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- Amazon announces $499 Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE, $50 a year for 250MB monthly
- Amazon outs X-ray for Textbooks, 'smart glossary' for all of your learning needs
- Amazon unveils Kindle FreeTime, gives kids their own space to play
- Amazon announces X-Ray for Movies, a Kindle feature that uses IMDB to name the actors for you
- Amazon announces Whispersync for Voice and Whispersync for Games, cloud syncing goes meta
- Amazon unveils new Kindle Fire with doubled RAM, 44 percent better performance and $159 price
- Amazon announces 7 and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDs, pricing starts at $199
- Amazon intros Kindle Serials: buy once, get them all
- Amazon cuts the price of the lowest-end Kindle to $69, reader starts shipping on September 14th
- Amazon announces $119 Kindle Paperwhite with illuminated, capacitive touch display
- Live from Amazon's Santa Monica press conference!
- Motorola's RAZR HD LTE coming 'exclusively' to Rogers in Canada later this fall
- uTorrent beta app arrives on Android
- Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person (video)
- Engadget's $50,000 back to school sweepstakes: just 24 hours to go!
- Intel expands 3rd-generation CPU range, announces new 3GHz Core i7 Extreme Edition mobile processor
- Researchers take full control of cockroach's movement, turn it into a wireless sensor
- Facebook completes acquisition of Instagram, eyes improved mobile experience
- Apple patent application details method for detecting and displaying hand position on screen
- Xperia Tablet S now shipping on Sony's UK site
- Premier Farnell, Sony, team up to move Raspberry PI manufacturing to the UK
- Sony VAIO Duo 11 slides its way past the FCC
- Vodafone offers unlimited voice, texts, 1GB data with £29-per-month Red plan
- Pogoplug adds Amazon Glacier-based cloud storage, includes gratis devices with $29 and $99 Family plans
- Sony unveils Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series, fills it with the marathoner's coaching wisdom
- Amazon's press conference is today -- get your liveblog right here!
- Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties
- Grooveshark circles back again, swaps app for HTML5
- Google Maps unveils new features in India, New Zealand and 150 universities worldwide
- Adobe updates Photoshop Touch with support for iPad retina display, bigger images
- Skype strikes deal with Mach to expand direct carrier billing for credit purchases
- Sharp mortgages itself to the hilt just to keep going
- ICS now on one in five Android devices, Jelly Bean grows to 1.2 percent
- Sony NEX-VG30 camcorder images leak alongside rumor of $1,800 November arrival
- Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 now fully supports Retina MacBook Pro: both HiDPI and GPU compute
- AT&T teams up with the state of Tennessee to start text-to-911 trials
- Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus updates the flagship DJ player, brings WiFi and slip mode (video)
- Synology launches DiskStation DS413j NAS server for your own private cloud
- STMicroelectronics details pressure sensor in your Galaxy S III, can tell when you're mountaineering
- Sprint training docs cast doubt on 2012 iPhone launch timing, but don't panic yet
| Amazon announces $499 Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE, $50 a year for 250MB monthly Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:53 AM PDT More tablets with more ways to connect! Jeff Bezos has just announced another flavor of the Kindle Fire HD, this one offering connectivity to AT&T's 4G LTE network. It's the 8.9-inch model, meaning you're paying a $200 premium for that LTE antenna. But, Amazon has paired that with an absolutely killer data deal. For $50 a year you'll get 250MB monthly. AT&T's current data plans would have you paying $14.99 monthly for that much data. If we were a mathematician we'd say that's a savings of 129.88 a year. But, since we're not, we'll just say that sounds like good value to us. The Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE will be available for pre-order today, shipping on November 20th. |
| Amazon outs X-ray for Textbooks, 'smart glossary' for all of your learning needs Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:48 AM PDT Ever wanted Amazon's X-ray for books to play nice with those school publications as well? If so, you're in the luck. The outfit announced today that X-ray for Textbooks will provide a library of terms to lend a hand with your studies alongside a similar function for movies that's powered by IMDB. Of course, the helpful tech will land with the trio of new slates that were also unveiled at the event. |
| Amazon unveils Kindle FreeTime, gives kids their own space to play Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:37 AM PDT Amazon just solved one of the bigger dilemmas for parents buying that new Kindle Fire HD -- how to keep the kids in a safe zone for content. It's introducing Kindle FreeTime, a special mode that makes it easier for younguns to navigate while letting the adults create separate profiles dictating what children can access and for how long. The filters are separated by media type, and Amazon even turns the background from black to blue to reassure parents by the glow of the screen on Junior's face. We'd call the parental control a long overdue feature, although we're sure Amazon also sees it as a chance to scoop up an extra Kindle Fire sale or two among families. |
| Amazon announces X-Ray for Movies, a Kindle feature that uses IMDB to name the actors for you Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT Amazon is on a roll at its Kindle press event today, unveiling tons of new hardware, but it's also got some software tricks up its sleeve too: the company just announced X-Ray for Movies, a feature that uses the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) to name the actors for you. As you might know, Amazon already offers X-Ray for books, but this is the first time you can use the feature to get more information about films. To active X-Ray, just pause whatever you're watching and you'll see things like actor bios, a cast list and links to other titles (which you can purchase, natch). Look for it on the new Kindle Fire HD or the smaller $159 Fire that was also announced earlier. |
| Amazon announces Whispersync for Voice and Whispersync for Games, cloud syncing goes meta Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:28 AM PDT Audiobooks are great for the car. Textual books? Not so much. Now Amazon is bringing those two great experiences together and letting you pick up in text right where your audio book left off. So, if you've listened half-way through chapter three while in the car but you feel like reading something after you get home, your Kindle will bring you in the text exactly to where you stopped listening. And, in the morning when it's time to commute back to the office, the audio version will skip ahead as appropriate! Amazon also announced Whispersync for Games, which would allow game developers to store game progress in the cloud. Sick of re-starting Angry Birds every time you get a new device? Never again. Take that, piggies. |
| Amazon unveils new Kindle Fire with doubled RAM, 44 percent better performance and $159 price Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:14 AM PDT Amazon has officially unveiled the 2012 vintage of the Kindle Fire, which is reportedly 44 percent more powerful than its predecessor. The service-orientated slate (as opposed to a gadget, which CEO Jeff Bezos claims nobody wants) comes with a bigger battery, a new processor and 1GB RAM -- double that of the 2011 model. The only other change comes in the form of a front-facing camera, unlike its closest rival. Internally, the device is called the Kindle SD as it now plays second-fiddle to a pair of Kindle Fire HD devices with 1,920 x 1,200 displays, but will be called the "new" Kindle Fire in public. Amazon has also slashed the price of the hardware, which at $159 is $40 cheaper than Google's Nexus 7 -- as well as competing with e-book tablet adversaries Kobo Arc and the forthcoming Nook Tablet replacement with an "incredible" 243ppi display, unless Barnes & Noble are also producing SD and HD hardware. It'll begin shipping on September 14th, with pre-orders expected to begin very soon. Developing...
