a sleek, modern interior, and will instantly become a coveted design centerpiece. Adding value to any space, the understated elegance of the CINEMA SCREEN Design minimizes visual distractions with an extremely narrow bezel, providing a captivating viewing experience with optimal comfort. The TM2792 creates the perfect environment for immersive 3D viewing anywhere in the home.
"The TM2792 is an exceptional TV, offering an engaging, cinema-quality viewing experience that allows users to immerse themselves in a vast and customizable world of content," said J.J. Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Business Unit of LG Home Entertainment Company. "Our top-of-the-line Personal Smart TV takes entertainment to the next level, whether it's watching a video recorded on a smartphone, a favorite classic movie or anything else in between."
SmartShare, the gateway to external devices on the Home Dashboard, allows users to browse and share files with laptops, smartphones and external hard drives. Screen sharing is possible with the Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) and Intel's Wireless Display (WiDi). With MHL, users can display photos and play games from their smartphone on the Personal Smart TV while the phone is charging. WiDi makes wireless screen sharing with laptops more convenient than ever and with DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct, content stored on smart devices can easily be accessed and shared.
LG's widely acclaimed motion and wheel controlled Magic Remote allows easier navigation of content on LG's user-friendly Home Dashboard. LG offers unlimited access to content via Video on Demand (VOD), 3D World, Game World, LG Smart World (LG Apps), and the Social Center. All this content is conveniently accessible via the Home Dashboard, which can be navigated using the Magic Remote or alternatively, with a mouse and keyboard.
In-plane switching (IPS) technology is utilized in the TM2792 Personal Smart TV for an absorbing and highly detailed home entertainment experience. IPS produces more lifelike images, reducing eye fatigue with increased viewing angles. Popular VOD films or family-favorite homemade videos can all be viewed in Full HD quality without any color distortion when viewed sitting, standing, or lying in any position.
The TM2792 comes with LG's CINEMA 3D technology offering an unmatched level of comfort with lightweight, battery-free glasses that are also certified flicker-free ? further reducing strain on the eyes. 3D Sound Zooming enhances the 3D experience by simulating the movement of sound in correlation to the movement of images on the screen. What's more, without turning on the PC, users can connect a keyboard and mouse to the Personal Smart TV and navigate the Home Dashboard for a full web-surfing experience.
TM2792 will be offered in European markets starting in September.
Dropbox two-step login verification available in experimental build, coming to all accounts soon
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 01:39 AM PDT
Following up on its promise to tighten account security following a recent breach, Dropbox is now offering two-step login authentication to users who install the service's latest experimental desktop build. The team says the functionality will roll out to all users in the coming days, but listed full instructions to forum users who just can't wait. Those who op-in only need to download a new version of the Dropbox desktop software and activate the feature in their account settings. Once set up, Dropbox will require all unrecognized machines to provide a code, culled from an authenticator app or received via text message. The firm also provides an emergency back-up code that'll disable the feature should you lose your phone. Feeling insecure? Check out the source link below to get started.
Samsung teasing Series 5 Hybrid PC announcement at IFA
Posted: 27 Aug 2012 12:43 AM PDT
While we fritter away our hours sharing cat pictures on Facebook, Samsung prefers to issue forth teasers for its forthcoming products. The latest is the above snap, raising hopes that its Series 5 Hybrid PC will be formally announced a teutonic trade show IFA this week. The 11-inch Transformer-esque device features a tablet that's magnetically-attached to a keyboard dock, running "full" Windows 8 on Intel's Clover Trail x86 architecture. In addition to Redmond's newest OS, it'll use native versions of the S-Pen apps we've used on the Galaxy Note 10.1, although it's probably too much to hope that it'll be able to make calls like its cousin.
Fuji Electric releasing first coin-operated EV fast charger, gives electric cars extra life
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:56 PM PDT
Fuji Electric Retail Systems Co. is no stranger to flipping coins for profit, thanks to a robust lineup of vending machines such as the A011. The Japanese company, however, has also branched out from dispensing hot and cold drinks for change by supplementing its offerings with a different kind of juice. Meet the FRCM00CK -- the industry's first coin-operated fast charger for electric vehicles, according to Fuji Electric. The charger measures 300mm wide, 400mm deep, 1,210mm tall and tips the scale at 41 kilograms. It also doesn't take paper currency, limiting its appetite to coins in ¥10, ¥50, ¥100 and ¥500 denominations. The machine's product page doesn't give specifics about how long it takes to charge vehicles but says it can provide a maximum charging time of 60 minutes. Incidentally, Fuji Electric's US site states that its FRC series of EV chargers can completely power up a 25 kWh electric vehicle battery in about 60 minutes. The coin-operated charger will cost ¥600,000 or about $7,600 and is slated for a 2012 release. Some may argue that it doesn't have quite the geek cool of the Roto-A-Matic or the WiFi vending machine. Still, the FRCM00CK is decidedly more electric.
