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Engadget News |
- Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues
- Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012
- Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter
- Amazon begins renting paper textbooks
- Microsoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just a click away
- Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones
- FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)
- Stitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker
- Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours
- Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!
- Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 1pm ET!
- AT&T Mobile Share plans to be available beginning August 23rd
- ARM's eight-core Mali GPUs promise 'dramatic' boost to mobile graphics
- HTC Sense 4.1 reportedly leaked with custom ROM, One X owners taste the future
- Phosphor Touch Time reinvents the digital watch, asks for Kickstarter cash (video)
- Quad-core Galaxy Note 10.1 source code wastes no time, available now
- Redbox, Sony extend distribution deal, keep the movies flowing with no delays
- Hold the presses! Amazon UK selling more e-books than printed ones
- Valve reportedly preparing second-generation Source engine, kinda explains the Episode Three delay
- Huawei working with British spy service to prove its 'kit' is clean
- Lego Curiosity Mars rover explores barren surface of Kennedy Space Center (video)
- Voice assistant 'Nina' lets any app obey commands, makes speech your password
- Next-gen Xiaomi Phone outed by certifications ahead of launch, will again come in three variants (updated)
- Unannounced HP tablet glimpsed in official picture (again), could be Slate 8
- Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 coming worldwide this month, UI shown off on YouTube
- Bluetooth dock adapter Pear disappears from Kickstarter, founders promise return under new name
- Bloomberg: Nokia will announce Windows Phone 8 handsets at Nokia World next month
- Prototype heart monitor collar could let sheep text their shepherd, tattle on creeping wolves
- NASA's Curiosity Mars landing successful, first pictures trickling in (video)
- New construction at Apple's North Carolina data center poses for aerial photographs
- Visualized: this motion compensated tool prototype will haunt your dreams
- Stone Spray research project wants to print bridges with sand, solar power
- Watch NASA's Curiosity rover touch down on Mars, live at 1:30AM EDT
- Refresh Roundup: week of July 30th, 2012
- Verizon's HopeLine app for Android provides resources and support for victims of domestic violence
- Cell-infused 'spray-on-skin' helps leg ulcers heal more quickly
- Switched On: Shedding Dead Skins
- eBay Now to offer same-day shipping from local stores, launching iOS beta in San Francisco
- Army seeking proposals for casualty-carrying UAVs
| Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:11 AM PDT Right alongside iOS 6 beta 4, Apple has also pushed out beta 4 software for its Apple TV -- useful for "testing AirPlay for iOS apps," according to the company. Not surprising, actually, considering that a bit of the polish from the former relied on updates to the latter. It's available as we speak to registered developers, and it promises to fix a number of niggles involving restarts while using the Remote app, the wrong resolution being displayed on one's HDTV, and a Photo Stream quirk that prevented some images from loading. The bullet-point breakdown is hosted up after the break.
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| Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:04 AM PDT Right around 20 days after iOS 6 beta 3 was beamed out to developers, beta 4 is now making its way into those same hands via an OTA download. We've just confirmed that the files are indeed being pushed out, with the changelog showing fixes related to Facebook integration, the Address Book, authorization statues, and Apple TV / Bonjour workflows. You'll also get a patched-up Dictionary, iTunes and Maps, amongst other things. The entire list of updates is embedded after the break, but we'd recommend a stiff cup of coffee before trying to digest 'em all. Update: For the eagle-eyed, yes, this update does indeed remove the YouTube app from the iOS homescreen. If you're out of the loop, Google owns YouTube. And Apple hasn't shied away from doing its best to distance iOS from Googlefied apps... iOS SDK Release Notes for iOS 6 beta 4 Important: This is a preliminary document for an API or technology in development. Although this document has been reviewed for technical accuracy, it is not final. This Apple confidential information is for use only by registered members of the applicable Apple Developer program. Apple is supplying this confidential information to help you plan for the adoption of the technologies and programming interfaces described herein. This information is subject to change, and software implemented according to this document should be tested with final operating system software and final documentation. Newer versions of this document may be provided with future seeds of the API or technology. Introduction iOS SDK 6.0 provides support for developing iOS apps, and it includes the complete set of Xcode tools, compilers, and frameworks for creating apps for iOS and OS X. These tools include the Xcode IDE and the Instruments analysis tool, among many others. With this software you can develop apps for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 6. You can also test your apps using the included iOS Simulator, which supports iOS 6. iOS SDK 6.0 requires a Mac computer running OS X 10.7.4 or higher (Lion). This version of iOS is intended for installation only on devices registered with Apple's Developer Program. Attempting to install this version of iOS in an unauthorized manner could put your device in an unusable state. For more information and additional support resources, visit http://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/. Bug Reporting To report any bugs not mentioned in the "Notes and Known Issues" section, please use the Apple Bug Reporter on the Apple Developer website (http://developer.apple.com/bugreporter/). Additionally, you may discuss these issues and iOS SDK 6 in the Apple Developer Forums:http://devforums.apple.com. You can get more information about iCloud for Developers at http://developer.apple.com/icloud. Notes and Known Issues The following issues relate to using iOS SDK 6.0 to develop code. Accounts Framework Address Book As of iOS 6 beta 3, when you start a coordinated read operation on a file or package for which you already have a local version, the coordinated read will be granted as soon as possible, and the new version, if any, will download in the background. This call will block for downloading reasons only if you do not have any version of the file available locally. Additionally, when the file is conflicted, the iCloud daemon will not wait until it has all the conflict losers of the file available to make the file available to your app. It will make the different versions of the conflicted file available as soon as it can. Your app can use the existing file coordination and theUIDocument callbacks to be notified when the conflict losers have been downloaded and are available. iTunes ACFacebookAppIdKey Status Bar Apps with table views in their nib or storyboard files, and that were built using previous versions of iOS 6 beta, will require a clean build with beta 3 and newer. initWithFrame:CGRectMake(0,0,contentWidth,contentHeight)]; // DON'T change contentView's translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints, Pure auto layout approach: UIScrollView *scrollView = [[UIScrollView alloc] init]; UIImageView *imageView = [[UIImageView alloc] init]; [self.view addSubview:scrollView];
scrollView.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = NO;
NSDictionary *viewsDictionary = NSDictionaryOfVariableBindings(scrollView,imageView); [self.view addConstraints:[NSLayoutConstraint constraintsWithVisualFormat:@"V:|[scrollView]|" options:0 metrics: 0 viewsDictionary:viewsDictionary]]; [scrollView addConstraints:[NSLayoutConstraint constraintsWithVisualFormat:@"H:|[imageView]|" options:0 metrics: 0 viewsDictionary:viewsDictionary]]; [scrollView addConstraints:[NSLayoutConstraint constraintsWithVisualFormat:@"V:|[imageView]|" options:0 metrics: 0 viewsDictionary:viewsDictionary]]; | OddHeightView | OtherFixedHeightView EvenHeightView.bottom (or baseline) == OtherFixedHeightView.bottom (or baseline) | OddWidthView | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012 Posted: 06 Aug 2012 11:00 AM PDT  Welcome to Engadget's back to school hub for 2012! With the payment plan locked in for tuition and fees, you're now free to spend on the fun stuff, and we're here to help! Throughout August, we'll be posting three guides each week, covering all of the categories you see represented below. Whether you're dropping a few grand or pinching pennies when it comes to tech, we've got the gear for you. Each guide includes three sections, organized by price, letting you make the best picks while staying within budget. Then, after after you see the very last guide go live at the end of the month, we'll be drawing the names of 15 lucky readers -- each will head back to campus this fall with a bag of gadgets stuffed to the brim! For now, click on over to our available category pages, and stay tuned for those to come -- identified by a faded graphic for now.
