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Engadget News |
- Jolicloud Open Platform arrives, lets developers put most any cloud service into one hub
- Recon Instruments offers Flight HUD goggles for wingsuit pilots and skydivers
- Google 11.6-inch ARM-based Samsung Chromebook hands-on (update: video)
- Google's Q3 2012 earnings: $14.10 billion in revenue, $2.74 billion in operating income
- Google launches 11.6-inch ARM-based Samsung Chromebook: $249, ultrathin, 6.5-hour battery, 1080p video
- JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer
- TweetBot for Mac reaches the Mac App Store, keeps the 3rd-party Twitter client flame alive
- Newsweek to drop print edition after December 31st, gives the digital future a warm hug
- Huawei Ascend W1 render revealed, WP8 in a cyan chassis
- Engadget Giveaway: win an iPad, courtesy of YesVideo!
- Samsung Galaxy S III mini confirmed using ST-Ericsson's NovaThor ModAp chip
- Netflix Watch Instantly is live in Finland, completes Nordic sweep with Norway, Denmark and Sweden
- Ubuntu 13.04 will be called Raring Ringtail, emphasize mobile and battery life
- Delta Six controller gets redesigned, Kickstarted
- Iomega releases two new StorCenter NAS drives to contain that ever-expanding data waistline
- Next-gen Casio G'zOne makes it to the FCC, reveals LTE and NFC support
- Sprint Nextel takes control of Clearwire after increasing stake to 50.8 percent
- Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight
- Acer unveils space-saving ME mini tower and XC desktops for (low) power users
- Engadget Eurocast 001 - 10.18.2012
- OpenELEC-2.0 Linux distro released, turns your PC into an 'appliance-like' home theater device
- Lovefilm to start letting users log in with their Amazon info, Kindle owners are up first
- Nokia's Q3 2012: $9.4 billion in sales, 2.9 million Lumias sold and losses trimmed to $754 million
- Apple loses out in UK tablet design case against Samsung
- Latest Swype beta brings hotwords, knows what Gangnam Style is
- Steam Greenlight adds non-gaming category for your consideration
- Verizon reports Q3 wireless service revenues up 7.5 percent, LTE now available to 250 million people
- AOL unveils Alto: a web-based email client with an emphasis on aesthetics and organization
- Razer gives away custom Star Wars-themed Blade, may turn friends Imperial Guard red with envy
- Latest Google Play store update rolling out now, wishlists in tow
- Canon EOS-1D X updates autofocus capabilities, will benefit low-light and wildlife photographers
- Leaked training videos peg Lumia 920 as AT&T exclusive for six months, shows off City Lens, wireless charging
- Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements
- Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train
- Former Nokia Money crew kicks off iKaaz mobile payments, lets shops go with or without NFC
- Aereo opens its streaming TV to Mac and Windows web browsers
- Intel roadmap reveals 10-core Xeon E5-2600 V2 Ivy Bridge CPU
- Apple to hold conference for iDevice accessory makers, school them in using Lightning connectors
- Google opens the playground for an Android event October 29th
- Google Calendar for Android becomes stand-alone app
| Jolicloud Open Platform arrives, lets developers put most any cloud service into one hub Posted: 18 Oct 2012 11:26 AM PDT
Jolicloud has portrayed itself as a sort of one-stop shop for cloud services and web apps, where a single sign-in keeps us on top of everything. It's mostly been limited to big-league content as a result, but that's changing with the new Jolicloud Open Platform. Developers now just have to build JavaScript-based Node.js components that hook their own apps, media and storage into the same central Jolicloud repository we'd use to manage Instagram and Tumblr. More details and full documentation are forthcoming, although the "open" in Open Platform leads us to think there won't be many technical (or financial) barriers to entry. |
| Recon Instruments offers Flight HUD goggles for wingsuit pilots and skydivers Posted: 18 Oct 2012 10:54 AM PDT
Recon Instruments has decided to take its wares off the slopes and into the air, provided enough people bite. The Flight HUD is built around the same core as its ski goggles, but has been tweaked to offer information more relevant to skydivers, base jumpers and wingsuit pilots. The tiny LCD just below the field of vision displays speed, altitude and glide ratio in real time. Rather than simply guess how fast they're going, adrenaline junkies will be able to see accurate data in the moment and make the appropriate adjustments. Obviously, this is a rather niche market, so Recon Instruments has set a goal: 250 pre-orders to trigger a production run. The early birds can pick up a Flight HUD for $299, while every order placed after the initial 250 will cost $349. To get a run down of the proposed product from renowned aerial daredevil Jeb Corliss check out he video after the break. Recon Instruments launches Flight HUD Vital flight information to be transmitted direct-to-eye, in real-time, to wingsuit pilots, BASE jumpers and skydivers via Heads-up Display Vancouver, Canada – 18th October, 2012 – Recon Instruments, award winning innovator of Heads-up Display (HUD) technology for action sports, is excited to announce the limited release of an innovative HUD designed specifically for precision human flight. Flight HUD is available to pre-order from Recon Labs. |
| Google 11.6-inch ARM-based Samsung Chromebook hands-on (update: video) Posted: 18 Oct 2012 10:21 AM PDT
Google really impressed us in San Francisco here today with its 11.6-inch ARM-based Samsung Chromebook. The $249 laptop is 0.8-inches (20mm) thin and weight only 2.43 pounds (1.1kg). It features a 11.6-inch 1366 x 768-pixel matte display, a full-size keyboard and a button-less trackpad. Specs include a fanless dual-core A15-based Samsung Exynos 5 Dual (5250) SoC, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of built-in flash storage, WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth. There's a full-size SD card reader and power input on the left, plus a standard 3.5mm headphone jack (with mic support), HDMI output, USB 2.0 port, USB 3.0 connector and SIM slot (currently unused) in back. First impressions? This is a solid machine -- build quality and materials are impressive for the price. It's also pleasantly thin and light, a boon for people who are used to carrying a laptop around. We're happy with the display which is bright and crisp. Viewing angles could use some improvement, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better laptop screen at this price. The keyboard and trackpad feel great -- and we're coming from an 11-inch Core i7 MacBook Air. Performance is somewhere between the original Atom-based Chromebooks and the current Celeron-based Series-5 model. Take a look at our gallery below and hit the break for our hands-on video. Developing...
