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- HBO Go 1.71 update adds support for Jelly Bean devices
- IFA 2012 wrap-up: Galaxy Note II, 84-inch 4K TVs, Windows 8 convertibles and much more
- LG Intuition 4G LTE may become available on Verizon September 6th
- Engadget Mobile Podcast 151: IFA Edition - 09.01.2012
- Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600
- Early benchmark scores are in for the Sony Xperia T, TX and V
- Purported HTC Accord Windows Phone schema leaked on Twitter
- Garmin does new in-dash navigation tricks, steers 2013 Dodge and Chrysler models
- NBC rebrands Olympics app as NBC Sports Live Extra, promises streams for a wider athletic universe
- Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity watch notifies iPhone owners without betraying their nerd status
- 7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs
- Tweetbot for Mac hits beta, runs headlong into new Twitter API limits
- Sigma finally announces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact
- Valve launches Steam Greenlight to pick cream of indie game crop
- Grooveshark app nowhere to be found, suddenly disappears from Google Play again
- Apple adds Samsung's Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1 to ongoing patent lawsuit
- University of Michigan's Computer and Video Game Archive houses over 3,000 different games, roughly 35 unique consoles (video)
- 50 Cent talks up two new headphones in his SMS Audio line (video)
- Mark/Space Welcome Home eases us into new Nokia Lumias, lifts the burden of app hunting
- Marshall's Hanwell HiFi speaker: bred from guitar amps, at-home with your PMP
- Second generation Razer Blade laptop sharpens its edge with GTX 660M, unannounced Core i7 CPU
- Engadget Podcast 308: IFA Edition - 08.31.2012
- Walmart testing 'Scan & Go' iPhone self-checkout app, cashiers becoming endangered species
- RIM details BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10: IT guys get a single web console for their various tools
- WSJ: Amazon is building an ad-supported tablet (Update: two Kindle Fire devices coming next week)
- YouTube live streaming this year's London Paralympics in the US and Canada
- Google Play's End of Summer Sale outed by discounted apps, lets the Lorax speak for the savings
- Intel opens up about its 'Knights Corner' supercomputer co-processor
- Kyocera Rise arrives on Virgin Mobile with ICS, 3.5-inch display and slide-out QWERTY keys
- Gmail advanced search gets autocomplete in 'from' and 'to' fields, three lab features become standard
| HBO Go 1.71 update adds support for Jelly Bean devices Posted: 01 Sep 2012 10:03 AM PDT When it first landed on the Kindle Fire, HBO Go for Android tablets seemed like a dead cert. And, sure enough, it wasn't long before the service found its way on to slates with version 4.x, with one minor exclusion -- those running Jelly Bean. Well, version 1.7.1 puts that all in the past, and now means the full gamut of Android users (unless you never made it past Donut) can join in the fun. Reading this on your Nexus 7? Make haste toward the source link for the download. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IFA 2012 wrap-up: Galaxy Note II, 84-inch 4K TVs, Windows 8 convertibles and much more Posted: 01 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT Europe's premier consumer electronics trade show has further cemented its status on the industry's radar, thanks in no small part to Samsung, Sony and a shocking number of 84-inch 4K TVs. Since Wednesday, we've welcomed a brand new Galaxy Note, a healthy heaping of smaller mobile phones, a few cameras (including that Android stunner) and enough laptops and tablets to keep us computing well into the fall. From your perspective, the show ran silky smooth, though Berlin's mobile data plague continued to take its toll on our productivity, while the Messe's absolutely insane sprawl left us with a few well-worn shoes. As always, we still had a blast bringing you all the latest gear as it hit the floor, and German hospitality (and beer) made the setbacks a bit more bearable. Since there's oh so much to get through, we're sorting out our grouping of news and hands-ons from major manufacturers, followed by some smaller device makers and a few one-hit wonders -- all tidied up just past the break. Acer
Lenovo
LG
Samsung
Sony
Other news
Other hands-ons
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| LG Intuition 4G LTE may become available on Verizon September 6th Posted: 01 Sep 2012 08:30 AM PDT The day of September 6th is gearing up to be a rather hefty one for Verizon: earlier we reported that the Samsung Galaxy Stellar is slated to launch on that date, and it's also the day after Motorola unveils its latest lineup for Big Red. Why not throw in another device that we've heard so much about, such as the LG Intuition? Indeed, docs detailing the CDMA-clad Optimus Vu is now beginning to make the rounds in Verizon's internal system -- and its intended launch date is among the trove of treasures to be found within. According to the docs, we should expect to see the 5-inch device available online in time for the 6th, while all channels won't be ready to go until the 10th. We can't imagine that too many people will be upset over having to wait another four days, however. In terms of specs, here's what we can anticipate from the Intuition: Ice Cream Sandwich, a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm MSM8660 (Snapdragon S3) processor paired with MDM9600 LTE modem and 1GB RAM, Gorilla Glass, a 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024 x 768, 15 hours of talk time, 8MP rear camera with 1.3MP front-facing cam and no microSD expandable storage option. Ultimately, the Intuition is Verizon's variant of the Optimus Vu, and boasts that commonality right down to the components and design -- you won't find much difference in specs, weight or dimensions between the two. We've compiled a few images for your enjoyment, so head below to see. As before, we had to be creative in how we treated these images to protect the identity of everyone involved. [Thanks, Anonymous] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Mobile Podcast 151: IFA Edition - 09.01.2012 Posted: 01 Sep 2012 07:07 AM PDT  If one Engadget Mobile Podcaster is talking about phones, but she's at Burning Man, does she make a sound? Brad, Dana, and Jon explore these and other questions surrounding a technology conference in Berlin that's all the rage this week. Don't get left behind. Hosts: Brad Molen 02:50 - Samsung Galaxy Note II unveiled: 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, Android Jelly Bean and more S Pen functionality Hear the podcast This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sennheiser unveils HDVA 600 analog headphone amp, asks for $1,600 Posted: 01 Sep 2012 05:44 AM PDT Along with a few IFA 2012 announcements, Sennheiser peeled back the wraps from its HDVA 600 headphone amp, an analog flavor of the previously unveiled HDVD 800. Like its sibling, the freshly revealed hardware sports a glass panel for peeking at its innards and an anodized aluminum exterior, but leaves the digital inputs behind. While the 800 carries a hefty $2,000 price tag, the 600 will set customers back a smaller -- but still substantial -- sum of $1,600. Both units are tailored for the likes of Senn's flagship HD 800 headphones, so they should easily be able to drive cans that require up to 300-ohms. The pair won't be available in the US until later this fall, but in the meantime, you can breeze past the break for specs and more details in the press release. Sound perfected: Sennheiser presents its analogue and digital headphone amplifiers OLD LYME, Conn. – August 31, 2012 - Building a hi-fi device that sounds so brilliant, so crystal clear and so free of distortion as if one were sitting right in front of the audio source. Creating a level of acoustics that surpasses everything