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Engadget News |
- Google withdraws recent ITC complaint in Motorola v. Apple case
- Deutsche Telekom mulling T-Mobile / MetroPCS marriage
- Editorial: Square gets the attention, but credit cards rule
- Apple's app search engine goes dark, Chomp joins Ping in obsolescence
- LinkedIn branches out with new blogging and 'following' features for select group
- ComScore: iPhone grew to 34 percent US share in a pre-iPhone 5 world, Android still on top at 52 percent
- Microbial music: Using sound to represent data from the deep blue sea
- Lenovo building PC production facility in North Carolina
- New York Times releases 'experimental' HTML5 iPad app, puts Twitter trends front and center
- Jolla resuscitates MeeGo with 'Sailfish' OS, plans to show off new device this November
- Rohm 5Wh hydrogen fuel cells power up smartphones, ready for the trash after one charge
- Smartphones for audiophiles: is the iPhone 5 more musical than its rivals?
- Nokia launches Belle Feature Pack 2 firmware OTA, Pureview 808 gets extra imaging goodies
- NTT DoCoMo translation app converts languages in real time (hands-on video)
- Google patents smart watch with flip-up display that could reveal everyday objects' secrets
- MoviePass launches iPhone app and card combo, takes unlimited viewing to all US theaters
- AT&T adds HTC One X+ and One VX to its future lineup, will arrive in the 'coming months'
- Visa lets iPhone-toting NatWest and RBS customers pay with NFC cases, join the future
- NTT DoCoMo's i beam tablet prototype is driven by your eyes (video)
- NTT DoCoMo hands-free videophone prototype replaces that off-center webcam stare with your digital doppelganger (video)
- Motorola's RAZR i arrives in the UK at Phones4U
- SMS Audio outs an on-ear option for its Street by 50 headphones, ships October 7th for $180
- Nest Learning Thermostat gets refreshed with a slimmer design, improved scheduling features
- Pioneer Carrozzeria AR heads-up display hands-on (video)
- Maingear welcomes AMD A-Series APUs to its F131 and X-Cube desktop PCs
- Vizio's 'extra-large' holiday HDTV lineup goes from 55- to 70-inches
- Acer's Aspire S7 Ultrabooks coming October 26th, starting at $1,200 for the 11-inch version
- NEC Medias Tab UL runs Android 4.0, weighs just over half a pound (hands-on)
- Visualized: 808 PureView display at Nokia's flagship store
- Fujitsu eye-tracking tech uses built-in motion sensor, infrared LED for hands-free computing (video)
- Tep Wireless expands mobile hotspot rental plan to 50 countries, revamps pricing
- Toyota's Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition (video)
- Mitsubishi unveils electric Minicab MiEV at CEATEC
- HTC: Jelly Bean rolling out to global One X and One S this month
- HTC One X+ official: 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3, 64GB, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+
- HTC shows off One X+ in the UK, we go hands-on (video)
- App.net edges closer to 20,000 users, drops subscription prices to $36 to fuel the social fire
- ICS and Jellybean now on a quarter of all Android devices, but over half still stuck on Gingerbread
- Rogers LTE hits 18 new regions, delivers speedy data in Saskatoon
- Yandex launches its own browser targeting Russian market
| Google withdraws recent ITC complaint in Motorola v. Apple case Posted: 02 Oct 2012 11:32 AM PDT Well, here's a bit of a surprise in the ongoing spate of Apple-focused patent disputes. Google's Motorola Mobility subsidiary has now formally withdrawn its most recent complaint against Apple with the ITC, which was just filed on August 17th and had been, until now, under investigation. Not surprisingly, details are light beyond that, with Google's filing only stating that it asked the ITC to "terminate all claims in this investigation without prejudice," and adding that "there are no agreements between Motorola and Apple, written or oral, express or implied, concerning the subject matter of this investigation." The complaint itself had claimed that Apple infringed on seven patents held by Motorola, and Google was seeking a US import ban on a range of Apple products as a result. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deutsche Telekom mulling T-Mobile / MetroPCS marriage Posted: 02 Oct 2012 11:24 AM PDT Well, turns out that rumors of a MetroPCS and T-Mobile merger weren't completely off base. While we wouldn't expect Deutsche Telekom to announce the sale of its US property any time soon, the German giant has confirmed that its holding talks with America's sixth largest mobile operator to combine the two networks. The prospective deal would involve combining the two into a single entity, with Deutsche Telekom as the majority shareholder. Of course there are significant obstacles in the way, including divergent network technologies and distinctly different marketing strategies. This is, of course, just the latest scene in the ongoing piece of corporate theater that almost saw the struggling magenta carrier absorbed by AT&T. We'll of course be following closely to see if such a move would sit a little better with government regulators. The complete statement from Deutsche Telekom confirming the talks is after the break. MetroPCS Issues Statement About MetroPCS Communications, Inc. PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1oXVb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Editorial: Square gets the attention, but credit cards rule Posted: 02 Oct 2012 11:00 AM PDT Lower Manhattan, Pearl Street, the Financial District. A Starbucks with broad windows, great for people watching. Sipping my $5 flavored coffee, I watched a homeless man sit on the sidewalk. I liked him immediately: his sharp gaze and thoughtful expression. When I left, I squatted down next to him and put five bucks in his jar, contributing the cost of my first-world coffee to the man's case for survival. We talked. He knew his tech, this man of no possessions, describing his favorite productivity gadgets of the past decade, scorning Apple for form over function. He had been living on the street day and night for two years. My five dollars was "huge," he said. I knew that was true only microcosmically. He liked cigars. That's where the cash would go. Meanwhile, Starbucks had recently cut a deal with Square, one of the hottest startup stories of the season, so that people with five dollars to spend on coffee needn't pull out a wallet and ponder their privilege. The deal It's interesting to note that while media coverage of the Starbucks / Square deal heralded the end of cash, Starbucks was already a cashless experience for many customers. Company CEO Howard Schultz refers to Starbucks as "the largest retail mobile payment platform in the US." In fact, 25 percent of all transactions are made via the Starbucks Card, either by swiping plastic or using the card-enabled iOS and Android apps. Starbucks would prefer to avoid touching your grimy dollar bills. (And perhaps a cashless society would be a healthier one for the reduced germ circulation.) But the main reason for any business to encourage adoption of a wholly digital, and ideally wholly owned payment system, is the reduction of cost on the back end. However the advantage of Square is debatable in this regard, since Square takes 2.75 percent of the transaction, in line with the revenue share enjoyed by credit cards. As a transaction enabler, Square helps merchants with the setup stage of accepting credit cards. But it is really card fees, cutting into slim margins, which prevent about 55 percent of small businesses from accepting plastic. Transaction fees imposed at the cash register serve as the fulcrum in an immense and long-running battle between merchants and banks. Settlement of a recent lawsuit pitting small businesses against Visa and MasterCard allows merchants to charge an inflated price for credit card payments, passing the fee to customers. That settlement is merely a bugle call to further battles soon waged over the question of whether banks exercise monopoly power at the (increasingly misnamed) cash register. The real value of Square, as a mediating enabler of cashless purchases, kicks in for a non-traditional small business such as an artist who sells paintings at regional art shows. That person might capture formerly lost purchases via Square that make the underlying fee a trivial, high-ROI cost. One reason Starbucks is an operational leader in payment technology is that in many transactions Starbucks owns the credit card (the Starbucks purchase card). In that context, the deal with Square is an odd step backward for Starbucks. Square is also an unfavorable payment choice for existing Starbucks Card holders, who receive card membership benefits they wouldn't get by using Square at the register. It might therefore appear that the Starbucks / Square deal is weighted toward Square, but there is an equity piece to it. Starbucks invests $25 million in Square and Schultz also joins Square's board of directors. Those factors help balance the weight. Square is positioned as a B2B provider, and the consumer proposition is weak. It is based mostly on cool. It streamlines a payment process that is already nearly frictionless -- using a credit card. It makes us feel like we've leaped into the future, living in a science fiction movie, when in fact nothing much has changed. Talk about form over function. But the Square platform has received massive affirmation from a global retail chain. Now ensues a race for critical mass. Platforms beg for adoption: the bigger the platform adoption among businesses, the more useful it is to customers. And the more a platform is used by customers, the more demand there is for platform extension among businesses. Square is dearly hoping for the day when small business customers complain if they can't pay with Square's smug hand-in-pocket method, as they complain now to merchants who don't accept credit cards. The state of cashlessness My household is mostly cashless. My wife and I use a credit card for all normal purchases, mainly because it makes household accounting and budgeting easier. She doesn't carry cash at all. I do, but as I sit here thinking about it, I can't remember why. We write checks so rarely that it is a crisis when we must -- the checkbook is buried under some long-forgotten pile. Our lifestyle is fairly common: 43 percent of Americans live cashlessly for at least a week at a time. The credit card system is the primary vehicle for digital personal finance. Short of a national program for attaining complete digitization of money, as Sweden has, there are two main obstacles to universal adoption of virtual money. First, as noted, it is expensive. Credit card companies mediate cashless transactions, and intermediaries add friction in the form of service expenses -- those fees that small businesses despise. I can get into the New York City subway system without dollar bills (buying a smart MetroCard from a dispensing machine that taps into my credit card), but I can't buy a candy bar from a newsstand on the platform with anything but cash. Oh right; that is why I carry cash. I love my Snickers. If business reliance on cash is the practical roadblock to complete digitization, the conceptual hurdle is privacy. That MetroCard I use in the subway keeps track of where I enter and exit, enabling free transfers between some unconnected stations. That scenario might not threaten many people, but truly effective offline tracking that records real-world movements from purchase to purchase, the way web cookies chart our link paths from site to site, would be creepier and more seriously intrusive. As always with privacy battles, government and law enforcement agencies would argue for the broad social advantages of exposing crime, while individuals and privacy groups would counter with the right to spend money anonymously. Whatever the disadvantages of cash, it is anonymous. Cash is hacker currency. True value There is no question that for people above a certain economic stratum, virtual money is convenient. Convenience is the leading consumer value. There is a business advantage, too, if you put aside the fees. For merchants currently off the cashless grid, getting into the system can act as a stimulus; some estimates put total lost revenue to small businesses which don't accept credit cards at $100 billion. And on the consumer side, what of the millions of people off the credit grid? The irony of cashless money, as my homeless companion would attest, is that its quickest adopters are people with the most cash. If there is one characteristic of digital money that idealists might hope for, it is that it would lift everyone's boat. I wonder how much revenue stimulus a homeless fellow would receive in a world where an inconspicuous smartphone gesture could deposit a dollar in his digital bucket. That's the kind of sci-fi future I want to live in. Brad Hill is the former VP, Audience Development at AOL, and the former Director and General Manager of Weblogs, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple's app search engine goes dark, Chomp joins Ping in obsolescence Posted: 02 Oct 2012 10:39 AM PDT Ping wasn't the only Apple service to go offline at the tail end of September. Chomp, an app search engine purchased by Cook and Co. earlier this year, also closed up shop. In the spring, the service discontinued support for Android apps, and now its entire website and iOS application have been shuttered. Folks who still have the app installed are greeted with the bad news upon launching it: "Chomp has been discontinued as of September 30. Thanks for being a loyal user." If you're mourning the loss, we hear Yahoo would be delighted to make your acquaintance. