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- Amazon Silk browser on Kindle Fire tracks page visits to generate trends, isn't as spooky as it sounds
- Google pays tribute to Star Trek with latest doodle, red shirts still can't catch a break
- NextGuide for iPad intends to get you to stop using the grid guide
- Verizon CMO confirms carrier will sell a BlackBerry 10 device at launch
- PayPal arrives on Windows Phone devices running version 7.5 or higher
- Engadget Podcast 309 - 09.07.2012
- Symbian Belle FP2 for Nokia 808 PureView spotted early, pulled quickly
- EchoStar HDX-410 set-top box runs native ICS, supports terrestrial broadcasts (hands-on video)
- The Engadget Interview: Nokia's Kevin Shields on PureView, floating sensors and the 'missile' that is the Lumia 920
- HTC's waterproof, WiMAX-capable J handset now available in Hong Kong and Taiwan
- Amazon confirms: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models
- Fallen kingdom: 38 Studios' collapse and the pitfalls of using public money to support tech companies
- Sony Stitch merges footage from two 4K F65 cameras to create zoomable panoramic with HD output (video)
- Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell
- Insert Coin: hands-on with the MG, a portable Android gaming solution for kids
- Distro Issue 56 is here with smartphones, Windows 8 hybrids and the best of the rest from IFA 2012
- Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean
- HTC Accord may become the mid-range 8X, make a little more Sense
- Were HTC One X+ specs just leaked anonymously by an XDA developer's tweet?
- European carrier sources: Nokia to start selling the Lumia 920 in November (update: coming to AT&T on November 2nd)
- Audience noise-cancelling said not to feature in next iPhone
- NVIDIA Quadro K5000 GPU for Mac offers significant Premiere Pro performance boost, we go hands-on
- New beBionic hand almost doubles its grip-strength, steered by user's electrical 'skin signals'
- Airbus imagines 'smarter skies' by 2050: reduced emissions and shorter flight times
- Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month's end for $100
- NVIDIA announces Quadro K5000 for Mac Pro, brings 4K support, 2x performance over Quadro 4000
- LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork
- Fox to sell Digital HD movies three weeks ahead of discs or VOD, Prometheus is first (Update: via Amazon, iTunes, Xbox, Vudu etc.)
- NASA's Voyager 1 marks 35th anniversary of its launch, gets photo retrospective in tribute
- VIA EPIA-P910 stuffs 3D display support, quad-core into a Pico-ITX size
- Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt
- MediawavePC's MW6110 is a multipurpose Intel Core i7-supporting media player
- Around the world Tesla Roadster tour back on track after swift repair job
- D-Link Cloud Storage 4000 NAS stores up 16TB, hooks up to your smartphone and tablet
- Green House's lantern runs on salt and water, powers your gadgets via USB
- SteelSeries Flux and Flux In-Ear Pro headsets ears-on (video)
- Claimed iPad mini shell reappears, now with more rear camera and less Mr. Blurrycam
- Sky+ update allows undeleting recorded shows, more on-demand and future Catch Up TV
- Netflix updates Android app with 'WiFi only' playback to keep mobile data usage in check
- SteelSeries Free Touchscreen Gaming Controls and Free Mobile Gaming Controller aren't free, we go hands-on (video)
| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 11:33 AM PDT When you pick up that new Kindle Fire HD this fall, one of the first things you'll notice is an updated version of Amazon's Silk web browser with a Trending Now section. It's a clever trick that takes advantage of Silk's server-based caching to find out what sites are popular among owners. That sounds good on the surface, but it doesn't take much effort to realize that there are privacy concerns already in the air -- Amazon is sharing personal web habits with a wider audience, after all. While the section is unlikely to include any identifying information, there's no immediate sign that tablet owners can keep their behavior private, and that could create some indignation among those who'd prefer to surf in isolation. We've asked Amazon if there will be an opt-out escape hatch and will let you know if there's a definitive answer. In the meantime, we wouldn't necessarily worry. Silk shouldn't be caching your e-mail, and it's only likely to ever show pages that have far more traffic than anything you'd be embarrassed to show to others. As far as we can tell, your secret knitting obsession should be safe. |
| Google pays tribute to Star Trek with latest doodle, red shirts still can't catch a break Posted: 07 Sep 2012 11:19 AM PDT Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor not a Google logo. |
| NextGuide for iPad intends to get you to stop using the grid guide Posted: 07 Sep 2012 11:00 AM PDT Believe it or not, most people still start their TV watching routine by hitting the guide button and browsing. After that, they might check to see what's on the DVR, and eventually make their way through the streaming options available on their smart TV or game console. Dijit Media wants to change that with the new NextGuide iPad app which sets out to answer the age old question of "what am I going to watch next?" Essentially this hyper personal guide knows whats on TV, what your friends are watching and lets you easily filter by things like category, Facebook likes or even keywords in the metadata. Discovering content is the key theme here, but integration with other services like Rotten Tomatoes and the ability to schedule recordings on your DVR are also in the cards -- currently scheduling recordings only works with DirecTV, but we're told more are on the way. Although from the same company, NextGuide doesn't work with the Beacon so you'll need to keep using the Dijit remote for the majority of your remote needs, but both products will live on even though Dijit's focus is on NextGuide, for now. Dijit Introduces NextGuide for iPad, the Hyper-Personalized Guide for Streaming and Live TV |
| Verizon CMO confirms carrier will sell a BlackBerry 10 device at launch Posted: 07 Sep 2012 10:46 AM PDT This bit of news got a bit buried amid the back-to-back-to-back press events that happened earlier this week, but Verizon Chief Marketing Officer Tami Erwin confirmed in an interview with CNET on Wednesday that the carrier will be offering at least one BlackBerry 10 smartphone at launch. As you'll recall, that launch date now sits at sometime in the first quarter of 2013, following some delays, and it's expected than an all-touch device will debut prior to a more traditional keyboard-equipped BlackBerry. Unfortunately, Erwin didn't offer any more specifics than that, but it looks like RIM's recent push to woo carriers has paid off with at least one of the big three in the US. |
| PayPal arrives on Windows Phone devices running version 7.5 or higher Posted: 07 Sep 2012 10:38 AM PDT eBay's money-exchanging service has brought its payments platform to Windows Phone 7.5 handsets. PayPal's new app lets you send and request cash and check your account details (hopefully while laughing maniacally at your own affluence). A "local" feature will also direct you toward vendors who accept the standard, just remember that NFC supporting handsets don't get here for another few weeks. |
| Engadget Podcast 309 - 09.07.2012 Posted: 07 Sep 2012 10:15 AM PDT  One week, three big press events, and no huge innovations. But that's cool: following the hottest industry trend this week, we're iterating to Engadget Podcast 308.1, the slightly-better version of last week's podcast, also known as Engadget Podcast 309. Hosts: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater 04:30 - Amazon announces 7 and 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HDs, pricing starts at $199 Subscribe to the podcast Download the podcast ee This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Symbian Belle FP2 for Nokia 808 PureView spotted early, pulled quickly Posted: 07 Sep 2012 09:58 AM PDT Nokia has been tuning up its Symbian Belle phones with new software over the past few days, but there's been one glaring exception: the 808 PureView. The camera-centered behemoth isn't far behind, though, as a handful of users have spotted and grabbed a 113.10.1506 OS update lurking on Nokia's servers before it was abruptly yanked. While Nokia hasn't confirmed details of the upgrade, those few who tried the download can vouch that it really is Belle FP2, or Belle Refresh. As such, it's bringing an overhauled keyboard with text prediction, new versions of the browser and music player apps, fresh widgets and no doubt a few under-the-radar bug fixes. It's hard to know if the update is final code, so we'd advise caution before loading up any unofficial copies you might find -- even so, it's a portentous sign for 808 owners who'd like to have a definitive instance of smartphone-grade Symbian before the platform rides into the sunset. |
| EchoStar HDX-410 set-top box runs native ICS, supports terrestrial broadcasts (hands-on video) Posted: 07 Sep 2012 09:29 AM PDT You may be familiar with EchoStar's satellite-based (Dish Network) and Sling Media (Slingbox) products, but the company also manufactures set-top boxes for third-party providers, as well as free-to-air services in the UK. It's this last grouping that'll be able to take advantage of the Android-based device we saw today, assuming it does in fact make its way to market. The HDX-410 runs native Ice Cream Sandwich, and is available in two versions -- one supports IP content and local storage exclusively, while a second can also accept terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) programming, letting you play back live TV shows in addition to content from a local server, pulled from the web or stored on attached media or an inserted microSD card. It connects to the web using Ethernet or WiFi, and includes USB ports on both the front and the rear, Bluetooth, HDMI out, digital audio out and a standard-definition connection. It's also paired with a QWERTY keyboard-equipped remote manufactured by Philips with gyroscopic or directional-pad curser control, along with pinch/zoom gesture capability. We had a chance to check out the ICS box at EchoStar's IBC booth today, where the device was running Android 4.0.4 and an early version of the company's hybrid app, which groups "favorited" content alongside terrestrial channels, letting you use the standard channel up/down button to navigate through stored TV shows, IP content or live programming quite seamlessly, as if all of the media was playing from the same source. It's clearly not yet ready for primetime, but the interface was sleek and speedy -- the set-top box performed very well overall. EchoStar reps were unable to confirm whether or not the HDX-410 would be coming to market at all, but they did add that the solution may be made available to third-parties in the future. Click past the break to take a closer look in our hands-on video. EchoStar Goes Hybrid with New Android™-powered DVB and IP STB STEETON, England, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS), a leading supplier of added-value, connected device solutions to the digital TV industry, announced today that it is expanding its portfolio of Android™-powered set-top boxes (STB) with the introduction of a new hybrid DVB and IP solution the HDX-410. This highly effective product is designed to receive DVB and IP-delivered content and services whilst home networking support ensures that it can also act as a powerful multi-room solution. The HDX-410 will enable TV operators and telcos to deliver a wide range of DVB and IP-based services to their customers cost effectively, including broadcast and on demand TV plus Smart TV applications. The HDX-410 supports the industry's leading digital rights management and middleware solutions and ultra-low power operation to meet European energy efficiency requirements. The HDX-410 platform is based on widely-established open standard technologies. Compatibility with industry standard protocols ensures that the HDX-410 can interact with other devices within the home, enabling