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Engadget News |
- GeeXBox 3.0 now available, XBMC 11 calling the shots
- Vevo's website redesign simplifies the video watch page, adds artist pages
- Google shutters Music Search in China, concedes battle to Baidu
- NFL Network and RedZone Channel coming to Time Warner Cable
- Vizio's CinemaWide 21:9 HDTVs hit physical store shelves, price slides below $2k
- Sony's stacked Exmor RS phone camera sensors detuned over quality worries
- Europe approves Universal - EMI merger, cements the dominance of the 'big three'
- Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for Android updated with support for closed captions
- Looxcie HD brings 1080p and WiFi streaming to a helmet near you
- UK pricing begins to filter out for Motorola's Intel-powered RAZR i smartphone
- Nokia Lumia 510 put under the regulatory limelight, hints low-cost Windows Phone 7.8 on the way
- Verizon Galaxy Nexus finally lands Jelly Bean update
- Swiss railway says it's 'proud' Apple is using its iconic clock design, still wants to get paid
- New York City, meet your new official taxi: the Nissan NV200
- LG Optimus L7 leaks for Boost Mobile as the Venice
- Facebook shutting down facial recognition in the EU, gets stamp of approval from Ireland DPC
- German court rules that Motorola, Samsung don't violate Apple touch event patent
- Kickstarter tells users 'We are not a store,' tightens rules for hardware pitches
- Sony Xperia T review: a new 4.6-inch smartphone flagship that isn't quite new enough
- Nokia stacks up its maps next to Apple's and Google's, politely suggests it comes out on top
- Distro Issue 58: Is the iPhone 5 innovative or incremental?
- SpaceX to start International Space Station cargo runs on October 7th, kick off routine private spaceflight
- HBO boss Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne
- Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony's new PS3, 'Prototype-SR' and assorted gaming peripherals
- BlackBerry outage affecting users in Europe, Middle East and Africa (update: service restored?)
- Vellamo benchmark adds CPU and memory tests, here's how it rates the One X and GS III
- Packaging hints at ASUS Padfone 2 having 4.7-inch 720p display, 13MP camera, quad-core S4 Pro
- Neurowear wants to read your mind, geotag your feelings (video)
- iOS 6 becomes 15 percent of Apple mobile device traffic within 24 hours
- Cellcom carries HTC Desire 4G LTE as its first LTE phone September 21st, hopes you'll notice
- Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video)
- Razer Game Booster enters closed beta, ready to fine tune your rig (video)
- BT to offer free YouView box with one-year broadband contract, £49 for existing customers
- iPhone 5 hits the teardown table, scores a 7 out of 10 for repairability from iFixit
- Researchers create working quantum bit in silicon, pave way for PCs of the future
- Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on (video)
- Jarre Aeroskull speaker dock packs dual 15-watt woofers, recently departed Apple Dock Connector
- Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video)
- Dennis Crowley: Foursquare's a discovery and recommendation engine first, social service second
- Phorus PS1 speakers and PR1 receiver add some Android-powered WiFi audio to your home (video)
| GeeXBox 3.0 now available, XBMC 11 calling the shots Posted: 21 Sep 2012 11:51 AM PDT Attention do-it-yourself home theater fans, GeeXboX 3.0 is now available. Primarily based off of XBMC 11, the latest software bump for this long-running Linux distro introduces a few nifty features, such as: PVR support for DVB-T (watch and record live TV), full HD video for PandaBoard systems, full HD support for CuBox and improved HDD installation. A year in the making, GeeXbox 3.0 weighs in at a hefty 140MB, nearly double the size of the platform's last official release. In addition to its new bells and whistles, version 3.0 has "preliminary" Raspberry Pi support baked into its development tree. So, if you've been plotting like Wile E. Coyote to build your next HTPC, then you may want to give this ISO a download. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vevo's website redesign simplifies the video watch page, adds artist pages Posted: 21 Sep 2012 11:32 AM PDT Chances are you've enjoyed Vevo's music video catalogue in one form or another, and purists who prefer .com access are being rewarded today with a fresh website design. The "video watch page" was previously littered with related clips, a playlist and other distractions, which have now been dispatched for greater focus on the tune at hand. Much of this has been moved to "artist pages", a new pop-up hub (pictured above) which is full of extra info on your chosen act. Head over to Vevo to see the enhancements for yourself, and with impending OUYA support, you might want to consider it your primary dispensary for that daily dose of Biebzilla. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google shutters Music Search in China, concedes battle to Baidu Posted: 21 Sep 2012 11:12 AM PDT Google has had a rough go of it in China. The company seems to fall farther and farther behind the home-grown search powerhouse Baidu. The latest battle Mountain View has been forced to concede is in the world of music. Google Music Search launched in 2009 as a legal alternative to Baidu's own tool that turned up primarily illicitly shared results. The service never took off, even with the backing of a local partner, and things only got worse when the web giant ceased censoring results and took it wares to Hong Kong. The fatal blow came last year when Baidu signed a licensing deal with One-Stop China -- a joint venture of Universal, Warner and Sony BMG. Since that day, you could argue that Google has only been postponing the inevitable. Today's announcement officially begins the countdown, and on October 19th Google Music Search will close its doors for good in China. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NFL Network and RedZone Channel coming to Time Warner Cable Posted: 21 Sep 2012 10:54 AM PDT You don't have to look high (or low) to find a litany of complaints regarding Time Warner Cable's service, support or pricing, but it's evidently aiming to right one particular wrong later today. According to Bloomberg, the National Football League has inked a deal with TWC to bring the NFL Network and RedZone Channel to its systems. The move comes just months after the NFL ushered its networks onto rival Cablevision, putting TWC is a particular bind in the greater NYC market. It's still unclear where the channels will be positioned and how much extra you'll have to pony up to get 'em, but hey -- it's cheaper than moving to a FiOS neighborhood. (Though, admittedly, less satisfying.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vizio's CinemaWide 21:9 HDTVs hit physical store shelves, price slides below $2k Posted: 21 Sep 2012 10:35 AM PDT While Philips is backing out of the ultrawidescreen game, it appears Vizio is still trying to move at least a few more units. The company announced that its 58-inch CinemaWide HDTVs have moved from being available exclusively online, to the physical store shelves of Costco and Sam's Club stores. If the prospect of watching most movies without any black bars (although standard 16x9 TV programming won't quite fit without side bars, zooming or app/menu filler) hasn't quite moved you to buy, there is also the news that its price has dropped another $500 to a shade below $2,000, which puts it closer to the 46-inch HDTVs it's size resembles when watching regular widescreen video. When they initially started shipping our friends at HD Guru were told it was a limited one time only run of 1,000 units -- we'll see if any more sets show up or if this the last gasp for HDTVs in this format. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony's stacked Exmor RS phone camera sensors detuned over quality worries Posted: 21 Sep 2012 10:17 AM PDT Sony would still like you to get excited about its upcoming Exmor RS stacked CMOS image sensors -- just not too excited. Both the 8-megapixel IMX134 and 13-megapixel IMX135 are scaling back from their original RGBW (red, green, blue, white) coding to an ordinary RGB over concerns that they aren't meeting Sony's "image quality standards" as originally designed. Consequently, either sensor will be less sensitive to light and diminish some of that high dynamic range magic. The company also doesn't want to get our hopes up for a quick arrival on shelves and clarifies that there's a phased launch starting in January. Mobile shutterbugs may be crestfallen knowing that Sony won't have the best possible camera sensor in future Xperia phones, but the honesty at least guarantees that the company gets a timely return on its $994 million investment. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Europe approves Universal - EMI merger, cements the dominance of the 'big three' Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:58 AM PDT The European Union has signed off on Universal's $1.9 billion purchase of EMI music, provided that it sells off two-thirds of the fallen giant's assets to comply with competition regulations. The most notable jewel on the auction block is label Parlophone, home of the early Beatles records, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Kylie. Chiefs added the conditions in the hope of preventing the new mega-corporation from gaining too much market share, but given that Sony (which bought EMI's publishing arm) and Warner Music are its only real competitors -- it's sealed the trio as the only guests at the top table of the music industry, problematic for anyone looking to found an iTunes or Spotify rival and doesn't fancy playing by their rules. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Max Go apps for Android updated with support for closed captions Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:39 AM PDT Sound familiar? Just days after the mobile apps for HBO, Cinemax and Hulu added closed captions support on iOS, a similar slew of upgrades have come to their apps on Android. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any change in the number of supported devices for any of them at this time. Hulu's upgrade also adds on the option to share videos via Twitter, Facebook and other services, although the 10 second rewind button added on iOS does not appear to have made the cut. As usual you should see the new versions rolling around in the app store, hit the source links for more info. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Looxcie HD brings 1080p and WiFi streaming to a helmet near you Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:21 AM PDT Looxcie isn't just a luxurious sounding word (and terrible pun), it's also a maker of life-sharing head-mounted cameras. Up until now, it would only let you capture your life in a rather pedestrian 480p, but the new Looxcie HD does away with that, letting you grab that bike ride in full glorious high-definition. Other additions include WiFi (previous iterations relied on Bluetooth) to hook up to your Android or iOS device with, a larger 1,200 mAh battery and improved low light performance. Owners of previous models might spot that with new features comes a new, larger form. The price of evolution it seems. The price for the device, on the other hand, is $279, or $329 if you opt for the "Explore" bundle, which incidentally you can pre-order now. Peep at the source for more. Looxcie Launches High-Definition Hands-Free Video Cam With Live Streaming Cam Delivers Crisp HD Video Recording and is First to Stream Live Video to Facebook SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Looxcie, Inc., makers of the first hands-free mobile-connected video cam, announced today its greatly anticipated Looxcie HD video cam. With full 1080p recording and built-in Wi-Fi, the Looxcie HD captures razor-sharp video and can simultaneously share a live video stream with friends and family. The first wearable cam that offers direct-to-Facebook live streaming, Looxcie HD lets users create their own personal broadcasting network, with the ability to start either a public broadcast for anyone to watch or a private stream for only invited friends. And after the broadcast ends, the video is automatically saved in the cloud and can be shared on Facebook through the Looxcie App for Facebook. When users aren't streaming, Looxcie's unique Instant Clip button lets people capture "instant replay" clips of what just happened. Clips can be immediately viewed, edited and shared with the Looxcie companion app. Because the Looxcie HD connects wirelessly to smartphones or tablets running iOS (5.0 or higher) or Android (2.3.3 or higher), users can stream a broadcast or share video clips from virtually anywhere. (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120921/SF76453) With its new water-resistant design, low-light camera sensor, and removable and rechargeable battery, the Looxcie HD lets users record and stream under nearly any condition, from snow sports to forest trails and sporting events. The Looxcie HD video cam will be available in several configurations - including the Looxcie HD Explore, which features versatile mounting options for ball caps, helmets or bikes, making it easy to record and stream hands-free right out of the box. "With the ability to simultaneously record HD video and share a live stream on Facebook, the Looxcie HD resets the bar for hands-free video cams. People can now instantly share high-quality video from anywhere and to anyone," said Looxcie CEO Romulus Pereira. "Sharing video is now as simple as updating your status on Facebook, sending a Tweet, or uploading a picture, but with the rich story-telling power of high-definition video." The Looxcie HD will be available for pre-order on September 21 from Looxcie.com or from Amazon.com. The MSRP will range from $279.99 to $349.99, depending upon configuration. Additional Product Features & Specs: About Looxcie, Inc. Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Looxcie or follow us at www.twitter.com/LooxcieCam SOURCE Looxcie, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK pricing begins to filter out for Motorola's Intel-powered RAZR i smartphone Posted: 21 Sep 2012 09:02 AM PDT Soon after it's unveiling, the Intel-based RAZR i showed up in Clove's listings with a SIM-free price of £342, and now it looks as if a few more outlets are pushing pricing details to the world. Expected to storm the UK in October, the phone should ship to Virgin Media customers for around £23 per month on its Premiere Tariff, while T-Mobilers will be able to score one for £0 to £31 per month depending on the contract. All told, not too shabby for the world's first 2GHz Atom-backed Android phone, and if you're eager to push all of this iPhone 5 stuff aside, at least you know precisely how many quid to save up between now and next month. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia Lumia 510 put under the regulatory limelight, hints low-cost Windows Phone 7.8 on the way Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:44 AM PDT Here's a contradiction in action: a Nokia phone that goes down a model number, but up in features. That's what we'll see if regulatory screenings and leaks surrounding the unreleased Lumia 510 are any indication. China's TENAA, the FCC and Indonesia's DG PosTel have all taken a look at the device ahead of time and point to a short, squat design that won't have the budget chic of the Lumia 610. However, if Baidu tips are correct, the 510 may be an ever-so-slight upgrade to its higher-digit predecessor with a larger 4-inch screen and a likely fast track to Windows Phone 7.8. Just don't anticipate more than the existing 800MHz Snapdragon, 256MB of RAM and 5-megapixel camera -- or a US release, for that matter. The FCC has only tested the Lumia 510 against American GSM bands, which hints that its 3G support is meant for China, Indonesia and other countries where low-cost smartphones matter most. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Verizon Galaxy Nexus finally lands Jelly Bean update Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:26 AM PDT As Alton Brown is fond of saying, "your patience will be rewarded." Today, those of you with Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus handsets (at least those that didn't run out and download an unofficial Jelly Bean) are finally getting your reward. Android version 4.1.1 (better known as JRO03O among the hack happy) is being pushed out OTA to Big Red customers, complete with the preemptive magic of Google Now in tow. If you haven't seen an alert yet, head to the About Phone section in your settings, and tap System Updates. Having recently been welcomed back to the AOSP fold, we'd have hoped for an update sooner, but it's still among the first wave of handsets to move to the latest version of Android. Now if only this would restore Google Wallet functionality. (Hey, a guy can dream can't he?) The complete announcement from Verizon awaits after the break. Samsung Galaxy Nexus Upgrades to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean By: Albert Aydin The Galaxy Nexus by Samsung is the first smartphone on the Verizon Wireless network to be upgraded to the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system (OS). For a limited time, the software upgrade will be pushed out in phases over Wi-Fi only. Customers can check if the software is available for their device by going to Settings > About Phone > System Updates. If the upgrade is available, a notification will be displayed and customers will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network to complete the download. Jelly Bean is