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LinkedIn branches out with new blogging and 'following' features for select group Posted: 02 Oct 2012 10:18 AM PDT LinkedIn has always been based on the notion of "connections" rather than "followers," but the social network has made a bit of a break with that tradition today. For the first time, it will let users follow people they aren't connected to, although their choice of people is initially limited to a group of 150 individuals that LinkedIn deems to be "though leaders." What's more, the company is also giving them access to some more advanced blogging tools that will let them publish longer posts with pictures and videos. Of course, while it's fairly limited in scope now, LinkedIn is clear that this is only their first step in this direction. It says it will continue to expand its group of "influencers" over the next few months (it's taking suggestions), and LinkedIn's Dan Roth told TechCrunch that "eventually we want to allow all people to follow each others." In the meantime, you can get the full rundown of what's in store at the links below. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Posted: 02 Oct 2012 09:59 AM PDT Apple is all too used to the rumor cycle affecting its sales: the company just saw a dip in sequential iPhone shipments this spring as customers waited for what would ultimately become the iPhone 5. If you believe ComScore's US smartphone market share estimates, though, Apple wasn't the worse for wear this August. While the iPhone was in the doldrums this spring, it jumped almost a whole point versus an already positive July to hit 34.3 percent; we're wondering if last-minute discounts played a part in keeping iPhone 4S sales healthy. Google didn't have much to fear and saw Android climb to 52.6 percent, even if its ascent wasn't as rapid as that of its Bay Area neighbor. RIM took the brunt of the losses and dipped to just 8.3 percent of the market in what's increasingly a two-horse race, although Microsoft's Windows Phone held its ground at 3.6 percent. The wider US cellphone market tells a familiar story, with Samsung on top. There's signs that the narrative is very close to changing, however: LG and Apple are now close enough, at one point's difference, that Apple could seize second place by the time we see ComScore's figures for September. Before interpreting Apple's performance as some sign of a wider reversal of fortune, just remember that most of its challenges are on the world stage. There's no guarantee that the Android-focused markets beyond American borders have been as receptive to iPhone price drops and updates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microbial music: Using sound to represent data from the deep blue sea Posted: 02 Oct 2012 09:38 AM PDT Science and music, many would say opposite sides of the same coin. Unless you're DOE biologist Peter Larsen at the Argonne National Laboratory, who would probably argue your legal tender has been double-headed all along. While Larsen is more likely to be studying the intricacies of microbes than Miles Davis, his latest work puts the two of them closer than ever before. Faced with the task of studying vast amounts of microbial data gathered from the English Channel, the biologist explored alternative ways of making sense of it all. While he could have made a spiffy set of charts, Larsen claims that there are certain parameters, like sunlight and temperature, that give the data a structure that lends itself to musical representation. While classical music might seem the typical choice, due to the irregular nature of the data, the result is more free-form jazz, yet still surprisingly musical. If you were wondering if there is something particularly groovy about the microbes in the English Channel, there isn't. Larsen and his colleagues used a similar idea in previous work looking at the relationship between a plant and a fungus. This isn't the first time data has been "sonified," but these processes that might initially seem to have no relation to music, rhythm and melody, actually highlight the patterns in natural phenomena. Want to get down to the microbial beat? You can hear a sample at the more coverage link. [Image Credit: Argonne National Laboratory] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo building PC production facility in North Carolina Posted: 02 Oct 2012 09:15 AM PDT North Carolina is fast becoming a haven for tech behemoths, with Chinese giant Lenovo becoming the latest to plant its flag in the Southeastern soil. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company is readying a PC production facility near its US headquarters which will kick off operations next year. Aside from securing bragging rights over competitors which no longer manufacture in the US , the factory is intended to satisfy stateside customers who "demand for flexible supplies and product customization." While it's initially a small operation -- employing slightly over 100 people -- the aim is to expand in the future, meaning that elusive "Made in America" sticker may become a little more commonplace. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York Times releases 'experimental' HTML5 iPad app, puts Twitter trends front and center Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:56 AM PDT The New York Times isn't beyond a little "experimentation" -- not when it comes to iPad apps, at least. The old gray lady today is showing off its "experimental" iPad web app, an HTML5-powered reading experience available to digital subscribers with its Web + Tablet and All Digital Access packages. The app's got four ways to consume all the news that's fit to digitize, including the Trending format, which offers up the past hour's top 25 trending stories on Twitter and the more traditional Today's Paper, which recalls those days when people used to get their news from dead trees. More info can be found in the press release after the break, and if you're on an iPad, you can access the site via the source link below.
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| Jolla resuscitates MeeGo with 'Sailfish' OS, plans to show off new device this November Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:37 AM PDT If competition breeds innovation, then there's plenty promise in this latest mobile development from Jolla. The Finnish company, comprised of former Nokia employees, is poised to enter yet another combatant to the wireless arena with a MeeGo-based OS, codenamed "Sailfish," as early as this November. According to The Wall Street Journal, an initial round of funding has raised €200 million to push the effort forward and the small start-up is investing €10 million of its own to bolster the platform's prospects. Having been recently abandoned by Elop and co. after the arrival of the N9, this iteration of the operating system will continue to be open source and should pave the way for OEM adoption, although certain aspects of the UI will be licensed. According to CEO Jussi Hurmola, the new hardware's expected to hit next month -- just in time for a glut of other smartphone bows. Until then, we'll reserve our judgment and hope for the best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rohm 5Wh hydrogen fuel cells power up smartphones, ready for the trash after one charge Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:22 AM PDT Rohm's hydrogen fuel cells are meant to power smartphones and other mobile devices, but unlike other juicing-up solutions, the cells are only good for one charge. Rohm says disposable fuel cells can be made smaller and lighter than their multi-use counterparts, and as the only byproduct is hydrogen, the company is touting the cells' eco-friendliness. The system generates electricity by using hydrogen that's created by the reaction of a metal material and water. While the device we saw here at CEATEC is a prototype, Rohm may offer its recharging system as both a smartphone case and a USB-attachable juicepack. Each offers 5Wh and can fully charge a handset once. There's also a 200W power generator, which certainly stretches the meaning of portable but can keep a laptop, LCD TV and a peripheral or two going for three to four hours. Rohm says its fuel cells will see a commercial release some time in 2013; for now you can get a sneak peek in our hands-on gallery below. Zach Honig contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Smartphones for audiophiles: is the iPhone 5 more musical than its rivals? Posted: 02 Oct 2012 08:00 AM PDT The love of audio. It's a dangerous condition, because every minute spent obsessing over headphones or specs or conflicting opinions is a minute not spent enjoying your favorite tracks or discovering new ones. That's why a review like this, which compares the iPhone 5 with rival phones based largely on acoustic qualities, runs a high risk of time-wastage -- no one really needs a cacophony of flowery words with no concrete conclusions. How to steer clear of the technological equivalent of a wine-tasting? By trying our damnedest to focus only on the more practical pros and cons of these top handsets, specifically from the POV of someone who listens to a lot of music on their phone. We're talking about someone who likely prefers high-bitrate recordings and who is ready to spend money on something better than the earbuds (or EarPods) that come in the box. In addition to testing Apple's new flagship we'll also look at the iPhone 4S, which is now a ton cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, as well as the Galaxy S III (both the global and the Sprint US version) plus the HTC One X (global and AT&T), and run them all through an audiophile obstacle course that goes right from purely subjective observations through to slightly more scientific tests as well as storage, OS and battery comparisons. There'll also be some consideration of the iPhone 4, Nokia Lumia 800 and PureView 808, although it'll be more condensed. And yes, we'll end up with an overall winner, but the research here is about more than that. Different phones may suit different people, depending on their priorities. Moreover, new handsets are just around the corner -- the Lumia 920, the Note II, the LG Optimus G and whatever other goodies the future undoubtedly holds -- and so it makes sense to have a bed of knowledge against which new entrants can be judged. Interested? Then let's get started. The tests You'll find a total of four tests here, each with a different approach and each with its own winners and losers: 1. First impressions. These are totally subjective and simply involve me listening to a range of tracks on each device, using a pair of in-ear headphones, and then jotting down some notes. The point was to force me to pin my colors to a mast: if I made random judgments during this phase, then I stood to be contradicted and / or humiliated by subsequent tests, which would then put this whole review in its place (a place called Meaninglessville). 2. Scientific tests, conducted by AMS Acoustics in London, UK. These guys test audio equipment for a living, in everything from concert halls to train stations, and we're grateful for their time and expertise. 3. Guided listening tests, which were still subjective but at least had some discipline to them, and which were again conducted under the auspices of AMS Acoustics. These tests also brought in the opinions of a totally independent witness: Chris Nicolaides, an AMS audio engineer, who is normal enough to regard both the iPhone 5 and the GS III as "just more phones." 4. A brief round-up comparison of battery life, storage, pricing and software from an audiophile perspective. (Note: the iPhone 5 in this review was running on the Vodafone UK network. It's possible that slightly different audio hardware is used in other variants.) First impressions As mentioned, the idea here was to make some rapid and purely subjective judgments about the way these smartphones sound. I did that using a pair of top-end Sennheiser IE-80 in-ears, which are characterized by low impedance (16 ohms) and high sensitivity -- in other words, it's easy to make them go loud even if you have a low-power audio source like a smartphone. Given that these Senns are so easy to drive, it shouldn't come as a big surprise that all the smartphones tested came off pretty well. In fact, it's not going too far to say that if you use in-ears with similar properties to these, and if you're only ever likely to use these types of headphones, then you may as well pick your handset based on other factors, because audio quality isn't a big enough deal to accept or reject any of them.