TV operators to extend services from a central gateway to other display devices throughout the home network. Offering a wealth of connectivity, interfaces include high quality HDMI®, wireless networking to the 802.11n standard, Ethernet, S/PDIF and USB 2.0. Being highly compact in design, the HDX-410 will fit unobtrusively into any location within the home. Shipping with software that supports the most advanced methods of advanced video coding (AVC), the HDX-410 boasts support for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC-1 and VP8. This ensures that TV operators and service providers can combine and deliver the best user experience, high quality video and audio whilst optimising the available bandwidth to deliver entertainment services cost effectively. The HDX-410 supports the Android™ 4.0 operating system and includes Adobe® Flash® Player 11.x and a WebKit-based browser. The Android™ community developed and highly efficient suite of application development tools is freely available and provides an extensive, scalable Internet-centric application development platform. This enables an operator to access an extensive pool of experienced and highly skilled entertainment application developers to readily support the supply engaging apps and services. "Following close collaboration with the market following the introduction of our first Android-powered IP platform at IBC last year, we were aware that it was important to follow up with the addition of broadcast and DVB support to add to the versatility of the product," commented Rhod Williams Senior Vice President and General Manager of EchoStar in Europe. "Initially appealing primarily to IP and over-the-top service providers, this updated platform adds an even higher level of flexibility and targets TV operators who wish to combine broadcast TV services with entertainment delivered over the IP channel in a single cost effective platform." Incorporating the latest advanced System-on-Chip silicon solution, the product will be showcased for the first time at IBC2012 on both EchoStar's stand (#1.F76) and in Marvell's balcony suite (hall 1, #BM3). EchoStar's HDX-210 Android™-powered IP STB has been nominated for 'best IPTV technology or service' at the Cable and Satellite International Awards to be announced at IBC2012. |
| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 09:00 AM PDT A conversation with Nokia's Stephen Elop, as we had earlier this week, is quite an experience. He's kind, friendly, charming and obviously extremely passionate about everything Nokia -- but his PR deflector shields are always full-forward. Ask him a challenging question and you'll be greeted with a very gentle response that sounds like an answer but is actually just a deftly delivered retooling of some standard PR-friendly message you've probably already heard. Interviewing Nokia SVP Kevin Shields is, as we've seen in the past, a somewhat more... direct experience. Why did Nokia go with a gloss finish on the 920 instead of the matte we loved on the 800 and 900? "Because it's awesome." How durable is the 920? "It's like a missile." How confident is he that wireless charging will take off? "We are all in." Shields was kind enough to give us a few minutes of his time after Nokia's event this week to talk Lumia and to explain just what "PureView" means now that it's been applied to a second phone. Click on through to get educated.
Waiting in a small meeting room with a spread of Technicolor Nokia devices and accessories scattered across a white table in front of him, you'd never know that Kevin Shields had just stepped off stage and away from one of the more painful demo fails we've seen lately. If you watch the broadcast you can see the moment where an on-stage laptop appeared to malfunction during his demo of Nokia's augmented-reality app, Lens. (It begins at around the 57 minute mark.) He made the best of it, sticking with the presentation despite the fact that none of us in the audience could really see what he was up to. Still, in the room, at this table, he's as animated and excited as ever, and he's most excited about the PureView sensor in the Lumia 920.
He's of course referring to the floating camera assembly in the device, said to offer a sort of physical image stabilization of the sort we've never seen on a mobile device before -- a breakthrough that he thinks is as big as, or perhaps even bigger than, the massive leap forward we saw from the 808 PureView.
The focus, then, is in creating sharper, crisper images in low light or unsteady hands, which contrasts with the 808's concept of a ridiculously high megapixel count to enable digital zooming. Could we ever see the two technologies brought together?
Many people don't see things that way. A quick glance on Twitter during the Nokia event showed a legion of tech fans insulted by the notion that this camera is also being labeled "PureView," the same moniker applied to that far higher resolution 808. If that's you, Shields says you're missing the point.
In other words, look at PureView as a special designation for Nokia's top-shelf offerings, not some holy surname applied to mobile devices that look more like cameras than phones. Just because this particular mobile device has "only" an 8.7 megapixel sensor doesn't mean that it isn't worthy of your attention -- so says Nokia, at least. And besides, we all know that megapixel count is a terrible way to judge the imaging quality of a camera, right? |
| HTC's waterproof, WiMAX-capable J handset now available in Hong Kong and Taiwan Posted: 07 Sep 2012 08:40 AM PDT Not to be outdone by Motorola and Nokia, HTC's quietly trying to steal some of the competition's thunder by unexpectedly outing a not-for-sale, fashion-driven variant of the One X and now with the announcement that its 4.3-inch waterproof J handset will be heading to a couple more Asian markets. Of course, let's not forget the Taiwanese outfit also has something else to show us at an upcoming special event in NYC. But, regardless of what we'll "see next," the J's actually here -- well, in Japan -- and with eyes set on Hong Kong and Taiwan next, making this the first time that Sense 4-loaded device is headed outside the Land of the Rising Sun. Just a quick recap: the HTC J comes with a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM8660A, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, qHD PenTile OLED display, eight-megapixel camera and 1,810mAh battery. As for connectivity, you get quad-band GSM, WCDMA 2,100MHz, CDMA2000 800MHz and WiMAX 2.5-2.7GHz (for Japan and Taiwan only) radios, making it a fairly nice all-rounder albeit with limited regional compatibility for each of the faster connections. Oh, and about that waterproofing business: KDDI doesn't actually list it as a waterproof device, but HTC informed us that while the J meets global standards for waterproofing, it is not marketed as such in Japan due to particular criteria required by said carrier. We shall add more info here if HTC has more to say about this. At any rate, Hong Kong folks will be able to pick up this waterproof device for HK$4,498 (about $580) unsubsidized, whereas Taiwan will have to wait until the press event next Tuesday for tariff details on Taiwan Mobile. For now, we got you a video of the J going for a swim after the break. You know, just for kicks. Richard Lai contributed to this report.
The Brand New HTC J unveiled in Hong Kong Outstanding Appearance Inherited the Amazing Camera and Authentic Sound of HTC One Series [HONG KONG, September 6, 2012] –HTC, a leading global designer of smartphones, unveiled its latest smartphone, HTC J, in Hong Kong. Combining the art of design with the distinct Amazing Camera and Authentic Sound elements of the HTC One Series, HTC J delivers an outstanding mobile experience ever seen before. Mr. Terry Chung, Country Manager of HTC, Hong Kong and Macau, says, "With the exceptional quality design, the outstanding look and feel, the Amazing Camera and Authentic Sound features of HTC J, users can now enjoy the ultimate photo, image, and sound experience." Designed for the Asian market, HTC J is equipped with a simple and unique exterior design. The curved edges create a body that is modern and simple. HTC J comes in three colors: black, white and red. The HTC J integrates Android 4.0 (ICS) with HTC Sense™ 4, the HTC's branded user experience that is introducing HTC ImageSense™, a suite of enhanced camera and imaging features. Whilst the integrated Beats Audio offers broad enhancements to audio quality and simplifies how people listen to music on their phone. Other impressive features of HTC J include the 1.5GHz dual-core processor, the 4.3" HD display, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a microSD slot (maximum 32GB). In addition, the HTC J also supports CDMA and WiMAX networks allowing users to enjoy lightening mobile experience while travelling. Amazing Camera Superfast Capture - HTC J dramatically reduces the time it takes to capture those key moments. In just 0.7 seconds you're able to take a shot, continue to take 99 shots simply by holding the shutter button. Good photos in adverse conditions - HTC J delivers dramatic enhancements in image capture quality even in adverse conditions such as low light, no light or with bright backlighting. The f/2.0 lens on the HTC J offers best-in-class performance, capturing 40 percent more light than the f/2.4 lenses available on other high-end phones. HTC J also includes HDR, a market-leading technology, for taking great photos even when there are varying levels of brightness. Video Pic (Concurrent Video/Still Capture) – With Video Pic on new SenseTM 4, you capture a photo and shoot video at the same time. Now, while you're shooting HD video, all you have to do is tap the shutter button and it snaps a high-resolution still photo while the video continues to shoot. You are also able to capture a photo frame from a previously recorded video. The advanced camera in HTC J offers photography on a par with traditional digital camera. Moreover, HTC integrates online data storage and sharing platform that allows you to enjoy a unique and all-rounded camera performance: Dropbox integrated with HTC SenseTM 4 - HTC J gives you an easy way to save and share your photos and videos. HTC has integrated Dropbox into HTC SenseTM 4 enabling HTC J customers to get up to 25 gigabytes of free Dropbox space for two years. That's enough to keep more than 10,000 high-quality photos. Dropbox is also integrated throughout HTC SenseTM 4, so it's easy to edit, save and share your documents and other kinds of files. Authentic Sound HTC J also makes it easy to get and listen to your music on your phone with the built-in HTC Sync software that automatically installs to your PC or Mac computer when connected. Once connected, it is easy to transfer songs, artists and playlists from your iTunes and Window Media Player music library. People today no longer just listen to the songs stored on their phones; they use streaming services and tune into Internet radio. With SenseTM 4, HTC J lets you customize the new HTC Music Hub with your favorite services and music applications, like the latest Soundhound technology, giving you one place to go for all of your music. Pricing & Availability The HTC J will be available in black, white and red soon, and the suggested retail price is HK$4,498. |
| Amazon confirms: yes, you can opt out of ads on new Kindle Fire models Posted: 07 Sep 2012 08:11 AM PDT The new Kindle Fire range was barely out of the oven before Amazon drew flak for its plans to include Special Offers on the lock screen for US models. In plainer language, the tablets ship with ads built-in -- and unlike e-paper Kindles, there's no option to pay for an ad-free variant from the start. But don't cancel your pre-order just yet. Amazon's support has since confirmed to an Engadget reader that the option to remove the ads will be "announced soon." Although full details aren't forthcoming, we wouldn't be surprised if history repeats and owners have to pay a fee to cover the lost ad subsidies. You can see the relevant snippet of Amazon's response e-mail, in all its tenuous grasp of English, after the break.