Lenovo's 9-inch IdeaTab A2109 shows up at Best Buy, flaunts Tegra 3, $300 price tag
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:02 PM PDT
Lenovo's upcoming IdeaTab A2109 didn't drop in on the FCC with its seven-inch brother, but that hasn't stopped it from reaching stores. The nine-inch device appears to be in stock on Best Buy's online store, offering 16GB of storage, an NVIDA Tegra 3 processor and a standard serving of Ice Cream Sandwich for $299. The slate isn't just available for order, either -- according to Best Buy's stock locator, it can be found in brick and mortar stores too. The A2107, on the other hand, isn't so readily available, but we'll let you know when Lenovo lets it come out to play.
[Thanks, Justin]
beIN Sport USA soccer channel comes to Comcast, DirecTV and Dish Network
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 10:13 PM PDT
While most of us have spent the last few weeks preparing for the return of North American-style football (get our NFL Pick 'Em league info here), soccer fans in the US and France have been tracking the sudden rise of international TV network beIN Sport. Operated out of Qatar by Al Jazeera, beIN Sport USA has snagged the exclusive broadcast rights to Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1, South American World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America 2015, plus the away games for the US national men's team in their qualifying rounds. The bad news for those interested in viewing the games is that until just recently, there were no carriers for the channel, although DirecTV (which also recently added BBC America HD for Doctor Who fans) and Dish have subsequently added it to a few tiers. Most recently, Comcast announced the channel's availability on its Spanish MultiLatino package and for English viewers on the Xfinity TV Sports Entertainment lineup, with access also available via internet streaming. It appears Fox and ESPN have a new challenger at least for broadcast rights to soccer, and beIN Sport has expressed interest into other arenas as well, which could see it become a newer version of the now-defunct Worldsport HD channel for fans of sports that are more popular outside the US.
Comcast To Carry SPORT, America's Only 24-Hour International Sports Network
Xfinity TV Customers to Receive Network on TV, On Demand, Online and on Mobile Devices
MIAMI, Aug. 23, 2012 – beIN SPORT, the new independent 24-hour global network dedicated to live and exclusive coverage of the world's best international sports, today announced it will be carried on Xfinity TV by Comcast, one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information, and communications products and services.
Among the exciting sports programming that Xfinity TV customers can only find on beIN SPORT is coverage of all the top soccer leagues and tournaments from Europe and South America, including games from Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, France's Ligue 1, South American World Cup Qualifiers and Copa America 2015. The network will also carry the away games for the U.S. men's national soccer team in the qualifying rounds of the 2014 World Cup.
Adding to Comcast's leadership in offering the most live sports on television and online, beIN SPORT will be available in Spanish on the Xfinity TV MultiLatino Package and in English on the Xfinity TV Sports Entertainment Package. Availability of both channels will vary by market. In addition to its linear TV networks, select beIN SPORT content will be available on demand via Comcast's Xfinity On Demand platform. Live matches carried on beIN SPORT's linear networks, along with additional live matches, will also be available to authenticated Comcast Xfinity TV customers via Comcast's online and mobile TV Everywhere platforms.
"beIN SPORT lets viewers be in the game and feel they can be in the international sports community. This is original and exclusive programming fans are clamoring for on one destination channel," said Yousef Al Obaidly, managing director of beIN SPORT. "We have more live games from each league that are exclusive to our network than any other content provider. Once Comcast's Xfinity TV customers experience beIN SPORT, we know they will be thrilled with the electrifying stars and unmatched play of international competition."
About beIN SPORT
beIN SPORT, the English-language 24/7 international sports network, is the multi-platform sports destination that brings to the passionate fan all the live game action, news and analysis of the top leagues around the planet, as well as exclusive and never available-before content. From American, European and Latin American live games to general sports news and in-depth analysis, beIN SPORT guarantees first row access to top leagues and major sports properties through TV, on-line and mobile platforms with games that can't be seen on any other channel. For more information, please visit www.beinsport.tv and follow us on Twitter @beINSport1USA for breaking news and real-time updates.