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| Google's Q3 2012 earnings: $14.10 billion in revenue, $2.74 billion in operating income Posted: 18 Oct 2012 09:57 AM PDT
In an apparent error, Google's Q3 2012 earnings have gone live smack dab in the middle of the trading day, instead of after the closing bell as expected. Early indications are that the search giant has notched third quarter revenues of $14.10 billion, representing a 45 percent uptick compared to Q3 2011. GAAP operating income in the third quarter of 2012 was $2.74 billion, or 19 percent of revenues, and that would explain the near 10 percent slide in the company's stock price. A year ago Google nailed down $3.06 billion, or 31 percent of revenues, when looking at operating profit; investors were expecting some $10.65 per share, while they got just $9.03 per share. When looking at net income, Q3 2012 saw that figure at $2.18 billion, whereas the company raked in $2.73 billion in the same quarter a year ago. Presently, trading has been halted on the company's stock as the dust settles, but one thing is exceptionally clear: pulling in billions in a single quarter won't go over well with Wall Street if its expectations see you pulling in even more. |
| Posted: 18 Oct 2012 09:47 AM PDT
Google just launched the latest iteration of its Chrome OS-based laptop here in San Francisco -- the $249 (or £229, for those in the UK) 11.6-inch Samsung Chromebook. It's ARM-based (fanless), 0.8-inches thick, weighs only 2.43 pounds, runs 6.5+ hours on battery, boots in under 10 seconds and supports 1080p video playback. Pre-orders start today at Amazon and PC World, and the laptop includes Google Now integration using Google Drive as a transport and comes with 100GB of free storage for two years. It will be available for sale on the Play Store and featured prominently at retailers like Best Buy, and naturally, we're expecting this one to make a bigger splash than prior models based on the bargain bin price alone. Under the hood, there's a dual-core A15-based Samsung Exynos 5 Dual (5250) SoC, 2GB RAM, 16GB of built-in flash storage, WiFi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth, all of which should act to give this Chromebook a lot more oomph compared to slower, earlier models. Other specs include a 1366 x 768 native screen resolution, a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 socket, combo headphone / mic jack, an SD card slot and a "full-size Chrome keyboard." Hit up the links below for the nitty-gritty, or hop on past the break for a promo vid. Update: Our hands-on with the new Chromebook is live! |
| JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer Posted: 18 Oct 2012 09:47 AM PDT
Every TV maker trying to avoid total commoditization has a special trick to keep its designs unique and worth a higher price. For JVC, that trick is sound. It's launching the BlackSapphire line of LCD-based 3D TVs with the 55-inch, edge LED-lit JLE55SP4400, whose signature is an unusually powerful built-in audio system: the 45W system and 3D processing supposedly produces surround sound without having to line the living room with extra speakers. Odds are that the set won't provide much competition for dedicated speakers, although JVC is promising more integration beyond this with rare built-in SlingPlayer TV streaming, just in case there's a Slingbox in another part of the home. The all-in strategy could make the inaugural BlackSapphire more of a bargain than it looks: that $1,300 you'll pay when the screen ships this month might be all you need to start watching. New JVC 55" XinemaView 3D HDTV Delivers Powerful Sound & Connectivity IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- JVC-TV, the legendary brand in audio/video electronics, has announced the introduction of the new 55" JLE55SP4000 3D HDTV featuring XinemaView 3D™ (complete with four pair of battery-free 3D glasses), built-in WiFi and Internet applications, 120Hz CrystalMotion™ screen, and a remote control with QWERTY keypad. The new JLE55SP4000 is the first model in the venerable JVC brand's new "BlackSapphire" line of HDTVs, the second line introduced since JVC merged with Kenwood and licensed by AmTRAN Video Corp., with more BlackSapphire models coming soon. Featuring an ultra-thin bezel design (less than 0.5" thick) and 1080p Full HD resolution, the edge LED backlit JLE55SP4000 stands out from comparable models with its superior sound quality (no external soundbar needed) and advanced connectivity. The sound system boasts 45-watts of total speaker output power, including a built-in woofer and enhanced by JVC's proprietary XinemaSound™ 3D acoustic and post processing technologies, which also allows consumers to achieve a surround-sound experience without any additional speakers. "The JLE55SP4000 delivers sound that is a cut above HDTVs at any price, let alone those at such an affordable price point," said Drew Pragliola, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AmTran Video Corp. "The typical HDTV's sonic output is weak, so we set out to change the landscape with this model. Looking ahead, our new BlackSapphire line will continue to bring consumers a superior level of audio performance, along with a brilliant 3D picture, and Internet connectivity at a price the average consumer will appreciate. It's a high performance HDTV selling for an everyday price." The JLE55SP4000 incorporates the Internet Connected Experience (I.C.E.™) with preloaded and downloadable ICE apps™. The preloaded apps include Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, and Pandora. WiFi 802.11n is built in for easy wireless Internet connectivity. The remote control makes searching and other text-entry operations easy thanks to a built in QWERTY-style keyboard located on the back of the wireless remote. For easy viewing of photos, home videos and music, two USB input ports are provided. There are also four HDMI inputs, one antenna input, component and composite video inputs, one VGA/RGB PC input, one 3.5mm music/pc sound input, one digital audio optical output and one stereo audio output. All HDMI and USB ports are conveniently located along the side. The 55" class (54.6" diagonal) screen has edge LED backlighting and 120Hz CrystalMotion frame rate for maximum clarity during fast-moving action. The built-in XinemaView 3D employs battery-free 3D glasses (the movie-theater style glasses many viewers prefer over the bulkier "shutter glasses" 3D technology used by others.) The screen has 20-million: 1 contrast ratio with dynamic processing, and CrystalColor™ Enhancement and ambient light sensing for maximum picture quality. JVC-Kenwood has licensed AmTRAN Video Corporation (AVC) to manufacture and market the BlackSapphire line of high-performance, high-value HDTVs in North America. The JVC brand is legendary in consumer electronics for many innovations, including the VHS videocassette format of the 1970s and 80s. "Our BlackSapphire TVs are consistent with everything JVC stands for," Pragliola noted, "which is great performance, great cutting edge technology, and exceptional value." The JLE55SP4000 will ship this month for $1,299.99 SRP. |
| TweetBot for Mac reaches the Mac App Store, keeps the 3rd-party Twitter client flame alive Posted: 18 Oct 2012 09:18 AM PDT
When Twitter put out its strict new API guidelines, there was some doubt as to whether or not third-party clients like Tapbots' Tweetbot for Mac would even make the cut -- the user caps and other curbs on unofficial apps potentially made it tough to develop competition around a different (and possibly better) experience. That makes today's official appearance of Tweetbot in the Mac App Store as much symbolic as it is practical. While there won't be many significant shocks for those who've been participating in Tweetbot's alpha and beta stages, the finished version gives everyone running OS X Mountain Lion a major and sometimes more advanced alternative to official choices, such as TweetDeck, as well as existing third-party options like Twitterrific. A $20 price doesn't make Tweetbot the cheapest way to buck convention by any means, but it might be worth the investment if you're already committed to Tapbots' iOS apps or want to make a statement on the value of third parties in an ecosystem. |
| Newsweek to drop print edition after December 31st, gives the digital future a warm hug Posted: 18 Oct 2012 08:59 AM PDT
It's no secret that print media is on its way out, as many regional and niche publications have had to either find a path through the digital wilderness or fold completely. We're still not used to national publications facing that ultimatum, though, which makes Newsweek's fresh decision to drop its print edition after December 31st both unusual and a bellwether. Anyone still yearning for the magazine's content after the presses stop will have to turn to the purely digital Newsweek Global or its The Daily Beast sibling, no matter how attached they are to the outlet's 80-year history with paper. The explanation for the cutoff remains a familiar story: print readership is dying on the vine and expensive to maintain, while web and tablet adoption is growing quickly enough that Newsweek believes it can make the switch without taking a long-term financial hit. Whether or not the transition works, it's evident the periodical knows its identity must be wrapped around an online presence -- figuratively, not literally. |
| Huawei Ascend W1 render revealed, WP8 in a cyan chassis Posted: 18 Oct 2012 08:25 AM PDT
Nokia's shown off its Windows Phone 8 wares, so has HTC, and we knew Huawei was bringing a WP8 handset to the table sometime soon, too. That day has finally arrived, as an official looking render of the Ascend W1 has popped up on Twitter. If the picture's to be believed, the Chinese firm's handset sports bright coloration similar to its Windows Phone compatriots, and looks to be a handsome addition to the family. Drink it in folks, the official unveiling is likely just over a week away. |
| Engadget Giveaway: win an iPad, courtesy of YesVideo! Posted: 18 Oct 2012 08:01 AM PDT
Despite what may be announced next week, the third-generation iPad is still one of the finer tablets money can buy, and it's even better when we just simply send one to you in the mail. This time around it's YesVideo doing the honors, handing out a 16GB iPad with WiFi. The company specializes in personal video and photo digitization, which basically means it can convert old film, videos and photos into digital form (thus preserving those cherished memories for years to come). In addition to the iPad, the winner will also receive a $200 voucher for YesVideo service, and we've been given two more $200 vouchers to hand out to a couple lucky runners-up. So you know what to do -- head below, leave a comment and you're entered to win! Note: If you're looking for an idea on what kind of comment to leave, feel free to tell us your favorite childhood memory that was caught on video. The rules:
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| Samsung Galaxy S III mini confirmed using ST-Ericsson's NovaThor ModAp chip Posted: 18 Oct 2012 07:36 AM PDT
Samsung was shy about saying just what processor lurked inside the Galaxy S III mini, which only really told us that there wasn't an Exynos inside. The chip's creator isn't content to leave the origins a secret, however: that's an ST-Ericsson NovaThor ModAp sitting inside. The combo includes both the dual-core 1GHz processor and the cellular modem on the same chip die, helping Samsung fulfill the "mini" side of the equation while keeping the costs down. We're certainly no strangers to the NovaThor line after experiencing it in Sony's equally tiny Xperia P and Xperia U. Knowing what's inside might not allay concerns that Samsung is straining to milk the Galaxy S III brand name for all it's worth, but at least you'll know what to expect for performance if you don't go full-size. ST-Ericsson NovaThor ModAp Powers New Samsung GALAXY S III mini New Samsung's AndroidTM -powered smartphone is the fourth to use ST-Ericsson NovaThor platform Geneva, October 18, 2012 -ST-Ericsson, a world leader in wireless platforms and semiconductors, announced today that a recent addition to the award-winning Samsung GALAXY smartphone line - the Samsung GALAXY S III mini - is powered by the ST-Ericsson NovaThor ModAp platform. "Our NovaThor platforms continue to gain traction in the market and with the new GALAXY S III mini, we add another great Samsung smartphone to the list of devices powered by ST-Ericsson," said Marc Cetto, Senior Vice President and head of Smart Platform Solutions for ST-Ericsson. "Our highly integrated NovaThor ModAp platform, integrating a modem and application processor on a single die, enables compact and efficient devices and we are very pleased that Samsung has again chosen us for its GALAXY S III mini." About the Samsung GALAXY S III mini The GALAXY S III mini is a compact version of the flagship smartphone GALAXY S III. The GALAXY S III mini brings the high performance, intuitive ease-of-use and nature-inspired design of the GALAXY S III to an elegant, compact smartphone with a 4.0-inch screen and is powered by Android(TM) 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It can be an optimal choice for consumers who are looking for more practical smartphones. |
| Netflix Watch Instantly is live in Finland, completes Nordic sweep with Norway, Denmark and Sweden Posted: 18 Oct 2012 07:06 AM PDT
Thanks to a rapid pace of one country per day Netflix has made light work of its Nordic roll out. The internet movie service is launching its final Scandinavian flag today in Finland after starting Monday in Sweden, then notching Denmark and Norway (pictured above) in between. As with the others there's extensive device and app support from the start, and although the content selection may vary Netflix is the exclusive streaming home of Iron Sky, for all your Nazis-on-the-moon viewing needs. Not enough? Hey, there's always HBO Nordic, and you don't even need cable or satellite to get it. |
| Ubuntu 13.04 will be called Raring Ringtail, emphasize mobile and battery life Posted: 18 Oct 2012 06:38 AM PDT
After running with other alliterative codenames such as Oneiric Ocelot, Precise Pangolin and Quantal Quetzal, Canonical has announced the latest in its line of fauna-inspired Ubuntu releases -- Raring Ringtail. With version 13.04 CEO Mark Shuttleworth plans to start seriously laying the groundwork for phone, tablet and TV interfaces, which he hopes to have in place for the next LTS release in April of 2014 (14.04). Don't expect a full-fledged Ubuntu smartphone OS in six months, however, the first step will be working on core aspects of the OS, such as power and memory management, that will prove crucial to its success as a mobile platform. First though, the company needs to get through today's planned launch of 12.10, which will deliver some highly-anticipated webapp integration. For more, check out the source. |
| Delta Six controller gets redesigned, Kickstarted Posted: 18 Oct 2012 06:16 AM PDT
Most video game controllers sporting a firearm form factor are a far cry from realistic -- bright colors, odd shapes and obvious thumbsticks leave many accessories looking more like toys than weapons. Not David Kotkin's Delta Six. This gun-shaped controller's first prototype looked so much like a real rifle, Kotkin told us, it had to be redesigned. An orange tip, whitewashed body and a few less authentic looking components don't make the Delta Six look any less believable as a digital soldier's modern musket, but it does make it less likely to be mistaken for the real McCoy. The peripheral's internals haven't changed though -- an accelerometer to help players aim and turn, cheek-sensing pressure sensors (for looking down the scope), faux-recoil and its assortment of modular components are still all on target. Like all budding hardware projects these days, the Delta Six is looking towards the crowd to source its production. According to the peripheral's Kickstarter page, the Delta Six will be available between July and August next year, boasting compatibility with the Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U and even the OUYA. Pitching in $89 buys the basic submachine gun body (with a free rifle attachment for first-week buyers), and subsequent levels tack on additional attachments, bonus items and more. Kotkin needs $500,000 to make his rifle-shaped dream a reality. Like-minded FPS gamers can join him at the source link below. Not a dreamer? Feel free to read on for the official press release (and an additional image), instead. Delta Six Game Gun Redesigned in Response to Questions Inventor David Kotkin announced today that his Delta Six project is getting a make-over. After the initial announcement of the Delta Six gaming controller hit the media, an unfortunate controversy erupted over its appearance. "The toy gun looked too realistic and was consequently considered threatening by some critics," said Kotkin. While many reviewers applauded the enhanced realism of the new game gun, anecdotal evidence suggested that some video game critics were opposed to it. Citing the controversy, a small number of potential investors began backing away from providing funding. Deciding to find new backers, Kotkin submitting Delta Six to Kickstarter, a leading source of the new enterprise of "crowd funding." It seems likely that success on Kickstarter will fully revive the project. "Gamers have been disappointed with other game guns and this has made them skeptical concerning the technological advancements the gun represents," said Kotkin. "It reminded them of the disappointments they had experienced with Wii or Sony's Move when it comes to shooters. What gamers need to understand, we are not trying to shoot and then play golf or bowling,"Kotkin continued. "I am focused like laser on one thing, making this so good that an owner of a Delta will want to reach for it when playing a First Person Shooter. Delta will do whatever a standard controller can do and play all Xbox games or PS3 games. With an adapter a Delta can be used with a PC. Kickstarter's crowd funding should be perfect platform for this." Kotkin's record as an inventor who has brought working models to market in recent years will also help Kickstarter ensure that contributors are not supporting a product that lacks true market potential. Here are the modifications that have been made and additional pieces of information that respond to the criticisms of the prototype: Delta Six will now be offered an all-white shell with an orange tip to make it less realistic Delta shoots no projectiles, stays indoors and is safer than a water pistol or Nerf gun Patented technology is employed by the Delta Six that was not available in older systems. The Delta gun can transform from larger for more game immersion. Then can be made small for more gaming advantage and comfort The recoil has an on/off switch that may be used if its default action is too realistic for some players Realistic zoom and reloading features are an optional features that can be replaced by using speed buttons on the outside of the Delta The gaming advantages include: Button placement is arranged so that every finger is either touching a button or is near one When Delta is broken down it is as light at as a 360 controller, so it can be comfortable to use with one-handed operation even while lying in bed The aiming joy stick becomes the Delta, in a mode similar to the motion sensor of the IPad when the iPad is rocked to initiate action The accelerometer interprets the joy stick so targeting is as fast, as it would be with a joystick and about the same effort. "This project should not miss its market simply because it was misunderstood," said Kotkin.He hopes that gamers will support the Delta Six and judge this technologically advanced gaming gun on its merits. Kotkin also announced that contributors who support Delta Six on Kickstarter will receive rewards. One is getting an exclusive Delta blow back Desert Eagle game gun. |
| Iomega releases two new StorCenter NAS drives to contain that ever-expanding data waistline Posted: 18 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT
If you're an advanced user or small businessperson with a storage shortage, then Iomega's new hardware is probably trying to catch your eye. The StorCenter px2 and ix4 are a pair of full bodied NAS systems that offer a secure and speedy haven for your most important data. Using EMC storage technology, the hardware offers a personal cloud and Time Machine support for Mac using backup-fans. The barebones px2 is $500, with the prices running to $1,200 for a 6TB model, and if you're in need of something heftier, the storage-free ix4 sets you back $600, but can take up to 12TB worth of drive if you splash out $1,300. Iomega Expands Award-Winning Desktop Network Storage Offerings With New High Performance Two-Drive Network Storage Device And Next Generation Four-Drive Model Iomega StorCenter px2-300d & StorCenter ix4-300d Designed for advanced users, small offices, small to medium-sized businesses and distributed enterprise, Iomega's new StorCenter px2-300d and StorCenter ix4-300d utilize EMC's award-winning LifeLine™ operating system for cross-platform file-sharing with seamless integration of security and convenience features such as RAID data protection, hot-swappable hard drives (only with the px2-300d), virtualized environment support, multiple cloud options for offsite data storage, antivirus protection (Only on px2-300d), Active Directory integration, advanced media sharing features and more. Both products are shipping with the Iomega's very latest LifeLine release 3.4, which delivers significant enhancements and new features like improved Active Directory Support, a more efficient EXT4 file system, added MySQL Server support and added video surveillance capabilities. Executive Quotes "Iomega's high performance PX series of network storage products have proven themselves to be solid network storage implementations for our customers," said Eli Zvi, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, CompuTech International, a New York-based reseller specializing in SMB and government sales and a Premier Plus member of the Iomega ioclub, Iomega's top tier program for resellers. "We are very pleased to see the addition of the double-drive desktop StorCenter px2-300d, which gives our CompuTech International team an ideal option for customers that require a small easy-to-deploy, dependable, feature-rich desktop NAS for their small business or remote office." "The small and medium business market for storage in Latin America is constantly growing," said Fabio Gaia, General Manager of Officer Distibuidora, Iomega's largest reseller partner in Latin America. "These new desktop network storage products from Iomega meet the sales channel expectations in terms of tailored capacity for the SMB market as well as delivering high performance at an affordable price." Flexible Configurations for the New Iomega StorCenter px2-300d and StorCenter ix4-300d Iomega is qualifying 4TB drives for future models in both lines. Core Capabilities of the New Iomega StorCenter px2-300d and StorCenter ix4-300d Built-in cloud technology with choice of EMC Atmos cloud connector, EMC Avamar data deduplication (StorCenter px2-300d models only), Mozy Pro, Amazon S3 and Iomega Personal Cloud technology. Both the StorCenter px2-300d and ix4-300d can help protect your business with the integrated SecureMind Surveillance Manager video management software, which delivers multi-channel live monitoring, video recording, and fast video playback with multiple IP cameras (cameras not included). With the built-in storage capacity, the archiving and retention capabilities of Iomega's new network storage products are exceptional for capturing and storing surveillance video. Each StorCenter px2-300d and ix4-300d includes one camera license free of charge. Additionally, The StorCenter px2-300d is the only network storage product in its class to support the McAfee VirusScan Enterprise product. McAfee Virus Scan enterprise features built-in, real-time on-access and automatic antivirus scanning and cleaning using the McAfee scanning engine. This is a full implementation of McAfee VirusScan Enterprise, with the familiar McAfee user interface and product features. The StorCenter px2-300d includes a subscription to McAfee VirusScan enterprise at no extra charge. Availability and Warranty The New Iomega® StorCenter™ ix4-300d Network Storage is also shipping worldwide. The diskless model is now available for $599.99. The following storage capacity versions of the new StorCenter ix4-300d will be available shortly: the 4TB model will be $749.99, the 8TB will be $949.99, and the 12TB model will be $1,299.99. All pricing is U.S. suggested retail. |
| Next-gen Casio G'zOne makes it to the FCC, reveals LTE and NFC support Posted: 18 Oct 2012 05:38 AM PDT
The last Casio G'zOne handheld to come our way was the Commando, a military-grade device that marked the company's first foray into Android smartphones. Now it seems there's another one in the works, at least if a recent FCC filing is any indication. The Casio C811 looks to be a successor to the aforementioned Commando, with its G'zOne branding and features like WiFi and GSM world phone capabilities. Notably, the FCC document reveals the phone has Verizon-flavored LTE plus NFC support, both of which lead us to believe it'll likely be a mid- to high-end handset. Not much else is divulged from perusing the filing, but we're sure that whatever the C811 turns out to be, it'll be just as tough and durable as the rest of Casio's G'zOne offerings. |
| Sprint Nextel takes control of Clearwire after increasing stake to 50.8 percent Posted: 18 Oct 2012 05:04 AM PDT
A securities filing has just revealed that Sprint Nextel has acquired 50.8 percent of Clearwire Corp giving it control of the firm. The deal comes after buying out Eagle River Holdings' stake in the telco. This comes just days after Sprint was subject to a sale of its own, to Japanese operator Softbank. The news is the latest twist in the up and down relationship between the two firms, and hints at a more assertive LTE strategy -- given that it now has more say over Clearwire's spectrum. Although it remains unclear how this will affect deals with other operators. If you really want to get in to the nitty-gritty, head on down to the Securities and Exchange Commission doc in the source link below. [Thanks, James K] |
| Acer Iconia Tab A110 reaches North America on October 30th for $230, faces a tough fight Posted: 18 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT
Acer hasn't had an easy mid-year: it trotted out the Iconia Tab A110 at Computex as a budget Android tablet that could still claim Tegra 3 speeds, only to watch the Nexus 7 arrive and leave virtually every other comparable tablet in a tight spot. It's North America's turn at the A110 this month, and the side-by-side looks aren't getting much easier. When the 7-inch Jelly Bean slate ships to the continent on October 30th, it will cost $230 in both the US and Canada for the lone 8GB version -- a better value than we see in Europe, but still a slightly awkward middle ground between an 8GB Nexus 7 at $199 and its $249, 16GB edition. We're guessing that Acer is counting on the microSD and micro-HDMI expansion to tempt would-be North American buyers away from a less flexible (if Google-blessed) rival. Pocket Size Power Player: Acer Introduces Iconia A110 Tablet Editor's Summary: SAN JOSE, Calif., (Oct. 18, 2012) Acer America today expanded its Iconia™ Tab lineup with the A110, a lightweight, pocket-sized 7-inch multi-touch tablet. Available Oct. 30 in the United States and Canada, the compact and stylish Iconia Tab A110 is perfect to tote around at all times to read, browse, play games and enjoy media. "Today's consumers are increasingly mobile and want easy and instant access to entertainment at all times," said Paul Tayar, senior director of product marketing for connected devices, Acer America. "The Iconia Tab A110 is another example of how Acer is meeting the needs of consumers, by providing tablet form factors that combine portability and performance for fun and gaming, at affordable prices." More comfortable to browse on than a smartphone, the trim A110 tablet is just 0.86 pound and less than a half-inch slim. Easy to hold in one hand for hours of comfortable enjoyment and slender enough to fit in a pocket or handbag, the tablet delivers bright and crisp images for movies, photos, books and games. Featuring a vibrant capacitive multi-touch display with 1024x600 resolution, the A110 ensures optimal screen viewing from every angle – up and down and left to right. Powered by the latest Android™ 4.1 "Jelly Bean" operating system, the A110 tablet provides faster and smoother performance for applications and widgets. Users can customize and expand their tablet experience with ease using the Android™ Market to choose from hundreds of thousands of apps to enjoy the A110 any way they want. Also preloaded on the A110, Google Play provides users with an entertainment hub and allows one place to find, enjoy and share apps, music, movies and books from across the web. Google Currents provides free online magazines from hundreds of publishers and online. The A110 comes equipped with the NVIDIA® Tegra™ 3 quad-core processor, delivering industry-leading performance and responsiveness for running multiple apps, smooth HD video, fast web browsing and console-like gaming. The tablet's NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor features a unique Super 4-PLUS-1™ Quad Core CPU design with a fifth Battery Saver Core, which handles less demanding activities, ultimately using less power and improving battery life. The A110 supports long battery life with smart power management providing up to 7.5 hours of battery life . Offering superior expansion and connectivity, the Iconia Tab A110 has a micro-USB 2.0 port for hooking up other devices, and a MicroSD slot providing additional storage up to 32GB and easy file transfers. For showcasing entertainment in a larger format, users can easily connect to an external LCD or HDTV via the A110's MicroHDMI output, with dual display support. For added enjoyment, a two megapixel front-facing web camera enables face-to-face chats or quick snaps for still photos. Bluetooth® 3.0 technology allows users to wirelessly connect to other devices such as Bluetooth printers, keyboards, headsets or speakers. The A110 also includes 1GB of memory and 8GB internal storage . Pricing and Availability The Acer Iconia Tab A110 will be for sale on October 30 at leading U.S. and Canadian retailers with pricing beginning at $229.99 USD and CAD. |
| Acer unveils space-saving ME mini tower and XC desktops for (low) power users Posted: 18 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT
The arrival of Windows 8 is a good excuse for the PC industry to flood the market with so much hardware, consumers will be blinded by so much choice. Acer's jabbing its digits into your eyes with its new lineup of low-end desktops for the casual user. The ME micro towers will take an Intel Core i5 or I7, 2TB HDDs and up to 16GB of RAM. If you don't have anywhere else to stash your smartphone, the chassis comes with a recess desk on top with a USB port for easy charging. Those looking for something a little less demanding can pick up an XC desktop, a space-saving unit that will take an Intel Core i3, a 1TB HDD and up to 6GB of RAM. Prices for the ME begin at $700, while the cheaper XCs will set you back a much more modest $400. Acer's Newest Consumer Desktops; Big Power, Smart Ergonomics SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 18, 2012 – Acer America today has delivered savvy new consumer desktops for customers in the U.S. These new Acer Aspire ME and XC Series have been refreshed to feature Windows 8, a savvy new ergonomic design and innovative features that provide all the essentials for personal productivity and digital entertainment. Available in two sizes, the Acer Aspire ME Series micro towers are made for those desiring a power-packed workhorse with ample room for upgrades, while the Aspire XC Series small form factor (SFF) desktops are built for those looking to save space. "We've retooled our latest Aspire desktops to deliver ample power and practical features in a stylish, understated chassis that will appeal to a wide range of users," said Irene Chan, senior business manager of consumer desktops for Acer America. "Combined with Windows 8, the new Acer desktops are ideal for use as a central entertainment hub for an entire household as well as a student requiring a robust system for homework and social media." Acer Aspire ME Series – Expandable Workhorses Powerful features, including Intel® Core™ i7 or Core™ i5 processors harness speed and efficiency. Combined with up to 10GB DDR3 memory that can be expanded to 16GB, these systems deliver excellent system response for multitasking and running the latest multi-threaded applications. The series also boasts up to 2TB(1) hard drives and on some models, discrete graphics. Ample expansion is available with two open PCI-E x1 slots for adding a sound, graphics or RAID card and an open PCI-E x16 slot for a video card. The systems have two 3.5-inch "easy swap" expansion bays, which can be accessed without opening the chassis or using a tool. There is also an available optical drive bay. Offering excellent connectivity, this series is outfitted with Bluetooth® 4.0 HS for wirelessly connecting peripherals and digital devices. These models also come with a total of four USB 3.0 ports and 8 USB 2.0 ports. Both an HDMI and VGA port are provided to enable connection to two displays simultaneously. Acer Aspire XC Series – Slim Space-Savers This practical series offers up to an Intel® Core™ i3 2130 processor and 6GB memory, plenty of power for enjoying the latest movies, editing videos, touching up photos and even playing casual games. These slim desktops offer up to 1TB(1) hard drives for storing a huge archive of applications and data. There is an HDMI port for connecting to a display with just one cable and up to 8 USB 2.0 ports for connecting to printers, external storage, digital cameras and more. Both Series – All the Essentials As with all Acer systems, both consumer desktop series come with AcerCloud, enabling users to share music, photos, videos and documents on the PC with all other devices. If the PC is in sleep mode, the AcerCloud wakes it up. The PC is always connected, so content can be accessed via AcerCloud anytime, anywhere. Pricing and Availability |
| Engadget Eurocast 001 - 10.18.2012 Posted: 18 Oct 2012 04:45 AM PDT  For years now, the Engadget podcast has valiantly chewed over the week's technology news for your listening pleasure. But, if you live on the wrong side of the pond, use your fork with the other hand, or just have a keen interest in tech stories from the old world then this one is for you. It is with great pleasure that we introduce the inaugural Engadget Eurocast. In this edition we look at Samsung's subdued Galaxy S III mini launch, Amazon's Paperwhite hitting UK shores, and quickly mull over the Xbox's latest Dashboard update -- among other things. We're not excluding our American / world listeners, of course. If you ever wondered what a podcast might sound like if voiced by Bond villains (and a Canadian), then here's your answer. 00:45 - Samsung Galaxy S III mini pops up, we go hands-on (video) Hear the podcast Download the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [RSS] Add the Engadget Eurocast to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. Contact the podcast Follow us / send questions on Twitter: @danielwcooper, @stevetdent, @shotsheriff, @itstrew This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| OpenELEC-2.0 Linux distro released, turns your PC into an 'appliance-like' home theater device Posted: 18 Oct 2012 04:26 AM PDT
If you're itching to park that AMD or Intel PC beside your TV as a dedicated home theater device, OpenELEC would like to offer up the first stable release of its Linux distro, version 2.0, for your consideration. The new build is now available for free (with the option to donate, of course), and the group behind it says that the installation takes less than five minutes and requires "zero Linux experience." Once you've done that, it'll be ready to serve your media needs in less than 10 seconds from a cold start, according to OpenELEC, with only a remote control needed to start surfing. The system updates automatically, including the XBMC V11 media core, and now includes PVR support, improved AMD functionality, CEC adapter compatibility, NFS, AFP, CIFS and SSH shares and Airplay / Airtunes support. If you're already Mac- or Windows-centric, an OpenELEC system will play well with all your existing media, so if you're ready to see how the Linux media crowd rolls, hit the source. |
| Lovefilm to start letting users log in with their Amazon info, Kindle owners are up first Posted: 18 Oct 2012 03:46 AM PDT
Amazon purchased UK movie streaming site Lovefilm nearly two years ago and only now are the two showing some sign of integration. In order to make the app work on Kindle Fire and Kindle HD devices users have to link their Amazon and Lovefilm accounts, and from then on they can sign in with their Amazon credentials on the web or other devices. According to the FAQ posted to announce the switch, anyone that isn't rocking a Kindle but wants to login with their Amazon info anyway will be able to eventually, just not yet. Of course, this is all just a bit premature since the Amazon tablets are still a few days away from launching in Blighty, but if you're carrying around a US import you should see Lovefilm's service pop up in the next week. What this means for Lovefilm as a standalone brand in the future -- as the streaming wars continue to heat up -- remains to be seen, but one less password to remember is a a movement we can easily get behind. |
| Nokia's Q3 2012: $9.4 billion in sales, 2.9 million Lumias sold and losses trimmed to $754 million Posted: 18 Oct 2012 03:01 AM PDT
Q4 2011: $1.3 billion loss. Q1 2012: $1.7 billion loss. Q2 2012: $1.01 billion loss. Q3 2012: $754 million loss. It seems that Stephen Elop's financial measures may finally be having the desired effect as Nokia records its first sub-billion dollar quarterly loss for a year. It's managed to reduce its losses despite a slowdown in Lumia sales -- falling from four million last quarter to 2.9 million now, but given that the company is at the end of a product cycle, that's hardly surprising. It also had positive news to report in its "mobile phone" business, where it sold 77 million (up from 73 million last quarter) dumb, feature and Asha handsets, the latter comprising 6.5 million of the total figure. However, the company's failure to crack America isn't helping its fortunes since it only sold around 300,000 units -- although those exclusive partnerships with AT&T probably haven't helped. Away from device sales, the company's location and commerce department had a difficult quarter, but the sale of map content licenses (to companies like Amazon) offset the dwindling popularity of standalone GPS units. Nokia Siemens Networks, on the other hand, kept raking in the cash with a $238.5 million profit. The company could also count on its regular check from Microsoft, which kicked in another $250 million to help it through its transition. Overall, it's been able to stabilize its cash reserves, with the company mattress currently holding $4.66 billion -- and with the arrival of Windows Phone 8 and the new Lumias not too far away, it might actually be time to crack open a little bubbly before the crew gets back to work. |
| Apple loses out in UK tablet design case against Samsung Posted: 18 Oct 2012 02:38 AM PDT
Remember when a UK judge said that Samsung couldn't have copied the iPad with its Galaxy Tab because it wasn't "as cool" as the iPad? Well, Apple has just lost the High Court appeal to have that decision overturned, meaning that despite the backhanded compliment, it will still have to run adverts in the press stating that the Korean giant had not copied its tablet designs. |
| Latest Swype beta brings hotwords, knows what Gangnam Style is Posted: 18 Oct 2012 02:35 AM PDT
If you've ever been stymied by your Android keyboard's limited grasp on the latest slanguage, don't quail: Swype's latest beta offering for smartphones or tablets may be your saviour. The latest version of the finger-sliding app will feature "hotwords," that keep up with language trends so that if you opt in to receive dictionary updates, you'll never mistype the latest jargon. The new build also brings two more keyboard layouts for tablets, personal dictionary syncing across all of your Android devices, more themes for personalized keyboard styles and additional language support. So, to avoid any catachresis with that latest tweet, hit the source to see how to grab it. Swype's Learning, Living Keyboard Gets Even More Personal · Swype for Tablets: Swype has taken tablet innovation to the next level by offering a choice of three different keyboard layouts for tablets: the original keyboard, a small and moveable keyboard, and a split keyboard. So no matter what style keyboard, people can stay connected and productive from anywhere. · Hotwords: Language is evolving faster than ever and Swype now updates dictionaries with the latest global trending words. Swype users can opt-in to receive updates to their dictionaries and stay up to date with the newest 'hotwords', like "Gangnam Style." · Themes: Swype allows users to further personalize their devices with the new keyboard theme options. Users can access up to 10 different themes in Swype's settings menu for quick and cool keyboard customizations. · More Language Support: The latest update to Swype also features enhancements to the Chinese keyboard with an additional tool bar and has added a Flick keyboard to Japanese. Users can also expect many more languages with Advanced Language Models that predict the words and phrases users Swype the most. "Swype has proven that Android users love choice and flexibility as part of their user experience," said Michael Thompson, executive vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. "Swype has truly embraced a multimodal, personalized keyboard that learns and adapts to each user's preference. And with the ability to carry that experience across Android devices, pick your keyboard layout, automatically stay up on key trends and hotwords, Swype is by far the most customizable keyboard on the market." About Nuance Communications, Inc. |
| Steam Greenlight adds non-gaming category for your consideration Posted: 18 Oct 2012 01:58 AM PDT