That said, three phones did stand out just a little: the iPhone 4, 4S and global HTC One X. The two older iPhones caught my attention on quiet classical tracks because I noticed that they could both go really loud without adding much extra hiss (i.e., hiss that wasn't clearly on the original music recording.) The HTC One X stood out in more rhythmic types of music like hip-hop and dance because it had great stereo imaging -- you could really hear different degrees of left and right -- and somehow it also accentuated little details that weren't always apparent on the other handsets. The only downside of the One X was that it added quite a lot of hiss. What about the iPhone 5? Well, it was fine on the whole, but I did notice something holding it back: you had to push the volume a good few notches higher just to get the same output level as the 4 or 4S. Doing this caused the iPhone 5's on-screen volume display to turn a stress-inducing red color, which is arguably not what you need when you're trying to chill out to some chill-out. More importantly, the volume hit its max limit sooner, making the 5 a quieter phone all-round. Honestly, this is no big deal with lightweight in-ears, but many audiophiles prefer cans with open-backs or higher impedances, which respond best to an abundance of energy from the source device. To explore this, I switched to using Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro over-ears with a high impedance of 250 ohms and found that the difference was obvious: the iPhone 4 and 4S were the only devices to provide sufficient volume in quiet recordings using these headphones. Admittedly the Beyerdynamics may be a niche choice for mobile listening, but still -- the 4 and 4S deserve points for being so flexible. Just to add another perspective, our Mobile Editor Myriam Joire also checked out the devices using DT 990 Pros and found that -- at least with her preferred types of music, such as house and drum & bass -- the global HTC One X really won her over, although it didn't go as loud as her iPhone 4S or indeed as loud as she would have liked. Myriam was attracted to it for much the same reasons as I was, scoring it high for stereo imaging and a slightly noisy "analog feel." Our findings so far: The iPhone 4/4S and global HTC One X both win this round. The iPhones win because they go loud enough to allow virtually any choice of audiophile headgear and any genre of music, while the HTC One X wins for subjectively sounding better in louder genres, with better stereo imaging and detail albeit at the expense of more noise. Objective tests To make things slightly more scientific and reliable, AMS Acoustics took two key measurements for each phone: frequency response (FR) and total harmonic distortion (THD). FR tests the device's ability to treat all bass and treble frequencies equally, which in turn allows you to hear what was recorded in the studio or to make your own EQ adjustments from a neutral starting point. Meanwhile, THD measures the degree to which the phones introduce harmonic tones that are not present in the original media -- for example as a result of clipping or other types of distortion. Despite being objective, FR and THD should be regarded as very blunt tests. They measure neutrality, which isn't necessarily what the human ear would perceive as being pleasant or unpleasant. There are also impurities these metrics can't catch -- such as noise and intermodulation distortion -- and even when they do highlight a difference, they won't tell us what caused it. A lack of neutrality could just as easily be a product of the software as of the phone's audio circuitry, and it could potentially be fixed by using a different app or different EQ settings -- we only tested stock music apps with default settings (including with the Beats setting turned off on the HTC phones). The strength of these tests, however, is that they're reliable enough for AMS to be able to vouch for them. What's more, they're able measure things which are perceivable and which we know are important -- namely, the ability of a phone to reach a high level of volume without distorting the output, such that it may be suitable for a wider range of headphones. We deliberately ran each phone at its maximum volume setting in order to find this out, and as a result our FR chart is also useful for ranking the phones in terms of loudness. Frequency Response Let's start with the FR chart above, and in particular with the topmost line. It's the odd one out because it doesn't correspond to a smartphone, but rather to the FIIO E17 DAC and headphone amp. We used this as a benchmark for comparison because it's a $130 device that's totally dedicated to producing audio. In other words, it represents what a manufacturer can do with a smartphone-sized block of electronics when they don't also have to worry about it receiving calls or playing tower defense games. We can see right away that the FIIO goes much louder than any of the smartphones under test, and that's before you even extend its default volume range using its settings menu (something our little test rig begged us not to try). It's also reasonably flat -- not the flattest, certainly at the treble end where it rolls off too quickly -- but flat enough.
In fact, all the smartphones tested here are good and flat, with the only obvious exception being the Lumia 800 with its apparent bass boost. Aside from that, the major difference this chart reveals is how loud each phone can go while remaining flat, and that prize undoubtedly goes to the iPhone 4 and 4S, which both contain Cirrus Logic audio chips and which seemed to behave almost identically here. The quietest phone was the GS III, but it deserves some marks for being so flat all the way from bass to treble -- that Wolfson audio chip clearly is no slouch. The iPhone 5, meanwhile, fails to distinguish itself by tracing a path somewhere in the middle, amongst the Qualcomm-powered American GS III and One X. Total Harmonic Distortion Now, this next graph works totally differently. It shows the amount of the audio signal that was due to harmonic distortion, so a higher curve is theoretically "bad" or at least non-neutral -- we want a line that is a low as possible throughout as much range as possible. Interestingly, the FIIO is far from perfect here -- it's higher than any of the smartphones on trial, although we have to go a little easy on it because we know that its test signal was so much louder, and remaining loud and neutral is what devices find most difficult. All the smartphones are tightly bunched together, without large differences between them, but once again the iPhone 4 and 4S come off extremely well. The 4S wins hands-down on this chart, while the 4 is ahead of the bunch everywhere except at the bass frequencies. Again, the iPhone 5 is somewhere in the middle, alongside the Qualcomm-powered phones.
Before we conclude this section there's one other thing that the THD graph shows: the global HTC One X has slightly higher distortion than the other phones. It could be coincidence, but it's interesting that the two stand-out devices from the first test also sit at the extremes on this one. The global One X is thought to contain a bespoke audio -- likely from Texas Instruments -- and it's just possible that its higher harmonic distortion is correlated in some way with the noisy, analog vibes that made it notable before. Indeed, THD isn't necessarily a bad thing -- it's one of many types of distortion that can be deliberately used in a recording studio to add color to certain types of music. Findings: These tests can hardly be considered the final word on audio quality, but they do make the iPhone 4S (and 4) stand out for being the phone which goes the loudest with the least distortion. Guided listening (and a wildcard) So, you've made it this far? Then hopefully we can start bringing this whole thing toward a conclusion, and to do that we're going to try a new kind of test: guided listening, in which myself and Chris Nicolaides from AMS sat down with each phone and tried to score it out of 10 against different criteria. This time we opted for headphones with middle-of-the-road impedance and sensitivity, in the form of Sennheiser HD 595 over-ears rated at 50 ohms. We listened to the phones at full volume and tried to detect differences in loudness, hiss, distortion (such as clipping), dynamic range (the ability to make loud and soft stand out from each other) and overall "quality." For a loud track with little dynamic range we chose something from Roni Size, while Ellie Goulding represented a busy and complex electronic sound and Chopin represented classical. Two people, five metrics, three test tracks and 10 points give a maximum score of 300.
Where we couldn't hear any differences between phones on a particular test, we simply gave all the phones a default score of 10/10 on that measure. This seemed fair at the time, but on reflection our approach seems to have exaggerated the differences between phones. Even if we only heard a minor disadvantage on a particular handset, just the fact that we didn't award a full 10/10 score seems to make less-than-perfect phones stand out too much. So, just bear that in mind while you glance at the table -- after all, none of the phones scored below 70 percent, so none of them were bad as such:
Findings: So, the iPhone 4S wins yet again, providing almost the same experience as a dedicated $130 headphone amp -- which is pretty incredible when you think about it. Of all the devices tried, and on our 50-ohm headphones, only the iPhone 4s and the FIIO were too loud to be comfortable, and we'd have happily pushed all the phones up higher if they'd been able. Our subjective rankings for loudness don't tally exactly with the FR chart above, suggesting that smaller differences in maximum volume are hard to detect aren't a big deal. Indeed, the iPhone 5 overcame its objective lack of volume to reach second place -- showing that it still went loud enough in our test tracks to have emotional impact. Interestingly, the global HTC One X stood out for the third test in a row -- scoring higher than the other Androids thanks to a high score for dynamic range (the feeling of impact between soft and loud) and as well as its subjective overall "quality" rating.
Oh, and what about that wildcard? It was simply this: we also tested a rooted global Galaxy S III, running a nice little app called Voodoo Sound. The app was built by a good friend of Engadget, François Simond, and it has helped many people to overcome the quietness of Samsung smartphones. Once it has superuser privileges on the phone, Voodoo Sound is able to control the digital volume and analog amplifier separately, while also removing the limit Samsung imposes on the amp. The GS III version of the app isn't out yet, and we only tested a very early build which had a few bugs so we didn't want to score it -- but suffice to say that it scored significantly higher than the stock GS III and it does solve the only real problem with this device's audio. Non-audio comparisons -- OS, cost, storage and battery life Comparing mobile operating systems can get academic, seeing as by now so many people are entrenched in their preferred ecosystem. That said, during our tests the Android devices did stand out in a number of ways. First, they didn't try to force us to use particular pieces of software (hello, iTunes and Zune), and they had the decency to treat our test tracks as regular files that we could move around as we wished, particularly through USB mass storage mode. Second, the Androids handled Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) files out of the box, and allowed the playback of Apple Lossless files (ALAC) through third-party apps like PowerAmp, whereas iOS devices didn't make it easy to play FLAC and the Windows Phone didn't readily like either codec. Given that even the latest Android devices are readily rootable and flashable, allowing the use of custom ROMs and software utilities with an even deeper layer of control, Google's OS feels the most welcoming to audiophiles.