Google Nexus 7 overclocked to 2GHz, punches well above its weight
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 09:25 PM PDT
The stock Nexus 7 peaks at a 1.3GHz clock speed when it's at full burn. That's certainly good enough for the $199 price tag, but eager adopters have just hit a new record in trying to wring out even more of a bang for the buck. Courtesy of a custom Elite kernel from XDA-Developers' Clemsyn, the Tegra 3 in the mini tablet will scale all the way to a heady 2GHz. You'd be right in suspecting that it leads to some dramatic speed boosts: the Nexus 7 at this pace can put a Transformer Prime to shame in common benchmarks, let alone most smartphones. Reaching the loftier heights of performance does require nerves of steel, however. The Elite kernel is very much a rough build that the creator doesn't yet trust with the public, and NVIDIA's processor is already known to get toasty under significantly added stress. There's hope a refined kernel will make for a safer venture into unknown territory. If you can't wait to throw at least some caution (and the warranty) to the wind, though, hit the second source link for code that will reach a slightly less melt-prone 1.8GHz.
Samsung unveils Galaxy Player 5.8, pockets everywhere brace for impact
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 09:15 PM PDT
We hope you wear baggy pants, because you're going to want big pockets to carry Samsung's giant new jukebox. The Galaxy Player 5.8 is dominated by its namesake 5.8-inch, 960 x 540 LCD -- a screen that makes the 4.8-inch AMOLED on the closely related Galaxy S III look downright modest by comparison. Android 4.0 and the latest generation of TouchWiz make their first appearances in a Samsung media player here, with the spin naturally on books and movies instead of the tasks you'd associate with a smartphone. You're otherwise looking at the kind of media player you'd expect in 2012: there's either 16GB or 32GB of built-in storage, a microSD slot, a front VGA camera for those face-to-face sessions and a huge 2,500mAh battery to compensate for the display. We're still waiting on a few details, such as the exact processor and the Galaxy Player 5.8's launch schedule, although the announcement's timing suggests we may get a peek at this behemoth when IFA 2012 kicks off later this week. In the meantime, we'd advise against buying a pair of skinny jeans.
Nexus 7 checks off Spain, Germany and France on availability chart, sells for a premium
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 08:29 PM PDT
Google Play quietly updated its device availability page over the weekend, making the Nexus 7 available to Germany, France and Spain. Patient Europeans can now pick up Mountain View's seven-inch wonderkind's 8GB and 16GB models for €199 and €249, respectively. Conversion rates comparatively price the slate at about $248 and $311, meaning the new markets will have to suffer a small premium for the slate. Worse still, is that not all of Google Play's services are available worldwide, with both Play Music and Magazines retaining US exclusivity. If you can bear with the inconveniences, however, one fine little tablet awaits.
How would you change the Pantech Burst?
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 07:39 PM PDT
While ZTE and Huawei commence an assault on the high end of the market, companies like Pantech are nipping in behind to hoover up the budget space. When we reviewed the Pantech Burst, it was $50 on contract, but now can be picked up for $0.99. What do you get for less than a dollar? Stellar battery life (for an LTE phone), performance that easily matched a Samsung Skyrocket and LG Nitro HD more than compensate for its flaky capacitive buttons and weak camera. But, does the price justify turning a blind eye to its flaws? For a handset that costs less than a decent cup of coffee, what would you really change?
Scientists investigating AI-based traffic control, so we can only blame the jams on ourselves
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 06:09 PM PDT
Ever found yourself stuck at the lights convinced that whatever is controlling these things is just trying to test your patience, and that you could do a better job? Well, turns out you might -- at least partly -- be right. Researchers at the University of Southampton have just revealed that they are investigating the use of artificial intelligence-based traffic lights, with the hope that it could be used in next-generation road signals. The research uses video games and simulations to assess different traffic control systems, and apparently us humans do a pretty good job. The team at Southampton hope that they will be to emulate this human-like approach with new "machine learning" software. With cars already being tested out with WiFi, mobile connectivity and GPS on board for accident prevention, a system such as this could certainly have a lot of data to tap into. There's no indication as to when we might see a real world trial, but at least we're reminded, for once, that as a race we're not quite able to be replaced by robotic overlords entirely.