Indie game makers have been lobbing titles over Gabe Newell's fence for a short while, but now his company is inviting everyone else to join in as well. Valve has widened Steam Greenlight's crowdsourced approval process to include non-gaming software, with the community voting the most popular and useful apps onto Steam's virtual shelves. We're thinking of submitting a program ourselves, that calculates the time required for three quantities of a decaying substance to fall to half their value, just so we can see everyone's faces when Half-Life Three appears on the list. |
| Verizon reports Q3 wireless service revenues up 7.5 percent, LTE now available to 250 million people Posted: 18 Oct 2012 01:20 AM PDT
The folks at Verizon are revelling in their third consecutive quarter of double-digit growth, having reported a 14.3 percent overall increase in earnings per share year-over-year. Wireless service revenues -- not least from us smartphone users -- contributed heavily to that income, growing 7.5 percent compared to the same quarter in 2011 off the back of a "record high" profit margin. The operator attributes these gains to its "4G LTE network advantage," with its LTE service now available to 250 million customers and potential customers across the US, as well as to its "well-received Share Everything Plans and unmatched product portfolio." It added 1.5 million postpaid connections, bringing its total wireless membership to just shy of 96 million souls. Verizon Wireless Again Posts Record-High Margin, Supported by Strong Service Revenues; Wireline Consumer Revenue Growth Continues to Accelerate 3Q 2012 HIGHLIGHTS 56 cents in diluted earnings per share (EPS), compared with 49 cents per share in 3Q 2011 - a 14.3 percent increase. 7.5 percent year-over-year increase in service revenues in 3Q 2012; 7.9 percent year-over-year increase in retail service revenues; 31.8 percent operating income margin and 50.0 percent segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP), both record highs. 4.6 percent year-over-year increase in consumer revenues, the highest in a decade; consumer ARPU (average revenue per user) up 10.3 percent year over year, to $103.86. Verizon reported 56 cents in EPS in third-quarter 2012, an increase of 14.3 percent compared with third-quarter 2011 earnings of 49 cents per share. Adjusted third-quarter 2012 earnings (non-GAAP) of 64 cents per share exclude 8 cents per share for charges related to patent litigation settlements. Comparable adjusted third-quarter 2011 earnings of 56 cents per share excluded 7 cents per share for a non-operational charge related to an actuarial valuation of pension plans. On Track to Meet 2012 Financial Objectives "In the third quarter, Verizon continued to deliver double-digit earnings growth and strong cash generation, and we remain solidly on track to meet our financial objectives for the year," said Lowell McAdam, Verizon chairman and CEO. "With our 4G LTE network advantage, well-received Share Everything Plans and unmatched product portfolio, Verizon Wireless continues to do an outstanding job of balancing growth and profitability. Wireless achieved record profitability in a quarter in which we reported the highest number of retail postpaid gross and net adds in four years." McAdam added: "Based on the strength of our FiOS fiber-optic network, we reported the highest growth in U.S. consumer wireline revenues in 10 years. Additionally, strategic services growth in our Enterprise business helped offset weaker revenues caused by global economic challenges. We are confident that we have the right plans in place to meet these challenges while improving the long-term profitability in both Consumer and Enterprise." Continued Strong Revenue Growth; Year-to-Date Free Cash Flow Up 49.9 Percent In third-quarter 2012, Verizon's total operating revenues were $29.0 billion on a consolidated basis, an increase of 3.9 percent compared with third-quarter 2011. Consolidated operating income was $5.5 billion in third-quarter 2012, compared with $4.6 billion in third-quarter 2011. Consolidated EBITDA (non-GAAP, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) totaled $9.65 billion in third-quarter 2012, compared with $8.8 billion in third-quarter 2011. Cash flow from operating activities totaled $24.8 billion in the first nine months of 2012, compared with $21.5 billion in the first nine months of 2011. With capital expenditures of $11.3 billion in the first nine months of 2012, free cash flow (non-GAAP, cash flow from operations less capex) was $13.4 billion through third-quarter 2012, compared with $9.0 billion through third-quarter 2011 - an increase of 49.9 percent. For full-year 2012, capital expenditures are expected to be lower than 2011 capital expenditures of $16.2 billion. Verizon Wireless Results: Record Profitability, Strong Customer and Revenue Growth In third-quarter 2012, Verizon Wireless delivered the highest number of retail postpaid net additions in four years; strong growth in revenues; an increase in smartphone penetration; and the highest segment EBITDA margin on service revenues (non-GAAP) in the company's history, surpassing last quarter's previous high. Wireless Financial Highlights Service revenues in the quarter totaled $16.2 billion, up 7.5 percent year over year. Retail service revenues grew 7.9 percent year over year, to $15.5 billion. Verizon Wireless added 1.8 million retail net connections in the third quarter, including 1.5 million retail postpaid net connections, the highest in four years. These additions exclude acquisitions and adjustments. In third-quarter 2012 in the Wireline segment, FiOS revenue growth led to strong overall revenue growth among U.S. consumer customers. In global enterprise and wholesale, increased sales of strategic services helped mitigate lower revenues resulting from continued secular and global economic impacts. Wireline Financial Highlights Third-quarter 2012 operating revenues were $9.9 billion, a decline of 2.3 percent compared with third-quarter 2011. Wireline operating income margin was 0.4 percent, compared with 0.5 percent in third-quarter 2011. Segment EBITDA margin (non-GAAP) was 21.7 percent in third-quarter 2012, compared with 21.4 percent in third-quarter 2011. Verizon added 136,000 net new FiOS Internet connections and 119,000 net new FiOS Video connections in third-quarter 2012. Verizon had a total of 5.3 million FiOS Internet and 4.6 million FiOS Video connections at the end of the quarter, representing year-over-year increases of 14.4 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively. Verizon Enterprise Solutions - a global sales and marketing organization that harnesses all of Verizon's cloud, mobility and other platforms to serve the rapidly transforming enterprise market with integrated solutions - continued to expand and enhance its capabilities in the U.S. and abroad in third-quarter 2012. The organization saw new customers leveraging its dynamic cloud, intelligent networks, mobility and machine-to-machine (M2M) platforms, while the organization made significant announcements and won recognition during the quarter. Among highlights, Verizon Enterprise Solutions: Initiated work with Palace Sports & Entertainment in Michigan to deliver fans a live high-tech experience, incorporating digital signage and social media, fan-friendly Wi-Fi and digital menu boards; Pension Funding Details Verizon yesterday announced an agreement to transfer pension assets to The Prudential Insurance Company of America by purchasing a single premium group-annuity contract to settle approximately $7.5 billion of Verizon's obligations for approximately 41,000 participants under its management pension plan. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to certain conditions, is expected to occur in December 2012. In connection with the closing, Verizon currently intends to contribute an aggregate of approximately $2.5 billion to the plan, including a $930 million contribution made last month, to provide for the annuity and so that the plan's funding percentage does not decrease as a result of this transaction. As a result, Verizon's revised outlook for pension funding in 2012 is estimated to be $3.4 billion, compared with the $1.3 billion estimated at the beginning of the year. Assuming the closing of the transaction and the additional contribution, Verizon does not expect to have any cash-funding requirement for pensions in 2013. NOTE: See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/investor for reconciliations to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document. NOTE: This presentation contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies; competition in our markets; material adverse changes in labor matters, including labor negotiations or additional organizing activity, and any resulting financial and/or operational impact; material changes in available technology; any disruption of our key suppliers' provisioning of products or services; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; breaches of network or information technology security, natural disasters or terrorist attacks or existing or future litigation and any resulting financial impact not covered by insurance; technology substitution; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets impacting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of financing; any changes in the regulatory environments in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks; the timing, scope and financial impact of our deployment of broadband technology; changes in our accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions; and the inability to implement our business strategies. |
| AOL unveils Alto: a web-based email client with an emphasis on aesthetics and organization Posted: 18 Oct 2012 01:00 AM PDT