the newest Android OS and offers advanced functionality and new features like Google Now that feeds relevant information to a device based on time and location. With Google Now, a person standing on a train platform may receive information about when a specific train is arriving and if there are delays. Jelly Bean's smarter keyword feature makes text messaging faster by predicting the next word in a sentence, and improved speech-to-text technology and voice technology continues to work even if a data connection is interrupted. The interface on Jelly Bean is also the most responsive Android OS to date. Customers can interact with messages, photos, emails and event details from the notification screen, allowing them to directly access important information without navigating their phone. Additional information on the Jelly Bean upgrade can be found on the Galaxy Nexus by Samsung support page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swiss railway says it's 'proud' Apple is using its iconic clock design, still wants to get paid Posted: 21 Sep 2012 08:05 AM PDT If you thought the new iPad clock app in iOS 6 looked a little familiar, you're not alone. The design is a near-exact replica of the iconic Swiss railway clock designed in 1955 by Hans Hilfiker and since licensed for use in Mondaine watches. Not surprisingly, both Swiss railway operator SBB and the Mondaine Group have also noticed the striking similarity, and they say they're now looking at ways to remedy the situation with Apple. For its part, an SBB spokesperson tells Reuters that "SBB isn't hurt, but proud that his icon of watch design is being used by a globally active and successful business," while Mondaine co-owner Andre Bernheim notes that "the app is pretty much identical to our Mondaine watch," and adds that these "three companies together -- Apple, SBB and Mondaine -- can together achieve something positive. We'll see how this all ends up." Apple has yet to offer a comment on the matter. Jump past the break to compare the two for yourself. [Image credit: JuergenG] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York City, meet your new official taxi: the Nissan NV200 Posted: 21 Sep 2012 07:51 AM PDT Back in May, Nissan unveiled its NV200 van as New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow" in a joint press conference with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Today, NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) made the pact official, signing regulations that will replace the city's iconic line of Crown Victorias (and myriad other cabs) with the NV200 beginning in October 2013. As Nissan puts it, today's signing, "officially makes the NV200 the taxicab of New York City." The NV200 van beat out competition from the likes of Ford to take New York City's coveted "Taxi of Tomorrow" award months ago. When Engadget EIC (and gearhead) Tim Stevens explored the NV200 at the New York Auto Show, he called it "a huge advance" over existing taxi stock. And hey, will all those amenities, we can't disagree. Most exciting for commuters: Nissan's NV200 taxi features separate climate controls for passengers, as well as USB slots for mobile charging. "Taxi of Tomorrow" indeed! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LG Optimus L7 leaks for Boost Mobile as the Venice Posted: 21 Sep 2012 07:34 AM PDT The merriment continues at evleaks, which just spilled another smartphone via Twitter. This time it's the LG Venice for Boost Mobile: a rebadged version of the Optimus L7 that just so happens to sport a handsome silvery backplate. This is the second version of the Optimus L7 to be geared for US shores, the first being the Splendor for US Cellular. Absent any drastic changes, shoppers can rightfully expect to find an Android 4.0 smartphone that's paired with a single-core 1GHz CPU, a 4.3-inch WVGA display and a 5-megapixel camera that'll capture video at 720p. Unfortunately, pricing for the Venice remains up in the air, which makes it difficult to know whether it'll provide much of a value proposition within Boost's lineup. Likewise, the all-important release date is also a mystery, although with the carrier actively refreshing its fall lineup, a near-term arrival is certainly within reason. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Facebook shutting down facial recognition in the EU, gets stamp of approval from Ireland DPC Posted: 21 Sep 2012 07:16 AM PDT Earlier this year, Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner, a body whose decisions impact Facebook's policies in Europe at large, made several recommendations to bring the website in line with regional privacy laws, calling for greater transparency on how users' data is handled and more user control over settings, among other things. The DPC just officially announced that Zuckerberg et al. have for the most part adjusted its policies accordingly. The biggest change involves the facial recognition feature, which attempts to identify Facebook friends in photos and suggest their names for tagging. The social network turned off this functionality for new users in the EU -- and it will be shutting it down entirely by October 15th. It's not like Ireland, home to Facebook's European HQ, is the first to give the site flack about such features: Germany was having none of it when the site introduced facial recognition last summer. Update: A Facebook spokesperson reached out to us with the social network's response to the DPC's announcement, reinforcing the image of one big, happy, privacy regulations-compliant family:
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| German court rules that Motorola, Samsung don't violate Apple touch event patent Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:55 AM PDT Motorola and Samsung just caught a break from the law after a few hard knocks. A Mannheim, Germany court has ruled that neither company infringes on an Apple patent covering how an OS responds to and ignores touch events. While we don't yet know the full details, patent lawsuit guru Florian Mueller suggests that the German judge took the same point of view that thwarted Apple's claims in the Netherlands and the UK: the particular patent was just too broad to stick. It's a potentially important win, as a ruling of violation could have led to serious problems with keeping Android-based Motorola and Samsung devices in stores; other patents are more easily circumvented. However, it's still something of a Pyrrhic victory for a pair of companies that have lately been facing the threat of near-term bans and steep damages. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kickstarter tells users 'We are not a store,' tightens rules for hardware pitches Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:41 AM PDT Kickstarter's founders are getting worried about what people think -- and in particular that the crowdfunding platform will be perceived as an Amazon for uninvented gadgets. As such, they're tightening the rules on product pitches to prevent anything too nebulous getting through the vetting process. Projects using simulations or renderings are prohibited from today, forcing creators to demonstrate working prototypes of their inventions. The site is also adding a section called "Risks and Challenges," where contributors have to demonstrate their business, tech and planning acumen by explaining how they'll cope with problems that arise further down the road. Finally, Kickstarter is also preventing job-lots of products being offered as a funding reward (except for things like Ardunio-esque sets, where it's reasonable to expect multiple units) -- ending the days of getting 30 nuclear-powered iPhone cases for the low, low price of $1,000. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony Xperia T review: a new 4.6-inch smartphone flagship that isn't quite new enough Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:10 AM PDT Sony's Xperia T goes by a few names. Depending on which country you're in, you might pick it up as the Xperia GX, or possibly even the TX. The final review sample that's been passed our desk, however, is the Xperia T, the European HSPA version, headed to O2's UK stores in the coming weeks, at which point it will be free on £36 per-month contracts and likely replace the Xperia S as Sony's Android flagship. In comparison to Sony's Spring smartphone, there's a similar 720p display, now stretched out to 4.6 inches, a different 13-megapixel camera, a new 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor and Android ICS -- with the promise of Jelly Bean soon after it hits store. The Xperia T also revives a familiar hardware curve and has picked up onscreen Android buttons on its design journey. Design twists and promises of the latest OS aside, has Sony finally built a top-tier phone capable of going toe-to-toe with the smartphone heavyweights? Have a look after the break. Hardware