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| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 08:00 AM PDT In a career filled with many clutch throws from the baseball mound, former Boston Red Sox ace Curt Schilling's main calling card was a gutsy post-season performance made even more memorable by a blood-soaked sock. It was a pitch made by Schilling outside of Major League Baseball, however, that would prove to be his most daring one yet. In 2010, Schilling convinced Rhode Island officials to give his video game company, 38 Studios, a $75 million loan guarantee. A self-professed fan of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), Schilling's dream was to create a worthy competitor to Blizzard's MMORPG juggernaut, World of Warcraft. In 2006, Schilling started Green Monster Games, which was later renamed 38 Studios. Luring the company away from Massachusetts was supposed to bring in more than 400 jobs and serve as the linchpin for launching a new tech-based industry in Rhode Island. Instead, the state's taxpayers found themselves left at the table with a multimillion-dollar tab.
Like the vaunted New York Yankees team that Schilling helped slay during his memorable "bloody sock" performance, 38 Studios suffered an epic collapse. With its ambitious Project Copernicus MMORPG still in the works, the company was unable to generate enough revenue to pay for its expenses and quickly burned through $50 million acquired from the Rhode Island deal. It then defaulted on a $1.1 million payment due in May to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, which triggered a showdown with Gov. Lincoln Chafee. Besides losing access to the remaining funds from the Rhode Island deal, the company's very public drama also spooked potential investors. Tapped out financially and left with no extra lives, 38 Studios filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June. Just a couple of years after its landmark deal , the high-flying developer behind the well-received Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning suddenly became the poster boy for what could go horribly wrong when public money is used to support private companies. The studio's high-profile fall from grace also showed the inherent risks that come with dabbling in the tech sector, said Thomas Cafcas, research analyst for national policy resource center Good Jobs First. "The tech industry comes with its own number of tricky issues and it's important for any public entity looking to invest in it to really know the sector and what it's getting into," Cafcas said. "It doesn't make sense to get a bunch of money out the door and just go after any deal because it happens to be in tech. You need to do some really good research on how that sector works." High Stakes Rhode Island's buyer's remorse with 38 Studios comes at a time when more and more states are creating programs that use public funds to invest in private companies. The Lone Star State went big on public-private partnerships in 2003 when it created the Texas Enterprise Fund. Since its inception, the program has allocated nearly $470 million to private companies. Nevada lawmakers got into the act last year with the creation of the $10 million Catalyst Fund for businesses. Meanwhile, the emergence of powerhouses such as Google and Apple made companies with a tech pedigree especially prized by states looking to boost their economic chops. In 2005, the Texas Legislature took its bet on private enterprise a step further and created the Emerging Technology Fund. Designed to bring research talent to the state and create new companies by commercializing new technologies, the fund invested more than $169 million in 133 high-tech firms by 2011. Utah has also gotten into the act, creating a similar initiative known as the Utah Science Technology and Research, or USTAR, program in 2006. Nevada -- which is trying to diversify an economy heavily geared toward gambling, tourism and construction -- is currently trying to kickstart its own tech commercialization efforts through its new Knowledge Fund. The state is also working to free up extra capital for private equity with the launch of the Nevada Capital Investment Corporation, or NCIC Fund. The program can tap up to $50 million from the state's Permanent School Fund endowment to invest in startups and other private ventures. The rise in these programs shows how high the stakes are in what has always been a competitive arena, said Steve Hill, director of the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development. In Nevada's case, Hill said the new programs are essential in ensuring the state does not get left behind by states with deeper pockets when it comes to attracting companies or creating new ventures. "If you look at some of the states we're going up against, they're more than willing to provide money up front to attract private enterprise," Hill said. "These funds allow Nevada to compete." A Capital Issue The increase in public-private programs was welcomed by people such as Dave Archer, president and CEO of Nevada's Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology. Cultivating startups can be especially tough in states like Nevada, which doesn't have the same resources or easy access to venture capital that places such as California or New York do, Archer said. "The Catalyst Fund and the NCIC Fund are two of the best things that have happened in Nevada in the time that I've been here," he said. "The biggest challenge facing Nevada is that we have very little in the way of risk capital. Our funding capacity is only a fraction of what our actual funding needs are." Meanwhile, most of the limited venture money available in the area tends to be in the hands of investors who lack familiarity with the tech sector, said Colin Loretz, co-founder and CEO of Web-based startup Cloudsnap. Loretz -- whose company recently received support from startup accelerator TechStars -- ended up going out of state to secure funding from investors in San Antonio and San Francisco.
"What we've always found was that there were few funding options in Reno, and most of them didn't understand what we were doing," Loretz said. "They were very, very knowledgeable in more traditional areas such as manufacturing, mining and clean energy, but not cloud services." Access to capital became an even bigger issue after the global financial crisis. The near-meltdown of the financial sector led to stricter lending guidelines and curtailed the amount of investment money available for supporting startups. When Relina Shirley was starting HIDEit Mounts in Southern California with her husband in 2008, she tried to get a small-business loan from a local bank. Shirley was told that her business wasn't established enough to even be considered for a loan, particularly given the conditions in the market. The lack of private capital led Shirley and her husband to self-fund their business, which makes cases for video game consoles and media boxes that can be installed behind wall-mounted flat-screen televisions. The Shirleys managed to slowly grow their business on the internet and recently inked a deal with retailer Micro Center to carry their products in about 30 locations. The volume needed to supply those locations also happens to be the maximum amount that the Shirleys can produce through self-funding. "The deal with Micro Center actually meant that we also had to invest in retail packaging, and that's no small expense for us," Shirley said. "We're at that pivotal point now where injecting our own cash into the business is no longer enough if we want to really grow it further. It would be fantastic if there were funding sources out there that we could access more easily right now." Playing With Fire Not everyone, however, is supportive of using public money for private enterprise. Paul Lenart, a member of the Occupy Reno movement, eyed Nevada's new funds with a healthy dose of skepticism. Lenart cited the greed and highly dubious ethics displayed by those in the private sector just prior to the crash of the US housing market and the global financial crisis as reasons why he's leery about giving public money to private companies. "I don't expect the dog not to be a dog," Lenart said. "All I can say is: you better have a leash handy." Controversies involving private use of public funds in several states back some of the concerns raised about such programs. Both the Texas Enterprise Fund and Emerging Technology Fund have been criticized for awarding money to companies that have links to Gov. Rick Perry and his campaign donors.