Scientists investigate using artificial intelligence for next-generation traffic control
AI technology is being tested to control traffic lights
Researchers at the University of Southampton are investigating the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for controlling traffic lights.
The development of artificial intelligence-based approaches to junction control is one of many new and promising technologies that can make better use of existing urban and road capacity, while reducing the environmental impacts of road traffic.
The research carried out by the University of Southampton team has used computer games and simulations to investigate what makes good traffic control. This work has shown that – given the right conditions – humans are excellent at controlling the traffic and can perform significantly better than the existing urban traffic control computers in use today.
This was tested for the BBC's 'One Show' programme, where presenter Marty Jopson controlled a 'real traffic light junction at the InnovITS proving ground using a laptop, while 30 volunteer drivers tried to negotiate the junction. Watch the programme here (Item at 18.00) – http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01m6958/The_One_Show_23_08_2012/
Dr Simon Box of the University of Southampton Transportation Research Group adds: "The demonstration carried out at innovITS Advance indicates that the human brain, carefully employed, can be an extremely effective traffic control computer. In our research we aim to be able to emulate this approach in a new kind of software that can provide significant benefits in improving the efficiency of traffic flow, hence improving road space utilisation, reducing journey times and potentially, improving fuel efficiency."
The Southampton researchers have now developed 'machine learning' traffic control computers that can learn how to control the lights like a human would and even learn their own improved strategies through experience.
"In transport research we are always looking ahead, and we can consider a future where all vehicles are equipped with WiFi and GPS and can transmit their positions to signalized junctions," explains Dr Box. "This opens the way to the use of artificial intelligence approaches to traffic control such as machine learning."
The research was originally funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is currently continuing under Technology Strategy Board funding, with Siemens as an industrial partner.
Refresh Roundup: week of August 20th, 2012
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 05:14 PM PDT
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging for an update. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery we could find during the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy!
Official Android updates
- Motorola RAZR: Good news for RAZR and RAZR Maxx owners in Europe, as the Android 4.0 update is now available for over-the-air download. The same is also true in Canada, as Rogers Wireless has made the update available to its subscribers. [Android Central, Mobile Syrup]
- Rogers Wireless: The Canadian carrier has come clean regarding its Android 4.0 deployment schedule, which includes an early September arrival of Ice Cream Sandwich for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9 and the Sony Xperia Mini Pro. Not to stop there, the carrier has just made Android 4.0 available for the Sony Xperia Arc and Arc S. [Android Central, Rogers Wireless]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 LTE: Ice Cream Sandwich is now available in South Korea for the LTE variant of this tablet. [Sammy Hub]
- HTC One S: Users in Germany and the Netherlands are seeing a rollout of Android 4.0.4 for the HTC One S, an update that also brings Sense 4.1 along for the ride. What's more, the latest software brings a new version of the camera app and manages to squash a few bugs along the way. [PhoneArena]
- Samsung Epic 4G Touch: A small software patch is now available for the Galaxy S II on Sprint that's said to bring battery life improvements. [Android Central]
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Along with a new batch of S Pen apps, owners of Samsung's latest tablet will also find a new system update that's ripe for the picking. It brings the ability to format the microSD card and a widget for S Note. [Android Authority]
- HTC One V: Bell Mobility subscribers can now find a software refresh that's available for HTC's entry-level smartphone. Most importantly, the update resolves a bug that'd caused a SIM card detection failure. Additionally, users will be rewarded with a more responsive internet search experience and functional navigation within the music widget. [MobileSyrup]
- Samsung Galaxy Exhibit 4G: Formerly known as the Exhibit II 4G, this smartphone for T-Mobile is now eligible for an update from Samsung's Kies service that's said to bring stability improvements and bug fixes. [Android Police]
Unofficial Android updates, custom ROMs and misc. hackery
- AOKP: The first Jellybean-based milestone of this popular custom ROM is now available for many smartphones and tablets. Among the supported devices, you'll find the Nexus 7, Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy S III for T-Mobile. [RootzWiki]
- MIUI: Not to be outdone, the MIUI team has released the first of its Jellybean ROMs. Currently, support is limited to the Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S. [TalkAndroid]
- Samsung Captivate Glide: A pre-release version of Android 4.0 is now lurking in the wild for this QWERTY slider on AT&T. [Thanks Josue and Raj] [xda-developers]