that has gone before. These are the visions that drive Sennheiser in the development of its high-end products. After recently having presented its first digital headphone amplifier, the audio specialist Sennheiser announces at IFA 2012 that it will also launch an analogue version of the device, available in the U.S. later this fall. Both the digital HDVD 800 ($1,999.95) and the analogue HDVA 600 ($1,599.95) have a fully symmetrical layout and promise a unique listening experience. They harmonize perfectly with the High-End headphone line HD 800, HD 700, HD 650 and HD 600. The outstanding features of the new headphone amplifiers include a balanced sound image, maximum precision and impressive spatiality. The high-end devices have a fully symmetrical layout for operation with analogue audio sources, thus ensuring absolutely symmetrical signal transmission from the source to the headphones. Especially designed for the use with digital sources, the HDVD 800 features an extra high-quality Burr-Brown digital/analogue converter that converts digital audio data into analogue signals with a resolution of 24 bits and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. This enables the HDVD 800 to transmit the entire frequency spectrum of high-end audio sources without any loss of frequencies. "The search for perfect sound is a constant motivation for us to develop new ideas," said Maurice Quarré, Director Product Lifecycle Management Sennheiser Consumer Electronics. "The best example is the legendary Orpheus. These electrostatic headphones with a vacuum tube amplifier, which came onto the market around 20 years ago, have become an icon in the audio world. With the new headphone amplifiers, Sennheiser is now taking up the tradition of the Orpheus, providing music lovers with the perfect combination of Sennheiser headphones and a specially matched amplifier." Cutting-edge technology, top-quality sound In order to fully exploit the sound potential of the HDVD 800 with any audio source, a rotary gain switch at the rear of the unit provides simple adaptation of the amplifier output to the audio input voltage. This ensures that the dynamic range can be used to its full extent. Sophisticated materials for a premium touch And such meticulous attention has also been applied to the exterior. Both, the housing and the potentiometer control as well as the rotary switch for selecting the source are made of anodised aluminium, while the front panel of the housing and the controls are milled from solid material. The HDVD 800 and the HDVA 600 were developed and designed in Germany, and the latest members of Sennheiser's high-end series are also being manufactured there. The new analogue HDVA 600 and the digital HDVD 800, which are being introduced at IFA in Berlin today, will be available in the U.S. later this fall, and will also be on display at CanJam at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver, CO between October 12th and 14th. *Driverless operation on a Mac from operating system OS 10.5 onwards. A driver is included for Windows computers from XP operating system onwards for 192 kHz operation. Technical Data for HDVD 800 and HDVA 600 Dimensions and weight | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Early benchmark scores are in for the Sony Xperia T, TX and V Posted: 01 Sep 2012 05:18 AM PDT We've already benchmarked the Galaxy Note II and the ZTE Grand X IN at IFA, and as the week wraps up we're circling back to test the mettle of other handsets announced here in Berlin. We ran mobile benchmarks on Sony's new flagship Xperia T, the Xperia TX (the US version of the T) and the LTE-enabled Xperia V. All three devices pack dual-core Snapdragon S4 Krait processors clocked at 1.5GHz, and they're currently running Ice Cream Sandwich -- though a Jelly Bean update is reportedly on the way. Meet us past the break for a first look at how these smartphones stack up.
Simply put, these results are none too shabby. In Quadrant particularly, Sony's handsets score several hundred points higher than most dual-core phones we've tested recently. The Xperia V logged a very respectable score of 5,808, while the TX and T trailed by a few hundred points. The Sony Xperia S, which runs an older dual-core Snapdragon S3 processor, notched significantly lower numbers when we reviewed it back in March: 2,033 in Quadrant, for example. We weren't able to download GLBenchmark on these phones (confounded trade-show units!), but we'll be running these tests anew once we get final models in our hands. Zach Honig contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purported HTC Accord Windows Phone schema leaked on Twitter Posted: 01 Sep 2012 04:22 AM PDT While certain other manufacturers claim a lot of the Windows Phone column inches, there are other players in the game. An image that recently popped up on Twitter reminds us that HTC is also a supporter of Microsoft's mobile OS. The picture above claims to be a possible schema for a forthcoming handset, which the poster believes to be the HTC Accord. The account belongs to a prolific XDA-Developer user with a history of Windows Phone ROMS, so it's entirely possible this was found somewhere along the way. Likewise, though, we'll have to take this with the requisite amount of salt. There's not much in the way of specification to be gleaned here, either, but at the least we can get a sense of what the design style might be like going forward. We just need to wait now for the official product launch event to join the ever-growing list. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Garmin does new in-dash navigation tricks, steers 2013 Dodge and Chrysler models Posted: 01 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT You won't be able to leap tall structures in one of Chrysler's new cars with Garmin in-dash GPS hardware, but at least you'll be able to see them. 3D buildings and terrain are among the fresh features in the navigators, along with a new UI, trip planner, improved junction view (by a factor of 25), and enhanced routing. The nav company is one of the cogs in Chrysler's Uconnect service, which will roll out in four models next year: the Dodge Journey, Charger and Dart along with Chrysler's 300. Other players in the service are SiriusXM, which provides weather info and entertainment; and Sprint, which shoulders the in-car data workload through its cellular service. Lest you think that all this infotainment will distract you right into the ditch, worry not -- most of the controls are voice activated. If you want a beaming dealer to getcha into one of the new models, the PR is after the break. Garmin® Announces New In-Dash Navigation Features for Select 2013 Model Year Chrysler® and Dodge® Vehicles OLATHE, Kan./September 1, 2012/Business Wire - Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the next generation of its award-recognized navigation system built into Chrysler vehicles. The new Garmin solution is part of the Chrysler Uconnect8.4N infotainment system and includes several new features and enhancements. It is available for 2013 model year Chrysler 300, Dodge Journey, Charger and Dart vehicles[1] (offered standard on some models and optional on others). New features include 3D buildings and terrain views, improved traffic and routing functionalities, a refined user interface with enhanced colors and themes that are consistent with each vehicle brand and junction views that now cover more than 60,000 intersections across the U.S., among other enhancements. "Our partnership with Chrysler has been extremely successful over the last two years, gaining praise from consumers and industry experts alike for the unmatched level of ease of use and reliability of our navigation solution," said Matt Munn, Garmin's managing director automotive OEM. "We're thrilled to now introduce new features to provide drivers even better orientation and road guidance with stunning 3D views and enhanced