When we were first introduced to it, the Xperia T was shaping up to be a quite the looker, but when we pulled it out of its box, we found it a little bit... underwhelming. It weighs in at 139 grams (about 4.9 ounces), it feels a bit chunky in-hand, and while Sony has perfected the art of the press shot, in real life the hardware doesn't quite cut it. The screen connects to a glossy plastic frame, while the back (and the majority of the sides) have a matte finish. Yep, Sony has continued to skip the glossy finish, and our fingertips couldn't be happier. Due to that Xperia Arc-inspired curvature, the phone is easier to grasp than you might expect from a device packing a 4.6-inch display. The way the screen portion of the side curves back inwards makes it easier to grasp than the smaller Xperia S. While it's been a matter of months since the company's last flagship arrived, button locations and access panels have changed, correcting some criticisms we've had with several of Sony's phones so far this year. First up, those flimsy port covers are gone, with HDMI support now assigned to MHL within the micro-USB socket -- which is also open to the elements. Even on the Xperia S, we never understood why Sony would cover up a port that could be used daily. The buttons have also been transplanted -- all are now located along the right edge. Below the single flush cover for the micro-SIM and microSD cards, there's the power button, volume rocker and two-stage camera button -- all solidly constructed. The camera button requires a gentle touch to focus, while a hard-press will launch the camera app from standby. There's no removable cover, making the phone feel solid in our hands, although perhaps lacking the premium materials of other high-priced rivals. There's a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera, while the front-facing sensor captures 1.3 megapixels, capable of 720p recording. With Sony's Exmor R Sensor, the primary shooter can record up to 1080p video and is accompanied by an LED flash and mono speaker that's inconveniently placed where your fingers are likely to grip the phone. Otherwise, the speaker itself is sufficiently loud, with some distortion at top volume. The Xperia T's NFC credentials mean it can also relinquish audio responsibilities to Sony's recently-announced speaker range. Display If you like what Sony's been offering on the Xperia S and Ion, you'll find the Xperia T performs just as well -- but bigger. At 4.6 inches, coated in scratch-resistant glass, it's designed to plug into Sony's Entertainment hub and all the content it has an offer -- if you're willing to commit to another ecosystem. It's another strong performing screen -- no AMOLED means less color distortion and no PenTile woes. The viewing angles appear identical to the Xperia S, meaning they're pretty damn good. We'd also like to mention here that those on-screen keys give the Xperia T a far up-to-date air than its predecessors -- Sony's catching up. Software
The Xperia T comes with a manufacturer-tinged version of Android 4.0 -- Ice Cream Sandwich. This time around, the phone has onscreen buttons instead of capacitive keys, but on first appearances the UI appears very similar to the Xperia S. This entails a sizable collection of Xperia widgets, with plenty pointing to Sony's homegrown software and services. Extending from a social feed to Music Unlimited, we started to re-purpose those homescreens immediately, clearing out the majority of them. Sony isn't only going up against Google's own content store, but with the likes of Spotify and Amazon, and we're still not seeing much to draw us into yet another ecosystem wanting our credit card digits. There are also a lot of apps packed into the app drawer that are best left untouched. An EA games hub teases the likes of Dead Space and Need For Speed, but after tapping through, you'll be informed that none of the games listed are (currently, at least) supported on the Xperia T. The PlayNow hub does offer compatible games, but the quality will soon push you back to Google's richer games selection. The onscreen multitasking button not only throws up shortcuts to currently running apps, but also shortcuts to calculators, timers and a memo-taking function. Sony's calling these "small apps" and there's a shortcut to install more of them in Google Play -- although there's nothing to download from there yet. For anyone who lives surrounded by Bravia TVs and Sony Blu-ray players, the Media Controller looks like a welcome addition, offering to transfer remote capabilities to your smartphone, although we didn't have a compatible set to put it through its paces. A Movie Studio app comes pre-baked on the Xperia T, offering up some lightweight tools to chop up those home movies, while Smart Connect gives the user a lightweight interpretation of Motorola's Smart Actions -- we took to using the night setting almost immediately. Unlike Smart Actions, these are partially limited by what you can link to the phone; "night" will switch the phone to silent and start up the alarm app when the device is charging and it's some time between 10pm and 7am. These timings can be changed, and you can set other apps to launch when the phone is connected to headsets, chargers and other compatible hardware. But compared to Motorola's attempt, it's all a bit limited. Camera Thankfully, Sony has kept the camera unit recessed, meaning it thankfully dodges hard surfaces and finger smudges. The sensor is a minor bump up from the 12.1-megapixel sensor seen on the Xperia S, but the UI and results are similar. That is, a lot of our shots looked sharp and in focus on the screen but were often mired in noise when it came to focusing in. Low light performance illustrated this much more, but we found our photo files were compressed to the same extent on the S model. You can adjust exposure, ISO, metering and white balance, and even adjust how the settings are displayed in the camera UI. The camera rockets into action from the physical button or even from the lock screen, although you have the option of capturing or focusing from either the touchscreen or the physical controls. The video sample embedded below demonstrates a good autofocus experience, and the image stabilization option does does a good job of mitigating any shakiness. Again, you'll get a very similar experience from Sony's other recent smartphones.
Battery life and performanceThat 4.6-inch screen sports an impressive 1,280 x 720 resolution, so we were looking forward to seeing how the Xperia T's 1,850mAh battery handled the workload. In summary, it delivered a middle-of-the-road showing. We got just under six hours of constant video playback, WiFi and 3G enabled regularly polling Twitter and our email. Sure, that's incrementally higher than the Xperia S, but given its non-removable nature, we were never quite confident that the Xperia T would go the distance. With medium to heavy use, we managed about a full work day, but we'd advise carrying either an external battery or a USB cable if you're going to work overtime. The Xperia T totes a pentaband GSM radio. Through a HSPA+ connection on Three UK, we were hitting speeds of around 6Mbps down and just under 2Mbps up -- comparable to other phones we tested nearby. Call quality was also strong -- a plus on occasions when you find yourself using those free minutes.
The 1GB of memory directly matches the Xperia S -- as does the most recent Android build (4.0.4) but undulations between the UI mean there are at least some minor software differences. We updated our Xperia S scores here to reflect its Android 4.0 refresh, but the Xperia T still dominates in these tests, with the Snapdragon S4 processor predictably besting its S3 relative, despite the same 1.5GHz clockspeed. Pitting the new phone against the HSPA version of the Galaxy S III and its a mixed bag on these scores. In day-to-day use, however, the Samsung quad-core phone offers a generally smoother experience, while we found the Xperia T would often stall during web sessions -- on both its own browser and Chrome. However, games and movies ran smoothly and streamed without issues, making the patch browser performance even more disappointing. Wrap-up The Xperia T is a deceptive phone, with a design that looks and feels narrower than it actually is. Despite that huge display, it falls within the same dimensions as smaller-screened smartphones, with Sony shedding at least some of those exaggerated borders. It lands favorably with Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, something that was notably missing when the Xperia S landed. But, with a software update now readily available on that older phone (we refreshed the older phone with the latest software to compare in this review) it's difficult to pin any major improvements or innovations that the Xperia T brings to phone buyers.