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| Amazon announces 7 and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDs, pricing starts at $199 Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:13 AM PDT Amazon has made the jump from small to big screens with its e-readers in the past, and its now done so again with its tablets. The company has just announced a new Kindle Fire HD with an 8.9-inch, 1920 x 1200 display (or 254 ppi). The device measures 8.8mm thick and weighs in at 20 ounces, and that high-res screen has a polarizing filter on it that promises to cut down on glare -- the touch sensor is also laminated, which Amazon says offers better sharpness and contrast. As for internals, the Fire HD 8.9 (as Amazon has a distinguished it) has a TI OMAP 4470 processor, dual speakers, a front-facing HD camera, and HDMI out. As Amazon is happy to point out, it's also the first tablet with MIMO, dual-band (2.4GHz, 5GHz) technology, which Amazon says makes the device's WiFi 41 percent faster than the latest iPad. Look for it to run you $299 for the 16GB version when it starts shipping on November 20th. Those looking for some added connectivity will also be able to buy a Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE for $499 (also shipping November 20th). That includes 250MB of data per month from AT&T, and the tablet itself ups your storage to 32GB . But that's not all, Amazon has also announced a smaller, 7-inch Kindle Fire HD that will run you just $199 (also for 16GB). It apparently has most of the same specs as its larger counterpart, but we're still waiting for specifics. Pre-orders for all three options start today. Developing... see our liveblog for the latest from the Amazon event. |
| Amazon intros Kindle Serials: buy once, get them all Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:11 AM PDT Amazon isn't content to limit its attention to hardware today. It just introduced Kindle Serials, a way of consuming a steady stream of content: buy once and you get all future issues of a text, with new segments appended to the old as they arrive. Only eight titles are available to start, but Amazon is promising a modern take on history by offering Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers for free, serialized the way they were many decades ago. Episodes will cost $1.99 a pop, which makes them tempting for readers who just want a small literary snack -- and authors that want to start seeing income in weeks rather than months or years. |
| Amazon cuts the price of the lowest-end Kindle to $69, reader starts shipping on September 14th Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT We're just kicking off Amazon's Kindle-themed press event today and it seems the company is starting off at the lower end: the company just announced that the $79 Kindle we've been recommending is now going to be the $69 Kindle. Now, CEO Jeff Bezos only briefly mentioned the device in his keynote, and didn't clarify whether there are any cosmetic changes over last year's model (we're guessing not). Bezos did say, however, that the new Kindle will have new fonts, sharper text and 15 percent faster page turns. If you want to avail yourself of that ten-dollar savings, no need to wait: it's up for pre-order today, and will ship next week, on September 14th. |
| Amazon announces $119 Kindle Paperwhite with illuminated, capacitive touch display Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:49 AM PDT Have you been enviously eyeing the self-illuminating screen on the Nook SimpleTouch with GlowLight, but didn't want to give up your digital library of Kindle wares? Dear reader, today is your lucky day, with Amazon announcing the Kindle Paperwhite. No, not paperweight, Paperwhite. It has a new, front-lit display that will let you read in the dark, and a capacitive touchscreen that goes away from the IR based systems we've seen in the past. Jeff Bezos tells us that it has 25 percent more contrast than the Pearl screens in the current Kindles and, with 212ppi, it has a 62 percent higher resolution. It relies on a fiber optic like system to direct light down onto the display, not unlike the Nook but, from what we can see, the color is much whiter. It's just 9.1mm thick, the battery is said to last for eight weeks and there are no physical buttons for control. You're entirely dependent on that touchscreen to flip those pages -- which, by the way, are said to turn 15 percent faster. The interface has seen some tweaks too. The fonts are more detailed now, as they should be with that higher resolution, and you can tweak the brightness of the display with a slider. The software will calculate your reading speed and estimate how long it will take you to finish a given chapter or book and there are now author bios. Price is $119 for the WiFi version and it ships October 1st! If you'd like a little 3G connectivity with your Kindle, you're looking at $179. |
| Live from Amazon's Santa Monica press conference! Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:21 AM PDT |
| Motorola's RAZR HD LTE coming 'exclusively' to Rogers in Canada later this fall Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:14 AM PDT Amidst all the exciting chaos from yesterday's events, Canadian availability of Motorola's newfangled RAZR HD were wistfully lost. Fret not, however, as the Google-owned outfit has let it be known that its recently announced 4.7-inch slab will be coming to Canada as an exclusive to Rogers -- not to mention with a slightly tweaked moniker. The RAZR HD LTE -- as it'll be known in Great White North territory -- is still the same unit we got our grubby paws on, meaning you'll have the same 8.4mm thin body, 2,500mAh battery, dual-core, 1.5GHz S4 CPU and, naturally, that trademark Kevlar backing found on the RAZR family. There's no word yet on how much folks will have to shell out once it hits Canadian shelves "this fall," but there is a registration page open for anyone interested in being kept in the loop -- link to that is just down below. The All-Day Phone: Motorola Mobility Canada Announces the Motorola RAZR™ HD LTE The ultimate in performance, in HD Sept. 05, 2012 TORONTO, Sept. 5, 2012 – Finally, a phone that can keep up with you. Meet Motorola RAZR™ HD LTE, the all-day phone. Brought to you by the brains at Motorola and coming exclusively to Rogers Communications, RAZR HD LTE delivers impressive all-day battery performance on a single charge, while presenting everything in stunning HD detail. Chat with your peeps with 16 hours talk-time. Watch seven hours of your favourite YouTube™ HD shows. Listen to 20 hours of your favourite streaming tunes. Surf the web at LTE speeds while on the Rogers LTE network1 for six hours. And that's just the beginning. Use SMARTACTIONS™ to extend your battery and get even more hours of fun. Bottom line: stop searching for the charger and start enjoying life. Who would've thought the world's most compact 4.7-inch smartphone could keep you powered up for an eye-opening all-day battery performance? RAZR HD LTE takes all the must-have features you crave and puts them into a phone that's built for action. With an eye catching 4.7-inch high-def display designed for stunning HD entertainment, movies, photos, books and even websites shine through in vibrant clarity. Encased in premium materials like Corning® Gorilla® Glass display and DuPont™ KEVLAR® fiber, the RAZR HD LTE will stand up strong against the occasional bumps and scratches. There's even a protective layer of splash-guard coating. After all, a long-lasting battery deserves a long-lasting phone. "Motorola RAZR HD LTE is there for you, no matter where the day takes you. It's always ready to go," said Darren Seefried, national account director, Motorola Mobility Canada. "It combines RAZR-sharp design with extended battery performance – the feature we know is most critical for leading-edge consumers." Forget what it's like to wait. Every second counts with RAZR HD LTE's super speed. Pre-loaded Google Chrome lets you surf the web at speeds like you have at home. Jumping between pages as quickly as you can type, this mobile browser "talks" with your desktop's version of Google Chrome, letting you sync-up bookmarks and even view the same tabs you have open on your computer. "Our customers want fast devices and we are thrilled to exclusively offer them the new Motorola RAZR HD LTE," says John Boynton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Rogers Communications. "The Motorola RAZR HD LTE further extends our leadership as the carrier with the largest LTE superphone selection in Canada." Harness the power of Android™ 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and download the hottest apps – over 600,000 apps and games on Google Play™ – as well as millions of books and thousands of movies and TV shows, all in picture-perfect HD quality. Going somewhere? Explore a new city with Google Maps™ for Android which gives you voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions. Too busy to type? Work at the speed of sound instead. Voice Actions for Android lets you dictate texts, make calls, search Google and even play songs –without having to repeat yourself. With the best of Google just a swipe away, it's never been easier to have it all. Go on... we dare you: try to outlast this phone. Availability About Motorola Mobility |