routing technology." New features of Garmin navigation for the Chrysler Uconnect system include: 3D Buildings, Landmarks and Terrain Realistic 3D views of buildings and key landmarks throughout major U.S. cities provide drivers better orientation. Using topographic map data, the new Garmin system also displays 3D terrain views of landscape elevations, helping drivers to see what lies ahead. New, Customized User Interface Garmin introduces a new color configuration and design of its user interface that is customized to Chrysler and Dodge vehicles and provides a more refined look and feel. Trip Planner, myTrends™and Multi-Route View A new Trip Planner featureallows users to easily plan trips with multiple stops, view routes in an overview screen and edit destinations at any time.myTrends automatically remembers frequent and favorite route destinations based on driving habits and predicts them at certain days and times without the user needing to enter an address. When starting a trip, the new Multi-Route View displays route options, such as fastest and shortest, in one convenient overview map, including time and distance for each, so users can pick their preferred route. New Routing Features and Enhancements Garmin's new navigation system includes a couple of new features that improve routing. trafficTrends™ predicts traffic conditions and recommends routes using historical traffic data and recurring trends at any given time or day. Garmin's new point addressing technology enhances routing accuracy, for example, where several addresses of a housing complex are combined into a group of house numbers. The new system can now identify each individual house number and navigate there.Additionally, Garmin significantly improved the routing algorithms to provide even fasterroute calculations and destination searches. Broader Junction View Coverage Garmin's exclusive junction view database now includes nearly 60,000 junction views in the U.S. and Canada, 25 times more than in previous versions. photoReal Junction View realistically displays road signs and junctions along the route with photographic detail to clearly mark the correct lane to be in for interchanges and exits. Navigation for Uconnect brings the ease of use of Garmin into an original equipment, in-dash radio. The navigator includes highly detailed maps of the United States, Canada, and Mexico with more than eight million points of interest, as well as many cutting-edge features found in the newest Garmin devices. This includes spoken turn-by-turn directions, one-shot address entry via voice command, lane assistance, junction views, speed limit and current speed, a trip computer and mileage log as well as customized vehicle icons that looks like a Chrysler or Dodge vehicle. In addition to displaying the navigation interface and maps on thein-dash screen, the system also makes use of a second display, positioned behind the steering wheel, to easily let the driver see important information, such as next turn, at a glance. Within the first year of eligibility, Garmin's in-car navigation in the Dodge Charger was recognized as "Highest Customer Satisfaction With Factory Installed Navigation Systems" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Navigation Usage and Satisfaction StudySM. Garmin's automotive OEM group provides a broad range of in-vehicle electronics for the automotive industry, including infotainment and telematics systems, navigation software, location-based services, and integrated portable navigation systems. Garmin has dedicated automotive OEM offices in the United States, Germany, China and Japan. The company has agreements with leading brands in the automotive sector such as BMW, Chrysler, Honda, Kenwood, Panasonic, Suzuki and Toyota, among others. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBC rebrands Olympics app as NBC Sports Live Extra, promises streams for a wider athletic universe Posted: 01 Sep 2012 02:52 AM PDT NBC's Olympics Live Extra may have lost its original raison d'être after the flame was extinguished in London, but that doesn't mean it's time to purge the app from your phone's home screen. An update for Android and iOS users alike is giving the title new life as NBC Sports Live Extra, and the name makes it quite obvious that you'll have a lot more to watch than just biathlons and fencing. NBC expects to offer live streaming for the European PGA, LPGA, MLS, NHL, Notre Dame, PGA, Ryder Cup and other events or leagues culled from the channel formerly known as Versus. Highlights, social sharing and other side features will carry over as well. You don't have to do a thing beyond check for a new version to make the switch to the already updated apps, but you will have to subscribe to conventional TV to use them properly: NBC is requiring TV Everywhere authentication for access to most of what's on offer from NBC Sports Network and the Golf Channel. "NBC OLYMPICS LIVE EXTRA" APP RE-LAUNCHES TODAY AS "NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA" App to Live Stream MLS, NHL, Notre Dame Football, PGA Tour, Ryder Cup & More in Upcoming Months Most Content Only Available To TV Everywhere Customers Users Will Automatically Receive New App When They Update NBC Olympics Live Extra The NBC Sports Live Extra app will include companion features such as in-game highlights, social media interactivity, and other elements that will enhance the viewing experience. In partnership with cable, satellite and telco distributors, a larger, secondary re-launch will occur later this year highlighted by numerous NBC Sports Network and Golf Channel live events being provided strictly to TV Everywhere customers. "Whether used as a primary or secondary screen, the NBC Sports Live Extra app will provide an exceptional viewing experience for mobile and tablet users," said Rick Cordella, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital, NBC Sports Group. "Working with our cable, satellite and telco distributors, we will extend the expertise we have accrued by streaming some of the most popular sporting events to our year-round sports on multiple devices." Users who downloaded NBC Olympics Live Extra will automatically receive NBC Sports Live Extra when they update the app. For those who did not download the Olympics app, NBC Sports Live Extra is available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play. Viewers consumed 23.8 million live streams and 4.5 million live stream hours on the NBC Olympics Live Extra app for the 2012 London Olympics. NBC Sports has a rich live streaming history and plans to stream more than 400 live events in 2013. In February, NBCSports.com and NFL.com live streamed Super Bowl XLVI, the first-ever live stream of a Super Bowl. The game attracted 2,105,441 users, making it the most-watched, single-game sports event ever online, according to data provided by Omniture and mDialog, surpassing any previously reported record. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity watch notifies iPhone owners without betraying their nerd status Posted: 01 Sep 2012 01:32 AM PDT It's hard to deny that Bluetooth watches usually lack the social graces you need when dressing to impress. Citizen doesn't want to leave you a binary choice between technology and poshness, however. The company's upcoming Eco-Drive Proximity watch has all the respectability of an analog steel timepiece, but it quietly syncs to an iPhone 4S (or newer) through Bluetooth 4.0. Miss a call, get a message or approach a meeting, and the seconds hand will point to a word on the dial indicating what needs attention -- there's no broadcasting your geek credentials to everyone in the room. The iPhone syncs its time with the watch if you're so inclined, and a search mode will ping the handset if it's lost under the couch. Expect to pay $550, or about as much as many mid-tier quartz watches, when the Proximity goes on sale in the fall. It's certainly not a trivial price next to other Bluetooth watches, but the public acceptance factor may be more than worth the premium. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7digital named European music partner for Toshiba connected TVs Posted: 01 Sep 2012 12:25 AM PDT Media provider 7digital has mostly been making news on the Windows front recently, making its music offerings available for Windows Phone earlier this year and serving up 20 million tracks through its preview version for Windows 8. Now the digital media company is branching out to Toshiba televisions as well, inking a deal to be the European music partner for the Toshiba Places platform. The agreement, which represents 7digital's first foray into the connected TV market, will allow consumers with a Toshiba Places account to browse through the content provider's music catalogue, create playlists and stream music directly through the television. The company says the feature should be compatible with televisions equipped with Toshiba Places since May 2011. Five countries -- the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain -- are slated to get first crack when the service goes live in Europe in September. For more details about the service, feel free to peruse the company PR after the break. 7digital, the leading digital media company, today announces the company has been selected as a key digital music partner on all Toshiba TVs equipped with the Toshiba Places platform. The 7digital Toshiba Edition web store allows users to browse 7digital's catalogue of over 20 million high quality tracks, create playlists and stream music directly though their television. The store has been integrated within the Toshiba Places platform, and existing customers with connected Toshiba TVs can access the service through their Toshiba Places account. The store represents 7digital's first entry into the Connected TV market. The service will initially be available in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain, and will go live in September 2012. Using a hotkey on their Toshiba TV remote, customers can access the Music Place and 7digital Toshiba Edition store and purchase tracks for streaming. All stores will be optimised for the local territories with local language, catalogue, pricing and currency. The service will be available on all TVs equipped with Toshiba Places since May 2011. The addition of 7digital's service on Toshiba TVs further expands the possibilities for Toshiba customers. 7digital music is already available through Toshiba Places on a range of other Toshiba and third-party devices, such as laptops, AndroidTM powered tablets and smartphones, where in each case purchased music can also be downloaded for offline listening. No matter which device the music was purchased on, it can be accessed on all other devices through a single Toshiba sign-on. Music is also available through 7digital's native applications on a variety of device types and operating systems including RIM devices. "This partnership is our first move into the Connected TVs space and supports our platform agnostic strategy, allowing consumers to access their music on the platform of their choice" comments Ben Drury, CEO at 7digital. "The co-branded store offers a familiar browsing and purchasing experience so users can integrate their music collections across all devices, choosing to listen to the music they own in the way that suits them. "Connected TVs offer exciting opportunities for us, and we will be looking at how we can further support these, and other connected devices, in future." Thomas Teckentrup, General Manager of Cloud Services Division at Toshiba Europe, said: "We're delighted with the deep integration of 7digital's service on our Smart TV devices – it not only enriches the experience for our TV customers, but adds further value to the existing integration on our other devices." The integration uses 7digital's API (application programming interface), which allows consumer electronics companies and developers to build bespoke digital music download applications. The 7digital API is already used by numerous consumer electronics brands to create integrated digital music services for mobile devices, including Samsung, HTC, Acer and RIM. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tweetbot for Mac hits beta, runs headlong into new Twitter API limits Posted: 31 Aug 2012 10:11 PM PDT We've been using the Tweetbot for Mac alpha for several weeks now. It's about time that a more polished beta version arrive, we'd say -- and the new 0.8 revision does its best to justify moving one letter up the alphabet. Most of the upgrade focuses on improved multi-column and keyboard support, along with a heap of bug fixes. The real story, though, may be what Tweetbot can't do. Twitter's tough new API limits put a sharp curb on the number of new users that a third-party developer like Tapbots can bring into the fold. To maximize the number of customers buying the finished version, the company is limiting beta access solely to those who've already linked their Twitter accounts to the alpha; if you aren't already part of the secret club, you're not getting in today. We're still looking forward to the completed Tweetbot release, but the hoop-jumping required to keep the app commercially viable doesn't bode well for any future competition with the official Twitter clients. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sigma finally announces price and availability for DP1 Merrill compact Posted: 31 Aug 2012 08:37 PM PDT We were still wearing our winter jackets when Sigma announced its 19mm F2.8 toutin' (28mm equivalent) DP1 Merrill compact was getting a (pseudo) 46-megapixel sensor overhaul. Now, we finally get word on when we can take the refreshed snapper for a spin: mid-September. If you're interested in an autumnal upgrade, we hope you've been saving, as you'll need to drop a sturdy $999 for the privilege. Which is fine, just as long as you weren't putting off the vacation until this arrived. Sigma Corporation announces pricing and availability of Sigma DP1 Merrill New generation compact camera to hit US shelves in September for street price of $999 RONKONKOMA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider for some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, has announced that the Sigma DP1 Merrill compact digital camera will be available in the United States in mid-September for the street price of $999. "We are extremely pleased with the engineering and design involved in the upgrade of the DP1 Merrill" This upgraded, high-resolution, compact digital camera with a fixed lens is named in honor of Richard "Dick" Merrill, the co-creator of the Foveon X3 Direct Image Sensor technology that powers Sigma's unique lineup of cameras. It differs from its predecessor, the DP1x, because its lens now includes one "F" Low Dispersion glass element to correct aberrations, and its resolution has grown by moving from Foveon's 14.6-megapixel APS-C size image sensor to the 46-megapixel APS-C image sensor found in the company's flagship SLR, the Sigma SD1 Merrill. The full-color Foveon X3 direct image sensor ensures outstanding resolution, richly gradated tones and images with a three-dimensional feel. A focus ring and custom Quick Set (QS) mode also improve the user interface. "We are extremely pleased with the engineering and design involved in the upgrade of the DP1 Merrill," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. "Its wide focal length, fixed lens and impressive sensor capture stunningly sharp images that are truly incredible, especially given the compact nature of the camera's design." The Sigma DP1 Merrill boasts an exclusively designed, high-performance, telecentric 19mm F2.8 lens, which is the equivalent to a 28mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera. This camera differs from the DP2 Merrill, which was released in June, due to its wider focal