Note: You may enter our back to school contest on the giveaway page, and at each of the category pages listed above as well. Comments left on this page will not be considered, however. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google Chrome claims one-third of global browser share, according to StatCounter Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:50 AM PDT Google's Senior Vice President of Chrome & Apps Sundar Pichai confirmed to the crowd back at D10 that Chrome browser use was soaring -- particularly in the consumer space -- and StatCounter's latest data most definitely backs that up. The newest report, ending July 2012, shows the Chrome creeping up to 33.8 percent worldwide from 32.8 percent in June. Internet Explorer is sitting at 32 percent, while Firefox is seen slipping a bit to 23.7 percent; meanwhile, Apple's Safari picks up the Participation Award with 7.1 percent. As The Next Web points out, it's also worth nothing that Chrome is doing particularly well in Europe, South America and Asia, while IE is still charging in the UK, US and Down Under. Granted, StatCounter is hardly the end-all when it comes to browser usage; that said, it's definitely useful to get a general idea of which browsers are moving in which direction, and it's certainly astonishing to see a piece of software that didn't exist four years ago already claiming such a significant piece of the pie. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amazon begins renting paper textbooks Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:42 AM PDT Amazon has been renting out Kindle editions of textbooks for sometime now, but not all the educational tomes you need may be available in electronic form. And, believe it or not, some people just plain prefer paper to E-ink -- especially since its much easier to take notes in the margins. Now many of the more expensive texts on the site also feature a rent option. Most are in the $30 to $60 range and are rented by the semester, which Amazon counts as 130 days. Should you need it for a bit longer, you can extend your rental period by 15 days, but only once. On the plus side, Amazon will pay for the shipping on the return of the books. For more info, check out the FAQ at the source. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft's Office Store now open for business, productivity-boosting apps just a click away Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:23 AM PDT You've known it was coming, and today the doors to Microsoft's Office Store were flung wide open. In short, it's a newfangled portal that enables avid Office and SharePoint users to search for, discover and install apps. Users will need a Microsoft account and the preview version of Office, SharePoint or Exchange in order to start diving in. Naturally, Microsoft has built a pretty stout control system for administrators, and it has also crafted an internal distribution mechanism in SharePoint called the App Catalog -- a tool that "allows enterprises to build in-house apps or source them from partners and distribute them to employees within the organization." Looking to see what it's all around? Head over to the Store and click entirely too many of those "Try It" buttons. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget's back to school guide 2012: smartphones Posted: 06 Aug 2012 10:00 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 tapping away on our brand-new smartphones -- 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 August we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- you can hit up the hub page right here!  It's a good time to be a student. Last year, there were some solid picks, but it was still very clear that those willing to scrimp and save a little longer had a much better experience. This year, it's a people's revolution. Thanks to cutthroat competition, there are some exceptional phones out there, even for those of you hoping to avoid eating ramen noodles for a month. Software has taken a leap forward too, with many phones now offering a vital way to remember when that term paper is due... or to procrastinate at the pub. We have nine choices of phones in our shortlist, spread out across three categories to serve everyone from the I-just-need-a-phone freshman to the overloaded doctoral candidate. While you're eying the selection, don't forget to enter our giveaway and potentially ease the burden -- who knows, you may get a phone you want rather than the one dictated by your student loan.  Prepaid / Budget
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 | If it weren't for the need to (normally) use AT&T or T-Mobile instead of a low-cost carrier, this would be in the budget category. It's that much of a value. While the Galaxy Nexus is now strictly middling in terms of processing power, having the world's first Android 4.1 phone for this kind of off-contract price more than makes up for the difference. The new OS makes it exceptionally responsive, and Google Now will help you find out just how late you'll be to class if you miss the bus. |
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 | HTC Droid Incredible 4G LTE Some will decry the smaller screen, down-clocked 1.2GHz chip and the lack of burst photography versus the One S at T-Mobile -- fair enough. But the lower price, better-quality display and LTE make this the more tempting mid-range phone. You'll still get a top-notch rear camera, a smartly customized Android 4.0 build and traditional expansion via a microSD slot. $150 on Verizon |  | Motorola Atrix HD Outside of the battery life, the Atrix HD is a great value for the money: it's mating a 4.5-inch, high-quality display with a fast 1.5GHz processor, all at half the contract price of similar-spec handsets. Motorola has also smartly scaled back the customization to let Android 4.0 shine brighter. If you like the aesthetic of Google's new hardware brand, it's a winner. $100 on AT&T |
Money's no object
 | Now that it's just $100 on a contract, the One X just edges out its Samsung rival as our pick for the top end. Yes, it sheds the removable battery and microSD slot -- we know the impact. But the One X delivers a leaner interface, higher build quality and arguably the best display of any phone, all at half the up-front price of its peers. Performance (both in the 1.5GHz chip and LTE data) is top-notch, and the 8MP camera enjoys both longer burst shots as well as a simpler, faster interface for capturing Frosh Week escapades. |
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 | Samsung Galaxy S III Don't worry, we still like what the Galaxy S III has to offer. A gigantic and beautiful 4.8-inch screen, a fast 1.5GHz processor with 2GB of RAM and all the removable expansion you'd like make it a go-to device for Android fans. The best part is knowing that you don't have to think much about your carrier: all the majors are offering it largely unchanged, so you don't have to compromise to get your Galaxy fix. $200-280 on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon |  | Apple iPhone 4S While it's likely going to be replaced partway into the fall semester, the iPhone 4S is still a pleasing pick even several months into its lifecycle. Get over the small 3.5-inch screen; the 4S is surprisingly fast, and it has what's still considered the gold standard for 8MP cameras. Siri may be quirky too, but it's handy for reminding yourself to study for that next exam. $199-399 on Apple |
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 1, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 2 begins at 1PM ET on August 1, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 3 begins at 12PM ET on August 3, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 4 begins at 12PM ET on August 6, 2012 and ends at 12PM ET on September 7, 2012.
Entry Period 5 begins at 12PM ET on August 8, 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.
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Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, 770 Broadway, Attn: J. Turi, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by September 30, 2012.
comments
FiOS TV app for Samsung HDTVs and Blu-ray players available with 26 live channels (video)
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:44 AM PDT
While we saw cable and IPTV providers promising pay-TV channels without a box (at least in that room) at CES 2012 we were skeptical, since we've been burned before, but now Verizon FiOS TV has followed up the launch of its app on Xbox 360 by quietly releasing the version for Samsung's Smart TVs and Blu-ray players. Like the Xbox 360 app of course, you will need to already be a Verizon FiOS TV customer, so if it's not in your area you're still out of luck. One of our readers noticed the app pop up on his 2011 model Samsung HDTV, and Verizon just posted a quick video trailer (embedded after the break) previewing the app's ability to tune into 26 live channels, as well as FlexView video on-demand content. Tipster ProphetBeal noted the channel changes seemed quicker than on the Xbox 360 app, although they were otherwise very similar. There's a few more screens awaiting you at the source link, as well as a list of compatible devices.
[Thanks, ProphetBeal]
Stitcher List burrows into Radio app, gets you in the loop quicker
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:30 AM PDT
Like web peanut butter, the Stitcher List site is a tasty way to find popular radio streams but was begging to be stirred into the chocolate of the main Stitcher Radio app. Luckily, that confection is now done and can be downloaded in iOS or Android flavors from each platform's store. The list addition lets you see popular podcasts or streams ranked in their category's top 50; new programs trending fast; and the most popular shows on social media. All that will work together with the main app, which serves up internet radio choices based on your personal fancies -- and of course, will still let your friends admire your software-enhanced sense of taste via Twitter.
Maingear introduces Vybe, a 15-inch notebook that's ready to go in 48 hours
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT
Need a super-spec gaming notebook in a hurry? Maingear's new Vybe laptops should be right up your street. Once ordered, the pre-built units can leave the company's New Jersey HQ in under 48 hours, packed to the gills with all the options you'd expect from the company. The range is packing Ivy Bridge CPUs, Kepler-running GeForce 650M or 660M with 2GB RAM and a 1080p, LED-backlit matte (matte!) finish display. The four options available are laid out in a table after the break -- but rest that itchy mouse finger a moment more, as while the base "Good" and "Better" systems are available from today, you'll have to wait until August 17th if you're looking for the "Best" or "Ultimate," the latter setting you back $1,999.
| Good | Better | Best | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core i5 3360M | Core i7 3520M | Core i7 3720QM | Core i7 3820QM |
| 8GB DDR3-1333 | 8GB DDR3-1333 | 8GB DDR3-1600 | 16GB DDR3-1600 |
| GeForce 650M 2GB | GeForce 650M 2GB | GeForce 660M 2GB | GeForce 660M 2GB |
| 500GB SATA | 750GB SATA | 128GB SSD | 256GB SSD |
| 750GB SATA | 750GB SATA | ||
| $1,099 | $1,299 | $1,599 | $1,999 |
MAINGEAR INTRODUCES NEW VYBE 15 QUICKSHIP NOTEBOOK
MAINGEAR offers customers a 15-inch notebook with four pre-built options that ships within 24-48 hours
Kenilworth, New Jersey – August 6, 2012 - MAINGEAR, an award-winning PC system builder offering custom desktops, notebooks, and workstations heeds the desires of customers who have been asking for a notebook that offers the latest mobile technology that can also ship quickly with the new VYBE 15 notebook.
The all new MAINGEAR VYBE 15 is MAINGEAR's first 15-inch quickship notebook that offers four different pre-configured systems with different performance and price ranges for customers to select from, that ships in 24-48 hours of order confirmation. The selection of good, better, best and ultimate systems utilizes the best mobile technology available today, including 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ processors and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 2GB GDDR5 or GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5 (Kepler, 28nm) graphics with Optimus technology to provide a rich 3D experience when you need it, yet deliver the power-sipping savings of integrated video when you don't. These machines rank among the best business laptops and all purpose notebooks available, and come with zero bloat ware to boot.
The MAINGEAR VYBE 15 also keeps to the MAINGEAR minimalist sleek design with a clean silver exterior, while offering a full 1080P HD LED-backlit matte finish display that offers reduced glare for crisp graphics and high definition media. Not only will your eyes be sated, but your ears will be pleasantly surprised with the premium sound from four speakers with TruStudio Pro Sound to deliver the richest mobile sound state on the market. Movies, music and games come alive with full and clear sound to accompany stunning visuals. The VYBE 15 also offers many other features such as a Multi-touch Trackpad with on/off capabilities, full-size keyboard and number pad, 1.3MP Webcam, DVD burner, mSATA SSD options up to 256GB, and up to 16GB DDR3-1600MHz Corsair Dominator memory. Ports include HDMI, VGA, Gold-plated Headphone and Mic Jacks, Multi-card reader, 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, and 10/100/1000 Ethernet.