| uTorrent beta app arrives on Android Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:52 AM PDT Fans of the torrent-juggling desktop client can now get their downloads direct to their mobile device, because uTorrent's launched a beta app for any Android device running version 2.1 or higher. It's currently free, with RSS support, fully adjustable upload and download speeds and the ability to play games in the background as you wait for your files. There's currently no limit on download sizes either -- just so long as you can stomach the data charges. µTorrent Launches Beta Android Client µTorrent releases most lightweight version of the popular software client yet, a new beta client built for Android, as parent company BitTorrent Inc. approaches 4mm mobile users SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BitTorrent Inc., a globally-recognized creator of distributed technologies, today launched the official beta version of µTorrent for Android phones and tablets, the latest addition to a mobile product arsenal that is already reaching 3.8mm mobile users. "µTorrent became famous for being the most powerful and lightweight BitTorrent client in the world. Today's release, and everything we are doing with the µTorrent brand, is about staying true to that vision" • Fast, easy on-the-go downloading of media • No speed or size caps on downloads • RSS subscriptions and instant access to content from the growing roster of A-list artists and content creators collaborating with BitTorrent Inc. µTorrent Android is available in beta for free download via Google Play. "µTorrent became famous for being the most powerful and lightweight BitTorrent client in the world. Today's release, and everything we are doing with the µTorrent brand, is about staying true to that vision," said Eric Klinker, CEO of BitTorrent Inc. "We're making it easier than ever for Android users to download their favorite personal content directly to their mobile device-something consumers are doing more and more, as their smart phones and tablets come equipped with large amounts of storage space." Users can download the µTorrent app to get access to their media, not to mention a slew of great content from the growing list of high profile artists and filmmakers who are choosing to work with BitTorrent Inc. In the last few months the company has worked with creators including Counting Crows, DJ Shadow, Chester French and Pharrell Williams, and most recently skateboarding legends Tony Hawk and Stacy Peralta, who released the cult 80s skateboarding film The Search for Animal Chin via BitTorrent last week. Earlier this month, the company also worked with the Internet Archive to make 1.5 million pieces of music, film and other media available through the BitTorrent ecosystem. Added Klinker: "As more artists embrace BitTorrent as a way to distribute large media files to a broad audience, and as personal content file sizes explode, we're evolving the µTorrent ecosystem. We want to empower users to access all of their content directly from their phones and tablets, but remain uncompromising on commitment to keep the µTorrent client fast and light." |
| Boston Dynamics' Cheetah robot will hunt you down faster than any person (video) Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:31 AM PDT Let's face it, we're doomed as a species, because one day, Boston Dynamics is gonna unleash its army of DARPA-funded droids and wipe us all out. The company's sprinting robot, Cheetah, has now broken the land-speed record for humans, clocking speeds of 29.3 miles per hour, meaning not even the 27.79mph Usain Bolt can escape. Fortunately for us, it's got a fatal flaw; a balance problem that means it can only remain upright with a boom keeping it steady. Unfortunately, that's not going to be a problem for long, since field-testing on an independently upright version begins early next year. We'd wish you sweet dreams, but, you know, we're too busy building an underground shelter. |
| Engadget's $50,000 back to school sweepstakes: just 24 hours to go! Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT Have you entered our back to school giveaway yet? If you've already commented on each of 15 eligible posts, you're all set -- you can only vote once on each article (15 times in all), so hang in there and wait for us to randomly select the winners. The rest of you, however, need to get a move on! There's only 24 hours remaining in the contest period, so be sure to get all 15 entries in before the clock strikes noon tomorrow. Good luck!
Note: You may enter our back to school contest on the giveaway page, and at each of the category pages listed above as well. Comments left on this page will not be considered, however. |
| Intel expands 3rd-generation CPU range, announces new 3GHz Core i7 Extreme Edition mobile processor Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:40 AM PDT |
| Researchers take full control of cockroach's movement, turn it into a wireless sensor Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:21 AM PDT Built-in power supply? Check. Ability to survive anything? Check. Easy to control? Okay, anyone who's had a cockroach as an uninvited houseguest knows that's not the case. So, rather than re-inventing the biological wheel with a robotic version, North Carolina State university researchers have figured out a way to remotely control a real Madagascar hissing cockroach. They used an off-the-shelf microcontroller to tap in to the roach's antennae and abdomen, then sent commands that fooled the insect into thinking danger was near, or that an object was blocking it. That let the scientists wirelessly prod the insect into action, then guide it precisely along a curved path, as shown in the video below the break. The addition of a sensor could allow the insects to one day perform tasks, liking searching for trapped disaster victims -- something to think about the next time you put a shoe to one.
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| Facebook completes acquisition of Instagram, eyes improved mobile experience Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:07 AM PDT The FTC just completed its investigation into Facebook's acquisition of Instagram late last month, and now the two companies have announced that the billion dollar deal is officially closed. Instagram has also confirmed that its team will be making the move to Facebook's offices, but it assures folks that the "Instagram app and its features will stay the same one you know and love." For its part, Facebook reiterated its statement that it is "committed to building and growing Instagram independently," and that "Instagram will continue to serve its community, and we will help Instagram continue to grow by using Facebook's strong engineering team and infrastructure." It also offers a small hint of things to come by noting that "we also can't wait to work with the talented Instagram team to improve the mobile experience." In other news, Instagram also took the opportunity to announce that it's now crossed the five billion photo mark -- no word on a breakdown by filters, though. |
| Apple patent application details method for detecting and displaying hand position on screen Posted: 06 Sep 2012 07:59 AM PDT We've had a glimpse at Apple's conception of a sensor-based keyless layout, and the latest patent application from Cupertino shows the company looking to further refine the input experience -- this time using a camera and other sensors to detect hand position and overlay that hand position on a device's screen. The filing details three methods to this end. The first shows a user's hands on a traditional hardware keyboard projected in an on-screen representation (as background, Apple mentions the ergonomic strain of looking down to check your hand placement, so perhaps that's the thinking behind this one). A second scenario involves a laptop with unlabeled keys, where the marked keyboard is displayed on the screen, and the final, most intriguing, setup shows backside controls on a tablet a la the PS Vita, with a user's fingers projected as if the device was transparent. Of course, this is just a patent application at this point, so don't expect to see this tech make its debut September 12th. |
| Xperia Tablet S now shipping on Sony's UK site Posted: 06 Sep 2012 07:39 AM PDT Did you like the Xperiance Sony was selling at IFA 2012? If you answered yes, are in need of a new Android tablet and happen to live across the pond, the time has come to place your orders. Available now on the Japanese electronics giant's UK site (sorry, statesiders), the newly outed Tablet S is ready to ship in three configurations: 16GB / 32GB WiFi-only models that'll set you back £329 and £379 (about $523 and $602), respectively and a lone 16GB 3G variant that goes for £429 (about $682). For the money, you're getting a quad-core Tegra 3 slate clocked at 1.3GHz, a 1280 x 800 WXGA display, Ice Cream Sandwich and the company's signature hardware styling. Of course, if you're outside of the Euro zone and can't wait for pre-orders to be fulfilled, there's no harm in making this your next import. Hit up the source below to check out the goods for yourself. |