length. The DP2 Merrill has a 30mm F2.8 lens, which is the equivalent to a 45mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera. Both cameras are compact and lightweight, and feature Super Multi Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting. Other features of the Sigma DP1 Merrill camera include: A dual, three-layer responsive ultimate (TRUE II) engine that now incorporates two TRUE II processors to improve the processing speed and overall quality of the final image | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Valve launches Steam Greenlight to pick cream of indie game crop Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:51 PM PDT Steam has developed a reputation as a haven for indie games like Super Meat Boy, so it's only fitting that store owner Valve has just launched a section to welcome more of those games into its tent. Greenlight lets small developers submit titles and have gamers vote as to whether or not the candidates should get space on Steam's virtual shelf. Pickier players don't have to see every game in contention; they can filter the list down to specific game types and platforms, and collections can narrow the selection to categories hand-picked by fans or publishers. No games have cleared Greenlight just yet, but it won't be long before the logjam becomes a flood -- between this and general apps, Steam is about to get a lot more crowded. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grooveshark app nowhere to be found, suddenly disappears from Google Play again Posted: 31 Aug 2012 07:35 PM PDT Oh poor, poor Grooveshark. Not long after surprisingly making its way back to the | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple adds Samsung's Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1 to ongoing patent lawsuit Posted: 31 Aug 2012 06:39 PM PDT The Apple v. Samsung patent war that will seemingly never end has taken another turn today, as Apple is asking the court to add newer Samsung Galaxy hardware, including the Galaxy S III, Verizon Galaxy S III, Galaxy Note and Galaxy Note 10.1 to its complaint against the Galaxy Nexus and other related devices. If you thought updated software and designs would keep these newer smartphones and tablets out of the fight -- you were wrong. Just to help you keep things straight, remember this is a separate case from the one that ended exactly a week ago with a decision in Apple's favor to the tune of more than $1 billion in damages. At issue here are eight of Apple's utility patents that it says Samsung has infringed upon. The headliner patents at issue are '721 which covers slide to unlock, and '604, which could apply to the universal search feature Samsung has been pulling from its phones recently. Another familiar entry is the '647 patent Apple slapped HTC with in 2010, which has a vague description but applies to clicking on a phone number in an email, for example, to call it. You can read the details on each and every one in the PDF linked below, we'll be doing... anything else. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 31 Aug 2012 05:48 PM PDT Systems such as the ColecoVision, TurboGrafx-16 and 3DO may have been ousted from most home entertainment centers long ago, but they still have shelf space at the University of Michigan's Computer and Video Game Archive. Slashdot caught up with Engineering Librarian and Video Game Archivist Dave Carter and took a look inside the repository, which has curated around 35 classic and current-gen platforms and more than 3,000 different games. Having "one of everything" is the project's ultimate goal, but the logistics of acquiring every new game make achieving that feat a stretch. "Our realistic goal is to be sort of representative of the history of video games, what was important -- what was interesting," Carter said. "And then, not only to preserve the games, but also to preserve the game playing experience." As a "useable archive," patrons of UM's library can dig in and play at different stations with era-appropriate monitors and displays. While many visit for leisure, students have used the resource to research topics ranging from music composition to the effects of texting while driving (using an Xbox 360 racing title and steering wheel peripheral, of course). You can catch a glimpse of the collection in the video below or visit the archive's blog at the more coverage link. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50 Cent talks up two new headphones in his SMS Audio line (video) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:57 PM PDT We'd be lying if we told you that we fully expected to be hanging out with 50 Cent when we traveled around the world to Berlin, but earlier today we grabbed a moment with the Queens-based emcee to discuss his venture into the world of high-end headphones. In particular, we wanted to ask how his products, including the new Street On-Ears and Street DJ Pros, stack against some better known rapper-endorsed audio technology -- namely Dr. Dre's gimmicky Beats and his tie-in with HTC. For starters, 50 was keen to stress that this is no plain endorsement: Studio Master Sound (SMS) Audio is his company and he's invested in it. Regarding the products themselves, he reassured us that they have nothing in common with the Beats / HTC marketing about bringing hardware and software together to create some kind of eardrum wizardry. Instead, he just wants to bring together all-round qualities like durability, comfort, and "professionally tuned" 40mm drivers, alongside fresher styling than you'd get from companies like Bose or Sennheiser. The booth at IFA was too hectic for us to give the new 'phones a fair run-through, and in fact 50 Cent didn't have a great deal to say about them at this point either. As you'll see in the video after the break, he preferred to hold up his slightly older flagship wireless set, called SYNC, as evidence that SMS Audio has audiophile credentials to justify its high price points. Speaking of which, we're not sure how much the latest models will cost or when they'll become available, but for guidance the SYNC headphones cost $400 while regular Street wired headphones will set you back around $250. Brian Heater contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mark/Space Welcome Home eases us into new Nokia Lumias, lifts the burden of app hunting Posted: 31 Aug 2012 04:13 PM PDT So you just bought a Nokia Lumia 900 and are wondering how on Earth you'll get all your old phone's data over to that new Windows Phone. Nokia and Mark/Space have you covered with a new, Lumia-tuned Welcome Home to Windows Phone app. The Mac- and Windows-based utility goes beyond just shuffling calendars, contacts and media; if you're jumping ship from Android, a BlackBerry or an iPhone, it will scan apps linked to the outgoing hardware and offer QR codes to download either direct or close-enough equivalents for the Windows Phone world. Fresh Lumia owners might appreciate the price more than anything -- unlike the Android porting tool, the Lumia version is a free treat just for joining the Nokia flock. It's available today, but we have a feeling that most of the demand will come after September 5th. New Welcome Home App Makes The Switch To A Nokia Lumia Device Fast, Easy Customers Considering Switching to New Windows Phone Now Have a Fast One-Time Set-up App to Transfer Contacts, Music, Playlists, Photos, Videos and Calendars For Free Los Gatos, CA (PRWEB) August 31, 2012 Mark/Space, Inc., the leading developer of phone and tablet synchronization solutions for PC and Mac, today announced the availability of the new Welcome Home to Windows Phone - Nokia Lumia Edition application for customers who are new to the Windows Phone platform. Welcome Home is a comprehensive one-time set-up tool, offering customers who are transitioning from a BlackBerry, iPhone or Android device, a fast and easy way to set-up a Nokia Lumia phone with their info and