The four different VYBE 15 quickship systems options that are pre-built will have the key core components:
VYBE 15 – Good:
Core i5 3360M
8GB DDR3-1333 Corsair
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 2GB GDDR5
500GB 7200rpm SATA
$1,099 Available Now
VYBE 15 - Better:
Core i7 3520M
8GB DDR3-1333 Corsair Vengeance
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 2GB GDDR5
750GB 7200rpm SATA
$1,299 Available Now
VYBE 15 - Best:
Core i7 3720QM
8GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5
128GB mSATA SSD Crucial M4
750GB 7200rpm SATA
$1,599 Shipping August 17th
VYBE 15 - Ultimate:
Core i7 3820QM
16GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2GB GDDR5
256GB mSATA SSD Crucial M4
750GB 7200rpm SATA
$1,999
Shipping August 17th
"The new MAINGEAR VYBE 15 offers the best of mobile technology that can ship within 24-48 hours", said Wallace Santos, CEO and Co-founder of MAINGEAR Computers. "This notebook is perfect for college students that want to game or business users that need a system for everyday use that can also be used for entertainment."
"With the Intel's mobile processors in MAINGEAR's VYBE 15, the machine offers a mobile PC performance that gives users what they are looking for; power and lightweight mobility with desktop-like performance." said Joakim Algstam, Gaming Segment Ecosystem Marketing Manager from Intel Corporation."
These systems come just in time for the back to school timeframe for students and parents to select from. Along with the VYBE 15 notebook, the VYBE desktop line has been also updated to be quickships as well offering four different pre-built configurations for customers to select from that fit their performance and budget needs. Check out the VYBE desktop quickships at: http://www.maingear.com/custom/computers/quickship.php
All of MAINGEAR products are supported with lifetime labor and phone support with one to three year hardware warranty. For more information about MAINGEAR's VYBE 15 notebook, click www.maingear.com/VYBE15
Engadget's back to school 2012 sweepstakes: win one of 15 gadget-filled bags!
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 09:00 AM PDT
Ready to pack away the swim trunks and sunscreen and head back to school? If you're a lucky winner of our annual back to school sweepstakes, you'll surely be itching to make the return to campus. With last year's contest deemed an incredible success, we're stepping up the offering for 2012, adding higher-end devices in almost every category. There's an Ultrabook from HP, Sony's new mirrorless camera and a Samsung Galaxy S III, just to name a few. If your name is drawn, we'll be shipping you an overstuffed Engadget-branded Timbuk2 messenger bag, filled with prizes worth more than $3,000 in all. And to increase your chances of winning, we'll be giving away a total of 15 identical bags! That means 15 laptops, 15 cameras, 15 smartphones and 15 very happy Engadget readers. So what are you waiting for? Jump past the break to see the prizes, and be sure to enter in the comments below, and another 14 times on each of our back to school category pages, launching throughout the month.
To reiterate, all of the giveaways will be identical, so feel free to enter by leaving a comment at each of our back to school posts (not including the back to school hub). (Note: you'll only be allowed to win once and multiple comments on a single post will not increase your chances of winning.) Please confirm that your Disqus account includes an email address as well -- that's how we'll be contacting the winners. Good luck!
Laptop
 | There's no shortage of Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks to choose from this season, and HP's 14-inch Envy is among the best-equipped. This super-slim model packs a 14-inch display, 4 gigs of RAM and a battery that promises to keep you going for up to eight hours on a single charge, giving you plenty of time to surf the web during lectures and catch a flick once you're home. |
Digital Camera
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Tablet
 | An Ultrabook will get you connected when you're able to grab a table and chair, but how will you keep in contact as you queue up for class or hang out on the quad? Samsung's latest Tab delivers seven inches of Ice Cream Sandwich in a package that weighs just 0.76 pounds. It also serves as a universal remote, courtesy of the Smart Remote app and built-in IR blaster. |
Smartphone
Smartphones don't get much better than this. Samsung's Galaxy S III has made its way to the US, and it's sure to be one of the hottest devices on campus. This AT&T model offers up to 9.2 hours of browsing and talk time and LTE connectivity -- assuming, of course, that it's available on campus. There's also an 8-megapixel camera with plenty of software enhancements, including Samsung's S Beam app for sharing content with other S III owners with a tap. |  |
E-reader
 | Tablets and smartphones can sub in for good ol' paper in small doses, but if you plan to spend an afternoon reading by the rec center pool you're gonna need a Nook. Barnes & Noble's latest e-reader offers a unique backlight feature to boot, letting you catch up on Cuckoo's Nest while your roommate's fast asleep. |
Headphones
With a few earbud options bundled with your other BTS devices, we figured you might appreciate some full-size cans as well. Denmark-based AiAiAi's Capital headphones are manufactured to withstand the rigors of college life (along with snow and rain), thanks to a reinforced fiberglass shell and foldable design. |  |
Hard drive
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 | You have a laptop with USB 3.0, so you're going to need a hard drive to go with it. Western Digital's My Passport is small enough to stay with you, and USB 2.0 compatibility means you'll be able to transfer docs between your own computer and those aging machines in the lab. It's also equipped with hardware encryption, so you can keep those party pics away from prying eyes. |
Laptop bag
Made in San Francisco, Timbuk2's new Commute Messenger has made its way to the company's customize tool, and we've built one just for you! Your TSA-compliant bag will arrive with blue fabric and an embroidered Engadget logo front and center. You won't want to carry all your winnings around campus, but it'll certainly accommodate all of the essentials. |  |
Accessories
 | Flying Alarm Clock Getting out of bed is never fun, but waking up can be. When this alarm sounds, it launches a propeller-equipped key, which you'll need to pop back in place before you can snooze. $20 on ThinkGeek |
| AOC 16-inch USB Monitor With power outlets often few and far between, you'll love the convenience of a USB-powered external display. This 15.6-inch AOC LED panel will effectively double your desktop. $120 on Amazon |
 | Spotify Premium (1-Year) Spotify has enjoyed a very successful first year in the US, and its streaming music service remains one of the best. You'll receive a subscription code, valid for a full year. $120 |  | Satechi Energy Station You should be covered for a full day on campus, but it's never a bad idea to carry some backup juice. Satechi's 10,000 mAh Portable Energy Station will charge you up, and fast. $60 on Amazon |
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 | Edifier Tick Tock We hate to say it, but it's only a matter of time before your Flying Alarm Clock takes to the air for the very last time. When that time comes, Tick Tock will get you up, with Bluetooth audio to boot. $52 on Amazon |
| Satechi 12-port USB Hub That AOC monitor is certainly slick, but you'll need two USB ports to power it up. For those times when an outlet's nearby, this powered hub's got your back -- it'll deliver 12 ports of data and juice. $30 on Amazon |
 | NuForce Cube AiAiAi will keep you jammin' solo, but how will you share those tunes with your friends? This portable speaker packs big sound in a tiny Cube and offers up to eight hours of playback with each USB-fueled charge. $119 on Amazon |  | Withings WiFi Scale Freshman 15? Yup, it's quite real. Thanks to on-board WiFi and social media integration, your friends can watch you grow in realtime, padding the surprise before you head back home for the holidays. $159 on Amazon |
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 | Powermat 24-Hour System Inductive charging on campus? Perhaps if you bring your own. Duracell's Powermat 24-Hour Power System ships with the standard mat and iPhone case, but also adds a 1,850 mAh battery to boost your juice away from home. $100 on Amazon |
 | Carbonite Backup (1-Year) There's a terabyte of capacity on your WD hard drive, but backing up to the cloud is never a bad idea. Carbonite's here to get you started with a year of completely automated backups and unlimited storage. $59 |
 | AViiQ Ready Clips Replacing ink with electronic exams and note taking? You can fill those unused pen slots with Ready Clips, which are roughly the size of a standard writing implement. Mini and micro-USB are supported, as is Apple's 30-pin dock connector. $11 and up from Amazon |  | Targus Defcon 1 Now that you have a bag full of toys, you'll need a way to keep them secure. Targus' Defcon 1 lock includes a retractable cable, four-digit combination and an audible alarm that activates if someone cuts the restraint. $36 on Amazon |
Do we have your attention? Now, assuming you're a legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec), and you're over 18, all you need to do is read through our official rules (down below) and leave a comment. Make sure the email address on your Disqus account is correct, since that's how we'll be getting in touch. And again, don't worry if you don't win this time around, as we'll be hosting a total of 15 identical giveaways over the next month -- yes, that really does mean complete back to school kits for 15 of you! You'll be able to enter in the comments section on each of our back to school posts, including those from earlier this week. Good luck!
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.
Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release, defend indemnify and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action, including without limitation, any third party claim, arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities' liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney's fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
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.
Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, 770 Broadway, Attn: J. Turi, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by September 30, 2012.
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Listen to the Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 1pm ET!
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:37 AM PDT
While Curiosity was floating through space on its way to Mars, the Engadget Mobile Podcast offered up a whopping total of 33 episodes. But even though it has successfully landed on the Red Planet we'll still continue to provide you with the latest and greatest topics in the world we live in -- that being the world of wireless, of course! Join Myriam and Brad for the Engadget Mobile Podcast this afternoon.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
AT&T Mobile Share plans to be available beginning August 23rd
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:21 AM PDT
AT&T announced Mobile Share, its shared data plans, a couple weeks ago with the promise that they would arrive sometime in August. The carrier has finally confirmed the specific date: August 23rd. To catch up on exactly what these plans entail, read our lengthy analysis and see if it makes sense for you to move over.
ARM's eight-core Mali GPUs promise 'dramatic' boost to mobile graphics
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 08:00 AM PDT
The current flagship for ARM's mobile graphics technology is undoubtedly the Galaxy S III, which contains a quad-core Mali 400 GPU and delivers some wild benchmark scores. By the end of this year though, we should see a whole new generation of Malis -- not just a Mali 450 for mid-range handsets, but also the quad-core T604 and the eight-core T658, which are based on ARM's Midgard architecture and are taking forever to come to market. Now, to whet our appetites even further, ARM has just added three more variants of the chip to its roster, which can almost be considered the next-next-generation: the quad-core T624, and the T628 and T678, which are both scalable up to eight cores.