| Premier Farnell, Sony, team up to move Raspberry PI manufacturing to the UK Posted: 06 Sep 2012 07:18 AM PDT One of the biggest holdups to owning a Raspberry Pi was its stuttering availability, so much so that it even prompted a few copycat boards. Creator Eben Upton and equipment makers Premier Farnell might have found the solution, teaming up with Sony to produce an initial run of 300,000 of the educational computers at the company's UK Technology Center, in Pencoed, near Bridgend in Wales. Upton hopes to keep the cost at $25 and $35 for two boards, thanks to employing Sony's "lean manufacturing techniques," and the Japanese company has already spent £50,000 ($80,000) on new package-on-package assembly equipment -- ensuring that we'll all be able to get our hands on one soon enough. Premier Farnell partners with Sony UK Technology Centre to manufacture the Raspberry Pi in the UK 6th September 2012 - London, UK, Premier Farnell plc (LSE:pfl), a leading global high service electronics distributor, has agreed a multi-million pound deal with Sony UK Technology Centre (UKTec) that will see the revolutionary Raspberry Pi computer manufactured in the UK for the first time. This deal is a major coup for the UK manufacturing industry and represents a return home for the innovative British-designed Raspberry Pi, which to date has only been manufactured in China. Utilising Sony UK Technology Centre's state of the art lean manufacturing techniques, the site will be initially produce over 300,000 units for customers across the world and is expected to create up to 30 additional jobs. Premier Farnell has been selling the innovative device since February this year through its brands of Farnell element14 in Europe, Newark element14 in North America and element14 in Asia Pacific, and more recently through subsidiaries CPC in the UK and MCM Electronics in the US. The product, which has been developed by the non-profit Raspberry Pi Foundation, is a credit-card sized computer that aims to stimulate young people's interest in computer programming. There is no sign of a slowdown in demand for the revolutionary computer with the element14 Community, the world's largest online community for design engineers and electronics enthusiasts, helping to bring together Raspberry Pi fans to share ideas and further fuel innovation. Eben Upton, Co-Founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation said: "When Pete Lomas and I built the first Raspberry Pi's for testing last year, we never dreamed it would become so popular so quickly. The Raspberry Pi was built to develop young people's skills in computer programming and electronic engineering; we had always intended and hoped that the Raspberry Pi would also be manufactured within the UK. We're really delighted that Premier Farnell has been able to find such a reliable manufacturer as the Sony UK Technology Centre. By bringing the production of a UK product back into the country alongside its development and distribution, we can help support our economy and demonstrate the capabilities the UK has in terms of technological innovation, invention, and manufacturing. "We look forward to continuing our work with Premier Farnell and now, the Sony UK Technology Centre, in the Raspberry Pi Foundation's next stage of growth." In the assembly of the Raspberry Pi, Sony UKTec will be investing in additional equipment to fulfil the order requirements, providing flexibility and scalability to cater for potential increases in demand. This will include additional automated circuit board equipment and double side reflow machinery. Furthermore, the site will be extending its manufacturing process capability to include a technique called package-on-package (PoP). This process allows the processor and memory to be stacked on top of each other, reducing the PCB footprint and the distance that high-speed signals need to travel, improving overall reliability. Steve Dalton OBE, Managing Director of Sony UK Technology Centre, stated; "We are now in our 20th year at the Pencoed site and we have had to diversify our service offerings to ensure the site's sustainability. As an organisation we are continually committed to developing the site's offering and this is shown from our diverse product portfolio through to the investment we make in machinery and the development of the processes we use. By working with innovative companies like Premier Farnell, we are able to extend our manufacturing services offering for existing and potential customers. We are also able to demonstrate our manufacturing capabilities, delivering high-quality technology products for UK companies. "Furthermore, the Raspberry Pi Foundation, encompasses our view on developing young people's knowledge of the technology industry. Organisations like this one help build the technologists of our future by inspiring the next generation." More information about the Raspberry Pi is available in the Raspberry Pi Group on the element14 Community. |
| Sony VAIO Duo 11 slides its way past the FCC Posted: 06 Sep 2012 06:53 AM PDT Sony is clearly bent on getting the VAIO Duo 11 to market on time -- just as we're recovering from our post-IFA jet lag, the Windows 8 slider has popped up for approval at the FCC. The PC put through the wringer is very much like what we saw at the show, with 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and that signature stylus on offer. There's no sign of 3G or 4G for the road warrior crowd. We don't have any clues as to the exact US release timing from the FCC's sign-off, but it does clear a path for an American release side by side with the European model in late October, if Sony yearns for some international synchronicity. |
| Vodafone offers unlimited voice, texts, 1GB data with £29-per-month Red plan Posted: 06 Sep 2012 06:28 AM PDT It's a sign of the times that as our smartphones do more, the less we use them for their intended purpose, you know, as a phone. Vodafone's seizing upon the trend by offering you unlimited calls and texts, but keeps a firm hand on the hose marked "data allocation." Vodafone Red will set you back £29 a month, offering you 1GB of mobile internet on the network, while £34 gets you Vodafone Red Data, doubling your allowance to 2GB. The plans go live in-store and online from tomorrow, and are available to pair with any handset that the company current sells -- and, we'd hope, any that arrive in the near future. VODAFONE UK CALLS TIME ON CALL CHARGES Talk and text as much as you want and get loads of internet with Vodafone Red Vodafone UK is launching Vodafone Red, its best ever value plans, bringing unlimited voice, text and loads of internet to pay monthly customers. From £29 a month, customers can get unlimited calls and texts, plus 1GB of internet with Red. Customers who want to chat and text as much as they like and get even more internet can choose Red Data, starting at £34 a month, which offers a massive 2GB of internet – double our current highest standard allowance. Vodafone Red plans are available from September 7 across all the handsets that Vodafone supplies, meaning everyone can now benefit from unlimited calls. Chief executive Guy Laurence said "People want to talk for as long as they like to whoever they want, whenever they want, without having to think about things like how many minutes they are using or what's left in their call bundles. That's why we are calling time on call charges. We are offering unlimited calls on all the handsets that we sell, making it simple for customers to choose what they want and easy to understand what they are getting. They can just take out their phone and call without any worries." Vodafone Red plans offer unlimited calls to all UK mobiles – not just other Vodafone customers – and standard UK landlines, with no restrictions on how long a customer can talk or how many people they call. All new and upgrading customers who sign up to a Vodafone Red plan will also be able to take advantage of Data Test Drive, giving them as much internet as they like to use however they like, for the first three months so they can fully explore what their device has to offer. At the end of the three month period we'll let them know exactly how much data they've used and whether the plan they've chosen suits their needs. They will also be able to draw on the expertise of our Tech Team, both in-store and on the phone, and take advantage of Vodafone's innovative RED Box device, which will transfer contacts, text messages and other content to their new phone. For further information (from 7 September) visit vodafone.co.uk/red |
| Posted: 06 Sep 2012 06:00 AM PDT Amazon's Santa Monica press conference is still a few hours out, but some news has already begun to flow, starting with a fairly minor tidbit from Pogoplug. Beginning today, the company will be offering a new cloud storage solution, powered by Amazon's Glacier service. Two Family plans are available, including 100GB of storage for $29 or a full terabyte for $99, each billed annually. For a limited time, you'll also get a free Pogoplug device with either Family plan. Enterprise customers can opt for a Team plan -- prices start at $199 per year for five users and five terabytes of storage -- but it's unclear whether or not you'll score a $50 appliance there. Head over to the source link below to sign up. Update: We previously stated that the $29 plan included 100MB of storage, however the correct amount is 100GB. This misprint has been corrected. POGOPLUG INTRODUCES NEW CLOUD STORAGE SERVICE USING AMAZON GLACIER New Service Combines Safe, Affordable Cloud Backup with Instant Access and Sharing San Francisco, CA, September 6, 2012 - Pogoplug today announced its new cloud storage service for families and small businesses. The service seamlessly integrates Amazon's Glacier storage with Pogoplug-enabled storage in the home or office. The combination provides the most affordable and safest multi-user cloud backup, with instant access and sharing from anywhere on the Internet. "Amazon is revolutionizing cloud storage with Glacier. Our new offering provides the missing link by eliminating the three to five hour retrieval time intrinsic to Glacier - making all content instantly accessible," said Daniel Putterman, CEO of Pogoplug. "By keeping data synchronized between Amazon Glacier and a Pogoplug device in the home or office, we are offering unprecedented pricing for safe, fast cloud storage." Pogoplug's new Family and Team services are available immediately. Family plans start at $29/year for unlimited private cloud storage at home, paired with 100GB of offsite cloud storage. The $99/year Family plan offers 1TB of cloud storage. As an introductory promotion, all Family plans include a free Pogoplug storage device. Pogoplug Team plans enable businesses to leverage existing servers or computers for backup, private cloud storage and team collaboration. Each Pogoplug Team plan includes a fully customizable user interface, and up to 5 terabytes of offsite cloud storage. Team plans start at $199/year for five users. ABOUT POGOPLUG Pogoplug is led by seasoned entrepreneurs from the digital media and security space and is backed by Foundry Group, Softbank and Morgan Stanley. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with a satellite office in Tel Aviv. For more information, please visit http://www.pogoplug.com. |