- Samsung Galaxy S III: A pre-release build of Jellybean for T-Mobile's variant is now lurking in the wild. A word of warning, however, as users are reporting that Google Now and WiFi calling are currently misbehaving. [Thanks, anonymous] [xda-developers]
- Sony: The launcher of the Xperia GX for NTT DoCoMo has been ported to the Xperia Mini, Xperia Mini Pro, Xperia Active and Xperia Ray. As is, however, much of the user interface has yet to be translated -- hope you can read Japanese! [xda-developers]
- Dell Streak 7: Looking to give this 7-inch tablet a taste of Jellybean? Well, you're in luck, as an unofficial port of CyanogenMod 10 is now available for consumption. You'll need to contend with some annoying exclusions, however, as the camera and sound are currently non-functional. [Pocketables]
Other platforms
- RIM: BlackBerry OS 7.1.0.649 has leaked for the Bold 9900, Bold 9930, Bold 9790, Curve 9360, Torch 9850 and Porsche Design P'9981. [CrackBerry]
Refreshes we covered this week
- Samsung adds more S-Pen friendly apps for British Galaxy Note 10.1 users
- HTC Thunderbolt, Droid Incredible 2 go back to the future with leaked Ice Cream Sandwich ROMs
- Sony's Ice Cream Sandwich rollout now in final stages for 2011 Xperia devices
- Motorola Xyboard WiFi, Verizon 4G models get Android 4.0 updates
WiFi alliance begins Tunneled Direct Link Setup certification, hopes to improve media streaming
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 03:47 PM PDT
You can thank the WiFi alliance for a number of things, and soon you can add TDLS to that list. That's Tunneled Direct Link Setup, if you were wondering, and it's a standard for creating direct links between devices. If this sounds familiar, that's understandable, but TDLS has its own tricks, like working in the background of a network to optimize performance, and it can even work over a WiFi Direct connection. For example two compliant devices can measure the signal strength on the network, and determine if a direct link would be better or not. TDLS also allows devices to communicate at the fastest standard available (802.11b / g / n etc.) even if this is superior to that available on the rest of your hardware. As this is a client-based protocol, you won't need to upgrade your access point either. If this hasn't got implications for better media streaming written all over it, we don't know what has. Especially as the certification is available to TVs, tablets, phones, cameras and gaming devices. There's only a handful of test products sporting the official approval at this time, but with names such as Broadcom, Marvell and Realtek in the mix, it shouldn't be long before it starts finding its way into front rooms and pockets proper.
Wi-Fi Alliance® now certifying Tunneled Direct Link Setup
Certified devices form higher-performance links to support video and other demanding applications
AUSTIN, TX, August 23, 2012 - The Wi-Fi Alliance® today announced that it has launched the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ TDLS program. TDLS (Tunneled Direct Link Setup) devices are able to automatically create a secure, direct link between them after accessing the Wi-Fi® network, removing the need to transmit data through the access point. In today's Wi-Fi networks, faced with increased traffic and more demanding applications, TDLS links between devices improve overall network performance, reduce latency caused by heavy AP traffic, and avoid interference, thereby improving the user experience.
The new certification program will provide networks and users with the following benefits:
Increased performance: TDLS links optimize the performance of applications running over Wi-Fi networks by avoiding delays caused by queuing and congestion through an AP
Ease of use: TDLS links are formed automatically, with no user action required to set them up
Optimized communication: TDLS-linked devices are able to communicate using the highest-performance technology common to them, even if the network's AP only supports a lower-bandwidth form of Wi-Fi
Highest available security: TDLS links are protected by the highest level of security supported by both devices, even if the network's AP does not support that level of security
Power saving mechanisms: When battery-operated devices participate in a TDLS link, they can take advantage of advanced mechanisms to save power
"The new TDLS certification program will improve the user experience with advanced applications such as media streaming, without requiring user intervention," said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance. "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED TDLS is another example of how Wi-Fi technology keeps pace with the evolving demands of the marketplace."
The certification is only for client devices, such as tablets, handsets, notebooks, and consumer electronics. TDLS-certified devices can operate over Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n technology, as well as previous versions of Wi-Fi. It is not necessary to upgrade to a new AP in order to benefit from TDLS features. TDLS-certified devices are suitable for use in both enterprise and consumer networks.
Although TDLS forms a direct link between two client devices, TDLS is not the same as, nor does it replace, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct™. TDLS operates in the background of a Wi-Fi network to optimize performance, while Wi-Fi Direct-certified devices can quickly connect to one another while on the go, even when a Wi-Fi network is unavailable. Many devices will be certified for both solutions and use them in different situations.