Most of the Android handsets in this test also came off very well in terms of cost and storage. If we agree that an audiophile needs at least 32GB, then the GS III (all variants) and global HTC One X offer that for a decent price in their respective markets. The GS III wins outright for having expandable microSD storage, meaning you can add 16GB to a base model for just $10, and it also has On The Go compatibility with USB sticks -- a feature which kills the battery, but can occasionally come in handy. Apple generally charges an obscene amount ($100) to add 16GB to an iPhone, but fortunately the iPhone 4S isn't so extortionate these days and is actually quite a sensible purchase. The AT&T One X and Lumia lose out due to their 16GB storage cap -- which is a real shame. Conversely, the PureView 808 deserves a mention here for the fact that it also has a microSD slot and OTG USB storage. Finally, let's take a quick look at battery life, based on our regular battery run-down tests, which are probably a better indicator of actual usage then just running the phone with music playing and the screen off:
Wrap-up We're now able to round this musical journey off with a cadence that -- we hope -- does justice to all the handsets we've tried. The main conclusion is quite straightforward: tests one, two and three all deliberately gave preferential treatment to the loudest phones with the least distortion, which resulted in a unanimous victory for the iPhone 4S. By extension, some of that glory also belongs to the iPhone 4, which as far as we can tell possesses virtually identical audio circuitry. The iPhone 5, meanwhile, joins the ranks of smartphones which generally sound great but which aren't especially well-suited to those audiophiles who want to stick with high-impedance headphones. In terms of pure audio quality, it was above average in the subjective tests and probably deserves to tie in second place with the global HTC One X, which has its own peculiar but attractive sound. We need to ask Apple why it has now joined in with other manufacturers in limiting the volume on its newest handset. It's possible that there are very good reasons, such as avoiding the risk of hearing damage. Or perhaps restricting the headphone amp is seen as a way of maximizing battery life. Either way, it's curious that some manufacturers seem to be moving in the exact opposite direction: for example, we're told the voltage has been bumped up on the headphone jack of the forthcoming HTC Windows Phone 8x specifically in order to cater for hefty headphones, which leaves us very keen to give that phone a listen. As for the majority of smartphone users who prefer low-impedance or closed-back headphones that are designed for mobile devices, and that are better suited to an office environment or public transport, then the first three tests aren't especially relevant. The only test that really matters is the fourth one, which broadened the scope of comparison. If you demand a flexible OS, then Android shines in that area. If you need a sensible price for at least 32GB, then a Galaxy S III and iPhone 4S stand out as the smartest options in the US, alongside the global HTC One X and PureView 808 in other lands (or on import). If battery life is all-important, pick the iPhone 5, Galaxy S III or AT&T HTC One X. But if you want a phone that really shines on all of those criteria, then we'd have to recommend the Samsung Galaxy S III. Although it didn't win us over to the same degree as the global One X in terms of subjective audio quality, it excels in every other respect: it's a great smartphone with the advantage of LTE in the States (missing on the iPhone 4S, for example), it can be heavily tweaked with apps and third-party mods, and it's every inch an audiophile device. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nokia launches Belle Feature Pack 2 firmware OTA, Pureview 808 gets extra imaging goodies Posted: 02 Oct 2012 07:47 AM PDT Like the proverbial groundhog, Nokia's Feature Pack 2 for Symbian Belle peeked out a bit too early last month and had to withdraw back into its burrow. Now the new firmware upgrade for the Nokia 701, 700, 602 and Pureview 808 is out for realsies, with the latter star of the lineup getting the lion's share of new trinkets. Specifically, the big-sensored phone will now have a Gallery Grid view option, which will enable faster and easier zooming, editing and sharing of images; more picture info like ISO value, white balance and location; and a reset button to get back to the default image setting in one touch. All the above Symbian Belle phones will get an updated browser with better HTML5 support, a (much) faster keyboard, the Video Pro editing application and Car Mode -- which gives "easy access to your phone's key features when you're driving," according to Nokia. If that makes you feel better about your legacy Nokia OS investment after all the company's Windows Phone 8 hoopla, check the source to see how to get it. [Thanks, Fakhre] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NTT DoCoMo translation app converts languages in real time (hands-on video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 07:29 AM PDT Last year at CEATEC, we saw NTT DoCoMo demo its translation app, which made life easier by translating a Japanese menu into English text. This time around the carrier is showing off the new Hanashite Hon'yaku service for Android devices, which can translate spoken Japanese to English and vice versa (it supports a total of 10 languages, including French, German and Korean). In addition to providing an on-screen translation, the system reads out your speaking partner's words in your language.To use the service, you need an Android-enabled (2.2 and higher) device running on either the carrier's spumode or moperaU plan. Provided you fit those requirements, you'll simply have to dial the other party, speak into the phone and wait for it to play back your words in a foreign tongue. Of course, you can also use the service in person, which is exactly what we did at DoCoMo's booth. When we gave it a test run with some simple questions ("Where are you from?", "What time is it?"), the app had no trouble spitting back those phrases in Japanese so the DoCoMo rep could respond. When he answered in Japanese, the translation to English was equally seamless, taking just a second or two to communicate that he is from Japan. Though the app is free, you'll have to pay call and data charges (using the service for face-to-face conversation only entails a data fee). The cross-cultural barriers will break down starting November 1st, but you can get a glimpse of the service in action just after the break.
Zach Honig contributed to this report. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google patents smart watch with flip-up display that could reveal everyday objects' secrets Posted: 02 Oct 2012 07:16 AM PDT It looks like Google has considered transferring ideas from Project Glass over to your wrist by patenting a smart watch with a transparent, flip-up touchscreen. If such a device ever came off the USPTO papers, it would present notifications and other info transmitted from your smartphone at a glance, like many, many others now on the market. However, Mountain View's added a new twist when you'd flip up its bezel -- at that point, it's claimed that the watch could channel a plethora of other Google apps, like Gmail, Goggles, and Maps. Of course, you'd be able to privately view messages inside the bezel, but since the display would also be transparent, you could see through it to landmarks or object around you. According to the patent, you could then be given directions based on GPS coordinates and the buildings "seen" by the watch, while a Goggles-like implementation would be able to identify smaller items in the display. That would let the search giant throw ads or other data about the product your way, giving you the info you need to snap it up -- and likely not hurting Google's bottom line. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MoviePass launches iPhone app and card combo, takes unlimited viewing to all US theaters Posted: 02 Oct 2012 07:00 AM PDT While MoviePass was in early beta, it got more than a small amount of pushback from theaters that didn't like someone changing the price formula without their explicit say-so. The company just found an end-run around that conspicuous obstacle. It's releasing both an iPhone app and a reloadable card that, when combined, let MoviePass' effectively unlimited subscription model work at just about any US theater. The app unlocks the card for a specific showing; after that, it's only a matter of swiping the plastic at a payment kiosk like any old credit card. It's not as sophisticated as NFC or Pay With Square, to be sure, but it should keep the rude surprises to a minimum. Both the iOS app and the card require an invitation to the $30 monthly service if you're eager to get watching movies today. If either is too limiting, there's promises of both an Android app and wider availability in the future. New Technology from MoviePass Leads Way for Unlimited Theater Subscription Service Company Unveils Proprietary Location-Based Payment Technology and iPhone App, Aimed to Push Innovation Forward for Theater Industry NEW YORK - OCT. 2, 2012 - MoviePass, the nation's premier movie theater subscription service, announced the launch of its new proprietary payment card technology that aims to boost theater attendance nationwide. MoviePass provides film enthusiasts the ability to attend unlimited* movies for a monthly fee. The invite-only launch will be rolled out to current members as well as the nearly 75,000 individuals on MoviePass' waitlist. Current members are able to invite up to 10 friends to join the service, as part of the invite-only launch. Prospective members can also join the waiting list at MoviePass.com. "MoviePass gives moviegoers the opportunity to see the movies they want, at the theaters they want – perfect for film enthusiasts who are at the heart of Hollywood's economic engine," said Stacy Spikes, CEO and cofounder of MoviePass. "Moviegoers now have more at-home entertainment options than ever before, and MoviePass is dedicated to driving traffic back to theaters and reducing the friction of moviegoing." MoviePass is introducing an innovative geo-location based technology that acts like a debit card. The card is activated with the MoviePass iPhone App, which released today; Android to follow. This technology allows members to securely use their subscription to go to any theater of their choice that accepts major credit cards. How It Works: CHECK-IN AT THEATER: Members use their MoviePass app to check-in at a theater of their choice and select a movie and showtime, which unlocks their MoviePass reloadable debit card. PURCHASE TICKET: The member then retrieves their ticket for their desired movie by visiting the theater kiosk and using their MoviePass card, exactly how they would use their own credit card at the kiosk. "MoviePass recently completed nine-months of closed beta trials and saw members increase their movie theater attendance by as much as 64 percent and their concession sales by 123 percent," said Hamet Watt, cofounder of MoviePass. "This should come as very exciting news to our industry as we look for new ways to engage with moviegoers." Annual membership pricing varies based on location, with an average price of $29.99 a month. Smartphones are required for the new service. MoviePass is currently invitation only with general availability of the service to be announced in the near future. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AT&T adds HTC One X+ and One VX to its future lineup, will arrive in the 'coming months' Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:50 AM PDT HTC decided to reveal the oft-rumored One X+ earlier this morning, and it didn't take long for AT&T to announce its intent to carry the device in the "coming months." Fans acquainted with the original AT&T One X won't find much different on the outside -- we're still looking at a 4.7-inch Super LCD2 720p display, 8MP BSI f/2.0 rear camera with ImageSense and gorgeous polycarbonate build. Indeed, it's what's inside the LTE-capable phone that counts: a 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3 chipset, an impressive 64GB internal memory (nice, given the device still lacks microSD support), Jelly Bean with Sense 4+ and a nicely improved 2,100mAh battery. That's not all, folks: AT&T's also introducing another HTC handset for its mid-range lineup known as the One VX (pictured above on the right). The device, which utilizes a 4.5-inch qHD Super LCD2 display, is packing Android 4.0 (upgradeable to Jelly Bean after launch), a 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 MSM 8930 with 1GB RAM, LTE, a 5MP BSI f/2.0 ImageSense camera capable of shooting 1080p video, a VGA front-facing cam, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio and 8GB internal storage. How about dimensions? It measures in at 9.19mm (0.36 inch) thick and weighs 4.4 ounces (124.7g), so it's slightly thicker and lighter than the One X+. We're quite curious to hear details on pricing and availability, but we haven't heard anything aside from the coming months (we'd like to believe, however, that AT&T wouldn't wait until after the holidays to push this out). Hopefully we'll get to play with the new device soon, but feel free to check out our galleries of picture-perfect press images below.