media. Welcome Home also leverages Quixey's app search technology that sees the apps people already own and presents the app if it has a Windows Phone version. For the apps that don't have an exact match, users are recommended similar apps for Windows Phone. "Transitioning to a new phone or mobile device is something that should be as seamless and painless as possible for the user," said Brian Scott Toney, Mark/Space Director of Sales and Business Development. "No one wants to spend part of their day re-typing address book entries or fumbling around trying to get their photos off of their old device. We capture their workout playlist, vacation photos from their old phone, video they shot of their friends, even info and media from their computer, so that folks could complete their device set-up in minutes instead of hours." "With smartphones serving as the hub of digital content, consumers are looking for an easy and efficient solution for moving their digital lives to a new device," says Ignacio Riesgo, Head of Developer Experience, Nokia Americas. "To address this need, we worked with Mark/Space and Quixey to create a unique tool to ensure that content and applications make a safe transition to a Nokia Lumia device, without sacrificing the experiences they've grown accustomed to." The Welcome Home to Windows Phone - Nokia Lumia Edition application reviews the apps on the consumers old phone and gathers media and personal information from an old phone or PC/Mac computer, then suggests new apps and packages everything to be moved to a Nokia Lumia device. It encompasses: Personal Information "Many people considering a switch to Windows Phone are worried about losing their data and their Apps," said Brian Scott Toney, Mark/Space Director of Sales and Business Development. "Welcome Home is very straight forward and easy to use so customers get all the info they want and with the integration of Quixey App search, they can get their Apps too." Mark/Space is offering the Welcome Home application to customers transitioning from an iPhone, BlackBerry or Android device. The desktop application runs on Windows PC or Mac computers. Welcome Home for Windows Phone - Lumia Edition is available now for free at http://welcomehome.to/nokia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marshall's Hanwell HiFi speaker: bred from guitar amps, at-home with your PMP Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:39 PM PDT It's been a year since the legendary guitar amp and speaker makers at Marshall Amplification made a splash in consumer audio with its Marshall Headphones spin-off (Zound / Urbanears). In commemorence of the amplification division's 50th aniversary, both have announced the Hanwell: Marshall's first speaker rig that's made for a counter-top instead of a festival stage. Combo guitar amp / speaker meets HiFi speaker. Most anyone who plays guitar, or has seen the likes of Slash and Nigel Tufnel shredding it up, will immediately recognize the iconic Marshall design ethic down to its iconic plastic nameplate on the front grill and gold accents. There's no major tech at play inside of the system, but with looks this cool it's not like it matters -- hopefully, the sound quality will match. Up top there's a familiar panel housing a 3.5mm input, power toggle and knobs for bass, treble and volume, while internally you'll find a duo of long-throw woofers and tweeters. The cab itself is made from wood and wrapped in black vinyl tolex like its bigger JCM siblings -- heck, it even comes with a coiled audio cable. There's no specific information beyond all of that such as pricing and availability -- especially whether "these go to 11" -- but you'll find a press release and close-up shots after the break.
HANWELL ANNIVERSARY EDITION Friday, August 31, 2012 – Marshall Headphones, together with Marshall Amplification proudly announces the very first home audio product to bear Marshall's legendary script logo. Named Hanwell, this active loudspeaker embodies Marshall's legacy of loud. Hailing from a line of 50th anniversary products, the Hanwell moves Marshall's heritage of big stage performance out of the arena, and into your home. "In 1962 Jim Marshall developed the first Marshall amplifier in his shop in Hanwell, London, England after taking time to listen to what guitar players wanted and needed," says Managing Director of Marshall Amplification, Jonathan Ellery. "From that very first amplifier, history was created and Marshall became the most iconic guitar amplifier company in the world." We have worked in close conjunction with Zound industries to create the first Marshall home audio product, the Hanwell. Named after the birthplace of the first Marshall amp and indeed the company, Hanwell keeps alive Marshall's tradition of listening to what the customer needs, and then exceeding their expectations." Konrad Bergström, President of Zound Industries (parent company of Marshall Headphones) continues, "We are excited to be a part of Marshall's legendary history. From the launch of Marshall Headphones in 2010, all the way up to the Hanwell, we have worked side by side with Marshall to ensure every detail of every product we develop meets and exceeds the expectations of both Marshall Amplification and Marshall fans around the world." The Sound of Hanwell: How it Looks: As a tribute to Marshall's 50-year legacy, each Hanwell is branded with a numbered anniversary edition commemorative badge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second generation Razer Blade laptop sharpens its edge with GTX 660M, unannounced Core i7 CPU Posted: 31 Aug 2012 03:15 PM PDT The 17-inch behemoths that call themselves gaming notebooks are traditionally quite large, trading extreme performance for substantial bulk. These machines routinely flirt with double digit weigh-ins, and flaunt meaty 1.5-plus inch bezels. They represent a unwieldy reality in portable power that most gamers have learned to expect. Not Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan, however -- he's still chasing the dream: thin, powerful and sleek. Tan caught up with us this week to brief us on the next generation Razer Blade, a rig that still boldly claims to be the "world's first true gaming laptop." Razer's first laptop hit shelves earlier this year, packing a 2.8GHz Core i7-2650M CPU and a GeForce GT 555M GPU into a svelte 0.8-inch aluminum shell. Tan explained that the rig's attractive hull hadn't changed much, but its internals sure have. "The Blade was our first laptop, and we've taken feedback really seriously since then," the CEO told us. "We've been listing to gamers and made a chart of all the pros to keep, and all the cons to address. Every single one of them." That chart eventually mapped out the refreshed rig's internals, which include an unannounced Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M graphics, 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM, a 500GB 7200RPM hard drive and 64GB of fast-booting solid state storage. All this comes in the same aluminum shell as the first Blade, of course, sporting a 17.3-inch high definition display and the firm's exclusive multitouch LCD Switchblade interface. Tan says the new build addresses some of our own complaints too, noting that the sticky hinge that plagued our review unit has been tweaked to bend to a lighter touch. The machine's internal speakers have been upgraded as well, and are said to be 250% louder with no distortion. The new Blade's sharpened specs will come with a price cut, ringing in at a penny under $2,500 -- and gamers who picked up its predecessor (which will be getting its own price cut, to $2,299), we were told, can snag one for $500 less. Pre-orders are slated to start on September 2nd, and should ship within 30 days. The new laptop is being unveiled for the first time at PAX Prime this weekend. Not in Seattle for Labor Day? Check out the official press release after the break.