The trio's headline feature is that they promise to deliver at least 50 percent more performance with the same silicon area and power draw, with the explicit aim of delivering "console-class gaming," 4K and even 8K video workloads, as well as buttery 60fps user interfaces in phones, tablets and smart TVs. The premium T678 is aimed at tablets specifically, and in addition to allowing up to eight cores also doubles the number of math-crunching ALUs per core, which means that its compute performance (measured in gigaflops) is actually quadrupled compared to the T624. However, there's one other, subtler change which could turn out to be equally important -- read on for more.
So, what is that secondary improvement? It's ARM's curious decision to dedicate a small section of silicon (two percent, in fact) solely to running a new graphical compression codec, which the company has designed in-house and handed over Khronos as an open standard. The codec -- called Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC) -- is all about stopping the "fragmentation of standards" that game and app developers have to deal with. Currently, a developer has to choose different codecs to achieve different levels of texture compression for different platforms: for example, they might choose an 8-bit-per-pixel codec for desktop and then an entirely separate 4-bit-per-pixel codec for mobile. ASTC will put an end to all that, ARM claims, by supporting all manner of textures, color standards and bit-rates, and thereby becoming the "the new standard" which has "no competitors." This remains to be seen, of course, but somewhere on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK, and audible only to coders who know what an 8-bit HDR BPTC texture is, a gauntlet may have just hit the floor.
ARM LAUNCHES SECOND GENERATION OF MALI-T600 GRAPHICS PROCESSORS DRIVING IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE FOR TABLETS, SMARTPHONES AND SMART-TVs
New technology extends ARM leadership in GPU compute and graphics processing
LOS ANGELES, USA, SIGGRAPH 2012 – 6 AUGUST 2012 - ARM today announced the second generation of the ARM® Mali™-T600 Series graphics processing units (GPUs), providing a dramatically improved user experience for tablets, smartphones and smart-TVs. Each of the products features a 50% performance increase* and are the first to include Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression (ASTC), a texture compression technique that originated from ARM. ASTC significantly optimizes GPU performance and increases battery life in devices, enabling an always-on, always-connected experience, and has now been adopted by the Khronos™ Group, an important industry consortium that focuses on open standards.
Based on the Mali Midgard architecture, the second generation of the Mali-T600 Series comprises three GPUs - the Mali-T624, Mali-T628 and Mali-T678. Each product has been tuned to provide optimal performance and energy-efficiency for different end devices. The Mali-T624 and Mali-T628 products provide market leading graphics and GPU compute to smartphones and smart-TVs, while the Mali-T678 has been optimized to address the demands of the rapidly growing tablet market.
ARM continues to invest in GPU compute capabilities by integrating the leadership that ARM has in the CPU space, with ARM Cortex™ processors, and applying it to the Mali GPU architecture. GPU compute enables greater control when balancing tasks between the CPU and GPU, allowing performance of the right task by the most efficient architecture. This enables improved energy-efficiency for current and new math intensive activities, such as:
• Computational photography: computational methods of enhancing or extending digital photography
• Multi perspective views – the ability to have multiple views from different positions
• Real-time photo editing on mobile devices – photo editing at your fingertips on your smartphone, tablet, etc
GPU compute also extends the range of use cases possible on mass-market mobile devices, allowing features like photo editing and video stabilization to be available in a wider range of consumer products.
"People expect higher standards of visual computing on their smartphones, tablets and smart-TVs with seamless access to their digital world and personal content," said Pete Hutton, General Manager, Media Processing Division, ARM. "GPU compute enables this as it increases the range of functions mobile devices can perform within the available battery life. ARM continues to focus on system-wide optimization by integrating market leading CPU and GPU technologies to drive both high performance and energy-efficiency."
"The newly announced Mali-T600 series is essential for graphic performance improvement, and also for the future strategy of GPU Computing,"said Mr. Mitsugu Naito, Executive Vice President, IP and Technology Development Unit, Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited. "Through our Subscription License with ARM for ARM IP products, we are able to share our product roadmap and deliver ARM based platform SoC promptly to our customers. The new Mali-T600 series will be added to our SoC development platform portfolio and we plan to adopt the Mali-T600 series into our products as a key IP solution to enable improved GPU computing."
"Increasingly, consumers are demanding similar performance across their connected devices to access their personal information and content. This improved user experience is demanded across a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets and smart-TVs," said Andrew Chang, Vice President, MediaTek. "MediaTek are working closely with ARM to ensure that we provide high-performance, energy-efficient solutions that address these demands. The second generation the ARM Mali-T600 GPU will allow us to address these markets through technology leadership in graphics and GPU compute."
"Innovation happening in smart connected devices is not only in the computing area but also in the graphic area where smartphone and tablet manufacturers are seeking differentiation for their products. This relies on leading edge and innovative technologies from SOC vendors like Nufront," said Rock Yang, VP Marketing, Nufront. "Nufront is focusing on mobile computing and communication SoC design, leveraging advanced technologies from ARM. Using advanced technologies, such as Adaptive Scalable Texture Compression featured in the second generation of Mali-T600 GPUs, we can address the demands of the market and provide significant benefits to device manufacturers."
"The performance and battery life requirements for smartphones, tablets, smart-TVs and other smart, connected devices are such that whilst a single energy-efficient architecture is suitable, GPU variants to address these markets are highly desirable," said Mr Chen Feng, Chief Marketing Officer, Rockchip. "We are please to extend our relationship with ARM and look forward to the advanced Rockchip solutions that will be enabled by the range of second generation Mali-T600 GPUs from ARM."
"An advanced visual computing experience is an expectation that most consumers have when they purchase a new smartphone, tablet or smart-TV," said Taehoon Kim, Vice President of System LSI marketing team, Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions. "It is therefore important that Samsung works with partners, such as ARM, to achieve technology leadership in areas that include advanced graphics and GPU compute. The next generation of the ARM Mali-T600 series GPU is an important introduction, and will help Samsung Exynos processor to address consumer demands."
*Each of the second generation Mali-T600 Series GPUs features a 50% performance increase compared to first generation Mali-T600 products (based on industry standard benchmarks) , on the same silicon process. This 50% increase has been facilitated by a combination of frequency improvements, such as optimizing the register transfer level (RTL) for increased performance, and micro-architectural improvements so that graphics are executed more efficiently.
The design of each new product addresses different performance points:
ARM Mali-T624/Mali-T628
The Mali-T624 GPU offers scalability from one to four cores, whilst the Mali-T628 from one to eight cores provides up to twice the graphics and GPU compute performance of the Mali-T624, extending the graphics potential for smartphones and smart-TVs. These products provide breathtaking graphical displays for advanced consumer applications, such as 3D graphics, visual computing and real time photo editing for smartphones and smart-TVs.
ARM Mali-T678
The ARM Mali-T678 GPU offers the highest GPU compute performance available in the Mali-T600 Series of products, delivering a four-fold increase when compared with the Mali-T624 GPU through features such as increased ALU support. This brings a wide range of performance points to address the vibrant tablet market. The Mali-T678 offers energy-efficient high-end visual computing applications, such as computational photography, multi perspective views and augmented reality.
What is ASTC?
ASTC supports a very wide range of pixel formats and bit rates, and enables significantly higher quality than most other formats currently in use. This allows the designer to use texture compression throughout the application, and to choose the optimal format and bit rate for each use case. This highly efficient texture compression standard reduces the already market-leading Mali GPU memory bandwidth and memory footprint even further, while extending mobile battery life.
All products are designed to support the following APIs; OpenGL® ES 1.1, OpenGL ES 2.0, OpenGL ES 3.0, DirectX 11 FL 9_3, DirectX® 11, OpenCL™ 1.1 Full Profile and Google Renderscript compute.
For more information about the second generation of ARM Mali-T600 Series GPUs, please click here.
HTC Sense 4.1 reportedly leaked with custom ROM, One X owners taste the future
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:27 AM PDT
It feels like just yesterday that we were getting acquainted with the back-to-basics ways of HTC's Sense 4.0. Well-known HTC phone modder Football doesn't want us to get comfy: he claims to have both obtained a leaked version of Sense 4.1's ROM Upgrade Utility (RUU) and folded it into the 2.2 update to his Maximus firmware for the international One X. While it's no Jelly Bean, the Maximus-tuned version of HTC's Android 4.0 flavor appears to give Sense a shot in the arm, taking care of lag in the launcher and live wallpapers in addition to delivering a healthy overall speed boost. That 0.1 numbering gives a good indication of just how light the visible feature set might be, though -- other than an existing update to substitute the virtual menu button for a long-press of the home key, the interface changes are mostly limited to dedicated buttons for switching browser tabs and between different cameras. It's no surprise that HTC hasn't said a word about its own plans; rumors of new One devices, however, can't help but fuel suspicions that Sense 4.1 is just around the bend.