North Carolina, which approved a $280 million incentive package from state and local governments in 2004 to woo Dell and convince the company to build a plant near Winston-Salem, saw its officials seething five years later after the company decided to close the facility. The closure led to the loss of 905 jobs. Another issue involves jobs that don't match the high-paying positions officials expect a technology company to produce. Cloudsnap's Loretz, for example, said that good engineers can earn around $125,000 or so per year depending on their skills and the school or company they come from. The prospect of keeping high-paying jobs was likely a key reason why Washington, D.C., officials offered up more than $30 million in subsidies to LivingSocial to convince it to stay in the area, said Good Jobs First's Cafcas. "LivingSocial began as a tech startup in D.C. and basically said it was going to move away if it didn't get some sort of incentive," Cafcas said. "If you look closely, however, the majority of the jobs for this high-tech company aren't so high-tech at all. They weren't engineers or IT people -- they were marketing people who cold-call companies to try and get LivingSocial deals." In the case of Nevada's new programs, some critics decry the fact that the Catalyst Fund is being distributed through local entities to sidestep a law in the state constitution that prohibits giving public money to private companies. Catalyst Fund recipients are also kept anonymous. "Public scrutiny is the only regulator of private vice," said Occupy Reno's Lenart. "The fact that they're doing this through loopholes just underlines the underhanded BS of this program. We set up that rule (in the Nevada Constitution) for a reason, and having them go around it while using public money is another way to suck money from people and give it to business." Lessons Learned Despite the problems arising in Rhode Island and other states that use public funds for private enterprise, supporters of such ventures point to programs that have seen success. Researchers tied to Utah's USTAR initiative, for example, have brought in $135 million in grants to the state. "That's significant because studies show that every $1 million in research funding the state brings in is worth 20 jobs," said USTAR spokesman Michael O'Malley. "We just had our five-year checkup, and the program is well-ahead on all the key metrics we measure with the exception of licensing revenue." O'Malley added that the program has also made 136 intellectual property filings and contributed $81 million to Utah's state gross product. Meanwhile, Nevada officials said they have learned from the problems experienced by other states and built the necessary protections into their programs. Management of the NCIC fund, for example, will be overseen by a private equity firm, said Nevada State Treasurer Kate Marshall. In addition to handing the reins to a firm with private sector experience and a legal fiduciary obligation to maximize returns, the arrangement also prevents the pay-to-play issues that plagued other public-private programs. Other safeguards include capping management fees and how much money can be invested in one firm, Marshall said. "As soon as we decided to have a geographically specified investment fund, we were careful about learning lessons from other states and pension funds," Marshall said. "One was to de-politicize this so you don't have an elected official directing money to be invested in his uncle's hotdog stand." For the Catalyst Fund, the state requires companies to meet certain objectives before any money can be released. Examples include the creation of a certain number of jobs first, said Mike Kazmierski, president and CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada. "We don't ever want to be in a position where we have to claw back anything, so we require the companies to perform first," Kazmierski said. "Once they achieve results, then we can reimburse them." Risk vs. reward There are times, however, when even performance-based incentives are not enough to prevent problems. Rhode Island, for example, also required 38 Studios to create a certain number of jobs before it could access the funds tied to the state's loan guarantee program. The company ended up hiring more employees to meet the requirement, but bankruptcy filings would later show that the company was already having financial difficulties even as it was hiring more staff. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., the group that set up the 38 Studios deal for the state, declined to comment for this article. Because the Rhode Island loan guarantee is backed by "moral obligation" bonds, the state can choose to not pay the millions borrowed by 38 Studios. Such a decision, however, comes with a heavy price. "If the state walks away from its obligation, it would be tantamount to defaulting and it will harm its financial reputation," Cafcas said. "There's already some talk out there of credit rating agencies downgrading their credit rating. What was supposed to be a deal that brings in more jobs in the short term could potentially harm long-term job growth in Rhode Island if the cost of borrowing for schools, roads and improving infrastructure goes up."
The debacle involving Schilling's company demonstrates why public entities should never be involved in picking winners and losers, several experts said. One reason is that such entities typically do not have the necessary background to make informed judgments on the viability of companies in the private sector. "Any time you get into the entertainment space, it's a high-risk proposition because customers are so fickle," said Walt Borland, president and CEO of the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization. "I mean, when you look at Rhode Island, what unique qualities or attributes does it have to play in the gaming industry? I see nothing that would justify investing $75 million, which is just an onerous amount of money to spend on a single deal, by the way." The risk involved with investing in private entities is also a reason why Darik Volpa, CEO of Understand.com, is wary of taking public funding. Prior to forming his new venture, Volpa was on the board of a company that launched an unsuccessful bid to get incentives from Rhode Island. Volpa said he was against applying for public funding but was outvoted by his colleagues. "The thing is, investing is a nasty, unforgiving world that's high-risk and high-reward," Volpa said. "Private investors understand that, so that's okay. Philosophically, though, it makes it hard for me to take public funding." With other areas going all-in with public-private programs, however, states such as Nevada feel that they have no choice if they want to stay competitive. As states try to position themselves for the more tech-oriented new economy, having public-private initiatives is seen as one way to elbow their way into the ongoing discussion and remain relevant. "Economic development is a contact sport," Hill said. "Some of the decisions we make probably won't work out well but I don't think the standard should be to never make a mistake. I think it should be overall, how much good did a program do for the state and was it worth doing it?" This piece originally appeared in Distro Issue #55. [Photo credit: Steven Senne, AP] [Photo credit: Gerry Broome, AP] [Photo credit: Rodolfo Gonzales, Statesman.com via AP] [Photo credit: Jason DeCrow, AP] |
| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 07:41 AM PDT Well, that's a mouthful of a headline. Going a bit more in-depth, a new professional solution from Sony allows broadcasters to capture side-by-side 4K video at, say, a sporting event, then use a standard camera zoom device to select small portions of each feed for 720p or 1080i output. On the receiving end, you'll see a live image that looks indistinguishable from something you'd capture with a moving camera, with a few extra benefits to boot. Sony demonstrated the system using feeds from an F65 4K camera earlier this year at NAB, but was only able to present a simulation at that point, with pre-recorded output cropped from larger-format footage. Now, as we saw today at IBC in Amsterdam, the technique works in realtime, so an adjustable smaller portion of the video is pumped out seamlessly and instantaneously. The 4K video can also be recorded at full resolution simultaneously, letting you change the framing long after an event takes place. Sony only had the demo configured to pull live video from the left portion of the feed, but eventually the entire capture will be enabled, giving producers access to an entire football field, as you'll see in the hands-on video after the break. We wouldn't expect this solution to replace human camera operators anytime soon, but it's certainly a viable method for adding angles and placing a bit more control in the hands of production teams, even after the fact. |
| Verizon confirms ongoing talks with Nokia for potential tie-up, declines to kiss and tell Posted: 07 Sep 2012 07:20 AM PDT  Remember that image sent recently by an anonymous tipster showing two versions of the Nokia Lumia 822 nestled comfortably within Verizon's device management system? Turns out there is something cooking between the Finnish phone maker and Big Red after all. The Wall Street Journal reports that Verizon has confirmed plans involving a Nokia Corp. tie-up, with sources familiar with the deal saying that the companies have been in talks since the spring. Just exactly what it is they're working on, however, still remains a mystery. Apparently, Verizon and Nokia are playing their cards close to the vest and refusing to disclose specific details about a potential deal. Still, the betting money is on some sort of tie-up involving Nokia's Lumia line. The Windows 8 handsets have seen a deluge of news this month, mostly involving the new 920 and 820 models. Whatever Nokia's got planned, several analysts also said the company needs to act fast. With Samsung's popular Galaxy S III already out and Apple's new iPhone expected to launch soon, Nokia's new phones are expected to see some tough competition. |
| Insert Coin: hands-on with the MG, a portable Android gaming solution for kids Posted: 07 Sep 2012 07:00 AM PDT In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Parent with a smartphone? If your kids are old enough to fiddle with a touchscreen, you've probably had your handset nicked. It can be a problem -- you need that phone, for calls, emails and Engadget, but your little scamp just can't get enough of Angry Birds. What do you do? Trust, says PlayMG, but verify. The old phrase ties closely to the core philosophy of the MG -- a device the firm is developing specifically for kids who want to play Android games, but are too young for a smartphone. We met with the company's Taylor Cavanah to get a first hand look at the device and its parental control system.
The MG itself is a fairly simple device -- an oval-shaped 4-inch handheld packing a 1GHz Cortex A5 processor, 1GB DDR3 RAM, 4GB of internal storage (expandable to 32GB via MicroSD), a WiFi radio and a slew of standard sensors: a gyroscope, compass, accelerometer and so on. Just enough hardware for casual gaming – and casual is the angle. "We talked to a lot of kids whose parents only have feature phones." Cavanah told us, "They might have a 3DS or something like that, but they don't have any access to something like this unless they're hanging out at their friend's house." The device is very targeted and simple – no cellular wizardry, no physical buttons beyond power and volume control – it doesn't even feature a rear facing camera. Devices will come preloaded with a suite of games like Need for Speed Hot Pursuit and NBA Jam, PlayMG told us, allowing kids to dive in as soon as they open the box – if they want a wider selection of titles, they'll have to connect to the Google Play store and spend some of their parent's cash. This is where the MG's exclusive apps come in. PlayMG has created a family collaboration app that ties in closely with a service called BillMyParents, which provides families with a refillable debit allowance system for kids. The service itself isn't exclusive to MG, but the in-app management system is. A widget on the device's home screen keeps kids updated on how much cash they have available, and an automated notification system keeps parents looped in on how their offspring is spending. If Timmy buys something inappropriate, his account can be locked down instantly via text message. The collaboration app also updates parents on how often the device is being used, what games are being played and more. The idea, Cavanah told us, was to trust, but verify that your child is making good decisions.