The Beauty is Now the Beast The new Razer Blade unveiled at PAX Prime Features even more incredible performance, true portability and new apps for Switchblade User Interface SEATTLE, Wash. (PAX Prime) – Aug. 31, 2012 –Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, unveiled the next generation of the world's first true gaming laptop, the Razer Blade. The Razer Blade raised the bar on portable gaming laptops, pushing performance limits without compromising on its ultra-thin form factor. The new Razer Blade will be available for pre-order for $2,499 on Sept. 2 and begin shipping to consumers in North America on Sept. 30, 2012. "The all-new Razer Blade is built to defy all conventions; it is incredibly powerful and yet amazingly thin," said Min-Liang Tan, Razer Chief Executive Officer. "The Blade features the next generation of Intel® quad core processors combined with powerful NVIDIA® GTX class graphics chips and the fastest RAM available, resulting in a machine that is insanely powerful." The original Razer Blade's thermal system was completely re-engineered and built from custom-crafted parts with larger vents and specially designed heat pipes that allow more airflow to the unit's extreme components. With one of the most innovative thermal solutions in the industry, the new Razer Blade incorporates a tremendous amount of power and performance in an ultra-thin form factor. The new Razer Blade is only 0.88 inches thick, less than half the thickness of traditional gaming laptops of comparable performance. Combined with an ultra-slim power supply, the entire system weighs less than seven pounds, less than a third of the weight of other gaming laptops, making it the lowest profile, lightest gaming laptop of its class. PC gamers will now be able to experience today's most graphics-intensive games at phenomenal frame rates on the new Razer Blade's remarkable 17.3-in. high-definition display. The machine's new hybrid drive solution delivers data up to three times faster than traditional hard drives, with double the storage space. Additional features include quieter fans, optimized speakers, and three USB 3.0 ports with charging capabilities even when the system is switched off. . The most striking and innovative feature of the Razer Blade remains its multi-award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI). The unique integrated LCD display/multi-touch panel and 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys put commands and control functions within fingertip reach. The Switchblade UI features a growing list of applications designed specifically for gaming by Razer's in-house software engineers as well as by Razer's active community of users. These apps allow users to browse the web for in-game guides, watch online videos, stay connected within their social networks, and take advantage of an expanding list of dedicated gaming apps without ever having to leave a game. "With the new Razer Blade, we set out to design something truly phenomenal with extreme performance for gamers in an ultra-thin form factor," said Min. "The design and hardware advancements, combined with our revolutionary user interface, make the new Razer Blade, without doubt, the very best gaming laptop we've ever designed. The Beauty is now the Beast." Watch the "Razer Blade: The Beauty is Now the Beast" video at www.razerzone.com/blade About the Razer Blade gaming laptop The new Razer Blade is a 17-in. gaming laptop that delivers incredible performance and a revolutionary user interface in a sleek, portable form factor. It features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor within in a lightweight aluminum chassis. The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, located next to the Blade's full-size keyboard, was designed by Razer from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer's fingertips. The Switchblade features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also Future platform with 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 660M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory 17.3-in. LED Backlit Display (1920x1080) 500GB 7200RPM HDD (Primary Storage) 64GB SATA III SSD with NVELO Dataplex™ Software (Cache Acceleration) Wireless Network 802.11 A/G/N + BT4.0 16.81" (Width) x 10.9" (Depth) x 0.88" (Height); 6.6lbs (Weight) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engadget Podcast 308: IFA Edition - 08.31.2012 Posted: 31 Aug 2012 02:48 PM PDT  Live from a hotel room deep within the Euro Zone, it's the Engadget Podcast. This week it's all IFA all the time; if you're not quite sure what IFA should mean to you, we'll just put it this way: it's a lot like CES, but with more stollers. ¡Prost! Hosts: Brian Heater Subscribe to the podcast
Download the podcast ee This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Walmart testing 'Scan & Go' iPhone self-checkout app, cashiers becoming endangered species Posted: 31 Aug 2012 02:21 PM PDT Reuters was tipped off to a survey that reveals Walmart, the world's largest retailer, is testing a new system that would allow customers to scan items with their iPhone then quickly pay at a self-checkout counter. The "Scan & Go" feature won't let you pay with your phone, at least not yet, but rather than scanning each item individually in line, shoppers will be able to quickly transfer their list to the kiosk and pay in one quick step. The hope is that the new system will dramatically speed checkout times and reduce congestion in the stores. The trial is taking place at the supercenter Rogers, AR, where the entire event will be monitored and recorded for research purposes. Participants are being rewarded with $100 and a $25 gift certificate towards their shopping experience. When or if "Scan & Go" will be delivered to John Q. Public remains to be seen. But we're sure fans of rolled back prices are eager to see it go live. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 31 Aug 2012 01:55 PM PDT We already knew that RIM was readying a new version of its BlackBerry Enterprise Server to ship alongside the first BB10 devices in early 2013. Today, the company detailed the package, formally known as BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10. The big story here is that already-existing IT tools like BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, BlackBerry Device Service and Universal Device Service will be accessible from a single web console. The company also clarified that BlackBerry Device Service and Universal Device Service can run off separate servers, or just one. Take note, though, that the older BES 5+ will still need its own server for the time being. As we previously reported, too, the newest version of BES will offer legacy support to older devices -- specifically, it can support PlayBook tablets, phones running BlackBerry 7 OS or higher as well as iOS and Android devices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| WSJ: Amazon is building an ad-supported tablet (Update: two Kindle Fire devices coming next week) Posted: 31 Aug 2012 01:40 PM PDT If you can't quite scrounge up the $200 it takes to buy a quality 7-inch slab these days, Amazon may have a solution for you: sell them your attention. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company plans to develop a ad-supported tablet that would display advertisements whenever the screen is turned on. Sound familiar? Like the ad-supported Kindle readers Amazon's already dabbled with, subsided tablets would ring in at a lower price tag then their ad-free counterparts. WSJ sources also mentioned that some versions of the device would be WiFi only, potentially lowering the price even further. No word yet, if you'll be able to buy yourself out of the ads later, of course. Update: Care for a thicker plot? CNET is now reporting that Amazon will reveal two new Kindle Fire tablets next week -- an all new 7-inch wonder and a slightly reworked version of the original. While a brand new slab could be an obvious contender for the 7-inch tablet crown, a refreshed version of Amazon's original hardware could very well fit the ad-supported bill. Check out CNET's full report at the source link below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YouTube live streaming this year's London Paralympics in the US and Canada Posted: 31 Aug 2012 01:37 PM PDT Now that the Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps show in London is well behind us, it's time for this summer's Paralympics to get started -- in fact, they've been underway since this past Wednesday, August 29th. But in case you've been missing out on all the action due to shortage of viewing options, YouTube just announced it'll be streaming over 500 hours of live competitions to folks in the US of A and Canada. The real-time streams are being brought to you via the ParalympicSportsTV channel, which will also offer more than 1000 hours of on-demand content, such as daily highlights, behind-the-scenes footage and athlete interviews. The only thing left to do now is grab some popcorn and hope your country of choice leads that glorious medal count -- so far, it's China with the celebrated number one spot. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google Play's End of Summer Sale outed by discounted apps, lets the Lorax speak for the savings Posted: 31 Aug 2012 01:11 PM PDT It looks like a handful of select apps have outed Mountain View's Labor day plans: Google Play's End of Summer Sale. SwiftKey 3, The Lorax -- Dr. Seuss, Square Enix's Crystal Defenders, and other apps are now brandishing deep discounts, almost uniformly attributing the savings to the End of Summer Sale. Not every title on discount claims to be part of the unannounced event, however -- Max Payne Mobile slashed its price by 67 percent without so much as a hint at the alleged festivities. Google hasn't made the event official just yet, but we'd be willing to wager the deals will run through the holiday weekend. Check out the source link below to start making the most of your Google gift cards. Update: Google's made the sale official, featuring 18 discounted apps for your shopping pleasure. Check out the official list of sale items at the updated source link below, but don't limit yourself: Max Payne Mobile and a handful of other deeply discounted games aren't on it. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intel opens up about its 'Knights Corner' supercomputer co-processor Posted: 31 Aug 2012 12:46 PM PDT HotChips is the show where chip makers come to show off their latest slices of silicon, and Knights Corner architect George Chrysos spilled the beans on Santa Clara's Xeon Phi co-processor. The unit's designed to bolt onto Xeon chips to help supercomputers crunch the numbers faster, by handling the "highly parallel" grunt work necessary for genetic and climate modeling, among other things. Chrysos has lofty goals for the hardware, hoping that it'll contribute to "scientific and technical progress," while we're just excited to see if it can help the company reclaim its Top 500 crown from IBM. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kyocera Rise arrives on Virgin Mobile with ICS, 3.5-inch display and slide-out QWERTY keys Posted: 31 Aug 2012 12:19 PM PDT Just as we'd heard, today's the day that budget-minded (and not-so-shy) Kyocera Rise hits the Virgin Mobile USA shelves. Available now for a mere $100 -- without any contracts, of course -- this 3.5-inch, Ice Cream Sandwich device boasts some pretty run-of-the-mill features, including an HVGA, 480 x 320 LCD, a single-core, 1GHz Snapdragon CPU, 2GB of built-in storage which can be expanded to 32GB via microSD and, as you can see above, a full-on, slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Naturally, Virgin Mobile's betting on folks to bundle the cheap handset with one of its unlimited data plans -- not to mention Kyocera's handset is yet another addition to the prepaid carrier's rising smartphone lineup. Those interested can give the Rise a better look down below, where a nice gallery filled with charming press shots awaits. The Kyocera Rise with a full QWERTY keyboard. Now on Virgin Mobile USA without a contract and with our unlimited data and messaging Beyond Talk plans starting at $35/month. The Rise is available right now – just in time for back to school – for $99.99 online, at select dealers and Virgin Mobile's own branded stores. It will roll out across national retail outlets starting in late September. Awesome features include: This is a great choice for first-time Android users, including parents looking for that great first smartphone for teens and tweens, or seniors. Customers get to move into touchscreen smartphone territory while still keeping the ease and familiarity of a keyboard, and at an affordable price. Join the no-contract wave on Virgin Mobile USA. We answer to A Higher Calling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 31 Aug 2012 11:52 AM PDT Coming on the heels of Google announcing additional languages for Gmail search, the dev team out in Mountain View is rolling out a few more tweaks. For starters, when you use advanced search, you'll now see autocomplete predictions in the "from" and "to" fields. Google is also "graduating" three labs: Refresh POP accounts, Filter import / export and Navbar drag and drop. Starting with that POP feature, you'll be able to click the refresh link at the top of the inbox to populate your inbox with new messages, and also fetch messages from any other POP address you've got set up. Moving on, that filter import / export feature should come in handy if you want to share filters with friends or feel the need to back them up. Wrapping things up, the ability to drag and drop gadgets on the left-hand pane is good for, well, you get the idea. |
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