We still carry a torch for Sony and its tech launches, but our attention is rightfully shifting to the competition. Having both the S and T models side by side, it looks like one is the prototype of the other and we're not even sure which came first. Onscreen buttons and a marginally higher-resolution camera are certainly improvements, but a fully-priced Xperia T is hard to recommend over the now-discounted Xperia S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia stacks up its maps next to Apple's and Google's, politely suggests it comes out on top Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:02 AM PDT You might have noticed a brouhaha over map accuracy in iOS 6. Nokia undoubtedly did, as it's using the iPhone 5 launch to remind us that its strategy has been all about location lately. The crew in Espoo has pitted Nokia Maps from the Lumia 920 against both Apple's equivalent as well as Google Maps -- and to no one's surprise, Nokia's own platform comes out on top. In practice, it's a relatively frank comparison that doesn't try to win on every point. Nokia tends to use a liberal definition of the term "3D" that includes augmented reality, but it's otherwise willing to emphasize its advantages in offline mapping and the sheer scope of its mapping coverage. Apple's very young mapping effort struggles, while Nokia is willing to accept that it doesn't have as much traffic coverage as Google. There is, however, the slight problem of the Lumia 920 not yet shipping: unless you've been blessed with a prototype of the Windows Phone 8 device, Apple and Google are the only ones that have their latest navigation software on a phone you can actually buy. Hit the source for the full, very tall chart as well as a few sly jabs at Nokia's competitors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distro Issue 58: Is the iPhone 5 innovative or incremental? Posted: 21 Sep 2012 06:00 AM PDT It may be the most anticipated phone of the year, and now it's here. In this week's issue of Distro, we'll bring you our full impressions of Apple's iPhone 5. While it may be the center of attention at the moment, however, it's certainly not the only device that crossed our desks this week. We also have reviews of Motorola's budget-friendly Droid RAZR M and HP's new Ultrabook, the Envy Spectre XT. In addition, we grill IBM Research's Dr. Michael Karasick for Q&A, head to Germany for Photokina in Hands-On, and get an eye-full of Pi for Visualized. Whether you think the iPhone 5 was worth the wait or not, we're sure this issue of Distro is. So get to downloading. Distro Issue 58 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 21 Sep 2012 05:15 AM PDT SpaceX just put a date on when private space travel becomes a seemingly everyday affair: October 7th. That's when the company and NASA expect to launch a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station delivering the first of a dozen cargo loads to the International Space Station through the unmanned Dragon spacecraft. While we're not expecting any trouble -- SpaceX has done this before -- there's a chance for a rescheduled launch on October 8th if there are any minor setbacks. The flights won't achieve the cachet of government-funded runs with human beings onboard, but we're sure the company doesn't mind when it's taking steps towards democratizing spaceflight... and pocketing $1.6 billion in the process. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HBO boss Bill Nelson announces retirement, Richard Plepler will assume the throne Posted: 21 Sep 2012 04:39 AM PDT After five years as king of the HBO castle, CEO Bill Nelson has announced he's leaving the company to retire at the end of the year. During Nelson's near 30-year career, he bounced through a string of corporate roles before becoming top dog in 2007, subsequently overseeing the launch of the digital service HBO Go. While it might be impossible to replace such a commanding moustache, we're sure current co-President Richard Plepler will do a fine job when he takes the helm. He's responsible (in part) for bringing shows like Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones to our screens, after all. Enjoy your retirement Bill, and be glad you left on your own terms -- some aren't so fortunate. HBO CEO BILL NELSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT Time Warner Announces New HBO Management Team: Richard Plepler CEO, Eric Kessler President & COO, and Michael Lombardo President, Programming NEW YORK, September 20, 2012 – Bill Nelson, CEO of Home Box Office, Inc., announced today he will step down as CEO of HBO at the end of the year. Under Nelson's tenure, HBO has enjoyed record revenues and profits; experienced a resurgence in its original programming, most recently earning 81 Emmy nominations, including the most "outstanding series" nominations in the network's history; launched its acclaimed and popular authenticated streaming service HBO GO; and expanded its international businesses, resulting more than 100 million subscribers worldwide. Under the new management structure, Eric Kessler will serve as President and COO and Michael Lombardo will serve as President, Programming, and both will report to Richard Plepler, who will become CEO. "Bill and I have worked together for many, many years and though I'm sad to see him leave, I respect his decision to enjoy retirement. He is a world-class CEO and leaves the company well-positioned for the future," said Jeff Bewkes, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner Inc. "The company will not miss a step with the new team, which has the combination of talent and experience to drive HBO to new heights of creative excellence, innovation, and financial performance. Richard and Eric are twenty-plus year veterans of the company who, as Co-Presidents, helped HBO re-establish its pre-eminence over the past five years, and Mike Lombardo has done an exceptional job in developing the best slate in HBO's history." "HBO has been my home for almost 30 years so this decision was an emotional one," said Nelson. "With my elevation to CEO more than five years ago, we set an ambitious agenda for HBO, and I'm proud to say that I feel the company has never been in better shape financially or creatively. I feel very comfortable in taking this step now because I know HBO will continue in its tradition of innovation and acclaimed programming and retain its superior position in our industry in the hands of Richard, Eric, Mike and the entire team." Mr. Nelson's Background Mr. Plepler's Background Mr. Kessler's Background Mr. Lombardo's Background | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tokyo Game Show 2012 wrap-up: Sony's new PS3, 'Prototype-SR' and assorted gaming peripherals Posted: 21 Sep 2012 04:00 AM PDT After a few humid and sweaty days in Tokyo, TGS 2012 is drawing to a close. While the public days continue through the weekend, us media types are headed back to our respective homelands until next September. The lasting impression from the week -- aside from eating massive amounts of gyoza -- will undoubtedly be the news Sony dropped the day before the show started at its own press event. A new, even slimmer PS3 is on the way and two new colors for the PS Vita were outed -- at least for Japan. On the show floor, though, we encountered some peripherals well-suited for other gaming tech like Nintendo's 3DS XL, Xbox 360 and PC rigs. You can peek at those for yourself in the Sony
Other hands-ons
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| BlackBerry outage affecting users in Europe, Middle East and Africa (update: service restored?) Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:55 AM PDT While the two events are entirely unrelated, a major service outage coinciding with potentially the biggest mobile of the year hitting stores worldwide is just plain old unlucky. Users of RIM's BlackBerry service in the EMEA region are at the wrong end of a network problem affecting BBM, email and internet. At the moment it doesn't appear to be of the vast and crippling scale as last time, but small consolation if you're one of the unlucky ones. RIM has acknowledged the issue, and you can bet the farm on the fact there is more than a handful of slightly stressed engineers on the case, hoping to keep customers from making that impulse purchase. Let us know in the comments if you're affected. Update: We've just received this official statement from RIM in the UK:
Update 2: RIM has now issued a statement from CEO Thorsten Heins on the matter, in which he also apologizes and notes that up to six percent of the company's user base may have been affected with a "maximum delay of 3 hours in the delivery and reception of their messages."