| Sony unveils Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series, fills it with the marathoner's coaching wisdom Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:47 AM PDT NBC may have retired its Olympic spirit by repurposing its dedicated app, but Sony's sporting fever hasn't broken, as its just announced the Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series. A special edition orange hue graces the third-time Olympic marathoner's device and, like the other players in the line, it features a water resistant design, a quick-charge mode and an eight hour battery life when fully juiced. Twenty-four minutes of audio coaching by Meb himself are preloaded into the player's 2GB memory, which is estimated to store roughly 470 songs. Eager to hear the athlete's dulcet tones as you pound the pavement? You can pick up the player for $69.99 at Sony's online and brick-and-mortar stores, or wait until October for its arrival at Walmart. MEB KEFLEZIGHI EDITION SONY WALKMAN® W SERIES AVAILABLE AT WALMART STORES NATIONWIDE IN OCTOBER SAN DIEGO, September 4, 2012 – Sony today announced the availability of the Meb Keflezighi edition Walkman® digital music player W Series at Walmart stores nationwide beginning in October. Sony also congratulates Meb Keflezighi, an American distance running hero, on taking 4th in the Olympic Marathon and securing a place among the most accomplished marathoners in history. After winning the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a first-place finish in the 2009 New York City Marathon, Meb returned to the Games and improved upon his 2004 silver medal performance time by 23 seconds. Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman® W Series Meb partnered with Sony to develop a product that would invigorate his marathon training program as well as the regimens of runners and health and fitness enthusiasts around the world. The Walkman W Series is a wire free digital music player designed to conveniently and comfortably accompany its user to the gym, trail and treadmill. The water-resistant technology ensures it can withstand sweat from intense workouts in any weather condition. "We are proud to be working with Meb again this year and brining his special edition Walkman W Series to our first key dealer, Walmart," said Brian Pancarik, Senior Product Manager at Sony Electronics. "Fitness is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. Meb agrees that music can help fuel even the most challenging workouts and has many tips that he wants to share with his fans, which is why we have developed the Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series." Leading up to the Marathon, Meb used the Walkman W Series to stay motivated during grueling workouts with his favorite music. In order to inspire others, Meb worked with Sony to pre-load each Meb edition Walkman W Series with tips and techniques to help runners of all types achieve their running goals. The digital music player has 2GB capacity (approximately 470 songs) and comes in a special-edition orange. Like all Walkman W Series, the Meb edition comes with Content Transfer software that allows users to easily drag and drop music files from iTunes® for Windows®, Windows Media Player or Windows Explorer (DRM free content only). The device also offers a convenient quick-charge function. With only three minutes of charge time, the device can run for up to 60 minutes and full battery life is up to 8 hours. Beginning this September, runners, marathoners, and music fans will get to compete in Rock the Race with Meb, presented by Sony Walkman W Series. Rock the Race with Meb is an online marathon race where players can race like rock stars to win VIP trips to train with Meb Keflezighi, experience Rock 'N' Roll marathon® with bibs or roll like a rock star to SXSW® 2013. Like us and stay connected to get the latest news at Facebook.com/RocktheRacewithMEB. The Meb Keflezighi Edition Walkman W Series is currently available at www.sony.com/walkman, Sony retail stores and other authorized retailers nationwide. For images and information, please visit www.sony.com/news. The 2GB Meb Keflezighi Special Edition Sony Walkman player retails for $69.99. |
| Amazon's press conference is today -- get your liveblog right here! Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:15 AM PDT Not sick of liveblogs yet? Great news! We're getting settled down in sunny (well, overcast, at the moment) Santa Monica, CA, in order to bring you the latest news from Amazon. We're not entirely sure what to expect this time out, but we've heard rumblings about a Kindle Fire 2, some new e-readers and even talk of a Kindle phone. What does the future hold? Click here and stay tuned to find out. |
| Western Digital outs My Passport Edge portable hard drives, offers both PC and Mac varieties Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:00 AM PDT New portable storage options from Western Digital are breaking cover once again. This time around, the outfit has announced the My Passport Edge and My Passport Edge for Mac. These external hard drives tout USB 3.0 connectivity and 500GB capacities for packing those work files or carrying that Springsteen collection with you at all times. As the name of the Apple-labeled option suggests, it's well suited for your MacBook and works alongside Time Machine right out of the box -- all from the comforts of an aluminum shell. The premium exterior and Mac-friendly tech will cost you a bit more, though, as this version is priced at $119 while the regular offering will set you back $109. If you're looking to save a few bones and don't mind a plastic housing, you can take solace in the fact that the PC unit features an automatic backup function thanks to WD's SmartWare. The pair is available now, but if you're looking for a bit more info, consult the full PR below. WD® SHIPS NEW SLIM AND SLEEK FAMILY OF PORTABLE HARD DRIVES My Passport Edge™ Family Offers Super-Fast USB 3.0, Auto Backup, Password Protection and Hardware Encryption in Ultra-Compact Design IRVINE, Calif. – Sept. 6, 2012 – WD®, a subsidiary of Western Digital Corporation (NASDAQ: WDC), today introduced its newest version of My Passport® line of portable hard drives for PC and Mac with the debut of My Passport Edge™. The My Passport Edge and My Passport Edge for Mac® feature 500 GB of storage and a USB 3.0 interface for fast read/write speeds to help consumers effectively manage, share and enjoy digital content everywhere they go. Its sleek, ultra-slim design makes transport easy and convenient while a variety of security features protects the drive's content from unauthorized access. The My Passport Edge for Mac portable hard drive complements popular MacBook® computers and MacBook Air® computer designs with an all-aluminum exterior to protect the drive and its contents from everyday bumps. The My Passport Edge for Mac is also compatible with Apple Time Machine® for added peace-of-mind and seamless operation out of the box with one's Mac computer. The My Passport Edge (PC-version) portable hard drive incorporates WD SmartWare™ continuous and automatic backup software to create a copy of users' computers' content to ensure personal digital files are backed-up and protected in the event of computer loss or theft. For a sleek look, the My Passport Edge was also re-engineered with a new design for a premium finish. "WD's new My Passport Edge portable drives for Mac and PC offer mobile users a safe, compact, attractive way to conveniently work or play anywhere life or business may take them," said Jim Welsh, executive vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. We know that people who bring personal and business content along with them on their travels are concerned with portability and with maintaining privacy while also protecting their data. We design all My Passport products with a small footprint and with security and protection in mind." Pricing and Availability |
| Grooveshark circles back again, swaps app for HTML5 Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:47 AM PDT It's hard to keep up with whether Grooveshark is in the Google Play store, or out again, but now it doesn't matter. The music streaming service has decided to ditch its yo-yoing app, and instead opt for a flashy new HTML5 website for all devices. It's gone live in the US with an international launch "in the coming months", although this London-based editor didn't have any trouble using it. If you've been missing your favorites list, then jump over to Grooveshark.com and get listening -- after all, you might see it disappear again soon if a fresh lawsuit from EMI has any impact. GROOVESHARK MUSIC STREAMING SERVICE NOW ACCESSIBLE FROM ANY DEVICE |