A cleanly organized inbox may be a holy grail that's seemingly out of reach, but AOL (which happens to be our parent company) has unveiled a web-based e-mail client dubbed Alto to help cut through clutter. Instead of singing up for a brand-new email address, users log into the service with an existing Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL or iCloud account and can use Alto to organize, send and receive messages. In addition to the traditional list view of received emails, Alto takes a cue from analog letters and automatically sorts mail into stacks depending on whether they contain attachments, photos, daily deals, notifications from social networks and bulletins from retailers. Users can customize and hide existing piles or even create new stacks based on key words, recipients, senders and other parameters. Have more than one email account that needs its contents wrangled into order? No problem. Alto can handle up to five accounts per user. If you're intrigued by the cloud-based client, you can take a gander at the gallery of screenshots below or head past the break for more details in the press release. Alto is currently accepting users on a first come, first serve basis in a limited preview, so hit the source link if you feel inclined to take it for a spin. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the AOL family] AOL Releases Alto for Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail & .Mac New cloud-based email application uses smart stacks to bring visual relief to overloaded inboxes Palo Alto, California, October 18, 2012 -- AOL Inc., the company that originally brought email to the mass market, is opening the doors today on a limited preview for their new cloud-based email product, Alto. Designed to be used with existing email accounts, including Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, .Mac and .me accounts, this new, free email platform reimagines the email experience from the ground up with a focus on combatting inbox fatigue. Alto blends powerful organizational features and an elegant, clear user experience to provide users with visual relief from inboxes overloaded with a constant flow of daily deals, newsletters, social notifications, and more. The ultimate goal of Alto is to put the user back in control of their email experience. The basis for this new product is 'organization by design,' using a new tool called "stacks" that automatically pull out and organize important pieces of a user's inbox for easy access and quick viewing. Users can also drag and drop individual emails to create their own stacks based on sender, recipients, key words, and more. Alto does not require a new email address – users can simply enter credentials for their Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, or .Mac address and start using Alto. Alto also allows users to bring together and access multiple email accounts to organize all of their inboxes in a single, web-accessible workspace. "We built Alto for people who believe, as we do, that organization is beautiful, who are overloaded with email and aren't happy with the status quo of existing email experiences," said Joshua Ramirez, Senior Director of Product for AOL Mail. "The way we use email has changed radically over the years, but the core email application experience hasn't. We've taken a deep look at how people use email now, and designed an application around that reality." "When you sort through physical mail, you put it into stacks because it's a natural way to decide what's important, what's junk, and what to save for later. We wanted to recreate that experience with Alto, but make it intelligent and automatic, to easily deal with the hundreds of emails we get every day," continued Ramirez. Alto provides users with a visual story of their email inboxes using a variety of innovative features designed to make it easy to sort through and find what is really important. Some key features include: Stacks – Alto automatically creates stacks, giving users an easy, intelligent, and dynamic way to deal with inbox clutter. These stacks are built around the important pieces of a user's email, are intuitively designed, and simple to use. Alto is pre-loaded with stacks built to automatically surface photos, attachments, and social notifications, retailers and daily deals Users can drag and drop emails to create customized stacks that automatically update as new emails arrive in each stack. Photos – All photos that users send and receive through any of their email accounts are automatically sorted into a dedicated photo stack. Users can easily look through long buried photos or instantly see new ones as they arrive. Photos can be sorted by sender, date, and inbox, or shared right from Alto to Facebook or Twitter. Attachments – Email attachments are automatically added to their own stack letting users sort through documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and PDF's. With thumbnail previews of full documents and presentations, there's no more scanning through endless message lists hunting for paper clips. Users can even view these documents from within Alto – no downloading or additional applications are needed. People – Individual contacts are shown with rich information allowing you to see previous email exchanges, photos, and attachments. Users can also connect Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to automatically see the latest social updates of their contacts and people they have in common. Search – Alto gives users a real-time visual search experience, providing a faster and more contextual way to let users find exactly what they need. As users search, they'll see instant results categorized by matching emails, contacts, photos, and attachments. Daily Deals and Retailers - Alto automatically sorts your daily deal emails and specials from retailers into their own stacks. Different views from within stacks allow for seamless window shopping, letting users page through their stacks of retail offers or quickly sort through the junk and get to great deals. Turn on 'skip the inbox' and stacks clear these emails out of your message list leaving room for what matters. Alto is available in limited preview today, accepting new users on a first come, first serve basis. New users can sign up for a free account at www.altomail.com. |
| Razer gives away custom Star Wars-themed Blade, may turn friends Imperial Guard red with envy Posted: 18 Oct 2012 12:21 AM PDT
Razer has been big on Star Wars gaming gear, but never quite like this. Enter a free contest and there's a chance to win a completely unique Star Wars: The Old Republic version of Razer's Blade gaming laptop. The winner sees the system's normally black shell replaced with a matte, laser-etched aluminum gray and the green backlighting dropped in favor of a subtler yellow matched to the MMORPG logo. Anyone who brings out this portable at a bring-your-own-computer gaming party is inevitably going to be the center of attention, although we have a feeling some would almost prefer the second-place bundle of peripherals -- at an estimated worth of $15,000, the Star Wars Blade might be too precious to carry for all but the most well-heeled of fans. |
| Latest Google Play store update rolling out now, wishlists in tow Posted: 17 Oct 2012 11:38 PM PDT
If you're indecisive about that pricey but hard-to-find new app, Google Play will now be offering another option in its store -- you can put it aside in a wishlist until you make up your mind. That new feature (which was espied in recent teardowns) is hitting devices now on a per-account basis, and if you have it (version 3.9.16) you'll notice a bookmark icon near the top right of the screen when you load up an app page. When you tap that icon, the software will be added to your wishlist, which can be scoped from the menu button with the "My Wishlist" setting, saving you the trouble of searching it out later. Depending on your Android device's settings, you may already have it or were notified of its availability -- if so, happy shopping. |
| Canon EOS-1D X updates autofocus capabilities, will benefit low-light and wildlife photographers Posted: 17 Oct 2012 10:56 PM PDT
Canon USA has just released a new firmware update for its professional EOS-1D X camera that expands the capabilities of its autofocus point illumination. It will now support AI Servo AF as well as cross-type AF at apertures as small as f/8. The former is especially welcome in low-light situations like weddings and theatrical performances, while the latter would benefit those who use EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders, like wildlife photographers for example. In fact, you can check out the now-wider range of compatible EF lens/extender combinations at the source. Those interested in the update can download it now for free from Canon's website. CANON U.S.A. EXPANDS THE EOS-1D X DIGITAL SLR CAMERA AUTOFOCUS CAPABILITIES WITH NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 17, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update in response to user requests which further enhances the capabilities of Canon's flagship EOS-1D X Digital SLR camera. The EOS-1D X will now be capable of AF point illumination during AI Servo AF and cross-type AF for maximum apertures as small as f/8. The new firmware update is available now at no charge from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers. AF Point Illumination During AI Servo AF To support the needs of wedding, portrait, sports, wildlife, and theatrical performance photographers working in low light, the new firmware allows AF points in the EOS-1D X's viewfinder to be illuminated in red when the shutter button is pressed halfway during AI Servo AF, for easy viewing of the selected point. This valuable feature will enhance the photographers' ability to aim the camera accurately in low-light conditions, and when photographing dark subjects. To preserve exposure-metering accuracy, illumination is intermittent, not continuous. Three choices will be selectable from the menu system - Non-illuminated, Illuminated (Normal) and Illuminated (Brighter). Cross-Type AF Support at f/8 The EOS-1D X is equipped with an innovative 61-point High Density Reticular AF System featuring up to 41 cross-type AF points, depending on the lens in use. The cross-type AF points recognize a wide variety of subject matter, making them highly desirable for maximum autofocus performance. Until now, cross-type AF on the EOS-1D X has been limited to EF lenses and lens/extender combinations with a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or larger. The new firmware allows cross-type autofocusing with the center AF point even when the maximum aperture of a Canon EF lens/extender combination becomes as small as f/8. Ideal for wildlife photographers and others who often use EF super-telephoto lenses with extenders, this new feature greatly expands the range of EF lens/extender combinations that support autofocus when used with the EOS-1D X. If AF point expansion is selected with an f/8 maximum aperture lens/extender combination, the four AF points surrounding the center point will act as AF Assist points. This option effectively expands the size of the AF detection area to enhance autofocus performance with subjects that are small in the frame and difficult to track, such as small animals and birds in flight. AF points above and below the center will be sensitive to vertical contrast, while points to the left and right will be sensitive to horizontal contrast. |
| Posted: 17 Oct 2012 10:17 PM PDT