Phosphor Touch Time reinvents the digital watch, asks for Kickstarter cash (video)
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 07:01 AM PDT
E-Ink watchmaker Phosphor thinks digital watches are a pretty neat idea. So much that it wants to reinvent the '80s staple for the modern era, so it's hired Nike+ designer Stefan Andren to design a touchscreen timepiece that doesn't need a smartphone. Touch Time has a backlit-LED, capacitive display that lets you swipe between faces and control a series of built-in apps. In addition to the usual alarm, stopwatch and world time, you'll get a calendar, reminder, calculator and it'll even track the phases of the moon. Since it doesn't need your smartphone for help, it'll run for a year on a single coin battery and is water resistant up to 30 meters. The first 200 backers can get one for $89, while $115 will buy you the pick of color straps -- and if you're really baller, you can get a recession-baiting $499 version that's dipped in 18-carat gold.
Quad-core Galaxy Note 10.1 source code wastes no time, available now
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:31 AM PDT
Appearing almost simultaneously alongside the Galaxy Note 10.1's launch itinerary, Samsung has offered up source code for both Korean iterations of the stylus-friendly slab. Ensuring custom ROM devs have very early access to the source should mean we're likely to see other software iterations (minus TouchWiz, perhaps) sooner rather than later. Developers can delve into the coding goodness below.
Redbox, Sony extend distribution deal, keep the movies flowing with no delays
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 06:02 AM PDT
While Redbox's parent company Coinstar rejoiced over earnings results that showed revenue growth that was partially due to last year's price hike, the kiosk movie renter had more good news after extending its DVD licensing deal with Sony Pictures. This means Redbox can rent Sony movies the same day they go on sale in stores and has the option to license Blu-ray movies as well through September 2014, when Sony will have the option of two one-year extensions. We'll still have to wait and see if it can work out an arrangement with Warner and Disney, and what its streaming service has to offer, but more new movies right away is always good.
Hold the presses! Amazon UK selling more e-books than printed ones
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:28 AM PDT
It's becoming a habit of Amazon's to report on the rise of the e-book at the expense of physical texts, and their latest announcement is no different. Sales figures show that in the UK, 114 Kindle purchases have been made for every 100 printed copies so far in 2012. A similar statistic was achieved in the US last year, but whether these are true indications of e-book supremacy is up for discussion. Free downloads were excluded from the tally, but those released via Kindle Direct Publishing without a paper twin were counted. The Guardian also notes that these are unaudited figures, so there may be a digit awry here or there. And with a few physical stores still around, there's no need to panic-buy that Kindle just yet.
UK readers now buying more Kindle books than print books on Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk announces digital milestone on 2nd anniversary of Kindle in the UK
Luxembourg – 6th August 2012 – Amazon.co.uk began selling paperback books in October 1998. Almost twelve years later in August 2010, Amazon.co.uk introduced the revolutionary Kindle and began selling Kindle books to customers in the UK. By May 2011, Kindle book sales had surpassed hardcover book sales, at a rate of more than 2 to 1. Today, two years after introducing Kindle to UK readers, Amazon.co.uk customers are now purchasing more Kindle books than all printed books – hardcover and paperback – combined.
"Customers in the UK are now choosing Kindle books more often than print books, even as our print business continues to grow. We hit this milestone in the US less than four years after introducing Kindle, so to reach this landmark after just two years in the UK is remarkable and shows how quickly UK readers are embracing Kindle," said Jorrit Van der Meulen, vice president, Kindle EU. "As a result of the success of Kindle, we're selling more books than ever before on behalf of authors and publishers. And thanks to Kindle Direct Publishing, thousands of self-published authors have also been given an outlet to share their work with the millions of Kindle readers worldwide."
Recent Kindle milestones include:
- So far in 2012, for every 100 print books Amazon.co.uk has sold, it has sold 114 Kindle books. This includes sales of hardcover and paperback books by Amazon.co.uk where there is no Kindle edition. Free Kindle books are excluded and if included would make the number even higher.
- With Kindle, readers read more. In the UK, we have seen that Kindle readers buy 4x the number of books they did prior to owning a Kindle. And, Kindle owners continue to buy physical books as well.
- Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) authors are benefitting from the success of Kindle, earning up to 70% royalties from the books they sell:
- 'Love...from both Sides' by KDP author Nick Spalding is one of the top 10 bestselling items of the last quarter at Amazon.co.uk. Spalding has sold almost 250,000 copies of his books at Amazon.co.uk.
- Rachel Abbott saw similar success in the first three months of the year. Her debut novel 'Only the Innocent' was one of the top 10bestselling items of the quarter at Amazon.co.uk.
- 'Locked In' by KDP author Kerry Wilkinson was the #1 bestselling book of the three months to Christmas 2011. Since he began self-publishing his books through KDP in July 2011, he has sold over 300,000 copies of his books to Kindle readers worldwide.
- Over the past year, there has been more than a 400% increase in independent UK authors and publishers using KDP to share their books with the millions of Kindle readers worldwide.
- EL James is the #1 bestselling author in the Kindle Store at Amazon.co.uk, having sold over two million Kindle books in just four months. Her print and Kindle sales combined make her the #1 bestselling author of all time at Amazon.co.uk, eclipsing JK Rowling's total sales. She is a former KDP author.
- The top 10 most popular authors of 2012 in the Amazon.co.uk Kindle Store are: EL James, Suzanne Collins, Stieg Larsson, James Patterson, Lee Child, Nick Spalding, S.J. Watson, George R.R Martin, Katia Lief and Kerry Wilkinson. Three of these bestsellers – Nick Spalding, Katia Lief and Kerry Wilkinson- are KDP authors.
Customers continue to choose Kindle because they love the world-class reading experience it offers. Kindle and Kindle Touch offer the most advanced electronic ink display which reads like real paper with no glare, even in bright sunlight. Readers also love the added convenience of downloading their books in just 60 seconds, anytime, anywhere.
The Kindle Store at Amazon.co.uk offers customers a vast selection of over one million books - including the most best-sellers in the UK - plus subscriptions to hundreds of popular newspapers, magazines and blogs. Customers will also find great prices. More than half a million Kindle books are £3.99 or less and there are regular promotions, including Kindle Daily Deal, which offers customers a great discount on one popular e-book a day. In addition, over one million free books, including many of the classics, are also available to download.
Kindle books are "Buy Once, Read Everywhere" with free Kindle reading apps available for the most popular devices, including iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC , Mac and Android-based devices.
Valve reportedly preparing second-generation Source engine, kinda explains the Episode Three delay
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 05:01 AM PDT
ValveTime has dug through the Source Filmmaker code to reveal references to "Source 2," reportedly a next-generation revamp of Valve's famous game engine. Given that the three major consoles are all due a refresh, it's unsurprising to see preparations being made. That said, however, the second (and major) launch title for the original Source was Half Life 2, so we're gonna be getting a complaint letter ready if we don't get some more time with Gordon, Alyx and Dog in a beautifully rendered future dystopia.
Huawei working with British spy service to prove its 'kit' is clean
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:28 AM PDT
Since Huawei's president formerly served as a senior engineer in the People's Liberation Army of China, it's unsurprising that it's raised the hackles of the US and other countries. It's been blocked from a variety of prime, security-sensitive contracts on suspicion of espionage, but the Chinese company seems bent on proving its honorable intentions, and has opened a "Cyber Security Evaluation Center" in Banbury, UK to do exactly that. According to the Economist, the company will work closely with GCHQ, the British signals-intelligence agency located in nearby Cheltenham, to persuade the UK and other governments that its equipment is trustworthy. It even has security-cleared staff, including some from the British agency, to shake down the gear and ensure it can't be exploited by spooks or crooks. Huawei already has hefty backbone contracts in Canada and New Zealand and is becoming one of the world's largest suppliers of telecom infrastructure, on top of its high ranking as a handset maker. It might hope this new approach will let it break its US and UK market logjam -- but it has a lot of pent-up distrust to overcome.
Lego Curiosity Mars rover explores barren surface of Kennedy Space Center (video)
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 04:03 AM PDT
If you want to do what NASA just did, except in Lego form, then look no further. NXT builders Doug Moran and Will Gorman put together this amazing working Curiosity rover that can happily roll around plastic terrains, searching for the answer to Bowie's questions. Four of the six wheels are powered, enabling the gear to make 360 degree turns, while a fully working arm and mast are controlled separately. Of course, nothing we can say could compare to seeing it in the flesh plastic, so head on past the break to see it in action.
Voice assistant 'Nina' lets any app obey commands, makes speech your password
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 03:38 AM PDT
Voice recognition technology from Nuance is all over the place -- in everything from Smart TVs to Beemers. But today, in response to the growth of device-specific voice assistants like Siri and S-Voice, the company wants to take things down a different route: launching a mobile SDK for iOS and Android that any third-party app can employ. Baptized "Nina," the voice assistant won't only be able to understand instructions, but will also identify the speaker using vocal biometrics. That means Nina could potentially pay a bill, arrange a bank transfer, book a vacation or even interact with government services without ever requiring you to enter a password. The video after the break shows just how intimate things could get -- assuming you're able to find a spot where the two of you won't be overheard.
Nuance Introduces Nina, the Virtual Assistant for Mobile Customer Service Apps
Nina is the First Virtual Assistant to Understand What is Said – And Who is Saying It;
First to Provide an Open SDK for Mobile App Developers
Burlington, MA – Nuance Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: NUAN) today introduced Nina, the virtual assistant for mobile customer service apps. With Nina, companies can quickly add speech-based virtual assistant capabilities to their existing iOS and Android mobile apps, greatly enhancing the self-service experience for their customers. Nina combines Nuance speech recognition, Text-to-Speech (TTS), voice biometrics, and Natural Language Understanding (NLU) technology hosted in the cloud to deliver an interactive user experience that not only understands what is said, but also can identify who is saying it.