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| Visa lets iPhone-toting NatWest and RBS customers pay with NFC cases, join the future Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:45 AM PDT Two can play at the UK-banks-with-NFC-payments game. RBS (and by extension, NatWest) is partnering with Visa Europe to roll out TouchPay, a mobile payment system based around an iCarte case for the iPhone 4 and 4S -- sorry, early iPhone 5 owners. In tandem with a native app, the service allows paying for goods at British shops by tapping the phone at a Visa-capable NFC terminal without needing the short-range wireless built-in. Any purchases under £20 ($32) can even skip the PIN code, if you're just in that much of a hurry to get a Pret À Manger sandwich. Only 1,000 of the 9,000 who pre-registered for TouchPay are getting into Visa's wallet-free initiative at this stage, although all NatWest and RBS customers with one of Apple's semi-recent smartphones can participate once a trial run is over. We're just wondering if and when Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone 8 owners get in on the action. Visa Europe and RBS bring mobile contactless payments to UK Apple iPhone users TouchPay service launches for first 1,000 RBS and NatWest customers with Apple iPhone 4 and 4S models London, 2 October 2012 - Working with Visa Europe, RBS and NatWest today launched TouchPay, a mobile contactless payments service for Apple iPhone 4 and 4S models powered by an NFC-enabled (Near Field communications) protective cover accessory. Initially available to the first 1,000 customers who registered to experience the speed and convenience of mobile payments, TouchPay will be made available to all RBS and NatWest customers who have Apple iPhones in the near future. Interest in participating in the trial program has already been incredibly high, with more than 9,000 RBS customers registering to participate over a period of three days. Ben Green, Head of Mobile at RBS, comments: "TouchPay has proven incredibly popular and shows that our customers want more flexible and convenient ways to pay. Delivered alongside our updated mobile apps, the TouchPay service means that our customers need only carry their smartphone with them to make payments and manage their finances wherever they are." To use the service, customers simply attach the cover to their Apple iPhone 4 or iPhone 4s and follow the on-screen instructions to download the TouchPay app from the Apple App Store. Once the activation process is complete, users can use their smartphone for transactions of £20 or less at mobile contactless-enabled retail outlets without entering their PIN and can also track their spending through the TouchPay application. Sandra Alzetta, Senior Vice President and Head of Mobile at Visa Europe, says: "A key industry challenge in bringing mobile contactless payments to consumers is finding ways to enable existing smartphones that do not offer NFC technology. Services like TouchPay show how NFC-enabled accessories for smartphones can deliver the future of payments today and help hasten mainstream adoption." iCarte, the NFC-enabled cover used for the TouchPay service, was developed by Wireless Dynamics, Inc., a Visa Europe technology partner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NTT DoCoMo's i beam tablet prototype is driven by your eyes (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:32 AM PDT Another prototype from DoCoMo aimed at Nihon's commuters, the i beam concept tablet forgoes any touch at all, allowing the user (once they're at the specified 'sweet spot') to navigate around apps and screens using your eyes. Two sensors along the bottom edge of the tablet track both of your eyes and after a slightly laborious configuration setup, we were able to tour around the prototype slabs features without laying a finger on it. The navigational dot was a little erratic, but we'll put that down to prototype nerves. The tablet was otherwise able to follow our eye-line and fulfill what we wanted it to do. Returning to the home screen by targeting the kill box in the top right corner proved to be the most difficult thing -- we soon resorted to tapping at the screen for that. DoCoMo showcased an eye-controlled game, alongside picture galleries, a web browser and a reader app. The e-book client seemed to be the most heavily involved, with the ability to look up words with a hard-stare, and flip pages by eyeing the two lower corners. The Japanese carrier isn't planning a consumer launch any time soon -- and the hardware comes with a pretty pronounced chin at the moment, but if you like staring at someone staring at a tablet, our eyes-on is after the break.
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| Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:23 AM PDT In a sort of reverse-Project Glass, one of DoCoMo's latest prototypes flips its cameras back at the wearer. This hands-free videophone headset ties together seven separate cameras, each recording 720p video from wide-angle lenses. Aside from the single camera pointing behind the user (and beaming the background image), the rest of them point at the users' face, recording different quadrants. These are then composited together, creating a three-dimensional avatar of the user that's then broadcasted to the other caller. The model then nods, blinks, and moves -- all based on the camera footage -- all in real-time. In its current guise, the bottom half of the face is still composed from high resolution stills captured beforehand, but the program is able to animate the mouth based on the words and tones that the built-in mic picks up. NTT DoCoMo had some lighter, slight less clunky, future prototypes on show, and suggested that the headset could have medical applications, embedding further sensors that could gauge blood pressure, pulse and temperature and possibly broadcast this data during a call to your future physician. Work is currently underway to utilize smaller, higher quality sensors. We take a closer look at CEATEC after the break.
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| Motorola's RAZR i arrives in the UK at Phones4U Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:15 AM PDT Motorola's RAZR i has landed on British shores, and is available today from Phones4U. The handset, the first born of a union 'twixt Moto and Intel, skates pretty close to the competition in the performance stakes and promises vastly improved power efficiency. The handset is free to anyone grabbing a plan costing £21.50 or more, while the first 500 to snap up the phone will also get a complimentary pair of MOTOROKR headphones, too. MOTOROLA RAZRi NOW AVAILABLE AT PHONES 4U FREE MOTOROKR S305 WIRELESS STEREO HEADPHONES FOR THE FIRST 500 ONLINE ORDERS LONDON, TUESDAY 2ND OCTOBER, 2012: Phones 4u is delighted to announce that the first Intel-powered handset from Motorola – the Motorola RAZRi – is now available at Phones 4u, both in store and online. The sleek handset boasts a large 4.3" Super AMOLED 'edge-to-edge' screen delivering crystal clear graphics, while the a super-fast 2Ghz dual core Intel processor enables even faster performance. As an added bonus, the first 500 customers to order the Motorola RAZRi online at Phones 4u will receive free MOTOROKR S305 Wireless Stereo Headphones. Offering an exceptional sound experience with strong bass and dynamic audio from its high quality 30mm speakers, with the convenience of integrated controls and no wires, the MOTOROKR S305 headset is lightweight and features Bluetooth® technology to deliver style, performance and remarkable sound. Currently available in black, the Motorola RAZRi offers features including: · An 8MP camera with flash and multi-shot mode that lets you snap 10 pictures in less than a second · Long-lasting battery of up to 20 hours · Android version 4.0 ICS · Near field communication (NFC) technology so you can send contacts, links, maps and more directly to compatible phones with the Android Beam™ feature · Made of Corning® Gorilla® Glass to deflect both scratches and scrapes · Protected with a splash-guard coating · 8GB memory, plus in-built Micro SD slot The Motorola RAZRi is available from free at £21.50 a month, from today. Visit Phones 4u online, or your nearest store for more information. MOTOROKR S305 specifications: · Battery | Built-in rechargeable lithium ion · Bluetooth stereo playback time | Up to 6 hours · Talk time | Up to 6.5 hours · Standby time | Up to 100 hours · Bluetooth range | Up to 10m · Bluetooth version | 2.0 + EDR | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SMS Audio outs an on-ear option for its Street by 50 headphones, ships October 7th for $180 Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT If you're a fan of emcee-endorsed headphones, you're in luck. SMS Audio -- the folks behind the SYNC by 50 line -- has just announced another portable audio option that gets the recommendation of Mr. Jackson himself. The Street by 50 moniker now sports a wired, on-ear option to go alongside its current over-ear and in-hear offerings. These cans house 40mm pro-tuned drivers, folding hinges and memory foam cushioning while sporting Shadow Black and Ghost White color schemes. Anxious to snag some? Well, you can pre-order a set now, but they'll start shipping on October 7th -- if you're willing to shell out the requisite $179.99, of course. As for us, we're patiently waiting on the Keenan Cahill model. New Headphone Styles and Colors Now Available for Preorder in SMS Audio™ Line by 50 Cent New STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones join the SMS Audio product collection, with new color options added to the current over-ear and in-ear headphones NEW YORK (October 2, 2012) - SMS Audio, LLC (www.SMSAudio.com), a premier audio headphone and accessories brand from Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, today announces the STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones as one of the newest additions to the STREET by 50™ collection of wired headphones. Now available for preorder at SMSAudio.com, the on-ear style also debuts alongside new color options offered for the previously-released STREET by 50™ over-ear and in-ear headphones. The new STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones provide listeners with the highest caliber of studio-quality sound, integrating 40mm custom drivers, professionally tuned, to deliver a signature sound that appeals to music lovers across all genres. Each headset is stylish and lightweight – without sacrificing durability – and features OVALFIT™ soft-leather memory foam cushions in addition to a foldable headband. The STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones will be available in Shadow Black, and Ghost White, and come with a removable cord with three-click microphone, a soft cleaning cloth and a hard-shell carrying case. In addition to the new on-ear headphone, limited-edition color options are also now available for the existing STREET by 50™ wired over-ear headphones. New STREET by 50™ over-ear colors include STREET Yellow, STREET Red, STREET Magenta and STREET Blue-Violet. "We previewed a few colors at CES last January and the crowd went nuts," says 50 Cent, CEO of SMS Audio. "It's always been my goal to reach many different types of fans, and the addition of STREET by 50™ on-ear headphones and color options is another step in that direction. It continues to be my vision to provide Studio Mastered Sound in every product." Joining the collection as a permanent color choice, the new pink STREET by 50™ in-ear headphones are also now available. Other current products in the SMS Audio product line include the STREET by 50™ over-ear wired headphones, STREET by 50™ in-ear wired headphones, STREET by 50™ wired DJ Pro Performance headphones and SYNC by 50™ over-ear wireless headphones – which integrate Kleer wireless technology to allow up to four listeners to simultaneously rock from a single source. Through its partnership with Feeding America®, all online U.S. sales of headphones through SMSAudio.com will provide 250 meals to American families in need. STREET by 50™ wired on-ear headphones are now available for preorder at www.SMSAudio.com with an MSRP of $179.95, with purchase availability on October 7, 2012. The new over-ear and in-ear colors are also available on SMSAudio.com, with an MSRP of $249.95 and $119.95, respectively. For more information about SMS Audio, visit www.SMSAudio.com. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nest Learning Thermostat gets refreshed with a slimmer design, improved scheduling features Posted: 02 Oct 2012 06:00 AM PDT It's been just about a year since former Apple exec Tony Fadell unveiled his newest project, the Nest Learning Thermostat. At the time, it was notable for being the sexiest thermostat in the history of household automation, with WiFi connectivity, mobile apps and an iPod-like click wheel for adjusting the temperature. Today, Nest Labs announced the follow-up to that product, and while it boasts the same tricks as the original, it's noticeably slimmer and will work with a wider array of heating and cooling systems. Oh, and the company is finally releasing an Android tablet app, while the current iOS and Android phone applications are getting updated with new features as well. It's up for pre-order now for $249, while the old model has gotten a price cut to $229. That's the short version, but if you head past the break we'll give you a more detailed walk-through of what's changed. All told, Nest says the second-gen thermostat is 20 percent thinner than the original. Take a look at our hands-on photos and you'll notice some more subtle changes: the band is now made entirely of stainless steel, with no plastic bits. And whereas there used to be a grille on the front face, the sensors are now hidden under transparent plastic, making for an even less cluttered design. The back plate, meanwhile, has been updated so that it now supports second-stage cooling systems, three-stage heating, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and emergency heat through heat pumps. According to Nest, that extra support should make the thermostat compatible with 95 percent of heating and cooling systems, up from 75 percent on last year's model. Keep in mind, though, that that figure only applies to low-voltage systems in the US. (The Nest is only available in the United States and Canada.) On the software side, the most impressive new feature might be System Match, which learns not just your schedule, but the idiosyncrasies of your home. For example, if you live in an old Victorian with a decades-old heating system, Nest will learn that it takes your house longer to warm up than, say, a new construction. So, once it knows how long it takes your heating system to reach a given set point, it can turn up the heat further in advance so that you don't wake up to a chilly house. Other new features include Auto-Away, which uses your scheduling patterns to predict when there won't be anybody at home. So, instead of just relying on proximity sensors to determine that everyone has left the house, it can automatically lower the temperature at certain times of day when people usually aren't around. Additionally, the auto scheduling feature has been improved such that the Nest can now learn when it's set to Heat / Cool mode. Finally, the mobile apps have been updated so that you can see who changed the set point, and when. (As if you didn't already know you and your spouse were engaged in a passive-aggressive tug-of-war over the temperature.) All those updates should be live in their respective app stores by tonight, so check back if you don't see them just yet.