Sound complicated? It is, a little. The family collaboration app doesn't actually interface with Google Play in any way – technically, it's just helps manage a refillable debit card. The money tied to the account can be spent on anything. Parents (or tech savvy kids) will need to associate the device with a Google account and register the debit card in the normal way. Once all the pieces fit together, the MG creates the illusion of a unified system – we spent some time with a fully configured device, and found it exceedingly easy to pull up account balance information or recent usage. PlayMG also includes a metagame called MG Origins, which presents kids with a robot avatar and a series of story missions that teaches them how to use the device and the Google Play store. Later on, Cavanah told us, the company hopes to introduce exclusive games that utilize the avatar. Kids looking for an Android experience without a phone bill have no shortage of options, but the MG is a bit different. By teaming up with BillMyParents, it lends kids a sense of financial freedom in their interactions with the Play Store, and a host of unique and exclusive apps streamline the experience. The price of entry isn't astronomical either -- it'll be $170 when it launches this holiday season, and early bird supporters can snag one for a paltry $99 on Kickstarter. That's not bad, for what amounts to a darn decent media player running ICS. Check it out for yourself at the source link below. Previous project update: The Public Lab DIY Spectrometer blew past its $10,000 goal on its second day out the door, and is now offering two new rewards -- a bundled fold-up and desktop kit, and bundled "classroom packs" of six desktop kits for educators. |
| Distro Issue 56 is here with smartphones, Windows 8 hybrids and the best of the rest from IFA 2012 Posted: 07 Sep 2012 06:30 AM PDT Last week, the tech world focused on Berlin for IFA 2012. Those few days were jam packed full of 84-inch 4K televisions, super-sized smartphones and both Windows 8 slates and hybrids. In the latest edition of our weekly tablet mag, we take a look at the best of what IFA had to offer this time around -- including all of the devices that made a lasting impression. In case you've been napping, the last few days have been all about phones. In "Hands-on" we take a closer look at what Nokia and Motorola revealed in recent press events. On the review front, we put the Canon EOS-1D X and the Sony Reader PRS-T2 through the wringer and offer our detailed analysis. "Eyes-on" catches a glimpse of the Jambox Remix, "Weekly Stat" compiles smartphone screen sizes, "IRL" has even more of our daily gadgetry and meme maker Mr. Weebl admits in the Q&A that all he really wants is a keytar. This week's issue is bursting at its e-seams, so grab it via your download method of choice to get the weekend reading started. Distro Issue 56 PDF This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Motorola's rebate site goes live: $100 credit if you need to upgrade to get Jelly Bean Posted: 07 Sep 2012 06:07 AM PDT During Motorola's keynote on Wednesday, the company announced a nice little bonus for loyal fans -- should your 2011-or-later handset not receive a Jelly Bean update, you'll get $100 if you upgrade to one of its new models. Well, a website for the deal has gone live and the initial Ts&Cs don't make it sound like an immediate discount, but that the Benjamin will instead be reimbursed as a gift card, carrier credit or a cash equivalent of Motorola's choice. We're still in the dark about which specific phones will be denied a taste of Android 4.1, although the list is expected "very soon." In the meantime, you can sign up at the source link below to receive details of how to update, or how to claim the rebate once the fate of your old handset has been decided. |
| HTC Accord may become the mid-range 8X, make a little more Sense Posted: 07 Sep 2012 05:43 AM PDT HTC's plans for Windows Phone 8 may be filling out fast. We saw XDA-Developer member Football4PDA post a schematic of the Accord less than a week ago, and today he's posting what could be more concrete information. Supposedly, HTC's inaugural device might be named the 8X -- not quite as charming, but definitely simple. More importantly, the software in the claimed leak suggests the company will bring a trace of Sense UI style to the home screen, rather than having to relegate it to the HTC Hub: a live tile would bring the oversized clock and weather that One owners know so well. Just don't anticipate a flagship device here. If the specifications are real, the 8X would bear more in common with the Droid Incredible 4G LTE, sharing its 1.2GHz dual-core chip, 8-megapixel rear camera, Beats Audio and NFC while picking up a slightly larger 4.3-inch screen and 16GB of storage. Our main question centers around the unveiling. While HTC has an event lined up for later this month, there's no guarantee that the 8X will show up at that gathering or even launch side-by-side with Windows Phone 8 itself. |
| Were HTC One X+ specs just leaked anonymously by an XDA developer's tweet? Posted: 07 Sep 2012 05:16 AM PDT For the second time, we're seeing specs leak out from what would no doubt be HTC's flagship phone, the One X+, but this time there's a lot more detail. An anonymous XDA developer called @Football4PDA, who has shown reliable form in the past by outing the HTC Accord Windows Phone, has tweeted the impressive specs for the possible HTC One X successor. He claims that the phone will be about 134 x 70 x 9.3 mm in size, weight in at 129 grams and pack the new Tegra 3+ AP37 1.6GHz quad-core / 1.7GHz single-core processor with 1GB of RAM and a 32GB ROM. The tipster also said it'll be skinned with HTC Sense 4.5 on top of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, while still sporting the rather anemic One X 1800mAH battery. Naturally, a tweet out of the blue accompanied by no other proof shouldn't be taken as gospel, but it does reinforce another recent leak regarding the high-end device. Either way, we'll probably find out at HTC's big event on September 19th. |
| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 04:42 AM PDT While we heard practically everything else about Nokia's new Windows Phone 8 flagship, there were still two very important details still missing -- its price and release date. Now, according to Reuters' "telecom operator" sources, a spokesperson from an unnamed eastern European carrier said that sales of the PureView-packing Lumia 920 will start in the second half of November, with larger countries landing the device earlier in the same month. Another source from a Nordic operator then followed suit, stating that they expected the phone to arrive in stores around mid to late November. We've reached out to our contacts, and will update if we hear anything more -- especially if it involves a price tag. Update: It's being reported that the Lumia 920 will arrive in the US on AT&T's network November 2nd. |
| Audience noise-cancelling said not to feature in next iPhone Posted: 07 Sep 2012 04:09 AM PDT There was a time when Audience's contribution to the iPhone's call clarity was not only praised, but actively hunted down. But now it looks like the party is over -- at least according to the chip maker itself. Citing events "in the normal course of business" the firm believes that its technology won't be making it into Apple's next handset -- unsurprisingly a big blow for its shareholders. While it remains unconfirmed, Audience suggested in a conference call that Apple has built its own audio team. Something that is possible already creating a hubbub with other industry players. Though all things going well, we'll only have to wait a week until the new iPhone hits the surgeon's bench anyway. |
| NVIDIA Quadro K5000 GPU for Mac offers significant Premiere Pro performance boost, we go hands-on Posted: 07 Sep 2012 03:39 AM PDT NVIDIA just announced that its new Quadro K5000 GPU will be available on Mac Pros, offering 4K display compatibility and support for up to four displays, not to mention 4GB of graphics memory and about 2x faster performance than the Fermi-based Quadro 4000. While the Kepler-powered chip won't actually hit Apple systems till later this year, we got a first look at the K500 on a Mac here at IBC. NVIDIA demoed Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro CS6 on a Mac Pro with dual K5000 GPUs. As you'll see in the video below, with 11 streams of 1080p video at 30 fps in Premiere Pro (and one overlay of the NVIDIA logo), GPU acceleration handles the workload seamlessly, letting us add effects in real time without any processing delay. Switching to software rendering mode in the editing program shows a night-and-day difference: video playback is extremely choppy, and processing moves at a crawl. Even with two K5000 chips in this desktop, Premiere Pro utilizes just one, but After Effects takes advantage of both GPUs. In this program, NVIDIA showed us ray-tracing, a computationally intensive 3D imaging feature, which only became available in After Effects with the release of CS6. Like in Premiere Pro, the program runs smoothly enough to let us edit images in real time. Take a look for yourself by heading past the break. Zach Honig contributed to this report. |
| New beBionic hand almost doubles its grip-strength, steered by user's electrical 'skin signals' Posted: 07 Sep 2012 03:11 AM PDT RSL Steeper's beBionic3 still packs the same wireless chip, customizable silicone overlays and speed controls of its predecessor, but is now stronger and more durable. It's been redesigned with an aluminum chassis and new thumb and can now handle up to 99 pounds of weight, with almost double the grip-strength of its predecessor. The bionic hand traces faint electrical signals across the user's arm skin, amplifying them to the five digits, which can contort into 14 different grips. The mouse configuration, demonstrated in the video below, lets the user operate both buttons while holding onto the peripheral. The hand will cost between $25,000 and $35,000, depending on both the hardware and software configurations. See how the third-generation bionic limb grabs blocks, ties shoe-laces and wields pens after the break.
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| Airbus imagines 'smarter skies' by 2050: reduced emissions and shorter flight times Posted: 07 Sep 2012 02:27 AM PDT Airbus has been crafting its plane of the future for some time now, and while earlier visualizations focus on see-through aircraft with shapeshifting seats, the aviation company's latest ideas have the environment -- and passengers' precious time -- in mind. Airbus just unveiled its "Smarter Skies" conceptualization of what air travel will look like in 2050, and all signs point to shorter flights and less energy consumption. For one, the aircraft manufacturer imagines an assisted takeoff, dubbed "eco-climb" mode, where smaller, lighter airplanes would depart from shorter runways and reach cruising altitude faster. Once in the air, planes could pinpoint the most direct route and travel en masse -- a la a flock of birds -- along "express skyways" to reduce emissions and arrive at their destinations sooner. (That idea's totally gonna fly, right?) And when it comes time to land, aircraft could descend into airports with engines running in idle, allowing for reduced noise and emissions. Take a look at all five concepts in action in the video below the break.