The first products to be designated Wi-Fi CERTIFIED TDLS, and which form the test suite for the certification program, are:
Broadcom® Dual-Band 11n Half MiniPCI
Marvell® Avastar® 88W8787 Wireless Chipset
Ralink® 802.11 a/b/g/n Dual Band Station
Realtek® 2X2 a/b/g/n miniCard Reference Design
More information on Wi-Fi CERTIFIED programs, a list of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED products, technical specifications, white papers, and more is available at www.wi-fi.org.
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 02:30 PM PDT
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
If widespread rumors hold true, the coming weeks will see two of the most successful tablet vendors invade each other's screen size turf. Apple, which once rebuked the 7-inch tablet as unfit for normally proportioned human hands, appears ready to try its own hand at an iPad rumored to be on the larger side of the 7- to 8-inch range. Amazon, which lagged its bookselling rival Barnes & Noble in bringing out a color tablet, stands ready to introduce an infernal successor to the Kindle Fire that may include a display that is close to 9-inches or larger.
It's not quite the first ride along the screen size escalator for either company. For Apple, a smaller iPad would fill in the iOS screen size gap between the iPhone and iPad. For Amazon, also rumored to be working on a phone, a larger color tablet would revisit the ground it explored to lackluster results with the Kindle DX. That product hasn't kept up with even e-paper-based e-readers with advances such as touchscreens and side-lighting, both of which are found in the latest Nook Simple Nook.
While the pricing rivalry between the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet drummed up interest in the 7-inch tablet category and the performance of the Nexus 7 advanced it, Apple -- due in part to the iPad's global presence versus these competitors -- has remained high atop the tablet market. Indeed, Amazon's success in the color tablet market stems not only from the product's low price relative to most other tablets regardless of screen size, but also its staking out of a market segment that Apple seemed reluctant to pursue.
Apple's introduction of an "iPad mini" would turn up the heat on the Kindle Fire but Amazon could still likely beat Apple on price. The tougher challenge for the online retailer will be taking Apple on in the larger screen sizes where few companies have scratched the retinal surface of the iPad's volume. Here, too, Amazon will likely undercut Apple, but that strategy has not been very effective for a host of Android-based competitors, and it became an even more challenging task when Apple kept the iPad 2 in the market at $399. Not only that, but those tablets have had full access to Android Market and its successor Google Play, which includes a far greater selection of apps than Amazon's Appstore for Android.
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But, as is well-understood these days, this battleground would not be among four devices but rather (at least) two ecosystems -- one driven by Apple's mature app library, another by Amazon's content and services anchored in Amazon Prime. Amazon's recent delivery of its Instant Video app for the iPad mitigates some of the Kindle Fire's advantage in a large screen size, but helps to prime the pump for what the company can do in a larger-format color Kindle Fire focused on content consumption and it would help keep the tablet atop Android-based competitors. In addition, a larger format Kindle Fire could have appeal to Amazon's avid reader customer base looking for a better platform on which to view magazines.
Apple, on the other hand, would be sure to use compatibility with tens of thousands of optimized iPad apps running on its newly minted iOS 6 to differentiate a smaller iPad from a host of other smaller tablets. It would also create an opportunity to deliver the iPad experience at a lower price. Such a product could also offer a richer alternative to the iPod touch, which has lost some of its appeal versus the iPhone as Apple's smartphone has proliferated to many more carriers since its days of AT&T exclusivity.
The releases would mark the last salvos from the market leader and an aggressive niche-carver before the onslaught of competition from Windows 8, which seeks to redefine the tablet experience by gluing it on to the full PC capabilities of a desktop environment. They will also put more pressure on other Android tablets which, despite the success that Google has seen taking a page from the Kindle Fire's e-book, continue to struggle on the whole.
Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is principal analyst at Reticle Research, an advisory firm focused on consumer technology. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 01:31 PM PDT
Before Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace came back to the theaters earlier this year converted for 3D, the plan was to bring the other five movies to theaters one at a time each year, but that has apparently changed. At the Star Wars Celebration VI event in Orlando (where we first found out about the Blu-ray release two years ago) Lucasfilm announced that Episodes II and III in 3D will be released in theaters back to back in fall of 2013, arriving September 20th and October 11th, respectively. Missing so far from the announcement? A reason for the back-to-back release or any word on Blu-ray 3D plans. In lieu of more details, although it means Attack of the Clones will come back later in the year than Phantom Menace did, with any luck this accelerated schedule is a good omen for the original trilogy's return. Of course, we'll have to wait and see what magic can be worked with those older film and special effects elements, however IGN apparently found an early preview of the Episode II 3D footage to be promising.