Nina is significant because it is the first virtual assistant customer service app to incorporate both speech recognition and voice biometrics into a single integrated solution. Nina is also the first solution that provides an open software development kit (SDK) to support the rapid integration of virtual assistant capabilities into existing mobile applications. In addition, Nina is the first to allow organizations to brand their own virtual assistant persona, including the visual appearance and implementation of optional custom TTS voices.
"Nina is a watershed innovation for the automated customer service industry, not only because it brings the virtual assistant directly into an app, but because it raises the bar through its level of interactive dialog and language understanding," said Robert Weideman, executive vice president and general manager of the Nuance Enterprise Division. "Nina provides our customers a major competitive differentiator by enabling more successful self-service through their mobile app to deliver a premier mobile customer service experience to its users."
The Nina Virtual Assistant for customer service is comprised of:
- Nina Virtual Assistant Persona: Nina is a pre-made virtual assistant persona, which developers can leverage for their app, or use the available source code to quickly create a custom persona, including changing visual persona elements such as being awake, asleep, listening, processing, or answering a request. Nina also includes a range of existing Nuance text-to-speech voices, and Nuance can develop a custom TTS voice for an optional development fee.
- Nina Virtual Assistant SDK: To enable the rapid integration of virtual assistant capabilities into mobile apps for Apple iOS and Android, the Nina Virtual Assistant SDK has three components:
- Nina Core APIs – Binary APIs that provide access to the core cloud services, such as speech recognition, text to speech and NLU. This provides the most control and customization possible to the mobile app developer.
- Nina Virtual Assistant APIs – Source APIs that provide mobile app developers with access to customize the persona, as well as providing control of all modes of input, including speech recognition, text to speech and touch dialogs.
- Nina Reference Designs – Source code of Nina Virtual Assistant apps and functions, including the Nina Banking Assistant, deliver pre-designed templates and tasks for store location, bill pay, account information and change of address. Developers will be able to leverage the reference designs to rapidly develop their own virtual assistant capabilities for travel, insurance, retail, government and more.
- Nina Virtual Assistant Cloud: A Nuance hosted service that provides the power and intelligence to Nina, including Nuance's industry-leading speech recognition, TTS, NLU, interactive dialog management and voice biometrics services.
Availability
The Nina Virtual Assistant SDK and cloud service is available now from Nuance in US, UK and Australian English, with additional languages to be made available later this year. Nuance provides professional services in support of Nina and virtual assistant implementations.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 03:09 AM PDT
Having seen the next-gen Xiaomi Phone's more colorful yet rejected designs, we're rather baffled by these dull-looking certification images of the real deal. According to a filing from the good old TENAA, this new device from Xiaomi goes by the codename "2012051" and packs WCDMA radio, but that's pretty much it in terms of specs. Eagle-eyed readers may have already spotted the striking resemblance to the original Xiaomi Phone (aka MI-One Plus), but it appears to be getting an extra front-facing camera and, for some reason, a smaller speaker grill on the back. But wait, there's more! We dug up two additional models in the China Compulsory Certificate database: there's the "2012052" also with WCDMA radio, plus the "2012053" with CDMA2000/WCDMA dual radio.
Bearing in mind that the current Xiaomi Phone has three variants, our guess is that its successor will follow a similar pattern: the WCDMA flavor may again have a 1.5GHz version followed by a slower and cheaper version (much like what the Youth Edition aka MI-One is to the MI-One Plus); and depending on Xiaomi's arrangements with China Unicom and China Telecom, the CDMA flavor for the latter may or may not be launched alongside its WCDMA cousin. Let's hope for the best when this alleged quad-core phone gets announced next Thursday.
Update: Another possibility is that the design pictured above only applies to the lower-end model, which may just pack a dual-core chip (hopefully a Snapdragon S4). We shall see.
Unannounced HP tablet glimpsed in official picture (again), could be Slate 8
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:45 AM PDT
HP's Make it Matter site features a shot of a medical-type person using a mysterious device that's the spitting image of one we saw in July. While the company's made no secret of its plans for a Windows 8 tablet, it's yet to confirm if this is the Slate 8 or some other unannounced flagship. Given the context, perhaps this is an enterprise offering designed for corporate customers, or it could just as easily be the fever-dream of a Madison Avenue art director. If it's real, we'd expect a release around October 26th along with the rest of the Windows 8 cohort.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 coming worldwide this month, UI shown off on YouTube
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 02:14 AM PDT
We've got a good few updates rolling in on the Galaxy Note 10.1 front today. For starters, Samsung has announced that the S Pen equipped slate will available globally from August in WiFi and 3G varieties, with an LTE version coming later in the year. The press release and spec sheet after the break also confirm that the Note 10.1 will indeed possess a quad-core Exynos processor (alongside a 2GB dose of RAM), rather than the dual-core engine seen in our initial hands-on -- although we'd already gleaned that much from retailer listings. Finally, there's now an official video on YouTube showing off the tablet's interface, including a multi-screen function to make use of that stylus. Samsung's definitely pushing the productivity angle here, with the S Note / S Pen combo looking more like a publishing program than a doodle board. A sizeable and movable keyboard is also detailed, which should address the problem of landscape keys devouring screen space. Whether the UI runs on the new processor as swiftly and smoothly as the video suggests is unknown, but we'll sort the spin from the truth in our review coming very soon.
SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 10.1 AVAILABLE GLOBALLY IN AUGUST
Samsung inspires a culture of active content creation, productivity and learning
London UK, August 6 2012 – Samsung today announced the launch of the Galaxy Note 10.1, an extension of the Galaxy Note category. The Galaxy Note 10.1 offers the functionality and precision of a pen and paper on a 10.1-inch large display, which will enable people to amplify their creativity, productivity, and learning ability.
Providing an intuitive experience and armed with a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM for enhanced performance, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed to simplify the process of capturing ideas, accessing information and multi-tasking, making each easier and faster and allowing people to express their ideas in an efficient way.
Simon Stanford, Vice President, UK & IRE Telecommunications & Networks Division, Samsung UK and Ireland said: "Following the success of the very first Galaxy Note which we launched at the end of last year, we're delighted that our UK customers will now be able to experience the evolution of this device for themselves. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is a product we are very excited about and will offer our customers a new way to use and experience a tablet device. As well as being able to consume content such as videos, photos, document and the Internet, the Galaxy Note 10.1 also gives them the power to produce, create and customise that same content – something they won't get from any other product on the market."
The Galaxy Note 10.1 incorporates key intuitive features and capabilities such as side-by-side multitasking. This is thanks to its 'Multiscreen' on a 10.1-inch large screen; unique S Pen with a variety of S Note templates and productive tools (Shape Match and Formula Match); Learning Hub* for accessing educational curricula and Adobe's premium creative application Photoshop® Touch.
True Multi-Tasking with Multiscreen feature
With the Galaxy Note 10.1's Multiscreen feature, it's possible to use two different applications side-by-side simultaneously. So Web pages and videos can be viewed, or applications launched using one half of the screen, at the same time as the other half is used for writing or sketching ideas with the S Pen. What's more, customers can capture and crop images, and paste them onto the other screen to make personal notes. The Multiscreen feature allows people to be more productive and efficient whilst also enjoying multimedia content. Galaxy Note 10.1 brings a new culture of creation through the owner's own notes, and enables an entirely new experience to improve productivity and enjoyment.
S Pen & S Note for Personalised and Organised Note-taking
Featuring its advanced 6.5mm S Pen, the Galaxy Note 10.1 is optimised for the creation of personalised and expressive content in the most natural and intuitive way. The S Pen's feel and functionality are specifically designed for an optimal experience on the 10.1-inch screen. The S Pen is embedded directly in the device and, when removed, automatically launches specially optimised applications, including S Note, S Planner, Crayon physics, Adobe® Photoshop® Touch, and Polaris Office.
Alternatively, people can easily set their preferred application to be launched instantly. For example, S Note can be launched instantly when the S Pen is taken out from the device. Owners can also tap the screen twice while pressing the S Pen button for quick S Note access via the S Note-dedicated widget, which can be easily moved anywhere on the display, never hindering or obstructing creativity or productivity.
The S Note is a unique tool that enables notes and sketches to be combined with other digital content in ready-to-use templates. The Shape Match and Formula Match features help correct and digitise geometric shapes and solve numeric formulas hand-written with the S Pen. The S Note is also integrated with knowledge search engines so that content can be searched for and information obtained, and then easily drag and dropped onto S Notes without having to switch between screens. Exclusively pre-loaded on Galaxy Note 10.1, the Adobe® Photoshop® Touch application means owners can professionally edit photos with the ease and precision of the S Pen.
Active Learning Experience
The Galaxy Note 10.1 is an ideal learning tool that allows students to take notes directly on an eTextbook whilst in lectures, or research the Web at the same time as writing an essay. Samsung's Learning Hub service is optimised for Galaxy Note 10.1 allowing owners to access extensive multimedia educational content whatever their age. This content includes eTextbooks, video lectures, interactive coaching and much more, and can be shared with multiple Samsung devices. Furthermore, Learning Hub comes with a learning management system providing schedule management and performance and achievement management tools so students of any age can learn at their own pace.
Superior Hardware Performance
Galaxy Note 10.1 is designed with advanced hardware technology, including a 1.4GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of internal RAM. Seamless multi-tasking, high-standard graphics, and blazing-fast performance without any lag are essential features of the device. The Galaxy Note 10.1 also includes a 5- megapixel main camera and a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera.