Airbus reveals future of (formation) flight in 'Smarter Skies' Vision sees Concept Planes flocking along 'express skyways' to cut time and emissions Intelligent planes that are propelled into the air, flock in formation and fly 'express skyways' could cut time, delays, stress and emissions, according to Airbus experts. Those behind the wheel during rush hour aren't the only ones stuck in traffic. Airbus says air passengers already spend more than 500 million hours in the air unnecessarily every year. Reasons include inefficient aircraft operations and routes that are anything but 'direct'. That equates to nine million tonnes of avoidable excess fuel and more than 28 million tonnes of CO2. The numbers are set to rise with passenger growth expected to grow. Airbus, which says the technology already exists to fly shorter and more precise routes, today unveils five revolutionary concepts to get passengers from A to B quicker, whilst helping the industry meet its target to halve CO2 emissions by 2050. It's the latest installment in the Future by Airbus – a vision of sustainable aviation in 2050 already responsible for the radical Concept Plane and Cabin. Now Airbus is looking beyond aircraft design to how the aircraft is operated both on the ground and in the air. Its 'Smarter Skies' concepts are: 1. Aircraft launched into continuous 'eco-climb' – Assisted take-off using renewably powered, propelled acceleration, would see aircraft climb rapidly to their most efficient cruising altitude, reducing emissions and noise. As mega-cities become a reality and space becomes a premium, runways could be shortened to minimise land use. 2. Aircraft in 'free flight' and formation along 'express skyways' – Intelligent aircraft would be able to self-organise and select the most efficient routes ('free flight'), making the optimum use of prevailing weather and atmospheric conditions. Planes could rendezvous in mid-air and flock like birds in formation to reduce drag and thus fuel consumption and emissions 3. 'Low-noise' glided approaches and landings – In descent, aircraft could glide smoothly into airports with engines running in idle, significantly reducing emissions and noise. Slower landing speeds would make shorter runways a viable possibility at both ends of the journey 4. Low emission ground operations – Landing positions could be optimised with enough accuracy for autonomous, renewably powered taxiing carriages to be ready, clearing runways quicker and optimising terminal space to remove runway and gate limitations. Engines could be switched off sooner, further reducing on-the-ground handling emissions 5. Powering future aircraft and infrastructure – The use of sustainable biofuels and other potential alternative energy sources such as electricity, hydrogen and solar, will secure supply and further reduce aviation's environmental footprint. This will allow the extensive introduction of regionally sourced renewable energy close to airports, feeding both aircraft and infrastructure requirements. |
| Logitech debuts white Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad, arriving before month's end for $100 Posted: 07 Sep 2012 01:41 AM PDT Those who live and die by color coordination can breathe a bit easier today, as Logitech has introduced its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad in white. Like the black model, the accessory operates via Bluetooth and features a battery that's said to provide up to six months worth of go time -- a statistic that's based on two hours of usage per day. You can expect to coat your very own white keyboard with a layer of grime in short order: it's currently available for pre-order on Logitech's website for $100 and is said to hit Apple retail stores later this month. For the curious, you'll find a teaser video after the break.
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| NVIDIA announces Quadro K5000 for Mac Pro, brings 4K support, 2x performance over Quadro 4000 Posted: 07 Sep 2012 01:00 AM PDT NVIDIA's Kepler-powered Quadro K5000 GPU will be making its way to Apple's Mac Pro systems, the company announced today at IBC. The professional graphics card made its debut earlier this summer and is slated to ship beginning in October for $2,249. Timing for the Quadro K5000 for Mac isn't quite so firm, with NVIDIA simply stating that it'll ship "later this year," though pricing is expected to be in line with the previously announced flavor. The next-gen GPU is said to offer up to 2x faster performance over the Quadro 4000, while also delivering 4K display support, quad display capability through two DVI-DL and two DisplayPort 1.2 connectors, and 4 gigs of graphics memory. Furthermore, each Mac Pro will be able to support up to two separate cards, should you need the extra power. You'll find full details in the press release after the break. Mac Pro Users Gain Unprecedented Performance with NVIDIA Quadro K5000 Most Powerful Professional GPU Ever for the Mac Dramatically Accelerates Design and Content Creation Workflows AMSTERDAM-IBC 2012-Sept. 7, 2012-Mac professionals will benefit from dramatically improved graphics performance and productivity with today's announcement of the NVIDIA® Quadro® K5000 for Mac Pro systems. Based on NVIDIA KeplerTM architecture – the world's fastest, most efficient GPU design – the Quadro K5000 for Mac is the most powerful professional-class GPU ever for the Macintosh, delivering unprecedented visualization and computation capabilities for designers and digital content creators. Key features of the NVIDIA Quadro K5000 GPU for Mac include: Cinema 4K display support (4096x2160 resolution),(1) which enables content creators to process and view high resolution cinema content A new display engine that can drive up to four displays simultaneously(2) 4 GB graphics memory that provides faster interactivity when using design and content creation applications Based on NVIDIA Kepler architecture, which enables the Quadro K5000 GPU for Mac to run key content creation applications up to 2x faster at lower power than the Fermi-based Quadro 4000 for Mac(3) Support for up to two Quadro K5000 GPUs for Mac in a single Mac Pro Support for OpenGL, OpenCL and NVIDIA CUDATM "The NVIDIA Quadro K5000 has great OpenGL and CUDA performance, so it's ideal to use as a shared GUI and image processing GPU in DaVinci Resolve 9," said Grant Petty, chief executive officer, Blackmagic Design. "Like many artists who use DaVinci Resolve, colorists seek the highest performance possible from their systems, and with just one of the new Kepler GPUs our users will be able to work with 4K imagery on their Mac Pros in real time." NVIDIA Quadro K5000 for Mac is ideal for professional applications such as video editing, color correction, compositing, design visualization and GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D rendering. In addition, the Quadro K5000 for Mac retains its full performance and features when using Apple Boot Camp and running Microsoft Windows-based professional PC applications. "Quadro K5000 for Mac will have a transformational impact on the digital content creation workflow," said Greg Estes, media & entertainment industry executive at NVIDIA. "We're giving Mac Pro users the most powerful professional GPU ever for the Mac, with features and performance that will make a substantial difference in their workflows and allow them to create digital content at speeds never before possible." NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are designed, built and tested by NVIDIA to provide the superb reliability, compatibility and dependability that professionals require, and Quadro GPUs are certified and recommended by leading software application providers worldwide. Availability and Pricing The NVIDIA Quadro K5000 for Mac is planned to be available later this year from select Apple resellers and system integrators, and from authorized distribution partners, including PNY Technologies in the Americas and Europe, ELSA in Japan and Leadtek in Asia Pacific. Estimated pricing starts at $2,249. |
| LevelUp unveils payment docks that take both NFC and QR codes, leave out the guesswork Posted: 07 Sep 2012 12:33 AM PDT Most stores accepting mobile payments usually have to take just one format, whether it's Google Wallet, Square or another flavor that you probably can't use. LevelUp is convinced you shouldn't have to choose platforms: it just revealed a new payment dock that will recognize both the company's existing QR code system as well as NFC. It's much easier sight on the eyes than typical NFC terminals, to boot. Just don't expect a one-for-one recreation of systems like Google Wallet or Isis. Rather than expose your banking details by holding them in a chip, LevelUp's NFC is just used to move the transaction along -- if it's used to get things started, shoppers can either switch to a QR code or complete the transaction with a second tap. The company is mostly planning to replace its existing payment points across the US with the NFC-aware models. Bluetooth 4.0 is an option for the future, however, which could make LevelUp even more of a Swiss Army Knife for the world of mobile commerce. |
| Posted: 07 Sep 2012 12:03 AM PDT According to the New York Times, Fox is about to try another tactic to enhance sales of its movies, by offering downloadable UltraViolet (Update: and many other formats, see below.) copies for sale a full three weeks ahead of their release on Blu-ray / DVD or for video on-demand rental. The first movie to get the treatment will be Ridley Scott's Prometheus later this month, and Fox is pricing the copies at about $15, down from the $20 of previous releases. Other flicks on deck for the early digital sale treatment are Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, The Watch and Ice Age: Continental Drift. Fox is apparently calling the setup Digital HD, or DHD, as it rolls out in 50 different countries all at once, and opted to offer the flicks in high definition instead of issuing cheaper standard def versions to "put its best foot forward". Last year's $30 premium VOD rental pilot was another attempt to experiment with release windows that Fox participated in, but DHD's more reasonable pricing makes it an interesting option. Of course, the main trick will be getting customers to opt for an UltraViolet format which is still not supported by Apple and Amazon's movie stores, but dangling early access to mainstream movies could be just the bait required. Update: We talked to Fox and confirmed that the DHD initiative is not limited to only Ultraviolet. According to the studio when this kicks off September 18th, it will make more than 600 films available across stores including Amazon, CinemaNow, iTunes, PlayStation, VUDU and Xbox. Prometheus is also Fox's first UV title and its first new release under the DHD program, but if you prefer your digital movies in another format, it looks like you'll be able to get them. |
| NASA's Voyager 1 marks 35th anniversary of its launch, gets photo retrospective in tribute Posted: 06 Sep 2012 11:29 PM PDT It's hard to believe at times that the Voyager 1 probe is older than many of us reading this article, but it's true. The official first part of NASA's Voyager program launched just over 35 years ago on September 5th, 1977, carrying not just cameras and sensors to capture the trip but the famous Golden Record documenting humanity for any curious aliens. To mark the occasion, Wired has gathered together one heck of a photo album that covers both Voyager 1's trip as well as that of Voyager 2, which technically launched earlier (August 20th the same year) but took a more roundabout route through the solar system. The gallery reminds us of the amazing scenery beyond Mars and puts our tiny blue ball of a planet in perspective; Earth was just a speck at best when photographed late into Voyager 2's journey. Perhaps the best news surrounding the milestone is simply that both Voyager probes are still running. At 11 billion miles from the Sun, Voyager 1 may be on the cusp of interstellar space and easily represents the most distant human object ever made, not to mention a record-setter for signal transmissions. There's even a chance we'll still be hearing back from the probe for its 50th anniversary -- its power could keep it chatting up to roughly 2025. |