| Google Maps unveils new features in India, New Zealand and 150 universities worldwide Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:18 AM PDT Google is bringing voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation to Android smartphone users in India. While the functionality's been available since January if you've rooted your device, the official version lands today with a localized "Indian English" voice option. At the same time, it's adding live traffic information for major roads in big cities like Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad -- with both arriving today on handsets running Gingerbread and up. At the same time, it's giving Google Map Maker and Biking Directions to users in New Zealand -- and college students at over 150 universities worldwide will now be able to find themselves thanks to Street View maps on campus. Of course, that does mean you can no longer use Google as an excuse as to why you missed Phys. Ed. 202 next semester. |
| Adobe updates Photoshop Touch with support for iPad retina display, bigger images Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:10 AM PDT |
| Skype strikes deal with Mach to expand direct carrier billing for credit purchases Posted: 06 Sep 2012 04:01 AM PDT Skype is always finding new ways of making it easier for users to spend money, and now it's extending its carrier billing options in a new deal with Mach. From October, more users than ever will be able to buy credit for the VoIP service then forget about it -- at least until the phone bill arrives. Purchases will initially be available through a web browser, but in-app functionality is expected in the future, although there's no word on exactly which network providers will be involved. We hope, however, that sometime next month, at least a few of those who enjoy Skyping on the move will appreciate sending the bill to their carrier. Skype Chooses MACH For Direct Operator Billing MACH to enable new mobile payment option for Skype Credits globally Luxembourg, 5th September, 2012 – MACH, the world leader in direct operator billing, announced today that it has been selected by Skype as the first vendor to deliver direct operator billing to new and existing Skype users in key markets across the globe, starting in October. The rollout will enable Skype to offer its customers a fast and convenient way to purchase Skype Credit, creating new revenue streams in existing markets, as well as in new markets where other payment methods have low penetration rates. When the solution is live in October, Skype users will be able to purchase Skype Credits from desktop PCs and mobile devices, through browser-based purchases and in the future, through in-app functionality. Direct Operator Billing from MACH will enable Skype to bring a vital alternative payment method to these channels: Skype users will be able to charge their Skype credit to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid account, and enjoy the frictionless user experience gained from this payment method. Direct operator billing will also reflect the same price points as current payment methods, ensuring a consistent user experience. Neil Ward, General Manager, Business Operations, Skype Division - Microsoft, commented: "MACH's strength in direct operator billing, as well as its heritage in delivering cloud-based communications solutions to over 650 operators, led us to select MACH as our first direct operator billing vendor. Delivering a strong user-experience has been at the heart of Skype's adoption by millions of users globally, and we want to extend this philosophy to the payment options we provide. We expect ease of payment to attract new users, while existing users will become more profitable customers as they increase their spend with us." Morten Brøgger, Chief Executive Officer, MACH, added: "With MACH's Direct Billing Gateway, Skype has a far more flexible, secure and reliable billing solution than, for example, premium SMS. Our Direct Operator Billing solution also provides a great boon for the operators we work with by allowing them to enter the e-commerce value chain and start to win market share from the major credit card brands and companies, which have traditionally dominated the space. Being able to play in this value chain will be critical to raising operator revenues in the future and it's fantastic to have a high-profile merchant like Skype on board." MACH's Direct Billing Gateway provides an operator billing service for mobile applications, content and mobile internet services, allowing providers to charge subscribers for services direct to their mobile phone bill or pre-paid balance. This creates a signficantly improved user-experience through the enhanced 'One-Click' purchase process and delivers greatly enhanced transaction completion rates. |
| Sharp mortgages itself to the hilt just to keep going Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:41 AM PDT Sharp has mortgaged its offices and factory buildings in order to raise the cash it needs to stay in business, according to Reuters. It's cut a deal with banks for nearly $2 billion in short-term credit secured on its assets -- including the factory that reportedly produces displays for the iPhone. Sharp had pinned its hopes on cash from Hon Hai, but the Chinese giant is apparently delaying the money with the aim of gaining more control over Sharp's business. In response, Sharp has pledged to send president Takashi Okuda to meet Hon Hai's Terry Gou in Taipei -- just as soon as it's scraped together the air-fare. |
| ICS now on one in five Android devices, Jelly Bean grows to 1.2 percent Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:18 AM PDT Last month was the first time Jelly Bean poked its head up in the Android distribution charts, debuting at 0.8 percent. It's bumped that stat by a significant proportion, if not a crazy absolute amount, to 1.2 percent of smartphones and tablets using Google's OS. But ICS 4.0 was the biggest gainer, moving up sharply from 15.9 percent to 20.8 of devices at the expense of Gingerbread 2.3, which dropped about 3.5 percent from July. Still, at 57.2 percent saturation, that version is still the richest Android confection by a wide margin. Our aging Galaxy S contributed a bit to its demise this month, thanks to CyanogenMod, so where does your own device sit? Check the source for a further breakdown of the stats. |
| Sony NEX-VG30 camcorder images leak alongside rumor of $1,800 November arrival Posted: 06 Sep 2012 03:04 AM PDT The streetwise kids at SonyAlphaRumors say they're in possession of legit, leaked images of a forthcoming Sony NEX-VG30 camcorder, which they received from an unnamed tipster. The images themselves reveal very little about what's new in this model, and even the tipster seems to mainly confirm specs that are already present in the VG20 -- such as the big, 16-megapixel Exmor APS-C sensor (although it may have been upgraded), plus 24p and 60p recording at 1080. However, the top-down picture after break does reveal a new, healthy-sized zoom control on the grip, plus there's the happy possibility of an OLED XGA viewfinder. The official announcement may well reveal other changes under the hood, but in the meantime the tipster reports a November release with a $1,800 price tag -- which could either be a price drop or a hike depending on whether it's body-only. |
| Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 now fully supports Retina MacBook Pro: both HiDPI and GPU compute Posted: 06 Sep 2012 02:40 AM PDT Adobe's video editing application is already a lovely thing on the Retina MacBook Pro, but not visually -- only in terms of its raw performance on that Core i7 CPU. Until today's update -- 6.0.2 -- the software hasn't actually been able to make use of HiDPI itself, and neither has it been able to exploit the performance-boosting potential of GPU compute on the laptop's NVIDIA GTX 650M graphics card. If you're lucky enough to own this combo of hardware and software, Adobe's official blog suggests that you go ahead and check for the update or apply it manually following the instructions at the source link below (it's actually within Bridge that you should check for the update, with other Adobe titles closed). We're hopefully about to apply it ourselves and will report back on its impact. Update on the update: As expected, video thumbnails look sumptuous in the absence of pixelation, making this a worthy revision. That said, software encoding of a short timeline was still faster with the Mercury Engine set to software mode rather than GPU compute. A 2:30 clip took 2:02 to encode with OpenCL, 2:00 to encode with CUDA, but just 1:42 to encode in Software mode. No doubt people who do multi-cam editing or need to render complex effects in real-time may see a benefit -- please, let us know if you do! Update: Just had word from NVIDIA that may explain what's happening with our encoding times. We're told it's only if we enable "Maximum Render Quality" that GPU compute will shine through in terms of performance, because enabling max quality in software mode would slow it down. So far we've only tried with default settings, so clearly there's room here for more experimentation. |