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| Vellamo benchmark adds CPU and memory tests, here's how it rates the One X and GS III Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:31 AM PDT Qualcomm's Vellamo app has been a part of the furniture in our Android benchmarking suite for a while now, providing a fun little test of browsing and networking speeds on almost any Android device. Version 2.0 adds something extra, however: a section called "Metal" that is all about putting your processor and memory through the wringer. As a quick taster, we ran the new HTML5 and Metal tests on the HTC One X (both global and AT&T) and the Galaxy S III (global and Sprint), settling on the average of three consecutive results. Conspiracy theorists who think that Qualcomm's app favors its own processors will only find further ammunition in the CPU results, however the HTML5 scores actually give the QCOM devices much less of a lead than the old Vellamo did, scoring all four handsets roughly equally. You'll find the table overleaf, along with a publicity video that explains the update.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Packaging hints at ASUS Padfone 2 having 4.7-inch 720p display, 13MP camera, quad-core S4 Pro Posted: 21 Sep 2012 03:21 AM PDT We can't guarantee what this box contains, but if the list of specs is accurate then it's definitely too good to gift-wrap. The photo above was posted to a Chinese forum thread entitled "Padfone 2 specs revealed" by a user called cj1024, and indeed the A68 model number at the top of the list does sound appropriate, considering the original Padfone was the A66. If we assume it's legit, for the sake of argument, then maybe we can expect ASUS's next modular phone to come with the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 13-megapixel camera resolution that are already strutting around in the LG Optimus G, alongside an uncommonly bright, 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Super IPS+ display, LTE and 2GB of RAM. You can digest the rest for yourself, or just wait until October 16th. Update: Keen-eyed doubter Firuz has spotted a problem: the display icon says "SuperAMOLED" even though the specs state "Super IPS." Dodgy 'chop or actual packaging error? You decide. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Neurowear wants to read your mind, geotag your feelings (video) Posted: 21 Sep 2012 02:47 AM PDT Geotagging your photos? Old hat -- Neurowear wants to geotag your mood. The folks that brought animated cat ears to the human race is now using NeuroSky's brainwave-reading headgear to suss out your emotional state and share it with your friends. We dropped in on the group at Tokyo Game Show to take a look at an early prototype. After strapping a familiar Mindwave mobile headset to this editor's skull, a companion iPhone app sprung to life, reading off relaxation levels and assigning cartoon faces to the user's mood. The reading could then be recorded on a map, tagging how the user felt at a given location and time and allowing them to share that information with their friends. Had a great time at a new coffee shop? Now you can prove it, and encourage your social contacts to join you. It's an interesting idea, but its still a long way from hitting the app store -- the demo we were given was only a concept app, and the geotagging portion of the demonstration was simulated. It may be awhile before you can tweet your feelings directly. Need another way to express yourself? Don't worry -- Nerosky is adding a brainwave controlled tail, dubbed Shippo, to its line of cranium controlled animal parts. Check it out (as well as our quick neurotagging demo) after the break.
Billy Steele contributed to this post | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iOS 6 becomes 15 percent of Apple mobile device traffic within 24 hours Posted: 21 Sep 2012 02:06 AM PDT There's been some trepidation among Apple device users over the upgrade to iOS 6 given that it takes away some components while adding others. You wouldn't guess it from the initial upgrade rate, however. Both ChartBoost and Chitika have determined that about 15 percent of iOS data traffic was already coming from Apple's latest release within its first 24 hours of availability -- not bad, considering that it took Android 4.0 roughly eight months to reach a similar ratio and iOS 5 about five days to hit 20 percent. ChartBoost adds that iPhone owners were the quickest to upgrade, which is only logical when the iPhone 4S gets the most new features. The contrast between Android and iOS was entirely expected, knowing Apple's limited hardware pool and reduced carrier oversight. We're more interested in the differences between iOS versions: they suggest that whatever advantages people see in iOS 6, as well as a widespread over-the-air update system, have been enough to spur on many early adopters. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cellcom carries HTC Desire 4G LTE as its first LTE phone September 21st, hopes you'll notice Posted: 21 Sep 2012 01:35 AM PDT Cellcom launches its first 4G LTE smartphone September 20, 2012 – Cellcom will launch its first 4G LTE smartphone tomorrow. The HTC Desire 4G LTE will be available at all Cellcom retail locations on Friday, September 21. "The addition of 4G LTE smartphones to our device line-up opens the door for consumers to get faster internet service when and where they need it," said Pat Riordan, president and CEO of Cellcom. "Whether they are using applications, visiting websites, streaming music or downloading video, our 4G customers will have a data and internet experience that is closer to real-time." Customers can expect a much snappier data and Internet experience, with download speeds averaging 5-12 mbps and upload speeds of 2-5 mbps -- or about 10 times faster than 3G. Cellcom's 4G LTE network includes cell sites in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Wausau, Manitowoc and parts of Oconto and Marinette Counties. Cellcom customers also have access to 4G LTE in over 370 cities across the United States, including Sheboygan, Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago and Minneapolis. Additional cell sites in Northeast and Central Wisconsin will light up throughout 2012 as the company continues its 4G rollout. The Motorola Razr Maxx 4G, Cellcom's next Android™ 4G device, will be launching soon. For features and pricing of the Motorola Razr Maxx 4G and the HTC Desire 4G LTE, visit www.cellcom.com. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sony's HMZ-T2 3D headset at TGS: gaming at close range (video) Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:46 AM PDT Sony's second generation 3D visor didn't make a big splash back at IFA, but the HMZ-T2 certainly has a pigeonhole at Tokyo's premier gaming event. In addition to the headset's substitutional reality prototype, the standard model stakes claim to almost a fifth of PlayStation's demo area. With all the local buzz, we decided to weigh in on how the $900 headgear shapes up as a gaming display. The answer? Heavily. Out of necessity, the HMZ-T2 crams the majority of its hardware in front of the users eyeballs, bearing most of its weight on the nose. Over extended gaming sessions, we could see this becoming uncomfortable -- and indeed, in our short time with the device we found our neck relaxing, begging to give in to the weight of the device. As silly as hung-head gaming might appear, however, the visual effect certainly does the trick -- creating the illusion of a large 3D television 4-6 feet in front of the user. It didn't add anything to Hot Shots Golf 6 in terms of gameplay or experience, but it certainly comes in a more compact form than a full size television. The fancy headgear could surely be a boon for gamers living in a tight space, but folks with room (and cash) to spare are probably better off with a proper flat screen. On the other hand, visors are way more futuristic looking. Don't believe us? See us get our Geordi La Forge on after the break. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Razer Game Booster enters closed beta, ready to fine tune your rig (video) Posted: 21 Sep 2012 12:09 AM PDT Normally we associate Razer with hardware. Gaming mice, keyboards and headsets are the company's bread and butter. It even has a laptop geared expressly towards the serious pixel pusher. But, you might be surprised to learn it's also in the software business. The latest member of its burgeoning application family is the Razer Game Booster. Based largely on IObit's app of the same name, the new downloadable utility will crank your rig to 11. There are three basic features, the most important being Game Mode which, with the click of a button, shutsdown unessential services and programs to keep your PC focused on the task at hand. (We assume that involves killing something or other with a large weapon.) There's also a calibration guide that ensures your drivers are up to date and your essential gaming files are properly defragged. Last is Share Mode, which allows you to take screen shots or capture live audio and video to preserve your accomplishments. For now Razer Game Booster is in private beta, but you can request an invite at the source link. And don't miss the PR and video after the break. Give Your Game A Boost This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BT to offer free YouView box with one-year broadband contract, £49 for existing customers Posted: 20 Sep 2012 11:39 PM PDT If you're not quite comfortable shelling out £299 for BT's YouView box, then you're in luck. Starting October 26th, the hardware will be free for new Infinity broadband subscribers who ink contracts that are one year or longer. Instead of relying on cable, the Humax-built device uses both aerial and internet connections to deliver content from more than 100 digital TV and radio channels including Channels 4 and 5, the BBC and ITV. With the IPTV box, users can sift through content that's aired in the past seven days, watch on-demand programs and record up to 300 hours of standard definition television or 125 hours of high-def video to a built-in 500GB hard drive. Current British Telecom subscribers pining for the subsidized box will be able to get their own for a £49 activation fee and a £6.95 delivery charge. Those eager for the gratis set-top solution will be able to order it online starting October 19th if they register interest with BT's website beforehand. For more details, check out the press release below. BT offers YouView box worth £299 for free DC12-277 September 20, 2012 BT has announced today that it will offer a free YouView set top box* with no TV subscription to new BT Infinity customers. Broadband customers not in an Infinity enabled area will also be able to get a free YouView box* when they subscribe to TV Essential, starting at £4/month. Both offer a massive saving on the retail price of the YouView set top box, which is priced at £299 at retailers across the country. With YouView from BT customers can enjoy: YouView's unique programme guide lets users go back in time, so they can watch shows from last night or last week even if they forgot to record them, as well as record, pause and rewind live TV. With the simple-to-use search facility viewers can find on-demand content by programme or genre. YouView from BT will be available with all of BT's TV and broadband packages and will launch on 26 October. Existing customers can also upgrade to YouView for £49 ***. Customers who register their interest in YouView in advance (with no obligation) at www.bt.com/youview will have the opportunity to be first to place their order for YouView, during an exclusive window between October 19-26. These customers will be sent an e-mail invitation with a link to a special web site. Alex Green, director TV, BT Retail, said: "This is a fantastic offer. Customers will now be able to enjoy BT's super-fast fibre broadband with a YouView box and TV Essential pack all for £18 per month. With YouView from BT not only can customers experience a great new way to watch TV they will also be able to access a huge range of on-demand content from BT Vision. The launch of YouView from BT is another piece of exciting news about BT's plans for TV." * £49 activation charge, £6.95 delivery charge for the hub and line rental applies. To get a free YouView box you'll need to sign up to BT Infinity/BT Broadband and BT Vision Essential (rising to £5/month on 5 Jan) both with a 12 month minimum term. You'll also need a fast-enough line and a BT Home Hub. Quality of content depends on local transmitter, suitable rooftop aerial and availability of digital channels (www.youview.com). We'll charge you for some On Demand content. Terms apply. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| iPhone 5 hits the teardown table, scores a 7 out of 10 for repairability from iFixit Posted: 20 Sep 2012 10:53 PM PDT If it's the day that shipments of the latest iPhone arrive around the world, then it is just as surely the day that iFixit's teardown specialists break out their screwdrivers and show you what's inside. This is not the first teardown of the iPhone 5, but it will certainly be among the best and most detailed. Some pleasant surprises inside Apple's latest device are signed indicating it will be much more easily repairable than its predecessor, thanks to a case that opens front to back, a pop-out ear speaker and a display assembly the team says is reminiscent of the iPhone 3GS. Also good news for those suffering through worn-out home buttons is an integrated metal support this time around, which may help extend its lifespan and make replacing it easier when it does expire. Beyond that, a 28nm Qualcomm MDM9615M chip is handling LTE, HSPA+, EV-Do Rev B and TD-SCMA connectivity, while the new metal back casing barely outweighs the back glass from the iPhone 4S. Hit the source link or check out the video review (embedded after the break) for more pics and details from deep inside the iPhone 5, while most fans wait a few more hours to get their grubby fingers all over the outside of one. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Researchers create working quantum bit in silicon, pave way for PCs of the future Posted: 20 Sep 2012 09:47 PM PDT If you've been paying attention, you know the quantum computing revolution is coming -- and so far the world has a mini quantum network, not to mention the $10,000 D-Wave One, to show for it. Researchers from the University of Melbourne and University College, London, have now developed the "first working quantum bit based on a single atom of silicon." By measuring and manipulating the magnetic orientation, or spin, of an electron bound to a phosphorus atom embedded in a silicon chip, the scientists were able to both read and write information, forming a qubit, the basic unit of data for quantum computing. The team used a silicon transistor, which detects the electron's spin and captures its energy when the spin's direction is "up." Once the electron is in the transistor, scientists can change its spin state any way they choose, effectively "writing" information and giving them control of the quantum bit. The next step will be combing two qubits into a logic step, with the ultimate goal being a full-fledged quantum computer capable of crunching numbers, cracking encryption codes and modeling molecules that would put even supercomputers to shame. But, you know, baby steps. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Razer BlackShark gaming headset hands-on (video) Posted: 20 Sep 2012 09:01 PM PDT At the end of August, Razer outed a black and green-cloaked version of its BlackShark gaming headset. The original unit first broke from cover just ahead of E3, but on that particular show floor, the aviator-inspired set of cans was sporting the blue and orange hues consistent with its Battlefield 3 branding. Here at TGS, we were able to take a closer look at the version that lacks a game-specific allegiance. The hardware is identical with the lone exception being the new paint scheme. If you're unfamiliar with the BlackShark, the headset does a stellar job of recalling classic pilot units complete with detachable boom mic for use with your PMP of choice. The $120 peripheral also features quite comfy heavily-padded, leather-esque earcups and the same material wraps the headband with a dash of bright green stitching -- all held over from the BF3 model. We weren't able to test the audio quality on the show floor, so until our review unit arrives, consult the gallery below and the video that just past the break for a closer look.