| VIA EPIA-P910 stuffs 3D display support, quad-core into a Pico-ITX size Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:44 PM PDT If there's been a race in the Pico-ITX realm to catch up to full-size PCs, VIA just leapt ahead by a few bounds with the EPIA-P910. The tiny PC mates one of VIA's 1GHz QuadCore E-Series processors with a VX11H media core to handle the kinds of tasks that would break just about any other system its size: stereoscopic 3D displays and DirectX 11 3D graphics are entirely within the realm of possibility. Likewise, there's a surprising amount of expansion headroom compared to many of the P910's similarly small counterparts, such as the 8GB RAM ceiling and support for both HDMI 1.4a and USB 3.0. You'll need to get in touch with VIA if you want to find out how much it costs to work the new EPIA into an embedded PC, and it's more likely to be headed to corporate buyers than to homebrew projects. We're still looking forward to the shot of visual adrenaline, whether it's in a mini PC or a store display. VIA Announces First QuadCore Pico-ITX Board with 3D Display Capabilities VIA EPIA-P910 features new VIA VX11H media system processor with DX11 support for immersive display environments Taipei, Taiwan, 6th September, 2012 - VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient computing platforms, today announced the VIA EPIA-P910 Pico-ITX board, the first VIA board to feature the latest VIA VX11H MSP in combination with a VIA QuadCore E-Series processor. Providing superior performance and outstanding display capabilities, the VIA EPIA-P910 Pico-ITX provides the ideal platform for a wide array of next-generation ultra compact devices for applications in health-care, logistics, fleet management and other vertical market segments. Based on the incredibly compact Pico-ITX form factor, measuring 10 cm x 7.2 cm, the VIA EPIA-P910 Pico-ITX combines a 1.0GHz VIA QuadCore E-Series processor and the latest VIA VX11H MSP to offer superior computing performance for ultra compact systems. The VIA EPIA-P910 Pico-ITX supports up 8GB of 1333MHz DDR3 memory, HD audio, HDMI, VGA and LVDS display connectivity as well as a high performance hardware HD video decoder in the shape of the latest VIA Chromotion 5.0 video processor. For more information about the VIA EPIA-P910 please visit: http://www.viaembedded.com/en/products/boards/1950/1/EPIA-P910.html http://www.viaembedded.com/en/products/processors/1951/1/VX11_(Single-Chip).html |
| Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt Posted: 06 Sep 2012 10:00 PM PDT If Proficient Audio's new MaxTV MT2 speaker box is anything to go by, the company obviously isn't enamored with the latest slew of slim, elegant soundbars. As the picture shows, it's designed to act as a platform for your TV and can support up to 160 pounds -- enough for even the biggest of flatscreens. The hard, no-grill design shows off the box's two 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch mid-range speakers and two 5.25-inch, down-facing subs. Four internal 20-watt, two-channel digital amps take care of the power, and with two of those dedicated to the woofers, we'd expect some serious neighbor-waking bass. It's not just for your TV either, as the built-in Bluetooth supports audio streaming from any of your favorite gadgets. The soundbar-on-steroids is shipping now for 599 bones, and if that sounds a little steep, Proficient Audio assures you that "once someone hears the difference MaxTV makes, they will buy it." Proficient Audio Debuts MaxTV™ High-Performance TV Speaker Improves the Sound of any TV, Features Bluetooth® INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CEDIA Expo -- Proficient Audio Systems today announced the all-new MaxTV™ MT2 under-TV sound system. The Proficient MaxTV is uniquely designed to bring high fidelity audio performance to flat panel TVs. According to Proficient's Loren Maldoon, "It's rare to find a TV with good sound. And I've never heard one with great sound. It's no wonder. The limited space available inside a TV cabinet has been a barrier to good on-board TV sound for years. Now with today's flat panels, it would be difficult for TV designers to even consider great sound in a TV as a goal. The only real way to get high quality TV sound today is with an outboard solution. But, for many situations a full-blown home theater sound system isn't practical. A lot of soundbars just don't begin to make it to the level we would consider acceptable. So, we approached the challenge from a whole new direction. We asked, what if we designed a sound system that was a platform for the display? The answer was Proficient MaxTV. Our first TV Speaker, the MT2 is perfect for people who want great sound but don't want to fill their room with speakers and electronics." "In creating Proficient MaxTV, our design and engineering team set up performance goals, focusing on voice intelligibility, dynamic range and tonal accuracy. This is important for movies and TV, and, is also essential for music listeners. Given this approach, the MT2 really sounds great with music program material too," continued Maldoon. In addition, there is a selectable DSP to enhance the sound field. MaxTV includes Bluetooth so end-users can stream music from their smartphones, tablets or computers. They can even up the experience of watching video or playing games on those devices by streaming the audio to the MT2." The Proficient MaxTV contains four 2½" midranges and two 1" soft dome tweeters, front-mounted in a stereo Mid-Tweeter-Mid configuration. The left and right speaker systems are in their own internal enclosures. The powerful low end is produced by two 5¼" down-firing subwoofers, each in their own tuned and vented internal enclosures. MaxTV uses four 20 Watt (RMS) digital amplifiers. The four amps are run in a 2 channel bi-amplified configuration. The two 5 ¼" low frequency drivers are each direct coupled to their own 20 Watt amp. The remaining two 20 Watt amps each drive the left and right front firing drivers. An on-board limiter protects the woofer's driver being over-powered and maintains clean and undistorted sound, at any output level. The Proficient MT2 TV Speaker works with TVs mounted on stands or wall mounted. Used as a TV platform, the MT2 can support up to 160 pounds. The Big Red Button Demo Kit Proficient MaxTV is shipping now with an MSRP of $599. |
| MediawavePC's MW6110 is a multipurpose Intel Core i7-supporting media player Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:40 PM PDT Nettops and media-center PCs in many ways hang on opposite sides of the same saddle. MediawavePC's new MW6110 "Ultra Small Media Player" tightens the straps between these two types of machines, and adds an extra satchel with it. The 7.87 x 7.28 x 1.57-inch form gives it a discreet footprint, and supports Intel's Core i3- i5- and i7 chips. You can also add-in up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, along with 1TB of storage. Connection-wise, you're well looked after with 6 USB ports, HDMI, LAN, plus Audio in / out and WiFi. So, plenty of scope to configure to suit your needs -- you'll just need the $499 base price to get started. MediawavePC, Inc. Is Proud to Announce our new MW6110 Intel i7 Ready Ultra Small Media Player FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MediawavePC, Inc. is proud to announce, a new addition to our line of ultra small form factor system solutions. The MW6110 Intel i7 ready Media Player is one of our smallest but yet most powerful systems to date! The days of paying high premiums for a small high performance system is finally over! MediawavePC is proud to introduce an affordable i3, i5, & i7 system solution available in an ultra small package, the new fully configured MW6110 starting at $499.00. With the dimension of just 7.87"(D) x 7.28"(W) x 1.57"(H), you will experience true desktop performance in a form factor that easily fits in your hand. Deliver stunning and crisp High Definition videos and presentations to your audience, display your multi-zoned signage, play your content in 3D, monitor your IP surveillance cameras, this small but powerful system is ready to perform and deliver. Powered by Intel's reliable high performance desktop chipset, this system supports up to 16GB of DDR3 1333 RAM and up to 1TB of data storage. Other standard features are HDMI, 4x USB 2.0, USB 3.0, LAN and HD Audio. Need an additional I/Os, ask our expert sales team for custom configured models. The MW6110's ultra compact size and high performance is engineered and highly suited for a wide range of industrial applications such as Digital Signage, Gaming, Transportation, Surveillance, and Thin Servers, to name a few. Supported operating system includes, but not limited to, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Embedded as well as other Linux distributions. For more details, visit our website at www.mediawavepc.com or you may reach us at sales@mediawavepc.com, (510) 490-6768. |
| Around the world Tesla Roadster tour back on track after swift repair job Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:20 PM PDT While we might not have enjoyed the full story arc just yet, we came within an electric whisker of seeing the electric Roadster's around the world trip derailed completely. The team at Tesla service in Munich, however, obviously love a fairytale ending -- which is why they pledged to fix-up the car in the fastest time possible. Just four days after that show-stopping accident, de Mestre is back in the game, and heading south to Barcelona. The journey won't end there though, as to make up some lost miles on the French Citroen team, he'll travel back up to Strasbourg, and in turn roll over the virtual 25,000 km finish line. Assuming no other problems along the way, we'll be mentally cheering the him along. |