| AT&T teams up with the state of Tennessee to start text-to-911 trials Posted: 06 Sep 2012 02:19 AM PDT Verizon's certainly at the forefront when it comes to involving text-based emergency services with mobile devices in the US, and thus it's natural for rival AT&T to have to keep up in this department -- much like with those Long Term Evolution rollouts. The good news is that AT&T has announced it's partnering with the Tennessee administration in hopes of taking advantage of the state's "next-generation" 911 IP infrastructure; one which has been in the works for a few years now. Naturally, the trials are limited to AT&T subscribers in The Volunteer State, and for those folks the text-to-911 process will be as self-explanatory as it sounds, with the Rethink Possible carrier taking care of all the backend work by sending such messages to emergency call services. While it's indeed only a small chunk of the country, it's definitely a step in the right direction -- that said, only time will tell how efficient this solution can be. AT&T and State of Tennessee to Launch Text to 9-1-1 Trial Standards-Based Solution Will Enable AT&T Subscribers to Send Emergency Texts to 9-1-1 Statewide DALLAS, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- More and more, public safety agencies are embracing new technologies and IP-based networks to communicate with constituents in emergency situations. Over the past few years, the state of Tennessee has invested in an advanced, statewide 9-1-1 IP infrastructure, giving Tennesseans access to the best technology available to coordinate emergency responses. Today, AT&T* announced the state of Tennessee has approved the use of the state's new Emergency Service IP Network (ESInet) to support a Text to 9-1-1 trial statewide. Under this trial, AT&T will work with the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) to provide a Text to 9-1-1 trial service, allowing for emergency 9-1-1 Short Message Service (SMS) text messages from AT&T wireless subscribers to be received by Tennessee 9-1-1 call centers, known as public service answering points (PSAPs). The trial will use the existing ESInet and statewide IP network backbone (NetTN), key components in the state of Tennessee's Next-Generation 9-1-1 plan. "In today's mobile environment, it's vital that Tennessee's public safety infrastructure keep pace," said Lynn Questell, Executive Director, TECB. "This trial with AT&T will build upon efforts to modernize and enhance our emergency communication network, leveraging new technologies to serve our citizens and work to ensure their safety." While dialing 9-1-1 by phone remains the primary and preferred method to contact public safety agencies, the Text to 9-1-1 trial will enable PSAPs in Tennessee to begin receiving 9-1-1 SMS texts from AT&T wireless subscribers through the state's ESInet. The trial will allow PSAPs to develop best practices and methods to receive and integrate these types of emergency communications in the future. The trial will utilize concepts and designs from key industry groups working on Text to 9-1-1 standards and will leverage the National Emergency Number Association's (NENA) i3 standards and recommendations. "AT&T is committed to working with standard bodies, national, state, and local public safety organizations to determine how best to integrate SMS text messages and other advanced communications into future 9-1-1 systems and wireless networks," said Mel Coker, Vice President, Public Safety Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "This trial will be vital in evaluating Text to 9-1-1 solutions with the goal of providing reliable, universal access for our customers." *AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. |
| Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus updates the flagship DJ player, brings WiFi and slip mode (video) Posted: 06 Sep 2012 01:52 AM PDT Pioneer's CDJ-2000 took the spot at the top of the firm's CD turntable range a couple of years back, and has enjoyed a decent spell as the club standard. To ensure that its reign continues unchallenged, a new iteration in the form of the CDJ-2000nexus (no relation) has just been announced. The vast majority of the DNA remains the same, but there are some key new features such as WiFi (as we saw in the XDJ-AERO) for use with the rekordbox app, Beat Sync, Wave Zoom and Slip (a much wanted feature first seen in the CDJ-900). In total, you can now load tracks from CD, DVD, USB, SD, networked machines, and WiFi, meaning the player has essentially outgrown its "CDJ" labeling, becoming a true multimedia player. If you fancy taking one for a spin, you can do so starting from some time this month, for the upbeat price of $2,399. Laidback Luke demo video on rotation after the break.
Next Generation Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus is Ready to Change up the Music Mixing Game LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.'s Professional Sound and Visual Division, the leader in Professional DJ products, today unveiled its next generation flagship CDJ player, the CDJ-2000nexus, offering exciting features and technologies including Wi-Fi® connectivity, a first in the industry, compatibility with Pioneer's new rekordbox™ App for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, and new functions such as Beat Sync, Wave Zoom and Slip. Newly enhanced features inherited by the CDJ-2000nexus include a selection screen interface for a more intuitive music search experience, increased visibility of the needle search pad, and improved master tempo sound quality. "Our CDJ players are the established de-facto equipment in the professional DJ community and we're making sure they stay that way by continuing to improve their functions and features" "Our CDJ players are the established de-facto equipment in the professional DJ community and we're making sure they stay that way by continuing to improve their functions and features," said David Arevalo, senior marketing manager, Professional Sound and Visual Division for Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "The CDJ-2000nexus is the first player that will also enable users to prepare their music on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and then wirelessly transfer it to the unit for playback." Industry's First DJ Player with Wireless Source Capability The CDJ-2000nexus can utilize different music sources, from a hard drive to USB thumb drive and/or SD memory card, and now for the first time, an iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and a computer via Wi-Fi. Using Pioneer's rekordbox App to create playlists, cue/loop points, beat location settings, waveform analysis and more, users can temporarily transfer the content wirelessly through Wi-Fi to the CDJ-2000nexus. Users can also perform the same wireless function with a Mac utilizing the rekordbox music management software. New rekordbox Software Functions With the included rekordbox music management software installed on a computer, users can organize and catalog their entire music libraries. Newly added features available when rekordbox is used with the CDJ-2000nexus include music file analysis functions such as Wave Form Zoom (wave form expansion) and Key, as well as additional settings such as Active Loop and Hot Cue Auto Load. When music files are imported to rekordbox, the software analyzes each file and prepares it for use specifically for the CDJ player. Key elements of Pioneer's rekordbox software: Data Analysis – Wave Zoom, Key, Wave, Beat Grid, BPM, ID3 Tag and more Full-Color LCD Display The CDJ-2000nexus features a large full-color WQVGA 6.1-inch (480 x 234) LCD panel for displaying song titles and album art as well as detailed track information. The Wave data of each song is also illustrated on screen and the new Wave Zoom function provides five different levels of magnification of the wave data which are color-coded according to bandwidth. Pro DJ Link Pioneer's Pro DJ Link feature enables up to four CDJ-2000nexus players to connect via the Link Port and share a single music source. Additional functions added to the CDJ-2000nexus that can be accessed when other players are connected using the Pro DJ Link are: Beat Sync – Tempo and beat location of music currently playing on one of the device can be matched with the push of a button. Performance Functions Pioneer added Slip Mode and Quantize functions to the CDJ-2000nexus for added performance and reliability. Slip Mode – When activated, Slip Mode silently continues song playback during a loop, reverse or scratch and continues audible playback at the exact time when the loop, reverse or scratch is ended, resulting in smoother transitions. More Features DJ software MIDI/HID control – Up to 35 controls on the surface of each player can be used to trigger other devices, such as DJ effectors and software by way of HID and/or MIDI. CDJ-2000nexus Demo Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULA8Q1djn4w&list=PLk1VCXHnvPLCjdulUe8dgzaaNSD74oGOP&feature=plcp The CDJ-2000nexus will be available in September with a suggested retail price of $2,399. The rekordbox App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Pioneer offers a complete line of professional DJ Equipment through its Professional Sound & Visual Division. Its DJ products are industry standards at clubs, studios, mobile rigs and homes around the world, known for their high quality sound and reliability. For more information, visit www.pioneerdjusa.com. Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, established in Tokyo in 1938, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. |