Sean Buckley contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jarre Aeroskull speaker dock packs dual 15-watt woofers, recently departed Apple Dock Connector Posted: 20 Sep 2012 08:52 PM PDT Just in time for Halloween, Jarre's new Aeroskull dock embodies 70 watts of total power in a human-like cranium, complete with a pair of speaker-packing shades. Jarre is showing off the colorful chrome tune machine in black, white, blue, green, orange, pink, purple and yellow finishes, with a matching IR bone remote to boot. With a tinted lens appearance, the permanently affixed sunglasses actually contain two 15-watt speakers, with a 40-watt subwoofer occupying the skull's rear. The lofty £349 (about $565) sticker price will net you some of the latest technologies, including Bluetooth audio support and a standard 3.5mm audio input, but Apple's new Lightning port is notably absent, with a good-as-dead Dock Connector mounted up top, instead. With 70 watts of power and Jarre's backing, this seemingly bizarre rig may actually offer decent performance. You'll need to wait until its October ship date to see for yourself, but if a skeletal sound system is on your list of must-haves, you can rest in peace knowing that you have but weeks to live (with your current spirited setup). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL spotted at TGS, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 20 Sep 2012 08:05 PM PDT Nintendo is starting to make a habit of quietly releasing products at trade-shows they don't attend. Kyoto's premiere gaming outfit still isn't present on the TGS show floor, but Capcom has once again seen fit to trot out the firm's latest kit: The Circle Pad Pro for 3DS XL. Just like last year's model, this beefy cradle puts the already large 3DS XL outside the realm of pocket-ability, trading the handheld's slim profile for a luxuriously thick grip. Indeed, the fatty accessory makes the console quite comfortable to hold, adding a smooth, slightly contoured back, larger shoulder buttons and, of course, that all important starboard analog pad. The new Circle Pad's bulk is slightly more forgivable for the size of its host device. Yes, the attachment makes the XL a bit more unwieldily, but its supersized form already made it a non-contender for most pants pockets. Sadly, the accessory still sports its predecessor's greatest fault: it blocks the 3DS' cartridge slot. Gamers will have to get used to undocking their console, or else make a habit of buying more downloadable titles. Mum's still the word on pricing and availability, but the accessory was shown with a copy of Monster Hunter 4, which is due out in March of next year. We wouldn't be surprised to see it show up in early spring. Hungry for more? Check out our gallery below for an eyeful, or peek past the break for quick video overview.
Billy Steele contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dennis Crowley: Foursquare's a discovery and recommendation engine first, social service second Posted: 20 Sep 2012 07:19 PM PDT Plenty of Foursquare fans use the app primarily as a means to share their own location and see the locations of others around them, but Foursquare isn't only about socially-acceptable stalking. At the GigaOm Mobilize conference today, company co-founder Dennis Crowley informed those of us in the room that thinking of Foursquare as merely a check-in app is misguided. According to him, the plan for Foursquare has always been for it to be a customized discovery and recommendation engine first, and a social tool second. You see, all your check-ins provide Foursquare with valuable information about you and your friend's habits. Those check-ins, as far as Foursquare's concerned, are merely an efficient means to get the data needed to build the individualized, location-aware search and recommendation engine that powers the explore tab in the app. Crowley said that he's been hearing plenty of positive feedback from users about the accuracy and usefulness of Foursquare-powered search, and some folks have even begun using it instead of Google. Foursquare isn't on Mountain View's level just yet, but it seems that Crowley and his cohort have the reigning king of search squarely in their sights. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phorus PS1 speakers and PR1 receiver add some Android-powered WiFi audio to your home (video) Posted: 20 Sep 2012 06:36 PM PDT It's HiFi, over WiFi. Got that? Now cross your fingers and repeat that three times, lest you forget exactly what the Phorus PS1 speaker and PR1 receiver allow you to do. So it's a WiFi speaker and receiver combo? Well, almost. There's also an Android app that ties it all together. Load it up on your phone, or whatever Android you choose, and it'll sniff out all the (90dB) Phorus speakers you have. You can use multiple with one device, or separate speakers with separate phones -- and stream your music wirelessly around your pad. Just in case, there is also Bluetooth and USB connectivity, if you want to keep your options open. The receiver essentially lets you convert any old HiFi into a wireless player, meaning you can bypass the conical speakers completely should you wish to do so. You can get 'em now, with the PS1s weighing in at $199 a pop, and $149 for the PR1s. Forgotten that rhyming mantra from the top? Cue the video after the break to remind you.
PHORUS, A SUBSIDIARY OF DTS INC., ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF PLAY-FI ENABLED SPEAKER, RECEIVER AND ANDROID APP Phorus Home Audio Systems Stream Hi-Fi Audio Wirelessly over Wi-Fi Via DTS Play-Fi Technology CALABASAS, Calif. (September 19, 2012) – Phorus, a subsidiary of DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI), a leader in high-definition audio solutions, today announced the availability of the first Android-optimized whole home audio solutions connected by DTS Play-Fi wireless technology. Phorus developed the system from the ground up to deliver an outstanding music listening experience to Android users, right from their phones and tablets. The Phorus system includes a simple, intuitive app, great sounding speakers and a receiver for users who want to connect an existing stereo. All three products utilize DTS ' advanced Play-Fi technology to stream and receive high-definition, lossless audio over Wi-Fi, a big leap in quality over Bluetooth audio options. Play-Fi enables synchronized streaming of music to multiple Play-Fi-enabled speakers at one time, or can stream separate music tracks from different devices to connected speakers in different rooms, delivering a true wireless multi-room listening experience in a simple plug-and-play package, an industry first for Android. "Our vision for the Phorus Play-Fi connected system is to bring back the 'big audio' experience people used to enjoy at home and in the office, before music files got compressed, devices got smaller, and sound quality got compromised," said Dannie Lau, founder of Phorus and GM of DTS's new Phorus Subsidiary. "The mobile device has become a central control center for consumers, and the new Phorus speaker, receiver and Android app, connected by Play-Fi wireless technology, bring back premium audio quality and make it simple and affordable for consumers to enjoy their favorite music and other audio content throughout the home or office via a simple connection from their mobile phone or tablet." Placing the mobile devices at the center of the system, as the source and not just a remote control, the Play-Fi app is completely integrated into the Android ecosystem. Taking advantage of the device's built-in Wi-Fi capabilities frees the system from the limitations of traditional docking stations. Once connected, the Play-Fi app allows users to stream music and other audio content to the Phorus speaker and receiver while still having full access to the entire operating system. The app automatically indexes your music library and offers integrated support for select streaming music services with crystal-clear high-definition sound. Consumers can set up and install their Phorus products right from within the app, making setup far easier than any other Wi-Fi enabled speakers on the market today. Consumers who already have speakers, a home theater system or a soundbar that they use regularly, can take advantage of the DTS Play-Fi experience by simply connecting the Phorus receiver to their existing audio system. The system will then automatically become part of the Phorus audio network in the home. With a sleek, elegant design, the Phorus speaker and receiver blend effortlessly with any décor and create powerful volume and sound over a 360-degree radius. Developed by a team of audio experts with extensive experience on premium audio brands, the Phorus speaker features Class D digital amplification, in addition to proprietary transducers that faithfully reproduce full range signals and emit a wide sound field over the latest Wi-Fi standard, 802.11n, providing a far greater device connectivity range than Bluetooth. Additionally, unlike Bluetooth, audio detail and sound quality is preserved with DTS Play-Fi, allowing users to experience the full dynamic range of their audio content with zero deterioration of sound quality or compression in the wireless transmission, making this the ideal solution for any music lover. Although Phorus' Play-Fi-connected system has been optimized for Android users, the Phorus speaker and receiver are also compatible with Bluetooth, so users with other devices can enjoy streaming audio to the products as well. Pricing and Availability The Phorus speaker and receiver are both available now from the Phorus store and Amazon.com. The suggested retail prices are $199 for the Phorus speaker (PS1) and $149 for the Phorus receiver (PR1). The Phorus Play-Fi App is free and will be available October 1st on the Google Play store. |
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