Itching for Nokia's latest piece of Windows Phone kit, but aren't ready to saddle up with Ma Bell? Get comfortable: according to a leaked AT&T training video, you'll have to wait six months for the Lumia 920's exclusivity contract to expire. The unofficial Windows Phone 8 flagship is due out next month, though mum's still the word on its actual ship date. The trio of videos also give AT&T employees a brief run down of Nokia City Lens, wireless charging and the handset's NFC features. If you simply can't wait until spring, Verizon and T-Mobile are serving up a pair of mid-range alternatives, the Lumia 820 and 822, respectively. Otherwise, head past the break to see the videos for yourself and test your patience. |
| Sony Alpha firmware updates bring record button disabling on NEX-7, DSLR lens improvements Posted: 17 Oct 2012 09:00 PM PDT
Sony's NEX-7 may be fast approaching its first birthday, but that doesn't mean the company's ready to give up on pushing out updates. The camera's first new firmware version, 1.01, should be hitting today, bringing with it the ability to disable the Movie Record button to avoid accidental taps (finally!), boosted image quality with a wide-angle lens, improved audio playback and expanded EV bracketing. An option to disable the EVF eye sensor doesn't appear to be included with this revision, unfortunately. Other updates hitting at the same time include E-mount lens firmware v.01 that'll enable NEX-5R/NEX-6 Hybrid AF functionality with older lenses, A65/A77 firmware v1.06 and A37/A57 firmware v1.03, both of which deliver the ability to enable/disable the movie record button while also adding a variety of lens compensation options for select Alpha optics. All of these updates should now be live -- head over to the source link below for the hook-up. |
| Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train Posted: 17 Oct 2012 08:20 PM PDT
It's no secret that Facebook saw FarmVille for iOS as writing on the wall: it had to either tap into mobile app revenue or risk losing income (and marketing-savvy developers) whenever someone left the web. Following a beta this summer, the company's solution to its dilemma is now open to everyone. All developers on the social network can build ads that link from Facebook's Android and iOS apps to either Google Play or the App Store -- offering both an easy plug for their native apps and that all-important ad revenue for Facebook. The system currently takes a shotgun approach and may pitch social networkers for apps they already have or don't want, but it should be refined in the next few months to where some curious purchasers won't even have to leave Facebook to load that hot new title. Hopefully the increased recognition for mobile developers is worth sullying our once pristine news feeds. |
| Former Nokia Money crew kicks off iKaaz mobile payments, lets shops go with or without NFC Posted: 17 Oct 2012 07:39 PM PDT
It's a big day for mobile payments. Multiple former Nokia Money veterans have formally launched iKaaz, a two-pronged strategy to phone commece where choice is the order of the day. The first components, M-POS and its accompanying Tap & Pay, are rough equivalents to familiar NFC-based services like Google Wallet that rely on an NFC tag and matching app for in-store sales. A Consumer Wallet for Enterprises occupies more familiar territory for the ex-Nokia crew: it provides a mobile account that doesn't require NFC or even an app, letting those in developing countries exchange funds through SMS or USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) if they're sporting basic handsets. Us end users will need to wait for actual implementations before we see iKaaz for ourselves, but the sheer flexibility could have us paying through our phones in some unexpected places. Ex-Nokia Money Team Launches iKaaz Tap & Pay Mobile Payments Platform for Enterprises BANGALORE, October 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- iKaaz, a Bangalore-based mobile payments solution provider, launched its new iKaaz mobile payment platform for enterprises (you can view the product launch event video at http://www.ikaaz.com). The iKaaz platform broadly caters to two major segments. The iKaaz Consumer Wallet for Enterprises allows enterprises including banks, operators and merchants to offer the convenience of mobile wallets to their customers for quick and easy payments. Soma Sundaram, Founder and CEO of iKaaz said, "The iKaaz solution can be delivered in the form of a mobile app across all types of mobile phones, as well as through SMS and USSD channels for lower-end phones that do not support apps. With the iKaaz app, account holders of a bank or prepaid can initiate money transfers and merchant transactions, customers can pay bills and subscribers of mobile / DTH service providers can recharge their accounts with just their mobile phones." The iKaaz M-POS solution allows merchants to replace expensive POS equipment with just a mobile phone that settles payments electronically. With the iKaaz Tap & Pay solution, that leverages NFC (near field communication) technology, merchants can receive payments from customers with just a tap of a phone at the checkout terminal. This revolutionary concept aims to change the way shoppers go about their daily shopping at their favourite retail outlet. No more fumbling for cash or swiping of the card. A simple tap of a phone will complete the payment. "On one hand, customers can transform their mobile phones into a mobile wallet using a smart iKaaz NFC tag and complete payments faster at merchant locations. On the other hand, merchants can benefit by significantly reducing the transaction processing fees typically paid for conventional settlements," said Soma Sundaram. |
| Aereo opens its streaming TV to Mac and Windows web browsers Posted: 17 Oct 2012 06:40 PM PDT
If you'd wanted to watch Aereo's unique antenna-to-internet TV streaming until today, you had to tune in from an iOS device or Roku box. That's not a lot of choice for placeshifting, is it? A fresh update to the company's streaming service has widened the choices considerably for New Yorkers to include all the major browsers on Macs and Windows PCs. As long as you're using a recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera or Safari, you can catch up on Ion or Telemundo while you're checking email. About the only restrictions left are the continued lack of Android support and occasional lawsuits from traditionalist broadcasters. |
| Intel roadmap reveals 10-core Xeon E5-2600 V2 Ivy Bridge CPU Posted: 17 Oct 2012 06:04 PM PDT
Intel may have recently spilled its Q3 guts for 2012, but we highly doubt that the chip maker planned on outing its forthcoming projects for next year. An alleged internal slide makes the claim that the silicon giant plans to introduce a 10-core Xeon E5-2600 V2 Ivy Bridge-EP CPU in the third quarter of 2013. Compatible with Socket R LGA 2011 motherboards, this brute will max out at 20 threads through HyperThreading. Packing 30MB of L3 cache, this unannounced Ivy Bridge supports up to 1866MHz of DDR3 system RAM. If these specifications have whet your appetite, the Xeon E5-2600 V2 is only the tip of the iceberg -- Chipzilla is said to also have a 12-core processor in the pipeline as well. |
| Apple to hold conference for iDevice accessory makers, school them in using Lightning connectors Posted: 17 Oct 2012 05:36 PM PDT
Apple may have shaken things up with its Lightning connector's unique internals, but a leaked schedule reveals it's holding a conference to help accessory makers get a handle for crafting products with the tech. Taking place between November 7th and 9th in Shenzhen, China, the MFi (Made for iPad / iPhone / iPod) Technology Summit will acquaint manufacturers with the new standard and guidelines for developing gear with the cable. Rather than divulging how to create Lightning connectors, it appears that Apple will be keeping the specifications close to its vest and assume the mantle of gatekeeper. According to one of TechCrunch's sources, Apple will control the supply of pins for its connector and will only sell them to partners when accessories meet Cupertino's standards. This tactic would match up nicely with the current requirements for the MFi certification program, which already makes parts from Apple-approved suppliers a necessity. It sounds like a potentially pricey proposition, but the source also claims that Cook and Co. have a fair asking price for components doled out in bulk, considering the technology behind them. Curious to see what else is on the docket for the three day shindig? Hit the first source link below for the full schedule. |
| Google opens the playground for an Android event October 29th Posted: 17 Oct 2012 05:25 PM PDT
Add one more social event to your October calendar, as Google has just pushed out invites to an Android event in New York on the October 29th where we expect to be introduced to the next generation of Nexus. The LG E960 Mako -- which we've taken to calling the Nexus G but has also been referred to as the Nexus 4 -- seems to be a sure bet to make an appearance after its many leaks, and a 32GB Nexus 7 variant rates as highly probable. There have also been long-running rumors that we will see Nexus hardware from more than one manufacturer, although lately whispers have focused on the possibility of a 5-inch phablet from HTC, and a 10-inch Nexus-branded tablet made by Samsung. Without the benefit of physical evidence we'd take those with a huge grain of salt, but we'll obviously be ready for anything. Of course, it's adding up to be a long day for us no matter what, since Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 launch event is scheduled for just a few hours later on the West Coast and our own reader meetup is in NYC later that night. We'll be on hand bringing you all the news no matter what time zone it occurs in, and Google even promises a live video stream on YouTube. |
| Google Calendar for Android becomes stand-alone app Posted: 17 Oct 2012 05:05 PM PDT
Google has historically broken out preloaded Android apps like Gmail and Maps as stand-alone titles so that they don't have to be upgraded in lock-step with the main OS, but its Calendar app typically hasn't had that privilege. The isolation ends with a newly distinct Google Calendar that's treated as just another Google Play download. You'll need at least Android 4.0 or 4.1, which leaves relatively few differences between the download and what's already on your device, but that's not the point -- the change really lets Google move users on to the Jelly Bean app and beyond, even if their device makers aren't ready. Owners currently running Jelly Bean will still get a few extras, such as better support for non-Nexus hardware and a wider time range for calendar syncing. Hit the source link if you're game for that kind of futureproofing. |
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