[Thanks, Rachael]
Blue Microphones Tiki USB microphone review: a thumbdrive-sized mic for mobile recording
Posted: 26 Aug 2012 01:00 PM PDT
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In recent years, mobile and compact recording gear has, like so many other gadget types, become smaller and smaller in stature. We've seen add-ons for smartphones and tablets that aren't much larger than a quarter, along with mobile mics that boast USB compatibility. The Blue Microphones Tiki continues the trend, offering the same premium aesthetics we've come to expect from the company, along with top-notch audio quality. The Tiki is said to perform at its best with Skype-style video chats and voice recording, thanks in part to an intelligent mute and noise isolation features.
Let's be honest, though. Purchasing a USB microphone for the sole purpose of video chatting will be a tough sell for most folks. People like podcasters will expect a bit more functionality from a peripheral like this. Luckily, the unit boasts a "Natural Recording Mode" that promises instrument-tracking capabilities as well. But does the Tiki handle online banter, voice recording and guitar sounds well enough to warrant a $60 purchase? And exactly how smart is the intelligent mute? Read on to see what we discovered when we gave this flash drive-sized microphone the full-on review treatment.
Hardware
The folks at Blue know a thing or two about building stellar audio devices. From the modest Snowball all the way up to the Yeti Pro, the company's lineup of microphones boasts solid build quality, and the Tiki is no exception. The mic is wrapped in a 3-inch-long metal housing much like some of the older, pricier USB models in Blue's stable. As we've mentioned, the entire device is about the size of a thumbdrive -- the requisite connector sits on one end while a mode selector "button" lives on the opposite side. We use quotation marks because while you do press it to toggle between the Intelligent Speech and Natural Recording modes, there's really no button, per se -- you push in one end of the unit to make said change and the diminutive panel only flexes the slightest bit. Let's put it this way: color-specific mode lights are the only real feedback as to whether you've switched to the second option.
The folks at Blue know a thing or two about building stellar audio devices.
Speaking of lights, the mic implements the aforementioned LED status indicator, which lights up in different colors depending on the mic's status. With Intelligent Speech enabled, for instance, it glows orange when muted and changes to blue when it begins to pick up speech sounds. Conversely, the status light glows purple when the Natural Recording option is selected. Colored indicators are a nice touch, but we'd also like to see a physical mute switch somewhere on the unit's exterior. If this were present, we'd have an easy way of making sure our sudden coughing fits didn't end up muddying our tracks. Also included is a dock and extended USB cable for those instances when you'd rather have a bit of space between your machine and the mic -- you know, conversations with multiple persons on your end of the call and what not.
Internally, the unit carries two custom condenser capsules that are fine-tuned with advanced digital signal processing (DSP). The duo ensures that the best sound mix is captured and then sent on to your Skype pals or tracked for further processing. A pair of microphones in the kit also means that a second person can be seated across the table and be heard just as well on the recording or video call. Captured audio is CD-quality -- 16-bit, 44.1k at 40Hz-20kHz which served our talks and informal guitar-tracking sessions quite well.
Software and setup
As we've said, Blue claims that the Tiki's best working scenario is as a sidekick for Skype video chats. We'd say that's about right. While we wouldn't necessarily recommend buying this just for the occasional video conference, it handles this type of task quite well. As far as tracking instruments or other audio with the Natural Recording mode goes, GarageBand served our purposes just fine. With just a few clicks, we were ready to track some acoustic guitar licks with no glaring issues.
The Tiki is very much a plug-and-play device.
Setup was a breeze. Like many of the mobile recording gadgets that we've handled in the past, the Tiki is very much a plug-and-play device. There are no drivers or device-specific apps that you'll need to download in order to get started. As long and you have Skype, GarageBand or the compatible application of your choice already installed, you'll be good to go. Of course, once the mic is connected you'll need to adjust the chosen software's preferences in order to capture audio from the Tiki and not the built-in audio device on your computer.