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| Pioneer Carrozzeria AR heads-up display hands-on (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 05:29 AM PDT Pioneer has been showing off versions of its AR HUD for some time now, but here at CEATEC 2012 the company is showing off a production version of the thing. It is, as its name implies, an augmented reality navigation unit that shows you where to go using a front-facing camera and a variety of systems. A projector built into the ceiling shines an overlay onto the road ahead, using a piece of plastic that flips down in front of the driver's eyes. It's a cool effect that, unfortunately, we weren't able to capture on photo or video, so you'll just have to trust us. But, more photogenic is the rendition that's created on the slide-out display of the head unit itself, which you can see in the video after the break. Additionally, the system creates a sort of targeting reticule that appears over nearby cars, letting you know when you're perhaps driving a little too close. (That, of course, is when you have to switch from missiles to guns.) The head unit recently became available in Japan, and while there's no word on a release date or price in the US, hopefully it won't be long off.
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| Maingear welcomes AMD A-Series APUs to its F131 and X-Cube desktop PCs Posted: 02 Oct 2012 05:01 AM PDT In a move to make its desktops more palatable to the masses, Maingear is bringing AMD's integrated A-Series APUs to its F131 tower and X-Cube desktop PCs. Upon learning the news, we took a peek at the manufacturer's website and found a customizable X-Cube available with a $649 starting price, which compares favorably to its $939 Intel counterpart. Unfortunately, the company has yet to update its website with AMD customization options for the F131. Regardless, we're told that shoppers can expect to find both standard and Black Edition options for AMD's chips, the latter which should appeal to overclockers. To scope out the company's latest gear, just hit up the source link below. MAINGEAR ADDS AMD'S A-SERIES APU TO DESKTOP LINEUP FOR AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vizio's 'extra-large' holiday HDTV lineup goes from 55- to 70-inches Posted: 02 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT While Vizio's summer has been all about PCs, set-top Google TV boxes and even the odd ultrawidescreen HDTV, it's getting back into its usual garb for the fall. As is its customs, it's rolling out a few new HDTV models ahead of the big shopping season, which range in size from 55- to 70-inches. Other than the 58-inch CinemaWide ultra widescreen model there are also three representatives from its M-Series, with a 55-inch model for $949, and a 65-inch model that's $1,699 with 3D and $1,499 without. The other two models are in its E-Series line, and are 2D only edge-lit LED sets that feature a new thin bezel / slim frame design. The 60-inch version is priced at $999, while the 70-inch goes for $1,999. They all include the Yahoo Widgets powered Vizio Internet Apps (Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, Amazon etc.) and WiFi built in and most are already popping up on store shelves near you (just ask Logitech and Sling how that works), check out a bit more information in the press release after the break. VIZIO Unveils New Large Screen, LED HDTV Models Available Now NEW, SLIM FRAME 60" CLASS RAZOR LED™ SMART TV HEADLINES VIZIO'S EXTRA-LARGE HOLIDAY LINE-UP IRVINE, CA – October 2, 2012 – VIZIO, Inc., having recently received J.D. Power and Associates' "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with HDTVs" ranking*, announced today a new, sleek and slim line-up of large-size HDTVs. Highlighted by the E-Series 60" Class Razor LED™ Smart TV (E601i), which is priced at $999.99 and available now, the large collection also includes a stunning E-Series 70" Class unit and M-Series 55" and 65" Class (2D and 3D) units. The newly designed E-Series 60" Razor LED Smart TV gives consumers an ultra-thin, slim-frame design, brilliant 1080p Full HD LED quality, and VIZIO Internet Apps® at an unbeatable sub-$1000 value. In advance of the holiday season, the 60" is currently available online and on select shelves at Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Walmart, Amazon.com, Target, BJ's Wholesale, ebay.com, VIZIO.com and other retailers. "The new E-Series units, which are the first of many large-size VIZIO models, give consumers access to great technology on an even bigger scale," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "The larger units provide more screen space with a narrower border around the picture, allowing consumers to get the most out of the crystal-clear Razor LED picture for a more immersive, WIFI enabled experience." Perfect for the sports fan, movie enthusiast or family looking to upgrade their entertainment centerpiece for the holidays, the E-Series 60" Razor LED HDTV is packed with the latest technologies like VIZIO Internet Apps® with WIFI, giving consumers instant access to apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU™, Hulu Plus, YouTube®, Pandora®, Facebook® and Twitter®, all with the push of a button on the smart remote with keyboard.** The bigger picture of the large-size HDTVs is enhanced by crisp, high-quality LED, 1080p Full HD resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate for remarkable detail and clarity, ideal when watching a fast moving sporting event or action movie. The large 60" and 70" units also auto-adjust the picture to room lighting, feature SRS StudioSound HD™ for clear audio and use less energy than conventional LCD HDTVs.*** "VIZIO's 60" (E601i) is a Smart TV with the thin LED design that consumers prefer, at a price that would have only bought you a 42" CCFL TV in October 2009," said Tamaryn Pratt, Principal, Quixel Research. "VIZIO has been able to drive the price down for consumers, allowing them to enjoy the latest features and a slim design on a larger screen, at a great value. With a 60" TV offering more than twice the screen viewing area of a 42" TV, now is the perfect time for consumers to trade up. " An unmatched value for consumers heading into the holiday season, the E-Series 60" and 70" Razor LED Smart TVs and M-Series 55" and 2D and 3D 65" units will be available in-store and online. The E-Series 60" and 70" models retail for $999.99 and $1,999.99 respectively with the M-Series 55" available for $949.99 and 65" starting at $1,499.99 for 2D and $1,699.99 for 3D. "For years, VIZIO has proven they're committed to providing HDTV customers with the best technology at a great value," said Tim Farmer, VP/GMM Merchandising Costco. "We are excited to offer these new large screen models to our members in advance of the holiday season." Committed to helping consumers go big this holiday season, the following large screen models will also be new for the anticipated release for Q4: VIZIO 55" Class Razor LED™ Smart TV (M550VSE) – $949.99 * J.D. Power and Associates 2012 High Definition Television (HDTV) Satisfaction Report℠. Report based on responses from 1,009 consumers measuring 8 brands and measures opinions of consumers who purchased an HDTV in the last 12 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed August 2012. Your experiences may vary. Visit www.jdpower.com. ** High-speed/broadband Internet service and access equipment are required and not provided by VIZIO, Inc. Additional fees and/or subscriptions may be required for certain content and services. VIZIO, Inc. makes no warranties, representations, or assurances of any kind as to the content, availability, or functionality of third party content or services. ***When compared to same size LCD HDTVs lighted with CCFL technology. About VIZIO VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in U.S. LCD HDTV shipments. Since 2007 VIZIO LCD HDTV shipments remain in the top ranks in the U.S. and were #1 for the total year in 2009 and 2010. VIZIO is committed to bringing feature-rich consumer electronics to market at a value through practical innovation. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics. VIZIO's products are found at Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, BJ's Wholesale, and other retailers nationwide along with authorized online partners. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics, Fast Company's 6th Most Innovative CE Company of 2009, and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, IGN Best of CES - Television, Bluetooth.org Best of CES, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy, Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice and OC Metro's 10 Most Trustworthy Brands among many other prestigious honors. For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit on the web at www.VIZIO.com. © 2012 VIZIO,Inc. The V, VIZIO, VIZIO Internet Apps, Theater 3D, CinemaWide HDTV, Full Array TruLED, Edge Lit Razor LED, 240Hz SPS, 480Hz SPS, Entertainment Freedom and Entertainment Freedom for All, and all names, logos and phrase are registered or unregistered trademarks of VIZIO, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. ### | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acer's Aspire S7 Ultrabooks coming October 26th, starting at $1,200 for the 11-inch version Posted: 02 Oct 2012 05:00 AM PDT Back at Computex, Acer announced the Aspire S7 series -- the company's third line of Ultrabooks, and the first of the bunch to sport touchscreens. At the time, we were told they'd go on sale once Windows 8 started shipping and sure enough, Acer just sent out a press release confirming they'll be available October 26th, the day Win 8 officially launches. Prices will start at $1,200 for the 11-inch model (the S7-191), but you'll pay either $1,400 or $1,650 for the 13-inch version (S7-391), depending on which configuration you choose. For those who missed the initial June reveal, the laptops all have 1080p IPS screens and backlit keyboards. The 13-inch model in particular has a display that can lie completely flat. Another key difference: the 11-inch version has an aluminum lid, while the 13-incher's is fashioned out of Gorilla Glass. Whichever you choose, the S7 comes with a USB to Ethernet adapter, a micro-HDMI to VGA dongle and a carrying case -- a first for Acer. They also make use of Acer's TwinAir cooling technology and are set up to work with AcerCloud, the company's free online storage service, which you can use with mobile apps on iOS and Android. Inside, the SSDs are all arranged in RAID 0 configuration, which means you can expect the kind of absurdly fast I/O speeds we recorded on the Aspire S5. (The lack of redundancy in that RAID 0 setup also means you might want to be extra vigilant about backing up your stuff.) The battery life is rated for six hours on both models, but the 13-inch version will be available with an external cell that can supposedly double the runtime. Meanwhile. RAM is fixed at 4GB, and integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics are the standard. All told, just the kind of specs you'd expect on a high-end Ultrabook. Again, these will ship on October 26th, starting at $1,200 for the smaller 11-inch model. In the meantime, we've got a few additional specs after the break, and you can always revisit our hands-on from Computex if you want to re-live the magic of a crowded press conference.