| Synology launches DiskStation DS413j NAS server for your own private cloud Posted: 06 Sep 2012 01:22 AM PDT If you like your data local, but crave remote access, you've now got options like Synology's new DiskStation DS413j -- a network-attached storage (NAS) server for your own private cloud. The feature-packed box has four drive bays for a total of 16TB storage, and you can mix and match HDDs of different sizes without losing the comfort of RAID. Along with what you'd expect from NAS, its media server will stream content to your console or TV via DLNA or UPnP and push tunes to your stereo, with iOS and Android apps for couch DJing. The server will sync your files across computers if you wish, and give you access to all that data on the move via the internet or mobile apps. And, if you need more files, you can download directly using your favorite protocols -- it'll even automate them if you trust RSS feeds to make recommendations. All this can be yours for around $380, depending on the retailer, but don't forget to budget for drives to fill those empty bays. Synology® Introduces DiskStation DS413j Full-fledged and budget-friendly private cloud powered by DSM 4.1 Taipei, Taiwan-September 4, 2012-Synology® Inc. today launched the DiskStation DS413j, a 4-bay NAS server designed to address home and small office's need for an advanced network and storage solution, yet remains as an affordable selection. Accompanied by recently debuted DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.1, the operating system of every Synology NAS, users can safeguard their data and enjoy multimedia content seamlessly. "Synology continues to surpass all obstacles to achieve a budget-friendly private cloud," said Chad Jiang, product manager at Synology Inc. The DS413j features Web Assistant that guides users to complete the system installation in a few clicks with no disc installation or patch download required. With QuickConnect, users can easily extend the coverage of DS413j to the Internet without router configuration. "When you factor in the built-in versatile features and mobile apps, the DS413j is truly a simple setup and economical private cloud for users," added Jiang. The DS413j features an upgraded platform with 1.6 GHz CPU and DDR3 512MB RAM that boost multitasking performance. Designed with energy efficient in mind, the DS413j consumes only 31.56 watts and 7.68 watts during full operation and HDD hibernation respectively, making it an ideal alternative to traditional power-demanding file and download server. The support of multiple scheduled power on/off and wake-on-LAN features further minimize carbon footprint. Its hardware design contributes to an ultra-quiet operation at 18.9 dB (A) that makes a quality living room and small office environment. The DS413j runs on DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.1, which provides rich features to boost user-productivity and simplify their tasks, all on a sleek user interface optimized for multitasking. DS411j, the predecessor of DS413j, has received numerous media recognitions worldwide, including "Best Buy" awards with full score from Computer Shopper, U.K. For more information, please visit http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS413j&lang=uk Availability |
| STMicroelectronics details pressure sensor in your Galaxy S III, can tell when you're mountaineering Posted: 06 Sep 2012 12:40 AM PDT If you're the sort to tear down your Galaxy S III, you might have noticed a mysterious STMicroelectronics LSP331AP chip lurking on the motherboard. While we've known that it's a pressure sensor, we now know that it's a new generation -- new enough that ST is just getting to explaining the technology to a mainstream audience. The piezoresistor-equipped MEMS chip tracks altitude through atmospheric pressure with an uncanny knack for precision; it can tell when you've crossing between floors, which could be more than handy for future iterations of indoor navigation. Don't worry if you're an extreme sports junkie that might push the limits, either. The sensor can do its job at the kinds of pressure you'd normally see when 32,800 feet high or 5,900 feet below sea level, which should keep it working even if you're checking your phone during a climb up K2 or a HALO skydive. We don't know if anyone beyond Samsung is lined up to use ST's pressure sensor in their devices, but we wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a mainstay for smartphones and outdoor gear in the near future. STMicroelectronics Enables "The Next Step" in Precision 3D Location Sensing The world's smallest digital pressure sensor in high-volume production uses innovative MEMS technology to precisely measure altitude Geneva, September 05, 2012 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, the world's top MEMS manufacturer, and the leading supplier of MEMS sensors for consumer and portable applications 1, has introduced a new pressure sensor that allows mobile phones and other portable devices to calculate their vertical elevation relative to sea-level with very high accuracy. This means that the mobile device will know not only on which floor of a building it is located, but almost on which step of the staircase. Accurate location of mobile devices will be the key enabler for many emerging Location-Based Services (LBS), which are widely expected to be the next wave of "killer applications" in the mobile world. The challenge is to provide the means of identifying the location of the mobile device in three dimensions in a way that meets a variety of conflicting constraints including spatial resolution, reliability, physical size, robustness, and cost. For the horizontal part of the location (latitude and longitude), the universally adopted solution is GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), which allows the horizontal position of the device to be calculated to within a meter in optimum conditions where the device can receive signals from four or more satellites. ST has already demonstrated a solution for indoor navigation developed in conjunction with CSR that can locate devices horizontally and vertically, even in the absence of any satellite signals. For the third dimension (vertical elevation), atmospheric pressure can provide greater resolution than GNSS - especially when fewer than four satellite signals are visible - as pressure drops steadily with increased elevation. ST's new pressure sensor can accurately measure air pressure from 260 millibars, which is the typical air pressure at a height of around 10 km (about 1,500 m higher than the summit of Mount Everest) to 1,260 millibars, which is the typical air pressure at 1,800 m below sea-level, about half the depth of the deepest mine ever dug. Housed in a tiny 3x3mm package and offering low voltage operation and ultra-low power consumption, the new device is ideal for use in smart phones, sports watches, and other portable equipment, as well as in weather stations and automotive and industrial applications. The LPS331AP has already been adopted for use in Samsung's latest and most advanced smartphone. "Since launching the Consumerization Wave of MEMS devices, we have developed and delivered devices able to detect gravity, acceleration, angular rate, and the Earth's magnetic field," said Benedetto Vigna, Executive Vice President, Analog, MEMS & Sensors Group, STMicroelectronics. "All these sensors help smart consumer devices detect and react to motion. Now we are introducing a device that senses the weight of the atmosphere and will help consumer products recognize if a person or an object is moving up and down." ST's LPS331AP pressure-sensing device is fabricated using a proprietary MEMS technology, called "VENSENS", that allows the pressure sensor to be fabricated on a monolithic silicon chip. Manufacturing the device in this way eliminates wafer-to-wafer bonding and maximizes reliability. The sensing element in the LPS331AP is based on a flexible silicon membrane formed above an air cavity with a controlled gap and defined internal pressure. The membrane is very small compared to traditional silicon micro-machined membranes and is protected from breakage by built-in mechanical stoppers. A piezoresistor, a tiny structure whose electrical resistance varies as the membrane flexes in response to changes in the external pressure, is embedded in the membrane and the change in resistance is monitored, thermally compensated, and converted to a digital pressure value that can be read by the equipment's host processor using the industry-standard I2C or SPI interfaces. Main technical features of the LPS331AP The LPS331AP is now in volume production at a typical price of $2.6 in quantities of 1,000 units. Samples and evaluation kits are available to support design-in and shorten time-to-market. ST's pressure sensor evaluation kit consists of a motherboard (STEVAL-MKI109V2) and a plug-in module, the STEVALMKI120V1 adapter including the LPS331AP pressure sensor. |
| Sprint training docs cast doubt on 2012 iPhone launch timing, but don't panic yet Posted: 05 Sep 2012 11:53 PM PDT The next iPhone's unveiling date is safely locked down. Whether or not it arrives at every US carrier simultaneously is up in the air, however, and there's signs that Sprint's model might not ship as quickly as we'd like. Carrier training documents obtained by iSource, which we've since verified are real, would require that sales staff and technicians all be ready to offer "in-store Apple support" on October 15th, wrapping up their earliest training by the 30th -- that's up to a month after the introductory event, which would reduce the chances of a simultaneous launch if the first wave of iPhone availability is as close as the rumors would have you believe. Before you start plotting a carrier switch out of impatience, we'll add that there's a few disclaimers at play. First is simply that October 15th is a Monday, which is very out of step with Apple's habit of launching iPhones on Fridays. We'd see that day as the target for training alone, and that's assuming that Sprint needs everyone on the same page before the iPhone is in stores. More importantly, we know from our own tips that Sprint's internal calendar is in flux: the provider may not have concrete plans until after Apple's executives leave the event stage next week. As such, we'd treat the document leak more as a heads-up than a guarantee of trouble in Sprint's schedule. |
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