General use and sound quality
Thanks to the plug-and-play nature of the Tiki, using it is a pleasure. We didn't encounter any performance hiccups or issues with connectivity when we plugged it directly into a laptop, or when we used the bundled dock / extended cable. While noise cancellation and voice isolation work as advertised, the Intelligent Mute feature leaves a lot to be desired. The Tiki picked up our keystrokes, mouse clicks and even the shutter of our NEX-C3 during the unboxing. Things like clearing your throat and tapping your fingers on the desk might well flip the status light to blue. In order to get a reliable mute on the tracks, we had to make use of those features offered by Skype and GarageBand, providing a stronger case for our built-in button request.
The mic was able to detect the hum from our MacBook Pro's fan.
Ambient noise was never an issue except for one memorable instance. The Tiki did well not to pick up street noise or the sound of a nearby A/C unit. We did notice, however, that the mic was able to detect the hum from our MacBook Pro's fan. This happened while we were recording with the mic plugged directly into the USB port (listen to the audio clip below to hear what we're talking about). Granted, this can easily be remedied by using the dock / extended cable to add some buffer. Speaking of range, you'll want to make sure you stay an arm's length or so away from the Tiki when recording for the best results. Moving more than two or three feet away compromises volume and overall quality of the captured tracks. This may seem like common sense, but in fact the range isn't on par with more expensive USB mics, which are capable of capturing sound across an entire room.
To be honest, we were pleasantly surprised overall by the Tiki's capture abilities. Naturally, this shouldn't be your go-to mic if you're looking to do more than Skype or record a quick demo while on the road. The sound quality is well-rounded in terms of tone and highs, while mids and lows are all adequately represented when tracking vocals (read: speaking, we'll spare the universe from our mediocre Jack White attempts) and instruments. As you can hear in the samples above, the unit provides a better EQ'd raw recording than the Apogee MiC, which lacks a bit of bass unless you make some post-tracking adjustments. You'll notice that the MiC didn't pick up our laptop's fan -- thanks in part to it not being situated so close to the computer. Both of the tracks were recorded with a 1961 Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar captured by GarageBand on a MacBook Pro and feature no post-production tweaks to the EQ or anything else. We did, however, adjust the volume so that both tracks would play back at nearly the same level, though both mics were the same distance away from the J-45 each time. The MiC did provide a crisper, clearer track than the Tiki despite its reliance on predominantly mids and highs for the undoctored captures.
The competition
For the price, you'd be hard pressed to find an all-in-one USB mic like the Tiki that will greatly outperform it or carry a truckload of additional specs. It's no secret that plenty of microphones exist for mobile tracking purposes, but they usually come with a larger hit to the ol' wallet. The Apogee MiC is a solid alternative that comes with a desktop stand, onboard gain control and compatibility with iOS devices. Of course, these perks come with a $199 price tag and the mic lacks a built-in mute switch and captures raw sound that could use a boost on the low-end EQ.
It would be difficult to find an all-in-one USB mic with better performance or specs at this price.
For those with budgets not much larger than the $60 required to snag the Tiki, Blue's Snowball mic has been the choice of podcasters for quite some time now. The $99 offering also includes a tabletop stand and can be paired with an iPad, provided you also buy Apple's $29 Camera Connection Kit that allows USB connection though the slate's dock / charger port. If your goal is having the option of mobile podcasting / tracking using the third-generation iPad, you can do said recording here for about twice as much.
If you're not in too big of a hurry, Blue's Spark Digital was announced back at CES. This particular model will feature the same dual compatibility as the Apogee MiC (iOS and USB) and will include a desktop stand right out of the box. It'll also carry the same price, as far as we know -- the $200 figure was included in the original announcement. Here's the kicker: there's no word on exactly when the Spark Digital will hit shelves, so there's also no indication as to how long you'll have to hold out.
Wrap-up
All in all, we were pleasantly surprised by the Tiki's performance. Going in, we expected this miniature USB microphone to perform well below the likes of the Apogee MiC -- a competitor that costs more than twice as much with a longer list of specs. As pleased as we are, though, we'd like the kit even more if the Intelligent Mute mode were a bit smarter and if it had a physical mute button. Other than the range and those slight muting issues, the Tiki works as advertised, handling Skype chats and acoustic instrument recording with aplomb. If you're looking to do a bit of informal tracking or video chatting while on the road, this mic will serve you well while fitting nicely in a pocket of your rucksack. However, if you want to eventually turn those tracks into something a little more polished, you'll want to shell out more coin on a higher-end piece of kit.
Thanks to Nick Wiley for providing the guitar licks used in the audio samples for this review.
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