Several other features have been added to the Galaxy Note 10.1, including Smart Stay, which tracks the owner's eye to ensure that the screen is always on while being looked at; and Pop Up Play, which allows a video to be watched anywhere on the screen while simultaneously running other tasks. With AllShare® Play, content can be shared with a large group in real-time by connecting the Galaxy Note 10.1 to Samsung HD TVs, mobile tablets, laptops, and other consumer electronic devices on the same network. With AllShare Group Cast, people can also share and collaborate on documents, presentations, or images without loading the files separately.
The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes in three connectivity options: WiFi-only and WiFi-and-3G HSPA-Plus connectivity, which are both available at launch, and WiFi-and-LTE which will be available later this year.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now
Bluetooth dock adapter Pear disappears from Kickstarter, founders promise return under new name
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:59 AM PDT
You might remember Pear, a recent Insert Coin debutant that connects your favorite iDevice dock to (almost) any Bluetooth-connected smartphone. However, you probably didn't notice its swift disappearance from Kickstarter just before the weekend. The people behind the project have contacted us, explaining that the crowdfunding site was hit with a cease and desist order for the dock converter, centering around a "trademark infringement issue." With its funding page down, Pear says it had no way to tell its supporters that product development would continue, albeit under a new name. Anyone that funded the project is advised to register at the source link below to keep up-to-date. The founders aim to return to Kickstarter in around 3-6 weeks, with several as-yet unannounced enhancements coming alongside a new logo and moniker -- something that it's going to task its backers with deciding.
Bloomberg: Nokia will announce Windows Phone 8 handsets at Nokia World next month
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 01:38 AM PDT
Bloomberg is reporting that, perhaps unsurprisingly, Nokia will bust out its Windows Phone 8 handsets at Nokia World 2012. The shows, which kick off September 5th, will tour various locations to drum up trade for the new kit. The news agency is also reporting that any revamped Lumia phones will be ready to purchase for the Holiday buying season -- hopefully dropping close to the October 26th release date for Redmond's newest OS. Unfortunately, Nokia isn't giving anything away, saying that it "never comments on rumor or speculation," but at least we don't have long to wait.
Prototype heart monitor collar could let sheep text their shepherd, tattle on creeping wolves
Posted: 06 Aug 2012 12:44 AM PDT
It's easy to imagine the lonely Swiss shepherd casually texting his pals during a long day in the field, but reading an SMS from his flock? More possible then you might think. A recent trial in Switzerland outfitted 10 sheep with heart monitoring collars and submitted them to a simulated wolf attack, causing their heart rate to jump from 60 / 80 BPM to 225. The team behind the experiment hope to pair the significant change in heart rate with a future device that releases a predator deterrent while simultaneously sending a text message to the local shepherd. Complete prototypes are being prepped for a 2013 trial in Switzerland and France, where wolf attacks are on the rise. The devices hopes to offer owners of smaller flocks an affordable alternative to keeping a sheepdog.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
NASA's Curiosity Mars landing successful, first pictures trickling in (video)
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 11:45 PM PDT
After "seven minutes of terror" involving guided entry, parachute and powered descent, and even a sky crane, NASA's Curiosity rover has successfully touched down on the surface of Mars. Better yet, the 2,000lbs (900kg) science lab has established communications with Earth and is sending back telemetry along with the first pictures of Gale crater. These initial grayscale images are only 256 x 256 pixels in size but show Curiosity's shadow on the Martian soil. Peek at our galley below and stay tuned for updates.
Update: Hit the break to check out a video of all the "seven minutes of terror" highlights.
New construction at Apple's North Carolina data center poses for aerial photographs
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 11:02 PM PDT
Photos courtesy of Wired reveal that Apple's new "tactical" data center at its Maiden, North Carolina facility is well on its way to completion. Captured with the help of a decidedly low-tech airplane -- a 1949 Piper PA-11 Cub Special, if you must know -- the shots feature what appear to be the facade of the $1.9 million, 21,000 square-foot structure that was outed last month. The images also show glimpses of a second 20-megawatt photovoltaic array and what may be the foundations of the complex's planned 4.8-megawatt biofuel cell plant, which will convert biogas into electricity. With Apple's upcoming Reno project getting the rubber stamp of approval, it doesn't seem like the company will run out of construction projects any time soon. Click on through to the source link for the full set of pictures and analysis.
Visualized: this motion compensated tool prototype will haunt your dreams
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 09:26 PM PDT
The Biorobotics lab at Harvard has interests extending beyond robot hands. The team is doing some fascinating stuff in the medical field, as well, including the exploration of heart surgery while the heart itself is still beating. They've explored some motion compensating tools, and we just couldn't take our eyes off of this one during our visit -- not exactly the last thing you want to see before they put you under. Part of the reason the device is so large is due to the weighted motion compensating system built in making it look like the sort of tool they'd use if they ever needed to perform open heart surgery during Blade Runner.
Stone Spray research project wants to print bridges with sand, solar power
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 08:25 PM PDT
Envious of your pet hermit crabs' 3D-printed domicile? Maybe you should cast your green eyes upon the Stone Spray project, an Eco-friendly robot printer that's exploring the viability of soil as a building material. Although making actual buildings is a bit out of the robot's reach, its team has managed to print a series of scaled sculptures (such as stools, pillars and load-bearing arc structures) out of sand, soil and a special solidification compound. The machine's jet-spray nozzle seems to have an easier time constructing objects over per-existing scaffolding, but the team is striving to design structures that don't require the extra support. "We want to push further the boundaries of digital manufacturing and explore the possibilities of an on-site fabrication machine," the team writes on the project's homepage, citing makeshift printed bridges or an on-beach canopy as possible applications of technology. If the Earth itself doesn't make a green enough building material, consider this: the Stone Spray robot can be powered by solar energy alone. Check it out in all of its sand-sculpting glory in the video below.
Stone Spray Project from Stone Spray on Vimeo.
Watch NASA's Curiosity rover touch down on Mars, live at 1:30AM EDT
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 07:36 PM PDT
You watched the launch, bit your nails over computer simulations and even played the game, and it all comes down to today: NASA's Curiosity rover is about to land on Mars. The $2.5 billion vehicle has been en route to the red planet for eight months, and in a few short hours will spend seven terrifying minutes blindly making its way to the Martian surface -- only to make NASA scientists wait another full seven before reporting on its success or failure. The rover is flying solo.
That doesn't mean we can't be there in spirit, however: NASA TV will be broadcasting the event on Ustream, offering commentary from the minds behind the rover, as well as audio from mission control. The Curiosity Cam, which runs from 11:30PM until 2:00AM EDT and 3:30AM to 4:30AM EDT, will offer commentary from the scientists and engineers behind Curiosity, while a second feed (at NASA JPL Live, which runs from 11:30PM onward) will play audio from mission control. If all goes to plan, NASA will be able to share an image from Curiosity's navigation cameras, confirming its safe arrival on the Martian surface. Sounds like a hell of a show to us.
Read on to view the Curiosity Cam right here or check out the source links below to prep your evening (or early morning) viewing for yourself. Let us know your own thoughts on Curiosity's landing in the comments.
Update: Touchdown confirmed! The entire sequence went perfectly to plan, and rover Curiosity is now on the surface of Mars and sending telemetry data.
Update: NASA's press conference is now happening live.