Aspire S7-191-6640 ($1,200)
Aspire S7-391-6810 ($1,400)
Aspire S7-391-9886 ($1,650)
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| NEC Medias Tab UL runs Android 4.0, weighs just over half a pound (hands-on) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 04:43 AM PDT Folded in between DoCoMo R&D prototypes and One Piece-themed smartphones unlikely to make it across the Pacific, NEC's new Android tablet caught our eye. The 7-inch NEC Medias Tab UL is one very svelte slab. Measuring in at just 7.9mm (0.3 inches) thick and weighing a mere 250g (0.55 lbs), the tablet still manages to house a 3,100mAh battery, and a Snapdragon MSM8960 1.5GHz dual-core processor. If you'd compare it to the Nexus 7, Google's own effort look a little weighty and thick against this white-finish tablet. Performance from the dual-core chip is also suitably impressive, despite the curious DoCoMo-decked Android skin coating the Ice Cream Sandwich OS. In true Japanese style, there's a TV aerial embedded within the side and while it won't broadcast the crisp high-definition delights of NOTTV, there's plenty of terrestrial viewing available -- if you stay in the Land of the Rising Sun. We were pleasantly surprised with its crisp WXGA screen, which looks to be TFT. The 1,280 x 800 resolution display meant videos and websites looked sharp, while there was barely any color degradation at wider angles. On DoCoMO's network, users can expect to see download speeds up to 75Mbs, and upload speeds hitting up to 25Mbps. The tablet is now on sale across Japan, but there's still no word yet on it launching elsewhere.
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| Visualized: 808 PureView display at Nokia's flagship store Posted: 02 Oct 2012 04:26 AM PDT While in Helsinki, do as the Finns do -- shop at Nokia's flagship store, right? Just as we were contemplating the purchase of an unlocked Asha (or three) as stocking stuffers, we stumbled upon this delightfully futuristic 808 PureView display -- complete with quirky dioramas. Sadly, we weren't packing Nokia's imaging handset, nor the phenomenal Lumia 920 camera, so we used our trusty HTC One X to capture the moment. Check out the gallery below -- where you'll find the 808 PureView serving as a swimming pool and being assembled by tiny workers -- then hit the break for a short video.
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| Fujitsu eye-tracking tech uses built-in motion sensor, infrared LED for hands-free computing (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 03:46 AM PDT Eye-tracking technology looks to be one of the major tropes at CEATEC this year. One of many companies demoing a gaze-following setup is Fujitsu, which is showing off a prototype desktop PC with a built-in sensor and infrared LED. This configuration should be cheaper than many other eye-controlled solutions out there, as the components are integrated directly into the computer and no external hardware is needed. It's sweet and simple: the camera captures the reflection of light on the user's eye, and image processing technology then calculates the user's viewing angle to allow for hands-free navigation on-screen. We got a brief eyes-on with Fujitsu's demo, which shows off the eye-controlled tech working with a map application. Even without any detectible calibration, the system did a respectable job of navigating around Tokyo based on how we moved our eyes. Panning from right to left works especially seamlessly, but moving up and down required a bit more effort -- we caught ourselves moving our whole head a few times. This is an early demonstration of course, though Fujitsu has already enumerated several applications for this technology, from assisting disabled users to simply eliminating the need to look down at the mouse and keyboard. See the gaze detection in action in our hands-on video past the break.
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| Tep Wireless expands mobile hotspot rental plan to 50 countries, revamps pricing Posted: 02 Oct 2012 03:00 AM PDT The international mobile hotspot rental market just got a lot more interesting. While Xcom Global's offerings are still broader, Tep Wireless is expanding in a major way. Previously reserved for European nations, the upstart is now serving a full 50 nations, adding Brazil, the United States, South Africa, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and UAE to its repertoire. For those in need of a refresher, the company enables customers facing an international trip to order their hotspot and get it delivered prior to departure, with a prepaid envelope included to ship it back once they've returned. The company's made clear that its hotspots will track data usage in real time right on the inbuilt display, and they're programmed to hop onto different networks as borders are crossed. (If you're curious, we confirmed that it all works as advertised in a recent jaunt across European borders.) The full pricing chart fo is hosted up after the break, with those needing unlimited buckets able to pay a $6.95-per day surcharge. (It should be noted that the preexisting EU-wide pricing options remain for those sticking to that region.) It'll probably look a touch pricey to light users and common tourists, but business travelers unwilling to take chances on connectivity when heading overseas will find the rates far more palatable than roaming fees from their home carrier. Tep Wireless increases coverage area to 50 countries, adds unlimited data plans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Toyota's Smart Insect concept EV packs Kinect motion sensor, voice recognition (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 02:35 AM PDT Toyota is showing off its new Smart Insect prototype at the company's CEATEC booth. The fully electric car charges via a standard 100-volt AC outlet, and it's decked out with gull-wing doors and motion detection courtesy of Microsoft's Kinect. The on-board motion sensors allow the car to recognize its owner based on face and body shape, and it predicts the owner's behavior by analyzing movement and determining when to open the door, for example. (It also allows for the front and rear displays to show a welcome message when the owner approaches the car.) There's also voice recognition for opening the car door and other functions, with a speaker on the hood of the car and dashboard-mounted "dialogue monitors" on the front and back. The tech carries through to the Insect's interior, which sports a wireless charging pad, a dash-mounted monitor that connects to the driver's handset and a button for dialing up Toyota's virtual agent. As a connected car, the Insect naturally ties in with entertainment and navigation services (in this case, via Toyota's Smart Center). There's also integration with a home energy management system, which allows the owner to adjust air conditioning and lock the front door via a smartphone app. As this is a proof of concept -- and one we couldn't test out, at that -- it's unclear how well these features work, and it's unlikely that we'll ever see the prototype make it to market. Still, it's fun to dream, and you can do that by tuning into our hands-on video just past the break. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mitsubishi unveils electric Minicab MiEV at CEATEC Posted: 02 Oct 2012 01:48 AM PDT To complement Mitsubishi's existing electric minivan and car, the Minicab MiEV has parked itself here at CEATEC, Chiba, adding a Gasoline-avoiding pick-up truck to the family. Capable of reaching distances up to 110km on a single charge, with the option of a portable battery, the vehicle is set to roll in Japanese stores some time next year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC: Jelly Bean rolling out to global One X and One S this month Posted: 02 Oct 2012 01:01 AM PDT Tucked away at the bottom of HTC's announcement of the One X+ is a pleasant piece of news that's sure to make One X and One S owners happy. Android 4.1, alongside HTC's Sense 4+ UI, is set to arrive on the devices at some point this month. As a disclaimer, this likely won't apply to AT&T's One X or T-Mobile's One S, since the refresh will likely take additional time to make its way through carrier testing -- HTC reps confirmed to us that the October timeframe is specifically for the global versions. Here's to hoping this doesn't mean we'll have to wait until the 31st to get our hands on Jelly Bean. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC One X+ official: 1.7GHz quad-core Tegra 3, 64GB, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+ Posted: 02 Oct 2012 01:00 AM PDT Remember HTC's early 2012 Android flagship? Well, it's back and plus-sized for the tech-savvy masses. Officially announced today, the One X+ is a minor refresh of the original that debuted at MWC this past spring, albeit with a faster 1.7GHz Tegra 3 CPU, larger 2,100mAh battery, expanded 64GB of storage and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with Sense 4+ onboard. As part of that upgraded custom skin, the 4.7-inch device can now tap to pair, or "Tap and Go" as the company calls it, with Beats-branded speakers, allowing users to easily connect and disconnect from their audio peripherals. Apart from that, the 8-megapixel rear module with f/2.0 lens and ImageChip-assist has stayed the same, but the camera software's been slightly tweaked with the addition of two new modes: Self Portrait for subtle retouching of front facing shots and Sightseeing which allows for quick launch of the camera app. Also debuting alongside this hardware update is HTC Get Started, a web-based service that lets users manage initial setup from the desktop for one-click installation on the phone itself. The One X+ is slated to launch globally this fall, hitting Europe and Northern Asia this October, with a November rollout in South Asia to follow. As for a US release, well, you'll just have to sit tight and see what news the day brings. Official PR after the break. HTC INTRODUCES THE HTC ONE™ X+. HTC also announces SenseTM 4+ with Android Jelly Bean upgrades for TAIPEI - 2ND OCTOBER, 2012 - HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, today unveiled the HTC One™ X+, a refreshed version of its award winning HTC One™ X smartphone, running the HTC SenseTM 4+ experience on Android™ Jelly Bean. The HTC One™ X+ combines the iconic design, amazing camera and authentic audio experience of the HTC One series, with increased performance, longer battery life and expanded internal storage. "We are taking the HTC One™ X to a new level with the introduction of the new HTC One™ X+," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "Our customers will have super-fast browsing, an even better camera and more immersive entertainment with Beats Audio." Performance, Endurance and Storage In addition to its increased performance speeds, the HTC One™ X+ introduces extended performance with the inclusion of a 2100 mAh battery, giving you up to 50% (6 hours) more talk time, and longer to browse the web and enjoy your favorite music and videos2. Imaging, Music and Movies Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats AudioTM provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the most immersive sound experience with an enhanced audio profile, crisper vocals and detailed high notes for your music, games, movies and videos. Making it easier to listen to music out loud, and through SenseTM 4+, the HTC One™ X+ introduces a new Tap and Go function, which allows you to connect the phone and your music to Beats speakers'4 when you tap them. To disconnect, it is just another quick tap. Providing exclusive access to thousands of movies through HTC Watch 2.0, the HTC One™ X+ will appeal to both the avid film fan and the casual movie-goer. Combined with the introduction of video hub, another benefit of SenseTM 4+, for the first time you will be able to put all your video entertainment in a single place. Easy Set Up Availability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HTC shows off One X+ in the UK, we go hands-on (video) Posted: 02 Oct 2012 01:00 AM PDT The One X+. You have to reach for the Shift key just to type it out, but as names go it's neither unexpected nor inaccurate. In fact, it paints just the right