| D-Link Cloud Storage 4000 NAS stores up 16TB, hooks up to your smartphone and tablet Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:58 PM PDT D-Link Launches New 4-Bay Cloud Storage Solution for Home and Small Business Users Cloud Storage 4000 Offers Superior Performance, Remote File Streaming, Sharing, Backup, and Management of Surveillance Solutions for Today's Digital Home and Office FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link today announced its newest installment to its high-performance ShareCenter® storage solutions – the 4-Bay Cloud Storage 4000 (DNS-345) – is now available. Offering superior performance with a fast CPU to simultaneously support multiple user streams, more memory to boost performance, four drives for up to 16TB of storage, and two Gigabit Ethernet ports for high speed data transfer and failover, the Cloud Storage 4000 is a robust storage, back-up and recovery solution. When combined with D-Link® Cloud Cameras, the Cloud Storage 4000 also enables a full-featured network video recorder (NVR) which supports real-time monitoring, recording and playback of surveillance video. The Cloud Storage 4000 creates a personal Cloud portal via the free and user-friendly mydlink™ cloud app, enabling users to store, safeguard, share, and remotely access or stream their digital documents, music, videos, and photos from anywhere in the world on their iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, Blackberry®, or Microsoft® Mobile OS device. In addition, the mydlink cloud app supports two-way data syncing, ensuring users have the latest data on their ShareCenter and computers. Equipped with four SATA HD bays for 3.5-inch drives supporting drive capacities of up to 4TB, the Cloud Storage 4000 ensures plenty of storage for today's home users and small businesses. Plus, the Cloud Storage 4000 grows with a user's storage requirement, allowing users to start off with one SATA hard disk with the ability to add up to four drives (up to 16TB of storage) as needed. "Continuing our commitment to providing complete network solutions, D-Link's new Cloud Storage 4000 offers the ideal cloud storage solution for any connected home or small business," said Ken Loyd, director, consumer products, D-Link Systems, Inc. "The Cloud Storage 4000 provides flexible options for the end user, such as centrally storing and sharing your digital media, streaming movies from your ShareCenter® to your TV, managing your files remotely on your smartphone or tablet, or adding significant storage drive capacity." For added network safety, the Cloud Storage 4000 features the D-Link Surveillance Station App, which supports recording and playback of up to four IP cameras, such as D-Link's award-winning line-up of mydlink enabled cloud cameras. In addition, users have the flexibility to choose from seven different RAID configurations for specific hard drive protection preferences, schedule backups, and set file and folder permissions to allow for ultimate sync flexibility and storage control. Installation of the Cloud Storage 4000 is simple without any special configuration requirement – making it easy for anyone to get their storage drive up and running. And easy expansion allows consumers to add up to four hard drives for more storage capacity, without using tools or attaching any cables. Additional Features: Built-in Web Files Server and Secure FTP Server for File Access Over the Internet* DLNA™ Server to Stream Music, Photos, and Video to Compatible Media Players, including Boxee Box by D-Link, PlayStation® 3 and Xbox® 360 USB Port Supports Print Serving, UPS Monitoring and One Touch Backup Full or Incremental Backups Auto Power Recovers and Power-off Scheduling Automatic E-mail and SMS Event Notification Supports Add-on Applications, including Logitech Squeeze Center Support, Audio Streamer, Create a Blog App, and Photo Center App Availability and Pricing The Cloud Storage 4000 will be available for an Every Day Low Price (EDLP) of $449.99 throughout the D-Link® network of retail and e-tail outlets in North America, including Amazon.com and Tiger Direct. |
| Green House's lantern runs on salt and water, powers your gadgets via USB Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:35 PM PDT Japanese company Green House Co Ltd has quite an eclectic product portfolio, what with its women-only camcorder and peripherals like a PCI Express interface card with USB 3.0 support. Its latest device falls under another category entirely: the rivetingly named GH-LED10WBW is an LED lantern that runs on just water and salt; no batteries required. The light source provides eight hours of electricity per dose of saline water, and the lantern comes with a dedicated water bag for mixing the solution. The salt / water combo acts as an electrolyte with the magnesium (negative electrode) and carbon (positive electrode) rods inside the lantern. Users can get about 120 hours of power with the Mg rod before they'll need to buy a replacement (the rod is sold separately to begin with). More than just supplying a battery-free source of light, though, the lantern can function as a charger, thanks to a USB port built into the casing. Pricing has yet to be announced, but the GH-LED10WBW will be available by mid-September. |
| SteelSeries Flux and Flux In-Ear Pro headsets ears-on (video) Posted: 06 Sep 2012 08:02 PM PDT "This is the best sounding in-ear product below $250," SteelSeries' Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Rom, told us between songs. "I'll go on record saying that." Rom was talking about the firm's new Flux In-Ear Pro headset, and had similar words for the brand's foldable on-ear Flux cans. The earbuds and their full sized companions are part of the company's "freedom to play" campaign, and it has the utmost confidence in them. Rom even told us the foldable Flux headset lasted 90 minutes in the firm's "soccer test," a SteelSeries tradition that plays out exactly like it sounds: international football with consumer electronics. Our hands-on was decidedly less rough. We didn't need to punt the on-ear Flex headphones to feel how durable they were -- the set bent, twisted and folded to our will without nary a crack or creek. The same flexible headband that makes the set nimble keeps it comfortable, as well -- firmly holding this editor's oversized noggin without squeezing the life out of it. We didn't spend enough time between the headset's breathable ear cushions to give it a completely thorough listen, but our brief session was smooth and distortion free. The headset comes with a pair of interchangeable cables, one designed specifically for a PC, and another for Macs and mobile devices. The cables can be plugged into either ear-cup, which opens the other ear's jack to be used as a passthrough for sharing the sound. SteelSeries' bendable on-ear cans folded down to a respectable size, it's true -- but they won't fit in your pocket. Those In-Ear Pro buds will, however. Rom pulled out an early prototype of the sound-blasting earplugs that was fit with electrical tape and bright orange colors that we were assured wouldn't be part of the final product. Despite the headset's rough edges, it was fully functional, and featured a proprietary cable connector that, much like its on-ear counterpart, will let users switch out jacks specifically designed for PC, Mac or mobile devices. That swappable cable claims to be tangle free, too, as evidenced by the jumbled mess of wire our presenter pulled from his pocket and simply "shook free" of its rat nest with a flick of a wrist. The In-Ear Pro's black silicon ear tips crush and expand like foam earplugs, handily blocking ambient noise by shaping themselves to your ear canal -- and potentially soaking up leftover earwax in the process. Just keep your ears clean and you'll be a happy camper. We didn't have time to treat ourselves to an extended ears-on session with either of SteelSeries' new headsets, but we weren't disappointed with what we heard. No distortion, no tinny overtones, but, then again, no booming bass either. We'll have to spend more time with these sets' before awarding them the respective category crowns Kim Rom assured us they deserve, but they certainly aren't off to a bad start. Both sets sound fairly rich, and pump out their respective sound waves in compact, portable and durable packages that are completely comfortable to wear. Audiophiles with clean canals can stick it in their ear this November to the tune of $129.99. More into on-ear headphones? You can pick up your new earmuffs for a penny less then $100 in early October. |
| Claimed iPad mini shell reappears, now with more rear camera and less Mr. Blurrycam Posted: 06 Sep 2012 07:24 PM PDT The last time we saw the purported iPad mini's aluminum backing, someone forgot to turn on a light. There's no such murkiness with NetEase's fresh turn at pre-release photography. Its view of a WiFi model gives us both a much clearer look as well as some hints that Apple wants more than a basic slab at the iPad's potential new entry level: there's a conspicuous cutout for what's likely a rear-facing camera, along with space in the top frame for a front camera. We've already seen the mini dock connector that fits in that hole at the bottom edge, of course. Nothing's definite unless there's either a smoking gun leak or an official event, but we may have just a month to wait to know whether or not the Kindle Fire HD 7-inch has some fresh competition. |
| Sky+ update allows undeleting recorded shows, more on-demand and future Catch Up TV Posted: 06 Sep 2012 06:51 PM PDT Sky+ has been on a bit of a tear refreshing its set-top boxes, and it's not about to stop now. When ready, a new update for the satellite TV provider's devices will let you undelete recorded programs; deleted shows are now moved to a separate space and only removed permanently either through age or if you really, really don't want to watch. If you're more interested in watching content that's always available, both Anytime and Anytime+ will be rebranded as On Demand, while the Sky Guide is adding a dedicated store tab for movie rentals. Catch Up TV is also nearing with the update and should aggregate the last week's worth of shows from Sky in addition to BBC iPlayer, Demand 5 and ITV Player. The gotcha, as we know all too well from these kinds of firmware revisions, is the timing. You'll have to have either a Sky+ HD 1TB box or the Sky+ HD DRX890 to get the upgrade early on, and Sky is staggering its deployment in a move that could leave some subscribers twiddling their thumbs. |
| Netflix updates Android app with 'WiFi only' playback to keep mobile data usage in check Posted: 06 Sep 2012 06:18 PM PDT The smartest solutions to problems are often the simplest of all. In that spirit, Netflix is introducing a feature to its Android app that'll keep unknowing viewers from chewing up their mobile data plan. New to the settings menu, users will discover an option that restricts video playback to WiFi networks. Netflix has left the setting to user discretion, however, meaning that it must be manually enabled. Once the switch is flipped, you'll retain the ability to search and browse Netflix over a mobile connection, but you'll need to scramble for a WiFi connection when it's time to watch Walter White cook up his latest batch. If you're unsure of where your usage sits, the WiFi restriction is probably worth imposing -- unless you're with Sprint or T-Mobile, that is. |
| Posted: 06 Sep 2012 05:45 PM PDT The capacitive touch capabilities of today's devices are perfect for a great many things -- but traditional gaming just isn't among them. When it comes to "fixing" gaming controls on touch devices, there are two avenues of approach, and SteelSeries is headed down both of them: touchscreen augmenting nubs, and wireless gamepads. The firm lumps both of these solutions into its new "freedom to play" line of accessories -- and though both of them echo products we've seen before, these peripherals play their roles exceedingly well. The SteelSeries Free Mobile Gaming Controller (announced at CES as the Ion), for instance, is one of the smallest dual-analog gamepads we've ever palmed -- and it doesn't sacrifice much for its diminutive size, either. The $80 Bluetooth controller's PlayStation-esque layout falls naturally below the users thumbs, and feels remarkably uncramped for its size. Its jutting lower edge can dig into the users palm a little, but acts as a solid brace to keep the tiny controller in place. Moreover, the ergonomic hiccup is forgivable once one slides the pad into a pocket - weighing almost nothing and comfortably sharing pant-space with the HTC One X. If you prefer skinny jeans, or just have a tighter wallet, SteelSeries offers an even smaller tactile solution: Free Touchscreen Controls. These little capacitive transference nubs simply stick to the front of your touchscreen device and touch the screen for you, offering an easily removable simulation of a real controller. As we said before, this isn't a new idea, but it's well executed, and felt about as close to a real controller as any tiny nub could. The $20 set comes with three stick-on buttons and a suction-secured directional slider -- though the latter was unfortunately absent from our demo. The above controller, however? You can see it in all its analog glory in the video below. |
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