Refresh Roundup: week of July 30th, 2012
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 06:40 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
- HTC One X: Two small but significant updates are now available for the North American variants of the HTC One X: one from AT&T in the US and a separate release from Rogers in Canada. The release for the AT&T handset is the most significant of the two, which allows users to map the menu function to the application switcher button (and thus eliminate the unsightly menu button that exists in poorly written apps). The update also brings WiFi connectivity improvements, enhancements to contact sync and improved Bluetooth compatibility. Meanwhile, the update from Rogers is said to address both WiFi connectivity and Media Link issues. [Android Central 1, 2, 3, 4]
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus: Android 4.0 is now available for installation to the WiFi versions of these tablets, which can be downloaded either over-the-air or through Samsung Kies. In addition to the standard Ice Cream Sandwich fare, the update brings new functionality to the notifications menu and a host of bug fixes. [SlashGear]
- HTC Inspire 4G: The One X isn't the only HTC smartphone to receive an update from AT&T this week, as the Inspire 4G is also now eligible for a refresh of its own. Users will discover Sense 3.0 in the mix, along with better security, fewer dropped calls and a task manager. [Android Central]
- HTC EVO Design 4G: Like the EVO 3D, Ice Cream Sandwich is now available for the EVO Design 4G on Sprint. As you've come to expect, the latest system sports a Sense 3.6 layer on top of Android. [Android Central]
- Samsung Epic 4G Touch: After seeing a bit of a delay, Sprint is once again deploying the Ice Cream Sandwich update for its variant of the Galaxy S II. The software is available as an over-the-air download and weighs in at just over 200MB. [Android Central]
- Samsung Galaxy Note: T-Mobile has announced that it'll deliver a software update for the Galaxy Note on August 8th. The new release will primarily address issues with the weather widget and MobileLife contacts. [Android Central]
- Casio G'zOne Commando: This rugged Android phone from Verizon Wireless is now eligible for a software update from the carrier. First and foremost, the latest revision corrects an error that'd kept the speakerphone active after a push-to-talk conversation had ended. Device stability is also said to have gotten better, and the desk cradle app has also received a number of bug fixes. [Android Central]
- LG Optimus 2X: After many promises to the contrary, LG Canada revealed this week that the Optimus 2X won't receive the update to Android 4.0. [Phandroid]
- ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity TF700: A minor software update is available for this convertible tablet, and while no changelog is available, users are reporting better touchscreen responsiveness, greater compatibility for microSD cards. [Android Central]
- Samsung Droid Charge: A new update is available for the Droid Charge that installs Verizon Remote Diagnostics software, enables the Wireless Alerting System and blocks USB tethering while in WiFi mode. The new software will also allow the phone to maintain data connectivity whenever a USB cable is connected or disconnected, and is said to improve call clarity. [Droid Life]
Other platforms
- BlackBerry Bold 9930: Users of this handset may now download BlackBerry OS version 7.1.0.580 from Verizon Wireless. [CrackBerry]
Refreshes we covered this week
- TouchPad gets an early taste of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean courtesy of CyanogenMod 10 (video)
- PSA: Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners now have direct access to Google Wallet
- Updated Verizon Galaxy Nexus Jelly Bean binaries added to AOSP
- HTC Rezound finally ready to receive Android 4.0 update
- Google Wallet moves to the cloud, opens up to all credit and debit cards
- HTC Trophy for Verizon prepares to Tango as soon as tomorrow
- New AOSP Jelly Bean port for international Galaxy S III available, 'mostly everything is working'
- No Open WebOS support for existing WebOS devices, no soup for you
- Sony backpedals on Android 4.1 upgrade statement, is now 'actively investigating' all Xperia updates
- Samsung Music Hub launches on Galaxy S III stateside with free trial in tow
- Sprint starts rolling out Ice Cream Sandwich update to HTC EVO 3D
- Google Wallet hack hits Verizon Galaxy S III
Verizon's HopeLine app for Android provides resources and support for victims of domestic violence
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 05:21 PM PDT
Verizon's HopeLine program has recycled old phones since 2001 by giving them (along with 3,000 minutes of service) to victims of domestic abuse so that they can talk to emergency and support services when needed. Now, Verizon has released a HopeLine app for Android that not only provides direct access to support services and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, but also allows users to engage others involved in domestic violence awareness by sharing their photos and videos. The app also provides information about making monetary and phone donations to HopeLine. Want to help with HopeLine? There's more info in the PR below, and you can grab the app at the source.
HopeLine® from Verizon Introduces Mobile App for Android™ Smartphones and Tablets
New App Will Provide Crucial Resources to Victims of Domestic Violence and Tools to Spread Awareness of HopeLine's Mission
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HopeLine® from Verizon today launched a new mobile tool, the HopeLine app, to further aid in its ongoing mission to support victims of domestic violence. Through this new app, individuals suffering from domestic violence will have quick access to resources and assistance in a time of need. Users can connect directly to the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) for crisis intervention, information or referrals using #HOPE.
In addition, the HopeLine app will serve as an online community for those looking to share their inspirational stories of survival and volunteers looking to discuss their own outreach efforts. Photos and videos can be directly shared through the app, giving users the ability to engage with others who are involved in domestic violence awareness.
For users who want to offer their support, the HopeLine app makes it easy for wireless users to donate no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories to HopeLine, Verizon Wireless' national cell phone recycling program. Using location-based technology, the app guides users to the nearest Verizon Wireless Communications Store, where they can easily drop off devices and accessories for donation. Cash donations to the cause are also possible through the text-to-donate option; customers can now make a donation of $10 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) directly from their mobile devices.
"With the HopeLine app, we are giving necessary resources to victims seeking help, as well as individuals looking to get involved," said Elva Lima, executive director of community relations and multicultural communications at Verizon Wireless. "Wireless phones and technology can serve as a vital lifeline for those who need support, and we are putting the power of our network and devices in the hands of those who need it."
For more than a decade, HopeLine from Verizon has raised awareness of domestic violence, providing hope to victims and survivors who have experienced its detrimental effects and has engaged the public in a nationwide conversation on the issue. HopeLine collects no-longer-used wireless phones and accessories and puts them to work in communities by helping victims and survivors of domestic violence. Donated devices and accessories are turned into support to help victims of domestic violence through the use of cash grants and refurbished phones. Since 2001, HopeLine has donated nearly 123,000 phones to domestic violence organizations across the country. No-longer-used phones collected through HopeLine have also been recycled to fund more than $14.2 million in cash grants for organizations working to end domestic violence.
The HopeLine app can be downloaded on a wide range of Android smartphones and tablets from Verizon Apps, from the Verizon Wireless online Media Store and Google Play. There is no charge to download the app, but a Verizon Wireless data plan is required and usage may count toward a customer's data allowance.
For more information about HopeLine from Verizon, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.
Cell-infused 'spray-on-skin' helps leg ulcers heal more quickly
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 03:46 PM PDT
Spray-on medical solutions packed with cells certainly seem to be catching on. A new study published in The Lancet highlights a spray infused with skin cells and blood clotting proteins that helps leg ulcers heal quicker. Normally, the open wounds only undergo a compression bandage treatment and typically heal after six months. Patients who were also spritzed with the cell-imbued solution, however, experienced a rapid decrease in ulcer sizes soon after being treated. Three months into the regimen, 70 percent of those who had the mist applied were healed of the malady. Not only does the new remedy speed up the healing process, but it also avoids the need for a skin graft, another method used to hasten rehabilitation. Cost is a potential concern, but further tests are still needed to determine the therapy's practicality.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Switched On: Shedding Dead Skins
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 02:30 PM PDT
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
Apple and Nokia don't seem to have much in common these days apart from participating in the global smartphone market. While the former may not have the broadest product line, it's riding high in the PC, tablet and TV accessory market, whereas the latter is fighting to make a comeback in the handset market it once dominated. But while their rationales might be different, both companies are providing more value to their users by focusing on differentiation via software and services rather than trying to make over user interfaces.
When Nokia cast its lot with Microsoft it negotiated a "best of both worlds" deal, in which it was free to change just about anything in Windows Phone that it wanted. It was a condition that other Windows Phone licensees, such as HTC, would have loved to enjoy. But Nokia sought constraint, citing a need to preserve UI consistency with other Windows Phone devices and avoid the disruptive variation seen in Android smartphones. Rather, as far as product went, Nokia would differentiate with its own apps, many of which were tied to services, such as Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive, Nokia Transit, Nokia Music (which provides ad-free streaming radio) and the augmented reality app City Lens. How some of Nokia's attached cloud services complement or compete with Microsoft's own serious cloud-based initiatives has surely been the subject of many meetings between the two companies, but the apps round out and enhance Nokia's offerings.
Apple doesn't have much concern about fragmentation on the Mac, but like Microsoft, it does have an interest in maintaining a certain level of consistency across its platforms. This is certainly true from what developers see under the hood, although it must be balanced against optimization for input methods and form factors in the user experience. When Apple brought over Launchpad and full-screen apps from the iPad to the Mac, it was a far cry from the kind of sweeping changes Microsoft is creating with its Metrofied Start screen, but Switched On observed it as a move that benefited new users to the Apple ecosystem while potentially alienating old Mac fans.
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An enhanced Launchpad and full-screen apps are still around in Mountain Lion, but Apple has shifted focus somewhat in the latest major OS release. Yes, it is still borrowing from iOS (as iOS borrows from the Mac), but what it has brought over has been cloud-synced apps such as Notes and Reminders as well as a notification feature that now surpasses Windows'. These, along with the internet-driven features of Share Sheets and Documents in the Cloud, are features offering new choices to users who are content within the Apple ecosystem and don't need the extensive multi-platform support of services such as Evernote and Dropbox. This is all achieved with nominal changes to the user interface and functionality that is more likely to be appreciated by old users and new users alike.
While Nokia launches upon another's platform and Apple upon its own, the conclusion is the same. For better or worse, platform vendors tend to have de facto control over today's user experiences. Apps, and the services to which they connect, are a more worthwhile quest than stretching a user interface beyond its design, because they can unlock far more valuable spoils than a cosmetic identity.
Ross Rubin (@rossrubin) is principal analyst at Reticle Research, an advisory firm focused on consumer technology. Views expressed in Switched On are his own.
eBay Now to offer same-day shipping from local stores, launching iOS beta in San Francisco
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 01:28 PM PDT
Need something today, but can't bother yourself with a trip to the store? Apparently, there's going to be an app for that -- at least in San Francisco. Local eBay users have started receiving beta invites for eBay Now, an iOS app that will allow shoppers to pick up items from local stores without leaving the house. eBay is offering beta users $15 off of their first order and free same-day delivery for their first three. Orders will come with a $5 delivery charge once the freebies are used up, forcing users to weigh the value of their time against the frustrations of local parking. The service is only available in San Francisco at the moment, but feel free to hit up the source link below to toss your name in the Beta raffle bucket anyway.
Army seeking proposals for casualty-carrying UAVs
Posted: 05 Aug 2012 11:39 AM PDT
Combat is a grizzly business, and despite the best efforts of medical evacuation crews, it's not always feasible to send rescue teams into the fray. The US Army is seeking to address this with "autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)" (read: drones) for dropping off medical supplies and picking up injured troops. In its latest request for research and development proposals, the Army calls not for new tools, but for the repurposing of current aircraft to do the job. Preferred candidates in the already unmanned class include the A160 Hummingbird and the K-MAX, while one of the suggestions for remote-control modification is the infamous Black Hawk. Makes the AR.Drone seem a little wimpy, doesn't it?
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