picture, because this is still the same global (i.e. non-US) One X we've come to know and respect, but its matte black shell also contains important additions that secure its rightful place at the top of HTC's Android range. In fact, it's even better news than that earlier XDA leak suggested. More infoOn the hardware front, the One X+ has a faster Tegra 3 variant that clocks in at max of 1.7GHz (versus 1.5GHz on the original), an enlarged 2,100mAh to keep the engine turning over, a capacity boost to 64GB (versus 32GB on the global One X and just 16GB on AT&T's handset), and -- self-portrait artists rejoice -- an upgraded front-facing camera that promises 1.6 megapixels and better image processing. Most other specs stay the same, including the 8-megapixel rear camera, 1GB of RAM and the lovely 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Super LCD 2 display. The UK handset we played with was also stuck on 3G, leaving it unable to party on the emerging British LTE scene, but there's an LTE global variant too that could potentially touch down on these shores in the future (although HTC wouldn't confirm that outright). In terms of software, HTC's skin (now called Sense 4+) has been modified to work on top of Jelly Bean and brings a host of subtle improvements from both Google and the manufacturer. All in all, we reckon this new contender works hard enough to become desirable rather than merely incremental, and if you check out the video and hands-on impressions after the break then you might just agree. Just like the Sensation XE before it, the One X+ makes a bold first impression with its red accents bouncing off a perfectly uniform black polycarbonate unibody (and yes, that's the only color option here). The glossy stripe from the original white or grey One X has gone, and -- if it's possible -- the plastic feels slightly softer and classier. Luckily, the rear camera on this variant is surrounded by a metallic rather than plastic casing, which was one of the few advantages the original global One X had over the AT&T version. As mentioned, the rear camera module itself hasn't changed, but during our brief hands-on we did feel that it was benefiting from the extra speed of the processor. We took 20 shots in just 3.2 seconds, compared to five seconds on a One X, and it also felt like the One X+ focused faster during 1080p video recording, although it was hard to get scientific about it. As for the front-facer, we're told that in addition to its higher resolution it's also able to make smarter auto-adjustments to white balance and other settings, and it comes with a countdown timer so you can give display just the right amount of pout. Another less-than-obvious hardware change is the addition of a feedback amplifier -- possibly something like this chip from NXP -- to the phone's loudspeaker. This is meant to improve sound quality and maximum volume, while optimising power efficiency and protecting the driver. It's slightly perplexing that HTC couldn't find room for one of these on the headphone jack -- a feature found on the Windows Phone 8X -- and also that the manufacturer isn't trying to gather such audio improvements under its Beats banner, which is still in need of a shot of credibility. The UI was good n' snappy, and if you're wondering whether Project Butter will actually make a difference than you can probably relax. It's not obvious, but it is there -- especially on the notifications pull-down, which is smooth as a whistle as it moves across the main screen, whereas it flickers ever so slightly on the Android 4.0 One X. Another JB addition is Google Now, which tailors search information based on things it learns about you over time and which HTC has made readily accessible through a long press on the home button (just as Google intended, right?). All this Android 4.1 stuff will also reach current HTC One devices by the end of the year, but the One X+ will have the distinction of delivering it first, since the new handset is due arrive in the UK within the next couple of weeks. HTC's own software enhancements mainly revolve around better aggregation of content. For example, the gallery app can now be used to access both locally and remotely stored content and the music player app claims to do the same. It remains to be seen how useful this will be -- at the time of our hands-on we weren't able to establish, for example, whether the new music player allows you to add tunes from different platforms to the same playlist. Anyway, there'll be plenty of scope to weigh that up review time, alongside other untried and untested improvements like the One X+ becoming PlayStation Certified. Ultimately, the success or failure of this handset will depend heavily on its price tag, and at this point we have no clue as to whether it'll come in at a premium over the One X (which will continue to be made and sold), or whether it'll be more competitive and nudge the One X and One S further down pay scale. Stay tuned, however, as UK carriers are expecting to announce their pricing any minute now. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| App.net edges closer to 20,000 users, drops subscription prices to $36 to fuel the social fire Posted: 02 Oct 2012 12:33 AM PDT When App.net kicked off its Twitter rivalry, the $50 yearly subscription fee was based on the assumption that the ad-free social service would maintain 10,000 customers. Founder Dalton Caldwell may have underestimated year-one adoption by just a tad: he now has nearly 20,000 customers on his hands in less than two months, which throws the previous economies of scale out the window. The pain for Caldwell's business model is a pleasure for fans, however. App.net's price of entry has dropped to $36 per year, with existing memberships' durations extended to match the new yearly rate. Anyone on the fence also has a chance to try the service for a short stint through a $5 monthly plan. While it's hard to know if the price drop will sustain the early runaway pace, it reflects a determination to play for keeps in the social media game -- an important trait when the chief opponent isn't sitting still. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ICS and Jellybean now on a quarter of all Android devices, but over half still stuck on Gingerbread Posted: 02 Oct 2012 12:02 AM PDT It seems like only yesterday that Google bundled Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 in its little biscuit layers and sent it off into the world (it was December, 2011, actually). That Android flavor has since climbed the charts rapidly, around four percent each month for the last while, and now occupies the ROM on 23.7 percent of robot-based devices -- up from 20.8 percent last month. That's in part due to new devices (like many in China) still coming out of the box with it, on top of older warhorses like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 finally grabbing some ICS. Meanwhile, its smooth-running younger sibling, Jelly Bean, made a slight gain to 1.8 percent of all Google-run slates and phones -- though that will likely change when the Galaxy Note II hits the market en masse and the Galaxy S III OTA 4.1.1 disseminates to all its owners. Meanwhile, Gingerbread still dominates Google OS installed devices at 55.8 percent, probably thanks to delays or denials of newer flavors to legacy devices. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rogers LTE hits 18 new regions, delivers speedy data in Saskatoon Posted: 01 Oct 2012 11:33 PM PDT Rogers promised that October 1st would be a grand day for its LTE expansion plans, and we're now learning that it might have been underpromising to overdeliver later. The carrier just flicked the 4G switch for 18 cities and regions, or eight more territories than it had promised just two weeks ago. Most of the coverage still focuses on the southern tip of Ontario, including London, the Oshawa area and RIM's hometown of Waterloo, but there's a much more trans-Canada bent to the official deployment. Western cities like Saskatoon and Victoria now fit into Rogers' LTE map beyond a previously announced Edmonton, while the Quebec rollout is going past Quebec City to include Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières. All told, the one day of growth is enough to supply Rogers LTE to almost 60 percent of Canada's population -- a convenient figure when one of the year's more important LTE smartphones just became available less than two weeks prior. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yandex launches its own browser targeting Russian market Posted: 01 Oct 2012 11:08 PM PDT How many browsers is enough? Between Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer, (not to mention, Baidu, Amazon, Maxthon, Dolphin, etc...) you'd think we'd have plenty ways to surf the web. Not according to Yandex. The Russian search company has just released its own branded browser built around a Webkit base using Chromium as a starting point. This isn't its first foray into the world of software though, it's been offering a customized version of Firefox for some time, with Yandex as the default search engine. The new entry into the crowded browser market also borrows threat scanning technology from Kaspersky and Opera's Turbo for quickly loading content on slow connections. Tigran Khudaverdyan, head of mobile services at the company, even suggested to Business Week that a mobile version was in the works. For now it's only available for OS X and Windows, however. Check out the PR after the break and hit up the source link to download it now. Yandex Launches Browser Leveraging Its Cloud Expertise MOSCOW AND THE HAGUE, October 1, 2012, Yandex (NASDAQ: YNDX), the leading internet company in Russia operating the country's most popular search engine and most visited website, today announced the release of its own internet browser in Russia. A pioneer in information retrieval technologies, Yandex has been delivering cutting-edge products and services finely tuned to the evolving needs of internet users in Russia and abroad for more than 15 years. Now the company is bringing its expertise to internet browsing. "Cloud-based browsing is a next-generation answer to the challenges of the modern internet," said Arkady Volozh, CEO of Yandex. "To make the internet experience faster, easier and safer for everyone, we have built a cloud-based browser that integrates the best of our products and services and is open to other web developers." In-depth knowledge of web page structure and user behaviour allowed Yandex to create a browser that facilitates an easy and safe internet navigation. The Yandex browser features a merged search and address bar, which can be used both to surf and to search the internet. The browser also gives its users a choice of search engines with which to power their search. Users do not need to change the settings - a new search provider can easily be picked at a click for each specific search. The users of Yandex's browser can see locally relevant information, such as current traffic or weather conditions, in real time, right in the browser interface. Equipped with proprietary machine-learned automated translation technology, the browser considerably expands the browsing territory for those who speak only one language. The company's cloud-based safe browsing technology, together with Kaspersky Lab's security solution, enhances the browser's safety by warning the users about potentially malicious websites. The Yandex browser uses the WebKit engine, popular with a large number of web developers. The browser's user interface is based on the open-source Chromium code. The Yandex browser platform has through a technological partnership with a key long term partner been expanded to incorporate Opera Software's Turbo technology, which allows to boost the browser's page loading capacity even with a slow connection. The Turbo mode will be included in the next browser release. In addition to the basic open-source components, the browser has also been augmented with out-of-the-box plug-ins, including the latest versions of Adobe FlashTM and a PDF reader. The Yandex browser supports Windows and Mac OS and can be downloaded at browser.yandex.ru, browser.yandex.com. |
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